EVALUATING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ACTION RESEARCH COURSE IN AN IN-SERVICE TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM IN VIETNAM

The study investigated the effectiveness of Action Research Course, one of the five component courses of the in-service English teacher training program implemented by National Foreign Language 2020 Project in Vietnam. The primary purpose of the course is to help in-service teachers of English develop the ability to do action research in their teaching context. How effective the course is, what alternative strategies can be used for the implementation of the course, what problems prevent the course from meeting the need of the course’s participants, and what improvements should be made were examined in this study. The evaluation on the implementation of the Action Research applies Context, Input, Process and Product (CIPP) model, which is developed by Stuffflebeam to assess strengths and weaknesses of the course for accountability and improvement. A total of 30 in-service teachers of English were interviewed and course documents were reviewed to generate data. Data analysis reveals that the course is effective to develop in-service teachers’ ability to do action research though improvements should be made to textbook and practice session of the course.Keywords: Action research, CIPP model, evaluation, in-service teacher training, The National Foreign Language 2020 projectCite as: Anh, V.T.K. (2017). Evaluating the implementation of Action Research Course in an in-service teacher training program in Vietnam. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 2(2), 88-97.  http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol2iss2pp88-9

TEACHING PRACTICUM OF AN ENGLISH TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM IN VIETNAM: FROM EXPECTATIONS TO REALITY

Teaching practicum is very essential in the process of learning how to teach, so it should be paid great attention by not only teacher education program designers but also implementators. The paper reports a study on the efficiency of teaching practicum which has been conducted at Public University (pseudonym) in Vietnam. The research employed qualitative approach, and semi-structured interviews were used as the instrument for the data collection. Findings reveal that the implementation of the teaching practicum did not provide student teachers with sufficient chances to develop their teaching skill efficiently. Inappropriate method of implementing the teaching practicum, loose cooperation between the university and high schools, and insufficient support are major issues that caused the teaching practicum to be ineffective. Peer mentoring and a more suitable method of implementing the internship are recommended solutions to improve the effectiveness of the teaching practicum in the English Teacher Education Program at Public University in particular and other English teacher education programs in Vietnam in general.Keywords: Educational program, peer mentoring, teacher education, teaching practicum, teaching skills, VietnamCite as: Vo, T.K.A., Pang, V., & Kean Wah, L. (2018). Teaching practicum of an English teacher education program in Vietnam: From expectations to reality. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 3(2), 32-40. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol3iss2pp32-4

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using curcumin against the bovine mastitis bacteria

Bovine mastitis is the most common disease and has greatly affected economies around the world. This study aimed to determine the antibacterial ability of bovine mastitis by curcumin - silver nanoparticles (Cur-AgNPs). The study included experiments on presenting a new process for synthesizing silver nanoparticles using curcumin from fresh turmeric as a reducing agent and stabilizer. UV visible spectroscopy of the samples revealed the localized surface plasmon resonance absorbance of the dispersion of silver nanoparticles at 430 nm. The prepared Cur-AgNPs has a spherical shape with an average size of 30 nm and a size distribution of 15–47 nm. FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) measurements of the samples showed that silver nanopartilces has been encapsulated well by curcumin. Cur-AgNPs with a concentration of 50-200 μg/mL has very effect to Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa causing bovine mastitis in vitro. The maximum inhibition zone formed was 15 ± 0.85 mm for Staphylococcus aureus and 14 ± 0.56 mm for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Plant materials mediating for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles have relatively rapid, less expensive, and widespread applications for antimicrobial therapy in the livestock sector

Teaching Practicum of An English Teacher Education Program in Vietnam : From Expectations to Reality

Teaching practicum is very essential in the process of learning how to teach, so it should be paid great attention by not only teacher education program designers but also implementators. The paper reports a study on the efficiency of teaching practicum which has been conducted at Public University (pseudonym) in Vietnam. The research employed qualitative approach, and semi-structured interviews were used as the instrument for the data collection. Findings reveal that the implementation of the teaching practicum did not provide student teachers with sufficient chances to develop their teaching skill efficiently. Inappropriate method of implementing the teaching practicum, loose cooperation between the university and high schools, and insufficient support are major issues that caused the teaching practicum to be ineffective. Peer mentoring and a more suitable method of implementing the internship are recommended solutions to improve the effectiveness of the teaching practicum in the English Teacher Education Program at Public University in particular and other English teacher education programs in Vietnam in general

Evaluating Vietnam’s Pre-service English Teacher Education Program for Technology Integration in Education

With the rapid development of technology in the world today, the application of technology in education, thus, becomes a matter of great importance. In the English Teacher Competency Framework (ETCF) provided by the Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training, the ability to use technology in education is an essential aspect an English teacher program must include. As revealed from previous studies, English teachers’ ability to integrate technology in education is weak as they have not been provided adequate opportunities to learn and integrate technology in education in their pre-service teacher education programs. This paper reports on part of findings of a case study conducted in Vietnam. The research adopted a qualitative approach with the in-depth interview as the instrument. Research participants consisted of experienced lecturers involved in designing the program and student teachers. Findings revealed that the program was not effective in educating student teachers in the methods of using technology in teaching. The reasons for such inadequacy were lack of knowledge of technology integration in language teaching, poor facilities, and low ICT capacity. Integrating technology in the curriculum is suggested for developing student teachers’ ability to apply technology in education

ẢNH HƯỞNG CỦA MỘT SỐ YẾU TỐ ĐẾN QUÁ TRÌNH CHẾ TẠO NANO BẠC SỬ DỤNG DỊCH CHIẾT LÁ VỐI LÀM TÁC NHÂN KHỬ

In this study, we use the aqueous extract of Robusta plant leaves as a reducing agent and alginate as a surfactant to synthesize silver nanoparticles from silver nitrate (AgNO3). The influence of extraction time and the solid-liquid ratio, the concentration of AgNO3, the volume ratio between silver nitrate solution and the extract of Robusta leaves, and the reaction time on the synthesis were investigated. The optimal conditions are as follows: 15 g of leaves/200 mL, silver nitrate concentration 4 mM, Vextract/VAgNO3 4:100, 1% sodium alginate solution, and reaction time 45 minutes. The obtained solution of silver nanoparticles has a yellow-brown color. The TEM, XRD, and FT-IR measurements of the samples show that the silver nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized. The particles are spherical with an even size and 19.0-26.6 nm in diameter.Trong nghiên cứu này, chúng tôi trình bày phương pháp điều chế dung dịch nano bạc (Ag) từ bạc nitrate (AgNO3) sử dụng dịch chiết lá vối làm tác nhân khử và alginate là chất hoạt động bề mặt. Chúng tôi khảo sát ảnh hưởng của nồng độ AgNO3, tỷ lệ thể tích giữa AgNO3 và dịch chiết lá vối và thời gian phản ứng đến quá trình tạo nano Ag. Điều kiện tối ưu để tổng hợp nano Ag sử dụng dịch chiết lá vối gồm nồng độ AgNO3 4 mM, tỷ lệ thể tích Vdịch chiết /VAgNO3 = 4:100, nồng độ alginate 1%, thời gian phản ứng 45 phút tại nhiệt độ phòng. Dung dịch nano Ag thu được có màu vàng nâu đồng nhất. Kết quả đo TEM, SEM, XRD và FT-IR của các mẫu cho thấy nano Ag đã được tổng hợp thành công; hạt nano có dạng hình cầu, cấu trúc đồng đều với kích thước hạt khoảng 19,0–26,6 nm

Morphometrics allometry changes and sexual dimorphism in Caragobius urolepis (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae)

The present study reported an alternative way of sex-determining for scaleless worm goby Caragobius urolepis based on the regression relationship of some morphological parameters. A total of 328 samples were collected at the trawl nets in two coastal regions in Bac Lieu and Ca Mau from April to August 2022. After collection, the samples were transported to the laboratory in order to measure the total length (TL), body height (BD), head length (HL), the distance of eye (DE), and mouth width (MD) before surgery for accurate sex determination based on gonads. Regression analysis results of TL-BD (growth pattern A+ in females and I in males), TL-HL (growth pattern A+ in females and A- in males), and TL- MD (growth pattern A- in females and A+ in males) could be used to determine the sex of this fish. Moreover, TL-DE and TL-BD could be used to estimate when the samples were collected, e.g , in the dry or wet season, because DE and BD displayed A+ in the wet season but A- in the dry one. The findings could be used as an alternative way to determine fish sex and catching season for this species and others in the Mekong Delta

Synthesis of Gold Nanobipyramids by Seed-mediated Method and Santibacterial Activities

Metallic nanoparticles as antibacterial agents have been studied for several years. The most used antibacterial nanoparticles are silver nanoparticles. The mechanisms and  antibacterial properties of silver nanoparticles are well known, but the effects of gold nanoparticles, especially gold Nano bipyramids, are not considered. In this research, we synthesized gold nanobipyramids (NBPs) by seed mediated method using surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). After preparing, gold nanobipyramids is removed CTAB and modified the surface using polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan as the stabilizers. Besides, antibacterial effects of gold nanobipyramids on both Escherichia coli (Gram negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive) are investigated in this paper. The results show that gold nanobipyramids have good antibacterial activities even at low concentration. The optimal concentration of stabilizers and gold nanobipyramids in antibacterial activities are also studied in this paper

Prognostic Values of Serum Lactate-to-Bicarbonate Ratio and Lactate for Predicting 28-Day IN-Hospital Mortality in Children With Dengue Shock Syndrome

This study aimed to assess the clinical utility of blood lactate-to-bicarbonate (L/B) ratio, as a prognostic factor for 28-day in-hospital mortality in children with dengue shock syndrome (DSS), admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). This single-center retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary children hospital in southern Vietnam from 2013 to mid-2022. Prognostic models for DSS mortality were developed, using a predefined set of covariates in the first 24 hours of PICU admission. Area under the curves (AUCs), multivariable logistic and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regressions, bootstrapping and calibration slope were performed. A total of 492 children with DSS and complete clinical and biomarker data were included in the analysis, and 26 (5.3%) patients died. The predictive values for DSS mortality, regarding lactate showing AUC 0.876 (95% CI, 0.807-0.944), and that of L/B ratio 0.867 (95% CI, 0.80-0.934) (P values of both biomarkers \u3c .001). The optimal cutoff point of the L/B ratio was 0.25, while that of lactate was 4.2 mmol/L. The multivariable model showed significant clinical predictors of DSS fatality including severe bleeding, cumulative amount of fluid infused and vasoactive-inotropic score (\u3e30) in the first 24 hours of PICU admission. Combined with the identified clinical predictors, the L/B ratio yielded higher prognostic values (odds ratio [OR] = 8.66, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.96-38.3; P \u3c .01) than the lactate-based model (OR = 1.35, 95% CI, 1.15-1.58; P \u3c .001). Both the L/B and lactate models showed similarly good performances. Considering that the L/B ratio has a better prognostic value than the lactate model, it may be considered a potential prognostic biomarker in clinical use for predicting 28-day mortality in PICU-admitted children with DSS