The Development and Evaluation of a Network for Producing and Sharing Video Presentations

Vol.11  No.2

Year : 2014

Issue : Jul-Sep

Title : The Development and Evaluation of a Network for Producing and Sharing Video Presentations

Author Name : Alaa Sadik

Synopsis :

This paper describes the technology and methodology used in the development and evaluation of an online network to help the instructors to produce and share video presentations in a new and innovative way. The network offers an application and platform for recording and sharing video presentations. The application allows instructors to narrate and annotate PowerPoint slides and synchronize a variety of visual aids, including webcam footage, whiteboard, drawing board, and web browser. The platform uses ‘YouTube API’ to upload and integrate videos with scrollable slide thumbnails. Quantitative and qualitative techniques were implemented to collect data and report the usability of the network and effectiveness of the video presentations. The results of usability evaluation showed that, the network was perceived by instructors and students as effective, efficient, and relevance for self- production and sharing of video presentations. In addition, video presentations produced by participants met the criteria of quality of video presentations.

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Learning-Style Assessment in Online Courses: A Prerequisite for Academic Success

Vol.11  No.2

Year : 2014

Issue : Jul-Sep

Title : Learning-Style Assessment in Online Courses: A Prerequisite for Academic Success

Author Name : Gina Cicco

Synopsis :

Educational researchers have extensively documented the benefits of utilizing learning styles in the processes of teaching and learning from early childhood to Adult Education (Burke & Dunn, 2003; Cicco, 2009). This article examines the need to consider and employ learning-styles instruction in the online classroom. Adult learners are unique in that they have already developed strategies to navigate through their academic courses and to succeed, even in adverse conditions. As adult learners enter the world of online instruction, their techniques may or may not prove to be effective in allowing them to master course objectives (Kasworm, Rose, & Ross-Gordon, 2010). Introducing a learning-styles approach to differentiate the instruction in online courses may assist adult learners in recognizing their learning needs and preferences, while providing them with a repertoire of learning options which capitalize on their personal strengths. Implementation of learning-styles pedagogical methods in online courses offers educators and their adult students a new approach to de-mystify successful pathways for academic success (Cicco, 2009; Cicco, 2013; Fearing & Riley, 2005). Five important steps for integrating this proven method of instruction in online courses are discussed as prerequisites in contemporary Adult Education.

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What Major Search Engines Like Google, Yahoo And Bing Needs To Know About Teachers In The UK?

Vol.11  No.2

Year : 2014

Issue : Jul-Sep

Title : What Major Search Engines Like Google, Yahoo And Bing Needs To Know About Teachers In The UK?

Author Name : Ms. Faezeh Seyedarabi

Synopsis :

This article briefly outlines the current major search engines approach to teachers’ web searching. The aim of this article is to make Web searching easier for teachers when searching for relevant online teaching materials, in general, and UK teacher practitioners at primary, secondary and post-compulsory levels, in particular. Therefore, major search engines are strongly recommended to design and develope personalised search tools for teachers in addition to carrying out extensive studies on teachers' online searching needs and preferences in order to fully achieve search engine personalisation for individual teachers.

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Effects of Practice Type in the Here and Now Mobile Learning Environment

Vol.11  No.2

Year : 2014

Issue : Jul-Sep

Title : Effects of Practice Type in the Here and Now Mobile Learning Environment

Author Name : Jeremy I. Tutty, Florence Martin

Synopsis :

This generation of technology is characterized by mobile and portable devices such as smartphones and tablet computers with wireless broadband access. Mobile technologies enable a new kind of learning called “here and now learning,” where learners have access to information anytime and anywhere to perform authentic activities in the context of their learning. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of three levels of practice type (assessment Aligned, Reflective, None) on student performance and attitude in the here and now mobile learning environment. Results indicated that, the inclusion of practice activities in mobile instruction had a positive effect on student performance. Study participants who received either assessment aligned or reflective practice significantly outperformed the participants who did not receive practice. Further, the study results also indicated that, the inclusion of practice activities in here and now mobile learning has a positive effect on the students’ attitude. Through the systematic consideration of a specific element of instruction, this study begins the process of building the framework for the effective design and implementation of here and now mobile learning.

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Continuous Classroom Assessment At Primary Level

Vol.11  No.1

Year : 2014

Issue : Apr-Jun

Title : Continuous Classroom Assessment At Primary Level

Author Name : Imtiaz Ali, Dr. Manzoor Hussain Shah, Dr. Aijaz Ahmed Gujjar

Synopsis :

This study was designed to analyze the continuous classroom assessment at primary level in Pakistan. Findings of the study revealed that the students' achievement of single class teacher in the subject of English, General science, Urdu and mathematics were almost on average and rubric observation during continuous classroom assessment ranked single class teacher performance asn fair. Overall, subject teacher students’ achievement in English, General science, Urdu and Mathematics was better as compared to single class teacher. In addition to this, rubric observation during continuous classroom assessment ranked as subject teacher performance was reported very good in the area of students' instruction, writing test items on the writing board, time management, class environment, use of instructional recourses and student record keeping during and after assessment. It was recommended that at primary level, there is need of subject wise teacher to teach students more effectively. It is also recommended that primary teachers should be familiar with the new curricular terms such as Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) used in curriculum 2006 and they can be trained to develop and use the new assessment tools that is, rubric in the classroom.

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A Novel Approach for Quality Education towards Industry Expectations

Vol.11  No.1

Year : 2014

Issue : Apr-Jun

Title : A Novel Approach for Quality Education towards Industry Expectations

Author Name : Santhiyakumari N, Mr.C.Babu , Gomathi , Rajesh.K , Shenbagapariya M

Synopsis :

This paper presents a new method to improve the quality in technical education in order to meet the industry expectations. The quality of education and training being imparted in the technical education institutions varies from excellent to poor, with some institutions comparing favourably with the best in the world. Few others are suffering from different degrees of faculty shortages infrastructure deficiencies, curricula obsolescence, lack of autonomy in academic, financial, administrative, and managerial matters poor involvement in knowledge creation and dissemination. Skillful manpower of high quality can play a major role in economic development and in export of technology and services, and observing the growing demand for Indian professionals particularly in the area of software and core engineering in all parts of the globe including the highly developed countries. It is necessary to give very high priority in providing quality technical education for Engineering and Technology. In order for the students to succeed, its necessary to prepare themselves for the ever changing world of work, which means not only college readiness, but also career readiness.

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Best Practices Of Leadership in Educational Technology

Vol.11  No.1

Year : 2014

Issue : Apr-Jun

Title : Best Practices Of Leadership in Educational Technology

Author Name : Loren Brown

Synopsis :

Leadership in Educational Technology is a relatively new field that is changing as fast as technology itself. Success for an educational leader includes maintaining a firm grasp of how to diagnose the needs of a district, a school, or a classroom while aligning policies, procedures, and protocols into a format that will empower the individual teacher efficacy and student learning outcomes. Being a leader in educational technology includes more than incorporating new technologies into the classroom. Leadership in educational technology requires an outlook that views technology not as a tool for every occasion, but as a tool that when used, will enhance the learning process. An approach of best practices is essential to maintain effectiveness as an educational leader, and yet there is very little research that includes a synthesis of the best practices or approaches that are certain to increase an educational leader's effectiveness. A best practices approach that relies on the use of constructivist teaching method, that strives for continuous improvement through the use of professional learning networks and communities, and that utilizes online professional development will produce the kind of effectiveness in teachers that is associated with positive student learning outcomes.

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