Understanding best practices in control engineering education using the concept of TPACK

This study aimed to design an integrated pedagogical approach to advance introductory Process Control Engineering Education through the application of the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework, and evaluating its impact on student learning. The research is initially being undertaken at Nottingham Trent University, UK but we will next adapt it to a case study in Libya. This paper aims to strengthen the teaching of introductory Process Control by using appropriate approach es in universities to improve the learning outcomes for students. From this work a new schematic for teaching Process Control ha s be en developed and, moreover, a thoughtful best practice in introducing Process Control in engineering education can be developed

Gender achievement and social, political and economic equality: a European perspective

Differences in gender equality based on social, political and economic factors is cited, by some writers, as a contributory factor in the differentially greater achievement of boys in STEM subjects through the concept of gender stratification. Gender differences, especially in mathematics, have been linked directly to gender parity in wider society. Such a link is predicted by gender stratification via both the gender similarities and gender stratification hypotheses, for example (Else-Quest et al. 2010 and Hyde and Mertz, 2009). Analysis by Ainara González de San Román & Sara de la Rica Goiricelaya (2012) appears to support the hypothesis that the gender gap is smaller, in mathematics, when the society has a higher equality index. However, more recently, Stoet & Geary (2015) report evidence, based on PISA outcomes from 2000 to 2009, that there is little or no correlation between the gender gap and wider equality. This paper takes up this analysis using PISA data from the 2012 round, for both science and mathematics, and the Global Gender Gap Index in a European context. The results support Stoet & Geary’s findings and cast doubts on any link between national gender equality and achievement in science or mathematics. Whilst the conclusion reached in this paper supports Stoet & Geary’s findings further work is needed to explain the observed differences in achievement between boys and girls

Why don't zombies like hibiscus tea? A multi-subject approach to photosynthesis through the use of Grätzel cells

Traditionally, photosynthesis has been seen as the domain of biology, with some input from chemistry when dealing with chromatography, while, apart from a passing reference to the colour of leaves, physics has tended to steer clear of the process that provides the lifeblood of human existence. This article outlines how a recent technological advance can be used as a teaching resource in all three branches of science

Test of e-Learning Related Attitudes (TeLRA) scale: development, reliability and validity study

The Tanzanian education system is in transition from face -to-face classroom learning to e-learning. E-learning is a new learning approach in Tanzanian Higher Learning Institutions [HLIs] and with teachers being the key stakeholders of all formal education, investigating their attitude towards e-learning is essential. So far, how ever, there has been little consideration given to research that examines teachers’ attitudes towards e-learning in Tanzanian HLIs and consequently, there is no standard attitude scale that has been developed to measure this. This paper presents the development and validation of a scale of teachers’ attitude to e-learning. Whilst being initially developed to assess the attitude of teachers in HLIs the authors belief, having piloted with pre-service trainee teachers in England that the scale transfers across national boundaries. The final instrument contains 36 items with a Cronbach alpha score of 0.857. Although the developed attitude scale was intended for use in HLIs, it can also be of interest to researchers investigating attitudes on other sectors

Barriers and strategies on adoption of e-learning in Tanzanian higher learning institutions: lessons for adopters

Tanzanian Higher learning institutions (HLIs) are faced with challenges of adopting e-learning in education. This study involved experts in e-learning to examine barriers of adopting e-learning and the best strategies to address them. Data were gathered from a series of semi-structured interviews with e-learning experts from two HLIs in Tanzania. Five major barriers were identified: poor infrastructure; financial constraints; inadequate support; lack of e-learning knowledge and teachers’ resistance to change. The study further describes best practice approaches used by the two HLIs to address each of the challenges. It is recommended that training in e-learning needs to be provided to teachers and administrators; provide financial, technical and managerial support geared towards adoption. Successful adoption of e-learning requires a strategic approach that factors out barriers identified in this study and, which involve all education stakeholders

Developing a predictive model for the enhanced learning outcomes by the use of technology

This paper reports on the initial outcomes of a study to develop a model to identify the relationship between technological facilities such as iPad, MacBook, Apps and software etc., pedagogy (that can be defined as any conscious activity by one person designed to enhance learning in another (Watkins and Mortimore, 1999 [1])), curriculum and learning. The new model can be called CPT Model. This is a new area of study. The model will test the difference between the observed learning outcomes and the learning outcomes predicted. This model can predict the outcomes for assessing the students’ progress. Using a three-dimensional vector space in the form of 3D equations, after the integration between the ICT and the education, students’ observed and predicted progress (that was calculated using the CPT model) were compared. These rates were very close to each other. Therefore the null hypothesis, "there is not a significant difference between the observed (actual) and expected outcomes"

A content, pedagogy and technology [CPT] approach to TPACK

TPACK is a framework for the learning process in which educators combine Technological, Pedagogical and Content Knowledge to deliver the learning experience. Therefore, TPACK can be defined as a complex interaction between the technology, pedagogy and content. TPACK expresses the overlap between these factors in a two-dimensional space, placing TPACK at the centre. Educators can place their teaching episode within this space and ask, if I place my delivery at this point is it the best point in the TPACK space? Secondly educators may ask how can the best point within the space be determined? The CPT model proposes an attempt to address these questions by recasting TPACK as a three-dimensional pseudo-vector space allowing expected outcomes and observed outcomes to be analysed. For the study presented here our null hypothesis is: H0 = there is no significant difference between the observed and expected outcomes

Learning personalization based on learning style instruments

Adaptive education systems (AES) are considered one of the most interesting research topics in technology-based learning strategies. Since students have different abilities, needs and learning styles, we should fit the curriculum and teaching activities to these different learning styles. This study investigates the impact of using LAES (Libyan Adaptive Education System) on the performance of students. An ALSI (Arabic Learning Style Instrument) was integrated into the LAES system to investigate learning preferences of students. The student models are constructed according to the results obtained using this instrument (ALSI). Three experimental studies were then conducted to investigate the impact of the LAES system on the performance of students. The results reveal the students who have learnt using the LAES system were more successful than others who learnt without, in terms of the knowledge gained

E-learning in Science and Design and Technology : Proceedings of IDATER on-line conference 2005 - 2006

E-learning in Science and Design and Technology : Proceedings of IDATER on-line conference 2005 - 200