Volume 6 Issue 4

October 2021

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Can Blended Learning be the New-Normal in Higher Education of Bangladesh?

Md. Al-Amin Ishrat Jahan Md. Fajlay Rabbi Ummay Nayeema Islam
Pages: 306-317

This study attempted to find out the scopes and challenges of implementing blended learning. 230 university students were selected using the ‘convenience sampling’ technique. In this study, most of the tertiary level students had attended online classes from cities and they were not satisfied with the assessment process of online classes as well as found difficulty in understanding technical courses. Many respondents also perceived that blended learning would be helpful for the slow learners, would help to develop digital literacy, would decrease the hours of traditional classes though overall learning might be increased. However, students felt that unstable internet connection was the biggest challenge for the implementation of blended learning. Most of the respondents thought that lack of necessary devices/technologies, lack of motivation for self-regulated learning, lack of interaction between facilitators and students, and lack of proper assessment strategies were the challenges for implementing blended learning in higher educational institutions.

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The Effectiveness of Online Education for Students with Learning Disabilities From the Point of View of Parents in Saudi Arabia

Hassan Mohamed Zayed Asiri
Pages: 318-327

This study aimed at exploring the effectiveness of online education for students with learning disabilities from the point of view of their parents in the city of Abha. The study used the descriptive approach and developed an instrument to reach the goal of the study according to several variables (gender, age, economic level, educational level) of the parents. The sample of the study consisted of (109) parents of students who received their online education in Abha. The data were collected and analyzed using the appropriate statistical tools. The results indicated that the average parents' responses on the questionnaire were (3.65) on Likert's five-point scale, which indicates that online education is highly effective from the parents' point of view. Around 80% of the sample found that online education is more interesting and makes online education for students with learning disabilities more effective alternatives to the resource room, with the availability of appropriate tools and infrastructure. The results also indicated that 20% of the study sample find that online education is not useful and has deficiencies in several aspects. The study recommends other studies and researchers to research these shortcomings and develop online education to keep aligned with the plans and the vision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2030.

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The Common Play Skills of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence from Saudi Arabia

Saad Yahya Athbah
Pages: 328-337

This study investigated the common play skills autism spectrum disorder and statistical differences in the playing skills of autistic children disorder that attribute to disorder severity and sex of the child. The study sample consisted of (163) teachers and parents of students with autism registered in government centers and institutes for the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Social Affairs in Jeddah for the academic year 2020/2021, who were randomly selected. A questionnaire was adopted including (52) items divided into (4) dimensions to collect data about the playing skills of autistic children disorders, including basic play skills, individual play skills, symbolic play skills, and playing with others skills. The findings revealed that autistic children condition have generally moderate play skills. The findings also revealed that there are no statistically significant variations in playing skills between males and females with an autism spectrum disorder. In addition, the findings showed that there are statistically significant variations in play skills between autistic children disorders related to the severity of the disorder favor to children with simple disorder.

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Comparative Studies of Students’ Psychosocial Factors and Performance in Mathematics

Omoniyi Israel Oginni
Pages: 338-344

The study investigated the influence of psychological factors (school environment, teachers’ attribute, parental factors and students’ disposition) on students’ academic performance in Mathematics. The research design adopted for the study is the descriptive research of survey type and expo facto design. The sample for the study consisted of 150 participants randomly selected using stratified random sampling technique. The findings revealed that school environment has no significant influence on students performance in Mathematics. The study showed that the parental factors have significant influence on students performance in Mathematics. Also, students’ disposition has significant influence on their performance in Mathematics. The result of this study therefore would be of great help to governments, teachers, students, professional policy makers and parents in providing a solid springboard to launch a new template to finding a lasting solution to the perennial low performance issues in Mathematics at the Senior Secondary Schools.

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The Services Provided in The Learning Resource Rooms in Aseer, Saudi Arabia: Point of the Parents'

Mufleh Ali Mushabab Al Ghbar
Pages: 345-354

The study aimed at identifying the reality of services provided in the learning resource rooms in Aseer region from the parents' point of view. The study sample consisted of (100) parents who were selected from all areas of Aseer region for the academic year 2020/2021. The study followed the descriptive approach, where a questionnaire was developed to identify the reality of services available in the learning resource rooms in Aseer region from the perspective of parents. The questionnaire was prepared in light of the theoretical literature in the field of learning difficulties. Its validity and reliability have been verified. The data were processed by finding the mean scores and standard deviations, in addition to the use of the one- and two-way analysis of variance. The results revealed that the level of effectiveness of the educational services provided by the resource room teacher to students with learning difficulties came within an average level of effectiveness. Based on the results of the study, some recommendations were proposed that could be used in developing the performance of the resource rooms.

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How Covid-19 Pandemic Might Lead to Appreciating Pedagogies Driven By The Multiplicity of Intelligence: A Case of the Ugandan Experience

Peter Ssenkusu Cornelius Ssempala John Mary Vianney Mitana
Pages: 355-368

While the Covid-19 pandemic has devastated education institutional programmes and activities for the last one year, it might also present opportunities for new knowledge and paradigm within education. In this paper, we discuss the Covid-19 pedagogies and their effect on the traditional educational system anchored on logic and universality. To do this, we start by highlighting the Covid-19 pandemic and how it has impacted education especially in low-resourced contexts and then give a historical overview of the conceptualisation of intelligence. The historical overview underscores how over centuries, the concept of intelligence has been influenced by the left-brain teaching and learning strategies and how this has impacted how teachers teach and the entire teaching and learning system. By explaining the cultural and social aspects of intelligence, we underscore the multiplicity of intelligence as opposed to its unidimensional conception. We then expound on how Covid-19 pandemic has widened opportunities for new conceptions of intelligence within education through introducing new ways of teaching and learning which are student-centred, community and local resource focused, further justifying the need for creativity and innovation. We conclude that while the Covid-19 pandemic has presented serious challenges to educational programmes, it has also presented opportunities for new conceptions of intelligence and the need to appraise the modern epistemology which has characterised education in low-resourced contexts for centuries

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Module of Fiscal and Monetary Policy Based on Scientific Approach and HOTS Orientation as Learning Tools For Grade XI in High School

L.Prasetyo Dwi Agung Wicaksono Dewie Tri Wijayati Wardoyo Tony Seno Aji
Pages: 369-375

This study aims to create a learning device in a module form as a learning media during the Covid-19 pandemic which these new normal period makes hone learning become urgency. This method also required students to be more independent and help students to study by adjust their needs and time without using face-to-face learning during the pandemic. The module is made using K-13 as a reference in learning and using HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills) in exercises that articles provided. The process of making this module uses a 4-D model: Define, Design, Develop, and Disseminate. The module validated by material and language experts to determine whether this module suitable or not as learning media and validation results shows from material experts were obtained with 93% (valid), then from linguists were obtained 90.5% (valid). The module was also tested on students and received a response 77%.

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A Proposed Training Program for Treating Aloud Reading Errors Among Students With LDS in Aseer Region

MOHAMMED ALI HUSSAIN AL KHAMMASH
Pages: 376-381

The current study addressed the errors in reading aloud among students with learning disabilities at the elementary level in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. The study proposed a training program to treat errors of reading aloud among students with LDs after identifying these errors and exploring the impact of the training program on the students. The study used the experimental approach by designing a training program to address the errors in reading aloud. The sample of the study consisted of two students with LDs. Each student was assigned to a group, an experimental and control. After completing the treatment program, the student was fluent in pronouncing letters from their correct articulations without substitution or repetition. The student mastered the distinction between different acoustic phenomena such as stress and joining. After completing the treatment program, the student was fluent in pronouncing words and sentences with ease and integrity, with correct pronunciation in terms of structure and syntax. The study recommends using the training program to treat errors in reading aloud among students with LDs

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Exploring Indonesian EFL Teachers’ Perception on Students’ Speaking Assessment in Distance Learning

Wury Anggun Sumardi Suparno
Pages: 382-392

This study is aimed at exploring the teachers’ perception on students’ speaking assessment amidst distance learning especially the speaking assessment in senior high schools. The outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic situation has brought impact to the education system in many countries including Indonesia. One of the impact is the physical distancing that is aimed to reduce direct contact among people to keep the spread of the Corona Virus. In this regard, the Indonesian government determines temporary closure for schools starting from primary until university level and has all educational institutions implement distance learning. This leads to the question of how speaking, as productive skill is being assessed within pandemic situation. Within the scope of the general aims, two research questions are asserted as follows: 1) What are the EFL teachers’ perception on speaking assessment amidst distance learning? 2) What kinds of speaking basic performance applied in assessing students’ speaking skill amidst distance learning? The information gathered are differentiated in three parts; how teachers define Distance Learning, how teachers perceive the importance of speaking assessment amidst Distance Learning, and what types of speaking performance applied. The participants include four English teachers teaching at two Senior High Schools. In exploring this topic, a semi-structured interview was used to gather data from the respondents. Document analysis was also applied to support the obtained data. The results reveal that all teachers have the same perceptions related to the definition of distance learning and perceive the importance of conducting speaking assessments during distance learning. Some types of speaking performance were applied

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Evaluation as a Tool for Teaching and Learning in Selected Technical and Vocation Institutions in Ibadan

Ogechukwu Rose Appah Tokede Abiodun Morenike Owolola Ouwaseun Iyanuoluwa Tunde-Francis Anne Abuekin Ibode Rebecca Titilope
Pages: 393-399

The study was carried out to explore the evaluation practices carried out in selected technical and vocational institutions. This is a survey study conducted in Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria. It involved three hundred (300) students and one hundred and twenty (120) teaching staff. The study was guided by three (3) research questions. Data were collected using two questionnaires titled: Students’ questionnaire on Evaluation methods (SQEM) and teaching staff perception questionnaire on the role of Evaluation (TSPQRE). Data collected were analysed using descriptive (frequency, percentage, mean and Standard Deviation) and Pearson moment correlation. The result of the study revealed that most of the students agreed that evaluation carried out in their institution is mostly summative evaluation where students are assessed only at the end of the semester or mid semester tests. Findings of the study also showed that teaching staff agreed that evaluation is a means of improving teaching and learning in schools and there is also a relationship between teaching staff working experience and their perception of evaluation as a means of improving teaching and learning. It was recommended that teaching staff should use different methods to evaluate their students in order to improve teaching and learning in their institutions

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Head Teachers’ Prevalent Leadership Styles and Teachers’ Performance in Selected Private Secondary Schools in Buikwe District

John of God Masaaba Victoria Kaggwa Tamale Gyaviira Musoke Genza
Pages: 400-411

Due to the multiplicity of variables that come into play to explain employee performance, recent research has questioned the role of prevalent leadership styles in teacher performance. Inspired by such narratives, the current study set out to examine the prevalence of different leadership styles among head teachers, and to relate the prevalent styles to teacher performance in selected private secondary schools in Buikwe District. Using a correlational cross-sectional survey design, the study subjected 165 teachers and ten head teachers to a questionnaire and interview guide, respectively. Results indicated that teamwork is the most prevalently used leadership style, and that it has a positively significant but weak relationship with teacher performance. The study’s strongest contribution lies in its extension of leadership style narratives to a rural private secondary school setting (in Uganda), and its identification of the teamwork style’s limitations, its prevalence and immense value in educational administration and management notwithstanding.

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Educational Transition Forced by the Implementation of Covid-19 Social Distancing and Quarantine Procedures: A Case Study From Turkey

B. Çağla Garipağaoğlu
Pages: 412-429

Drawing upon the pandemic experience in Turkey, this case study attempts to broaden our understanding about the pandemic revolution in K-12 private education sector. Focusing on the benefits, burdens, opportunities and threats experienced during the pandemic education, the study’s results are expected to offer some invaluable insights to K-12 educational leaders in private education sector both for the pandemic and post-pandemic education. The data for the study was collected by a semi-structured Zoom interviews from a total of thirthy-two participants consisting of one private school principal, three vice principals, eight department heads, eight teachers, six parents and six students. Data was analyzed through content analysis. The findings of the study were reported under five main themes: educational innovations during the Covid-19 pandemic and consequences pandemic education through the lenses of students, parents, teachers and administrators. Research findings revealed that although home-schooling during the Covid-19 pandemic have certainly caused some degree of inconvenience such as increased workload for teachers and parents, and connection problems etc., it also prompted new examples of educational innovations by changing our approach to education entirely. Findings also showed us that there is an immediate need to create a new code of ethics for online education as soon as possible. It was revealed that despite all the glitches and inconvenience experienced during Covid-19, Covid-19 induced educational transition is likely to have a lasting impact on education. Despite some overzealous futurists, online education is not for everyone or the substitute for on-site education. Yet, blending the two modes of education in a balanced way (hybrid education) seems to be a viable alternative for tomorrow’s schooling system

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Psychological Analysis of Moral Judgment: A Literature Review

Nihan Arslan
Pages: 430-432

A person’s happiness depends on mental health as well as physical health. If an individual’s mental health is good, s/he generally tries to come to terms with the environment and establishes normal relations. In other words, the mental health of the individual is very closely related to his/her relations with the environment. Even though people suffer from different levels of problems of adaptation to the social environment in terms of what civilization brings, they nevertheless have to adapt to the environment and regulate their harmony. Moral consciousness and moral behavior develop when the individual and society are in the process of mutual interaction. This process of interaction can be better explained when the characteristics of the parties involved can be set out and distinguished as clearly as possible. The processes of moral thought and consciousness must therefore be examined and defined in order to be able to define and understand moral action, because the moral quality of behavior depends on the ability to make moral judgments. The aim of this research is to examine the concept of moral judgment from a psychological perspective. The findings of the study will be discussed within the scope of the relevant previous literature

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The Educational Needs of Gifted Students with Learning Disabilities

Mohammed Abdullah Mohammed BinShomailah
Pages: 433-442

This study aimed at identifying the educational needs of gifted students with learning disabilities in Aseer region in Saudi Arabia. The study used the descriptive survey approach and developed a questionnaire as a study instrument. The study sample was chosen randomly from the original study community, which included 50 teachers of learning disabilities in public schools in Aseer region. The results of the study showed statistically significant differences in the educational needs of students according to the viewpoint of their teachers which is attributable to the specialization (BA - MA and Ph.D. – others). The results also showed differences in determining the educational needs of gifted students with learning difficulties attributable to experience. There was an absence of differences in determining the educational needs of gifted students with learning difficulties attributable to the training programs. The study recommended conducting more research into the area of the needs of gifted students with LDs.

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Attitudes of Teachers of Learning Disabilities Towards Distance Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mohammed Mufarrih Ali Alqahtani
Pages: 443-452

The study aimed to identify the attitudes of teacher of students with learning disabilities towards distance education in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study used the descriptive and analytical method, and applied the study to a sample consisting of (32) teachers in Aseer region. The study used a questionnaire as an instrument of the study. The questionnaire consisted of (18) statements covering two main dimensions, the first included the basic data of the sample, and the second included the questionnaire phrases that were judged and verified the psychometric properties. The findings showed that teachers are keen to use the benefits of distance education. However, there was a lack of interdependence of relationships between students as a result of the lack of interaction between them during the distance education period in light of the Corona pandemic. Teaching using distance education is very stressful in the absence of the necessary activities that attract the attention of the student with learning disabilities. The degree of achievement of students is less and this is normal compared to the teaching in the presence of teachers in schools, which is more interactive and the acquisition of information.

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Self-Disclosure: A Psychological Analysis

Serhat Arslan
Pages: 453-455

Self-disclosure is defined as the process of expressing one's feelings and thoughts about oneself to others. It is now extensively studied by social and clinical psychologists interested in self-disclosure, interpersonal communication and close relationships. Questions about why people self-disclose have led to significant research and theory generation over the years. Little attention has been paid, however, to the potential biological underpinnings of this complex behavior. Although situational factors have a significant impact on communication patterns in close relationships, individual differences can be observed even in the face of strong social-situational stimuli. Self-disclosure is seen as a healthy personality structure and sign. It appears to be a relatively stable personality trait associated with positive personality traits. The aim of this research is to examine the concept of self-disclosure from a psychological perspective.

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