TOJQIH - Volume 2 - Issue 4 - October 2015
CONTEXTS AND PROCESSES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONTENT TESTS TO ASSESS TEACHERS’ PEDAGOGICAL CONTENT KNOWLEDGE Jennie V. Jocson, Ph.D., Greg McPhan, Ph.D.
Abstract: Pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and content knowledge (CK) are considered key components that affect student success and teaching-learning transactions in the classroom. Recently, the Department of Education in the Philippines underwent crucial steps towards improving education in the country. With the enactment into law and full implementation of the K to 12 reform in the primary and secondary education, the country’s education sector faces the crucial time to assess what the teachers know and can do in order to determine their professional development needs to implement the new curriculum. To date, there have been few large scales studies in the Philippines to determine teachers’ preparedness to undertake curriculum reform. To address this, content tests based on the new curriculum were developed. The process undertaken in the development of these content tests is discussed in this paper. Further, the paper also offers insights into the theoretical framework used for the development of content tests as an assessment tool and on the importance of determining teachers’ PCK as an integral component of enhancing teacher quality. Finally, recommendations for further development of the content test and on their use are discussed.
FACTORS INFLUENCING MALAYSIAN STUDENTS’ CHOICE OF MAJOR IN UNIVERSITIES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM Ismail Latifah
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to identify factors that influence students’ choice of academic majors such as Medicine, Engineering, Law, Architecture and Accountancy, which students believe will lead them towards a better life. These professional majors will change the students’ future position in terms of social stratification. This study attempts to determine which social background variables predominantly influences the students’ major by examining which social background was most successful in enrolling in universities in the United Kingdom. This study is also meant to investigate students’ intentionality of enrolling into British universities and specializing in particular areas. A survey garnering the response of a total of 360 students was administered to assess factors that influence the choice of their majors. The study designed was cross-sectional and comparative in nature, and the instruments used were a self-administered questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. The findings show that the level of education attained by fathers and mothers have strong relationship with the choice of major. For instance, the father’s income has strong associations with the choice of major while the level of the mother’s qualification plays the most significant role in ‘having a proper plan towards higher education’ and ‘seeking information regarding further studies’. The findings reveal that majority of Malaysian students studying abroad come from those of higher socio-economic statuses. The effort to narrow this widening income disparity between the various income groups between urban and rural households have yet to succeed.
FACTORS OF WOMEN ENGINEERING STUDENTS’ DROPOUTS IN SOUTH KOREA Jong-Tae Youn, Song-Ah Choi
Abstract: In this study we conducted a factor analysis on the patterns and reasons of women engineering students’ dropout phenomena through interviews and questionnaires carried out on the women students majoring in engineering at P University. The analytical results of the questionnaires indicate that a broad socio-cultural factor, the industry’s negative gender cognition and the maledominant atmosphere of the college of engineering are the three major factors that influence the women engineering students’ decisions to drop out. In addition, the women engineering students’ physical strength and machine-tool maneuvering ability that are by and large inferior to male engineering students, have greater influence than their academic competence or age. Parents’ moral support also plays an influential role. Another important factor is the lack of gender cognitive lectures and gender cognitive job hunting projects for women students. It is recommended that the findings of this study be considered as basic materials in developing a gender cognitive engineering curriculum for women students that befits the environment of the college of engineering.
GENDER GAP IN HIGHER EDUCATION: PERSPECTIVE ON FACTORS INFLUENCING ENROLMENT IN MALAYSIAN UNIVERSITIES: A UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA SAMPLE Latifah Ismail
Abstract: This study aims to identify why academic performance differs between male and female students at a school level that leads them to qualify for entrance into universities. Entrance qualification to university is based on the meritocracy system of their academic achievement. More female students have always outperformed the male students in their educational attainment. The inequality of gender in the enrolment of students into universities has become a serious phenomenon for the past decades. This qualitative and quantitative method of research utilizes data analysis from University Malaya samples. The findings revealed that female students have different characteristics and inspiration that influence their educational achievement. More male students are represented in subject choices like Engineering. The outcome from gender imbalance will hinder the country’s development if more females dominated in the job market. In light of these results, several suggestions have been proposed for the solution and implication to increase the number of male students in tertiary institutions.
PROCESS IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN EDUCATION: A CASE STUDY ON HOW TO CONDUCT A FOUNDATIONAL STUDIO? Levent Kara, Ph.D., RA
Abstract: A perennial question for architectural education, especially the design studio education, has been the degree of narrativity and conceptuality of philosophical, psychological, and social thinking in the design process versus the concreteness of built environment. While architecture is always concrete as to its built form, the questions of its relevance -cultural, experiential, social, temporal, etc.- hinge on the thinking processes that bring about the concrete end result. Arguments for the narrativity and conceptuality of design process are formed around this open-endedness of architectural thinking in the making of culture as a mode of production. However, they also run the risk of falling short of addressing the complexity of architecture as viable built form. On the other hand, the arguments for comprehensive building studies as the core of architectural design studio, while addressing the complex issues of realizing buildings, fall short of advancing critical thinking in the making of architecture as a cultural catalyst. Because, comprehensive building studies usually, necessarily, rely on conventional ways of making buildings without integrating a speculative design process, which, while unfolding experiential, tectonic, spatial possibilities beyond cultural habits, is hard to achieve end results with in the limited time of a design studio. The following study presents a foundational design studio that aims at bringing the explorative design process and concrete tectonic spatial constructs in close proximity in a generative process of thinking and making architecture beyond habitual ways of making. The curricular approach presented here also aims to establish the notion of process as a research method that links various acts of making in the continuum of iterative experiments.
QUALITY INDICATORS IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS:IMPLICATIONS TO GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS Jennifer S. Florida, Myrna P. Quinto
Abstract: Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the Philippines are at the crossroad with respect to quality indicators set by local accrediting organizations and the international sectors that conduct annual world university ranking. In spite of the Education Criteria for Performance Excellence set by the local accrediting bodies, still HEIs in the Philippines did not make it in the ranking of Times Higher Education (THE). Only the four leading schools in the country which include University of the Philippines (UP), Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), University of Santo (UST) and De La Salle University (DLSU) made it to Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Top 500. This paper examined the criteria used by local accrediting bodies and international agencies. Major findings revealed that local accrediting bodies and international sectors use different assessment criteria, resulting to Philippine HEIs lagging behind rankings for universities in Asia and worldwide. Local accrediting agencies such as Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) and Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA) gave more attention to the following quality indicators such as the physical facilities of the institution, its contribution to the local community and the credentials of the professors and administrators. On the other hand, international accrediting agencies such as Times Higher Education (THE) and Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) gave a huge percentage on the institution’s popularity based on academic peer review and the international exchange of faculty and students. This juxtaposition indicates the discrepancy in defining the quality in higher education. Country can achieve global competitiveness by improving its quality of education system in higher education which is one of the efficiency enhancers (World Economic Forum). Philippines is currently between the factor-driven and efficiency-driven stage of development. Quality of higher education is crucial for economies that want to move up the value chain beyond simple production processes and products (Kremer, 1993).
REFLECTIONS OF THE MUSEUM OF THE HISTORY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN ISLAM ON HIGHER EDUCATION M. Ali ÇORLU, Yusuf AYDIN
Abstract: In this study, the role of “Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam†and its founder in developing an education setting, will be discussed and assessed. A copy of the museum named “Science and Technology in Islam†which took years to be established by Goethe University in Germany was established in Istanbul in 2008. In addition to eight hundred objects in the museum in Germany and five hundred objects in the similar museum in Istanbul, research methods of inventors are also displayed. Questioning “Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam†and exemplary thoughts of scholars who have works in this museum, their research methods, and professional personalities, the findings are evaluated for the development of science and technology in today’s world and betterment of education system. Prof. Dr. Sezgin, who is an internationally-known and efficient science historian and opinions of chosen scientists in the history of science and technology, their research methods, scientific personalities and their qualities of being a role model will be discussed and assessed. The life of chosen scientist, his works, awards, the museum he established and publications about him will be analyzed; his professional goals and argument of scientific civilization will be discussed and interpreted according to Kuhn’s concept of “war of paradigmsâ€.
SAVING OUR PLANET THROUGH SUSTAINABILITY-LITERATE ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN BUSINESS Dr. Kanika Chatterjee
Abstract: Primary purpose: To delineate academic research in business as a means to provide answers/solutions to the global challenges of attaining sustainable development for planetary wellbeing. Design/methodology/approach: Critical discursive research based on a wide range of published works to identify the gap between contemporary business research that is dissociated from the biosphere, and the imperative of promoting sustainability-centred business research in higher educational institutions (HEIs). Findings: The ensuing discourse supports the claim that business research in HEIs across the world ought to, and can be undertaken by sustainability-literate and sustainability focused academia through trans-disciplinary, enactive research. Research limitations and implications: The focus of the paper and the literature survey is narrowly scoped to include only business research conducted by academics. Practical implications: The study helps build a strong case for mainstreaming sustainability-literate business research in academic institutions for addressing the global challenge to preserve natural and social systems through creative business practice. Originality/value: This paper represents a unique attempt to redirect business practice in a meaningful manner towards sustainability through the pathway of academic learning of business researchers.
SOME SUGGESTIONS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING PROGRAMMES IN TURKEY Assist. Prof. Dr. Ä°smail YAMAN
Abstract: The teaching of English language is attached so much importance in the Turkish educational system that it is currently started at the very beginning of the primary education, as of the second grade in the new 4+4+4 system. This high importance of the issue necessitates a satisfying level of quality in English education at all levels ranging from primary to tertiary phase. Under this framework, the training of the English language teachers undertakes a quite significant role. Therefore, the available English language teaching (ELT) programmes at Turkish universities take on the serious responsibility of educating the future English language teachers who are expected to teach the future generations. However, it is not possible to say that everything about these programmes goes flawless. In this study we present some suggestions to enhance the quality of education in the ELT programmes. The major points covered as part of these suggestions range from additions to and extractions from the eight-semester curriculum, the (non)employment of native speaker instructors considering especially the development of oral skills, and the broadening of the alternatives provided under the student exchange programme to the specialization alternatives to be provided for the undergraduate ELT students who want to specialize in teaching English to very young learners. In accordance with the presented broad-range suggestions this study aims to contribute to the elevation of the standards of the training of prospective English language teachers and thus, in the long run, the whole English language education in Turkey.
THE ROLE OF ACCREDITATION STANDARDS IN DELIVERING A QUALITY ASSURED PROGRAM - EXPERIENCE IN THE UAE Sabeena Salam, Fouzia Shersad
Abstract: In an era where higher education institutions aspire to gain a reputation of quality, accreditation bodies have been restructuring their standards to match the needs of the education community. This study aims to evaluate the extent to which the accreditation body, viz. Commission of Academic Accreditation (CAA) in the UAE has achieved this goal; using the experience of two HEI’s in the country. The study of the accreditation history especially for the last two decades of the Dubai Medical College and Dubai Pharmacy College has been evaluated. The improved commitment and loyalty of the faculty, improved communication channels and structured reporting has made it easy to detect problems before they lead to undesirable effects. Leadership support has led to mobilization of resources and expansion based on the needs of the community. The mission driven outcomes based assessment based on the CAA standards have led to remarkable improved in student satisfaction rates and in proactively mitigation of risks.
TRANSFORMATIONAL AND SERVANT LEADERSHIP: EVIDENCE FROM INDIAN HIGHER EDUCATION Associate Professor Dr. Manodip Ray Chaudhuri - Gr.III, Dr. Juha Kettunen, Partha Naskar
Abstract: The emergence and impact of leadership date back to the ancient days of war and conquest. Over time, leadership evolved to accomplish goals. The guiding thoughts of a mission and vision are the essence of new millennium leadership. The modern business companies aim for continuous identification and understanding about the wide array of the global perspectives of leadership. This paper discusses organisational leadership, leaders’ traits and habits; leadership competencies to manage workplace crises; transformational and servant leadership; the importance of towards transformational leadership; and the unification of leadership and business culture. The paper concludes with an appeal for global leadership that builds sustainability in a dynamic global business environment.
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