Autonomy, Motivation, and Digital Pedagogy Are Key Factors in the Perceptions of Spanish Higher-Education Students toward Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This paper proposes a development model of the adaptation capacity of students to digital transformation in university teaching through three constructs: motivations, digital pedagogy, and student autonomy. For this study, an ad hoc scale was created to record the adaptation capacity of students to digital transformation. The sample was 483 students from the University of Seville (Spain), to whom an online survey was administered during the development of online teaching in the period of November 2020 using the Google Forms platform. The findings of this study showed that university student motivation acquired a greater threshold than autonomy, whose threshold in turn, was greater than that of digital pedagogy in the ability to adapt to online teaching and that the capacity of adaptation to the online modality is explained by the perception that university students have of the usefulness, products, and learning outcomes, among others. In conclusion, the lack of adequate and enabled study spaces is key to developing the online model. We consider all these aspects as prospective research objectives.

Age of Majority in Special Education and the Compliance-Driven Denial of Student Dignity and Autonomy

Ethical imperatives, the importance of self-determination, and evidence-based practices in transition direct special education professionals to ensure students with disabilities receive support that prepares them to exercise their rights as they approach adulthood. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) includes mandates that address the process of transferring educational decision-making authority to students as they approach the age of majority. There is evidence, however, that indicates there are challenges with implementing such mandates as the use of surrogate decision-making mechanisms, such as guardianship, continue to be favored over less restrictive alternatives. This chapter outlines information for professionals seeking to support students as they approach the age of majority and encourages the use of strengths-based approaches, rather than approaches that center student deficits and IDEA compliance. This chapter emphasizes the importance of utilizing less restrictive alternatives to guardianship that promote student autonomy and self-determination.

The Impact of Students’ Perceptions of Online Learning Environments on Students’ Satisfaction in the Context of Covid-19 Pandemic

In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, the present study aimed to examine students’ perceptions of online learning environments and students’ satisfaction based on their academic stream. The study also investigated the impact of students’ perceptions of online learning environments on students’ satisfaction. A quantitative descriptive survey method was applied. This study included 230 students (130 undergraduate and 100 postgraduate students) from colleges and universities of West Bengal. Online Learning Environments Survey, an adapted and translated (Bengali) version of the Distance Education Learning Environments Survey (DELES) by Scott L Walker (2003), was used for collecting data. For data analysis, statistical techniques, ANOVA and regression analysis were performed. The results revealed significant mean differences among arts, commerce, and science students’ perceptions of online learning environments in the dimensions of student interaction and collaboration, personal relevance, authentic learning, active learning, and student autonomy except in instructor support. Furthermore, a significant mean difference in student satisfaction was found based on the academic stream. The result revealed that overall students’ perceptions of online learning environments had a significant impact on student satisfaction, with student interaction and collaboration being the most significant predictor of all; however, instructor support, active learning, and student autonomy were not found to be significant predictors of student satisfaction.

Modern Linguistic Technologies: Strategy for Teaching Translation Studies

How often students use IT resources is a key factor in the acquisition of skills associated to the new technologies. Strategies aimed at increasing student autonomy need to be developed and should offer resources that encourage them to make use of computing tools in class hours. The analysis of the modern linguistic technologies, concerning intellectual language processing necessary for the creation and function of the highly effective technologies of knowledge operation was considered in the paper under consideration. Computerization of the information sphere has triggered extensive search for solving the problem of the use of natural language mechanisms in automated systems of various types. One of them was creating Controlled languages based on a set of features which made machine translation more refined. Triggered by the economic demand, they are not artificial languages like Esperanto, but natural simplified languages, in terms of vocabulary, grammatical and syntactic structures. More than ever, the tasks of modern computer linguistics behold creating software for natural language processing, information retrieval in large data sets, support of technical authors in the process of creating professional texts and users of computer technology, hence creating new translation tools. Such powerful linguistic resources as corpora of texts, terminology databases and ontologies may facilitate more efficient use of modern multilingual information technology. Creating and improving all methods considered will help make the job of a translator more efficient. One of the programs, CLAT does not aim at producing machine translation, but allows technical editors to create flawless, sequential professional texts through integrated punctuation and spelling modules. Other programs under consideration are to be implemented in Ukrainian translation departments. Moreover, the databases considered in the paper enable studying of the dynamics of the linguistic system and developing areas of applied research such as terminography, terminology, automated data processing etc. Effective cooperation of developers, translators and declarative institutes in the creation of innovative linguistic technologies will promote further development of translation and applied linguistics.

THE CONTENT OF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING IN LINGUISTICS AT THE UK UNIVERSITIES

The current challenges of linguistic globalization have increased the attention of researchers to professional training of specialists in linguistics. A detailed analysis of relevant scientific works on comparative pedagogy has shown that the problem in question in foreign experience, in particular in the UK, has not been sufficiently justified by Ukrainian researchers. Therefore, the article aims to analyze and justify the content of professional training for specialists in linguistics at the UK universities. The following research methods have been used to achieve the above-mentioned aim: analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, structural-functional, comparative-pedagogical, exploratory, prognostic. A detailed study of content characteristics of professional training for linguists at the UK universities has proved that both the structurization and selection of training content rely on the competency-based approach, the principles of subject-specific specialization, interdisciplinarity, modularity, electiveness, fundamentalization. The structure of degree programmes consists of compulsory and optional courses, as well as dissertation preparation. Compulsory courses cover the key areas of linguistics (phonetics, phonology, semantics, morphology, syntax, pragmatics). Optional courses are focused on different linguistic fields (neurolinguistics, applied linguistics, cognitive linguistics, communicative linguistics, forensic linguistics). It must be noted that a wide range of optional courses highlights the innovativeness of the UK approach to student autonomy, given that British educators consider students as the full participants in the educational process, who can choose their own path to achieve expected learning outcomes due to the constructive and effective content of degree programmes in linguistics. This article does not disclose all the aspects of the problem in question. Consequently, further research should aim to substantiate the main characteristics of doctoral degree programmes in the field of linguistics at the UK universities.

The Acceptance of M-Heutagogical Practice in Higher Education: A Systematic Literature Review

Mobile Heutagogy (M-Heutagogy) is the teaching practice that emphasizes self-determined learning and student autonomy. Many teachers and academicians have applied M-Heutagogy in their teaching and learning in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The purpose of this study is to synthesize an empirical literature review of the M-Heutagogical practice among Higher Education students and its acceptance. The main objective of this paper is to review the literature on M-Heutagogy practice and its acceptance among Higher Education students. The researcher conducted a systematic review of 60 articles for the period 2007 to 2020. The findings indicate that M-Heutagogy has been applied in HEIs around the world with the support of emergent technologies and mobile applications. Unfortunately, only two M-Heutagogy acceptance studies have been done so far. Future research suggested that the M-Heutagogy acceptance model should be developed to be referred by researchers while doing an acceptance study.

Organizational technics for developing the leadership potential of students in self-government

Organizational technics for developing the leadership potential of students in self-government has been a topic of debate in recent times. The article aims to describe ways to allow students to develop creative initiatives in self-government, responsibility and professionalism, independence and social activity. Trends have been defined for improving pedagogical forms and methods of work with students. Develop leadership potential in student self-governance. Improvement of research, cultural, educational, athletic, information and communication skills within student union, which allows young people to develop their professional competencies. Leadership skills require active and professional self-management and self-improvement. A communication culture develops as a result of student autonomy and the manifestation of leadership potential. The authors argue that students, as active participants in the university’s public life, develop their leadership potential by participating in the formation of traditions. Quality preparation of students for a future professional career is possible only if the leadership potential of professional responsibility is developed. Keywords: communication culture; free will; leadership potential; self-government; self-improvement; оrganisational technics

Active methodologies supported by interaction and communication technologies in higher education

In the last decades, technologies have been adopted by Higher Education Institutions, all over the world, as tools to approach new pedagogical practices for their programs. This paper aims to present an experience on the use of tools for communication, interaction and collaboration in a project-based learning on distance education. The project is developed virtually, with students organized in groups in order to develop a solution to a real problem. Therefore, with the use of technology, it is intended to provide those involved with forms of communication and interaction. Technologies in a context like this are considered strong allies of the teaching process developed under the perspective of collaborative work and the development of student autonomy. The collected data show results that indicate the used tools have promoted collaboration between the students, who have learned by developing solutions to problems. Keywords: Higher education; distance education; collaborative learning.

Challenges and Effectiveness of Using the SHAD Social Network During COVID-19 According to Teachers, Parents and Students

The present research analysed the challenges and effectiveness of using the SHAD social network in the COVID-19 era from the perspective of teachers, parents, and students of middle schools in Tehran. The sample size for the present qualitative research was based on theoretical saturation, and the data were collected through purposive judgements and snowball techniques. Thematic analysis was used to consider the qualitative data from 75 interviews. Eight themes were attained from 43 subcategories extracted from the verbal predicates; these themes related to the problems using SHAD, including lack of software and hardware infrastructures, user lack of familiarity with the new educational technology, lack of appropriate space for effective interaction, unconstructive interference in the education process and the impossibility of appropriate evaluation of operations, as well as psychological and behavioural disorders. According to the research findings, there were considerable differences between private and state schools in facing the problems and challenges. Participants believed that the quality of teaching in an online environment is lower than in face-to-face teaching, which they viewed as preferable. The degree of learning also decreased in the COVID-19 era, although both teachers and students spent more time and energy teaching and learning, and parents (notably) had considerably more involvement. In addition to using SHAD or the learning management system (LMS), all schools received help from social networks and were more satisfied with these external networks. However, teachers specified that student autonomy improved in the COVID-19 era, and the resulting environment was more suitable for introverted students, allowing them to be more involved. Finally, the research results indicate that creating a social network unique to education is not welcomed by the social network users, who preferred to use their favourite ones. This research supports e-learning practice by revealing that some widely-used social networks could become e-learning tools. In a few cases, due to the technical developments of these apps, these social networks have advantages over new e-learning systems. Solving technical problems is key to improving the performance e-learning systems, and teachers need to improve their ability in using online tools, while parents also need to be more involved in the learning process.

Developing key competencies in sustainability through project-based learning in graduate sustainability programs

Purpose This research aims to investigate the role of project-based-learning within graduate sustainability curricula through the lens of key competence development. Project-based learning has become a widely recommended pedagogy for sustainability education. It is hypothesized that through collaboration, student autonomy and real-world application, students develop key competencies for sustainability. This paper also aims to examine the connection between project-based learning and competence development on a program level from the student perspective. Design/methodology/approach This two-year comparative case study follows the project-based-learning journeys of nine graduate sustainability students from three programs: the Master’s of Sustainability at Arizona State University, the Master’s of Sustainability Science at Leuphana University of Lüneburg and the Global Sustainability Science Master’s, an ASU and Leuphana collaboration. Over four semesters, the students each took part in four competence-oriented self-assessments and interviews to map their perceived learning throughout their programs. Additional contextual information was gathered from program and course materials and descriptions, instructor interviews and in vivo observations. Findings The defining aspects of project-based learning including collaboration, student autonomy and real-world connection do contribute to students’ self-perceived competence development. Student-driven and program-driven project-based learning experiences equally foster this result, as long as the pedagogical challenges of balancing support and student independence associated with each are mitigated through instructor actions, program design or individual student coping skills. Originality/value The results of this research can support higher education institutions in designing sustainability programs aimed at competence development through project-based learning. The focus on the curricular and program level combined with repeated overtime student-reported attribution to specific courses and activities bridges the gap between individual course case studies and theoretical recommendations for curriculum design. In addition to length and depth, this study also forefronts student experience of curricula as delivered.