ethanporcaro/eric-fulltext-meta huggingface dataset:
Why Study on a MOOC? The Motives of Students and Professionals
Author: Milligan, Colin
Date: 2017-04-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Online Courses,Large Group Instruction,Educational Technology,Technology Uses in Education,Motivation,Professional Personnel,Surveys,Course Selection (Students),Student Interests,Career Development

Massive Open Online Courses have emerged as a popular mechanism for independent learners to acquire new knowledge and skills; however, the challenge of learning online without dedicated tutor support requires learners to self-motivate. This study explores the primary motivations reported by participants in two MOOCs: &quot;Fundamentals of Clinical Trials&quot; and &quot;Introduction to Data Science&quot; (n = 970). Each MOOC drew a diverse cohort of participants ranging from professionals working in the field to students preparing to enter it. Across both MOOCs, a similar profile of primary motivations emerged, with respondents identifying the potential benefits to their current role, or future career, alongside more general responses reflecting casual interest in the topic or a simple desire to learn. Professionals were primarily motivated by current needs, describing how the course could fill gaps in their formal knowledge, broaden their skillset to increase their effectiveness at work, or enable them to innovate. Professionals also saw the benefit of MOOC study in preparing them for new roles and career progression. Students, meanwhile, used MOOC study to complement their other learning. It is clear that MOOC study represents a popular mechanism for professionals to address both current and future learning needs.
The RISE Framework: Using Learning Analytics to Automatically Identify Open Educational Resources for Continuous Improvement
Author: Bodily, Robert
Date: 2017-04-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Open Source Technology,Educational Resources,Educational Improvement,Data Analysis,Case Studies,Course Evaluation,Curriculum Design,Electronic Libraries,Electronic Publishing,Instructional Material Evaluation,Measurement Techniques,Models

The RISE (Resource Inspection, Selection, and Enhancement) Framework is a framework supporting the continuous improvement of open educational resources (OER). The framework is an automated process that identifies learning resources that should be evaluated and either eliminated or improved. This is particularly useful in OER contexts where the copyright permissions of resources allow for remixing, editing, and improving content. The RISE Framework presents a scatterplot with resource usage on the x-axis and grade on the assessments associated with that resource on the y-axis. This scatterplot is broken down into four different quadrants (the mean of each variable being the origin) to find resources that are candidates for improvement. Resources that reside deep within their respective quadrant (farthest from the origin) should be further analyzed for continuous course improvement. We present a case study applying our framework with an Introduction to Business course. Aggregate resource use data was collected from Google Analytics and aggregate assessment data was collected from an online assessment system. Using the RISE Framework, we successfully identified resources, time periods, and modules in the course that should be further evaluated for improvement.
Networked Scholarship and Motivations for Social Media Use in Scholarly Communication
Author: Manca, Stefania
Date: 2017-04-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Communication (Thought Transfer),Scholarship,Social Media,Networks,Motivation,Mass Media Use,Researchers,College Faculty,Gender Differences,Age Differences,Intellectual Disciplines,Academic Rank (Professional),Tenure,Influences,Statistical Analysis,Foreign Countries,Online Surveys

Research on scholars' use of social media suggests that these sites are increasingly being used to enhance scholarly communication by strengthening relationships, facilitating collaboration among peers, publishing and sharing research products, and discussing research topics in open and public formats. However, very few studies have investigated perceptions and attitudes towards social media use for scholarly communication of large cohorts of scholars at national level. This study investigates the reasons for using social media sites for scholarly communication among a large sample of Italian university scholars (N = 6139) with the aim of analysing what factors mainly affect these attitudes. The motivations for using social media were analysed in connection with frequency of use and factors like gender, age, years of teaching, academic title, and disciplinary field. The results point out that for the most used tools the influence of the variables examined was higher in shaping scholars' motivations. In fact, frequency of use, age, years of teaching, and disciplinary field were found to be relevant factors especially for LinkedIn and ResearchGate-Academia.edu, while gender and academic title seemed to have a limited impact on scholars' motivations for all social media sites considered in the study. Considerations for future research are provided along with limitations of the study.
Rethinking Distance Tutoring in E-Learning Environments: A Study of the Priority of Roles and Competencies of Open University Tutors in China
Author: Li, Shuang
Date: 2017-04-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Teacher Role,Educational Technology,Technology Uses in Education,Open Universities,Mixed Methods Research,Observation,Questionnaires,Teacher Competencies,Foreign Countries,Likert Scales,College Faculty,College Students,Administrators,Scores,Time,Interviews,Tutors

This study aims to identify the priority of the roles and competencies of tutors working in the e-learning environments where the tutors are experiencing the changes brought by reforming traditional TV and broadcasting university to open universities. The mixed methods, DACUM, non-participatory observation, and questionnaires were used to identify the priority of the roles and competencies of tutors. The findings suggested that the priority of the roles and competencies has significantly changed accompanied to the shift of pedagogy from cognitive behaviorist to social-constructivist and connectivist. Changes in the roles of the instructional designer and instructor were highlighted. Significant differences in perceptions of the importance of the roles and competencies corresponding to learning management and technology use also merit further attention.
Good Teaching: Aligning Student and Administrator Perceptions and Expectations
Author: Nabaho, Lazarus
Date: 2017-06-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Student Attitudes,Administrator Attitudes,Expectation,Undergraduate Students,College Faculty,Foreign Countries,Teacher Characteristics,Teacher Effectiveness,Focus Groups,Qualitative Research,Knowledge Level,Teacher Student Relationship,Feedback (Response),Interpersonal Communication

Extant literature attests to limited systematic inquiry into students' perceptions of good teaching in higher education. Consequently, there have been calls for engaging students in construing what makes good university teaching. This interpretivist study investigated final-year undergraduate students' perceptions of good teaching at Makerere University in Uganda. Results suggested that students conceived good teachers as being student centered, demonstrating strong subject and pedagogical knowledge, being approachable, being responsive, being organized, and being able to communicate well. Most perceptions of good teaching by students depend on what the teacher does (the means) rather than affording high-quality student learning (an end). The findings further demonstrate a troubling gap between students' perceptions of good teaching and the items in the university's student evaluation of teaching. We recommend ensuring congruence between perceptions of good teaching by the students and the items listed in Makerere University's student evaluation of teaching.
Student Voices on the Roles of Instructors in Asynchronous Learning Environments in the 21st Century
Author: Gómez-Rey, Pilar
Date: 2017-04-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Asynchronous Communication,Educational Environment,Teacher Role,Student Attitudes,Interviews,Statistical Analysis,Daily Living Skills,Online Surveys,Questionnaires,Factor Analysis,College Students,Foreign Countries

This paper determines which instructional roles and outputs are important in the 21st century from the perspective of students in asynchronous learning environments. This research work uses a literature review, in-depth interviews with experts, and a pilot study with students to define the instructors' outputs. Following this, roles are determined by using a quantitative methodology (in a sample of 925 students). To our knowledge, the remaining research works on this topic identify the online instructors' roles by a qualitative analysis. The findings suggest that a new role, the life skill promoter, has emerged. Furthermore, analysis of the remaining roles (pedagogical, designer, social, technical and managerial) showed that: (i) online instructors are, first and foremost, pedagogues; (ii) the design of the particular online program influences the pedagogical and designer roles and; (iii) the managerial role has declined in importance over the years due to the development of more intuitive and transparent online scenarios from the beginning of the course onward.
The Effects of an Early Motor Skill Intervention on Motor Skills, Levels of Physical Activity, and Socialization in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study
Author: Ketcheson, Leah
Date: 2017-05-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Psychomotor Skills,Intervention,Physical Activity Level,Socialization,Autism,Pervasive Developmental Disorders,Program Effectiveness,Young Children,Experimental Groups,Control Groups,Statistical Analysis,Diagnostic Tests,Observation,Behavior Rating Scales,Adjustment (to Environment),Cognitive Ability,Children,Motor Development

Despite evidence suggesting one of the earliest indicators of an eventual autism spectrum disorder diagnoses is an early motor delay, there remain very few interventions targeting motor behavior as the primary outcome for young children with autism spectrum disorder. The aim of this pilot study was to measure the efficacy of an intensive motor skill intervention on motor skills (Test of Gross Motor Development-2), physical activity (accelerometers), and socialization (Playground Observation of Peer Engagement) in young children with autism spectrum disorder. A total of 20 children with autism spectrum disorder aged 4-6 years participated. The experimental group (n = 11) participated in an 8-week intervention consisting of motor skill instruction for 4 h/day, 5 days/week. The control group (n = 9) did not receive the intervention. A repeated-measures analysis of covariance revealed statistically significant differences between groups in all three motor outcomes, locomotor (F(1, 14) = 10.07, p &lt; 0.001, partial ?[superscript 2] = 0.42), object control (F(1, 14) = 12.90, p &lt; 0.001, partial ?[superscript 2] = 0.48), and gross quotient (F(1, 14) = 15.61, p &lt; 0.01, partial ?[superscript 2] = 0.53). Findings shed light on the importance of including motor programming as part of the early intervention services delivered to young children with autism spectrum disorder.
A Survey of the Collaboration Rate of Authors in the E-Learning Subject Area over a 10-Year Period (2005-2014) Using Web of Science
Author: Mohammadi, Aeen
Date: 2017-04-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Authors,Educational Research,Electronic Learning,Cooperation,Journal Articles,Literature Reviews,Search Strategies

Partnership is one of the mechanisms of scientific development, and scientific collaboration or co-authorship is considered a key element in the progress of science. This study is a survey with a scientometric approach focusing on the field of e-learning products over 10 years. In an Advanced Search of the Web of Science, the following search formula was used: TS = (&quot;m-learning&quot; OR &quot;mlearning&quot; OR &quot;mobile learning&quot; OR &quot;online learning&quot; OR &quot;virtual learning&quot; OR &quot;distance learning&quot; OR &quot;electronic learning&quot;). The study was limited to 2005-2014, and the document type was limited to paper. A total of 4292 documents were found, to which 12362 authors contributed. The articles were evaluated individually and their information was entered into Microsoft Office Excel 2007 for analysis using the collaborative coefficient formula. In the Computers and Education journal, articles with two authors are the most frequent. The United States, with the highest production of articles in the field of e-learning, tends to produce articles with two authors. In 2014, the most productive year, articles with three authors were more frequent. The highest collaborative coefficient is in 2005 and 2014. Our findings show that despite the need for research activities as a team, the authors in the field of e-learning tend to publish their papers alone or in a team of two.
Creative and Functional Education: The Challenges and Prospects in a Comatose Economy
Author: Agbowuro, Christine
Date: 2017-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Creativity,Economic Impact,Economic Factors,Academic Achievement,Educational Development,Creative Activities,Barriers,Higher Education,Foreign Countries

Creativity is a key driver in the global economy. However, in the majority of national curricula creativity is perceived as secondary in many subjects. Unfortunately this means that students leave school without knowing how to create and innovate, consequently they will be under prepared for challenges that our society and economies are facing. In today's world of global competition and complex problems, creative intelligence and innovative capacity are fast becoming requirements for personal and professional success. Creative intelligence and imagination exist in all children therefore it should be fostered. To cultivate and educate the right &quot;right minds&quot; we need educational curricula that include exploration, problem solving and diversity. It is important that school systems respond to the changing world. There is need for functional education for the promotion of a progressive and united nations. To this end school programs need to be relevant, practical and comprehensive for the acquisition of appropriate skills and the development of mental, physical and social abilities and competences as equipment for the individual to live in and contribute to the development of the society, The paper is an analytical synthesis of the challenges and prospects of education in the global economic crisis and suggests creative and functional education as a panacea.
International Students' Perceptions of Their Learning Environment in Graduate Programs at One Normal University in China
Author: Lwin, Thawdar
Date: 2017-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Educational Environment,Foreign Students,Student Attitudes,Graduate Students,Statistical Analysis,Qualitative Research,Questionnaires,Semi Structured Interviews,Likert Scales,Majors (Students),Social Experience,Time Perspective

This study was an investigation of the international students' perceptions of their learning environment in graduate programs at one normal university in China. The study used both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The sample comprised 91 international students, 51 Master and 40 doctoral from three schools: Education, Life Sciences and Chemistry. A structured questionnaire, the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) served as the main instrument for quantitative data collection. The semi-structured interview was used to gather qualitative data. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. International students had positive perceptions about the learning environment. International students' majors and length of stay in China influenced perceptions about the learning environment. It is recommended that the curriculum be reviewed to offer more specialized courses.
Effective University Leadership as Predictor of Academic Excellence in Southern Nigerian Universities
Author: Ofoegbu, Felicia O.
Date: 2017-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Universities,Predictor Variables,Educational Quality,Leadership Effectiveness,College Administration,Questionnaires,Administrator Attitudes,Administrator Surveys,College Presidents,Teacher Attitudes,Educational Practices

The University is an educational system where high level manpower is trained for socio-economic and political growth of any nation. The leadership of a University plays invaluable roles in achieving academic excellence in dissemination and acquisition of universal knowledge, values; functional, technical and scientific skills and competencies critical to global growth and development. The study therefore investigated the relationship between effective University leadership and academic excellence in Southern Nigerian Universities. The population of the study was made up of all the Vice chancellors from the seventeen federal Universities in Southern Nigeria. A random sampling technique was used to select nine (09) Universities and their Vice chancellors representing 52% of the studied population. 135 academic staff were also randomly selected from the sampled Universities as respondents. Questionnaire was the main instrument used for data collection. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the data collected for the study. The analysis revealed that Vice chancellors from Southern Nigerian Universities were moderately effective in their leadership roles but the level of academic excellence in Southern Nigerian Universities was generally low. A further analysis revealed that there was a significant relationship between leadership effectiveness and academic excellence in Southern Nigerian Universities. It was therefore recommended among others that highly competent, effective and transformative University administrators should be selected for Vice chancellorship position in Southern Nigerian Universities. Federal Universities in Southern Nigeria should be resourceful in generating revenue to end the seemingly unending lamentation of poor funding.
Effect of Job Satisfaction and Motivation towards Employee's Performance in XYZ Shipping Company
Author: Octaviannand, Ramona
Date: 2017-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Job Satisfaction,Learning Motivation,Motivation,Marketing,Job Performance,Regression (Statistics),Interviews,Likert Scales,Employee Attitudes,Age Differences,Gender Differences,Tenure,Educational Attainment,Transportation,Foreign Countries

In the digital and globalization era which are demanding for tech progress. Human resources need to work more closely and concentration. Small errors can lead to fatal errors that result in high costs for the company. The loss of motivation at work influences employee satisfaction and have a negative impact on employee performance. Research was conducted on XYZ Shipping Company located in Kuningan, South Jakarta. The number of respondents in the study was limited to only 70 people from the marketing department, customer service, logistics, documentation, cashiers, financial and port agency services. Each division selected 10 people who have worked more than one year although still a contract employee.The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of job satisfaction and motivation on employee performance. Data processing techniques used are Microsoft Excel for Windows, Statisical Social Package for Science (SPSS) for windows ver. 20.0. The analysis used regression analysis to analyze the effect of job satisfaction and motivation on employee performance on Shipping Company XYZ. Research approach using a quantitative approach is a closed form questionnaire distributed to 70 respondents and are equipped with qualitative data to get information through interviews with the leadership of the respondents. Data collected by a questionnaire using Likert scale. The regression equation showed job satisfaction and motivation influence on employee performance. Each job satisfaction and motivation better, it will produce a good performance. Tcount&gt; t table, then Ho is rejected, meaning that job satisfaction and motivation influence on the performance of employees at XYZ Shipping Company. Tcount positive means if the positive influence job satisfaction and motivation increases, the performance of employees will also increase. In hitumg F value&gt; F table (51.293&gt; 3.134) maha Ho is rejected, meaning that job satisfaction and motivation of jointly affect the performance of employees at XYZ Shipping Company. The results of study proves that there is positive and significant correlation between job satisfaction and motivation to employee performance. This means that the better job satisfaction and motivation of employees, the higher the performance of employees and the other hand, if the provision of job satisfaction and motivation is low, it will lead to decreased employee performance.
Attitudes of Jordanian Students towards Using Group Work in EFL Classrooms
Author: Ababneh, Sana'
Date: 2017-02-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,English (Second Language),Second Language Instruction,Student Attitudes,Group Activities,College Students,Questionnaires,Student Characteristics,Personality Traits,Gender Differences,Secondary Education,Vocational Education,Intellectual Disciplines

This paper addresses itself to the outcomes of a field study which was carried out to identify Jordanian EFL students' attitudes towards using group work in EFL classrooms. The study sample consisted of 179 students enrolled in English 101, an elementary language skills course taught at Al- Huson University College, Al -Balqa' Applied University, Jordan. A questionnaire was used to investigate the subjects' attitudes. The findings show that approximately two-thirds of the participants are either &quot;very extrovert&quot; or &quot;somewhat extrovert&quot;, i.e. they have positive attitudes towards participating in group work in EFL classes. In contrast, only a third are either &quot;somewhat introvert&quot; or &quot;very introvert&quot;, i.e., they do not like to take part in group work in EFL classes. Moreover, the data show that neither the subjects' gender nor their secondary school stream (vocational, scientific, or literary) has any significant effect on their preferences.
Can Peer Mentors Improve First-Year Experiences of University Students?
Author: Yomtov, Dani
Date: 2017-05-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: College Freshmen,Mentors,Peer Teaching,Pretests Posttests,Quasiexperimental Design,School Holding Power,Student Attrition,Higher Education,Control Groups,Experimental Groups,Online Surveys,Statistical Analysis,Program Evaluation

The effectiveness of a peer-mentoring program was examined at a university in California. Previous studies suggest university peer mentoring might increase students' feelings of engagement, which can contribute to their retention. Pretest and posttest data were collected from 304 freshmen (mentored and nonmentored) during the fall of 2012 in a quasi-experimental design. Results indicated mentored students felt significantly more integrated and connected to their university at the end of their first semester compared with nonmentored students. Mentees also provided qualitative responses about what they found beneficial and what they felt could be improved in the program. Results suggested peer mentoring helped the students feel more integrated and supported at college, which might reinforce their persistence toward graduating.