An extension of the technology acceptance model for online learning environments

This study advances the understanding of the process by which students accept and use e-learning environments. This is a key aspect in studying the online behaviour of students, as it directly influences their conduct in their capacity as users of learning products. To address the lack of empirical data on the adoption of this type of learning environment, we present and validate a model of the phenomenon. The study considers the utilitarian aspects included in the technology acceptance model (TAM) and also an aspect of intrinsic motivation for an individual, flow, to enhancing the explanatory power of the models presented.

Based on a sample of 2,574 students, structural equation modelling is used to test the model. We identify the effect of flow on perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and on the actual usage of the e-learning environment, demonstrating the importance of this factor as a complement to the components of the TAM.     

Examining Service-Learning Literature in Physical Education Teacher Education: Recommendations for Practice and Research

Service-learning is a teaching strategy designed to provide learners opportunities to transfer theory to practice in an authentic environment while concurrently meeting genuine needs in the community. The reciprocal nature of service-learning differentiates this pedagogy from other learning venues including field experiences, internships, and student teaching. Recently the interest surrounding, as well as the utilization of service-learning, has grown in numerous academic disciplines including physical education teacher education (PETE). PETE research investigating the impact of service-learning in regards to student and community outcomes is also emerging. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the current PETE service-learning literature. Components of the review include examination of theoretical frameworks, exploration of the impact of service-learning on PETE students and community participants, and recommendations for practice and future research.     

A Structural Equation Model of Parental Involvement,Motivational and Aptitudinal Characteristics,and Academic Achievement

The authors used the structural equation model (SEM) approach to test a model hypothesizing the influence of parental involvement on students' academic aptitudes, self-concept, and causal attributions, as well as the influence of the 3 variables on academic achievement. The theoretical model was contrasted in a group of 12- to 18-year-old adolescents (N = 261) attending various educational centers. The results indicate that (a) parental involvement had a positive and significant influence on the participant's measured characteristics; (b) causal attribution was not causally related to self-concept or academic achievement when the task involved finding causes for success, but, self-concept and causal attributions were found to be significantly and reciprocally related when the task involved finding causes accounting for failure; (c) self-concept was statistically and predominantly causally related to academic achievement, but not vice versa; and (d) aptitude and self-concept accounted for academic achievement, although the effect of self-concept was predominant. These results suggest that in adolescence, cognitive-affective variables become crucial in accounting for academic behavior.     

Tackling the Phenomenon of Elder Abuse in Italy: A Review of Existing Legislation and Policies as a Learning Resource

In Italy, data and information on prevalence and characteristics of elder abuse are very limited, and a specific legal and policy framework is lacking. Some articles of the Penal Code refer to the larger context of violence against disadvantaged groups, and some general support services not specifically dedicated to this issue are managed by local municipalities. In this context, empirical research is useful for disseminating information and implementation of good practices. Such research indicates future directions for the education of the public and training of professionals on the prevention, detection, and treatment of abusive practices.     

Actitudes de los maestros hacia la integración escolar de niños con necesidades especiales

Resumen

Se hace un estudio de las variables que afectan a las actitudes de los maestros hacia la integración escolar de niños con necesidades especiales en dieciséis centros educativos normales de la provincia de Guipúzcoa.

No se encuentran relaciones entre las actitudes de los maestros y el sexo, la lengua materna, tipo de centro, nivel de apoyo administrativo o técnico, tiempo de contacto con los niños (tiempo de integración). Sí que se observan relaciones significativas entre las variables actitudes y las variables número de alumnos por aula, actividades extraescolares, información, diagnóstico, nivel educativo, edad de los maestros.

En general, no obstante, las actitudes tienden a ser positivas.

Se analizan y discuten los resultados y se recoge la importancia de una consideración multidimensional del estudio de las actitudes de los maestros hacia la integración escolar de niños con necesidades especiales.     

The Development and Application of Distance Learning Courses on the Internet

This paper presents the methodology, results and difficulties encountered in the development and delivery of a course through the Internet. The course, which is about the application of information technology to education, is being delivered using the AulaNet environment, which is groupware for the creation, participation and maintenance of Web-based courses. A model for group work is provided. This paper also shows how this kind of environment can be used to provide support, and to facilitate and manage cooperative learning.     

A scalable and incremental project-based learning approach for CS1/CS2 courses

Cupi2 is a project that promotes an integral solution to problems in teaching/learning programming using a large and structured courseware, and a student-centered pedagogical model (Villalobos and Casallas 2006a; Villalobos et al. 2009a, b; Jiménez and Villalobos 2010). As a cornerstone of Cupi2, we use incremental projects intended to motivate students, and to develop high-level programming skills throughout their learning. A critical factor of these projects is that they are specially designed so that students are engaged in activities that complete a scaffold of a complete program. However, both the scaffolds and the activities needed to complete these incomplete programs must be arranged carefully by instructors in order to stress the adequate contents for students, and at the same time, to help those students acquire programming skills effectively. Jointly, scaffold versions need to comply with high quality standards, representing a high time consuming activity for instructors, and therefore, increased costs for institutions. In this paper, we describe the way we overcome these challenges using a software factory that supports the projects’ design in a scalable way.     

E-learning and market orientation in higher education

Technology is modifying the way companies do business all over the world. The education sector is no exception; virtual education has emerged as a basic tool to satisfy the changing needs of traditional and newly incorporated students, as well as meet the new requirements of educational institutions. This article therefore tries to achieve a double objective: to analyze what drives the development of online education within the Universities of the European Union and to design a theoretical framework that permits to obtain responses to que question of why students continue their estudies at the same educational institution. Thus, first, the analysis of external factors identifies social, political and technological capacity as issues that explain the rise of e-learning within the field of European higher education. Second, the empirical work shows the design of a cause-effect model with relationships between different variables in which market orientation of Universities and usability play an important role in the future intentions of use for students.     

“Where Your Ethnic Kids Go”: How Counselors as First Responders Legitimate Proper Course Placements for Community College Students

ABSTRACT

Previous research on remediation has examined course placement practices, but little is known about first responders and how their beliefs about proper course placements help maintain patterns in course access. This study examined how taken-for-granted racial beliefs were used as legitimate knowledge by community college counselors. Haney López’s (2000) race as commonsense theoretical perspective was used to analyze interview data from 34 counselors in 2 southern California community colleges. Data showed that counselors recreated race categories and racial hierarchy, and they did so by reinforcing beliefs about white students as intelligent and deserving higher placements and Latina/o students as comparatively lower in ability and deserving remediation. The results suggest that counselors begin institutionalizing racial sorting immediately as first-time students begin to enroll. The findings highlight the importance of racial mindfulness in policy, practice, and research.