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The present study focused on how self-control over pace might help learners successfully extract information from digital learning aids. Past research has indicated that too much control over pace can be overwhelming, but too little control over pace can be ineffective. Within the popular self-testing domain of flashcards, we sought to elucidate the optimal level of user control for digital learning and compare learning outcomes between paper and digital flashcards. College students learned vocabulary from paper flashcards or one of several digital flashcard versions and were scored on their memory recall and asked about their perceptions of the learning process. With digital flashcards, students were randomly assigned to an automatic slideshow of cards with no user control, automatic slideshow with pre-set pauses, automatic slideshow where users could press the spacebar to pause at any time, or a self-paced slideshow with complete user control. Users reported feeling more in control when indeed having some control, but ultimately memory recall, cognitive load, and satisfaction were similar across the five versions. However, memory recall was positively related to user satisfaction with their specific flashcard set, and negatively related to users' perceived mental effort and difficulty. Notably, whether paper or digital, students showed individual variability in how they advanced through the words. This research adds to the educational literature by suggesting that paper and digital flashcards are equally viable options for students. Given differences between individual users and the connection between satisfaction and recall, individualistic options that offer, but do not force, some control over pace seem ideal. Paper flashcards may already include such options, and e-flashcards should offer similar adaptive features to appeal to a wide variety of users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose: The aim of this paper is to present a systematic review of studies conducted on mobile-assisted task-based learning between 2013 and 2022. The primary objectives of the review are to elicit educational and learning contexts, research areas and foci, research trends, methodologies, data collection techniques, mobile technology used, learning outcomes, and issues in mobile-assisted task-based learning. Background: Conventional task-based learning has evolved over the last decade with numerous researchers incorporating various mobile technologies and devices to enhance the task-based approach. This paper presents a systematic review of taskbased learning, specifically with the adoption of the mobile-assisted method in delivering tasks. Methodology: To provide viable discussions and maintain the accuracy of the review, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (Liberati et al., 2009) protocol items were adhered to. The papers for review were sourced from ISI Web of Science within the last decade from 2013 to 2022. The outcome of screening based on the inclusive and exclusive criteria as well as from the backward search resulted in 16 papers out of 276 papers that were eventually reviewed and analyzed. Contribution: This study is of significant value, especially during the post-pandemic period, as mobile task-based learning provides for flexibility and portability, and to date, no systematic reviews have been conducted specifically on mobile-assisted taskbased learning in the last decade. This review looked at the study characteristics, educational and learning contexts, research areas and research foci, research trends, methodologies, data collection techniques, mobile technology used, learning outcomes, and issues in the papers on mobile-assisted task-based learning. In addition to attributing to the existing body of knowledge, this paper provides insights for researchers, educators, as well as mobile technology developers for consideration. Findings: Major Findings are that all papers are on language learning, with English as a foreign language being the most frequently researched area, and most of the studies are conducted in higher education contexts. Informal learning has become a critical learning setting, and language proficiency and participant perceptions are the two major foci. In addition, no studies have been found to combine mobile learning and social media platforms together to promote language acquisition. Recommendations for Practitioners: This systematic review provides practitioners with an overview of mobile technologies that have been found to be effective in the task-based approach for different educational levels and language skills. These effective mobile technologies could be considered for adoption in their respective contexts. Recommendations for Researchers: For researchers, the time frame for a systematic review could be expanded to increase the number of papers for review. In addition, to ensure the comprehensiveness of findings, big data analysis software could be employed to analyze the research foci, research trends, and research shifts. Additional databases could be added for more extensive review. Impact on Society: The research Findings of this paper can provide benefits for researchers, educators, and mobile technology developers for them to collaboratively promote the development of mobile-assisted task-based learning. Future Research: Future researchers could conduct in-depth empirical studies on mobile seamless learning, research with tasks that are designed based on learners' needs analysis and explore cognitive load as well as learning anxiety which are not extensively researched. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Google Docs and EtherPad are Web 2.0 tools providing opportunity for multiple users to work online on the same document consecutively or simultaneously. Over the last few years a number of research papers on the use of these collaborative tools in a teaching and learning environment have been published. This work builds on that of Brodahl, Hadjerrouit, and Hansen (2011) expanding its case study. The theoretical framework is the same as the one underlying Brodahl et al. (2011), drawing on two learning theories, the social-constructivist learning theory and the community of practice, and their relationships to collaborative tools. The literature review is extended to cover the recent research work in the field, related to Web 2.0 technologies in higher education. The case study of Brodahl et al. (2011) involved 201 education students who had just begun their four-year initial teacher education. However, 24 students are omitted in the current work, and the result tables from Brodahl et al. (2011) accordantly updated. Disregarding particular groups of students was due to their specific local dispersion, as they conducted their entire assignment and collectively reflective essay paper at the same physical location and, with respect to this, reported the use of collaborative tools as superfluous and unwanted in their setting. Partly based on the same survey, this work presents a case study investigating education students’ perceptions of collaborative writing reflective essay papers. However, where Brodahl et al. (2011) presented a solely quantitative study derived from closed-ended questions, this work incorporates the survey’s open-ended questions in a qualitative analysis. The analysis also draws on the students’ written reflections on their experiences. The qualitative analysis supports the conclusion of Brodahl et al. (2011) that technical problems were a major issue, mostly related to EtherPad. All but one complaint about technical difficulties stemmed from EtherPad users during a limited period of time. Other major negative feedback concerned group size; several groups pointed out difficulties with organizing the work, problems of keeping track when editing simultaneously, and failure to produce a unified document. Positive issues frequently mentioned are the ability to work asynchronously and from different places. Furthermore, a majority of the reports on commenting on and editing each other’s work were positive, mentioning that it is an advantage to be able to correct spelling errors and bad formulations, that it is educational, that one may contribute with ideas that the others do not have, and that it improves the final text. Larger issues on the negative side were fear of insulting or misunderstanding, and difficulties because of various work modes. Also qualitative results indicate that females are more concerned with group size than males, but less preoccupied with technical difficulties. Furthermore, younger students appear more concerned about the importance of preparation and planning than older ones. The major conclusions are that EtherPad and Google Docs facilitate new ways of approaching communication, for different collaborative writing work modes as well as in different settings. However, the setting in which the tool is used exerts an influence on the way students perceive its usefulness. Recommendations derived from students’ perception of factors of success for using the collaborative writing tool include the following: group size should preferably not exceed three persons; the students ought to be prepared for technical difficulties and have a contingency plan; and they should have time in advance to discuss their work mode and agree on rules for commenting on and editing each other’s work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose The purpose of this study was to survey student opinions about technology in order to best implement and utilize technology in the classroom. In this paper, technology refers to ‘digital technology’. The aims of this study were to: (1) examine student attitudes towards technology in regards to enjoyment and perceived usefulness; (2) investigate what tools and devices students enjoyed and preferred to use for learning; (3) examine whether students preferred learning with books and paper instead of technological devices (e.g. laptops, tablets, smartphones); and (4) investigate whether student opinions about digital technology and preferred learning tools differ between two universities (based on their level of technology implementation) and between two programs (Foundation Studies and General Studies). Background Previous studies have investigated student device choice, however, fewer studies have looked specifically at which tools and devices students choose for certain academic tasks, and how these preferences may vary according to the level of digital technology integration between two different universities. 310 Methodology In this study, a mix of quantitative and qualitative data was gathered from 1102 participants across two universities in the United Arab Emirates from an English-language Foundation Studies program and a first-year General Studies pro-gram. A questionnaire (containing closed-ended and open-ended questions) was followed by three focus-group interviews (n=4,3,2). ANOVA and t-Tests were used to test for statistically significant differences in the survey data, and qualitative survey and interview data were analyzed for recurring themes. Contribution This study aims to provide a more comprehensive account of the learning tools (including books/paper, laptops, tablets, and phones) students prefer to use to complete specific academic tasks within a university context. This study also seeks to evaluate student attitudes towards using digital technology for learning, in order to best implement and utilize technology in the context of higher education institutions in the Middle East and around the world. Findings Findings suggest that participants enjoy learning how to use new technology, believe it improves learning, and prepares them for future jobs. Books/paper were the most preferred resources for learning, followed closely by laptops, while tablets and smartphones were much less preferred for specific educational tasks. The data also revealed that respondents preferred learning through a combination of traditional resources (e.g. books, paper) and digital technological tools (e.g. laptops, tablets). Recommendations for Practitioners These findings can be used to recommend to educators and higher education administrators the importance of adopting learning outcomes related to digital literacy in the classroom, to not only help students become more effective learners, but also more skilled professionals in their working lives. Additionally, classroom practices that incorporate both traditional tools and newer techno-logical tools for learning might be most effective because they provide flexibility to find the best learning tool(s) for the task. Recommendations for Researchers Participants preferred books and paper for learning. One reason was that paper helped them remember information better. More research needs to be done on the learning benefits of using more tactile mediums, such as paper for reading and writing. Impact on Society The findings from this study suggest that some learners may benefit more from the use of digital technology than others. Institutions and organizations need to provide flexibility when it comes to technology implementation for both students and faculty. This flexibility can accommodate different learning styles and preferences and not isolate individuals in the classroom or workplace who may be slower to adapt to new technologies. Future Research Future research is needed to investigate student attitudes towards digital technology at higher education institutions in other parts of the world. In addition, this study focused mostly on student perceptions of learning tools and devices in the classroom. More research needs to be done on the impact technology has on learning per se – specifically how certain tools may help learners more effectively complete different educational tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the extant research on data science education (DSE) to identify the existing gaps, opportunities, and challenges, and make recommendations for current and future DSE. Background There has been an increase in the number of data science programs especially because of the increased appreciation of data as a multidisciplinary strategic resource. This has resulted in a greater need for skills in data science to extract meaningful insights from data. However, the data science programs are not enough to meet the demand for data science skills. While there is growth in data science programs, they appear more as a rebranding of existing engineering, computer science, mathematics, and statistics programs. Methodology A scoping review was adopted for the period 2010-2021 using six scholarly multidisciplinary databases: Google Scholar, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and the AIS Basket of eight journals. The study was narrowed down to 91 research articles and adopted a classification coding framework and correlation analysis for analysis. Contribution We theoretically contribute to the growing body of knowledge about the need to scale up data science through multidisciplinary pedagogies and disciplines as the demand grows. This paves the way for future research to understand which programs can provide current and future data scientists the skills and competencies relevant to societal needs. Findings The key results revealed the limited emphasis on DSE, especially in non-STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines. In addition, the results identified the need to find a suitable pedagogy or a set of pedagogies because of the multidisciplinary nature of DSE. Further, there is currently no existing framework to guide the design and development of DSE at various education levels, leading to sometimes inadequate programs. The study also noted the importance of various stakeholders who can contribute towards DSE and thus create opportunities in the DSE ecosystem. Most of the research studies reviewed were case studies that presented more STEM programs as compared to non-STEM. Recommendations for Practitioners We recommend CRoss Industry Standard Process for Data Mining (CRISPDM) as a framework to adopt collaborative pedagogies to teach data science. This research implies that it is important for academia, policymakers, and data science content developers to work closely with organizations to understand their needs. Recommendations for Researchers We recommend future research into programs that can provide current and future data scientists the skills and competencies relevant to societal needs and how interdisciplinarity within these programs can be integrated. Impact on Society Data science expertise is essential for tackling societal issues and generating beneficial effects. The main problem is that data is diverse and always changing, necessitating ongoing (up)skilling. Academic institutions must therefore stay current with new advances, changing data, and organizational requirements. Industry experts might share views based on their practical knowledge. The DSE ecosystem can be shaped by collaborating with numerous stakeholders and being aware of each stakeholder's function in order to advance data science internationally. Future Research The study found that there are a number of research opportunities that can be explored to improve the implementation of DSE, for instance, how can CRISPDM be integrated into collaborative pedagogies to provide a fully comprehensive data science curriculum?. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose: The exorbitant cost of traditional textbooks, which particularly impact lowincome, underrepresented minority groups, can be a barrier to student success in higher education that contributes to educational inequities. The aim of this multi-methodology study, conducted at a mid-Atlantic minority-serving institution that serves primarily first-generation and lower-income learners, is to explore the impact of, and student satisfaction with, a one-price persemester unlimited e-book subscription service and digital learning solution that includes a number of embedded interactive features, adaptive student learning activities, and learning outcome assessments. In addition, the paper is purposed to inform individuals in higher education so that they can make knowledgeable decisions when considering various book acquisition options. Background: A mid-Atlantic minority-serving institution becomes an early adopter of a one-price per semester unlimited e-book and interactive digital learning subscription service. Following adoption, a quantitative assessment regime was conducted to inform the institution. Methodology: Pass-fail rates for selected courses were compared before and following implementation and cost savings estimates in U.S. dollars were generated in collaboration with the bookstore and publisher. Additionally, student satisfaction and perceived learning efficacy survey were created and distributed. Contribution: This paper contributes significantly to the literature as it includes a population that is frequently neglected in studies that primarily are concentrated at traditionally white institutions (TWIs) with very low enrollments of Black students. Findings: A positive increase in course pass rates was found. Most students expressed having been concerned about paying for books in prior semesters, that college textbooks cost too much, have struggled to purchase textbooks in the past, believe that the subscription plan helps students save money, and would like to see widespread adoption. With respect to the digital learning solution, the students found it easy to use, appreciated the integrated interactive features, believed the system helped them to learn more and stay on schedule, and were largely in agreement that they would like it adopted in more of their classes. When correlations, crosstabulations, and Chi-Square tests were conducted, students who indicated having the greatest financial concerns were stronger in their satisfaction with the unlimited e-book subscription plan and most likely to want to see a similar plan adopted in all of their courses. Recommendations for Practitioners: To better meet the needs of students, remove barriers to student success, and improve student learning outcomes, universities must play a role in delivering affordable student-centered course content. Recommendations for Researchers: E-book subscription services are a relatively new model and one that requires extensive exploration in order to examine the impact on student learning outcomes as well as perceived learner satisfaction. Impact on Society: The implications of this study are that the adoption of an unlimited e-book subscription that includes access to high-quality digital learning resources positions institutions of higher education well in the instance of a global pandemic or other catastrophic events that causes the sudden pivot to remote instruction. Additionally, such a system has both a positive impact on student achievement as well as perceived favorably by students. Further, the adoption of a low-cost subscription option is particularly beneficial to students who struggle financially. Future Research: It is the goal of the authors to partner with scholars at a broad range of institutions to further extend this line of inquiry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose This article seeks answers to the following: (1) What describes a 'sense of belonging', inclusiveness, and well-being for students? (2) Which aspects of blended learning, synchronous and asynchronous, promote students' 'sense of belonging'? and (3) What are the state-of-the-art best practices for creating inclusive curriculum design for blended learning?. Background For university students, experiencing a strong 'sense of belonging' with their learning communities is a reliable predictor of academic adjustment and program success. The disruption to usual teaching modes caused by the COVID pandemic has diminished opportunities for social engagement among students and their teachers, intensifying the need to encourage students' belongingness as being ever more important. Methodology This article surveys the literature, pre- and post-COVID, using two complementary search techniques: (1) a systematic scoping review, a top-down strategy, and (2) snowballing, a bottom-up approach, seeking the answers to the three research questions above. Contribution The synthesis presented in the paper provides answers to these questions influenced, in part, by the Community of Inquiry framework and the Universal Design for Learning guidelines. Further, based on our findings from this investigation we offer a set of salient attributes of best practices in designing curriculum for blended learning environments, that is inclusive and fosters a sense of belonging for higher education students. Findings We discovered that belongingness is different for various cohorts. Further, many interventions to improve student wellbeing, and learning experiences on and offline, were built around social, teaching, and cognitive presences. Additionally, our investigation found that blended learning, regardless of the proportion of online versus offline instruction, was generally a positive influence on academic outcomes and student learning. Recommendations for Practitioners The set of attributes presented offers practical and helpful approaches to improve curriculum design to promote higher education students' sense of belonging. Recommendations for Researchers We highlight the lack of specificity in the literature regarding synchronous versus asynchronous learning pedagogy that promotes inclusiveness and a sense of belonging, and we detail our plans for future work will attempt to address this omission. Impact on Society As a result of the COVID pandemic, many higher education institutions made a sudden and rapid transition to online learning exclusively. As institutions start the move back to more traditional modes of learning, this paper highlights the considerations to be made in using blended learning environments. Future Research Our plans include seeking student and academic advice and feedback on approaches that foster a sense of belonging for higher education students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose This paper aims to explore the effects of students' interactions with video lectures on the levels of collaboration and completeness of their group note-taking. Background There has been an increase in the amount of online learning over the last 20 years. With video lectures becoming an increasingly utilized instructional modality, it is essential to consider students' interactions with videos and the subsequent effect of those interactions on collaboration. Methodology This research used a combination of survey data about student interactions with video lectures and evidence of student-to-student interactions from a sample of 149 masters and Ph.D. students at a university in South Korea. Contribution To date, limited research has been conducted on the effect of student interactions with online instructional videos and that interaction's effect on collaborative note-taking. Past research has examined the effects of lecture-watching behaviors and collaborative note-taking separately, and this paper looks at their relationship with one another. Findings This paper has two main findings. The first is that interacting more with video lectures increases the amount that students interact with each other. The second is that these higher levels of interaction with videos do not impact the completeness of student note-taking. Recommendations for Practitioners These findings of this paper suggest that instructors should encourage students to utilize active viewing strategies, as doing so will increase interaction among students, which will subsequently benefit their levels of collaboration. Recommendations for Researchers This research shows the value of drawing links between aspects of learner consumption of instructional media and other aspects of their learning, particularly collaboration. Impact on Society The importance of effective instruction and increasing collaboration in online learning is of great value now, particularly so, as much instruction is being delivered in online formats. Future Research Future research should seek further to understand the relationships between aspects of instruction and collaboration. More specifically, future research could look into clickstream data and collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose: This study carried out a systematic review of the literature on artificial intelligence (AI) in English language teaching (ELT). The objective was to delineate the current research progress in the field and to further understand the challenges. Background: The study analyzed articles published between 2015 and 2021. Methodology: The qualitative research method was employed. Five steps were taken to steer the review. 200 articles were scrutinized; 64 were retained. Contribution: Prior research on AI in ELT has not investigated how the literature is progressing or what areas of AI are being covered. Without a holistic picture, some important research Findings could be missed. Understanding how studies on AI in ELT are designed and implemented will contribute to a greater understanding of the existing state of research. Findings: Findings show that there is a promising future for AI in ELT. AI in ELT yielded positive results in terms of optimizing the English language skills, translation, assessment, recognition, attitude, satisfaction, etc. It was also found out that more and more articles on the topic are being published; the mixed research method is the most commonly used, higher education level is the most sampled, students as participants are the most sampled, and most studies developed novel AI-based systems. Various AI approaches have been identified in the reviewed studies, including machine learning, neural network, support vector machine, genetic algorithms, deep learning, decision tree, expert system, natural language processing, data mining, cloud computing, and edge computing. However, AI in ELT is still in its infancy, where little research has been conducted and gaps in the literature are still present, especially in terms of inherent issues related to body language, gestures, expressions, emotions, translation, lack of elaborate description of teaching material used for learning driven by AI, uncertainties and vagueness with regards to what can be considered under the realm of AI, and most authors being outside of the ELT discipline. Recommendations for Practitioners: This literature review is likely to provide practitioners with an overview of the current adopted technology, research method, instruments and/or tools, educational level, language skill, and the effects reported by the AI-based studies for designing effective systems for the use of AI in their ELT classrooms. Recommendations for Researchers: Researchers need to conduct research on AI in ELT along with a detailed indepth description of the methodology, research design, and the proposed systems used to achieve AI in ELT. Furthermore, it is recommended that researchers explore the efficiency of AI-based systems used in previous research and ensure their relevance and functionality. They are also required to provide indepth analysis of the challenges inherent to systems that have been highlighted in the literature, which will maximize the potentials of these AI-based technologies. Impact on Society: The Findings of this paper can provide visualization of research Findings that could particularly benefit researchers, educators, and AI specialists who are involved in the study of the applications of AI in ELT. Future Research: Future AI research needs to seriously include more detailed descriptions of the method in further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose: This study attempts to provide a thorough review on online English Language Teaching (ELT) research in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the aim of presenting best practices of online ELT classes for the future blended or hybrid learning scenario. To operationalize the "best practices" of online learning, the Community of Inquiry framework was used as the guiding perspective. Background: There is a dearth of research employing a systematic review of English Language Teaching ("ELT") practices in Indonesia carried out during the pandemic, with a view of synthesizing such practices. Such a review is deemed essential in order to provide a comprehensive description of good practices in online English classes, such as in terms of integrating technology into the ELT virtual classes, taking advantage of the experience gained from approximately more than two years of Emergency Remote Learning in the country. Methodology: This study employed the Research Review methodology, with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) 2020 to guide the process. Database (Google Scholar and Scopus) search was conducted to find research articles in English on ELT during the pandemic in Indonesia, excluding those that are conceptual in nature. The final list of 94 articles was then coded using the categories in the Community of Inquiry ("CoI") framework, namely, Teaching, Cognitive, and Social Presence. Inter-rater reliability was computed to assess the risk of bias of the two reviewers. The resulting data, in the form of pieces of "evidence" of the CoI categories, were tabulated and described. Contribution: This research has contributed to providing a synthesis of online ELT teaching practice in Indonesia during the pandemic, specifically in describing the way teachers enacted the Teaching, Cognitive, and Social Presence online through the use of technology. This paper also describes how such deployment of technology should be accompanied by a selective choice of activities and explicit guidance from teachers, as well as teachers' supportive attitude. Consequently, this study is probably among the first to carry out a systematic review of emergency online ELT practice during the pandemic from the CoI perspective, addressing a methodological gap of extant online ELT systematic review studies. Findings: The results show that Teaching Presence constituted the highest number of pieces of evidence, with a caveat that the application of technology should be combined with clear instruction and task requirements. Next, Cognitive Presence needs to be fostered through activities that promote problem solving and critical thinking, such as online discussions, problem- or project-based learning, and self-reflection. Lastly, teachers need to make use of technologies to convey genuine concern for students and create a warm and friendly online environment as part of teaching activities that build Social Presence, although some affective expressions will need to be managed well to prevent some possible undesirable effects. Recommendations for Practitioners: English teachers in Indonesia, or elsewhere with a similar context to that in the country, can gain insights on the good practice of online learning in terms of teaching methods, media, platforms, assessments, etc. Besides, the online English teaching practices can also inform pre- and in-service teacher education programs, so as to provide technology integration training that has already been tried and empirically tested. Recommendations for Researchers: For future research, the seemingly fewer pieces of evidence found in Cognitive and Social Presence might be fertile ground for Indonesian ELT scholars to carry out research focusing on those aspects. Much research outside of Indonesia has been conducted around the theme of the application of CoI principles in online English classes, while only a few studies in this respect have been found in the Indonesian context. Impact on Society: The Findings of this study may help inform educational policies with regards to blended/hybrid or restricted face-to-face meetings in schools. Future Research: This paper has contributed to exemplifying the application of CoI framework as a tool of systematic review in research. Hence, in view of the impending blended, hybrid, or limited face-to-face learning, this type of CoI-framed systematic review research can be replicated in the future to assess the effectiveness of such blended or hybrid teaching mode. Besides, Future Research could also inquire whether ELT teachers sustain the use of technology in the postpandemic, on-site learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose: The goal of this project was to determine what effects exposure to online K-12 teaching and learning activities had on teacher candidates' perceptions of K-12 online learning, how the exposure allowed teacher candidates to reach greater understanding of online pedagogy, and what effect such exposure had on teacher candidates' aspirations to complete virtual field experiences. Background: With an increasing number of K-12 students learning online within full-time online schools and in blended learning environments, universities must prepare future educators to teach in virtual environments including clinical practice. Before engaging in online field placement, preservice teachers must be oriented to online K-12 teaching and learning. Methodology: Using a design-based, mixed-method research methodology, this study drew samples from four sections of a hybrid technology integration course. Preservice teachers' papers detailing their perceptions, focus groups, and surveys were used to gauge changes in perceptions of online learning after participating in online teaching and learning activities. Contribution: The study demonstrated that an exposure to online K-12 classrooms stimulated preservice teachers' interest in online teaching as they began to feel that online education could be equivalent to traditional education. Findings: Students' perceptions positively improved the equivalency of online learning to traditional schooling, the possibility of positive relationships between teachers and students, and the ability to create interactive learning. Students also reported being more knowledgeable and showed increased interest in participating in virtual field experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose This study aimed to develop a model for using social media content to promote 3D thinking of sustainability among students in integrated Mathematics, Language, Arts, and Technology (MLAT) classrooms. Background Social media is one of the most relevant platforms among students of the 21st century to the extent that connecting it to classroom learning becomes interesting to the learners. Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) requires teachers to implement an interdisciplinary teaching approach while promoting skills for dealing with sustainability issues. ESD enables students to think about three aspects (economics, environment, and society) of sustainability. In this paper, the ability to think about the environment, society, and economics simultaneously was termed "3D thinking of sustainability." Social media content can be a catalyst for promoting students' application of 3D thinking of sustainability if integrated into the classroom. However, teachers fail to use social media content in their classrooms because they lack the know-how to integrate them. Therefore, providing teachers with a model for using social media content in their teaching can help them integrate it into their classes. Methodology Design-based research was adopted by the researchers (wo mathematics teachers and one curriculum expert) who were selected through purposive sampling, and twenty students who were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected from the teachers' interviews with twenty students through observation and reflective journals and from students' assignments through document analysis. Contribution The major contribution of the study is the development of the model for facilitating students' application of skills from the domains of mathematics, language, arts, and technology to understand sustainability issues. Furthermore, the study shows the value of social media in learning from the point of view of using them as context for applying interdisciplinary skills rather than media for teacher-student interaction. Findings The model with eight interactive phases was developed. The proposed model requires the teachers to be knowledgeable content-wise in various disciplines or to collaborate with teachers from other disciplines. Recommendations for Practitioners Practitioners are encouraged to adopt this model in the implementation of ESD. Recommendations for Researchers Researchers may test the application of this model in other integrated subjects and levels of education. Impact on Society The standard of living of any society is related to people's awareness of threats to sustainability. Therefore, the more education promotes 3D thinking of sustainability, the more the standard of living is guaranteed in our societies. Future Research To evaluate the applicability of the model in various educational contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose A proposal for a pedagogical model that integrates digital technologies in teaching Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in K-12 Education. Background The research is developed within project InTecEdu (Integration of Technology in Education), developed by the research group since 2008, and focusing on social inclusion for highly socially vulnerable K-12 students. Methodology The research was exploratory and qualitative; data was collected through a questionnaire and participant observation, with 253 students and 9 teachers from 5 Brazilian public schools. Contribution The research contributes by bringing a pedagogical model for integrating SDGs and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in K-12 education. Findings All analyzed aspects received a high level of approval, although some opportunities for improvement were identified, such as the duration and frequency of the session. Recommendations for Researchers We recommend the reuse of the pedagogical model, since our intention is for it to be open-source, and free to use. Impact on Society The paper is aligned with the fourth SDG: Quality Education. It directly contributes with the education of 253 socially vulnerable students from a south American public school, and indirectly contributes with improvement of education. Future Research To improve the pedagogical model based on the feedback from the questionnaires and apply it with a more extensive scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose The Internet of Things (IoT) application modules have covered diverse sectors, and the educational domain is no exception. In this survey, we discuss the specific application benefits of IoT in education and further examine implementation challenges in Ghanaian tertiary institutions. Background This survey examines pertinent applications for IoT benefits in education and offers present and future opportunities to enhance educational outcomes. The survey includes anticipated IoT technologies that will have a significant impact on education. Each module contains concise definitions accompanied by analysis and application-specific relevance. Methodology In order to accomplish the objectives of the survey, a search review was conducted across relevant databases, including Scopus, Hindawi, IEEE, MPDI, ScienceDirect, Informing Science Institute, Springer, and Wiley. In addition, a thorough search was carried out using Google Scholar to cover all relevant repositories. The phrases and keywords for the search were made up of five categories. The literature search resulted in 300 articles, of which 200 were considered relevant for the survey. Of the 200 articles, 95 of them shared common themes and discussed the same application integration and challenges. Contribution This paper discusses the revolution involving IoT deployments in education and covers many aspects of the educational domain. Findings IoT integration in education will transform Education 4.0 and improve learning outcomes significantly. Recommendations for Practitioners Educational institutions are to embrace IoT integrations even with the emerging Education 4.0 and Industry 4.0 use cases. Recommendations for Researchers Educational IoT is the next big thing and research directions on unique use cases for educational institutions are eminent with 5G and other disruptive technologies. Impact on Society Effective IoT implementation in education will positively affect all stakeholders in the educational ecosystem and create a society with much access to information, connectivity, and convenience. Future Research To survey the integration of blockchain-based IoT applications in education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine faculty perceptions of virtual field placement of preservice teachers at a university in the United Arab Emirates and to explore the factors that promote or hinder the success of this experience. Vygotsky's concept of scaffolding was used as the theoretical framework of this study and to explain the faculty's engagement with the field placement experience. Background The global pandemic of COVID-19 has affected the provision of teacher education programs around the world. It forced many universities to implement emergency remote teaching strategies including virtual field experiences. Methodology Considering the novelty of this phenomenon, an exploratory qualitative research design was followed to arrive at an in-depth description of the faculty's perceptions. A convenience sampling, which is characterized by the deliberate targeting of information-rich participants, was used to select five faculty members who supervised 40 Emirati preservice teachers during their virtual field experience. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. Contribution The framework put forth in this study could serve as a guideline for teacher education programs, especially field experience preparation. Findings It was found that faculty had different perceptions of virtual field experiences. Although preservice teachers were faced with unprecedented virtual field experiences, collaboration with different stakeholders helped them achieve the learning outcomes. A main drawback of the virtual field experience, however, impacted preservice Emirati teachers' motivation about online teaching. Recommendations for Practitioners Preservice teachers' technological skills should be reinforced and built to enable purposeful and practical technological integration in the teaching and learning process. Therefore, a holistic inclusion of all stakeholders' approach is needed to upskill and develop the competencies of all parties involved in the process taking into consideration a more enriching collaborative manner. Such a redesign should be examined to assess its validity and efficiency on a wider and more diverse sample to ensure its reliability and success. Recommendations for Researchers Researchers are recommended to explore the impact of virtual field experience on young children learning and engagement by including all stakeholders involved in the teaching and learning process, especially young students' parents since findings showed that children under the age of eight are at a disadvantage in online learning. Impact on Society Implications of the findings of this study show that sustainable virtual field experiences can be attained through a collaborative approach. Collaboration is essential as it enables preservice teachers to succeed in implementing inclusive pedagogical approaches. Future Research Further studies can enrich the findings of this paper by expanding the collected data to provide deeper and more generalizable results. For example, virtual student teachers' and school students' scores should be collected and compared to face-to-face scores in order to assess and evaluate the learning itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose: This paper focuses on understanding undergraduate computing student-learning behaviour through reviewing their online activity in a university online learning management system (LMS), along with their grade outcome, across three subjects. A specific focus is on the activity of students who failed the computing subjects. Background: Between 2008 and 2020 there has been a multiplicative growth and adoption of Learning Analytics (LA) by education institutions across many countries. Insights gained through LA can result in actionable implementations at higher institutions for the benefit of students, including refinement of curriculum and assessment regimes, teacher reflection, and more targeted course offerings. Methodology: To understand student activity, this study utilised a quantitative approach to analyse LMS activity and grade outcome data drawn from three undergraduate computing subjects. Data analysis focused on presenting counts and averages to show an understanding of student activity. Contribution: This paper contributes a practical approach towards LA use in higher education, demonstrating how a review of student activity can impact the learning design of the computing subjects. In addition, this study has provided a focus on poor performing students so that future offerings of the computing subjects can support students who are at risk of failure. Findings: The study found that: • Collecting data relating to student activity and analysing the activity is an important indicator of engagement, with cross referencing the data to grade outcome providing information to support modification to the learning design of the computing subjects. • The computing subjects in this study all had the majority of the assessment marks awarded at the later part of the study period. • Students that fail subjects are active within the LMS for the period of the subject even when they submit no assessments • Assessment weight and the time of delivery could influence the outcomes. Recommendations for Practitioners: The collection and analysis of student activity in the LMS can enable learning designers and practitioners to better reflect the subject design and delivery to provide more informed ways of delivering the learning material. Recommendations for Researchers: Collecting LA requires a thought-out process, designed well in advance of the teaching period. This study provides useful insight that can impact other researchers in the collection of assessment related analytics. Impact on Society: The cost of education is expensive to those that undertake it. Failing, although expected, potentially can be reduced by examining how education is designed, delivered, and assessed. The study has shown how information on how students are engaging has the potential to impact their outcomes. Future Research: Further work is needed to investigate whether intervention may assist the poor performing students to improve their grade outcomes relative to activity levels, subsequently impacting their retention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose: This study sought to understand the views of both teachers and students on the usage of humanoid robots as teaching assistants in a specifically Arab context. Background: Social robots have in recent times penetrated the educational space. Although prevalent in Asia and some Western regions, the uptake, perception and acceptance of educational robots in the Arab or Emirati region is not known. Methodology: A total of 20 children and 5 teachers were randomly selected to comprise the sample for this study, which was a qualitative exploration executed using focus groups after an NAO robot (pronounced now) was deployed in their school for a day of revision sessions. Contribution: Where other papers on this topic have largely been based in other countries, this paper, to our knowledge, is the first to examine the potential for the integration of educational robots in the Arab context. Findings: The students were generally appreciative of the incorporation of humanoid robots as co-teachers, whereas the teachers were more circumspect, expressing some concerns and noting a desire to better streamline the process of bringing robots to the classroom. Recommendations for Practitioners: We found that the malleability of the robot's voice played a pivotal role in the acceptability of the robot, and that generally students did well in smaller groups with the robot; teachers expressed concern that the children would become easily distracted should too many children be privy to one robot. Recommendations for Researchers: Our results provide valuable recommendations for researchers in the area. We believe, there needs to be continued efforts in devising suitable methodological assessment tools to evaluate student and teacher attitudes in the classroom particularly in the Arab world. We also advise researchers to focus on providing adaptive behavior in the context of educational robots. There are different distinct areas that need further clarifications and study based on our review. Impact on Society: On a wider scale, the findings of this paper have a huge implication for the educational technology as the integration of robotics in education is one of the emerging trends in the area, particularly in the UAE. This study allows to answer questions related to attitudes and perceptions of both teachers and students toward educational robots in the UAE. Future Research: Possible avenues of research in the area include focusing on the adaptive and natural behavior of robots in disciplines other than Mathematics as a means of successfully integrating robots in the classroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose This study aimed to explore whether students’ self-reported use of various learning strategies affected their perceptions on different course activities as well as their perceived performance in terms of both cognitive learning out-comes and general skills. Background In a highly active learning environment that incorporates research into teaching, the effective use of various learning strategies is considered of high importance for the successful engagement of students. Yet, this line of research has mainly focused on individual learning. Shifting from individual to collaborative learning settings, the current study investigated whether students’ use of self-regulated learning, peer learning, and help seeking strategies influenced their perceptions on both the group activities and the respective outcomes. Methodology At the beginning of the course, 81 first semester postgraduate students self-reported the level of use of self-regulated learning, peer learning, and help seeking strategies by filling in the respective subscales of the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ). Then, groups of 3 or 4 students were formed and instructed to create several learning artifacts of different types and conduct a peer-tutoring session, based on a topic assigned to them by the teacher. Additionally, the same groups conducted a research project of their own choice within course topics. Students’ final grade served as an indicator of their academic performance. At the end of the semester, students filled in a questionnaire eliciting their perceptions on the process and the outputs of the course activities. Finally, through statistical analysis of students’ responses to the questionnaires, the influence of learning strategies on students’ perceptions and their academic performance was examined. Contribution Our findings contribute to the literature regarding the research-teaching nexus in higher education settings. More specifically, the study shows how students’ self-reported use of learning strategies affects students’ perceptions on the activities they were engaged in, their achievement of cognitive learning outcomes, and their skills development in a research-integrated course design. Findings Students perceived differently the value of producing and studying learning artifacts. Students who scored higher in the self-regulated learning and peer learning subscales of MSLQ perceived their role as more active in the preparation of the presentation for the peer-tutoring session, which was the artifact that required higher level of interaction among the group members. Students’ final grades were influenced partially by their self-reported use of different learning strategies. Recommendations for Practitioners Integrating research into teaching through the assignment of research-related tasks to students can promote students’ acquisition of domain knowledge and research skills. The merits of this approach can be further strengthened by having students working in groups and providing the outputs of their involvement in the research-related activities as learning material for their peers. Further-more, students’ individual characteristics (e.g., use of learning strategies and preferences should be taken into account when designing course activities). Recommendations for Researchers Researchers should continue to explore the way that various learning strategies influence different aspects of the learning process, especially in the achievement of cognitive learning outcomes and the development of general skills. Impact on Society Creating learning environments that foster students’ active engagement with the course material and peer collaboration should be a vital goal of higher education institutes as it can improve students’ performance and promote the necessary skills for self-directed and autonomous learning, a key competence in the modern workplace. Future Research In this study, both cognitive learning outcomes and general skills were assessed by students’ final grade. In a future study, distinguishing these different types of learning outcomes would allow us to examine in more detail the impact of students’ learning strategies and course activities on the accomplishment of cognitive learning outcomes and general skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose This study investigates the perceptions of faculty members at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia, towards preparedness of institutions of higher education (IHE) for assessment in virtual learning environments (VLEs) during the COVID-19 lockdown. In addition, the study explores evidence of bona fide challenges that impede the implementation of assessment in VLE for both formative and summative purposes, and it attempts to propose some pragmatic solutions. Background Assessment of student performance is an essential aspect of teaching and learning. However, substantial challenges exist in assessing student learning in VLEs. Methodology Data on faculty’s perceptions were collected using an e-survey. Ninety-six faculty members took part in this study. Contribution This paper contributes to COVID-19 research by investigating preparedness of IHE for assessment in VLEs from faculty members’ perceptions. This practical research explores deleterious challenges that impede the implementation of assessment in VLE for both formative and summative purposes, and it proposes effective solutions to prevent future challenges. These solutions can be used by IHE to improve the quality of assessment in VLEs. Findings The findings revealed that IHE were not fully prepared to provide a proper assessment in a VLE during the lockdown, nor did they have clear mechanisms for online assessment. The findings also showed that faculty members were not convinced that e-assessment could adequately assess all intended learning outcomes. They were convinced that most students cheated in a way or another. Additionally, faculty had other concerns about (1) the absence of advanced systems to prevent academic dishonesty; (2) insufficient qualifications of some faculty in e-assessment because most of them have never done it before, and e-assessment has never been mandated by the university before the pandemic; and (3) insufficient attention paid to formative assessment. Recommendations for Practitioners It is recommended that decision makers help faculty members improve by continuous training on developing e-assessment tests for both formative and summative assessments. Decision makers should also ensure the inclusion of technology-based invigilation software to preclude cheating, make pedagogical and technical expertise available, and reconsider e-assessment mechanisms. Faculty members are recommended to attend training sessions if they do not master the basic skills of e-assessment and should devise a variety of innovative e-assessments for formative and summative purposes. Recommendation for Researchers More similar work is needed to provide more solutions to the challenges identified in this paper regarding the e-assessment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Impact on Society The study suggests introducing technology-based solutions to ensure e-assessment security, or holding tests in locations where they can be invigilated whilst rules of social distancing can still be applied. Future Research Future research could suggest processes and mechanisms to help faculty develop assessment in VLEs more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose ICT integration into classroom pedagogical practices is considered an essential aspect of learning processes in developed countries but there are issues in developing countries regarding funding, infrastructure, access, and teacher skills and professional learning. This article presents some aspects of the findings of a study in one remote region within a developing country after the implementation of a widescale ICT initiative. This study investigates issues for implementing ICT in schools in relation to teacher and school leader attitudes, access and ICT use, and improvements needed in Papua which is one of the most remote regions of Indonesia. The paper frames these issues within the context of successful online learning initiatives in developing countries and foreign aid implementation literature, with these aspects being under-researched, especially in significantly remote developing country locations. Background Developing countries like Indonesia have progressively introduced online learning into school management and classrooms within government planning frameworks and with initial support from foreign aid providers. While there is research available regarding ICT implementation in more urbanized contexts within developing countries, there is a gap in terms of large-scale research which is focused on more remote regions and is supported by foreign aid. Methodology Mixed methods including surveys and interviews were used to investigate research questions concerning teachers' and principals' attitudes, ICT access and use, and perceptions about improvements needed. SPSS software was used for surveys and descriptive analysis, and interviews were analysed through manual coding processes. Contribution ICT access and e-learning in schools are increasingly becoming relevant in developing country contexts, and this research paper is a preliminary largescale study that makes a contribution through highlighting issues experienced in more remote locations. This includes specific internet and power issues and transport inaccessibility problems, which highlight the need for locally-based and ongoing coaching of teachers within schools and regions. The paper also draws on the literature about online learning in developing countries and foreign aid towards some possible success directions in isolated contexts, an under-researched area. The importance of education systems establishing ICT skills levels for students integrated across subjects, for well-coordinated planning involving partnerships with hardware and internet providers, as well as the need for school leaders being trained in establishing teacher peer support groups for ongoing coaching, are learnings for Papua and other remote locations from the comparative developing countries literature Findings The findings highlight teachers' and school leaders' positive attitudes to ICT in education, although the results indicate that ICT was frequently applied for administrative purposes rather than for teaching and learning. Principals and teachers highlighted some improvements that were needed including systematic training in computer skills and professional learning about the integration of ICT with teaching and learning, especially in relation to pedagogical practices, as well as the need for improved infrastructure and equipment. Recommendations for Practitioners The study highlights issues and potential success factors as evident in remote regions of developing countries that have achieved recognition for widescale ICT implementation in schools. This includes issues in relation to policy makers and education authorities working with foreign aid funders. Of significant importance is the need for coordinated and collaborative strategic planning including in relation to sustained professional learning towards student-oriented ICT pedagogies and skilling principals to establish a positive culture and teacher peer coaching. Particularly relevant to developing countries in remote locations is the importance of additionally addressing specific infrastructure and maintenance issues. Recommendations for Researchers Regarding ICT and its use for student learning, more research is needed in developing countries and, in particular, in more remote locations where specific issues, differing from those encountered in capital cities, may be evident for teachers and principals. Impact on Society Teachers and principals in remote locations of Indonesia such as Papua have generally positive attitudes about the benefits of online learning but need greater ICT access for students in the classroom and also professional development regarding pedagogical practices to support students in learning effectively through online processes. Future Research Updated and more detailed comparative research with other developing countries, especially those with remote locations, would be beneficial to more comprehensively identify Papua's current stage of development and to design appropriate future interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose Teachers usually educate students' cyberethics using debate, case-based discussion, and role-playing instructional methods in a face-to-face setting. With the presence of teacher and peers, students may not be willing to share their true attitudes, and it may affect the effectiveness of the teaching methods. To tackle the challenge, the author applied a teaching method with a core component of a pressure-free self-assessment approach to improving adolescents' cyberethics education. This study aimed to explore the impact of the self-assessment method on students' self-knowledge and self-awareness of cyberethics. Background Since people usually use their own devices in an individual environment to participate in online activities, going online can be regarded as a private act. The behaviours of youngsters in the online environment may be different from that in the classroom when they are engaged in a face-to-face discussion, especially as they are not required to use their real names to go online. Research has suggested that youngsters have a higher inclination to misbehave online. Together with the fact that they are regular Internet users, and they are overrepresented online, there is an urgent need to foster ethical online behaviour in adolescents. Methodology A group of 28 students of age about 14 participated in this study. They were studying in secondary level 3 of a government-subsidised secondary school. All of them were required to take an information technology course in their formal curriculum. The researcher applied a framework of adolescents' cyberethics education to nurture the students with appropriate cyberethics. It includes four dimensions, namely information security, privacy, intellectual property and netiquette. In the first phase of the teaching method, the students received a lecture on cyberethics to obtain related knowledge. In the second phase, the students were engaged in a self-assessment exercise on cyberethics. Data were collected using a knowledge test, a questionnaire, and the self-assessment exercise. Contribution This paper highlights the challenge arisen from the face-to-face setting of commonly used instructional methods of cyberethics education, such as role-playing and debate. This study suggested a self-assessment teaching method with the rationales underpinned by theories in the area of social psychology. This paper provides detailed elaboration on the instructional method. The author also suggested a framework of adolescents' cyberethics education. Findings The students considered the self-assessment exercise allowed them to reflect on their attitudes on cyberethics. It thereby enhanced their self-knowledge on cyberethics. They also expressed that the method was more effective for self-reflection compared with commonly used instructional methods. Moreover, importantly, they stated that they would be more aware of cyberethics in their future online activities. Recommendations for Practitioners Teachers are advised to use a self-assessment exercise together with commonly used instructional methods, such as case-based discussion, debate, and roleplaying, in their future practices of cyberethics education. Recommendations for Researchers Researchers could consider youngsters' cognitive and psychological development, and social and emotional factors to improve adolescents' cyberethics education. Impact on Society It is anticipated that youngsters would have a higher level of awareness to uphold information security, protect privacy, respect intellectual property and maintain appropriate netiquette. They could then demonstrate more appropriate behaviours when they go online after receiving cyberethics education using the approach elaborated in this paper. Future Research It is valuable to explore how different factors in cognitive, psychological, social, and emotional domains affect youngsters' online behaviours. Future research may also design effective instructional methods to improve adolescents' cyberethics education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose This paper investigates the gaps between industry and academia perceptions of information technology fields, such as computer science, software engineering, and computer engineering, and it identifies areas of asymmetry between curricula and industry expectations. The study mainly focuses on the skills required of IT professionals (graduated students) and on how higher education institutes equip students for industry. Background Higher education institutes have several IT-related departments. However, it is not clear whether these departments have sufficient content to equip students with industry-related skills. Rapid advances mean that some curriculum topics are redundant before the end of a standard two- or four-year degree programs. Balancing the technical/non-technical skills and adjusting the curricula to better prepare the students for industry is a constant demand for higher education institutions. Several studies have demonstrated that a generic curriculum is inadequate to address current IT industry needs. Methodology The study involved a comprehensive survey of IT professionals and compa- nies using a Web-based questionnaire sent directly to individual companies, academics, and employers. 64 universities and 38 companies in 24 countries were represented by the 209 participants, of whom 99 were IT professionals, 72 academics, and 38 employers. Contribution This paper is intended to guide academics in preparing dynamic curricula that can be easily adapted to current industry trends and technological developments, with content directly relevant to student's careers. In addition, the results may identify the skills that students need to secure employment and the courses that will provide skills in line with current industry trends. Findings The results indicate a lack of emphasis on personal and non-technical skills in undergraduate education compared to general computer science, software development, and coding courses. Employers' and software experts' responses emphasize that soft skills should not be ignored, and that, of these, analytical thinking and teamwork are the two most requested. Rather than a theoretical emphasis, courses should include hands-on projects. Rapid developments and innovations in information technologies demand that spiral and waterfall models are replaced with emerging software development models, such as Agile and Scrum development. Recommendations for Practitioners A multidisciplinary approach should be taken to the teaching of soft skills, such as communication, ethics, leadership, and customer relations. Establishing multiple learning tracks in IT education would equip students with specialized knowledge and skills in IT. An effective communication channel should be established between students and industry. It is also important to reduce the distance between academics and students and to provide an interactive environment for technical discussions. Enterprise level computing and Framework use provide job market advantages. Recommendations for Researchers Researchers and department heads, particularly those involved in curriculum design and accreditation, could use the results of this exemplary study to identify key topics for attention. Impact on Society Changes of various degrees are required in the current curricula in many higher education institutions to better meet student needs. Societies and technology are dynamic in nature, and information technology-related curricula in higher education institutions should be equally dynamic. Future Research Since technology (especially information technology) transforms and advances itself so rapidly, this study should be replicated t to investigate how these changes affect the gap between revised curricula and current industry expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose Within higher education, graduating students who are able to solve illstructured, complex, open-ended, and collaborative, workplace problems is recognized as paramount. Because of this, there is a need to assess this skill across the curriculum. Background This paper addresses this issue by assessing problem-solving across a computing curriculum using an assessment instrument shown to be reliable and valid. Methodology The method is based upon the implementation of the assessment instrument that uses a scenario-based asynchronous discussion board measuring the ability of student groups to solve workplace problems. The sample are computing students from the 2nd, 3rd, 4th year, and master's levels at a UAE university. Contribution This paper shows the problem-solving skills of students over four years of study across a computing curriculum and demonstrates the effectiveness of the instrument. Findings There was a general increase in student problem-solving performance from the 2nd, 3rd, 4th year, and master's levels, but students often failed to meet the expected level of performance for their year of study. In addition, the instrument was effective in assessing problem-solving. Recommendations for Practitioners This assessment instrument, or one similar, that uses a scenario-based asynchronous discussion board can be used to measure the ability of student groups to solve workplace problems. Impact on Society Students must be prepared to solve workplace problems to meet the needs of 21st century employment. Future Research Further research should be conducted with this assessment instrument, or one similar, outside of this fairly unique UAE-based context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose: The number of students enrolled in online courses that use video lectures is on the rise. However, research shows that the number of students watching video lectures is low, and the number watching videos to completion is even lower. Background: This paper seeks to understand this problem by looking for correlations between instructional design and student engagement with video lectures. Methodology: Students at a cyber-university in South Korea (n=1801) were surveyed on their perception of the instructional design used in the courses they took and their engagement with online video lectures. Contribution: This paper contributes to the body of knowledge by demonstrating positive correlations between instructional design, watching, and finishing video lectures. Findings: While most other research has found low levels of online lecture viewership, this paper found significantly higher numbers watching and finishing videos. Other major findings of the paper are that five key elements of instructional design for online learning environments (designing methods, setting the curriculum, establishing time parameters, establishing netiquette, and utilizing the medium effectively) all correlated positively with students watching and finishing video lectures. Recommendations for Practitioners: Based on findings in this paper, it is recommended that practitioners consider taking actions when designing their instruction for online courses. These include batching their video lectures together by topic, devoting greater resources to helping students utilize the medium, and communicate time parameters in a way that encourages students to view video lectures in a timely manner. Recommendation for Researchers: As the watching of video lectures in this study was mandatory for learners, an interesting area of further research would be to examine whether that decision led to higher numbers of students watching them. Future Research: It is important for researchers to conduct further research into the interplay between ways instructors can design their instruction in order to encourage learners to better experience online learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose: This paper utilizes the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to examine the extent to which acceptance of Remote Virtual Computer Laboratories (RVCLs) is affected by students' technological backgrounds and the role of collaborative work. Background: RVCLs are widely used in information technology and cyber security education to provide students with hands-on experimentation. However, students may not exploit their full benefits if they do not accept RVCLs as a viable educational technology. Methodology: In order to study the impact of collaborative work on technology acceptance, an empirical study was conducted using collaborative and individual versions of an introductory level computer networking exercise in an RVCL. Trials for the empirical study included students from technology intensive and nontechnology intensive programs. Contribution: The relationship between the technological background of students and their acceptance of an RVCL and the effect of collaborative work on this relationship were explored for the first time in the literature. Findings: The findings of the study supported that collaborative work could improve non-technology students' acceptance of RVCLs. However, no significant effect of collaborative work on technology acceptance was observed in the case of technology students. Recommendations for Practitioners: Educators should consider the benefits of collaborative work while introducing a new technology to students who may not have background in the technology introduced. Recommendation for Researchers: In this study, student technological background was found to be a significant factor for technology acceptance; hence, it is recommended that technological background is included in TAM studies as an external factor. Future Research: Repeating similar studies with multiple exercises with varying degrees of challenge is required for a better understanding of how collaborative work and student technological background affect technology acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose: This paper examines how senior academic staff from a large sample of teacher education colleges regard the integration of digital games into teacher instruction. These colleges serve general or religious populations, and we examine what, in practice, their policy and vision were in this regard in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Background: The sudden adoption of online teaching-learning due to the pandemic has been termed disruptive in that it drastically disturbed higher education in Israel and worldwide. The senior academic staff of Israel's colleges of education was responsible for leading policy decision-making during this period. The use of digital games for pedagogic purposes may be direct when used for knowledge acquisition and reinforcement and student development or indirect. Methodology: Using semi-structured interviews, the current study applied an interpretive-constructivist approach to examine how senior academic staff from several teacher education colleges perceived the integration of digital games into teacher instruction and elicit their policy and vision in this regard, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Contribution: The Findings suggest that discussions surrounding technology-related vision and policy and their translation into practice should relate to the specific cultural needs and academic preparedness of the population(s) served by the college. Findings: Half the participants expressed a desire to integrate digital games into teaching and learning but acknowledged that in practice this was uncommon. Only a small minority considered themselves to have achieved successful integration in practice, with doubt and skepticism expressed by some of the religious colleges. Most colleges had policies to encourage the integration of technology in general into teaching, with these, in turn, supported by ongoing funding. Although a considerable gap between policy and implementation remained, the COVID-19 pandemic was viewed as having considerably accelerated the integration of digital games into preservice teacher instruction. Recommendations for Practitioners: Discussions pertaining to technology-related vision and policy and their translation into practice should relate to the specific cultural needs and academic preparedness of the population(s) served by the college. Recommendations for Researchers: The Findings reflect the spectrum of challenges faced by the different populations the colleges employ and serve and the outcomes of the colleges' ongoing attempts to negotiate and reconcile different concerns. Impact on Society: The Findings have implications wherever colleges serve other socially and culturally conservative populations that are interested in or compelled to adopt techno-pedagogies. Future Research: We call for further research into whether continued pandemic-related restrictions have increased the practical integration of techno-pedagogical tools such as digital games into the curricula of teacher education colleges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose: This article aimed to explore student perceptions and experiences of migrating to a fully online mode during COVID-19. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic changed the mode of delivery from face-to-face or blended learning to fully distance learning. The introduction of the Disaster Management Act (2020) in South Africa forced all institutions of learning to close their doors and move to teaching and learning online. We, therefore, needed to investigate whether the students at an Open Distance Learning (ODL) institution had access to the necessary devices and to see how they responded to fully online learning. Subsequently, this prompted a need to investigate student access to and competence in online learning in a fully ODL space during COVID-19. Since COVID-19 is a recent occurrence, little is known about how students experienced a (forced) move to fully online learning. In South Africa specifically, much less is known about fully online learning. Methodology: The structured web-based survey was sent to all registered Bachelor of Education and Postgraduate Certificate in Education students. The structured questionnaire asking questions about students' access to devices and their experiences of learning in a fully online mode, was administrated through Google Survey forms. There were 2,858 responses received. Descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis were used to uncover findings. Contribution: This paper sets out student teachers' experiences of learning in a fully online mode during COVID-19 in a developing country such as South Africa. These experiences as representative of the global South, are previously unknown to scholars and can assist in designing future fully online programs in this context. Findings: Access to affordable data is an obstacle for students to access the learning management system. Students felt that the university took a long time to distribute laptops and also indicated that they lacked a suitable and stable internet connection. The digital divide was made more apparent and significant during COVID-19 although students indicated that they did develop necessary digital competencies. Recommendations for Practitioners: Practitioners in Open Distance Learning should understand students' context regarding access to tools and connectivity when designing courses. Recommendations for Researchers: Researchers should explore theoretical framings to understand issues related to online education when access to tools and connectivity is limited. Impact on Society: The digital divide was exacerbated by COVID-19. Students and communities need support to move to online modes of engagement. Future Research: More studies of a qualitative and mixed-method nature should be conducted to fully understand student teachers' context and challenges with online learning. Further research that includes student responses using non-digital means needs to be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose: The aim of this study is to adopt more systematically the collaborative learning dimension in the technical translation teaching at Master Degree level. In order to do so, a computer-supported skills lab approach is targeted. This approach is aimed at enhancing traditional courses on Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) so that student competences and soft skills are enhanced. Background: In traditional CAT courses, laboratory sessions complement theoretical lessons, thus providing students mainly with tool-oriented operational knowledge, while nowadays more intertwined competences are required by the labor market. Moreover, this sector lacks skills labs which engage students in collaborative activities mimicking professional workflows, thus not exploiting team-based learning potential effectiveness. Methodology: In this paper, therefore, a design Methodology to deploy and operate an enhanced skills lab as a remote Computer-Supported Collaborative Simulated Translation Bureau (CS2TB) is proposed and validated. The proposed Methodology is based on a set of intertwined methodological frameworks that address: 1) student competences and educational requirements, 2) collaborative aspects, 3) regulatory policies as well as functional and interactional guidelines for the simulated fieldwork. The overall effectiveness of the proposed Methodology has been assessed by using pre-post questionnaires to ascertain student feedback. The improvement in technology skills has been evaluated by collecting and examining student help requests as well as system error logs. Contribution: The CS2TB provides a technology-enhanced simulation-based learning environment whose aim is twofold: first, enriching traditional approaches with a Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) experience and, second, incorporating widely adopted approaches for the translation-teaching domain as the required grounding knowledge. Findings: Results demonstrate the effectiveness of CS2TB in improving students' competences (specifically in the IT area but also in the technical translation area), students' willingness to operate in a fieldwork-like context and cooperative learning efficacy. Recommendations for Practitioners: The educational implications of the proposed approach concern the development of a full range of competences and soft skills for students in the technical translation teaching at the higher education level, ranging from language and translation proficiency to the usage of IT platforms as well as personal and interpersonal interactional soft skills. Recommendations for Researchers: This study offers a wide overview of all the aspects entailed by the design, implementation, management, and evaluation of a skills lab for technical translation teaching. Researchers may benefit from the rigorous modelling approach as well as from the adopted assessment techniques. Moreover, the study stresses the pivotal role of a tight collaboration between language/translation teaching and computer engineering. Impact on Society: Higher education institutions that already have courses on computer-assisted translation may benefit from the proposed CS2TB approach, which allows them to design new thematic activities leveraging team-based learning, collaborative learning, and fieldwork-situated simulation. Moreover, the presented broad range of assessment approaches can be used to measure the impact of CS2TB on learning outcomes of the involved students. Future Research: Future research activities will be dedicated to examining the impact of a different set of enabling IT platforms on the collaborative learning perspective, to evaluate alternative scaffolding approaches (e.g., chatbots or augmented reality), and to increase simulation fidelity further, so that even more student competences can be fostered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose The study aimed to investigate the influence of technology support, social support, academic support, and service support on student satisfaction and their relationships in private and state universities. Background Coherent support between students, teachers, and management is usually extended beyond classroom scheduling and space. This support has a positive significant influence on student satisfaction, which may influence students’ academic, behavioral, emotional and social development. This support is assisted via technology, social, academic, and instant service support, which may have an impact on its nature. Methodology In the current study, a cross-sectional survey was used to collect the research data. Convenience sampling was used to select the participants for the study. It targeted a population sampled from engineering students from both private and state universities of central India (n=240). In quantitative data analysis, descriptive and inferential statistics were used. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS. Contribution The present study expands the growing body of knowledge about student satisfaction via technology, social, academic, and service support. We identify the unique aspects of factors that are positively related to student satisfaction, which shed light on student satisfaction. Findings from this study may assist educators (while in training and/or professional development programs) to reflect upon their educational strategies to enhance the level of satisfaction among the students and to check how their students can benefit from the support system in the institution. Findings The results indicated that the institutional support dimensions –technology support, academic support, social support, and service support –are positively significantly related to student satisfaction in both state and private universities. Recommendations for Practitioners As a result of the study, it is recommended to university policymakers and administrations to provide and emphasize the importance of institutional support. In addition, it is recommended to provide students with knowledge that focuses on technology, academic, social, and other related service support. Doing so can provide valuable insight into students’ level of satisfaction enhancement with institutional support. Recommendation for Researchers As a result of the study, it is recommended to university policymakers and administrations to provide and emphasize the importance of institutional support. In addition, it is recommended to provide students with knowledge that focuses on technology, academic, social, and other related service support. Doing so can provide valuable insight into students’ level of satisfaction enhancement with institutional support. Impact on Society This paper is a broad overview using a survey, so future research should focus on a more detailed analysis of the consequence of student satisfaction, possibly using controlled experiments. In addition, qualitative exploration is advisable, as it may shed more light on the unique aspects of factors that are related to student satisfaction. Future Research This paper is a broad overview using a survey, so future research should focus on a more detailed analysis of the consequence of student satisfaction, possibly using controlled experiments. In addition, qualitative exploration is advisable, as it may shed more light on the unique aspects of factors that are related to student satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose This research proposed a 3D multiuser virtual learning environment (3DMUVLE) educational game design framework by combining ATMSG, ADDIE, E-Simulation, and 3D Open Simulator Technology Architecture. This paper focused on a case study of online training for food crops productivity data surveys. Background The conventional online training still lacks engagement, immersion, and curiosity aspects, which decreases learners’ learning seriousness because the instructors and participants do not meet directly. Integration of 3DMUVLE and gamification in online training has a good potential to tackle the issue. Methodology This research applied the Design Research Method (DRM) to propose a 3DMUVLE educational game design framework. The proposed framework was applied in training that involved 30 participants (first group), and the result was compared with that of 30 other participants (second group) who studied using the conventional method, which was an e-book and web-based learning. Authors compared the perceived usefulness and heightened enjoyment in using the proposed 3DMUVLE using linear regression analysis on HMSAM model. Contribution Through statistical tests on the case study data, this research indicated that the 3DMUVLE resulted in better knowledge gain. Findings Some important findings in this paper include (1) the development steps of a 3DMUVLE educational game design framework for online training of food crops productivity data survey; (2) statistical analysis result that the proposed 3DMUVLE lead to better knowledge gain, enjoyment, curiosity, immersion, and usefulness aspects; (3) the statistical analytic also showed that enjoyment and perceived of usefulness factors represented the strongest variables that influenced behavioral intention to use. Recommendations for Practitioners The 3DMUVLE is suggested to produce better knowledge gain, yet it still has to be proven further through similar statistical analysis in real field survey scenarios. Recommendation for Researchers The proposed 3DMUVLE can be adapted to other domains. Pleasing features in the game can be improved, such as quality of instruction in the simulation, in the hope that these will increase engagement and knowledge gain. Voice communication among users and instructors to improve interactivity may also be introduced. Impact on Society 3DMUVLE potentially offers better knowledge gain that can be applied in various fields of online training. Future Research An immediate future research includes a development targeted for smartphone platform, in Virtual Reality (VR) or non-VR mode. VR improves immersion aspect further but is more complicated to perform. Smartphone is relatively cheaper than a computer and more accessible by more people. Training using a smartphone-based 3DMUVLE can be carried out in wider scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Executive Summary With demonstrated benefits to higher level learning, peer review in the classroom has been well researched and popular since at least the 1990s. However, little or no prior studies exist into the peer review process for online courses. Further, we found no prior research specifically addressing the operational aspects of online peer review. This research addresses that gap by comparing the issues involved in managing peer review for an online course with those for a traditional classroom course. In an exploratory case study, two sections of the same introductory level course were taught by the same professor in the same academic term, one section in the traditional classroom and one as an online section. Both sections covered the same material in the same order. Online students had access to narrated PowerPoint recordings that tracked in-class lectures. The same assignments and exams were used. The two sections used a joint discussion board for posting questions and answers about the course material. In short, the two courses were almost identical, except for the steps necessary to make peer review operate in an online environment. An eleven-step process for implementing peer review was isolated and documented as part of this research. All steps except the first, creating the grading rubric, required more time and effort for an online class than for a traditional class. Four steps were substantially more complex in an on-line environment: assigning students to do specific peer reviews; handling late reviews; hiding reviewer identity before making reviews available to reviewees; and distributing completed peer reviews back to reviewees. Overall, results suggest that, without specialized supporting software, electronic reviews for an online class are far more complex to orchestrate than similar reviews administered using paper in a traditional classroom. Minor procedural steps that easily are made both unambiguous and obligatory in a paper-based classroom peer review became far more difficult to implement online. In addition, since specific peer review software is seldom available, the need to use a variety of software products, each of which was originally designed for other purposes, added substantially to the intricacy of implementing online peer review. This research provides specific suggestions for faculty considering using peer reviews in online courses, particularly in online Information Technology courses or other courses where writing is not the primary activity being reviewed. In addition, the online peer review features and functionality detailed here provide a basic requirements definition for a potential peer review software package flexible enough to be used across disciplines and with both traditional and online classes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper identifies several areas of database modeling and design that have been problematic for students and even are likely to confuse faculty. Major contributing factors are the lack of clarity and inaccuracies that persist in the presentation of some basic database concepts in textbooks. The paper analyzes the problems and discusses ways to minimize them. Specifically, the paper discusses the practical role of normalization in database design, addresses the confusion in representing attributes with repeating values, discusses how to remove inconsistencies in defining relations and first normal form, simplifies the process of identifying candidate keys to normalize relations, clarifies the conditions under which insertion and deletion anomalies may occur, and sheds light on the confusion in defining weak entities. Normalization plays a vital role in both the theory and the practice of database design. The topdown approach popularly used in relational database design creates a conceptual schema that is represented by entity-relationship (E-R) models, and then uses mapping rules to convert the conceptual schema to relation schemas. Because E-R modeling is an intuitive process, errors could occur in identifying entities and their relationships, resulting in un-normalized relations. Unnormalized relations also could result from converting files in legacy systems and spreadsheets to relational tables. Normalization plays a key role in verifying the goodness of design of such relations and in improving the design. The concept of repeating values in relations plays a major role in defining relations and first normal form. Yet, textbooks in general do not distinguish between multi-valued and single-valued attributes in a schema. This lack of clarity may result in conflicting interpretations of the schema. The paper presents a simple solution to the problem. The lack of clarity in defining the terms tables, relations, and first normal form (1NF) in textbooks is another potential source of confusion. Some books define relation as a table with no duplicate tuples, and only atomic values. These books then redundantly define 1NF as a relation with only atomic values. Others define a relation as a table with columns and rows, and state that a relation is in 1NF if each value is atomic. These definitions fail to specify an important requirement of 1NF that there are no duplicate tuples. A third definition of 1NF that fails to include this property is that a table is in first normal form if each value is atomic. A challenging task for many students during the normalization process is checking whether a determinant is a candidate key. The standard method is to check whether every attribute of the relation is functionally dependent on the determinant. The paper presents a method that involves only the determinants, and therefore makes it easier to identify candidate keys. The paper also provides an alternate definition of Boyce-Codd Normal Form (BCNF), which is easier to apply. Discussions in textbooks and other literature on the topic of normalization often give students the impression that data redundancy in un-normalized relations leads to all three types of anomalies -- insertion, deletion, and update. The paper shows that though data redundancy generally results in insertion and deletion anomalies, that is not always the case. The conditions under which insertion/ deletion anomalies don't occur are discussed. Guidelines for mapping conceptual schema to relational tables often use the terms strong entity and weak entity to provide separate mapping rules for each. It is shown that the definition of weak entity as presented in many textbooks, however, is inaccurate. These books define weak entity using logical dependence rather than identifier dependence of entities.… [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper explores the cognitive difficulty of assessment tasks in six first year computing courses within an Information Technology (IT) degree. This issue is pertinent to Information Technology education for two reasons. Degree level education in any field of study is expected to develop higher order thinking skills. Bloom's taxonomy is a framework which can be used to identify different levels of thinking skills. It calibrates ascending cognitive levels from the lowest, knowledge involving the recall of facts, to the highest, evaluation, which involves the comparative assessment of outcomes. Bloom's taxonomy can be used as a guide to designing a course of a requisite level. Bloom's taxonomy can also be used to calibrate the level of a particular assessment task retrospectively. Both approaches can be used for course planning and evaluation purposes, and, since a degree programme is simply a collection of courses, it is also possible to plan and measure at this level. This paper follows the second tactic, as the analysis presented in the paper is based on the assessment components of the courses studied. This approach requires the researcher to self-reflect on the mental processes he or she would use to answer each question (or part question) in each item of assessment and to register the Bloom level of the processes used. Bloom levels range from 1 to 6 and the Bloom rating for a course is the weighted average of the Bloom levels assigned to each assessment question. We calculate a Bloom rating for each of the courses involved in the study. This paper extends earlier work that examined the cognitive difficulty of two streams of three courses in an IT degree: a programming stream and a data communications and networking (DCN) stream. It was anticipated that within each stream there would be an increase in Bloom rating as the year level of a course advanced, since it was thought that later year courses would require higher level thinking skills than beginning ones. This expected gradient in Bloom ratings from early to later years was not confirmed by the analysis. The most striking feature of that analysis was a concentration of Bloom ratings for each stream and the wide difference between them. The Bloom rating for Programming courses were considerably higher than those in the DCN stream despite their placement at lower year levels in the degree. This study takes a horizontal perspective of first year courses in an Information Technology degree. Retaining our previous assumption, that Bloom ratings of courses should increase as the year level increased, in this study, as all the courses were at the same year level, we expected the Bloom ratings of the courses to be similar. Again the findings year than we anticipated, with ratings ranging from 1.3 to 4.8. However, when we looked at the pass rates, there was no indication that the courses with higher cognitive demands were harder to pass, since most of these courses had comparatively higher passing rates. We still maintain that courses should exhibit a rise in Bloom rating as they move downstream, since we expect the cognitive capabilities of students to improve as they advance through the degree programme. However, first year is important in laying the base from which more advanced work can be mounted. If first year courses have too high a cognitive level they may prevent students with lower ability levels from gaining a foundation from which to make upward progress. We hope this study provokes reflection on the cognitive characteristics of courses and programmes with which readers are associated. We believe IT students should have well developed abilities at the application level and beyond by the time they graduate, but confidence in handling assessment tasks at the lower levels of Blooms taxonomy needs to be gained in first year before students are able to move onto assessment items that require the higher cognitive Levels of Analysis, Synthesis and Evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper outlines the main findings of research about online portfolio information systems. This research focused on the educational integrity of these educational systems and the maximisation of value across all stakeholders, in particular the value gained from the automation and interaction potential of the online environment. The findings and analyses were based on a review of current practices in online portfolios along with secondary analysis of the existing literature on portfolios and online portfolios. The research focused on the ways stakeholder value is created through different approaches to design composition. From this perspective, the paper explores issues relating to the automation of administrative functions; matching context, discipline and technology; information storage; interface issues; quality assurance; equity issues; security, fraud and plagiarism detection; and the ability to realise curriculum innovations, such as providing and assessing evidence of professional skills and graduate attributes. The authors propose these are the central functional issues in designing of online portfolio assessment system and as such takes precedence over decision making about the technical means by which online portfolio systems are instantiated and implemented. The findings of this critical review of contemporary practice in designing online portfolio systems indicated a widespread neglect of those factors necessary to achieving educational integrity and maximising value across all stakeholders. Typically, design processes were marked by an over-emphasis on technical issues about facilitating implementation rather than addressing the primary educational goals. In conclusion, the research suggests that most online portfolio systems fall significantly short of their potential, and, in many cases, are inferior to conventional portfolio assessment and traditional assessment approaches. The analyses suggest the design of online portfolio assessment systems... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the way women perceive and talk about the nature of their work, in the context of the declining participation of women in the Information Technology (IT) industry. The study is part of an ongoing project (WinIT), commenced in 1995, that has examined the attitudes of high school and university students and IT personnel towards IT education and careers. The research so far has shown that most students have a poor understanding of IT education and work and perceive IT as a difficult, boring and masculinised domain. IT education is not attracting high achieving students in general and female students in particular. Interviews of women working in IT reinforce widely held impressions of the IT industry. This paper discusses a recent study (1999-2000) in which 32 female and 2 male IT professionals were interviewed. The data were initially sorted and analysed by the third author, using NUD*IST, an Australian qualitative analysis software tool. Giddens' Structuration Theory (1984) was used to interpret the discourse, revealing that the professional women's discourse is characterised by dualisms that are not always consistent with the women's lived experiences. The dualisms discussed in this paper are those relating to skills and attributes, such as technical and people skills, as well as gender specific dualisms, such as attention to detail and assertiveness. The dualisms in the interview discourse represent skills and attributes as either/or propositions associated with gender. The interview data, however, also reveals contradictions in these dualisms, indicating that these polarised views of women and IT work are being undermined by women in the IT industry. The perceptions of the interviewees are discussed as structures of signification that need to be altered in order to successfully challenge these dualisms. For example, the gendering of IT work is being undermined by men as well as women who are discouraged by the need to adapt to the... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides an in-depth analysis into two case studies aimed at addressing the digital divide in two developing countries. A detailed description is provided for each case study along with an analysis of how successful the two projects were at addressing the digital divide in Siyabuswa, South Africa and Ennis, Ireland. The two case studies were both community-based ICT projects in rural areas of their respective countries. However, citizens in Siyabuswa had to continuously work hard to obtain new resources for a central hub which serviced the entire community, while citizens in Ennis were awarded a grant with an abundance of ICT technology including an Internet connection in every home. A conceptual framework for analyzing the success of digital inclusion projects was developed through a comprehensive literature review. This paper will identify the three factors (value, sustainability, and scalability) and four key components (digital equity, excellence, opportunity, and empowerment) that make up the framework, analyze each of the two case studies based on the framework, and explore future implications for addressing gaps in ICT access through the implementation of digital inclusion projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose The goal of this paper is to examine digital applications used in Swedish schools and whether they fulfill their potential as support for learners. This is done by examining the kinds of feedback they provide and discussing if this feedback supports learning or not. Background The paper targets one aspect regarding which educational apps can be of high value for learners and teachers, namely the feedback they provide. The paper also addresses the need for supportive feedback and reviews 242 apps with respect to what types of feedback they provide. Methodology A sample of apps used in primary school was collected via email to schools in Sweden. The author evaluated each app with respect to what kind of feedback it provided. The article concerns both positive and negative feedback, with a focus on negative. The following types of feedback were evaluated; verification feedback, corrective feedback, elaborated feedback, encouraging feedback and result feedback. Contribution This paper contributes to knowledge regarding how most apps only contain verification feedback (telling the student whether their answer was correct or not). In order to help a student while learning, verification feedback is not enough. Rather, previous research has shown that explanatory feedback is more beneficial for learning. Findings Seventy-seven percent of all apps contained verification feedback, and only 12 % provided the student with some type of explanation as to why their answer was incorrect. Looking at previous research, this is not desirable if one wants the app to support learning and not only act as a testing device. Fifty-five percent of all apps also contained some type of encouragement, but none of this encouragement addressed the task or the effort the learners put into the task - something that would be preferable from a learning perspective. Recommendations for Practitioners There is much to be gained for developers of educational software if they would make more use of the feedback in educational apps. As for now, the feedback is primarily suited for testing and not for learning. For users of apps (teachers, parents, and children) this paper shows that feedback can be and is an important factor to evaluate before deciding if the app is “worth” spending time on. Recommendation for Researchers The research describes different types of feedback and their (dis)advantages. Impact on Society The paper stresses that most feedback represented in apps today corresponds to a behavioristic approach comparable to instrumental conditioning by means of reinforcement. In essence, most apps miss the opportunity of treating the learner as an active and constructive being who would benefit from more nuanced feedback. Future Research Previous research has shown that elaborated feedback is more beneficial for learning, but more research needs to be done here, the amount of elaborated feedback will most likely affect varying student groups and varying tasks in different ways. And more importantly, how can we make the students pay attention to and act upon the feedback provided to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose: In this paper, we analyze the phenomenon of "classroom WhatsApp groups", in which a teacher and students from a particular classroom interact with one another, while specifically focusing on the student perspective of these interactions. Background: The instant messaging application WhatsApp enables quick, interactive multimedia communication in closed groups, as well as one-on-one interactions between selected group members. Yet, very little is known about the extent, nature, and purposes of these practices, the limitations and affordances, the type of discourse and conflicts that develop in these spaces, and the extent to which it affects teacher-student interactions outside of WhatsApp (e.g., the social climate in class, the teacher's status, teacher-student and student-student relations), especially from the students' perspective. Methodology: Our methodology combines questionnaires, personal interviews, and focus groups with Israeli secondary school students (N = 88). Contribution: The present study adds to the expanding body of empirical research on social media use in educational settings by specifically focusing on a heretofore underexposed aspect, namely, secondary school student-teacher communication in the popular instant messaging application WhatsApp. We report on findings from the student perspective and discuss the advantages and limitations of this form of communication sphere, and on the social functions of the different classroom WhatsApp groups in secondary school students' everyday life. Findings: The combined findings reveal that classroom WhatsApp groups have become a central channel of communication for school-related topics. It is used primarily for organizational purposes (sending and receiving updates and managing learning activities), as well as a means for teachers to enforce discipline. Students mentioned many advantages of WhatsApp communication, such as easy access, the ability to create communities, the ability to safeguard personal privacy, and the communication format (written, mediated, personal, or group). However, they also recognized limitations (i.e., communication overload) and challenged teacher ability to monitor and affect student interactions in social media, even when they are present in these WhatsApp classroom groups. Finally, we report on the role of parallel, sans-teacher WhatsApp groups, which are characterized as back stage discourse arenas that accompany the front stage offline classroom activities and the "official" classroom WhatsApp group. Recommendations for Practitioners: The combined findings of this study indicate how WhatsApp-based, joint teacher-student groups can serve a variety of educational purposes, namely, organizational, instructional, and educational-disciplinary. In addition, and in spite of teachers concerns, students are aware of the challenges inherent to the use of WhatsApp for communication with their teachers. Some of the main characteristics that prevent teachers from using other ubiquitous digital communication media, such as Facebook or Twitter, are not relevant when it comes to WhatsApp. Both teachers and students view WhatsApp as a favored channel of communication because of the low exposure to personal information and minimal invasion of privacy. Future Research: The qualitative methodology of this paper limits the ability to generalize the current findings to other contexts and population groups. Future research should preferably explore the generalizability of our findings to larger sections of teenage populations. It should also explore similarities and differences with other age groups. Finally, the present study was set in a particular country (Israel). Local norms of cellphone use and of appropriate teacher-student interaction, as well as locally developed media domestication patterns, may differ from country to country and/or from one cultural group to another. Future research should then include and compare the current findings with data from different countries and cultures in order to complete the picture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose: The current literature discusses the use and benefits of learner-generated videos (LGVs). However, it rarely addresses any correlation between the types of subjects that are best suited for using these videos or what techniques should accompany the use of LGVs. Background: This systematic review synthesizes current literature to identify patterns and implications that develop from the use of LGVs so that their future use can be both consistent and effective. This paper also reviews the studies to establish the most consistent educational benefits that emerge from this activity. Methodology: Employing the Preferred-Reporting of Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) technique, this systematic review cumulated 39 eligible studies published between 2008 to 2020. A set of eligibility criteria guided us in the article selection process, such as the use of LGVs as an assignment, educational settings, publication time frame, and empirical studies. We conducted further steps by searching the articles in major databases, screening, analyzing, and synthesizing the articles. Contribution: This study expands the literature regarding LGVs-related topics in both research and practical aspects. We have discovered research gaps, suggesting the directions of future studies. Additionally, we provide suggestions for practitioners interested in adopting LGVs. Findings: Findings reveal that the use of LGVs may result in reduced cognitive load, increased creativity, increased cross-curricular competencies, learner independence, and the ability to apply knowledge in a meaningful way. Recommendations for Practitioners: Most of the studies that we reviewed recommended strategies for implementing LGVs into a curriculum to optimize the benefits of LGVs. • Articulating the learning objectives and aligning the LGV activities with the learning objectives emerges as an important strategy. • Instructors may guide students to commence the LGV project early and stay organized with the tasks required to complete the project, as this type of guidance may help students overcome time-related challenges. • Providing several options for the students to create different designs or formats and select the type of media would promote their creativity. Recommendations for Researchers: Other scholars may consider exploring group differences in their learning performance by employing an experimental study (e.g., providing specific production rules versus not), including investigating the impact on the learning achievement. Future Research: Future studies may focus on investigating the impact on cognitive load when students produce LGVs with instructional guidance. Other important variables, such as self-confidence and self-efficacy, that may have played a role in the process of producing LGVs deserve further attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose: This article presents a comprehensive rubric for evaluating educational virtual reality experiences for mobile devices. The aim of this article is to systematically analyze research to address the quality of virtual reality experiences on mobile applications in order to extend the work of Lee and Cherner (2015) and their instructional application rubric. Background: Ratings in proprietary mobile application stores - The App Store and Google Play, etc. - are generic and do not provide meaningful evaluations of the virtual reality. This article utilizes research in the areas of virtual reality and education to present a comprehensive rubric for evaluating educational virtual reality for mobile applications, which continues to advance previously published, researchbased rubrics. Methodology: The methodology uses a systematic process that spans multiple stages. The first stage was to locate pre-existing rubrics for virtual reality, followed by a review of literature focused on it. The third stage was to develop and vet a researchsupported rubric for evaluating educational virtual reality. Contribution: The main contribution from this article is that it fills a gap in the literature by presenting a criterion-referenced, research-supported rubric for evaluating the quality of educational virtual reality for mobile devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, and app-connected goggles). Findings: This paper's findings include the domains, dimensions, and criterion-referenced Likert scale indicators in the form of rubric dimensions for evaluating educational virtual reality. The evaluative domains consist of (1) Positioning of the EduVR, (2) Avatar Level, (3) Virtual Environment, and (4) Virtual Experience. Recommendations for Practitioners: This rubric is a tool for instructional coaches, teacher educators, and instructional technologists to use when recommending virtual reality experiences for instructional purposes. Recommendations for Researchers: Researchers can use this tool to monitor the quality of educational virtual reality being developed for classroom use. They can also use this rubric to examine educational virtual reality experiences they would use in their studies and evaluate how those educational virtual reality experiences impact student learning, engagement, and collaboration. Impact on Society: We foresee this rubric being an aid in the development, selection, and purchase of educational virtual reality by educational institutions, educators, researchers, edtech developers, and edu-philanthropists, thus advancing the quality and expectations for educational virtual reality experiences. Future Research: Future researchers can further enhance the validity of this rubric by collecting large amounts of data from a diverse set of end users and stakeholders. Also, subsequent rubrics for evaluating augmented reality and extended reality comprise additional research avenues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose: This paper presents the results of a systematic literature review that sought to identify the studies that relate the different pedagogical techniques by which active learning is developed in the context of the teaching/learning of computer programming, with the objective to characterize the approaches, the pedagogical techniques used, the application, the contributions, and difficulties of implementation reported by these studies. Background: The literature has shown that teachers in teaching programming have been less successful than they should and need to be, so dropout and failure rates for students remain high. In this sense, much has been discussed about the possibilities and limitations of using the active learning pedagogical techniques in this context. Methodology: For this review, an analysis from all studies mentioning active learning in the context of the teaching/learning of computer programming published between 2014 and 2019 was performed, retrieved in WOS, SCOPUS, ScienceDirect, and ACM Digital Library. The selection of studies was based on a set of criteria established to guide the selection process, including alignment with the research questions and evaluating the quality of studies. Contribution This study contributes to an overview of the current scenario, characterizing the research studies that associate the different pedagogical techniques of active learning in the context of the teaching/learning of computer programming. Findings: The results showed that the studies' approaches usually occur by intervention/pedagogical experiment or by the development of a tool, instrument or methodology. The lipped classroom methodology has obtained a notable prominence in research. The use of active learning pedagogical techniques results in greater acceptance or positive feedback from students, increasing their satisfaction or motivation to improve the learning experience, learning outcomes, or student performance. However, they require a greater effort/work by the teacher to plan and/or execute the teaching/learning process. It should be highlighted that the contributions observed for the teaching/learning process of computer programming derive from investigations mainly concentrated in the university context, aiming to observe if these contributions can be reproduced in other education levels. The contributions observed in the studies regarding the uses of pedagogical techniques of active learning in the context of computer programming indicate that their use can contribute significantly to the teaching/learning process, showing it to be a viable alternative and consistent with the reduction of the failures in the learning of programming. Recommendations for Practitioners: Considering that over the years the teaching/learning process of computer programming has been a challenge for students, based on the findings of this research, we recommend that teachers consider restructuring their traditional practices of teaching computer programming, making use of pedagogical techniques of active learning to obtain better learning results of their students. Recommendations for Researchers: We recommend that fellow scholars consider investigating how the difficulties inherent to teachers related to the teaching/learning process of programming may relate to difficulties concerning students and content, especially with regard to traditional teaching practices. Impact on Society: This study adds to previous systematic reviews of the literature, specifically studies that relate active learning to the context of teaching/learning of programming. It is hoped that the findings of this article can support other research that addresses the topic, enabling its development and deepening, through the developed basis from which active learning researchers can work. Future Research: Future studies may investigate the benefits of using different pedagogical techniques for active learning and the costs related to the higher cognitive burden imposed by these techniques for learning computer programming [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose: Quality in higher education assumes the challenge of developing in all citizens of the 21st century the cognitive, motivational, and socio-cultural dimensions that provide them with communication competences including the use of information and communication technologies, for the dissemination of sustainable scientific knowledge in different languages. Hence this paper evaluates a didactic-technological process called "Ensayo Científico Multilingüe" or ECM ("Multilingual Scientific Essay"), which guides the construction of argumentative texts in a shared didactic space in the native language (L1) and in the first foreign language (L2). Background: Although the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in educational contexts stands out as an index of quality, some studies indicate that these technologies, by themselves, do not produce changes in learning. The possibility that ICTs can contribute to a university-quality education is by providing measures that allow verification of the effects on the real improvement of the learning of communication competences of students and, especially, in the learning of written communication for the purpose of scientific dissemination. In order to do so, this research is based on the Metasociocognitive Written Composition (MWC) model that explains university writing as a complex process in which, metacognitively, cognitive-linguistic competences and socio-cultural experiences interact with motivational factors to achieve outreach objectives within a disciplinary field. This interaction always takes place by applying a specific textual genre. Methodology: For this research, a mixed quasi-experimental research design was proposed, with a control and an experimental group with 50 university students in each group. This design included two repeated measures (pre-test, post-test) for three dependent variables: (i) metacognition of writing; (ii) self-efficacy of argumentative writing; and (iii) structuring of the argumentative essay, in both L1 and L2. Validated instruments were selected and the correlations between the variables described both before and after the application of the ECM, in L1 and L2, as well as their correlations with the didactic-technological procedures integrated in the ECM: written activities, their extension, languages used, Lesson and Forums. Contribution: This article analyses the didactic-technological procedures that may be influencing the improvement in the learning of argumentative writing, both in L1 and L2, with validity and reliability. This enables the establishment of technological strategies for teaching shared in L1 and L2, both real and contrasted. Findings: It can be stated that the ECM creates a shared didactic-technological space in different languages, producing similar effects in L1 and L2, both on writing metacognition and on self-efficacy and argumentative structuring. The ECM enhances the association of writing metacognition with argumentative self-efficacy in L1 and L2. However, these dimensions are not associated with the structuring of argumentative essays, either in L1 or in L2. Furthermore, it is verified that the described variables are associated with the didactic-technological procedures integrated in the ECM in the following ways: (i) the procedure to promote writing metacognition (through the Lesson tool) is associated with argumentative structuring in L2; (ii) the extent of writing activities is associated, only, with argumentative self-efficacy in L1; and (iii) participation in the Forums presents a very low association with all the variables measured. Recommendations for Practitioners: The present study promotes the application of the ECM by introducing changes in the procedures to improve its effectiveness in argumentative writing learning of a scientific nature, in L1 and L2. In this sense, it is proposed: (i) to adapt and implement the genre-based writing instructions methodology to the technological context; (ii) incorporate more collaborative technologies in the construction of the text; and (iii) reduce the number of forums and replace the extensive activities with micro activities. Recommendations for Researchers: Present the ECM in an open mode that allows access to international students and, thus, to be able to validate the instruments in different languages, checking its effects with a diversity of groups. Impact on Society: The results of this research show that it is possible to promote the learning of argumentative writing in L1 and L2 from the first year of university, sharing didactic-technological learning spaces. The potential of ICT to help students manage and acquire better scientific writing skills in different languages and its positive results to meet the needs of students, both in L1 and L2, is especially demonstrated. In short, the procedures, resources, applications, and tools integrated in a didactic process are described, demonstrating their effectiveness, for the development of communicative competences of scientific dissemination. Undoubtedly, this contributes to a quality higher education, so demanded internationally, for the creation of a culture of peace and cooperation that enables sustainable global development. Future Research: Another line of research that is being developed in the future is the adaptation of ECM to the teaching of other genres and educational levels, as well as for the integration of people with functional diversity and immigrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to books in higher education is an issue to be addressed, especially in the context of underdeveloped countries, such as those in Latin America. More than just financial issues, cultural aspects and need for adaptation must be considered. The present conceptual paper proposes a methodology framework that would support collaborative open textbook initiatives. This methodology intends to be the main guideline for a digital ecosystem for the collaborative production of open textbooks and has the potential to solve standing methodological problems of current initiatives, such as Wikibooks and Connexions. The system's architecture and construction will be guided by six collaborative writing dimensions: process, roles, timing, controlling, granularity, and writing groups. Each dimension will coordinate an aspect of the collaborative work and is detailed in the methodology proposed in this paper. This paper is divided in the following parts: the first part introduces the subject, being followed by an analysis of related works about collaboration and Computer-Supported Cooperative Work; in this section, some authors, ideas, and methodological aspects of collaborative writing are also discussed. Next, the paper shows the proposal of a Digital Ecosystem for the collaborative creation of open textbooks, the six dimensions of this Ecosystem, and its respective descriptions. The work finishes with some conclusions about the proposal and the next steps needed to implement it in the real world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Handling the vast amounts of data and information available in contemporary society is a challenge. Geovisual Analytics provides technology designed to increase the effectiveness of information interpretation and analytical task solving. To date, little attention has been paid to the role such tools can play in education and to the extent to which they can process actionable data for students. The aim of this paper is to examine students’ learning activities involving a Geovisual Analytics tool in order to understand education in such settings. The paper builds on a study conducted in three public primary schools in grades 4 through 6. The implemented technology was used in four different social science classes, each for a period of two to four weeks. Empirical data were collected via video observations and speak-aloud interviews conducted using software that allows recordings by computer webcams and captures the actions on the computer screen. The interactions were analyzed, applying constructs and metaphors developed by Latour. The results indicate that, together, the data-rich setting and the students create intelligibility, where knowledge emerges from heterogeneously constructed networks. These show that learning is complex in character, continuously ongoing in an intertwined, multimodal, multiple, and content-focused mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Executive Summary Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are commercial software packages that enable the integration of transactions-oriented data and business processes throughout an organization. Most of the world's largest organizations have already adopted an ERP system, and many mid-size organizations are turning to them as well. The implementation of an ERP system presents some major training challenges. Organizations devote significant portions of their implementation budgets to training and organizational change management interventions. Industry experts recommend that up to 20% of an implementation budget be devoted to adequately preparing managers and users. Studies also show a low return on investment for this type of training as it makes it difficult for knowledge workers to teach how to transfer what is learned in training to real-life jobs. Inadequate and ineffective training has the potential to seriously limit value realization. In that context, this paper presents ERPsim, a business simulation training approach developed at HEC Montréal in which the only interface between participants and the game is a real-life enterprise system (SAP). ERPsim recreates a realistic business environment that allows learners to develop IT competencies and skills in a setting that reflects the true complexity of the business world. This simulation approach is now used in over 100 universities and a dozen Fortune 1000 organizations. Yet, our experience shows that trainers need to approach simulation game training with a different attitude. This paper addresses the challenges faced by IT trainers in adapting to this innovative training approach. Based on our many training experiences, this paper provides instructors with guidelines to create a learning environment where learners have a reduced risk of making mistakes, to provide scaffolds that help learners build self confidence, and to help learners reflect on their mistakes, speculate on root causes, and intelligently design alternative solutions. Instructors trained with this approach report significant improvements in student evaluation, learner motivation, attendance, and engagement as well as increased learner competence with the technology. These guidelines can be transferred to a variety of other educational fields in which trainers are migrating towards a more active educational approach. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A college degree is not what it used to be in respect to securing future employment. Constantly changing technologies in a struggling economy make it necessary for organizations to carefully balance recruitment staffing, particularly with regards to new hires. Organizations want to know that each new hire can add value immediately. In order to add value, Information Systems (IS) graduates must possess the necessary technical skills as well as "real world" work experience and soft skills. Additionally, these graduates will have more success if they have had applicable industry experience and a network of business professionals. In this paper, we describe a capstone experience model that goes beyond the reinforcement of the students' technical skills. The model extends the normal classroom to include students' putting into practice their skills and establishing professionals networks through their interaction with professional organizations and business partnerships. Our proposed capstone model integrates three learning environments: the classroom, a business organization and a professional organization. The model reinforces our students' technical, project management, team work, and communication skills through the implementation of a "real world" information system and the presentation of their system to their external client and at a professional conference. The expected benefits of this proposed model are to utilize various partnerships to prepare our students for employment Information Technology (IT) industry; allow our students to demonstrate their skills and talents; and establish networking opportunities with organizations and IT professionals. The initial pilot of our model was conducted during the 2008-2009 academic year. Our capstone model classroom environment incorporates two courses: 1) Systems Analysis and Design and 2) Systems Implementation. The "real world" experience with the external business partner was a year-long project implementation of the City's Print Services information system. The professional organization environment was achieved by the additional requirement for the team to submit their project to a national conference. Consequently, the team submitted a paper, presentation, and poster to the BDPA 2009 National Conference IT Showcase. The overall results of the initial pilot were very favorable. The students successful designed, developed and implemented the City's Print Service system. The students' paper and presentation received third place at the BDPA 2009 National Conference IT Showcase. Additionally, in order to evaluate the success of pilot from the stakeholders' perspective, two surveys were created: CIS Capstone Experience Project Team Survey and CIS Capstone Experience Customer Satisfaction Survey. The students' responses to the survey showed that they valued the capstone experience and want to see it continued, improved, and expanded. The external customers, the City employees, were very satisfied with the student's performance as demonstrated on their survey responses. The City employees answered six of the ten survey questions with an average rating of 5.0 and three received an average rating between 4.0 and 4.75 (with 5 being strongly agree on questions regarding quality, performance, communication and process). Our future research will include developing quantitative measures to test the model's overall success and establishing measures to weigh the contributions of each component of the model. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Several researchers have studied the impact of collaboration between the learners on their cognitive levels, but few studies have been carried out on the impact of collaboration between the teachers. The aim of our research is to study the effects on the knowledge levels of learners of collaborative construction of learning objects created by the teachers. More precisely, the objective is to conceive a distance learning environment that takes into account many concepts and strategies. Among the tasks assigned to our research team is to study the effects of collaboration among learners on the one side and among teachers in the other side. In previous work, we have studied the impact of collaborative learning on the cognitive profile of learners. In this work, we focused on the impact of collaboration among teachers on both teachers and learners. The aim of this paper is to present a collaborative authoring system called SAC (which is the French acronym of Système Auteur Collaboratif). This is designed to be used in an academic environment. Moreover, it can be used by any academic institution adopting the LMD (Licence-Master-Doctorate) regime. Its principal feature is that it takes into account collaboration among teachers for construction of learning objects. In this case, teachers collaborate to build common products. They discuss and coordinate their efforts to build pedagogical content that reflects all their points of view. Through this system, the teachers can put their courses online in various formats (lessons, tutorials, presentations, etc.) and students can download lessons, self-assess, and communicate with their colleagues. We used a certain number of criteria for making the collaboration task more efficient. These criteria are used by a search tool of co-authors, which is a part of SAC system. Among these criteria are the behavioral profile and the expertise area of teachers. The co-author search tool is like a search engine but it is used for searching authors in order to perform collaborative tasks. The use of this system overcomes the difficulties met by teachers in traditional systems. These difficulties are mainly related to the lack of tools, and assistance means facilitating their tasks during the preparation of their learning objects. In fact, this system has many features for the organization of learning objects and the facilitation of the courses preparation. These courses are those of the Licence degree. SAC was implemented and tested by a sample of university students and teachers. The aim was to know the attitude of these actors toward the system and the content of the courses that are built collaboratively. The obtained results showed that the teachers enjoyed using the system. They were very satisfied with the main components of SAC, such as the shared editor tool, the co-author search engine, and the trace manager. Particular attention was given to the co-authors search engine, which constitutes the main contribution of this paper. It was used by most of the teachers. This fact revealed its usefulness. After rigorous analysis of the results, we observed that the collaboration among teachers has good effects on the cognitive profile of learners. All the details concerning the experiment as well as the obtained results will be presented and discussed at the end of this paper. Furthermore, we will present the problems faced by the participants (i.e., teachers and students) and a short description of the future work. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Governments recognize that workers in the twenty-first century need to keep pace with increasingly technical employment environments in order to remain competitive in the global market. The Australian government has developed a set of policies to address impending shortfalls in high-level technicians and paraprofessionals across many professions. As a result, a new fledgling qualification, the associate degree, has been established within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) to facilitate qualification upgrading for the existing workforce. This paper describes Australian associate degrees and highlights their similarities and differences to foundation degrees in the United Kingdom and associate degrees in the United States. In Australia, universities and higher education (HE) institutes have limited experiences catering to vocational training, since vocational education (VE) has been reserved for specialist technical and further education (TAFE) colleges. Interestingly, the AQF intends that associate degree qualifications can cut across sectors. This discussion paper details the development of an associate degree in information technology (IT) at Victoria University, where two education sectors, one vocationally-focused and one academically-focused, are collaborating to effect the degree. Eight areas of competency are identified as needed by graduates of the proposed IT program. Two models for the cooperation in curriculum development are proposed. Regardless of the model chosen, the collaboration provides the opportunity for the achievement of a program that would dovetail vocational skills with supporting academic competencies to meet the needs of information technology workers wishing to upskill. Under discussion are issues such as staffing and administration, program sustainability and context of delivery, industry partnerships, and their impact upon differing cohorts of students with variability in experience. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Database security is a growing concern evidenced by an increase in the number of reported incidents of loss of or unauthorized exposure to sensitive data. As the amount of data collected, retained and shared electronically expands, so does the need to understand database security. The Defense Information Systems Agency of the US Department of Defense (2004), in its Database Security Technical Implementation Guide, states that database security should provide controlled, protected access to the contents of a database as well as preserve the integrity, consistency, and overall quality of the data. Students in the computing disciplines must develop an understanding of the issues and challenges related to database security and must be able to identify possible solutions. At its core, database security strives to insure that only authenticated users perform authorized activities at authorized times. While database security incorporates a wide array of security topics, notwithstanding, physical security, network security, encryption and authentication, this paper focuses on the concepts and mechanisms particular to securing data. Within that context, database security encompasses three constructs: confidentiality or protection of data from unauthorized disclosure, integrity or prevention from unauthorized data access, and availability or the identification of and recovery from hardware and software errors or malicious activity resulting in the denial of data availability. In the computing discipline curricula, database security is often included as a topic in an introductory database or introductory computer security course. This paper presents a set of sub-topics that might be included in a database security component of such a course. Mapping to the three constructs of data security, these topics include access control, application access, vulnerability, inference, and auditing mechanisms. Access control is the process by which rights and privileges are assigned to users and database objects. Application access addresses the need to assign appropriate access rights to external applications requiring a database connection. Vulnerability refers to weaknesses that allow malicious users to exploit resources. Inference refers to the use of legitimate data to infer unknown information without having rights to directly retrieve that information. Database auditing tracks database access and user activity providing a way to identify breaches that have occurred so that corrective action might be taken. As the knowledge base related to database security continues to grow, so do the challenges of effectively conveying the material. This paper addresses those challenges by incorporating a set of interactive software modules into each sub-topic. These modules are part of an animated database courseware project designed to support the teaching of database concepts. The courseware covers the domains of Database Design, Structured Query Language, Database Transactions, and Database Security. The Security Module, presented in this paper, allows students to explore such areas as access control, SQL injections, database inference, database auditing, and security matrices. The courseware was developed as part of a National Science Foundation grant and has been made freely available at http://adbc.kennesaw.edu [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Deep and shallow learner approaches are useful for different purposes. Shallow learning can be good where fact memorization is appropriate, learning how to swim or play the guitar for example. Deep learning is much more appropriate when the learning material present involves going beyond simple facts and into what lies below the surface. When students are asked to think about how facts are created and what they mean, then deep learning is needed. Deep learning requires students to think about the conceptual material used to construct a theory and to reflect on its meaning until they understand and can reconceptualise the item under study. Some forms of learning are more conducive to approaches that do not need deep reflection, although this process invariably brings greater learning potential. This paper outlines a course that was considered by the authors to be 'scrugged'. The word scrugged is defined as 'rough' as in "it's been a scrugged day." This word arose in a teaching and learning environment in South Australia and was shared on a social networking site. Use of this term seems appropriate in a discipline based on continual change. The rough 'scrugged' approach of the standard information systems fare presents a real problem for Information Systems (IS) Academics because it gives IS the 'shallow' treatment. It is at best a loosely joined mix of concepts coming from multiple directions which does not present a useful framework for theory and instead presents a very thinly constructed grouping of concepts that are superficially treated. The shallow conceptual structure leaves no room for reflective thinking, learning or critical thinking. What results is a good understanding of what kinds of information systems exist, but a very shallow understanding of disciplinary themes and meaning beyond simple artefacts. In this paper, we outline an approach to a course which moved students from shallow repetitive tasks to deep reflective learning around the concepts of Information Systems and discuss the long term implications for Information Systems teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]