Effectiveness of Term Projects in Helping Students to Connect Theory with Practice: an Evaluation of Students’ Perspectives.
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2013
Pages:
1-6
Published:
10 January 2013
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of term project in helping students to connect theory with practice. A term project is a hands-on assignment that require students to apply ideas, theories, concepts, or principles learned or studied in class to a new situation/real life scenario. Term projects in ENVS 4413 Principles of eco-industrial development are designed to help students connect theory with practice. The aim is to enhance students' learning of the course materials and to give them experiential knowledge of how the course materials are applied in the workplace. Students’ survey and students' reflective journals are among the data gathering methods used. They were incorporated components of the ENVS 4413 course. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used in analyzing how term project help students to connect theory with practice. The survey data was statistically analyzed to provide quantitative evidence on whether term project helps students to connect theory with practice or not. Reflective journal provided observational data for an explanation of survey findings. Data analysis showed that students found the term project helpful in connecting theory with practice. They found industrial visit to partnering companies to be the most helpful aspect of the term project. Data collection and conceptual model development were the least interesting aspect to them. It can be concluded from students' perspectives that term project is helping students to connect theory with practice. This assures the compliance of the Bachelor of Applied Environmental Science (BAES) degree program with the original program design and facilitates the success of MRU's BAES degree students.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of term project in helping students to connect theory with practice. A term project is a hands-on assignment that require students to apply ideas, theories, concepts, or principles learned or studied in class to a new situation/real life scenario. Term projects in ENVS 4413 Principles of ec...
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E-Reading among Students of the Political Studies and International Relations Faculty of the Nicolauscopernicus University in Torun (Poland)
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2013
Pages:
7-12
Published:
10 January 2013
Abstract: This paper considers students’ attitudes towards e-reading. The author presents the results of a studyconducted from 2003 to 2012 among students atNicolaus Copernicus University that examined students’ attitudes towards electronic resources. The studyutilized the results of other researchers. The results of the study indicate that despite the increasing availability of electronic publications on the Polish market, they are not becoming more popular among students, at least not among those students that comprised the researched group. This is undoubtedly connected with the respondents’ modest reading needs, which are being insufficiently developed at Polish schools. After the reforms of 1999, Polish education has focused solely on test-driven examinations of students’ knowledge and abilities. The results of the research presented in this paper unambiguously indicate that interest in online magazines, as well as digital libraries in which the holdings are becoming more and more extensive, is decreasing.
Abstract: This paper considers students’ attitudes towards e-reading. The author presents the results of a studyconducted from 2003 to 2012 among students atNicolaus Copernicus University that examined students’ attitudes towards electronic resources. The studyutilized the results of other researchers. The results of the study indicate that despite the incre...
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The Grouping Together of the Nine Official African Languages for Academic Purposes: an Instance of Alien Rule
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2013
Pages:
13-15
Published:
10 January 2013
Abstract: While it has become established practice, the grouping together of the nine official African languages for academic purposes neglects the individual teaching and learning, use and status of these languages in the higher education system in South Africa. Drawing principally on Dubrow and Friedman’s argument, I argue that the grouping together for academic purposes of the nine official African languages rests on academic receivership of the ‘African languages’ domain, enhanced by Bantu philologists. Now redefined, ‘African languages’ as an entity has become a force influencing the teaching and learning of and research relating to the nine official African languages – isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga. The discussion focuses on the status of the nine official African languages at South African universities and their grouping under the umbrella of ‘African languages’.
Abstract: While it has become established practice, the grouping together of the nine official African languages for academic purposes neglects the individual teaching and learning, use and status of these languages in the higher education system in South Africa. Drawing principally on Dubrow and Friedman’s argument, I argue that the grouping together for ac...
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