Investigating the Effects of Subjective Norms and Trialability on English Teachers` Attitude toward the Use of Technology

Despite the availability of many technological resources in academic settings and their determinant effect in the improvement of teaching and learning, it seems that teachers rarely used them. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of psychological variables on teachers` attitudes regarding technology use.  In this research, most applicable models like the 'technology acceptance model', 'theory of reasoned action', and 'innovation diffusion theory' are used as the foundation for developing a conceptual framework. Variables such as 'perceived usefulness', 'perceived ease of use', 'trialability', 'subjective norms', and 'attitude' are recaptured from these models. The participants of the present research are high school English language teachers in Shiraz. The researcher uses stratified sampling to identify a representative sample from the population. The present study is administered by using five questionnaires to assess variables. The data are analyzed by means of path analysis. According to the obtained result, perceived ease of use is found to be affected by subjective norms and trialability, which in turn influenced the attitude of teachers toward using technology in their teachings. The results propose that the most influential factor on attitude is trialability (β= 0.38). On the other hand, perceived usefulness has a significant, influential effect on attitude. Subjective norms has an indirect but important effect on attitude

Investigating the Effects of Subjective Norms and Trialability on English Teachers` Attitude toward the Use of Technology

Despite the availability of many technological resources in academic settings and their determinant effect in the improvement of teaching and learning, it seems that teachers rarely used them. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of psychological variables on teachers` attitudes regarding technology use.  In this research, most applicable models like the 'technology acceptance model', 'theory of reasoned action', and 'innovation diffusion theory' are used as the foundation for developing a conceptual framework. Variables such as 'perceived usefulness', 'perceived ease of use', 'trialability', 'subjective norms', and 'attitude' are recaptured from these models. The participants of the present research are high school English language teachers in Shiraz. The researcher uses stratified sampling to identify a representative sample from the population. The present study is administered by using five questionnaires to assess variables. The data are analyzed by means of path analysis. According to the obtained result, perceived ease of use is found to be affected by subjective norms and trialability, which in turn influenced the attitude of teachers toward using technology in their teachings. The results propose that the most influential factor on attitude is trialability (β= 0.38). On the other hand, perceived usefulness has a significant, influential effect on attitude. Subjective norms has an indirect but important effect on attitude

A Comparative Study of IELTS Academic Writing Test in Paper Mode vs. Computer Mode among EFL IELTS candidates

The current study was an attempt to investigate whether learners performed differently in both paper and computer modes in IELTS writing tests in terms of Task response/achievement, coherence/cohesion, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy. In addition, it explored whether the candidates’ computer familiarity were different in paper and computer mode groups. To this end, a total number of 108 candidates were selected out of 144 candidates based on the results of the OPT in Tehran University, Iran. To gather the data a retired IELTS academic writing sample and a computer familiarity questionnaire were administered. The participants were divided into two equal groups. In the PM group, students were given the test to write in the conventional paper mode. In the other CM group, the students were given the same test; yet, they were asked to type the test in the computer provided for them in their class. Also, all the participants took the computer familiarity questionnaire. The gathered data were analyzed through the Independent samples t-test. The findings revealed significant differences between paper-based and computer-based modes in both writing tasks. Moreover, the analysis of the questionnaire showed the impact of the candidates’ computer familiarity on their writing performance.El estudio actual es un intento para investigar si los estudiantes se desempeñaron de manera diferente en la prueba de escritura del Sistema Internacional de Evaluación del Idioma Inglés (IELTS) tanto por escrito como en computadora en términos de respuesta/ logro de tareas, coherencia/cohesión, recurso léxico, rango gramatical y precisión. Además, explora si la familiaridad con la computadora de los candidatos era diferente en los grupos por escrito y en computadora. Para este propósito, se seleccionó un total de 108 candidatos de un total de 144 basándose en los resultados de la Prueba de Colocación de Oxford (OPT) en la Universidad de Teherán, Irán. Para recopilar los datos, se administró una muestra de redacción académica ya retirada del IELTS y un cuestionario de familiaridad con la computadora. Los participantes se dividieron en dos grupos iguales. En el grupo de Modo Escrito (PM), a los estudiantes se les dio la prueba para escribir en el modo de papel convencional. En el otro grupo Modo Computadora (CM), los estudiantes recibieron la misma prueba; sin embargo, se les pidió que escribieran la prueba en la computadora que se les proporcionó en su clase. Además, todos los participantes tomaron el cuestionario de familiaridad con la computadora. Los datos recopilados se analizaron mediante la prueba t de muestras independientes. Los hallazgos revelaron diferencias significativas entre el modo escrito y el modo en computadora en ambas tareas de escritura. Además, el análisis del cuestionario mostró el impacto de la familiaridad con la computadora de los candidatos en su desempeño en la escritura

Trophic flexibility of Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in Anzali Wetland, Iran, assessed by fecal and stable isotope analysis

Information on the feeding habits of species is essential to develop appropriate conservation actions. This study aimed to assess spatial and temporal variation in the diet of the Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra in the Anzali Wetland, through fecal and stable isotope analysis. Seven main prey items were observed in the analysis of 300 fresh spraints. The highest feeding index was observed for fish, followed by snakes. Among the fish species consumed, the index of preponderance of Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) was the highest followed by pike (Esox lucius) and white bream (Blicca bjoerkna). Results of Shannon diversity index suggest spatial variation of species diversity within and between feeding items (p < 0.05); snakes, frogs, and oriental river prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense) showed a seasonal variation. The otter’s trophic level (TL) (3.79) was higher than the TLs of other Anzali Wetland predators, such as pike. Bayesian mixing model showed source proportion contributions of fish 49.5%, reptiles 16.7%, insects 14.8%, crustacean 10.5%, amphibians 4.3%, birds 4.1%, and mollusks 0.1%. When considering only fish species in the Bayesian mixing model, Prussian carp was the main fish prey in the otters’ diet accounting for 47%. Based on the results of this study, the Eurasian otter plays an important role in the ecology of the Anzali Wetland ecosystem even though it preys on exotic species, such as the Prussian carp and the oriental river prawn

Intraspecific killing among Leopards (<i>Panthera pardus</i>) in Iran (Mammalia: Felidae)

<p>Intraspecific aggression is one of the most common causes of death in leopards. Here, we report four cases of intraspecific killing amongst Persian Leopards (<i>Panthera pardus saxicolor</i>) in Iran. A young male leopard was found on 7 June 2008 which, according to camera trap images, had been killed by an adult male over a Red Deer (<i>Cervus elaphus)</i> kill, with trauma to his neck in Dorfak No-Hunting Area. A young female that had been fitted with a satellite GPS collar on 6 December 2015 in Tandoureh National Park died on 29 January 2016 at a site where an Urial Sheep (<i>Ovis orientalis</i>) ram had been freshly killed. Necropsy results, footprints at the scene of death and camera trap footage all supported the deduction that the animal was killed by a larger female leopard at the kill site. On 13 January 2017, a young, partially eaten female leopard was found with double puncture on the side of her throat. Finally, a rehabilitated adult female fitted with a satellite GPS collar found on 19 December 2017 with a double puncture on her head with several trauma and haemorrhages on her back. These instances seem to be the first documented reports of intraspecific killing among free-ranging leopards in Asia.</p