Implementation of web-based character assessment on students' character outcomes: a review on perception and gender

This study aims to see the effect of student perceptions on web-based character assessment on the results of student character assessment. The population in this study was a junior high school in Batanghari Regency with a sample of 322 students using the purposive sampling technique. Quantitative methods are used in this study with descriptive and inferential analysis methods to obtain assumption tests (normality, homogeneity, and linearity) and hypothesis testing (ANOVA and Linear Regression). The results of this study indicate that the perception of male and female students on web-based character assessment affects the results of character assessment. A linear regression test results show a significance value of 0.001 for both sexes. This is a supporting indicator in implementing web-based assessments apart from the real-time benefits and swift feedback. Therefore, web-based character assessment is suitable for use in learning, as indicated by good student perceptions of the application of the web-based character assessmentPeer Reviewe

Moroccan University Students’ Perceptions, Feedback, and Readiness for Distance Learning in the Era of Covid-19 Pandemic

Given the current situation of Covid-19 pandemic, Morocco has taken certain measures to face and restrict the outbreak of this pandemic. One of these measures is distance education to spare students in schools and universities the hazards of this virus. This experience of distance teaching and learning is new both for teachers and students in the Moroccan context, and, hence, it is deemed a promising area of research. Thus, the objective of this study is to explore Moroccan university students’ perceptions, feedback, and readiness for distance learning during the period of Covid-19 pandemic. Based on four research questions, a questionnaire is designed and administered via Google Forms to 262 students enrolled in S2, S4, S6, Master, and Doctorate at the English Department, Cadi Ayyad University-Faculty of Letters & Humanities. Then, the researcher checks the questionnaire for reliability and validity, and analyzes the data using descriptive and inferential statistics (t-test and Pearson correlation). The main findings of this study are the following: the participants demonstrate moderate perceptions and moderate feedback towards distance learning; they show a low readiness for distance learning; there are significant differences based on gender in terms of perceptions, feedback and readiness; and there is a positive and moderately significant correlation between the participants’ perceptions and readiness for distance learning.  Based on these findings, a number of recommendations and research implications are presented.

A comparative study on scientific approaches for Center of Excellence in TVET sector under the scientific aspect of the demands in Thai Education System

This research offers an essential enlightenment for a better understanding towards the significance to establish the Center of Excellence for Technical Vocational Education and Training (CoE for TVET), especially in vocational education. It analyzes and synthesizes the data from the existing academic and commercial sources based on the fact that, in most cases, “excellence” is referred to as a foundation term for competitions. Many entities being recognized as or perceived by target audiences in business conduct as “excellent”, are generally “abstract”. In practice, there are only a few entities actually worthy of a true “excellence” judging by appropriate criteria—having “concrete” evidence of activities and components. Exemplifying an existing Center of Excellence would promote a better understanding both in terms of definition and its characteristics. The researcher focuses on conducting comparative research that combines with qualitative and case studies, with an important goal of acquiring 'new definition, new knowledge and specialized practical guidelines related to the CoE for TVET', and to invent a set of practices that will lead to answering of these key questions: • What is 'CoE for TVET'? How many types are they of ? • How is it currently recognized for the 'CoE in TVET' ? • What approaches should be taken to promote a better understanding of definitions, classification, and operations of “a COE in TVET?” This is to provide in-depth research that can be beneficial to the public and visualized clearly worldwide. As per the mentioned aims, comparative case studies between different countries are required. There are neither much studies in the world which clearly proposed the definition; the identification and the demonstration of the applied practical guidelines nor in the dimension of excellence of TVET education management because all that exists are the context of excellence in business and nor in education sector that are often referred particularly to the level of Higher Education and that the basic education cannot be applied to TVET because of its being of different context. In each topic, the researcher clarified points of information including the perception, access, and maintenance of excellence. There shall be further discussion on the classification of all globally existing centers of excellence which is based on perception, presentation, and public understanding in conclusion. Once the foregoing section has been thoroughly accomplished, the next step is accessing the process and techniques of pursuing elements and characteristics that CoE in TVET at least should have by relying on techniques and principles called “Benchmarking+USP” that the researcher has developed recently based on the understanding that 'Apart from being superior to general standard and quality, that is, - no ordinary - ; having a status of excellence, the center of excellence, no matter operating or providing services in any regards, must have a unique identity and distinctiveness that should be as close as possible to -the top-notch – in that particular area.' To be an example case, the researcher had selected the 'Benching Partner' which is recognized for achieving excellence in service providing and educational management in the field of TVET: GTDEE and TGPES, as the answer of the research items that say: • How will there be techniques or processes in the pursuit of components, attributes that indicate the status of excellence of TVET CoE? • Are there any examples of centers of excellence or comparable organizations existing in Thailand? And how do those organizations have the required elements and characteristics of excellence? The final essence, therefore, is studying and striving for the needs in various dimensions regarding the establishment of the Center of excellence in TVET that is able to response to the demands of society for teaching and learning management of the Thai vocational education sector in the points of view of the sample groups --the direct stakeholders--, thus leading to answering the question in the endmost part of the research, that is: In what dimension does Thailand need TVET Center of Excellence? These will be beneficial suggestion to the relevant sectors in Thailand or those wishing to learn, study extensively on the basis of substantial findings delivered by this research.:Tabel of contents Abstract ii Acknowledgements iv Dedication vi Table of contents vii List of Figures xi List of Tables xii List of Abbreviations xiii Chapter 1: Introduction 1 1.1 Background and Importance 1 1.2 Definition of Excellence 1 1.3 Thailand's vocational education policies in the direction of excellence development 6 1.4 Research Question 11 1.5 Hypotheses 12 1.6 Purpose of research 13 1.7 Method and Scope of the Research 14 Chapter 2: Quality - Matters behind the scenes of excellence for vocational education 16 2.1 Definition and dimension of quality in the VET sector 16 2.2 “Quality” an impact factor of excellence in VET 19 2.3 Quality approaches: Strategies to improve excellence status 23 2.3.1 The Juran Quality Trilogy: Basic architect of Quality Management 24 2.3.2 Approaches to quality and quality objectives 25 Chapter 3: Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) 32 3.1 How to understand the characteristics and definition of “CoVE” ? 32 3.2 Classic Excellence Approaches 36 3.3 Modern Excellence Approach and Education: EFQM – MBNQ 39 3.4 SEM &TVET Excellence Journey: The Singapore Experience 41 3.4.1 EFQM- MBNQA: The Foundation of the School Excellence Model 41 3.4.2 TVET Excellence Journey 43 Chapter 4: Conceptual Innovation: The Basic Approach to Establishing TVET-CoE Using Benchmarking+UPS 49 4.1 Level Analysis - Policy Examining: First Things to be Aware and Considered 50 4.2 Benchmarking: Learn from other sources, seek Best Practices, and adapt for excellence 53 4.2.1 Popularity and Definition 53 4.2.2 Type and scope 56 4.2.3 The benchmarking process: The Xerox way 57 4.3 Innovative concept: Establising TVET CoE based on excellence using Benchmarking+USP 61 4.3.1 Benchmarking and Vocational Development 61 4.3.2 Input, process and output/outcome: Benchmarking indicators 62 4.3.3 Outputs, outcomes and impacts: “The results chain in modern system” 64 4.3.4 Combining UPS and Benchmarking for TVET CoE under Blue Ocean 67 Chapter 5: Comparative case studies via adaptation of benchmarking technique to identify excellence based on scientific approach 70 5.1 Introduction: Principles of Case Studies Consideration 70 5.2 Analysis: Dual system, a new issue in Thailand - Why GTDEE? 72 5.2.1 Agricultural era and the advent of “Dual system” 72 5.2.2 Factory in school: Utilizing as a makeshift until deep-rooted and falling off from the ideal 74 5.2.3 Subsequent problems of practice that falls off the frame 75 5.2.4 What GTDEE show? - Pull the consciousness of the Thai vocational to look at the original “Dual system” 77 5.3 The application of Benchmarking+USP techniques to pursue unique excellence between GTDEE and TGPES 81 5.3.1 Scope and Basic norms of conducting the study 81 5.3.2 Enter the process of Benchmarking+USP 82 Chapter 6: Benchmarking+USP results conducted through information and views from executives of Benching Partner 91 6.1 Preliminary data and comments of Benching Partner about “TVET Excellence” 91 6.1.1 Personal information of the representatives of Benching Partner 91 6.1.2 Basic understanding of Excellence and Centres of Excellence 92 6.1.3 Awareness, experience, perspective and understanding of CoE for TVET 93 6.1.4 Suggestions and others 95 6.2 Results of exercising Benchmarking+USP based on the designed templates 96 6.3 SWOT analysis: a summary of the results of Benchmarking+USP to pursue excellence 105 6.3.1 Strengths 105 6.3.2 Opportunities 107 6.3.3 Weaknesses 108 6.3.4 Threats 109 Chapter 7: Understanding and demands for the CoE for TVET in Thailand: A case study from a sample group of 102 stakeholders 113 7.1 Introduction 113 7.2 The statistics used in the research and testing of the hypothesis 115 7.3 Personal information and basic information 116 7.4 Basic understanding of Excellence and Centres of Excellence 119 7.5 Awareness, experience, perspective and understanding of CoE for TVET 127 7.6 Suggestions and others 132 Chapter 8: Summary of body of knowledge and Suggestions 137 8.1 Understanding Excellence, CoE and CoE in TVET 137 8.1.1 Definition of excellence and CoE 137 8.1.2 SEM &TVET Excellence Journey: The Singapore Experience 139 8.2 Classification of definition by type and characteristics of “CoE for TVET” 140 8.3 Utilization Techniques and Guidelines for Benchmarking+USP within BOS in Identifying Distinct Excellence for CoEs in TVET 142 8.4 Examples of characteristics of excellence of the TVET CoE in Thailand 145 8.5.1 Factors making contribution to enhance journey toward organizational excellence 146 8.5.2 Perspectives on the mission of CoF for TVET 147 8.5.3 Demand for CoE of TVET in Thailand based-on the opinions of the sample groups 148 References 150 Internet sources 158 Appendix I: Benchmarking+USP templates 159 Appendix II: Questionnaire 17

The cost-effectiveness of national training systems in developing countries

This paper reviews the literature on the cost-effectiveness of different modes of occupational training, focusing primarily on employer-sited training, occupational training within formal education, and out of school center-based training. The literature can be divided into two categories: studies which have attempted to measure in quantitative terms the benefits and costs of different modes of training, and qualitative studies which have examined non-measurable aspects of cost-effectiveness. Among the conclusions brought to light are: that schools should be responsible for teaching basic skills and the theoretical aspects of vocational training, and employers should be responsible for the practical end - with on-the-job training supplemented in some cases by training at training centers. Institutionalized pre-employment training for entry-level jobs is less cost-effective - despite wishful thinking that it provides an easy solution to the problems of mass youth unemployment.Teaching and Learning,Curriculum&Instruction,Vocational&Technical Education,Gender and Education,Primary Education

International Student Projects and Sustainable Development Goals: A Perfect Match

Engineering Education is currently going through a transformation, driven by the need for educating better engineers and more engineers, and largely build on elements such as problem orientation, interdisciplinarity, internationalization, digitalization and sustainability. In 2020, the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership EPIC (Improving Employability Through Internationalization and Collaboration) has combined all these elements, and demonstrated how international and interdisciplinary student projects, focusing on solving real-world problems related to sustainability, can be carried out in a setting where students mainly work together online. A total of 56 students from 7 EU and 2 international universities, with backgrounds ranging from Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering to Textile Technologies and Business Informatics were working on 9 different projects throughout the spring of 2020. The paper presents the experiences from the setup and discusses some general recommendations for setting up this type of projects. The paper goes through the stages of defining and carrying out the projects: Defining the overall framework, identifying problems/project proposals in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, identifying the students and assigning students to projects, preparing students and supervisors, organising the physical kick-off seminar, and supporting the online collaboration. We also discuss evaluation and hand-over of the solutions, to ensure the projects have a lasting impact. We conclude that the sustainable development goals provide a highly motivating framework for interdisciplinary, international student projects based on problem-based learning. We also note that a careful design and execution of the all the preparatory stages are crucial in order for the projects to succeed, and discuss specific recommendations for these.</p

PBL Student Projects and Sustainable Development Goals: A Case Study

Working with the Sustainable Development Goals can be a highly motivating factor in Problem Based Learning, especially if the solutions produced can be used afterwards and have an actual impact on people and communities. This paper describes how three engineering students from Aalborg University, Denmark, collaborated with the South African Organisation Green Shoots on bringing IT-supported Math education out to some of the most disadvantaged learners from townships and rural areas of the Western Cape. The project provided the Danish students with a unique learning experience and have a lasting impact on the communities involved. While the content of the project focused on bringing IT-supported Math education to learners in previously disadvantaged areas around the Western Cape, the project also provided valuable insight into how such students’ projects, where the outcomes benefit people and communities suffering from socio-economic challenges e.g. poverty, can be carried out. In addition to demonstrate that such projects are actually possible, we studied three critical aspects: How to ensure a good fit between learning objectives and project outcome, how to ensure that the project creates value for the partner organisation and communities, and how to ensure that the projects can be conducted without overloading the university supervisors. We believe that student projects focusing on SDGs have a big potential in terms of providing highly motivating student projects yet at the same time contribute to a better world through solutions that are being used even afterwards. However, our study was just a single case with one group of three students. We hope it will serve as inspiration for larger studies, where more quantitative data could be gathered in terms of how to establish a good framework around such projects, and in order to demonstrate the value for students and societies

Availability of literature on social entreprenureship for sustainable wealth creation in internet

Social entrepreneurship has been the key discussed issue for the last few decades. This paper examines relative availability of materials related to social entreprenureship for sustainable wealth creation in order to develop hands-on, professional, ethical, which is promoted by the various organizations around the world. The main objective of this study was to examine the relative frequency of social entreprenureship and sustainable wealth creation by the organizations and other related concepts that are available in the Internet search engines. The study attempted to assess the availability of materials on social entreprenureship for sustainable wealth creation on the Internet. The Internet was accessed on 03 April 2012 from 11:05 a.m. – 13:05 p.m.; 2.30 p.m. – 4:30 pm. Duration: 240 minutes, [Gombak Time] and 04 April 2012 from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.; 11:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Duration: 180 minutes [Hulu Langat Time]. Ratios are expected to reflect more statistically meaningful indices. The study is very significant for theoretical development of social entreprenureship in sustainable wealth creation for companies in Malaysia. The Internet search engine provides instant information on social entreprenureship for sustainable wealth creation that can developed further

A COMPARISON BETWEEN MOTIVATIONS AND PERSONALITY TRAITS IN RELIGIOUS TOURISTS AND CRUISE SHIP TOURISTS

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the motivations and the personality traits that characterize tourists who choose religious travels versus cruises. Participating in the research were 683 Italian tourists (345 males and 338 females, age range 18–63 years); 483 who went to a pilgrimage travel and 200 who chose a cruise ship in the Mediterranean Sea. Both groups of tourists completed the Travel Motivation Scale and the Big Five Questionnaire. Results show that different motivations and personality traits characterize the different types of tourists and, further, that motivations for traveling are predicted by specific —some similar, other divergent— personality trait