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


Volume 14 Issue 4 January - March 2018

Article

Foundational Principles and Practices to Consider In Assessing Maker Education

Michael Lundberg * , Jay Rasmussen**
* Sixth Grade Teacher, Mounds View Public Schools, USA.
** Professor, Department of Education, Bethel University, USA.
Lundberg, M., and Rasmussen, J. (2018). Foundational Principles and Practices to Consider In Assessing Maker Education. i-manager’s Journal of Educational Technology, 14(4), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.14.4.13975

Abstract

The maker education movement is growing in the United States. In order for this movement to gain widespread acceptance it is critical that students’ learning goals and progress towards those goals are clearly visible to all stakeholders. Given that traditional assessment methods may not be best suited for measuring some of the higher order skills associated with maker education, this paper explores this essential question: What are the critical principles and practices to consider when designing an effective assessment plan for maker education? Following a brief definition and history of maker education, the authors suggest that there are eight principles and five practices worthy of consideration when designing an assessment plan for students engaged with maker education experiences. An appendix containing example assessment tools is included.

Research Paper

The Impact of Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Feedback on Students' Achievement in a Distance Learning Environment

O. Zeichner*
Lecturer and Researcher, Kibbutzim College of Education Technology and Arts, Israel.
Zeichner, O. (2018). The Impact of Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Feedback on Students' Achievement in a Distance Learning Environment. i-manager’s Journal of Educational Technology,14(4), 13-27. https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.14.4.13976

Abstract

This paper deals with the field of "feedback intervention" in a distance learning environment. The study examines the influences of two types of feedback: cognitive content-oriented feedback designed to meet the student's cognitive needs relating to the curriculum, and non-cognitive feedback that refers to motivational–affective aspects of the learning process, in the form of axioms relating to the student's ability, on one hand, and the effort that the student puts into the learning process, on the other. The purpose of this study was to examine the differential effect of different types of feedback on the student's coping variables (cognitive assessment), i.e. the sense of threat and challenge, self-efficacy, and achievement. The rationale for choosing feedback axioms for motivation is based on recent theoretical models which focus on students' perceptions and beliefs as elements that affect their learning motivation. The study was conducted on 171 subjects divided into three study groups. Each group received a different type of feedback: content feedback, effort feedback, or ability feedback. The findings indicate that groups which received feedback relating to more than content show improved motivation, an increased sense of challenge and improved achievement in comparison to the group which received content feedback only. Small differences were found between the ability feedback and effort feedback groups.

Research Paper

The Relationship between Smartphone use and Academic Performance in a Sample of Tertiary Students in Singapore: A Cross-Sectional Study

Jingming Zhao * , Wei Yuping **, Ismail Maideen***, Zan Khin Moe****, A. M. A. Nasirudeen*****
*-**,**** Lecturer, School of Health Sciences, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore
***,***** Senior Lecturer, School of Health Sciences, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore.
Zhao, J., Yuping, W., Maideen, I., Moe, Z. K., and Nasirudeen, A. M. A. (2018). The Relationship between Smartphone use and Academic Performance in a Sample of Tertiary Students in Singapore: A Cross-Sectional Study. i-manager’s Journal of Educational Technology, 14(4), 28-35. https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.14.4.13977

Abstract

The use of smartphone for socialising and learning has become a norm among students in Singapore. Educational institutions are creating lessons and applications for use on mobile platforms. However, the effectiveness of smartphones for learning has not been well studied in Singapore. This study was conducted to understand the association between smartphone use for learning activities and academic performance (measured by cumulative GPA) in a sample of tertiary students in Singapore. A questionnaire that contained questions concerning demographic data and use of smartphone for learning was used for data collection (n=619). Results showed that there is a significant association between smartphone use for learning activities and student's cumulative Grade Point Average (cGPA) (p< 0.05). Results also indicated that female students used the smartphones more frequently for learning compared to male students and international students made more frequent use of smartphones for learning compared to local students. Students' level of satisfaction with using smartphone for learning activities was also surveyed. In conclusion, this study showed that students who used smartphones for learning had higher academic performance (cGPA). Variables such as gender and nationality of students played a role in smartphone use for learning and impacted on students' cGPA.

Research Paper

The Regular Quadrilateral Function of E–Learning Engineering: The Mathematical Conjunction of Accumulation and Advancement that Defines The Logic, Rationale, and Active Infometrics of Information Delivery in the Digital Age

James Edward Osler II*
Associate Professor, Department of Allied Professions, North Carolina Central University, USA.
Osler, J. E., II. (2018). The Regular Quadrilateral Function of E–Learning Engineering: The Mathematical Conjunction of Accumulation and Advancement that Defines The Logic, Rationale, and Active Infometrics of Information Delivery in the Digital Age. i-manager’s Journal of Educational Technology, 14(4), 36-52. https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.14.4.13978

Abstract

This monograph provides in-depth mathematical logic as the foundational rationale for the novel and innovative online instructional methodology called the 4A Metric Algorithm. The 4A Metric has been designed to address and meet the meta-competency-based education challenges faced by 21st century students who must now adapt to and learn in a multitude of educational settings (face to face, hybrid, and online). The 4A Metric has a geometrically-spatial infrastructure that mathematically defines its unique online “E–Learning Engineered” methodology for online information delivery. This methodology is defined as a “Quadrilateral Function of E–Learning Engineering” that is grounded in neuroscience of mathematical trichotomy and the “neuromeasurement” of the “Bi-coordinate Scale of Learning”. The 4A Metric as an instructional methodology detailed in this narrative also provides an active solution that when implemented via an institutional Learning Management System (LMS)/Content Management System (CMS) uses virtual methods to achieve maximized information delivery in terms of meta-competence-based education for online learning. The explicative nature of the “Quadrilateral Function” also adds further mathematical value to online learning investigative inquiry through measurement, the efficacy of digital instrumentation, and information gathered through tools developed specifically for eduscientifically–engineered (Osler, 2013a and 2013b) research designs (Osler, 2013b and 2015a).

Research Paper

Adopting Free and Open Source Software(FOSS) in Education

Deepty Gupta* , Surbhi **
*-** Assistant Professor, Central Institute of Educational Technology, New Delhi, India.
Gupta, D., and Surbhi. (2018). Adopting Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in Education. i-manager’s Journal of Educational Technology,14(4), 53-60. https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.14.4.13979

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has provided the better learning opportunities to the present teachers and learners across the world. In the era of internet, many educational resources are free and lot of free softwares are also available. In our country the basic operating system used in educational institutions are proprietary in nature and we all are dependent to that. But in past few years the Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) movement has broken the outlook of using the paid softwares. In the generation of online learning, where Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are being used by educators for transacting the curriculum based material, we need to use the available FOSS also. The Indian Government is also encouraging the usage of GNU/Linux in all the institutions. Still there are lots of barriers which are making teachers and students reluctant towards the usage of FOSS in education. So in this research paper, the authors have attempted to conduct a small scale research to find out the awareness of FOSS among school teachers along with their usage and barriers. An attempt has also been done to suggest some FOSS, which could be useful for teachers while transacting the curriculum.

Review Paper

Implications of Korean Experiences of ICT in Education in Indian Context: A Viewpoint

C. Bansal* , P. K. Misra**
* Senior Research Fellow, Department of Education, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India..
** Professor, Department of Education, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Bansal, C., and Misra, P. K. (2018). Implications of Korean Experiences of ICT in Education in Indian Context: A Viewpoint. i-manager’s Journal of Educational Technology,14(4), 61-70. https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.14.4.13980

Abstract

South Korea has achieved the rank of high tech nations of 21st century, 100% literacy and 100% schools with internet connectivity in a span of 20 years. There are several factors responsible for these notable achievements. Optimal and effective integration of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in education is one of the main reasons behind successful journey of Korea in various socio-economic spheres. In this backdrop, present study was conducted to understand the journey of South Korea in reference to their initiatives and policies of ICT in education to draw useful lessons for India. This study is mainly based on the review of existing policies and practices, as well as other available literature and statistics related to use of ICT in education in Korea. On the basis of obtained findings, researchers figured out few lessons for policymakers and planners of India to integrate ICT in education in a more effective and efficient way.