Volume 12, Issue 1, July 2020

ABSTRACT

Sorting is a fundamental computing concept. As for today, it is taught at the secondary school level. However, this kind of algorithm is an obstacle for some students due to its high level of abstraction. To prevent discouragement as well as to incorporate a fun and challenging algorithmic task, a novel tablet-based digital game, Sorted, was created to serve the purpose. This research article embraces the neo-Piagetian framework of cognitive development and provides the theoretical-based explanation of how high school students establish sorting algorithms as a result of the digital gameplay. Twenty-three tenth-grade students, who have no proper knowledge of sorting algorithms, participated voluntarily in this study. They played the game with a multi-level design involving multiple unknowns. To later reflect on their operational reasoning and hence decision-making, the series of game actions were logged for individual empirical data. The sorting algorithm formation can be deduced from the logged sequential actions. They were coded and analyzed according to the neo-Piagetian framework to elicit the students’ operational reasoning. The discovery of the relations between actions and schematic reasoning to solve sorting problems suggests the impact of a digital game on algorithmic thinking development, and, in general, the use of a game for self-learning of computing concepts.

Keywords: algorithmic thinking, digital game, neo-Piagetian theory, sorting algorithm

ABSTRACT

Videos have become an indispensable part of both online and blended learning environments. However, the design of such videos requires careful consideration of multimedia learning principles to reduce the cognitive load during the instruction. In this regard, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of text-positions presented at two videos on eye-fixation duration and remembering. An experimental research with one-shot case study design was employed to meet this purpose. Two videos about financial issues were selected from a public TV channel archive: one of them included on-screen texts located at the bottom, and the other included informative texts located on the right side of the screen. A total of 61 students first watched these videos by interacting with an eye-tracking device in a human-computer interaction lab and then completed a retention test. The results indicated a significant positive correlation between total eye fixation duration and retention test scores. Additionally, the fixation duration of the participants was higher when the texts were presented on the right side of the videos than that when texts were presented at the bottom. The total fixation durations for longer text were higher than those for shorter text.

Keywords: text position, multimedia learning, eye-movements, retention, eye-fixation duration

ABSTRACT

The study examined the Impact of Peer-Mediated Learning on achievement and motivation in computer science among senior secondary school students in Minna metropolis, Niger state. The study adopted a randomized pre-test, post-test control group design. Two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select four (4) Private Secondary Schools from Minna, Metropolis. Eighty (80) Students were drawn from the four Secondary Schools as sample size through stratified random sampling technique. Validated Test Instrument; Basic Computer Skills Acquisition Test (BCSAT) and Questionnaire: Motivated Strategy for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) vetted by experts from Computer Science and Educational Technology Departments were used for data collection. The BCSAT was made up of 20 items multiple-choice objective test questions to test students’ cognitive knowledge and 5 practical questions, each comprising steps that tested students’ computer practical skills while MSLQ, a Likert scale with 31 items was used to determine the motivational beliefs of students taught computer skills. ANOVA and Kruskal Wallis H test was used for data analysis and was tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed that there was a statistically significant difference in the mean scores of students taught using Peer-Mediated Learning (PML) than those taught using conventional method. The study further revealed that students’ motivation towards PML were significantly positive when compared to the students taught using conventional method. Based on these findings, the researchers recommended that Secondary Schools should adopt PML for effective teaching and learning of computer skills related concepts in Computer Science.

Keywords: peer-mediated learning, motivation, computer skills

ABSTRACT

Despite the high level of investment on e-learning programs in Uganda, there is a low adoption of this new pedagogy in midwifery schools. This trend is likely to frustrate government’s efforts to improve the skill mix, competencies and numbers of midwives. This research sought to establish whether school financing role was essential to e-learning adoption, and the salient traits of school financing role to be focused on by midwifery schools. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was employed, ten midwifery schools were sampled with 167 respondents. A moderate positive relationship between school financing role and e-learning adoption (r = 0.402, p = 0.000, n = 167), was ascertained and school financing role accounted for 15.7% of the variance in e-learning adoption. The salient traits were; diversified sources of funds, deliberate efforts to expand sources of funds, coordination mechanisms for the sources of funds, affordable school fees structure, and a convenient fees payment system. Midwifery schools ought to implement these traits if they are to improve e-learning adoption.

Keywords: school financing role, e-learning adoption, midwifery schools, Uganda, developing country

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the most delicate parts of eLearning material development process and tools from the Instructional Design (ID) perspective. In this context, the birth lesson eLearning material modules have been progressed in accordance with the design - based research approach. The selected two modules have been completed by the project team - 3 instructional designer, 1 subject expert, 1 education technologist and 2 subject matter consultants- in 8 months. The ID process has been started with the education need analysis in order to determine the learners’ needs, learning outcomes and other expectations. The explanatory storyboard has to be offered to the educational technologists and the learning theories has to be determined by the designer. After the several revised, the themes and modules have been developed via several eLearning material development tools.  The ID process consists several work packages for the team. Correspondingly, eLearning development is of toilsome process that has been included in planning, storyboard, communication between instructional designers and subject experts, and time. Also, it has to be designed with an expert team, learning theories and other scientific methods.

Keywords: e-learning, material development, instructional design, nursing education

ABSTRACT

It has brought to the attention of the Editorial Office of Contemporary Educational Technology that the retracted article lacked several references which were included in in-text citations. Further communications revealed that the intensity and diversity of errors within the article were immense. The extent of these errors in article were beyond correction by an erratum and enough to raise significant questions about the credibility of the foundations of the article.

Hence, due to apparent violation of ethical practices, above mentioned article is retracted by the editor of Contemporary Educational Technology. We apologize to our readers that this case was not detected during pre-publication.