Academic literature on the topic 'Information superhighway in education Social aspects Case studies'

The article substantiates the priority of the formation of key competencies of students of natural sciences in the process of professional training, the search for optimal forms and methods for organizing training in chemistry in higher education. The forms of organization of teaching of chemistry, which play the first priority in the formation of mathematical, natural sciences and environmental literacy, life skills, information and digital, social and public competencies, are analyzed.The leading form of study at the university is a lecture. Lecture classes on chemistry have an enormous potential, since they form not only the natural sciences competence of students, but also environmental literacy, ability to study, communicate in the state language. The study of chemical formulas, the solving of settlement and situational tasks will contribute to the development of mathematical literacy.The use of different types of counseling forms the ability to generate new ideas, navigate the educational information space, and opens up new opportunities for establishing feedback. Alternatives are e-mail consultations, via Skype- connection, local information network.Excursions in the study of chemistry perform a number of important functions: implement the principle of visibility, enhance the science of learning, communication with life, contribute to polytechnic training, the formation of a holistic natural science picture of the world.The most effective in the development of key competencies are the following forms and methods of teaching chemistry, such as case-method, problem-solving, design-technological activity, independent work of students.

AbstractThe paper presents a systematic literature review of empirical studies on the use of Twitter by higher education academics for professional development. Using content and thematic analyses, this review addressed four research questions related to study characteristics, theoretical and methodological approaches, and the type of professional development activities engaged. The results show that Twitter has been studied from several perspectives using various methodological approaches. The review revealed several limitations, including the paucity of research addressing gender, cultural and geographic differences. Limited use of theory is also observed. Five themes emerged identifying the ways Twitter was used for professional development: 1) academic backchannel, 2) networking, 3) information and resource sharing, 4) keeping updated, 5) public engagement and social commentary. Overall, the literature review suggests Twitter supports some aspects of professional development. However, several issues remain outstanding and in need of further research, including ethical approaches and practices of researchers related to data collection and use.

This paper focuses on the role of the image as an agent for social transformation. The methodology adopted is a case study: the impact of the photograph of Aylan Kurdi, the three-year-old child drowned off Bodrum in an attempt to escape on a raft full of Syrian migrants. This is one of the most widely seen social photojournalism documents in recent times, and it had a huge impact on social media. The study applies an iconographic, iconological and ethical analysis to reveal the constituent parts of an image with the power for social change. In its main conclusions, this paper describes the potential for easy resignification of the digital graphic image as it symbolically transforms reality, and the power it has to generate processes of pronouncement and activism among citizens in digital environments. The results of the case study show that the value of an image for social change is achieved not only by the magnitude of the tragedy itself and the information that it registers, or by its formal aspects (iconographic), but mainly by being able to express a change of logic (iconological aspects) and to promote processes of reappropriation and denunciation. The ethical debate on dissemination shifts the problem from journalistic ethics to citizen responsibility. Este trabajo plantea el papel de la imagen como agente de transformación social. La metodología que se emplea es un estudio de caso sobre el impacto de la fotografía de Aylan Kurdi, el niño de tres años ahogado en el intento de huida en una balsa de inmigrantes sirios en Bodrum. Se trata de uno de los documentos recientes de fotoperiodismo social más difundidos transnacionalmente y con gran impacto en redes sociales. El estudio aborda diferentes niveles de análisis (iconográfico, iconológico y ético) para decapar los aspectos constitutivos de una imagen con poder de cambio social. Como principales conclusiones, esta investigación comprueba el poder de la imagen gráfica digital por su carácter de fácil reedición y resignificación en el paso de transformar simbólicamente la realidad y generar procesos de pronunciamiento y activismo en la ciudadanía a partir de entornos digitales. Los resultados del análisis del caso que se delimita muestran cómo el valor de una imagen en el cambio social no viene dado solo por la magnitud de la tragedia o el hecho que registra, ni por sus aspectos formales (iconográficos), sino por ser capaz de expresar un cambio de lógica (aspecto iconológico) y propiciar procesos de reapropiación y denuncia ciudadana. Por último, el debate ético sobre su difusión traslada el problema de la deontología periodística a la responsabilidad ciudadana.

Abstract With the introduction of digital technologies in education and the diversification of learning modalities, research has sought to identify the characteristics of each modality in order to develop successful learning. The Personal Learning Environment (PLE) is a developing concept that takes advantage of digital technologies and their implications in different modalities. This research aims to identify how the educational modality contributes to the development of PLEs in higher education. We compared two case studies in online and face-to-face contexts in Mexican higher education through a case survey methodology using a questionnaire and a descriptive statistical analysis of five categories: self-perception, management of information, management of the learning process, communication and learning experience. Results show that online students focus on the use of information management skills and on self-regulation of the learning process, whereas face-to-face students are oriented towards the use of communication skills. In conclusion, we identify two PLE profiles whose main differences arise from the students’ learning approaches, one based on social interaction and the other guided by learning aims, two aspects that may contribute to the development of learning strategies for transition between modalities. Finally, we contribute to the support of face-to-face learning in virtual environments and emergency remote teaching.

Abstract Previous research shows that teachers are key players in supporting agency in the face of the biggest global challenges of our time, such as climate change and pollution, as teachers educate societies' future decision-makers. The aim of this study was to analyze student teachers' perceptions of change agency and sustainable development. In this qualitative case study, the writings of student teachers (n = 116) were studied in the context of sustainable development education. The data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings of the research confirmed previous studies showing that student teachers' perceptions of sustainable development were quite narrow. The results indicated that the student teachers wrote mainly about social dimensions of sustainable development; few of them considered economic or environmental dimensions of sustainable development. The results provided new information about the current state of student teachers' perceptions of change agency in the teacher education context. Teacher education should focus more on a holistic view of sustainable development aspects. These findings might be useful in implementing teacher education curricula.

Since the concept of multidimensional poverty was initiated in Sen’s works, coupled with the national database providing increasingly complete information on meeting the basic needs of the society, the measurement and evaluation of multidimensional poverty have become popular and attracted the attention of many researchers. The multidimensional poverty line can be based on indicators that are not related to incomes or expenditures. However, it includes other dimensions such as the lack of basic social services. Hence, measuring and implementing poverty reduction policies under the multidimensional approach should be comprehensive in all aspects and cover fields such as education, health, and living conditions (including housing, water supply, possession of sustainable assets, etc.). Since 2016, Quang Ngai province has changed from using the unidimensional to multidimensional poverty measurement method following Decision No. 59/2015/QD-TTg on the multidimensional approach poverty lines applicable for the period 2016-2020. From studies and consultation with experts and researchers in the field of poverty reduction, 11 indicators suitable for measuring multidimensional poverty in Quang Ngai province were proposed, including education level of adults; school attendance of children; access to health services; health insurance, social assistance; child mortality; nutrition; housing quality; fuel used for cooking; water supply sources; toilets; and the possession of sustainable assets.

The coronavirus virus (COVID-19) epidemic has swept the world, with the World Health Organization defining it as a pandemic on March 11. This in turn has affected the approaches and methods used in education throughout the world. According to United Nations report, by the time of mid-April 2020, 94% of learners in more than 200 countries around the world have been affected, and 1.58 billion students from pre-school to higher education are affected. In response to increased learning needs regarding infection prevention, the Ministry of Education has also provided cloud educational resources and private online learning resources, platforms, and tools to schools at all levels to encourage teachers and students to make effective use of digital resources. Although the government provides abundant teaching resources, the implementation of distance teaching in college physical education still faced with many problems, such as the shortage of course resources, the lack of information literacy of teachers, the difficulty in implementing conventional teaching plans online, the limited conditions for students to exercise at home, and the doubts about online physical education. Therefore, this study proposes a new teaching method, and studies, analyzes and discusses this method. The method of experimental design was adopted in this study to divide the students into two groups: blended learning group (synchronous and asynchronous) and single type learning group (synchronous). The results show that blended learning students perform better than single type learning students in all these aspects, which proves the practicability and effectiveness of the proposed method.

Long-term energy saving and reduction of environmental consequences of energy consuming are among the most challenging objectives of our time. People are prone to routine and habit. To change these habits is almost a Sisif’s work. In spite of continuous efforts from environmental specialists, we are witnessing an increase in electricity (and gas) consumption, at least at the level of households. Studies carried on have shown that consumers have in many cases an irrational behaviour. To correct that, researchers are studying consumers’ decision making behaviour and try several intervention measures. In our paper we are presenting the design and development of a web based adaptive system aimed to educate citizens for an electrical energy saving behaviour. The system is composed of three subsystems: adaptation system, user’s profile and knowledge base. We have used a user-centered design approach. For adults, users’ profiles are build taking into account age group, educational level, gender, income, professional aspects, consuming behaviour. A set of questionnaires have been designed in order to collect users’ data. For children, the standard profiles are more complicated and, in function of the age group, can be obtained off line through interviews or/and through online activities (games, quizzes etc.). The knowledge base is build for the electrical energy domain. The adaptation sub-system will present information to the user based on s/he profile. The system is populated with data for users of 6 to 10 years of age. For this users group a social and affective interaction design approach was used.

The article considers the theoretical aspects of the nature and mechanisms of the influence of the media and education on the formation of the individual’s worldview, in particular with regard to ethno-cultural attitudes, identifies the relationship between these social institutions, and analyzes the studies on the ethno-cultural tolerance of citizens of the Russian Federation. The intensification of the integrative interaction of representatives of various ethno-cultural communities, and the tendency to destruct the relations between individual countries are the result not only of the development of economic, political, social and other systems, but also of collisions arising on religious and international grounds, manifestations of aggression, the initiation and conduct of local wars, acts of terrorism, etc. The formation of ethno-cultural tolerance in the youth environment in this case can act as a stabilizing factor, becoming the most effective and cost-effective solution to communication problems of an ethno-cultural nature. Based on the analysis of theoretical aspects, the author proposes to develop a program to increase the ethnic tolerance of students in a multicultural world through the bilateral involvement of individuals. The project is based on the principles of reliability of the information provided, the possibility of intercultural interaction, as well as monitoring and solving related socially significant problems and tasks.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to offer the latest empirical findings of the difficulties and challenges in teaching New Senior Secondary (NSS) Liberal Studies in Hong Kong from the perspective of pre-service teachers.Design/methodology/approachThis qualitative study is based on Danielewicz’s critical pedagogy framework for identity development. A sample of four pre-service teachers were recruited from the last cohort of final-year bachelor of education students at the University of Hong Kong. They were invited to engage in dialogues of enquiry, through which they recount their teaching encounters during their teaching practices. Emphasis would be put on two relevant pedagogical principles, including deliberation and reflexivity, which are of particular relevance to the case of Liberal Studies.FindingsChallenges revealed the dispositions of conformist learning among the students, manifested in forms of misquoted information and the populist sentiments mirrored from mainstream media, which cost teachers extra efforts to facilitate inquiry-based learning. Adopting deliberation and reflexivity as pedagogical principles, student–teachers responded with attempts to reconnect daily life experiences to teaching, bringing back the social context of knowledge and seeking synergy between traditional and liberatory teaching methods.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is drawn from a relatively small sample of pre-service teachers and may run the risk of over-generalization. Moreover, this study tends to neglect other factors such as classroom dynamics, school culture, colleagues’ rapport and students’ responses.Originality/valueGiven the novelty of Liberal Studies as a compulsory subject under the NSS curriculum and its specificity in Hong Kong education system, the amount of literature devoted to this area has been inadequate; among the available studies, the majority tend either to focus on the macro level, addressing the broader narratives of education policies and curriculum studies (e.g. Fung and Yip, 2010; Cheung and Leung, 1998) or to discuss the topic with exclusive reference to political transition and post-colonialism in the 1980s and 1990s (e.g. Morris and Chan, 1997). Studies on the micro level have generally paid little attention to the dynamics of Liberal Studies teaching, focusing instead on its relationships with other aspects such as private tutoring (Chan and Bray, 2014) and cultural representations of religion in Liberal Studies textbooks (Jackson and Han, 2016); pedagogical studies on the subject remain a minority.

Acompanha: Articulação de tecnologias de informação e comunicação, TIC, no ensino de biologia para estudo interdisciplinar de uma área urbana: ilha dos Valadares-PR
As transformações sociais e tecnológicas contemporâneas fizeram emergir a necessidade por mudanças significativas no sistema educacional, citam-se: a análise do perfil dos sujeitos, estrutura e enfoque curricular, expectativas de aprendizagem, formação inicial e continuada dos docentes, inserção de Tecnologiasde Informação e Comunicação - TIC no planejamento e na prática pedagógica, abordagens metodológicas ativas, interdisciplinares e contextualizadas. A partir desse contexto, a pesquisa desenvolvida propôs a análise do potencial interdisciplinar e contextualizador das TIC, representadas pela Internet e pelo software Google Earth® no ensino de Biologia com ênfase ao estudo multitemático de uma área urbana. Contemplou uma amostra de 11 estudantes cursistas do 3o ano do Ensino Médio de uma instituição da rede privada de ensino do município de Paranaguá-PR, na qual a pesquisadora é regente. A área de estudo foi a Ilha dos Valadares, localizada no mesmo município e sua seleção ocorreu porque a mesma apresenta aspectos propícios ao desenvolvimento da proposta, tais como: localização, peculiaridades do processo de ocupação antrópica, densidade demográfica, pressão sobre ecossistemas vulneráveis e especificidades do contexto social, ambiental e cultural. O referencial teórico que subsidiou essa dissertação está vinculado à interdisciplinaridade e contextualização sócio-histórica, aliando-os a adequações metodológicas com o uso de TIC, através da análise do software Google Earth® e do site Laifi segundo critérios pedagógicos e ergonômicos.A estratégia de metodologia utilizada neste trabalho foi o estudo de caso, por ter um objeto de pesquisa definido, e a pesquisa-ação, uma vez que lança aos estudantes o desafio de usar as tecnologias já referidas para traçar um perfil abrangente da área estudada. Os instrumentos de coleta de dados aplicados foram: questionários diagnóstico e avaliativo, construção de um arquivo de registro para os trabalhos dos estudantes com o software, observação participante e focus group que permearam os eventos de aprendizagem ofertados durante o trabalho: seminário sobre sensoriamento remoto, apresentação inicial da área de estudo, oficina com o software Google Earth®, saída de campo pela baía de Paranaguá, pesquisa bibliográfica e socialização dos resultados em uma rede social denominada Laifi e um mural para atender a comunidade escolar.Observou-se que a maioria dos estudantes não possuía conhecimentos a respeito da área, mas seu interesse foi crescente durante o desenvolvimento dos trabalhos, trazendo sugestões para discussão e explorando outras áreas do conhecimento, demonstrando o potencial interdisciplinar e contextualizador das TIC utilizadas. Também foi possível identificar o desenvolvimento de competências e habilidades dos estudantes durante o trabalho. São produtos da pesquisa: uma sequência didática, postagem no Laifi na categoria educação e cultura e um tutorial para o uso do software que pode ser adaptado pelos professores de acordo com área pretendida.
Contemporary social and technological changes have made emerge the need for significant changes in the education system, we can mention the analysis of the personal characteristics, structure and curriculum focus, learning expectations, initial and continuing training of teachers, Information Technologies and insertion Communication - ICT in planning and teaching practice, active methodological approaches, interdisciplinary and contextualized. From this context, the research developed proposed the analysis of the interdisciplinary potential and contextualizing of ICT, represented by the Internet and Google Earth® software in teaching biology with emphasis on multi-theme study of an urban area. Included a sample of 11 course participants of the 3rd year students of the High School of an institution of private schools in the city of Paranaguá, in which the researcher is regent. The study area was that of Valadares Island, located in the same municipality and their selection was because it presents favorable aspects to the development of the proposal, such as location, peculiarities of human occupation process, population density, pressure on vulnerable ecosystems and specificities the social, environmental and cultural context. The theoretical framework that supported this thesis is linked to interdisciplinary and socio-historical context, combining them to methodological adjustments with the use of ICT by analyzing Google Earth® software and site Laifi second pedagogical and ergonomic criteria. The methodology strategy used was the case study, to have a defined research object, and action research, once it launches to students the challenge of using the technologies mentioned above to chart a comprehensive profile of the studied area. The applied data collection instruments were: diagnosis and evaluation questionnaires, building a log file to the work of the students with the software, participant observation and focus group that permeated the learning events offered at work: seminar on remote sensing, initial presentation of the study area, workshop with Google Earth® software, field trip across the bay of Paranaguá, literature and socialization of results in a social network called Laifi and a wall to meet the school community. It was observed that most students had no knowledge about the area, but his interest was increasing during the development of the work, bringing suggestions for discussion and exploring other areas of knowledge, demonstrating the interdisciplinary potential and contextualizing of ICT used. It was also possible to identify the development of skills and abilities of students at work. Are research products: a didactic sequence, posting Laifi in the category education and culture and a tutorial for using the software that can be adapted by teachers according to desired area.

Social network diagrams have been an important part of understanding social dynamics from dyads all the way to human civilizations. In e-learning, social networks have been used to evaluate how online learners engage with each other and what the implications of that may be for the quality of learning. In this chapter, social networks are used to evaluate various social aspects of the development teams in their work. A number of contemporary Instructional Design (ID) projects, described briefly as comparative case studies in the chapter, are used as the contexts for these social networks and visualizations. While these depictions tend to be systemic-level ones, there are insights from considering the micro/ego-level views. The objectives of this chapter are to introduce one approach to the uses of social network visualizations in analyzing the internal and external social dynamics of instructional design across a number of institutions of higher education.

The present research paper discusses the pivotal role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education which is gaining currency in the new era of globalism as the telecom revolution has hastened the pace of globalization and vice-versa; along with the catalyst role ICT-enabled education plays in promoting inclusive growth and human development for all. These smart tools of the emerging smart economy would help to promote mass literacy and also narrow inter, as well as intra-generational gaps. Most importantly, it will provide ‘second opportunities' to the generation that missed them in the first place, thus helping adult learners, particularly the employed and women; thus attempting to reduce gender inequities; particularly in South Asia and the Indian sub-continent. The case study of the famous open University, namely Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in India is being studies as a case of sustainable development and inclusive growth as it ‘reaches the unreached' and untouched and marginalized segments of society.

The term “Learning Difficulties” (sometimes also referred to as Special Needs) is used in reference to students who have significant difficulties in the acquisition of literacy and numeracy skills and need extra assistance with schooling. This is a large heterogeneous group. Another more specific term is “Learning Disabilities” that refers to the small sub-group of students who exhibit severe and unexplained problems. This chapter presents a report on an investigation, framed by the use of actor-network theory, of how the use of Information and Communications Technologies can aid in improving the education of students with Learning Disabilities. The study involved case studies and participant observation of the use of ICT in two outer Melbourne suburban Special Schools and an investigation of the impact of Education Department policies on these school environments. Research at the two Special Schools revealed that use of Information and Communications Technologies can have a very beneficial impact on these students by improving their self-esteem and facilitating their acquisition of useful life skills.

Contemporary situational circumstances, with the global Covid-19 pandemic crisis and the ongoing war that has resulted from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have brought about social, cultural, and psychological transformations that are, as of yet, little understood but already affecting different aspects of the contemporary school learning processes. Rational, analytical, cognitive, reflexive, and emotional experience are needed to ensure that difficulties within the crisis ecosystem do not cause a lessening of the human emotional experience in difficult times. Diverse emotional experiences are especially needed, the supply of which is reduced by both the limitations of interactivity imposed by the specifics of the media information space, which mostly reflects the realities of the crisis and are predominantly negative. In the face of this protracted crisis and the implications of new communication technologies, the article explores some ways to manage emotional experiences, so as not to lose sight of the diversity of human relations. It looks to address how we can compensate for the minimization of diverse emotional experience in teaching and learning in situations of social crises. The article pays attention to the potential role of literature as a way to build sustainable post-crisis social relationships. It proposes to reevaluate the role of literature in education and explore its use not only as a cognitive source for rational and critical thinking but its potential for cultivating moral emotions that enhance social solidarity and civility. The case studies it presents evaluate the interpretation and misinterpretation of some classical works of Latvian literature in schools and beyond, in the media and society.

Digital Games are nowadays used for several purposes beyond entertainment. Such purposes include but are not limited to education, promoting cultural heritage, and improving well-being aspects. A rich body of literature presents experimental studies, investigating whether a serious game achieves its aim. However, most of such papers often omit to provide adequate information on the development process followed, game mechanisms and techniques used, making the reproducibility of the game as such, by other researchers, difficult. This results in a lack of knowledge transfer between researchers, who usually must develop applications under investigation by themselves when at the same time industrial gaming companies rarely publicize the technical insights of their work. This paper aims to contribute towards filling this knowledge gap within the scientific community, using as a case study an online, multiplayer, escape room game, which aims to improve social interaction through edutainment. The full process of its development with details for the various components that the game comprises are presented. We are expanding on the functionality of the game and the optimization of the 3D environment and the assets, among other aspects. Results of white and black-box testings taking place at the end of each development cycle showed that the integration of the various components described within the paper led to a robust game.