i-manager's Journal of Educational Technology (JET)


Volume 10 Issue 1 April - June 2013

Article

Degree of Hybridity: Peer Review in the Blended Composition Classroom

Rebecca Helminen Middlebrook*
Writing (Communication) Coach/ Instructor, Michigan Technological University, Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences, Houghton.
Middlebrook , R. H. (2013). Degree Of Hybridity: Peer Review In The Blended Composition Classroom. i-manager’s Journal of Educational Technology, 10(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.10.1.2299

Abstract

As the move to increase availability of composition courses in the online environment continues, it is important to understand the ways in which composition instructors take on the challenges associated with moving their teaching online and how they modify, or re-mediate, their pedagogy for this new teaching and learning environment. By investigating the views composition instructors hold regarding technology use in their teaching practices, factors that may influence the degree of re-mediation of pedagogical practices seen in hybrid, or blended, first-year composition courses were identified. One factor in particular that had a great effect on the degree of pedagogical re-mediation in this study was identified and defined as degree of hybridity.

Research Paper

OTLA: A New Model for Online Teaching, Learning and Assessment in Higher Education

Yaron Ghilay* , Ruth Ghilay**
* Lecturer in the Neri Bloomfield Centre of Design and Education, Haifa, Israel and the Jerusalem College.
** Educational Counsellor in Primary Education.
Ghilay, Y., and Ghilay , R.(2013). OTLA: A New Model For Online Teaching, Learning And Assessment In Higher Education. i-manager’s Journal of Educational Technology, 10(1), 10-21. https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.10.1.2300

Abstract

The study examined a new asynchronous model for online teaching, learning and assessment, called OTLA. It is designed for higher-education institutions and is based on LMS (Learning Management System)as well as other relevant IT tools. The new model includes six digital basic components: text, hypertext,text reading, lectures (voice/video), exercises (optional and compulsory) and a final computerised exam. It is accompanied by deep daily involvement of the course lecturer. The research was based on two samples of students studying in two colleges (n1=50, n2 =46) who participated in OTLA courses.All students were asked to answer the same questionnaire focused on three areas: the course components, characteristics of learning process and time investment. Besides,achievements of an OTLA course were compared to the same course in a "face to face" format. The research reveals that according to students' views, the new model is very helpful for their studying process. Furthermore, achievements in an OTLA course were found to be equal or better in comparison to an equivalent face-to-face course. The study's results point out that there is a significant worthiness to adopt the new model in universities and colleges.

Research Paper

University ESL Learners’ Cross-Cultural Transitions through Web-Based Project Work

Migyu Kang* , Katherine Richardson Bruna**
*-** Iowa State University..
Kang , M., and Bruna, K. R. (2013). University ESL Learners' Cross-Cultural Transitions Through Web-Based Project Work. i-manager’s Journal of Educational Technology, 10(1), 22-35. https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.10.1.2301

Abstract

This study sought to account for East Asian learners’ cross-cultural transitions to US university Intensive English classroom culture within a technology-mediated language teaching approach, PrOCALL (Project-Oriented Computer Assisted Language Learning). It explored the influence of this approach on classroom interaction patterns acquired in the prior EFL (English as a Foreign Language) classrooms of their countries of origin. Our interpretation of this influence demonstrates that web-based project work has potential to boost cross-cultural communication, facilitating East Asian learners’ socialization to the interactive norms of the US university Intensive English classroom. In the study, a group of ESL (English as a Second Language) learners in a university Intensive English high-intermediate reading class implemented a cross-cultural project using web-based authentic materials and tasks. They were involved in decision-making on a cultural topic for a group project, data collection on their cultural topic, group webpage design, and oral presentation. During these activities, learners showed interest and engagement in getting to know other cultures and increased oral interactions. Interviews with the learners confirmed that their classroom interactions had been enhanced through the web-based project implementation

Research Paper

Pedagogy Redefined: Frameworks of Learning Approaches Prevalent in the Current Digital Information Age

Isam Najib Al-Fuqaha*
Philadelphia University, Jordan.
Alfuqaha, I. N. (2013). Pedagogy Redefined: Frameworks Of Learning Approaches Prevalent In The Current Digital Information Age. i-manager’s Journal of Educational Technology, 10(1), 36-45. https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.10.1.2302

Abstract

This paper attempts to delineate the frameworks of learner-centered vis-à-vis teacher-centered processes of learning prevalent in the second decade of the twenty-first century. It defines the pedagogical changes that have emerged due to the development of delivery technologies, and the interrelations among teachers, students, and knowledge.The paper clarifies the following frameworks of learning approaches: learner-centered yet teacher-determined pre-web pedagogy, the multi-directed web 1.0 learning (andragogy), the learner-determined web 2.0 learning (heutagogy), and the network-directed web 3.0 learning (paragogy). The difference between the pedagogy and andragogy paradigms is succinctly that the first is child-centered, while the second is adult-centered. The difference between the heutagogy and paragogy paradigms is a matter of degree of maturity and autonomy, as well as self-direction versus instructor-control. Paragogy requires more autonomy and self-direction. A study conducted at Philadelphia University- Jordan, revealed that 62% of faculty members surveyed considered themselves performing the role of andragogy (Teacher Multi-directed Adult Learning paradigm), 21% appeared to perform that of the pedagogy paradigm (pre-web or Teacher Uni-directed Student Learning paradigm), while 12% said that they perform the role of heutagogy (Self-directed Learning paradigm), and 5% that of paragogy (Network-directed Learning paradigm). This paper also tries to outline the basic theories of connectedness and collaboration, as well as the four stages of development of the learning processes, ranging from pre-web learning styles (comprising traditional, radio learning. Video books, and computer– assisted learning styles), web 1.0 (including electronic and blended learning styles), web 2.0 (making mobile and ubiquitous learning styles possible), and web 3.0 (facilitating the pervasive learning style). It describes the impact of new social software technologies upon teacher-knowledge, learner-knowledge, teacher–learner relations, and social networking. The main contribution of this paper is one of awareness that the traditional role of faculty members operating in pre-web content-based situations has become obsolete and improper. It clarifies the frameworks of self-determined life-long learning that made educational institutions redefine the packages of services they offer, and procure the infrastructure required to perform their duties in the current digital age. Redefinition of pedagogy to meet requirements of the twenty-first century students seems to be a must, and should form an integral part of any professional training program designed for university faculty members.

Research Paper

The Triangulation Algorithmic: A Transformative Function for Designing and Deploying Effective Educational Technology Assessment Instruments

James Edward Osler II*
North Carolina Central University.
Osler , J. E. (2013). The Triangulation Algorithmic: A Transformative Function for Designing and Deploying Effective Educational Technology Assessment Instruments. i-manager’s Journal of Educational Technology, 10(1), 46-54. https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.10.1.2303

Abstract

This paper discusses the implementation of the Tri–Squared Test as an advanced statistical measure used to verify and validate the research outcomes of Educational Technology software. A mathematical and epistemological rational is provided for the transformative process of qualitative data into quantitative outcomes through the Tri–Squared Test as an efficient technique for the rapid testing of software applications designed for the educational setting. The design of fixed-parameter algorithms for software engineering problems can prove to be beneficial to the Educational Technologist who has to efficiently and rapidly evaluate a software tool for deployment. This novel methodology provides elegance and has a wide range of applicability to practically address important and relevant problems in the “trial and error” process of application evaluation. This research is the continuation of a dynamic mixed methods approach that is a transformative process which changes qualitative data into quantitative outcomes through the Tri–Squared statistical measure first introduced in i-manager's Journal of Mathematics

Research Paper

Does smart classroom an effective technology for teaching: a research Analysis

Ananta Kumar Jena*
Department of Educational Sciences, Assam University, Silchar, Assam, India..
Jena , A. K. (2013). Does Smart Classroom An Effective Technology For Teaching: A Research Analysis. i-manager’s Journal of Educational Technology, 10(1), 55-64. https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.10.1.2304

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the elementary school students’ perception towards the traditional over smart classroom instruction. In the present study, hundred elementary school students from two Indian schools have been randomly selected as the sample of the study. The learners’ perception scores were analyzed by chi-square and Univariate factor analysis techniques. It was found that traditional instructional strategy, and the teachers’ knowledge, modes of transaction, skill of presentation, use of the blackboard, illustration with examples, questioning, reinforcement, and the feedback was comparatively better than smart class instruction.