An investigation of uses and gratifications for using WEB 2.0 technologies in teaching and learning processes

Although the use of Web 2.0 in higher education has been a hot topic for the last decade, a lack of guidelines on how to use Web 2.0 tools has constrained their wider adoption. Therefore, understanding why and how educators use Web 2.0 is a necessary step towards promoting their effective use in teaching and learning. This study draws upon the uses and gratifications perspective to explore faculty members’ uses of Web 2.0 tools in instructional processes in an international higher education context. We gathered data from 15 faculty members via semi-structured interviews as part of a phenomenological study design applying maximum variation sampling. We analyzed the data using content analysis. The results indicated that the faculty members were selective in their use of Web 2.0 tools and utilized a variety of Web 2.0 tools to gratify their cognitive, affective, social integrative and personal integrative needs in relation to instructional processes

A Phenomenological Study on the Effectiveness of Curriculum and Course Information Packages in the Bologna Process

The aim of the present study is to analyze the School of Education and Department of Educational Sciences' curricula (program and course information packages) with respect to the Bologna process. Designed in line with phenomenology, the study focuses on the phenomenon of "the effectiveness of curricula with respect to the Bologna process". The data were collected by interviewing two separate focus groups of students and lecturers, and analyzed by using Miles and Huberman's stages. The results of the three research questions are explained in terms of preparation, implementation, follow-up and revision, and quality assurance. The results are as follows: Considering the positive aspects of the process, both lecturers and students agreed that the process eased access to information and course selection with the help of elective courses; however, all participants complained about the lack of information flow, unclear tasks and process, disbelief in the importance of the process, resistance to the preparation process, unfair work distribution, and the mismatch between competencies and courses. Lecturers also mentioned problems related to the revision and feedback processes

Journey into Doctoral Candidacy: A Grounded Theory Study of Doctoral Qualification Exam Process

The purpose of this study is to investigate the process doctoral students go through in qualification exam. Within a grounded theory design, a series of in-depth interviews were carried out with six doctoral candidates to inquire into their thoughts and experiences. Data collection started four months before the qualification exam and ended approximately a month after the exam had been taken. A total of 127 pages of interview transcripts were produced as a result of interviews. The data from these interviews were analysed in three stages: (1) initial coding and theorizing; (2) selective coding and theorizing; (3) theoretical codes. The theoretical codes were generated from the codes using the constant comparative method. The analysis revealed five interrelated phases students go through in the qualification exam: Ambiguity and procrastination; Getting lost and finding ways; Getting on with the unavoidable: taking the exam; Relief or burnout after the exam, and Looking back with mixed feelings

Accessing Science Through Media: Uses and Gratifications Among Fourth and Fifth Graders for Science Learning

This qualitative phenomenological study aims to investigate fourth and fifth graders' uses of mass media (TV, newspapers, Internet, magazines) and to assess their various features as sources for science learning. The data were collected from 47 purposefully selected students through focus groups and were analyzed through qualitative analysis using uses and gratifications theory as a conceptual framework. The results indicated that students were active in choosing and utilizing media to meet their cognitive, affective, personal integrative, and social integrative needs. Furthermore accessibility, content, and presentation were the key factors in influencing students' motivation of use of the media

Journey into Doctoral Candidacy: A Grounded Theory Study of Doctoral Qualification Exam Process / Putovanje kandidata za doktorski studij: istraživanje postupka polaganja kvalifikacijskog doktorskog ispita metodom utemeljene teorije

The purpose of this study is to investigate the process doctoral students go through in qualification exam. Within a grounded theory design, a series of in-depth interviews were carried out with six doctoral candidates to inquire into their thoughts and experiences. Data collection started four months before the qualification exam and ended approximately a month after the exam had been taken. A total of 127 pages of interview transcripts were produced as a result of interviews. The data from these interviews were analysed in three stages: (1) initial coding and theorizing; (2) selective coding and theorizing; (3) theoretical codes. The theoretical codes were generated from the codes using the constant comparative method. The analysis revealed five interrelated phases students go through in the qualification exam: Ambiguity and procrastination; Getting lost and finding ways; Getting on with the unavoidable: taking the exam; Relief or burnout after the exam, and Looking back with mixed feelings.Svrha je ovog istraživanja ispitati proces koji studenti doktorskog studija moraju proći kako bi mogli položiti kvalifikacijski ispit. Primjenom dizajna istraživanja koji se koristi metodom utemeljene teorije, proveden je niz produbljenih intervjua sa šest kandidata za doktorski studij kako bi se ispitala njhova mišljenja i iskustva. Prikupljanje podataka započelo je četiri mjeseca prije kvalifikacijskog ispita i završilo je otprilike mjesec dana prije polaganja ispita. Nakon provedenih intervjua, napisano je otprilike 127 stranica transkribiranog teksta. Podaci dobiveni u intervjuima analizirani su u tri faze: (1) inicijalno kodiranje i teroretiziranje, (2) selektivno kodiranje i teoretiziranje, (3) teorijsko kodiranje. Teorijski kodovi stvoreni su iz kodova primjenom konstantne komparativne metode. Analiza je pokazala pet međusobno povezanih faza kroz koje studenti prolaze tijekom pripreme za kvalifikacijski ispit: Nejasnoće i odgađanje, Gubljenje i pronalaženje, Pomak prema neodgodivom: polaganje ispita, Olakšanje ili sagorijevanje nakon ispita, Pogled unatrag s pomiješanim osjećajima

Communicating Science to Impact Learning? A Phenomenological Inquiry into 4th and 5th Graders' Perceptions of Science Information Sources

Rooted in science education and science communication studies, this study examines 4th and 5th grade students' perceptions of science information sources (SIS) and their use in communicating science to students. It combines situated learning theory with uses and gratifications theory in a qualitative phenomenological analysis. Data were gathered through classroom observations and interviews in four Turkish elementary schools. Focus group interviews with 47 students and individual interviews with 17 teachers and 10 parents were conducted. Participants identified a wide range of SIS, including TV, magazines, newspapers, internet, peers, teachers, families, science centers/museums, science exhibitions, textbooks, science books, and science camps. Students reported using various SIS in school-based and non-school contexts to satisfy their cognitive, affective, personal, and social integrative needs. SIS were used for science courses, homework/project assignments, examination/test preparations, and individual science-related research. Students assessed SIS in terms of the perceived accessibility of the sources, the quality of the content, and the content presentation. In particular, some sources such as teachers, families, TV, science magazines, textbooks, and science centers/museums ("directive sources") predictably led students to other sources such as teachers, families, internet, and science books ("directed sources"). A small number of sources crossed context boundaries, being useful in both school and out. Results shed light on the connection between science education and science communication in terms of promoting science learning