Augmented Reality for Teaching Storytelling in a Rural Foundation Phase Primary School: Integrating a Place-Based Approach

Augmented reality (AR) has recently become a new leading edge in mobile-assisted language learning attributed to the popularity of smartphones. The place-based approach (PBA) is a situated, context-rich teaching and learning modality characterized by its relationship to place. AR and PBA have proven to be useful in educational settings; however, few studies have observed them being used jointly. This study aims to explore the combination of AR and PBA in teaching storytelling in a foundation phase (FP) rural primary school. Based on current trends, the study also aims to design learning principles for teaching that will help language teachers integrate this innovative technology and approach into literacy teaching. The study was tested with two FP teachers and 12 FP learners in a real classroom and carried out with qualitative observations and semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal that learners are more motivated and interested in activities that have been enhanced because they encourage problem-solving, discovery, and socialization. The findings also suggest that technological interventions, particularly when learners work as a team, may have a bigger impact than non-technology-integrated instruction. These results offer demonstrable support for technology use and have useful results for future practice

Conceptualisation and Contextualisation of Mixed-Methods Research: A Review

The purpose of this study was to investigate the conceptualisation and contextualisation of mixed-methods research within the research methodology paradigm to ascertain the categorisation of mixed methods as a type of research, research design or research approach. The methodology adopted for this paper is qualitative in nature and involves the analysis of documents and contents. The content of journals and books was analysed to review and draw inferences relating to the themes set out for investigation in the study. Thematic analysis was used for the analysis of data for the study. The study revealed that mixed-methods research was situated within the context of types of research, research design and research approach as evident in the result of the systematic review of the articles selected for the study. Findings from the study further revealed that the conceptualisation of mixed methods within the context type of research and research approach was more than that of a research design. This study is novel and has contributed new knowledge in the aspect of research methodology with specific emphasis and definitive conceptualisation, contextualisation, and categorisation of mixed methods as a type of research, research design or research approach. Just like qualitative and quantitative research, there is a need for definitive conceptualisation, contextualisation, and categorisation of mixed-methods research. Meanwhile, this article is a synthesis for further discourse on mixed-methods research to establish a definitive conclusion on mixed-methods research conceptualisation.&nbsp

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation in the World of Work: A Threat to Employees?

The introduction of machines driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technologies has already had a significant impact on the manufacturing, automotive, logistics, retail, and wholesale industries, and the repercussions of their replacement on the human labour has been a hotly disputed subject. AI and automation technical advancements are having a big influence on workforce turnover. The aim of this study was to look at employees' attitudes on Artificial Intelligence and Automation at work, specifically whether they see AI as a threat or not. Secondary data sources from several authors were utilised in this article. This data was gathered from published and peer-reviewed publications, internet sources, and textbooks pertinent to the issue under consideration.  Some researchers contend that automation is likely to add to South Africa's high unemployment rate. There is a scarcity of empirical data in the form of published empirical research concentrating on the stress that AI and automation place on employees, hence the study is being conducted. Based on this study, it appeared that employees feel threatened by this rise of Artificial Intelligence and Automation.&nbsp

Eradicating a Culture of Public Mistrust in TVET College Education in South Africa: A Manifesto for the Sector’s Sustainability Ahead of 4IR

The consumption of technical and vocational education and training has increased exponentially over the past two decades. In terms of inclusion, it is without a doubt that today’s TVET sector is a far cry from what it was before the democratic government took over the baton from the apartheid government. TVET has become a refuge to many hopefuls from the historically disadvantaged sectors of society who, due to a range of apparent reasons, would ordinarily not have managed to partake in tertiary education. To many South African youth, TVET presents an avenue for the acquisition of a skill that will give them a fighting chance at escaping the harsh recurrence of poverty, economic inactivity and resource deprivation they are subjected to almost on a daily basis. However, beneath this silver lining lies a growing public disgruntlement over the TVET system’s ability to steadfastly deliver quality education and transform the lives of students, by instilling in them agency for self-regulated and collaborative innovation that will turn them into formidable and assertive role players in the knowledge societies, come the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). To understand the crux of public mistrust in TVET college education in South Africa, an extensive body of literature was reviewed. The findings of the paper point to strategic factors (which in the main are attributed to a lack of effective leadership and managerial skills) and contextual factors that occur at a campus level, as major causes of public mistrust in TVET education. The paper concludes by tabling a manifesto for changing the status quo ahead of the advent of 4IR

Fourth Industrial Revolution Tools to Enhance the Growth and Development of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Institutions: A Systematic Literature Review in South Africa

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has been the subject of discussion, and in most cases, it has been seen as a danger to jobs and conventional methods of doing things. Concerns over the preparation of the South African educational systems for 4IR have been raised as a result. Many industries still lack advanced understanding of 4IR, but the concept is already gaining ground in a variety of economic areas. As a result, academics, business professionals, and legislators are paying closer attention to 4IR. The researchers were inspired to look at how 4IR techniques were applied in South African higher education institutions to advance the growth and development of teaching and learning by this obvious knowledge gap. To investigate how 4IR technologies improve the growth and development of teaching and learning in South African higher education institutions, this study used a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology. A search procedure, research key words, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and quality assessments of chosen literature were used in conjunction with the SLR approach. This study found that some South African higher education institutions have successfully adopted 4IR technologies for virtual and contact instruction. The research further saw that academics and support staff utilised various 4IR tools. This is done through a virtual or hybrid classroom, artificial intelligence, and the internet of things, with different devices to send students messages, schedule Zoom classes, and provide feedback and educational resources. However, the study made some recommendations that academics can use to make sure that 4IR is effectively integrated to support the expansion and improvement of teaching and learning in higher education institutions. Future research directions were suggested, and the study came to the conclusion that South Africa could change the direction of the management of the education sector by implementing various 4IR tools in higher education institutions

Teaching Democratic Humility to Improve Classroom Discussion

Democratic discussion in the classroom has been viewed as a way to increase consensus, however the spread of false and misleading information through social media and influencers can make classroom discussions problematic. This electronic text analysis study highlights the social media site of Quora and posts related to the Gulf War. Posts related to the Gulf War is critically analyzed and their potential impacts are examined. This study also analyzes the posts and potential impacts of a conservative influencer named James Lindsay. It also analyzes specific polarizing posts that Lindsay has made on Instagram and highlight the potential impacts on classroom discussions of some of these posts. A purpose of the study is to analyze negative potential impacts of social media on student’s views and on classroom discussions. The study also highlights two potential solutions to overcoming these negative potential impacts. One solution is to use Stanford History Education Group’s Civic Online Reasoning, and another solution is to explicitly teach Democratic humility. With democratic humility, individuals learn not to make hyperbolic claims about their beliefs. Students could also be taught when learning about democratic humility, the importance of suspending judgement until they have gathered sufficient information on the topic

WhatsApp Messenger as a Supplementary Tool for School Curriculum Knowledge Transfer and Acquisition During COVID-19 Stricter Lockdown: Educators’ Perceptions

The COVID-19 pandemic was unarguably one of the most disastrous events whose detriment to the normalcy of the education and training sectors will never be forgotten. To salvage the academic year, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) encouraged historically disadvantaged schools to explore rotational learning supplemented by mobile learning (with WhatsApp Messenger as schools’ most preferred application). However, in face of the concerns that were raised by the media, educational commentators, student bodies and teacher unions about the lack of public schools’ readiness for mobile learning, this social constructivist oriented qualitative study (which drew on 12 educators’ diverse and convergent views) adopted a Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as a lens to investigate educators’ perceptions of WhatsApp messenger as a supplementary mode of curriculum knowledge transfer and acquisition during COVID 19 stricter lockdown at three historically disadvantaged schools in South Africa. Participants generally deposited positive feedback regarding the benefit of using it WhatsApp messenger to engender curriculum knowledge transfer and acquisition. They however explicitly also detailed a few negative aspects of this pursuit, primarily on how for socio-economic related reasons, the process was not completely inclusive as some learners could not partake in it. Also, educators admitted that while going beyond the call of duty was necessary during the pandemic, WhatsApp mediated teaching consumed most of their leisure time. According to them, this was compounded by poor internet connectivity due to the country’s power crisis, which in some instances adversely affected the productivity of WhatsApp messenger mediated curriculum knowledge transfer and acquisition processes during COVID-19 stricter lockdown

Factors Influencing Intention and Behaviour of Agricultural Extension Staff Concerting Post-Covid-19 Digital Technical Guidance: A Study in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Agriculture extension staffs are encouraged to attempt more efficient methods to enhance their competency through digital webinars or technical guidance, in Bahasa Bimbingan Teknis (Bimtek) programs. The research aims to explore factors influencing the intention and behavior of agricultural extension staff towards the Technical guidance online Ministry of Agriculture in Special Region Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This research included the Behavior Intention (BI) and Use Behavior (UB) models with significant construct. The research used the quantitative method and analyzed PLS-SEM. One hundred eighty extension staffs participated, chiefly 34-42 years old. All of the indicators passed the outer model assessment. The analysis results conclude that significant effects are Attitude to BI, Control Behavior to BI, Perceived Usefulness to BI, and Behavior Intention to UB. The perception of extension staffs about Technical guidance online can enhance their performance to continue using it in obtaining agricultural technology information, extension materials, information on agricultural policies, and the latest agricultural development programs. The insignificant constructs are Subjective Norm, Motivation, and Perceived Ease to Use. The validated research model explains 61% of the variance (R2 = 0.61) in Attitude, Perceived Usefulness, and Control Behaviour towards Behavior Intention (BI). Moreover, BI explains 8.9% of the variance (R2 = 0.089) in UB of Technical guidance online. This research found that BI and UB have Q2 values of 0.538 and 0.077. The practical implication could be applied as preliminary development planning studies to enhance the efficiency of Technical guidance online as Bank Data.  &nbsp

Implications of Career Choice of Undergraduates on their Employability Prospects in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)

Choice of career is one of the most important decisions that everyone makes in life. This choice in most cases determines placement in the workplace. The determinants of the choices students make career-wise include parents, peers, passion and perceived prospects among others. The choice of career made by individuals have long-term implications on their employability status most especially in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) which aims at raising global income levels and improve the quality of life for populations around the world through applied science and technology. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The multi-stage sampling procedure was used. A purposive sampling technique was used to select five faculties out of the existing thirteen faculties at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Five hundred (500) undergraduates were selected across the five selected faculties using simple random sampling technique with 100 students selected from each faculty. Descriptive and Inferential statistics were used to analyse the data collected for the study. The study found out that parental values and expectations has significant influence on the career choice of students and that career choice in turn has significant relationship with their employability prospects. The paper recommended among others the need for students to be allowed to make their career choices based on interest and ability with proper guidance by parents and surrogate parents.&nbsp

Using Social Media in Schools

Social media is becoming more eminently woven into the sociocultural fabric of global societies in the 21st century. From emerging platforms and ever-evolving multimodal features, to algorithmic changes and privacy concerns, social media is indubitably shaping the frontier of how people communicate, interact, and perceive the world around them. Using social media in schools is, of course, not a new phenomenon. However, given unabating advances in digital technology coupled with shifting user demands, social media is constantly in flux. Thus, staying abreast of social media trends and uses in the field of education is a critical endeavor and merits on-going conversations