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


Volume 13 Issue 4 March - May 2018

Research Paper

Using a Mixed Methods Study to Improve K-12 Alternative Education Instructional Design

Gabrielle L. McBath*
Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Northcentral University, USA.
Mcbath, G. L. (2018). Using a Mixed Methods Study to Improve K-12 Alternative Education Instructional Design. i-manager’s Journal on School Educational Technology, 13(4), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.26634/jsch.13.4.14003

Abstract

The purpose of this Mixed Methods study is to conduct a full quantitative and qualitative research methods on a hypothetical K-12 Alternative Education program, wherein ten students have had poor grades and are at-risk of withdrawing. Within a six-part action plan on the quantitative side, students were tested twice, before and after a two-paired sample t-test in their 9th grade year. On the qualitative side, students were evaluated on their Electronic Portfolios (e-Portfolios). Results were triangulated by Concurrent Design. Despite the results of the quantitative research, the collaborative efforts of the students’ e-Portfolios showed that students worked-well collaboratively and the Action Research Framework encompassed well both the t-test and the e-Portfolios. Future research is still needed on the same group of students in other subject areas of the course work.

Research Paper

Spatial Distribution of Government Primary and Secondary Schools and the Free and Compulsory Education Policy in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

S. E. Etuk* , O. E. Agbasi**, U. W. Robertt***
* Senior Chief Technologist, Department of Physics, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
** Researcher, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Nigeria.
*** Academic Technologist, Department of Physics, Akwa Ibom State University, Mkpat-Enin, Nigeria
Etuk, S. E., Agbasi, O. E., and Robertt, U. W. (2018). Spatial Distribution of Government Primary and Secondary Schools and the Free and Compulsory Education Policy in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria i-manager’s Journal on School Educational Technology, 13(4), 10-19. https://doi.org/10.26634/jsch.13.4.14540

Abstract

This study attempts to answer the questions on whether the number and spatial distribution of available state owned primary and secondary schools in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria can actually support the government policy of free and compulsory education in the state. The study examined the relationship between the available public schools and population as well as land area. The causality of the establishment and distribution of public primary and secondary schools were equally investigated. The result of this investigation reveals that though there is linear correlation between land area and number of public schools, and between population and number of public schools, yet neither land area nor population is the cause of establishing public schools in the state. Statistics reveals that the number of available public schools cannot make the free and compulsory education policy attainable, since private schools outnumber public schools. More public schools, which should be evenly distributed based on land area and population are needed for the policy to succeed. This is very necessary, since there is no better investment for any society than training the children and the youth.

Research Paper

Exploring the Effects of Web 2.0 Technology on Individual and Collaborative Learning Performance in Relation to Self-regulation of Learners

Ananta Kumar Jena* , Satarupa Bhattacharjee **, Somnath Gupta ***, Joy Das ****, Rajib Debnath *****
* Assistant Professor, Department of Education, Assam University, Silchar, India.
**,***** Research Scholar, Department of Education, Assam University, Silchar, India.
*** M.Phil Scholar, Department of Life Science and Bioinformatics, Assam University, Silchar, India.
**** Assistant Professor, Department of Teacher Education, Holly Cross College, Agartala, Tripura, India.
Jena, A. K., Bhattacharjee, S., Gupta, S., Das, J., and Debnath, R. (2018). Exploring the Effects of Web 2.0 Technology on Individual and Collaborative Learning Performance in Relation to Self-regulation of Learners. i-manager’s Journal on School Educational Technology, 13(4), 20-34. https://doi.org/10.26634/jsch.13.4.14541

Abstract

Web 2.0 is a revolutionary technology operates Facebook, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Google+ and other social networks. The study aimed to explore the effects of individual and collaborative web 2.0 technologies on the learning performance and self-regulation of secondary school students over traditional approach of learning. One hundred ten participants assigned for non-web 2.0 group (n=40), individual web 2.0 group (n=40) and collaborative web 2.0 (n=30). Nonequivalent pretest post test quasi-experimental design used to conduct the experiment where samples were not randomly selected rather the whole class students were the participants of the study. Individual web 2.0 used Slideshare, Wiki, Whatsapp, and Youtube and Collaborative web 2.0 used the similar tools such as Slideshare, Wiki, Whatsapp, Youtube counted as the experimental class I and II, and conventional lecture was used in non-web 2.0 group or comparative group. Before and after instruction, self-regulatory learning test (Bhattacharjee and Jena, 2017a) and achievement test in tissue (Bhattacharjee and Jena, 2017b) used to collect the data. It resulted that collaborative and individual web 2.0 technology has significant effects on learning performance and self-regulation of learning over traditional approach of secondary school students in Silchar, India.

Research Paper

Interaction Effect of Instructional Strategies (Collaborative Techno - Enhanced Anchored Instruction and Traditional Method) and Learning Styles on Social Skills Among Secondary School Pupils

Flavia D'souza* , Vijaya Kumari S. N.**
* Research Scholar, Department of Education, St. Ann's College of Education (Autonomous), Mangaluru, Karnataka, India.
** Associate Professor and Research Guide, St. Ann's College of Education (Autonomous), Mangaluru, Karnataka, India.
D'souza, F., and Kumari, S. N. V. (2018). Interaction Effect of Instructional Strategies (Collaborative Techno - Enhanced Anchored Instruction and Traditional Method) and Learning Styles on Social Skills Among Secondary School Pupils. i-manager’s Journal on School Educational Technology, 13(4), 35-44. https://doi.org/10.26634/jsch.13.4.14542

Abstract

The fact that the future of a nation lies in the hands of its knowledgeable, technologically skilled, and civilized citizens is irrefutable. Secondary schools are primary centers for acquiring academic excellence as well as essential life skills. With each student being unique in his ability, learning styles, and social background, diverse experiences in secondary school helps students acquire lifelong utilizable Social Skills as a part of their schooling. Physics Education when suitably integrated with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and constructive learning strategies is said to promote academic success, develop interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, and foster over-all well being of young adolescents. With this standpoint, the present study aims to investigate the main and interaction effects of instructional strategy named Collaborative Techno-Enhanced Anchored Instruction (CTEAI) and learning styles on social skills among Secondary School Pupils. Being an experimental study, the findings highlight that CTEAI is significantly more effective than traditional methods of instruction in developing social skills among secondary school students. This paper also provides educational implications which helps educationalists undertake initiatives for appropriate infusion of innovative teaching-learning strategies that further enhance the social skills of secondary school students.

Research Paper

Teaching Learning Practices in Schools Under Shiksha Vikash Samiti, Odisha: Perception of Major Stakeholders

Kalpana Rani Dash* , Sankar Prasad Mohanty**
* Faculty Member, Department of Education, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, Odisha, India.
** Lecturer, Department of Education, Brajrajnagar College, Brajrajnagar, Odisha, India.
Dash, K. R., and Mohanty, S. P. (2018). Teaching Learning Practices in Schools Under Shiksha Vikash Samiti, Odisha: Perception of Major Stakeholders. i-manager’s Journal on School Educational Technology, 13(4), 45-52. https://doi.org/10.26634/jsch.13.4.14543

Abstract

This study has aimed to seek the perception of stakeholders (HMs, Teachers, and Parents) on quality of education in schools under Shiksha Vikash Samiti, Odisha with reference to the teaching learning practices. The Convergent-Parallel Design under Mixed Research Method has been followed for carrying out the study. The study is delimited to coastal Odisha, so the population of the study comprised all the stakeholders of such schools such as: HMs, Teachers, and Parents and Community Members. Tools used for data collection are interview schedule for Head Master/ Pradhan Acharyas; Questionnaire for teachers; and interview schedule for parents-cum-community members. The findings are: HMs reported globes, maps; charts, science kit, math kit, computers were used frequently in classroom teaching process. Majority of teachers (>60%) reported the same. Majority of parents (>60%) also reported aware of availability of globes, maps, charts, science and math kits, computers, and audio-visual instruments and majority of them (>65%) were satisfied with availability of these equipment. In case of 50% schools LCD projector were not at all used for teaching purpose and the same was agreed upon by the teachers. On the other hand, one-fourth of parents did not know about availability of computers and LCD projectors in the schools. Half of the parents (49.24%) under study reported that Teaching Learning Materials (TLM) corner was available and 69.23% from among them were satisfied with TLM corner. Majority of parents (72.73%) reported, group discussion was practiced in the schools. Half of these those (52.08%) reported group discussion was effective for their children. Majority (64.40%) of parents reported that the teachers used to write lesson diary. Out of these parents 76.47% reported that writing lesson diary had appositive effect on their children.

Research Paper

Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching (MKT) Among Primary School Teachers of Fiji

Taraivini * , Vijaya Kumari S. N.**
* Research Scholar, Department of Education, St. Ann's College of Education (Autonomous), Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
** Associate Professor and Research Guide, St. Ann's College of Education (Autonomous), Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
Raiula, T. N., and Kumari, S. N. V. (2018). Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching (MKT) Among Primary School Teachers of Fiji. i-manager’s Journal on School Educational Technology, 13(4), 53-60. https://doi.org/10.26634/jsch.13.4.14544

Abstract

Primary School Teachers in Fiji are employed and supervised by the Ministry of Education and are expected to teach all subjects prescribed by the Ministry with necessary teacher qualification. The objectives of the study is to examine the current status of MKT for Primary School Mathematics Teachers in Fiji schools in terms of its components; Knowledge of Content and Students (KCS); Knowledge of Content and Teaching (KCT); Common Content Knowledge (CCK); and Specialized Content Knowledge (SCK), and to compare status of MKT (Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching) for primary schools teachers, with gender. The study engages descriptive survey with engagement of Stratified Random Sampling technique with sample size of 363 Primary School Teachers, from each stratus covering the four major Divisions; Northern, Central, Western, and Eastern and uses a test on MKT to gauge the levels of teachers' MKT and t-test analysis is used to analyse the data quantitatively. The relevance of the study is to give a sense of direction to the Ministry of Education in Fiji, on how to support primary school teachers with teaching and other related assistance, to bring about higher achievement in mathematics assessments, and more importantly, meaningful learning for students. Secondly, the study would allow the different teachers colleges dialogue on the notions of MKT and incorporate in mathematics education courses. The findings of the study are discussed in detail in the paper.

Research Paper

Locus of Control in School Students and its Relationship with Academic Achievement

G. Kumaravelu*
Post Doctoral Fellow, Department of School of Education, Pondicherry University, India
Kumaravelu, G. (2018). Locus of Control in School Students and its Relationship with Academic Achievement. i-manager’s Journal on School Educational Technology, 13(4), 61-66. https://doi.org/10.26634/jsch.13.4.14545

Abstract

This study aims to find out whether there is any positive relationship among locus of control and academic achievement of High school students in Puducherry region from a study on 380 school students. Locus of control scale developed by Levenson (1973) was used to collect the data. Results revealed significant difference was not observed in internal, external, and chance locus of control among male and female students, female students received higher mean scores for the internal, external, and chance locus of control than the male students. The students on the subjects of English, mathematics, and sciences showed significant difference on the internal locus of control with (F=6.358, P<0.05) and significant difference was not observed on the external and chance locus of control. Chance locus of control with r = 0.138 on the meaningful level of P<0.01 and internal locus of control with r = 0.112 on the meaningful level of P<0.05 had a significant and positive relationship with the academic achievement of school students.