i-manager's Journal on School Educational Technology (JSCH)


Volume 13 Issue 1 June - August 2017

Article

Self-Efficacy: A Rationale for Badging inLearning Contexts

Charles B. Hodges* , Rachel S. Harris**
* Associate Professor, Instructional Technology, Georgia Southern University, USA.
** Associate Professional Counselor, Savannah, Georgia, USA.
Hodges, C.B., and Harris, R.S. (2017). Self-Efficacy: A Rationale for Badging in Learning Contexts. i-manager’s Journal on School Educational Technology, 13(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.26634/jsch.13.1.13697

Abstract

Self-efficacy beliefs have proven to be an important influence on an individual's learning success. Badging is increasingly an element of innovative technologies for educational computing such as MOOCs, adaptive learning systems, smart learning environments, game-based learning, and gamification, among others. However, there is not strong evidence that a theoretical grounding drove the implementation of badging. In this paper, the authors provide self-efficacy as a rationale for implementing badges. The rationale includes a summary of learner self-efficacy, a description of current applications of badging, and potential applications and impacts of using badging for learning to enhance learner self-efficacy. Suggestions for further study are made and potential implications are discussed for the use of badges on learner self-efficacy in an educational context.

Research Paper

The Impact of Conventional School Education onStudents Creativity

Tom Page* , Gisli Thorsteinsson**
*Senior Lecturer, Loughborough Design School, United Kingdom
**Professor, Department of Design and Craft Education, Iceland University of Education, Iceland
Page, T., and Thorsteinsson, G. (2017). The Impact of Conventional School Education on Students Creativity. i-manager’s Journal on School Educational Technology, 13(1), 12-20. https://doi.org/10.26634/jsch.13.1.13698

Abstract

Many academics argue that 'we don't grow into creativity we grow out of it, or rather we get educated out of it.' This research work investigates the notion that the education system is to blame for a loss of creativity in adults. As a result of the attempts to stifle creativity in schools, subjects including Design and Technology (D&T) face challenges in today's curriculum. Although the D&T subject is highly regarded and celebrated by many, helped by successful names such as the designer Dyson, it still suffers a bit of an image problem. Interviews have been carried out with both teachers and students to identify how and why the subject is being affected. With numerous factors working against DT; finance, the government, universities, tradition and more, it is not surprising that the subject fails to attract the interest levels it deserves. However, increasingly design should attract a greater awareness may reserve, in response to a shift towards a Britain that needs to be acknowledged for design and innovation.

Research Paper

High School Science Teachers' Confidence withClassroom Technology Integration

Zahrah Hussain Binmubarak Aljuzayri* , Brandy Pleasants**, Brian Horvitz***
* PhD Scholor, Mallinson Institute for Science Education, Western Michigan University, USA
** Faculty Specialist II, Mallinson Institute for Science Education, Western Michigan University, USA
*** Associate Professor, Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology, Western Michigan University, USA.
Aljuzayri, Z.H.B., Pleasants, B., and Horvitz, B. (2017). High School Science Teachers' Confidence with Classroom Technology Integration.i-manager’s Journal on School Educational Technology, 13(1), 21-32. https://doi.org/10.26634/jsch.13.1.13699

Abstract

Integrating technology in the science classroom can help support many teaching goals. However, research indicates that teachers need confidence in using technology to effectively integrate it into classrooms. The purpose of this study was to describe high school science teachers' confidence with integrating various forms of technology into their classrooms, and how that confidence varies by teaching discipline, gender, age, and teaching experience. This quantitative descriptive study used a four-point Likert scale survey to collect self-reported confidence data from 40 practicing high school science teachers in the Midwest region of the United States. Overall, 100% of the science teachers reported confidence in using the internet, and 90% or more reported confidence with computers, email, and powerpoint. Interestingly, these findings indicate that physics teachers reported lower confidence in using several types of technology compared to teachers of other disciplines. The author also found that males tended to report higher confidence in their use of technology than females did. While this study provides information for professional development opportunities that focus on improving confidence in classroom technology use by addressing skills and motivation for science teachers, we should note that the sample sizes were low and additional investigation is warranted. This research also leads to new questions about whether confidence translates to higher levels of technological use in the classroom.

Research Paper

Evaluation of A Nationwide ICT Reform Movement inTurkey: Insights from the Fatih Project

Esra Kizilet* , 0**
* Research Assistant, Department of English Language Teaching, Gazi University, Turkey.
** Associate Professor, Department of English Language Teaching, Gazi University, Turkey.
Kizilet, E., and Özmen, K.S. (2017). Evaluation of A Nationwide ICT Reform Movement in Turkey: Insights from the Fatih Project. i-manager’s Journal on School Educational Technology, 13(1), 33-48. https://doi.org/10.26634/jsch.13.1.13700

Abstract

Turkey has recently embarked on a country wide endeavor of integrating technology into compulsory educational system with a 2.5 billion-dollar project called FATIH. The project consists of multiple intertwined stages, including hardware installation, equipment supply, software and content development as well as teacher training. These diverse and ambitious objectives make FATIH project a rare macro project with various insights and lessons for international educational arena and academia. The major objective of the project is also unique for the CALL literature: Providing equal opportunities for students during twelve years of compulsory education in state schools by means of educational technologies. The present study focuses on English language teaching context and amendments peculiar to English language students. The data were collected from 1,600 students with a survey questionnaire. The investigation focused on the perceptions about the project tools and materials as well as ICT related competencies of English language students. The results revealed that although there is a positive perception toward the innovations of the projects, there is still a long way to go in terms of full adoption of the ICT as a means of learning and development.

Research Paper

Construction of Emotional Maturity Scale of HighSchool Teachers (AVSEM)

A. Vences Cyril* , M. Antony Raj**
* Assistant Professor, Peniel Rural College of Education, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, India.
** Dean of Studies and Assistant Professor, Department of History, St. Xavier's College of Education (Autonomous), Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India.
Cyril, A.V., and Raj, M.A. (2017). Construction of Emotional Maturity Scale of High School Teachers (AVSEM). i-manager’s Journal on School Educational Technology, 13(1), 49-58. https://doi.org/10.26634/jsch.13.1.13701

Abstract

This paper aims to develop and standardize the emotional maturity of high school teachers scale. Emotional maturity is a process in which the personality is continuously striving for greater sense of emotional health, both intra-physically and intra-personally. If teachers are emotionally mature which means if they have the ability to realize the psychological knowledge and utilize it, they will be able to help students at right time by checking their problems as they start advancing. Teachers should teach children to develop emotional maturity, but in order to do this they must have a similar characteristic in themselves. The steps followed for its construction and standardization are (i) Ensuring purpose and usefulness of items, (ii) Structuring the tool, (iii) Pilot study and item analysis, (iv) Validity, (v) Reliability, (vi) Final draft of the tool. The researcher developed the preliminary version of AVSEM Scale (104 items) with simple, clear, and concise statements for better understanding both in Tamil and English versions. The validity for each item was tested. Thus the final AVSEM Scale consists of 60 items. This scale was aimed at covering the knowledge and conceptions of high school teachers about the emotional maturity. This tool will help to the Emotional Maturity of high school teachers.