ethanporcaro/eric-fulltext-meta huggingface dataset:
A Conceptual Framework Examining the Antecedents of Career Decisiveness Using Motivation Systems Theory
Author: Chatterjee, Srabasti
Date: 2013-10-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Career Choice,Decision Making,Career Planning,Positive Attitudes,Adjustment (to Environment),Self Efficacy,Labor Market,Goal Orientation,Motivation

An extensive body of vocational research has been dedicated to the topic of career-decision making behavior. Work is integral to human functioning, and all psychologists need to understand the role of work in people's lives. Understanding factors influencing work choices and helping individuals effectively make career decisions is the focus of vocational psychologists. The external changes, such as shifts in the economy and labour force, as well as initiatives within the field are challenging the assumptions within vocational psychology. Under such circumstances, it becomes more important to study career decisiveness and more importantly examine the process of career planning which eventually leads to career decisiveness. So there is a need to assess attitudes, expectations, and emotions about one's career in the form of Career Future Inventory to measure career choice or career decisiveness. Career decisiveness (CD) has been an instrumental tool for vocational psychologists and a phenomenon of interest to parents, faculty, school counsellors, and others who advise young adults on their career choices. The current study shall investigate the antecedents and consequences of career decisiveness using the Motivational Systems Theory (MST). The major rational of applying MST is to understand career choice has its impetus both on the individual and contextual factors.
Electronic Media Learning Materials of Indira Gandhi National Open University, India: An Analytical Study
Author: Roy, V. Manoj
Date: 2013-10-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Distance Education,Printed Materials,Counseling,Instructional Material Evaluation,Audiovisual Aids,Educational Radio,Educational Television,Video Technology,College Students,Open Universities

The establishment of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in 1985 has been a milestone in the growth of higher education in India. A very special feature of the University is that a composite of several instructional methods in practice are aimed at giving effective support to distance learners. Self-instructional print materials are the mainstay of the courseware. Besides this, at the support centres, the learners attend a few face-to-face counselling sessions and get access to audio-video materials stocked in the library. Gyandarshan and Gyanvani, the educational television and radio channels broadcast programmes with academic content. The curriculum-based audio-video programmes developed by the University are supplementary in nature. This blending of traditional printed self-learning materials with electronic courseware is a conscious decision of the University which is intended to enhance the quality and effectiveness of learning. Over the years, audio and video cassettes have made way for digital compact discs. Resultant development in information and communication technology heralded virtual campus initiatives of IGNOU, conspicuous among them being the creation of eGyanKosh, the digital repository of the learning materials of IGNOU. Nevertheless, majority of the academic programmes are not being provided audio video supports. The paper analyses the application of electronic media in IGNOU's course delivery platform.
Training Teachers at a Distance: Perceptions and Challenges of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) in Teacher Education: The Zimbabwean Experience
Author: Samkange, Wellington
Date: 2013-10-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Teacher Education,Distance Education,Open Education,Qualitative Research,Case Studies,Observation,Questionnaires,College Role,Preservice Teachers,Elementary Education,Administrator Attitudes,Teacher Attitudes,Principals,Elementary School Teachers,Interviews,Lesson Plans,Classroom Techniques,Student Evaluation,Evaluators

Zimbabwe like most developing countries continues to experience shortages in skills. One such area that has experienced skills shortages is education. This has resulted in governments and education institutions coming up with innovative ways to improve the training of of teachers. Such innovative models include the Open &amp; Distance Learning (ODL) model in the development of skills. In some instances, there has been a combination of the conventional model and the ODL model. The purpose of the study was to examine the different methods used in the training of teachers and the role of ODL in addressing skills shortages. The study used the qualitative methodology and the case study design. The respondents were purposively selected. Data was collected through lesson observations, document analysis and open-ended questionnaires that were administered to senior teachers, deputy school heads and school heads. These gave a total of twenty respondents from different schools. At the same time twenty trainee teachers in different programmes with the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) were observed teaching and were assessed. The study also examined views, attitudes and perceptions about the training of teachers. From the data it could be concluded that the model being used by teachers' colleges (2- 5-2) was more inclined to ODL than the 'conventional' model, thus demonstrating that indeed teachers can be trained through ODL. Whilst there were mixed feelings about the role of universities in the training of pre-service teachers, it could be concluded that universities had a role in the training of teachers regardless of the mode of delivery they used. The study noted that the lack of resources and lack of understanding between different stakeholders was negatively affecting the success of the ODL model of training teachers at the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU).
Virtual Learning Environment as Part of Lifelong Learning
Author: Vatuiu, Teodora
Date: 2013-10-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Virtual Classrooms,Lifelong Learning,Educational Quality,Competence,Web 2.0 Technologies,Conventional Instruction,Informal Education,Standards,Skill Development,Academic Achievement,College Faculty,College Students

As part of the European Union, Romania has established strategic goals for the transition to a high quality educational system. In this respect, the efforts to align with standards requested by the European Community became more pregnant. Romanian integration strategy 2007-2013 stipulates, through specific objectives, the requirement, that the education should be based on the development of a set of key competences. At the same time, we assume that the development of key competences needs an optimal correlation between the formal and informal learning. The individual performances in the personal and professional field start in the formal environment and can continue by virtual learning environment, as a part of lifelong learning. For creating the environment that helps learners to prepare for their career or to assess learner's progress, along with the standards from formal learning, we need content standards and skill standards for informal learning too. They measure the individual performances and help learners to assess their competences in relation with performance and occupational standards from business environment.
Assessment of E-Learning Needs among Students of Colleges of Education
Author: Azimi, Hamid Mohammad
Date: 2013-10-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Electronic Learning,Schools of Education,Student Needs,Needs Assessment,Questionnaires,Gender Differences,Demography,Instructional Design,Internet,Technology Uses in Education,Handheld Devices,Asynchronous Communication,Web Sites,Design,Surveys,College Students

This study is a descriptive and survey type work. Main objective of this research is to explore e-learning system components needs among students of colleges of education (one year Bachelor of Education or B.Ed. degree programme) affiliated by University of Mysore, India. Needs assessment is one of the main investigative tools used by institutions to the identification of actual needs, gaps, and hidden parts in the system and other activities. Through a comprehensive needs assessment process, an institution can establish its e-learning goals. Based on this view, a researcher made questionnaire was designed and validated by experts in teacher education, ICT and e-learning field. For reliability of the tool a pilot test was carried and the Alpha Cronbach value found 0.8980 and classified as having acceptable. Researcher tried to find out the most high and the lowest ranks in needs of students. Also gender, type of institutions on dependency to government financial aids, types of learning subjects as background variables were studied.
Language Learning Activities of Distance EFL Learners in the Turkish Open Education System as the Indicator of Their Learner Autonomy
Author: Altunay, Dilek
Date: 2013-10-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,English (Second Language),Second Language Learning,Distance Education,Personal Autonomy,Learning Activities,Questionnaires,Interviews,Open Education,College Freshmen,Adult Students

This study investigates the noncompulsory language learning activities performed by a group of distance EFL learners in the Turkish Open Education System. Performance of these activities has been considered as an indicator of their learner autonomy. The data were collected through an online questionnaire and interviews. The study shows that in general learners do not demonstrate autonomous language learning behaviour. They prefer learning English in a relaxed environment particularly by engaging in entertaining activities, and through note-taking. However, they do not have sufficient interaction with their facilitator, other learners or speakers. Although the participants are distance learners, they do not prefer Internet-based activities. Conditions stemming from adulthood, lack of skills necessary to perform an activity, lack of awareness of some activities and learners' experiences in their previous years of education are some of the reasons for their unautonomous behaviour. The article also includes suggestions for teaching and future research.
Post-Mortem and Effective Measure of Science Programs: A Study of Bangladesh Open University
Author: Numan, Sharker Md.
Date: 2013-10-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Open Universities,Distance Education,Computer Science Education,Health Sciences,Student Attitudes,Demography,Case Studies,Data Collection,Questionnaires,Age,Sex,Marital Status,Religion,Muslims,Profiles,Textbooks,Teacher Student Relationship

Distance education can be more learners centered if distance educators are aware of the problems, needs, attitudes and characteristics of their learners. The aim of this study was to compare the learners' profile in terms of their attitude and demography between the learners of computer science and health science. A cross-sectional study design was used to collect data using a structured pre-tested self-administrated questionnaire. A total of 612 learners were responded, among them 71.1% were female. The mean age of the learners were 33.2 years and ranged from 21 to 52 years. The mean age of the learners of BSN was significantly higher than the learners of DCSA. The results significantly stated that the learners of DCSA program were resided far away than the learners of BSN program (p = 0.012) whereas a total of 65.2% of the learners were resided on average 10 kilometer distance from the study centers. The monthly family income of the learners of DCSA program was significantly higher than the learners of BSN program. Significantly the highest number of learners (57.9%) of DCSA program were detached from their study than the learners (49.3%) of BSN program (p = 0.012). Regarding the media programs, 62.7% of the learners gave their opinion that TV programs were at the level best but they wanted to watch TV program at the evening or night schedule. Based on opinions from the learners, revision of curricula and syllabuses, interactive printed materials, effective coordination between academics and administrative staffs and rescheduling of on-air TV programs are suggested. Results of this study might provide valuable information for the policy makers and future researchers to develop more appropriate learning materials and effective delivery mechanisms for the enhancement of open and distance learning.
The Use of Internet of EFL Learners
Author: Srichanyachon, A. Napaporn
Date: 2013-10-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Student Attitudes,Undergraduate Students,Internet,English (Second Language),Web Based Instruction,Questionnaires,Statistical Analysis,Hypothesis Testing,Gender Differences,Access to Computers

This study investigated attitudes toward using the Internet as a learning tool among students at Bangkok University; students' expectation of social networks and search engines in learning English, as well as their perceived usefulness. It also examined their use of the Internet for learning English. The samples were 198 undergraduate students enrolled in Fundamental English course at Bangkok University. The instrument in this study was a questionnaire. Results from the study indicated that the levels of attitudes toward using the Internet as a learning tool and Internet use for learning English in general were moderate. The students had positive attitudes toward using the Internet as a learning tool. The Internet was viewed the best method to communicate. There were no statistically significant differences at 0.05 level found in students' attitudes toward using the Internet as a learning tool and their use of the Internet for learning English as classified by gender, computer ownership, and monthly allowance. As hypothesised, there was a positive relationship between students' attitudes toward using the Internet as a learning tool and their use of the Internet for learning English at 0.01 level. Students having more positive attitudes toward using the Internet as a learning tool would use of the Internet for learning English more than those with less positive attitudes.
Untangling the Evidence: Introducing an Empirical Model for Evidence-Based Library and Information Practice
Author: Gillespie, Ann
Date: 2014-09-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,School Libraries,Librarians,Librarian Teacher Cooperation,Evidence,Information Science,Qualitative Research,Semi Structured Interviews,Data Analysis,Models,Information Scientists,Educational Practices

Introduction: This research is the first to investigate the experiences of teacher-librarians as evidence-based practice. An empirically derived model is presented in this paper. Method: This qualitative study utilised the expanded critical incident approach, and investigated the real-life experiences of fifteen Australian teacher-librarians, through semi-structured interviews and inductive data analysis. Data collection utilised semi-structured interviews, on-site observations, journaling and the rubric for contextual information. These approaches allowed each of the interviewees to tell their own story and provided richness to the data. Analysis: The analysis involved two types of data categorisation: binary and thematic. Binary classification was used to identify factual details. Thematic analysis involved categorising the emerging themes. Results: An empirically derived model for evidence-based practice was devised and associated critical findings identified. The results demonstrate that evidence-based practice for teacher-librarians is a holistic practice. It is not a linear, step-by-step process. Conclusions: This study is significant for teacher-librarians and library and information professionals as it provides new understanding of evidence-based practice.
Determinants of Information Behaviour and Information Literacy Related to Healthy Eating among Internet Users in Five European Countries
Author: Niedzwiedzka, Barbara
Date: 2014-09-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Information Literacy,Health Behavior,Eating Habits,Internet,Information Seeking,Nutrition,Online Surveys,Individual Differences,Behavior Change,Economically Disadvantaged,Gender Differences,Physical Health,Information Sources,Foreign Countries,Beliefs,Cross Cultural Studies,Statistical Analysis

Introduction: This study investigates how Europeans seek information related to healthy eating, what determines their information seeking and whether any problems are encountered in doing so. Method: A survey was administered through computer-assisted on-line web-interviewing. Respondents were grouped by age and sex (n = 3003, age +16) in Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Poland, and the UK. Analysis: Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used to analyse the influence of social, demographic, psychological and economic characteristics on the information seeking of the respondents. Results: Nearly half of those surveyed do not know where to look for information on healthy diets. Men, less well educated, poorer and sicker person know less about where to look for such information and are less likely to attempt finding it. Most of the respondents searching for information on the Internet use Google as a search tool. Conclusions: Individual and environmental factors affect information behaviour and should be taken into account in public campaigns aimed at changing eating habits of the population to increase their effectiveness. More emphasis should be placed on raising health information literacy of the information-poor, men, the uneducated, and the economically disadvantaged.
Information-Seeking Behaviour of Prospective Geography Teachers at the National University of Lesotho
Author: Bitso, Constance
Date: 2014-09-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Information Seeking,Information Sources,Foreign Countries,Preservice Teachers,Geography Instruction,Educational Policy,Cooperation,Internet,Questionnaires,Student Attitudes,Teaching Methods,Student Evaluation,Information Literacy

Introduction: This paper reports a study on information-seeking behaviour of prospective geography teachers at the National University of Lesotho based on their experiences during teaching practice. It is part of a larger doctoral study on information needs and information-seeking patterns of secondary level geography teachers in Lesotho. Method: The study used a questionnaire survey of the prospective geography teachers, which yielded a 74.2% (46/62) response rate. Analysis: Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences to provide descriptive statistics. Results: It was found that the scope of the information needed by prospective geography teachers covers content that has to be delivered in class, teaching methods, educational policies and learners' assessment. Various styles of information-seeking such as collaborative and serendipitous were used. The teachers experienced a lack of information sources at schools. They preferred traditional information sources such as books, personal knowledge and other teachers in host schools. Modern electronic sources such as the internet were hardly used, probably due to unavailability and teachers' limited information literacy skills. Conclusion: Realising the value of information in learning and teaching, more needs to be done to improve availability of information resources and teachers' information literacy skills in least developed countries such as Lesotho.
Modes of Access: The Influence of Dissemination Channels on the Use of Open Access Monographs
Author: Snijder, Ronald
Date: 2014-09-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Information Dissemination,Access to Information,Publications,Internet,Statistical Analysis,Qualitative Research,Electronic Libraries,Use Studies,Users (Information)

Introduction: This paper studies the effects of several dissemination channels in an open access environment by analysing the download data of the OAPEN Library. Method: Download data were obtained containing the number of downloads and the name of the Internet provider. Based on public information, each Internet provider was categorised. The subject and language of each book were determined using metadata from the OAPEN Library. Analysis: Quantitative analysis was done using Excel, while the qualitative analysis was carried out using the statistical package SPSS. Results: Almost three quarters of all downloads come from users who do not use the Website www.oapen.org, but find the books by other means. Qualitative analysis found no evidence that channel use was influenced by user groups or the state of users&apos; Internet infrastructure; nor was any effect on channel use found for either the language or the subjects of the monographs. Conclusions: The results show that most readers are using the &quot;direct download&quot; channel, which occur if the readers use systems other than the OAPEN Library Website. This implies that making the metadata available in the user&apos;s systems, the infrastructure used on a daily basis, ensures the best results.
Student Search Behaviour in an Online Public Access Catalogue: An Examination of &quot;Searching Mental Models&quot; and &quot;Searcher Self-Concept&quot;
Author: Willson, Rebekah
Date: 2014-09-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Online Searching,Self Concept,Online Systems,Coding,Classification,Information Retrieval,Qualitative Research,Student Attitudes,Discourse Analysis,Grounded Theory,Information Seeking,Student Needs,Semi Structured Interviews,Online Catalogs,Academic Ability,Self Efficacy,Cognitive Processes,Check Lists,Graduate Students,Undergraduate Students

Introduction: This paper presents a qualitative exploration of university students&apos; experience of searching an online public access catalogue. The study investigated how students conceptualise their searching process, as well as how students understand themselves as seekers of information. Method: Following a search task, thirty-eight university students were interviewed using a qualitative, semi-structured interview design. The interviews explored students&apos; experience of searching, conceptualised aspects of their searches, their information seeking strategies, confidence in searching, and any difficulties encountered. Analysis: The interviews were analysed using a grounded theory approach. The analysis involved iterative review and constant comparison of the transcripts, including line-by-line open coding followed by a second round of focused coding. Results: The results of the project present an emergent theory that explores a set of conceptual patterns in students&apos; searching mental model of online systems, a typology of searchers&apos; perceptions of their information retrieval skills (i.e., their searcher self-concept), and categorisation of types of searchers. Conclusion: With increased knowledge of how students conceptualise their search process and view themselves as seekers of information, educators and information professionals can work more effectively with students to search for the literature of their disciplines. Similarly, system designers can devise interfaces that suit students&apos; needs.