ISSN 2329-9843
Research Article
International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 201-212, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full length Research Paper
Enhancing educational standard using active-learning pedagogies: A comparison of five case studies
*Gregory R. Earl, Gordon Y. D. and Steve K. Moore
Department of Educational Development, University of Taxes, Austin, United States.
*Corresponding Authors. E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 14 May, 2015
Abstract
This article describes the call for active-learning pedagogies arising from a range of international organizations. It then outlines key philosophical and theoretical foundations of active-learning pedagogies, which explicitly or, more often, implicitly informed such calls. Next the article introduces the purpose and methods of the comparative case studies, prior to summarizing the findings from five countries (Cambodia, Egypt, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, and Malawi) which served as cases. The findings focus on the national and related international policy discourses, the professional development and other approaches employed to promote active-learning pedagogies, and the outcomes of such efforts. The article concludes by comparing the cases, relating the findings to other studies, and identifying lessons learned for policy and practice.
Keywords: Educational quality, active learning pedagogies, policy, professional development.
Gordon Y. D. and Steve K. Moore, *Gregory R. Earl
Page: 201 - 212
Research Article
International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 3 (3), pp. 141-148, May, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Evaluation of English achievement test: A comparison between high and low achievers amongst selected elementary school students of Pakistan
Zubair Haider*, Farah Latif, Samina Akhtar and Maria Mushtaq
Department of Educational Training, The Islamic University of Bahawalpur, RYK Campus, Pakistan.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].
Accepted 5 September, 2012
Abstract
Validity, reliability and item analysis are critical to the process of evaluating the quality of an educational measurement. The present study evaluates the quality of an assessment constructed to measure elementary school student’s achievement in English. In this study, the survey model of descriptive research was used as a research method. Students of both genders (male/female) constitute the population of the study. To measure the achievement level of students, a test of English language as a subject was administered to the sample of 150 students (75 males and 75 females) of 8th grade. They were selected by convenient sampling method from 10 (5 private sectors and 5 public sectors) schools in Pakistan. English Achievement Test for elementary students comprises of 50 multiple-choice items (developed by the author), was used. The collected data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, Z-test and item analysis. The results of the study indicate that male student’s achievement level in English is better than the female students at elementary level in selected schools.
Key words: English Language, analysis, achievement test, standardization, non-standardization, elementary level, secondary school.
Farah Latif, Zubair Haider*, Samina Akhtar and Maria Mushtaq
Page: 141 - 148
Research Article
International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 3 (3), pp. 155-164, May, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
The language of shop signs in Amman: A sociolinguistic study
Prof. Riyad F. Hussein, Mohammed Y. Nofal* and Ahmad J. Mansour
Philadelphia National School University of Jordan, UNRWA.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].
Accepted May, 2014
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the languages used in shop signs in Amman, Jordan from a sociolinguistic perspective. In order to achieve the objective of the study, the researchers posed two questions concerning language choice and the factors that influenced it. The study was conducted on shop signs in three different areas in Amman, Jordan, namely, Al-Wehdat Camp, Sweifieh and Jabal Al-Hussein, and the number of shop signs totaled 680. The sample was selected on grounds of convenience and it included 90 participants who were asked to fill out a three-section sociolinguistic questionnaire. The researchers made use of two instruments; a survey of shops and a sociolinguistic questionnaire. Results revealed that there were two main categories of shop signs regarding the languages used in them; namely, monolingual or bilingual signs. Results also disclosed that using foreign names in shop signs was profoundly enhanced by prestige, positive attitudes towards foreign names, commercial interests, type of goods/services provided and the educational and economic levels of customers.
Key words: Shop signs, business language, sociolinguistics, factors, Jordan.
Mohammed Y. Nofal* and Ahmad J. Mansour, Riyad F. Hussein
Page: 155 - 164
Research Article
International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 3 (3), pp. 149-154, May, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
An analysis of perceptions of classroom teachers regarding their use of alternative assessment and evaluation techniques in the Turkish course
Metin ELKATMẞ
Kirikkale University, Faculty of Education, Kirikkale, Turkey. E-mail: [email protected].
Accepted 9 July, 2012
Abstract
Assessment and evaluation constitutes an important dimension of education. If education is the process of creating the desired changes in an individual’s behaviors, evaluation then is the process of making judgments about whether those desired changes are acquired by the individual or not. The existing curricula in Turkey were put into practice based on a new approach in the 2005 to 2006 Academic Year. Accordingly, the elementary school Turkish curriculum was renewed according to the constructivist approach. In this study, the aim is to determine the factors that influence the perceptions of classroom teachers about the alternative assessment and evaluation techniques proposed by the renewed Turkish curriculum. The research was conducted with 180 classroom teachers employed in twelve different elementary schools in a city located in Central Anatolia in the Fall Term of the 2010 to 2011 Academic Year. The data were collected through the questionnaire developed by the researcher. In conclusion, it was found that teachers’ perceptions about using alternative assessment and evaluation techniques in the Turkish course are positive; and no impact (positive or negative) was observed created by the factors, which had been thought to have influence on perceptions.
Key words: Elementary school Turkish curriculum, alternative assessment and evaluation, teacher opinions.
Metin ELKATMẞ
Page: 149 - 154
Research Article
International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 3 (3), pp. 133-140, May, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Views of educational supervisors concerning the feasibility of educational supervision regulation
Sait Akbali1* and Mehmet Özba2
1Faculty of Education, Mersin University, 33169 Mersin, Turkey.
2Faculty of Education, Erzincan University, 24100 Erzincan, Turkey.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].
Accepted 28 November, 2012
Abstract
The main purpose of this study is to determine the level in which educational supervisors who carry out the regulations concerning the feasibility conditions of educational supervision regulation views arise. The research was carried out in 2010 to 2011 academic year; the research population included 3150 educational supervisors and the research sample included 387 educational supervisors. The research is a descriptive study in screening model. Research data were collected with ‘Educational Supervisors’ Views Scale Concerning the Feasibility of Educational Supervision Regulation’ that has been developed with a multiple approach based on the front-end application results. Research data were analyzed using descriptive statistics for frequency (f), percentage (%) and arithmetic average ( X ). According to the research results, educational supervisors have mentioned that educational supervision regulation is much more applicable at appointment and training dimension than at service and on-the job training. Educational supervisors consider it necessary to focus primarily on supervision of education and school management to determine their authority and responsibilities in relation to their own assigned position. Supervisors also think that they cannot adequately perform all the duties of educational supervision that includes training, selection and appointment.
Key words: Educational supervision, educational supervision regulation, supervision, educational supervision, management auditing.
Sait Akbali*, Mehmet Özba
Page: 133 - 140
Review
International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 3 (3), pp. 117-119, May, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Review
Empowering women through credit facilities for sustainable development in the developing countries
Matthew Borode
Department of Educational Foundations and Management, Faculty of Education, University of Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +2348033966865.
Accepted 3 June, 2015
Abstract
This paper is set out to examine the empowerment for women trough credit facilities in the developing countries. Too much are often expected from women both at the monogamy and polygamy setting. Some women are the bread winners of their family, why some supplement the efforts of their husbands. Many find it difficult to make two ends meet, thereby resulting in junk food vendors or petty trading. Access to credit facility will afford them the opportunity of having stable economic and overall development for themselves, families and the nation in general.
Key words: Women, empowerment, credit, money-making venture, junk food, entrepreneurship, sustainable.
Matthew Borode
Page: 117 - 119