Search Results (436)

This study examines the gaps between scientific–technological (STEM) education in Israel’s Druze and Jewish sectors, with a focus on the challenges affecting the achievements of junior high school students. The methodology included 25 in-depth interviews with STEM teachers in the Druze sector and an analysis of comparative data. The findings indicate disparities stemming from insufficient resources, deficient infrastructure, and cultural challenges. Hence, an intervention model was formed, which included professional development for teachers, upgrading the infrastructure, sociocultural support, and encouraging community engagement. This study emphasizes the importance of focused interventions and continuous support for reducing disparities and improving the quality of education. Full article

(1) Background: Structured use of feedback and self-reflection in simulated counselling sessions has a number of benefits, including identification of strategies for improvement, improvement in key skills and adaptability and a patient-centred approach which will help them to succeed as effective healthcare practitioners. The aim of this study was therefore to explore students’ perceptions of self-reflection and feedback in patient counselling simulations and the development of patient counselling skills; (2) Methods: Focus groups explored student perceptions of how the combination of self-reflection, self-assessment and teacher and peer feedback impacted their performance in simulated patient counselling assessments; (3) Results: Four focus groups with 21 pharmacy students were conducted. We identified three main themes and associated subthemes: consistency and continuity (sub-themes learning through repetitive assessment and inconsistent expectations), perceptions of feedback (sub-themes tutor feedback, peer feedback and self-reflection) and real-life practice (sub-themes authenticity of simulation cases, perceptions of empathy and professional development); (4) Conclusions: This study highlights the critical role of integrating consistent, high-quality feedback, peer assessment, and self-reflection in pharmacy education to enhance students’ learning experiences and prepare them for professional practice. As workplace-based assessment becomes more common and expected by accreditation bodies, these insights underscore the need for structured and continuous feedback processes to be integrated into all areas of pharmacy curricula. Full article

In the modern digital ecosystem, the effective management of knowledge and the integration of information and communication technologies are the keys to revolutionizing educational practices within higher education institutions. This study presents a systematic review of recent literature, examining how the incorporation of information and communication technologies facilitates the creation and transfer of knowledge, enables collaboration among educators, and supports continuous professional development. We explore the benefits of personalized learning and the application of technological tools to enhance collaboration, access to educational resources, and pedagogical reflection. The key findings emphasize the role of these tools in promoting teacher interaction and exchange of ideas, highlighting the critical importance of training in digital competency to maximize their impact. The study also identifies challenges, including the need to improve effective knowledge transfer and technological training. In conclusion, effective knowledge management, supported by information and communication technologies, fortifies digital competencies and cultivates a culture of collaboration and content creation in higher education institutions. Full article

In recent years, the use of tools based on artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, has begun to play a relevant role in education, particularly in the development of teachers’ digital competence. However, its impact and the implications of its integration in the educational environment still need to be rigorously analysed. This study aims to examine the role of ChatGPT as a digital tool in the transformation and strengthening of teachers’ digital competence, identifying its advantages and limitations in pedagogical practices. To this end, a systematic literature review was carried out in four academic databases: Web of Science, Scopus, ERIC and Google Scholar. Eighteen relevant articles addressing the relationship between the use of ChatGPT and professional teacher development were selected. Among the main findings, it was identified that this technology can contribute to the continuous updating of teachers, facilitate the understanding of complex content, optimise teaching planning, and reduce the burden of repetitive tasks. However, challenges related to technology dependency, the need for specific training, and the ethics of its educational application were also noted. The results of this study suggest that the use of ChatGPT in education should be approached from a critical and informed perspective, considering both its benefits and limitations. Empirical studies are recommended to evaluate its real impact in different educational contexts and the implementation of teacher training strategies that favour its responsible and effective use in the classroom. Full article

As blended learning (BL) is becoming a new normal in the context of higher education, there is a growing need to attune pedagogies to this context. As reflective blogs were found to be supportive of pre-service student teachers’ (PSTs’) as well as teacher educators’ (TEs’) professional development, the current study aimed to explore PSTs’ and TEs’ perceptions regarding the potential of integrating blogs into the BL modality. Applying a qualitative approach, analyses of 528 PSTs’ blog posts, transcriptions of two focus groups with 11 PSTs, and 3 TEs’ reflections and discussion transcripts yielded four themes that related to both the PSTs’ and the TEs’ perspectives regarding the integration of blogs into BL: (1) keeping sequential learning, (2) supporting self-directed learning, (3) keeping a sense of a learning community, and (4) increasing motivation and critical thinking. Nevertheless, both the PSTs and TEs described unique roles for blogging in BL. The TEs indicated that blogs support a sense of control, reveal misconceptions, and model teaching, while the PSTs indicated that blogs increase or decrease self-confidence during BL. The implications pertain to the contribution of blogging in BL, as well as to the four pedagogical principles of effective BL design: (a) continuity in learning, (b) fostering autonomous learning, (c) building a learning community, and (d) reflectivity and professional development. Full article

The current study examined how pre-service early childhood teachers, through invented notation activities, intra-act with the agency of music and the environment to achieve a process of becoming-music, grounded in Barad’s agential realism, presuming that it is necessary to consider the encounter with music itself rather than perceiving it as a ‘teaching subject’. The collected data included 54 sets of invented notations performed by 22 pre-service teachers, recorded videos of their performances driven by their interpretations, their journals, and observational records and notes by the researcher. Qualitative analysis was conducted based on the intra-actions between the pre-service teachers and music. In the invented notation activity, pre-service teachers initiated their engagement by encountering musical concepts and experimenting with diverse art materials as well as daily-life items. They generated sounds and created three-dimensional invented notations designed to guide the performance of the sounds. Furthermore, they deeply responded to the symbols within the invented notations, connecting their daily lives and music. They continued to realize the becoming-music through the ongoing generation of N-dimensional sounds. Pre-service teachers, through invented notation activities, experienced musical thinking not as an acquisition of pre-established knowledge and skills but rather through a direct encounter with music itself. This suggests that invented notation activities provide a sustainable learning environment by facilitating a dynamic entanglement with music. Furthermore, it indicates that post-humanism, which proposes a relational symbiosis between human and nonhuman entities, serves as a fundamental framework for education for sustainable development. Full article

This study examines a social-justice-focused environmental education program serving marginalized students through fostering engagement with local communities and natural environments. It presents a focused ethnographic case study of teachers of color who designed and implemented an ethnic studies and environmental education curriculum intended to address the educational alienation experienced by many students as well as the intersection of social justice and environmental stewardship. The study considers how teachers at two very different urban schools—one a continuation school, the other a traditional college preparatory high school—provided a venue for students to advocate on behalf of oppressed communities with which they identified. Researchers collected qualitative data from a variety of sources: field notes from participant observation of outdoor and classroom activities, document review of curriculum and student projects, focus group interviews with 86 students, and semi-structured individual interviews with teachers and alumni. Students in this innovative program did not fit the classic climate justice activist profile by engaging in climate marches, raising money for environmental organizations, or lobbying Congress for better environmental legislation. However, a key finding from the program and the teachers who lead it is to broaden our understanding of what it means to be a climate activist. Full article

Technology teacher preparation is continuously evolving to stay relevant and responsive to the educational context of students and to bridge the theory–practice divide. The (multi-)language barrier significantly contributes to the theory–practice divide in South African schooling. This article reports one adaptation that was implemented to provide more inclusive and equitable education for Technology education student teachers in their preparation for bridging the barriers experienced in multilingual contexts in South African classrooms. Subject-specific terminology lists were introduced as part of their teacher preparation programme to support multilingualism and inclusivity. The impact of multilingual tables on student teachers’ learning outcomes was not measured in the current investigation, as it was not mandatory for students to use them. The objective of the constructivist research was to explore how Technology student teachers and Technology lecturers viewed, used, and experienced this novel tool. A larger, exploratory multi-method qualitative study was implemented, but the current article only reports findings from the data collected using open-ended questionnaires (students) and reflective journals (of lecturers). The findings indicate that the multilingual approaches supported students’ understanding and collaboration, yet many students still prefer English for learning and teaching. Additionally, the study highlights the vital role of vocabulary in students’ understanding of the module, subject field, and lecturers’ explanations. Technology lecturers reported that the terminology lists contributed to enhancing inclusivity. Further research on scaffolds to support inclusive and equitable teaching–learning in Technology teacher preparation programmes, with the goal of informing education policy and practice, is needed. Full article

Teacher burnout, a combination of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished personal accomplishment has been increasing, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our 2022 study revealed significant burnout levels, identifying that teachers’ pandemic experiences had adverse “Consequences” that left them feeling “Overburdened”, and “Abandoned”. Although COVID-19 has receded, recent findings indicate that Irish teachers continue to face heightened demands without adequate support. This follow-up comparative study aims to deepen understanding of post-pandemic teacher burnout by using the same questions from the 2022 study to understand and analyse these evolving stressors. A qualitative, comparative approach was employed. Participants (n = 337) were recruited from various school types across Ireland. A Study Specific Questionnaire (SSQ) with open-ended questions allowed for thematic analysis, comparing responses with 2022 themes to explore continuity and changes in burnout experiences. Thematic analysis revealed four major themes: (1) Administrative Overload—increasing paperwork and curriculum changes; (2) Unrealistic Expectations—pressures from parents, society, and authorities; (3) Lack of Community Support and Empathy—teachers reported a sense of isolation and a need for mutual support; and (4) Inadequate Mental Health and Professional Support—insufficient mental health resources for both educators and students. The study underscores the urgent need for systemic changes to address teacher burnout in Ireland. Recommendations include reducing administrative load, clarifying professional boundaries, fostering empathy within the school community, and expanding mental health services. Addressing these factors is essential for sustaining a resilient educational system in the post-pandemic context. Full article

This paper explores how generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technologies, such as ChatGPT 4o and other AI-based conversational models, can be applied to flipped learning pedagogy to achieve enhanced learning outcomes for students. By applying Bloom’s taxonomy to intentionally align educational objectives to the key phases of flipped learning, our study proposes a model for assigning learning activities to pre-class, in-class, and post-class contexts that can be enhanced by the integration of GenAI. In the pre-class phase, GenAI tools can facilitate personalised content delivery, enabling students to grasp fundamental concepts at their own pace. During class, the interactions between students, teacher, and GenAI encourage collaborative learning and real-time feedback. Post-class activities utilise GenAI to reinforce knowledge, provide instant feedback, and support continuous learning through summarisation and content generation. Furthermore, our model articulates the synergies between the three key actors: interactions between students and teachers, learning support provided by GenAI to students, and use of GenAI by teachers to enhance their teaching strategies. These human–AI interactions fundamentally reshape the flipped learning experience, making it more adaptive, engaging, and supportive of the development of 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. Full article

Contemporary societies evaluate teachers and educational institutions using controversial criteria, mainly focusing on teachers’ “hard skills” such as experience, qualifications, and student performance. However, recent research highlights the importance of social and interpersonal skills in professional excellence, emphasizing the role of emotional and professional experiences as well as leader-teacher relationships. This study examined the impact of principals’ empathy on subordinates’ performance in education. A questionnaire with 47 questions was used, and the relationships were analyzed using linear regression and Pearson’s coefficient. Empathetic leadership showed positive associations with understanding others’ suffering and taking appropriate actions but was unexpectedly not linked to teacher performance. Specifically, leaders’ tolerance for subordinate stress had the most adverse effect on effectiveness. Upon concluding the study, it is evident that a manager’s empathy does not serve as a catalytic factor in terms of their effectiveness. Consequently, schools’ effectiveness continues to be primarily associated with quantifiable outcomes, whereas the emotional benefits derived from managerial empathy play a secondary role. Full article

With advances in digital transformation (DX) in education and digital technologies becoming more deeply integrated into educational settings, global demand for video-based learning materials continues to rise, resulting in substantial effort being required from teachers to create e-learning videos. Furthermore, while many existing services offer visual content, they primarily rely on templates, making it challenging to design custom content that addresses specific needs. In this study, we develop a web service that facilitates e-learning video creation through integrated artificial intelligence (AI) and digital human technology. This service enhances educational content by integrating digital human characters and voice synthesis technologies, aiming to create comprehensive e-learning videos by incorporating visual motion and synchronized audio into educational content. In addition, this service also aims to enable the creation of engaging content through advanced visuals and animations, effectively maintaining learner interest. Full article

There has been an increasing number of calls to apply new technologies to learning contexts for STEM education. However, limited studies have explored the role of technology in bridging teachers and children to create STEM knowledge collaboratively. Therefore, early childhood teachers encounter challenges integrating digital technologies to support children’s STEM learning. The challenges include developing effective and innovative scaffolding strategies to incorporate digital technology and visualize the processes of using technologies in children’s STEM knowledge building. This study reports on an in-depth exploratory case study from a kindergarten classroom in Hong Kong, exemplifying a new approach to integrating digital technologies within spatialized STEM learning. The case selected continuity learning episodes from a spatially directed STEM learning unit on making a safe traffic city. Under digital technology-integrated scaffolding, the teacher and children co-created a traffic symbolic system by designing symbols of landmarks, developing and applying spatial language, making maps and traffic games with rules. The thematic analysis was adopted to analyze the teachers’ STEM activity plans and reflective reports. The finding indicated that the process through which the teacher and children collaboratively created STEM knowledge via technology-integrated scaffolding involved recalling spontaneous understanding about everyday concepts, exploring ideas in authentic contexts, sorting and organizing their collected information, and identifying and correlating abstract concepts with corresponding everyday practices. The children required two levels of technology-integrated scaffolding strategies to engage in STEM knowledge collaborative creation: scaffolding for technology using and scaffolding through use of technology. Three novel roles of technology emerged that transform learning from knowledge delivery to collaborative creation in inquiries STEM tasks for young children: application, mediator, and catalyst. The study also highlights teachers and children transforming into new roles in knowledge collaborative creation processes in spatialized STEM learning under the technology-integrated scaffolding strategies. Moreover, it spotlights the reconceptualization of the STEM learning culture in the technology-integrated knowledge co-create classroom from teacher-centered to more open child-centered learning. Full article

The development of higher education worldwide must be integrated in the context of sustainable development in order to ensure environmental sustainability, social sustainability, and economic sustainability. Knowing that the digitalization process within higher education institutions is continuously expanding, while the digital tools and online learning environments enhance accessibility, flexibility, and efficiency, the purpose of the present paper is to highlight how the use of e-Learning platforms can help sustainable education development from the point of view of students from two universities: a university from Romania and a university from the USA. In order to reach this objective, a quantitative research method was used, aiming to identify the students’ opinion on a series of facilities offered by e-Learning platforms that serve as the learning process. Data processing and analysis were conducted by means of specific tests supplied by the SPSS software. The obtained results showed that Moodle users spend approximately 26% more time on the platform than Blackboard users, with a small effect size (d = 0.284), while non-engineering students spend approximately 45% more time on the e-learning platform than engineering students, also with a small effect size (d = 0.458). The evaluation of the efficacy of different educational resources varies based on the e-learning platform used, with a large effect size found for editable files (d = 1.017) and PPT or similar formats (d = 1.2). Also, the efficacy of various applications on the e-learning platform varies by platform type, with a large effect size observed for two-way student–teacher communication (d = 0.819), self-assessment grid tests with immediate feedback (d = 1.072), synchronous online meetings with teachers (d = 1.117), and access to information from previous years (d = 0.89). We conclude that institutions should prioritize platform adaptability and student engagement strategies when implementing e-learning solutions for sustainable development. Full article

Since the advent of modern technology, various e-learning initiatives have been implemented in schools. Although such initiatives have enhanced English as a second language (ESL) teachers’ technological knowledge, these teachers continue to struggle with technology integration due to their limited technological pedagogical knowledge. This study investigates how technology has been integrated into classrooms in various ways through a naturalist approach. It employs a qualitative multi-case study research design to investigate the practices of three English teachers who were responsible for IT in English education. Data were collected through observations, field notes, interviews and teachers’ reflections and analysed using a combination of inductive and deductive coding techniques, with the latter enhanced by two conceptual frameworks: the technological, pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) model and Puentedura’s, augmentation, modification and redefinition (SAMR) model. The findings present a typology of five kinds of technological tools and three domains of pedagogical purposes achieved by technology in ESL teaching. This typology provides references and guidance for ESL teachers who lack TPACK, helping them to effectively integrate technology in a way that enhances their teaching. Moreover, this typology gives way to an improved TPACK framework in English language teaching (ELT), providing a greater conceptual understanding of the relationships among the constructs of technological knowledge, technological pedagogical knowledge and technological and content knowledge. Full article