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


Volume 17 Issue 3 October - December 2020

Article

Online Instruction during a Pandemic: Faculty Collaboration and Self-Care

Gina Cicco*
The School of Education, St. John's University, New York.
Cicco, G. (2020). Online Instruction during a Pandemic: Faculty Collaboration and Self-Care. i-manager’s Journal of Educational Technology, 17(3), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.17.3.17545
World Health Organization : COVID-19 - Global literature on coronavirus disease
https://pesquisa.bvsalud.org/global-literature-on-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov/resource/en/covidwho-963188
ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-963188

Abstract

This article will provide an overview of the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019, also known as COVID-19, pandemic on educators. The transition from face-to-face to online instruction revolutionized perspectives on synchronous and asynchronous course modalities. New live media methods of interaction were adopted with little to no training for teachers and students. Simultaneously, educators, counselors, students, and families faced a multitude of challenges occurring in their own lives and those of their students. These challenges included but were not limited to anxiety and depression, low self-efficacy, fear, domestic violence, substance abuse, oppression, and trauma (Bozkurt & Sharma, 2020; Dorn et al., 2020). The conversion to online instruction during periods of governmental lockdowns, particularly in large cities with high population density, greatly obstructed lifestyles, expectations, and self-care routines for individuals across age groups and socioeconomic levels. While many dramatic changes were occurring due to a healthcare crisis, teachers, counselors, and administrators were troubleshooting student difficulties while working from home and often with limited resources and support (Stone, 2020). The article documents the realities of educating students during a pandemic and the changes that may impact education indefinitely, as well as lessons learned regarding the importance of collaboration, flexibility, and self-care.

Research Paper

Partnership in Unbundling English Language Education in a Higher Education Context

Ahmet Erdost Yastibas*
Atilim University, Ankara, Turkey.
Yastibas, A. E. (2020). Partnership in Unbundling English Language Education in a Higher Education Context. i-manager’s Journal of Educational Technology, 17(3), 6-16. https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.17.3.17357

Abstract

Unbundling has become a significant issue in higher education to deal with issues such as the high number of university enrollment and the increasing cost of education. Yet, most of the studies on unbundling are conceptual and the literature lacks academic work on unbundling. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate unbundling in English language education as one aspect of higher education in terms of how decisions are made to partner publishing houses, what are the effects of this partnership on English language instructors and students, and what affects the partnership. It was designed as a qualitative case study and conducted in the department of modern languages of a university. One of the administrators of the department participated in the research. A semi-structured interview was made to collect data. The data was content-analyzed. The findings show that courses, extra materials, cost of course books, and after-sales service affect decision-making process. They also indicate that the partnership gives students responsibility, provides instructors with guideline, and create an agreement between assessment and instruction in courses. According to the findings, course book-related problems and the cost of course books may affect the partnership negatively. The results were discussed, and suggestions for further studies were made.

Research Paper

Effects of the Advance Organizer Design for Videos on MOOC Learners

Pei-Yu Wang*
Department of E-Learning Design and Management, National Chiayi University, Taiwan.
Wang, P. Y. (2020). Effects of the Advance Organizer Design for Videos on MOOC Learners. i-manager’s Journal of Educational Technology, 17(3), 17-23. https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.17.3.17399

Abstract

MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) have been a new form of online courses and becoming a mainstream delivery channel in higher education. In order to provide concretely academic references to developers for better video quality, this study aimed to explore the effects of the advance organizer design for MOOC videos on learners' achievement and flow experiences. The experimental videos were adapted from a Taiwan MOOC Digital Content Production, and videos were reproduced according to the research needs. This was a one-way experimental design in which the factor was the advance organizer design of the video with three groups: 1) no advance organizer for the video, 2) a main-idea web as the advance organizer for the video, 3) a sequence chart as the advance organizer for the video. A sample of sixty-eight university students voluntarily participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned into one of the groups for video watching and survey completion. The findings showed that significant differences existed among groups. It was found that the video designed with a sequence chart significantly benefitted on learner achievement improvement and flow experience. This study helps to promote MOOC video production and improve the video-based learning environment.

Research Paper

Incorporating Call into English Language Teaching: Bangladeshi College Teachers' Attitude and Experience

Ashim Kumar Paul*
Department of English, Ishwardi Government College, Pabna, Bangladesh.
Paul, A. K. (2020). Incorporating Call into English Language Teaching: Bangladeshi College Teachers' Attitude and Experience. i-manager’s Journal of Educational Technology, 17(3), 24-34. https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.17.3.17379

Abstract

Considering the importance of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) integration in academic setting, this study aims to explore Bangladeshi college teachers' attitude, experiences and challenges with regard to the application of CALL in English Language Teaching (ELT). In order to achieve the purposes of the present study, a qualitative method research with interview schedule was designed and administered. Twelve teachers of English Department from three government colleges in Bangladesh voluntarily participated in the semi-structured interview schedule. The responses of the participants were thematically analyzed. The findings revealed that teachers had positive attitude towards the integration of CALL in English language teaching-learning process and perceived it as easier, effective and motivational. The results also revealed that teachers face some difficulties in using CALL for teaching English Language. However, some reflections on the possible solutions to the existing challenges of using CALL in ELT as well as academic setting have been provided. The results provide concepts and suggestions to the future researchers for further investigations in relation to CALL for the benefits of teachers, learners and teaching- learning in context of Bangladeshi college education.

Review Paper

Microsimulation for Student Teachers in the Covid-19 Era

Annamma George*
Christukula Mission College, Satna, Madhya Pradesh, India.
George, A. (2020). Microsimulation for Student Teachers in the Covid-19 Era. i-manager’s Journal of Educational Technology, 17(3), 35-42. https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.17.3.17491
World Health Organization : COVID-19 - Global literature on coronavirus disease
https://pesquisa.bvsalud.org/global-literature-on-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov/resource/en/covidwho-963189
ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-963189

Abstract

Microteaching, as defined by Allen in 1969, in his book “Micro-Teaching-A Description” is a scaled down teaching approach in which a teacher teaches a small group of approximately 5 pupils for a small period of 5 to 20 minutes. This is helpful for an experienced or inexperienced teacher to acquire new teaching skills and to refine old ones. Ever since its introduction in 1961, it was practiced in classrooms. In the present era of the pandemic, when physical distancing and isolation is inevitable, how would it aid in improving teaching skills and the knowledge of the use of technology among novice or experienced teachers, and what skills of micro teaching must be focused on with prime importance, and what new skills, in addition to the existing ones, must be included to augment teaching skills and make it more effective? Would a simulated environment of teaching aid in the skills to be acquired and mastered by the student teachers, especially when it is conducted online. Now that societal and governmental norms are in practice with regard to the pandemic, a combination of microteaching and simulated teaching, rather a micro teaching in a simulated environment will have to be adopted for the mastery of skills and modification of teacher behavior for the student teachers. This article discusses about the possible skills that can be introduced, and the probable effects and consequences of micro teaching in a simulated environment online.

Opinion Paper

Reforms in Governance & Leadership - Need of the Hour for Reimagining Indian Universities & Colleges

B. M. Naik*
Shri Guru Gobind singhji Institute of Engineering & Technology, Vishnupuri, Nanded.
Naik, B. M. (2020). Reforms in Governance & Leadership - Need of the Hour for Reimagining Indian Universities & Colleges. i-manager’s Journal of Educational Technology, 17(3), 43-53. https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.17.3.17230

Abstract

India desperately needs good governance in colleges and universities so as to create a culture of innovation, and entrepreneurship so as to become and remain competitive in world market. Poor governance and poor leadership is observed to be the root cause for all ills in university education. Indian students and professors are brilliant but unfortunately they have to work today under poor governance. Governance and leadership both at central and state levels are mainly responsible for poor educational standards. It seems like all the governing bodies, namely MHRD, UGC, AICTE, Board of Governors (BOG), executive councils, are not well familiar with the global winds of change. Truly, they are behind time. No wonder, Indian universities in spite of brilliant students and brilliant professors do not stand high in the world list. Thousands of students every year are flying abroad for education. To rectify the ills and to ensure educational quality; India urgently needs to go first on priority for modernising governance systems, make them effective, imaginative and competent. They ought to engage fruitfully with the Vice Chancellors, Principals and especially listen to the voice of students. In globalization, education can best be shaped by adopting role models of only world best universities. National budget allocation to university education which creates vital human capital, which is a driving force for national development, is unfortunately observed to be dwindling. This is a major problem, and a challenge too. So as to build colleges and universities innovative, creative, and qualitative by world standards some suggestions are made in this paper. Strong leadership, distributed leadership and autonomy at the institution level is recommended. What kind of impact a professor makes on society and the profession of his/her specialization is of vital importance to take the nation to greater heights. Are professors competent by global standards? How can they be? Do the systems enable them to be so? Importance of education is outlined by Nobel Laurate Dr. Amartya Sen needs to be borne in mind. He says there is no better way for economic development of India than to educate people well. If India does not provide better education, and instead even if it implements reforms in all other sectors like food, water, electricity, etc. that is not going to matter much.