Factors related to the adoption of a two-way interactive distance education technology: instrument development, instrument validation, and causal model testing

The purpose of the study was to identify the factors related to teachers' perceived likelihood of using a state-wide two-way interactive distance education technology, the Iowa Communication Network (ICN). The research model was developed using existing models in the diffusion of innovation literature, as well as in the attitude-behavior literature. The predictor variables developed from constructs in the literature, were habit of using innovative technologies, general attitude toward the ICN, utilitarian outcomes, normative outcomes, self-identity outcomes, attitude toward using the ICN for classroom instructional activities, and teachers' likelihood of using the ICN if it were available; The data were collected via a mail survey from 325 inservice teachers who attended inservice training in distance education. Analysis of the data included:(1) factor analysis of items assessing the predictor variables in the model,(2) Cronbach's alpha, to estimate internal consistency of the scales of the research instrument, and (3) structural equation model testing of the causal model; The research model was modified based on the results of the factor analysis. Seven factors emerged: teachers' habit of using innovative technologies, attitudes toward the educational promise of the ICN, attitudes towards the ICN's logistical constraints, strength of beliefs about positive consequences of using the ICN, strength of beliefs about negative consequences of using the ICN, strength of beliefs about the influence of important others, and attitude toward using the ICN for classroom instruction; It was found that teachers' attitude regarding the use of the ICN was the primary predictor of

Factors related to the adoption of a two-way interactive distance education technology: instrument development, instrument validation, and causal model testing

The purpose of the study was to identify the factors related to teachers\u27 perceived likelihood of using a state-wide two-way interactive distance education technology, the Iowa Communication Network (ICN). The research model was developed using existing models in the diffusion of innovation literature, as well as in the attitude-behavior literature. The predictor variables developed from constructs in the literature, were habit of using innovative technologies, general attitude toward the ICN, utilitarian outcomes, normative outcomes, self-identity outcomes, attitude toward using the ICN for classroom instructional activities, and teachers\u27 likelihood of using the ICN if it were available;The data were collected via a mail survey from 325 inservice teachers who attended inservice training in distance education. Analysis of the data included: (1) factor analysis of items assessing the predictor variables in the model, (2) Cronbach\u27s alpha, to estimate internal consistency of the scales of the research instrument, and (3) structural equation model testing of the causal model;The research model was modified based on the results of the factor analysis. Seven factors emerged: teachers\u27 habit of using innovative technologies, attitudes toward the educational promise of the ICN, attitudes towards the ICN\u27s logistical constraints, strength of beliefs about positive consequences of using the ICN, strength of beliefs about negative consequences of using the ICN, strength of beliefs about the influence of important others, and attitude toward using the ICN for classroom instruction;It was found that teachers\u27 attitude regarding the use of the ICN was the primary predictor of their likelihood of using the ICN for classroom instruction. Teachers\u27 attitude toward using the ICN was influenced significantly by their habit of using innovative technologies, attitude toward the educational promise of the ICN, strength of beliefs about positive consequences of using the ICN, and strength of beliefs about the influence of important others. It was not influenced by teachers\u27 attitude toward the ICN\u27s logistical constraints or by their strength of beliefs about negative consequences of using the ICN. Results are discussed in terms of theory and practice

Quality Enhancement Of Palestinian Higher Education Institutions: The Case Of Islamic University Of Gaza (IUG)

The Palestinian tertiary education system considered to be young according to international standards, as the establishment of the oldest university was only forty years ago. The Palestinian universities were created during Israeli occupation, as part of a Palestinian collective effort to preserve the Palestinian identity as well as to provide young Palestinians with the opportunity to pursue higher education. Quality assurance efforts in Palestine had begun in 2002 with the establishment of the Palestinian Accreditation & Quality Assurance Commission (AQAC). IUG, being one of the biggest higher education institutions in Palestine, established its quality unit immediately and worked in linking its internal quality procedures with external national ones managed by AQAC. The purpose of this paper was to describe IUG quality procedures; with regard to: students, academic programs, teaching and learning, university staff, university environment, administration, and the collection of external feedback. Several challenges were presented along with lessons learned

Research Methods for Applied Linguists and Translators

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Attitude towards Equality between Men and Women and its Source of Formation among Palestinian Post-Graduate Education Students

This study examined post-graduate education students’ attitudes towards gender equality. It also explored the factors that influenced their formation, in addition to studying the differences in attitudes due to gender and social status. A  mixed design was used. Quantitative data were collected from a random sample of 168 students using a questionnaire prepared by the researchers. The qualitative data were collected from three focus groups with six students each. The findings showed high awareness of women's rights in areas related to family, social and political matters.  Female and unmarried students showed attitudes that are more positive. Results indicated that there are factors that influence the formation of students' attitude including family, culture, education, personal and life experiences.  Recommendations highlighted the importance of raising the awareness of the community towards the Islamic perspective of the rights and obligations of women and men in addition to linking this to the international humanitranian  right laws and agreements, and to issue the necessary policies and laws support their implementation

Student teachers attitudes towards teaching profession and their relation to the adequacy of practical training

The aim of the study was to investigate the attitudes towards teaching profession of students enrolled in the teacher diploma program in the Islamic University of Gaza, and their ratings regarding the adequacy of practical training, Moreover, the study aim was to delineate the relationship between attitudes and the adequacy of practical training in addition to studying the differences in attitudes with regard to gender, academic specialization and GPA. The sample of the study consisted of (143) students who were registered in the program in the academic year 2002-2003. A questionnaire was used to answer the research questions. Mean, standard deviation, relative weight, Pearson Correlation and 3-WAY-ANOVA Tests were used. The results showed positive attitudes towards the profession with regard to total score, self-acceptance and practice of the profession. Moreover, average ratings for the adequacy of

Interparental differences in attitudes to cultural changes in Kuwait

Interparental conflict is an example of interpersonal disagreements that arise between those who adhere to the traditions of the indigenous Arab culture and those who accept the more liberal attitudes conveyed by the imported Western culture. Interparental attitude conflict over family relationships, methods of marriage and emancipation of women is positively associated with Kuwaiti nationality, urban residence and greater interparental age difference. It is the degree of conflict in attitudes rather than liberal attitudes as such that is associated with an excess of reported psychiatric symptoms

Teachers\u27 Training in Distance Education and Their Willingness to Use the Technology After the Completion of Inservice Training

Education is changing. A paradigm shift has occurred within education as the world has moved from the industrial age to the information age (Reigeluth, 1994; Toff ler, 1990). This shift has provided educators with technological innovations that have created new environments of teaching and learning; environments that no longer support the assembly line view of industrialized education. Reigeluth (1994) describes industrialized education as education which treats all students the same; all students are expected to do the same thing at the same time. This sameness forces students to be passive learners and passive members of their school community. Information age education can create environments that see the student as an active participant in the construction of new knowledge. Technology offers an empowering environment for meeting the needs of the students in this new age; an environment that offers a chance for active student-constructed learning and adventurous risk-taking teaching (Dede, 1990; Sheingold, 1990)

Teaching Experience based on Service Learning (SL) at the Islamic University in Gaza: the Pros and Obstacles

This research aims to evaluate the introduction of the Service Learning (SL) component in three university courses in Islamic University of Gaza. The study focused on the following questions: 1) What are the steps followed to implement teaching that is based on service learning from the perspective of involved faculty members? 2) What are the advantages and the obstacles associate with the implementation of service learning? 3) To what extent was student involvement in this experience beneficial to students' academic, personal, societal and professional domains from their perspectives? The study sample consisted of 101 students, of whom -88- at the bachelor's level. It was distributed as follows: Department of Architecture, Urban Flaming course (16 students), and the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Medical Microbiology course (72 students). The MA students were from the Department of Educational Administration: Educational Management course. Researchers relied on a questionnaire completed by the students, in addition to the interviews conducted with the three (3) faculty members involved in those courses. Results of the analysis showed that teaching based on service learning was successful and has achieved its objectives in various forms. Results exceeded expectations and were ahead of the targets set by the university. It appears through the university has benefited from the experience in a direct way in terms of strengthening the reputation, and in making a positive difference in the lives of the beneficiaries

Inter-generational conflict and psychiatric symptoms

Secondary school pupils and their parents were investigated using the scaled version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ–28) and by a questionnaire designed to study attitudes involved in inter-generational conflict in psychiatric patients. Parent-pupil and interparental conflict in answers to the attitude questionnaires were taken as measures of inter-generational and intra-generational conflicts respectively. The former significantly exceeded the latter. Parent-student conflict was higher when the students involved were females, Kuwaiti, or had less educated fathers. The tendency of the number of reported GHQ symptoms to be higher in members of families with higher inter-generational conflict did not reach statistical significance. There is an apparent discrepancy between this finding and the prominence of inter-generational conflict in clinical material