Faculty behavior in low-paradigm versus high-paradigm disciplines: A case study

The notion of academic disciplines being characterized as high- or low-paradigm technologies was developed by Lodahl and Gordon from Kuhn's concept of a paradigm. Using this concept, the voting pattern of high-paradigm faculty (chemistry, physics, mathematics, and engineering) was compared to low-paradigm faculty (sociology, political science, history, and education) concerning a controversial campus issue to liberalize curriculum choices for students. It was found that high-paradigm faculty were not willing to grant students more latitude to select courses for degree requirements, while low-paradigm faculty members were in favor of giving students more latitude to select academic courses for degree requirements. The unique aspect of this study is that faculty behavior, as described in an actual case study, corresponds to theoretical positions supported by questionnaire data.     

The use of Facebook to build a community for distance learning students: a case study from the Open University

Social media platforms such as Facebook are commonplace throughout society. However, within higher education institutions such networking environments are still in the developmental stage. This paper describes and discusses case study data from the Open University’s Faculty of Social Science Facebook page. It starts by giving an overview of the literature surrounding social media in higher education before examining how the Social Sciences Faculty at the Open University has used Facebook to help build an academic community. Data includes numerical information on number of likes, demographic data on students who use the page, analysis on the type and nature of comments and more qualitative extracts from postings related to academic questions. It also discusses challenges and difficulties with using such social media tools in a university environment and suggests fruitful areas for future research.     

New mathematics programmes at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the Czech Technical University,Prague

The Bologna Declaration inspired changes in university education in the Czech Republic. In this paper we discuss the impact of these changes on the education of engineers at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the Czech Technical University, Prague.     

A case study: Cultural preferences concerning the willingness of Batswana students to use ICT in distance education at North-West University

This investigation was conceived of as fundamentally interpretative and designed within the framework of hermeneutic phenomenology as it focuses particularly on the world as it is lived and experienced by Batswana Advanced Certificate in Education (ACE) students in order to determine the views of these students regarding their willingness to use Information Communication Technology (ICT) in Distance Education (DE). For this article, the researcher also undertook an interpretivistic hermeneutic analysis of Social Capital Theory in order to identify directions and norms which could serve as benchmarks to establish whether DE at the North-West University (NWU) could contribute to the structure of social capital. When implementing technology in DE, a sense of community should be created within which Batswana DE ACE students can function in a social structure and where a sense of social cohesion and interconnectedness prevails, as well as a sense of belonging Technology (whiteboards etc.) in DE should consequently be implemented according to the needs and skills of these students.     

人格因素对大学生上网行为的影响研究

本研究通过分别考察大学生人格因素与网络行为偏好和网络依赖状况之间的关系,探索了人格因素对大学生上网行为的影响。研究使用自编网络使用量表、中文网路成瘾量表、网络成瘾量表（Young）以及艾森克人格问卷对433位在校大学生（男生235人,女生198人）进行施测,结果发现：大学生的上网内容偏好与性别、上网时间、人格因素中的精神质和内外倾向性都有显著相关;大学生的网络依赖程度与平均上网时间有显著中等正相关,与情绪稳定性有显著中等正相关,与精神质有显著微弱正相关;网络依赖与放松休闲行为与追求刺激行为存在显著正相关。     

高师校园女大学生群体网络行为的问题管窥

随着高校信息化进程的飞速发展,网络日益成为影响大学生学习方式、生活方式、交往方式、娱乐方式、消费方式的主要因素。尤其在近些年,女大学生的网络安全问题频繁发生。因此,高校思想政治教育工作亟需加强对女大学生的网络行为的教育和引导。     

The effect of badges on the engagement of students with special educational needs: A case study

This paper addresses the perceived benefits from gamification in the context of special education. It presents the findings of a study evaluating the effects of a specific gamification element (badges) on the engagement of five students with special learning needs, through online courses developed on the Moodle Learning Management System (LMS). The results indicate that this particular gamification element yielded positive effects on students’ engagement and on their overall attitude towards the educational process in general.     

Understanding the use of Educational Technology Among Faculty, Staff, and Students at a Medical University

A college of health professions at a medical university located in the southeastern United States is striving to increase the use of educational technology among faculty, staff, and students. A strategic planning group was formed and charged with enhancing the use of educational technology within the college. In order to understand the current state of technology use, perceptions of technology, and training needs, surveys and focus groups were conducted. Based on the qualitative and quantitative data obtained, a conceptual model illustrating levels of technology use and factors that influence use was developed.     

大学教师文化:特色·困惑·趋势

文化研究是当前社会科学研究的热门话题,大学文化研究就是其中之一。大学文化研究与提升大学的核心竞争力直接相关。大学教师文化是大学文化中最具代表性的部分,研究大学教师文化能够揭示大学文化建设的方向。本文揭示了大学教师文化的特色、面临的困惑和今后发展的趋势。     

互联网与中国在校大学生政治意识关系的实证研究

关于互联网的政治影响力,学术界存在两种观点。"肯定派"认为上网行为会影响网民的政治意识,甚至会使上网者成为无国界的"世界公民";"否定派"则认为互联网并未取代大众媒介的政治影响力,其对网民政治意识的影响非常有限。根据我们对武汉理工大学317名大学生网民的调查,"否定派"的观点更为接近事实,即互联网对网民政治意识的影响并没有我们想像的那么大。     

Contexts and Innovation: a case study of the use of CPVE with A‐level students

Within the post‐16 scene in England, curriculum innovation is currently endemic. Such change is often viewed as taking place in two separate contexts, the practical context of the classroom, and the theoretical, debating context of staffroom and LEA. Both contexts are explored through one case study of a teacher‐led innovation, attempting to use part‐time CPVE with A‐level students. It is shown that the contexts are not separate, but closely linked, in an organic and dialectical way. In the instance reported, the dysfunctional nature of these inter‐relationships was a major point of weakness in the innovation. The paper concludes that previous notions in the literature about the separation of the two contexts are over‐simplified, and that both innovators and researchers should show greater awareness of these interrelationships in future.     

Perspectives from graduate students on effective teaching methods: a case study from a Vietnamese Transnational University

Abstract

Vietnam is emerging as an accelerated economic and political society with an increased global presence; thus, increased attention has been given to producing qualified college graduates who can contribute to the growing global economy. Yet challenges exist due to lack of educational infrastructure and ineffective teaching practices. As a result, the Vietnamese government embraces international collaborations in higher education as a way to address educational needs; however, although research exists on policy implications and government priorities, very little is known about how students perceive the teaching methods provided at these collaborative transnational universities. The purpose of this qualitative case study is to examine graduate students’ perceived effectiveness of teaching methods at Vietnamese-German University (VGU), a predominantly technology and engineering university that is an international collaboration between Vietnam and Germany. We seek to answer the research question of, ‘how is the use of student-centred practices effective in an international learning environment?’ Findings from graduate students indicate that collaborative learning, specifically through group work and modified flipped classrooms, are effective ways to maximise student learning. Implications for practice and future research are discussed as ways to emphasise the benefits of student-centred teaching and learning at transnational collaborative universities.     

Student Peer Review as a Tool for Efficiently Achieving Subject‐Specific and Generic Learning Outcomes: Examples in Botany at the Faculty of Agriculture,University of Belgrade

Several teachers at the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Belgrade recognised the need to improve teaching methods in order to actively involve students in the teaching process, help them learn more effectively, and reduce the low exam pass rate. This led to a purpose‐designed course on improving academic skills, after which the author has been implementing interactive teaching methods for the past three academic years, with positive results in improving student exam performances as well as enabling the acquisition of valuable generic skills. Presented here are attempts to test students' ability to assess themselves and each other by introducing student peer reviewing and student self‐assessment exercises.     

Wikipedia and the University,a case study

This article discusses the use of Wikipedia by academics and students for learning and teaching activities at Liverpool Hope University. Hope has distinctive aspects but we consider the findings to be indicative of Wikipedia use at other British universities. First we discuss general issues of Wikipedia use within the university. Second, we examine existing research on Wikipedia use amongst students and academics. Based upon a sample of 133 academics and 1222 students, our principal findings were: (1) 75% of academics and students use Wikipedia; (2) student use is typically confined to the initial stages of assessments; (3) a quarter of academics provide guidance on how to use Wikipedia and (4) 70% of academics use Wikipedia for background information for teaching purposes, something that it is not influenced by whether student use is tolerated or not. Our conclusion is that whilst Wikipedia is now unofficially integrated into universities, it is not ‘the’ information resource as feared by many and that an enlightened minority of academics have attempted to assimilate it into their teaching.     

知识分子:大学教师的内在诉求

在市场逻辑、国家体制与知识专业化交错的背景下,本文力图对大学教师知识分子的属性质疑进行反证:中西方"知识分子"叙事虽遵循不同的逻辑起点,但拥有共同的精神诉求;从历史逻辑出发,正确地认识知识分子的"弹性独立人格"特质,对理解当今大学教师知识分子的合法性具有重要意义;最后从学理层面探讨大学教师作为知识分子的前提性、必要性与可行性。     

Perception of Faculty of the Bologna Process at a Spanish Technical University: A Perspective of Change and Improvement

The Bologna Process affects the academic community, particularly faculty members who have to implement the process. This study is an initiative by a group of lecturers to evaluate the perception of faculty members in the implementation of the Bologna Process. The aim was to assess the evolution of their opinion on the process since a 2011 survey, and their degree of agreement with the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). The results show that faculty members call for more adequate training for the new EHEA process and more institutional support. The study reveals the need for greater involvement and collaboration among faculty members to improve the reform process.     

The Use of Internet,Quasi-multimedial and Multimedial Educational Systems at the Technical University KoŠice

Electronic mail entered the Technical University Ko?ice in 1990. Now, instead of the few tens of users at the beginning, the system hosts thousands of them. Interactive teaching programmes as well as teaching programmes that are supported by audio and visual channels have also been used since 1990. The paper presents a short account of past development, the present situation and perspectives within the area of Internet use and of tuition that employs multimedia related means of teaching.