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1 – 10 of over 1000Many educators have advocated constructivist‐based pedagogies as a way to develop the skills needed in knowledge societies. However, many countries have a tradition of…
Abstract
Purpose
Many educators have advocated constructivist‐based pedagogies as a way to develop the skills needed in knowledge societies. However, many countries have a tradition of instructivist‐based practices, which rely on didactic lectures, rote memorization and high‐stakes exams. The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize the reactions to constructivist‐based pedagogy in instructivist‐based learning cultures.
Design/methodology/approach
The author employs a literature review to compare the philosophical and pedagogical differences between constructivism and instructivism, and proposes a conceptual model for introducing constructivist‐based pedagogies into instructivist learning cultures.
Findings
The needs of teachers, students, and institutions intersect during pedagogical innovations, which take place within national systems. The alignment between students' and teachers' educational philosophies, as well as an institutional system's resources, policy, and culture can bring conflict or congruence, as teachers, students, administrators and other stakeholders dismiss, adapt, ignore or celebrate the (mis)alignment.
Originality/value
The model described in this paper is intended to serve as a guide for educators who are introducing innovative pedagogies in a variety of settings, and will continued to be validated through a design‐research study in Oman.
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Olga Dziubaniuk and Monica Nyholm
This paper aims to explore methods of teaching sustainability and business ethics, relevant to the modern demand for student’s skills and knowledge. The study explores the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore methods of teaching sustainability and business ethics, relevant to the modern demand for student’s skills and knowledge. The study explores the challenges of teaching a business school undergraduate-level course and argues that a constructivist pedagogy is a suitable epistemological approach for designing a course unit concerning sustainability and ethics.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents case study findings drawn upon course feedback and course reflections aimed at making sense of what the most effective pedagogic approaches were that influenced students’ learning.
Findings
Results indicate that students appreciate active forms of learning via practical assignments and discussions. As knowledge of sustainability and business ethics is important for the student’s future career path, students need to develop skills of applying conceptual knowledge to practice via constructive pedagogical methods.
Practical implications
This empirical study contributes to the literature of constructivist pedagogics, which is explored in the context of sustainable development and business ethics teaching. Practically, it contributes to the analysis of teaching methods and frameworks applied in the course emphasizing the necessity of engaging in interactive and personalized learning and teaching processes.
Originality/value
Issues of teaching ethics and sustainable development are known concerns, but they have to be addressed systematically because of the changing business environment. This study explores the constructivist pedagogy based on empirical evidence and highlights its value in the educational process.
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The study aimed to explore and understand the perceptions of students, teachers and management about the distance learning and student learning at University of Hail (UOH) amid…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aimed to explore and understand the perceptions of students, teachers and management about the distance learning and student learning at University of Hail (UOH) amid the COVID-19 pandemic, to identify whether student learning needs are being addressed in (UOH). This is facilitated through the use of interaction of distance learner with their peer groups, faculty members and assistants using different modes of interactions such as computers, internets such as chats and yahoo groups and mobile phones. These features of UOH approach toward learning are among the constructivist approach.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative research methodology was used to attain the objectives of this study. Looking into the nature, aim and objectives of the research study, semi-structured interviews were suitable and case studies, in total 11 interviews were conducted; five interviews were conducted from the students, three from the faculty members and three from the university administration. An interview guide was developed to conduct the interviews on the basis of themes such as training and development, performance management and firm performance. The data analysis suggests that UOH adopts quite a lot of main features of social constructivist approach of learning and teaching. This study finds that UOH adopts student-centered approach and provides the students opportunities to learn from real-life scenarios through case studies and projects.
Findings
This study has certain important theoretical contributions and implications for policy makers and managers; this study contributes to the distance learning education literature by exploring and understanding the perceptions of students, faculty members and management about the learning at UOH. The results of this study may be used by teachers and other instructional designers to improve materials for emergency distance learning.
Research limitations/implications
This study contains certain limitations. One key limitation is the limited number of interviews originating from lack of time and problems in accessing the university. Hence, more interviews would have provided a more detailed picture of the learning at UOH. Another limitation is the context based nature of this study, not allowing generalization of the results. Nevertheless, generalizations were not amongst the purposes of this study and hence were never intended. Due to this limitation findings can be argued as applicable and meaningful to a certain degree as determined by other researchers and practitioners.
Originality/value
This research also focuses on the social constructivist approach to distance learning by examining and analyzing how learning at UOH appears to align with the constructivist approach's learning values.
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Previous research on pedagogical reforms has seldom looked at how reform may contribute to aggression in school organizations. The purpose of this paper is to hypothesize that…
Abstract
Purpose
Previous research on pedagogical reforms has seldom looked at how reform may contribute to aggression in school organizations. The purpose of this paper is to hypothesize that teachers’ disengagement from school mediates the tendency for teachers to manifest aggression when they are implementing pedagogical reform in school. Behind this hypothesis is the assumption that people are bound to encounter obstacles when implementing changes, and the resultant frustration can easily grow into feelings of disengagement and aggression which block the changes.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 845 teachers in 30 secondary schools in Hong Kong were surveyed and path analysis employed to look at how constraint in an organization and feeling of disengagement within the school hampers the successful implementation of reform towards constructivist pedagogy.
Findings
Results of the study suggest that feelings of disengagement amplify the negative impact of instructional change and cause aggressive impulses within the school to intensify, but support from school can significantly reduce the feelings of disengagement and constraint experienced by teachers. Findings of the study contribute to a deeper understanding of the dynamics of change and its impacts on school organizations.
Originality/value
Although some studies have looked at workplace aggression in a school setting, there is no work being done to look at how mandated school reform contributes to workplace aggression.
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Vicki A. Hosek and Lara J. Handsfield
The purpose of this study was to examine teacher decisions surrounding opportunities for student voice, experiences and beliefs in digital classroom communities. The teachers’…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to examine teacher decisions surrounding opportunities for student voice, experiences and beliefs in digital classroom communities. The teachers’ decisions reflect monologic rather than dialogic teacher pedagogies which prompted the authors to ask the following question: What led to these teacher-centered practices in digital environments?
Design/methodology/approach
Authoritative discourses in school policies and a missing connection between critical pedagogies and teachers’ technology practices are examined in light of teachers’ decisions to engage in monologic and/or dialogic teaching practices. The authors propose professional development and research that emphasize pedagogy that supports student voice as foundational to practices involving digital literacies.
Findings
Examination of the teachers’ decisions showed monologic practices void of student opportunities to critically engage in digital environments. Dominant discourses imposed through protectionist and digital citizenship policies of schools as well as lack of opportunity through professional development to connect critical pedagogy to technology impacted the teachers’ decisions.
Originality/value
Current research surrounding teachers’ digital literacies uses the TPACK framework to examine technology integration practices. Missing is a critical component that addresses and works to dismantle the dominant discourses and power structures in digital communities (Author, 2018). The authors build on research in critical digital literacies to argue for adding the critical missing “C” into the TPACK framework (C-TPACK) to move researchers and educators to consider pedagogies that examine ideologies at work in digital communities to provide opportunities for student voice.
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Matthias Pepin and Etienne St-Jean
Many countries around the world have now introduced entrepreneurship into their curricula and educational practices, starting at the elementary school level. However, recent…
Abstract
Purpose
Many countries around the world have now introduced entrepreneurship into their curricula and educational practices, starting at the elementary school level. However, recent studies show the relative (un)effectiveness of K-12 enterprise education on diverse learning outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to report on a research aimed at assessing the impacts of enterprise education on students’ entrepreneurial attitudes.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a quasi-experiment between May and June 2017 to assess the entrepreneurial potential of students at Elementary Cycle 3 (10–12 years) in Quebec, Canada. Relying on attitude theory, the authors used Athayde’s Attitudes toward Enterprise for Young People test, which assesses students’ entrepreneurial potential through four entrepreneurial attitudes (leadership, creativity, achievement and personal control). The experimental group consisted of 11 classes which had conducted an entrepreneurial project during the 2016–2017 school year (n = 208 students), while the 7 classes of the control group had not (n=151 students).
Findings
At first glance, data showed no difference between the two groups. Further investigation showed that private and Freinet (public) schools’ students, both from the control group, show significantly higher leadership scores than those of the experimental group. In-depth analyses also show that increasing the number of entrepreneurial projects significantly impacted three of the four attitudes assessed, although negligibly.
Research limitations/implications
Taken together, those results question the relevance of single entrepreneurial activities in developing students’ entrepreneurial attitudes. They also suggest the positive impact of a progressive, constructivist pedagogy in developing such entrepreneurial attitudes. Moreover, the paper raises several factors likely to impact students’ entrepreneurial attitudes for further research.
Originality/value
K-12 enterprise education remains an understudied context, largely crossed by unproven statements. This research contributes to understand and give direction to educational initiatives targeting the development of young students’ entrepreneurial attitudes.
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Meghan McGlinn Manfra and John K. Lee
In this qualitative case study we explored the experiences of low- achieving students responding to an educational blog. Our intention was to leverage the unique affordances of…
Abstract
In this qualitative case study we explored the experiences of low- achieving students responding to an educational blog. Our intention was to leverage the unique affordances of blogs to teach United States history concepts primarily by providing access to digital primary sources and facilitating on-line participation. Overall, our findings point to the positive potential of blogs to enhance instruction with low-achieving students. We found the integration of the educational blog provided an effective instructional format to differentiate content instruction and deliver “equity pedagogy.” In this study student participation increased, students engaged in historical work (although tentative), and the resources activated their prior knowledge. Rather than withholding Web 2.0 technologies from low-achieving students we encourage teachers to use them to meet the unique learning needs of all of their students. With thoughtful scaffolding, it appears teachers might be able to leverage the unique features of blog-based activities to improve student experiences.
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Mary M. Somerville, Malia E. Huston and Anita Mirijamdotter
To report the outcomes of an organizational change project at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California, USA. Interactive planning and systems…
Abstract
Purpose
To report the outcomes of an organizational change project at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California, USA. Interactive planning and systems thinking provide a robust foundation for rethinking workplace activities, so as to prepare staff members for enhanced participation in an increasingly digital information environment.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology takes the form of a case study.
Findings
Organizational development tools activate and extend participants' knowledge, skills, and abilities through purposeful dialogue that cultivates holistic perspectives. Enhanced appreciation of campus constituencies' differing needs and preferences, complimented by ongoing user‐focused data collection and analysis, informs strategic systems and services redesign. This practice serves to promote continuous learning, even as it advances the organization's digital migration. Results‐to‐date suggest the efficacy of this staff development approach, which uses constructivist “building on what we know” learning strategies to develop nimble organizational responsiveness, amidst dynamically changing external circumstances.
Originality/value
Provides information on a staff development approach.
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Wanyu Pei, Tian Tian Sky Lo and Xiangmin Guo
Ancient Chinese architecture is famous for its wooden frame structure and unique position in world architecture history. As numerous types of components and complex combinations…
Abstract
Purpose
Ancient Chinese architecture is famous for its wooden frame structure and unique position in world architecture history. As numerous types of components and complex combinations exist, the overall structural system and how they are interlocked have always been crucial but challenging parts of the study. Students find it hard to understand and remember the concepts using traditional 2D paper media, making such knowledge unattractive to pass on to the new generation. To overcome the challenges, this research aims to examine the effect of combining Virtual Reality (VR) with digital interaction games in learning structural characteristics (dougong) of ancient Chinese architecture.
Design/methodology/approach
This research develops an interactive cognitive system in the VR environment based on constructivist theory to improve the learning approach of ancient Chinese architecture. Applying an experimental procedure, the feedback of an experimental group using the VR cognition system and a control group using traditional learning 2D media are collected to examine the differences in learning effectiveness and user experience.
Findings
This study develops an interactive cognitive system to aid in learning the structural system of ancient Chinese architecture. The results indicate that integrating VR and interactive learning games can increase students' positive attitudes and learning effectiveness towards ancient Chinese architecture.
Originality/value
This study integrates VR technology and interactive games to improve the learning approach. It examines the effect of applying the concept of human–computer interaction in learning ancient Chinese buildings. The concept of designing the interactive cognitive system is expected to guide students gradually to be the main body of learning and stimulate their learning enthusiasm and motivation.
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Hui-Ling Wendy Pan, Jui-Hsuan Hung and Huilin Bai
Learning power is crucial in today's rapidly changing world, yet its application to teachers is under-explored. This study delved into the investigation of teacher learning power…
Abstract
Purpose
Learning power is crucial in today's rapidly changing world, yet its application to teachers is under-explored. This study delved into the investigation of teacher learning power and examined how it matters in the relationship between teachers' experiences in lesson study and the adoption of constructivist pedagogy.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional survey of 226 elementary, junior high, and senior high school teachers in Taiwan was conducted, and the results were analyzed using structural equation modeling.
Findings
The findings suggest that both participation in lesson study and teacher learning power were positively associated with the practice of constructivist pedagogy. Moreover, teacher learning power partially mediated the relationship between lesson study and constructivist pedagogy.
Originality/value
By incorporating the concept of teacher learning power and performing a mediation analysis to understand how it matters, this study has added to the expanding collection of works on lesson study explored from different perspectives and in various contexts.
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