Vol. 14 No. 1 (2017)
Published:
1 July 2017
Articles
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Introducing a New Learning and Teaching Evaluation Planning Framework for Small Internally Funded Projects in Higher Education
Scholarly evaluation practices in learning and teaching projects are under-reported in the literature. In order for robust evaluative measures to be implemented, a project requires a well-designed evaluation plan. This research study
Scholarly evaluation practices in learning and teaching projects are under-reported in the literature. In order for robust evaluative measures to be implemented, a project requires a well-designed evaluation plan. This research study describes the development of a practical evaluation planning framework through an action research approach, using primary data from learning and teaching practitioners in higher education. Underpinned by the literature, this framework is accessible to a wide range of disciplinary scholars and is accompanied by a set of recommendations that together contribute to the improvement of the evaluation of learning and teaching innovations in higher education.
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Outcomes-Based Assessment and Learning: Trialling Change in a Postgraduate Civil Engineering Course
This paper aims to demonstrate how assessment tasks can function within an outcomes-based learning framework to evaluate student attainment of learning outcomes. An outcomes-based learning framework designed to integrate teaching
This paper aims to demonstrate how assessment tasks can function within an outcomes-based learning framework to evaluate student attainment of learning outcomes. An outcomes-based learning framework designed to integrate teaching, learning, and assessment activities was developed and implemented in a civil engineering master-level course. The assessment instruments for this course were designed together to form a deliberate, balanced, and practical approach to evaluating student attainment of learning outcomes within the outcomes-based learning initiative. Direct evidence of student learning was derived through analysis of student results in assessment tasks constructively aligned with intended outcomes of learning. Student feedback provided indirect evidence of student attainment of learning outcomes and confirmed the effectiveness of the learning approach implemented in the course under investigation. Results of the direct assessment instruments were, generally, consistent with the student self-perception confirming achievement of learning outcomes. Students tended, however, to overestimate the level of attainment of learning outcomes. Results of the present study are anticipated to assist educators and researchers to efficiently and effectively implement and evaluate outcomes-based learning in higher education thus improving educational quality and student learning
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The Structure of Discussions in an Online Communication Course: What Do Students Find Most Effective?
The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of students regarding what was effective about the way in which the asynchronous discussions were structured in an upper level online organizational communication course. Surveys
The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of students regarding what was effective about the way in which the asynchronous discussions were structured in an upper level online organizational communication course. Surveys from 27 student participants were used, with questions focused upon the structure of discussions in the online course as compared to other online courses and to traditional classrooms. Results indicate structured and relevant discussion prompts, small group placement, visible postings, and required weekly postings as significant factors to student success. The majority of students also found online discussions more effective than live discussions in traditional classrooms. Many of the findings offer support for Garrison, Anderson, and Archer’s (2000) Community of Inquiry (COI) Model and previous research on effective strategies in structuring online discussions.
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Evaluating an Instrument to Quantify Attitude to the Subject of Physiology in Undergraduate Health Science Students
The attitude toward a subject contributes to both academic engagement and success at university, yet it is not routinely measured in undergraduate students. Therefore, in two consecutive introductory courses in Human anatomy and physiology
The attitude toward a subject contributes to both academic engagement and success at university, yet it is not routinely measured in undergraduate students. Therefore, in two consecutive introductory courses in Human anatomy and physiology (HAP 1, n= 239, and HAP 2, n=329), an instrument to quantify undergraduate students’ attitude to the subject of physiology (ASPI) was evaluated using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). In both HAP 1 and HAP 2, EFA indicated two latent components – affective (component 1) and cognitive (component 2). Items comprising each component were consistent for both courses, and alpha coefficients >0.7 indicated good internal consistency. Differences in affective attitude and cognitive attitude between HAP 1 and HAP 2 indicated that students had a more negative attitude to physiology in HAP 2. The ASPI may be a useful instrument to quantify affective and cognitive attitude in undergraduates studying physiology, thus complementing routine assessment of academic performance.
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Experiences of Sessional Educators within an Australian Undergraduate Paramedic Program
Background: The use of casual staff within the university undergraduate educational setting is a widespread phenomenon worldwide. However a lack of understanding exists regarding experiences of recruitment, support, professional
Background: The use of casual staff within the university undergraduate educational setting is a widespread phenomenon worldwide. However a lack of understanding exists regarding experiences of recruitment, support, professional development and other perceived professional needs in this area. Although previous studies of the experience of sessional educators have been reported in the literature, this is the first to describe experiences within the paramedic discipline. Objectives: To explore the experiences of sessional educators in an undergraduate program within the paramedic department of a university in Melbourne, Australia. Methods: A qualitative methodology was used that involved 10 semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of sessional paramedic educators. Data collected from the interviews were thematically analysed to identify major issues from interview transcripts. The study was conducted in the paramedic department of a major university located in an outer metropolitan area of Melbourne, Australia. Results: Interview analysis identified five key themes of the sessional paramedic educator experience: informal processes, program inconsistencies, preparation for teaching, connection and support, and, educator benefits. Conclusion: This study fills a gap in the literature by describing the experiences of paramedic sessional educators, which was previously unreported. Many of the experiences expressed were commonly reported in the literature from other disciplines. Although the experiences was generally described as positive, the study identified a need for targeted support of these individuals, including formalisation of employment procedures, encouraging the open and timely transmission of information, as well as provisions for performance feedback and professional development.
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Teaching how to Listen. Blended Learning for the Development and Assessment of Listening Skills in a Second Language
This paper discusses the integration and effectiveness of blended learning for the development and assessment of listening skills in a second language. The development of oral abilities (listening and speaking) is one of the most
This paper discusses the integration and effectiveness of blended learning for the development and assessment of listening skills in a second language. The development of oral abilities (listening and speaking) is one of the most challenging and neglected aspects of second language learning (Vandergrift & Goh 2012, Graham & Santos 2015). Listening comprehension work in particular is crucial in the early stages of second language acquisition, and, therefore, for ab-initio language students, for whom processing and decoding auditory input can be very challenging. In 2014 a set of online listening quizzes was created and integrated into two ab-initio Italian courses. The aim was to offer engaging, flexible listening comprehension practice and assessment, which would extend the students’ learning experience, stimulate their learning motivation and allow for a better use of face-to-face teaching in the classroom environment. Having conceptualised listening as a process rather than a product we designed tasks to teach learners how to listen, rather than merely test their comprehension. The validity of the quizzes as a means for the development of listening skills and as a tool for formative and summative assessment was subjected to systematic analysis via an online student survey. The large amount of data collected reveals that the quizzes were a key element in the development of listening skills and the delivery mode did not only meet the students’ learning needs but it was clearly preferred to in-class assessment.
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Using PELA to Predict International Business Students’ English Writing Performance with Contextualised English Writing Workshops as Intervention Program
This study examines the effectiveness of Post-Entry English Language Assessment (PELA) as a predictor of international business students’ English writing performance and academic performance. An intervention involving the implementation of
This study examines the effectiveness of Post-Entry English Language Assessment (PELA) as a predictor of international business students’ English writing performance and academic performance. An intervention involving the implementation of contextualised English writing workshops was embedded in a specific business subject targeted at students who performed poorly on the PELA. The results reveal that PELA is a better predictor of students’ English writing performance and academic performance than their own perceptions of their English language skills, and the contextualised English writing workshops proved to be a worthwhile intervention. Students with low scores on the PELA showed significant improvement in their overall academic performance in the subject after the intervention. This improvement was reflected in their score on a major written assignment (English writing performance) and their final grade for the subject (academic performance). Moreover, students’ perceptions captured through a focus group interview and an online survey indicated a positive correlation between the intervention program and learning outcomes. The implications of this study underscore the need for regular university wide implementation of a PELA to determine students’ English writing proficiency and to align English writing workshops with tutorial and assessment activities as a pedagogic response to PELA outcomes. This approach will help students improve not only their English writing skills but also their overall academic performance.