Education technology -training course
J. Mahdikhani Sarvejahani; H. Doosti; A. Tehranian; A. Shahvarani; M. Azhini
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Metaphors are powerful tools, which are used to present teachers' attitudes about mathematics and reflect their experiences. Teachers' metaphorical perception can make many educational events more tangible in order to examine the current status of education. Previous studies ...
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Background and Objectives: Metaphors are powerful tools, which are used to present teachers' attitudes about mathematics and reflect their experiences. Teachers' metaphorical perception can make many educational events more tangible in order to examine the current status of education. Previous studies asked provident teachers to provide metaphors for teaching mathematics and to use these metaphors to understand their attitudes about mathematics. On the other hand, these days, educational technologies have rapidly created new opportunities for meaningful education of mathematics. Therefore, the role of teachers in integrating education and technology is getting more and more important. Frequent use of technology, in almost every aspect of our lives, requires a change in the content and nature of school math programs, and it is important for students to use computers to increase their understanding of math concepts as they change. The use of computers in educational programs should be supported. Since the interpretation and explanation of teachers' attitudes toward the field of technology is important in teaching-learning, metaphors are used to compare mere and common interpretation. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematicshas stated that the use of technology is an appropriate method in mathematical reasoning, expression, problem solving, and effective communication. Moreover, the use of computers in educational programs should also be supported. Therefore, the main purpose of the current study based on the instrumentation method was to standardize the metaphorical perception scale of the effectiveness of mathematics education software in the teaching-learning process from the perspective of mathematics teachers.Methods: The research method was descriptive and the method entailed instrumentation and standardization. Using two-stage cluster sampling method and Morgan table, 198 male and female math teachers working in all primary and secondary state and non-state secondary schools in 1, 2, 3, 4 education districts of Tehranwere selected as the participants. Researchers prepared and designed a questionnaire with 44 items based on theoretical basics and related technologies in the field of mathematics education. In the first stage, CVI and CVR content validity indices were examined.Findings: After two stages of distributing questionnaires among eight experts in the field of education and technology of mathematics, the results showed that some items were removed due to not reaching the standard level. Finally, 28 items according to the components in the questionnaire were approved.The questionnaire was then distributed among math teachers in virtual networks.The results of reliability and exploratory factor analysis confirmed four factors with 26 items and the reliability value of each factor was proved and recordedbetween 0.78 and 0.94.Four main factors were identifiedincluding a metaphorical understanding of access and acquaintance, skill and mastery, interest, attitude, impact and application in the use of mathematical software.Conclusion: The results of this survey and tooling based on the views of math teachers showed that the four mentioned factors were very important in the efficiency and application of math education technologies and software in middle school teaching. Determining and explaining such factors can lead to a more detailed examination of the challenges and resources available in the preparation and distribution of mathematics education technologies in schools.
Electronic learning- virtual
M. Maghsoudi; F. Safaee; A. Hashemi
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Relying on e-learning in higher education is not a newly emerging phenomenon and has always been considered as a supplementary learning environment. But with the sudden outbreak of the Corona epidemic, the higher education system was shocked. Although the quality of this learning ...
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Background and Objectives: Relying on e-learning in higher education is not a newly emerging phenomenon and has always been considered as a supplementary learning environment. But with the sudden outbreak of the Corona epidemic, the higher education system was shocked. Although the quality of this learning environment has been continuously assessed before, the main question is whether what was said before the Corona epidemic about the quality of e-learning and its capabilities is true in this era in which it is the only teaching and learning environment. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the quality of virtual education provided at Farhangian University during the Corona epidemic by relying on measuring the attitudes of educators and students in different fields of study.Methods: In this research, the sequential mixed method was used. In order to collect quantitative data, two separate questionnaires were used for educators and students, which contained 15 and 19 questions, respectively, which measured their attitudes based on a Likert scale of five options. The original version of the educators' questionnaire was developed by Dillon and McLean [39] and the questionnaire developed by Patriot et al.,[40] was used for the students. In this study, the statistical population consisted of 713 students and 89 educators working in Farhangian University of Markazi Province. Participants in this study were selected through convinient sampling method. The questionnaires were distributed among 317 students and 36 educators from the departments of elementary education, counseling, special children education, physical training, English language and Persian literature, theology and information technology. After data collection, one-way analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. In addition, to collect qualitative data, interview questions were designed based on the results of quantitative data analysis, followed by interviews with 22 students (14 women and 8 men) and 12 students (6 men and 6 women). One of the volunteer educators participated in the interview from the above-mentioned training groups. After recording the interview sessions and implementing it, they were coded and categorized.Findings: It was shown that the educators of different educational disciplines had a positive attitude and high satisfaction with virtual education in this period and there was no difference between the educators of different educational departments in this regard. However, the results showed that students generally had a negative attitude and low satisfaction with virtual education and there was a significant difference between their attitudes according to their field of study. To find out the reasons for these findings, the researchers decided to conduct a semi-structured interview. After analyzing the content of qualitative data obtained from interviews with educators and students, relying on the method of guided qualitative content analysis, it was found that the factors related to the virtual and multimedia education environment as well as participatory learning in shaping educators' attitudes and students is important. Similarly, in addition to these factors, the third factor, which is related to independent learning, played a role in shaping their attitudes and their level of satisfaction with education.Conclusion: This research showed how much educators and students can have different opinions. Because, while the educators participating in this study had a positive attitude and satisfaction with virtual education at Farhangian University, students generally had a negative attitude towards it during the corona epidemic. Based on the findings of this study, qualitative data, multimedia education tools and insufficient use of group and participatory education have been the main weaknesses and the main causes of negative attitudes and relative dissatisfaction of students, as well as content design and curriculum. Lack of encouragement for students to learn independently was another reason for this dissatisfaction. According to the results of this study, it is suggested that in order to implement virtual education optimally, in addition to knowledge and skills, teachers should have a positive attitude and firmly convey this attitude to students. In addition, it is necessary to have adequate monitoring of the factors of school users (teachers), ICT, interface design (virtual education system), management, human-organizational resource support and evaluation during the course.
Modern Educational Approaches
N. Farajpour; S. A. Samavi; M. Javdan
Abstract
Background and Objective:In various studies, the factors affecting academic achievement and performance are divided into two categories: the first category are variables and factors that are outside the learner and include factors such as teacher teaching method and socio-economic status of students ...
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Background and Objective:In various studies, the factors affecting academic achievement and performance are divided into two categories: the first category are variables and factors that are outside the learner and include factors such as teacher teaching method and socio-economic status of students and the category; the second are the variables that are related to the learner and are known as personal factors that include motivation, attitude, self-efficacy and cognitive factors. From the perspective of educational psychologists as well as teachers, motivation is one of the key concepts and is used to explain different levels of student performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the causal relationship between motivational variables and academic performance in science, mediated by conceptual understanding in male and female students of the eighth grade. Methods: The sample was recruited from all of eighth grade students in Darab city, Iran. The research method was correlational. The data gathered through the three questionnaires: the modified version of Harter's (1980, 1981) scale, Attitude Survey Questionnaire, and the researcher-made conceptual understanding of Science. In the descriptive section, the mean, standard deviation and correlation coefficient were used and in the inferential section, structural equation modeling was used. Findings: The results showed that all relationships between variables, except the extrinsic motivation for conceptual understanding were significant. Results also indicated that all indirect hypotheses, except the indirect relation of extrinsic motivation to the academic performance in science mediated by conceptual understanding were confirmed. Conclusion: In the explanation of the present study that there is no significant relationship between external motivation and conceptual understanding, it can be pointed out that students who are motivated externally, study activities simply to achieve the desired outcomes such as approval or reward and prevent undesirable consequences such as punishment. In other words, the external factor controls their behavior and encourages them to perform a specific activity. According to behaviorists, learning is a change in the obvious behavior of the individual and its realization requires the use of positive and negative reinforcers. And these environmental stimuli, which are used to reinforce or inhibit observable behaviors, lead to behavioral changes. Since behaviorists focus on observable and measurable behaviors, not on inaccessible mental processes, and given that conceptual understanding is a mental process related to one's perceptions, it is not unreasonable to expect that there is no significant relationship between external motivation. And observe conceptual understanding.
Modern Educational Approaches
S. Mirzaei; A. Anaraki Firooz; R. Abdullah Mirzaie
Abstract
Background and Objective:Chemistry plays a fundamental role in human civilization and its place in economics, politics and life is becoming more and more prominent and covers a wide range of chemical products such as drugs, dyes, fertilizers, etc. However, the environmental damage caused by it is a major ...
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Background and Objective:Chemistry plays a fundamental role in human civilization and its place in economics, politics and life is becoming more and more prominent and covers a wide range of chemical products such as drugs, dyes, fertilizers, etc. However, the environmental damage caused by it is a major human concern. Many of us today take steps to reduce environmental impact, for example by participating in chemical recycling programs and using energy-saving light bulbs; we buy local products and maybe drive hybrid cars. But what if "we could somehow prevent pollution from the start?" Thus, with a new approach called green chemistry, chemists are being led to a new phase of research activities to develop green reactions and use them instead of the old methods, to help human health and society by eliminating toxins from chemical processes. The purpose of this research is education of green chemistry through the curriculum related to the principles of green chemistry in General Chemistry Lab 1and the effect of this educational course on learning and attitude of the pre-service chemistry teachers toward green chemistry principles. Methods: This educational course involves two green experiments implemented according to green chemistry principles. The experiments include determination of molar mass relation in a chemical reaction and determination of the amount of ascorbic acid in a tablet of vitamin C. The research methods are practical, experimental and quasi-experimental and the used instruments were the researcher-constructed tests in the field of learning and attitude domain. Statistic population of this study consists of experimental group (N=30) and control group (N=30) of the student teachers at Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University in the academic year 2017-2018. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics with SPSS software. Findings: The obtained results show that among12 principles of Green Chemistry, students have learned the principles of 1 to 4 and 7 to 12 of these 12 principles and they have been attracted to them. In addition, the implementation of a curriculum related to the principles of green chemistry has had a positive impact on the attitude of the pre-service chemistry teachers. Conclusion: Findings from the research show that teaching the principles of green chemistry can be done based on the activity-oriented approach in the chemistry curriculum as in most developed countries. Student-teacher education can lead them to develop a positive attitude towards green chemistry and to have more motivation and desire to study chemistry based on the principles of green chemistry and to pass this attitude on to their students in the teaching process. Also, in designing the curriculum, it should be noted that in the sequence of practical activities, it should be done in such a way that it includes all the principles of green chemistry so that education based on it can give all the principles of green chemistry to learners or give them a positive attitude.
English teaching
E.A. Salimi
Abstract
This study aims at investigating the effect of applying non-verbal communication and body gesture in the process of learning second language. Communication among individuals to share their beliefs, feelings and opinion entails both verbal and non-verbal aspects. While non-verbal communication includes ...
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This study aims at investigating the effect of applying non-verbal communication and body gesture in the process of learning second language. Communication among individuals to share their beliefs, feelings and opinion entails both verbal and non-verbal aspects. While non-verbal communication includes indirect behavior of body gesture, language is the indispensable part of Any verbal communication. A number of 60 EFL learners were recruited from a private English language institute to participate in the present study. They were, then, randomly assigned into two experimental and control groups. Each group was instructed 15 English words. The treatment lasted 6 sessions in one month. The experimental group was taught using body gesture and pictures, while control the group was instructed with the use of verbal techniques. Learners in both groups were tested orally to check their progress. The findings revealed that there is a significant difference between the two groups outperforming experimental over the control group. A Likert-scaled questionnaire was also distributed among learners. Then, the data collected were analyzed using SPSS and their mean scores revealed their positive attitudes toward using non-verbal communication in L2 teaching and learning.
Mobile learning
M. Ayati; H. Sarani
Abstract
: Considering that the teacher is important and the most important factor in the development of an effective qualitative education system, the present research has assessed methods of elementary school teacher’s selection. In this research, the quantitative and qualitative methods of study have ...
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: Considering that the teacher is important and the most important factor in the development of an effective qualitative education system, the present research has assessed methods of elementary school teacher’s selection. In this research, the quantitative and qualitative methods of study have been utilized. The statistical population of this research includes the principals of elementary schools, experts, and teachers of teacher training center of Qom in the educational year of 2008-2009. In order to select the principals, classified sampling method was used in congruency with the size and purposeful sampling method was used to determine the experts' sample. In this regard 162 principals', 20 experts and members of the faculty's view analyzed who had a great research background. The validity of the questionnaire and the interview has been confirmed by some of the professors and PhD and M.A students. The reliability of the questionnaire has been estimated as 0.91, using Cronbach alpha. In order to analyze the results descriptively and analytically, the SPSS software was used; and the interview analysis was done through the categorization method. The results show that the subject's physical, emotional and scientific capabilities, improvement of the teacher's selection, using native forces must be taken into consideration. In this regard, using the experience of developed countries (paying attention to cultural differences) in teacher selection programs were underlined to make the reviewing, amending and developing possible. Finally, some recommendations were suggested to improve the selection of the elementary teachers.
Educational Technology - Teacher Education
A. Zakeri; S. Rashid Haji Khajehloo; H. Afraee; Sh. Zangoee
Abstract
The use of modern educational technology has become increasingly common during the recent years. In this study we try to investigate the teachers’ attitudes toward the use of modern educational technology in the classroom. The participants were 330 teachers randomly selected from a population of ...
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The use of modern educational technology has become increasingly common during the recent years. In this study we try to investigate the teachers’ attitudes toward the use of modern educational technology in the classroom. The participants were 330 teachers randomly selected from a population of 775 teachers in Sabzevar. A questionnaire was prepared by the researchers and distributed among female and male participants. The data were analyzed using x2 test. The results of this research show that a significant difference exists between male and female attitudes. We also observed a significant difference the duration of teaching and the place of teaching.
Education technology - Evaluation and testing
A. Karami Gazafi; J. Younesi; A. Azizian
Abstract
: The purpose of this thesis is to compare the educational effectiveness of Chemistry laboratory in second grade of high school by using the educational software and traditional method . The independent variable was teaching method and the dependent variables were attitude and knowledge. The study has ...
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: The purpose of this thesis is to compare the educational effectiveness of Chemistry laboratory in second grade of high school by using the educational software and traditional method . The independent variable was teaching method and the dependent variables were attitude and knowledge. The study has been carried out using a semi-experimental method. The samples were randomly selected from high schools in Ilam city. In each school, two classes were randomly selected; one class was selected as experimental group and the other as the control group. For the former, a pre-test was done which indicated that there was no significant difference between two groups in attitude and knowledge level. Two-dimensional diagram of content–purpose related to the items of attitude questionnaire and knowledge test were presented to professors’ and experts in order to obtain the validity of the instruments. The reliability measurement of learning achievement was α= 0.71 and for the attitude questionnaire was α=0.88. According to the research procedure, the control group did the experiment in the traditional laboratory using chemical substances laboratory tools, and the experimental group did the same experiment using educational software in the computer site. Using the analysis of covariance for post-test, it was determined that the control group had more educational achievement than the experimental one, but the experimental group had more positive attitude to computer and chemistry laboratory than the control group. There were significant differences between two groups in three parts of attitude including: emotional, cognitive and behavioral.
