Ergonomic Based Design and Survey of Elementary School Furniture

Vol.9  No.4

Year: 2014

Issue : Mar-May

Title : Ergonomic Based Design and Survey of Elementary School Furniture

Author Name : Maheshwar, Chandrashekhar Jawalkar

Synopsis :

This paper presents the ergonomic aspects in designing and prototyping of desks cum chairs used in elementary schools. The procedures adopted for the assessment included- the study of existing school furniture, design analysis and development of prototypes. The design approach proposed a series of adjustable desks and chairs developed in terms of ergonomic concepts. In the development stage, the production cost, ease of management, installation and storage were the important factors undertaken. A questionnaire based subjective comfort evaluation survey was carried out on the developed prototypes and the results showed good response and satisfaction levels upto an overall 94 %. The details on the ergonomically designed prototype, its development process and customer satisfaction survey have been elaborated in this paper.

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Constructivist Learning Environments and Defining the Online Learning Community

Vol.9  No.4

Year: 2014

Issue : Mar-May

Title : Constructivist Learning Environments and Defining the Online Learning Community

Author Name : Loren Brown

Synopsis :

The online learning community is frequently referred to, but ill defined. The constructivist philosophy and approach to teaching and learning is both an effective means of constructing an online learning community and it is a tool by which to define key elements of the learning community. In order to build a nurturing, self-sustaining online learning community, teachers who follow the constructivist philosophy allow students to self-discover, to evaluate and reflect on the progress innate to their own learning, while providing the function of a guide and a coach during the learning process. A constructivist learning environment is evident by students who take charge of their own learning outcomes in a student-centered environment, by students who work collaboratively with other students to create their own goals and learning parameters, and by the demonstration of respect for other learners whose approaches and experiences are extensively different. The online learning community is defined by the idea that effective learning and the presence of a community are intrinsically linked. Community is established and reinforced when staff and other students interact in a manner that demonstrates genuine caring for each other, which in turn translates into increased learning and teaching efficacy. The constructivist approach creates effective learning environments by forming, fostering, and maintaining the presence of community in the distance learning venue.

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An Integrated Approach to the Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics Utilizing Technology – The Teachers' Perspective

Vol.9  No.4

Year: 2014

Issue : Mar-May

Title : An Integrated Approach to the Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics Utilizing Technology – The Teachers' Perspective

Author Name : Jennifer Johnston, MAIRE NI RIORDAIN, GRAINNE WALSHE

Synopsis :

The concept and importance of curriculum integration in Science and Mathematics has come to the fore in the recent years (Czerniak, 2007). Ireland's Science and Mathematics performance is well documented and extensively reported in the media and elsewhere (e.g. Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, 2008; Task Force on the Physical Sciences, 2002). Concern primarily lies with the post-primary students' underperformance in science and mathematics, coupled with a failure to make a successful transition to third level scientifically and mathematically orientated undergraduate courses. The aim of this study was to design, develop, implement and evaluate an integrated approach to the teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics in second level schools in Ireland. This was undertaken through the integration of a handheld graphic calculator known as ‘TI-NspireTM’ into first year classes (age 12 -13 year olds) of science and mathematics. This integration was assisted by the development and implementation of a unit of learning on distance, speed and time, with specific lesson plans which integrated the teaching and learning of both subjects by utilising the TINspireTM. The methodology of this research project was an exploratory year-long case study of three second level schools in Ireland and their implementation of the unit of learning in their respective schools. This paper focuses on the teachers' perspective of the integration of mathematics and science teaching and learning utilising technology. The study was qualitative in nature and was evaluated through a teacher's perspective where a teacher focuses on group interviews and independent lesson observations. The key finding emerging from the data is that the integration of mathematics and science was lost in coping with the technology demands required in implementing the unit of learning.

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Understanding Modular Learning - Developing a Strategic Plan to Embrace Change

Vol.9  No.4

Year: 2014

Issue : Mar-May

Title : Understanding Modular Learning - Developing a Strategic Plan to Embrace Change

Author Name : Dr. Jill Friestad-Tate, CAROL SCHUBERT, Dr. Craig McCoy

Synopsis :

The purpose of this descriptive paper was to explore and synthesize literature related to understanding modular learning and how it can be implemented effectively so faculty members embrace its use. An in-depth review of literature addressed topics including, Educational Theories supporting modular learning, the development of modular learning, and innovations in education and technology. Researchers analyzed language patterns used in the literature to develop a common language for and understanding of the concept. Analysis and recommendations as well as a proposed definition of modular learning are included.

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Rubrics and Evaluations

Vol.9  No.4

Year: 2014

Issue : Mar-May

Title : Rubrics and Evaluations

Author Name : J. Skelton, C. Rodgers , ELLIS L., LYLES A

Synopsis :

The authors' discussion will describe how classroom leaders at every academic level can use rubrics as a means of selfassessment. This strategy and the use of the rubric as a tool can help to provide effective feedback that can develop into a constant reflection of how effectively a teacher focuses on student success by means of their instructional success. There are many theories on pedagogy but many do not tie leadership and self-evaluation at the end of the day or week. The authors look to expose a gap in literature that could assist teachers in staying motivated in their instruction and bridge the gap of status-quo instruction with the need to set goals and exceed those self-created goals with student success.

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Status of Higher Secondary School Libraries in Thiruvallur District

Vol.9  No.3

Year: 2014

Issue : Dec-Feb

Title : Status of Higher Secondary School Libraries in Thiruvallur District

Author Name : Seenivasan. M, Dr. N. Ashok Kumar

Synopsis :

Libraries are the main sources of knowledge. They play a major role in fostering reading habit among school children. Hence, it is deemed interactive to study the status of higher secondary school libraries in Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu. For the Analysis 50 Higher Secondary Schools were selected randomly comprising of Government Higher secondary school, Government Aided Higher Secondary School, Private Matriculation Higher Secondary School and Kendriya Vidyalaya from Thiruvallur District. Questionnaires were distributed to the Headmasters/Principals of those schools who participated in the survey. The collected data has been tabulated and analyzed using Simple Parentage Analysis. The result showed that 35 schools (70%) have libraries; where as 15 schools (30%) don't have libraries in their schools. It is also found that only 27 schools (54%) have appointed fulltime librarians, but 23 schools don't have qualified librarians. From the results, it has been concluded that the school libraries functioning in Kendriya Vidyalaya's and Private Matriculation Higher Secondary Schools are in a remarkable state, where as Libraries in Government Higher Secondary Schools and Government Aided Higher Secondary Schools are in a poor state.

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A Study of Occupational Stress and Organizational Climate of Higher Secondary Teachers

Vol.9  No.3

Year: 2014

Issue : Dec-Feb

Title : A Study of Occupational Stress and Organizational Climate of Higher Secondary Teachers

Author Name : A.Sneha Benedicta

Synopsis :

This study mainly aims to describe the occupational stress and organizational climate of higher secondary teachers with regard to gender, locality, family type, experience and type of management. Simple random sampling technique was adopted for the selection of sample. The data is collected from 200 higher secondary teachers from government and private schools. The tool used in this study is Santhappan's Teacher Stress Source Scale and Organizational Climate Scale (1987). In this study, the investigator found that the higher secondary teachers are having high occupational stress and need better organizational climate.

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Professional Development and Mentoring In Support of Teacher Retention

Vol.9  No.3

Year: 2014

Issue : Dec-Feb

Title : Professional Development and Mentoring In Support of Teacher Retention

Author Name : C. Rodgers, J. Skelton

Synopsis :

The authors' discussion will describe how teacher retention is in jeopardy. Many novice teachers are ill-prepared to handle the rigorous school days and challenging students academically and behaviorally (Stansbury & Zimmerman, 2002). Novice teachers need guidance and support to ease tensions and stress levels which arise during teaching (Bolin, 2008). Common preparation periods and team teaching is an effective form of staff development (Lewis et al., 1999). Teamwork makes stronger teachers to help weaker teachers and produce improvements in teaching by sharing techniques and information. This has led to the need for staff developments that encourage mentoring to help teacher retention rates.

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Social media and education: Perceptions and need for support

Vol.9  No.3

Year: 2014

Issue: Dec-Feb

Title : Social media and education: Perceptions and need for support

Author Name : Daniel Mourlam

Synopsis :

Social media has become a way of life. Society has become very connected, yet the classroom still remains quite isolated, from other teachers, students, experts, parents, the community, and a host of others who could potentially enhance learning. There are a number of different ways by which schools and teachers could open their classrooms to the rest of the world, and social media constitutes one of those ways. This study sought to examine one of those ways through the implementation of a Facebook Group in a high school social studies course to determine student and instructor perceptions, as well as to better understand how social media could be implemented in the educative process. The results of this study indicate that, there may be a potential for social media use in the teaching and learning process, but only if the innovation is supported throughout its implementation.

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ICT To Support of Ideation Via General Education

Vol.9  No.3

Year: 2014

Issue: Dec-Feb

Title : ICT To Support of Ideation Via General Education

Author Name : Gisli Thorsteinsson

Synopsis :

This paper reports a case study series of four related case study lessons, set up as a course using a Virtual Reality Learning Environment (VRLE) to support the students' ideation skills in Innovation Education (IE) in Icelandic conventional classroom. The IE course content and preparation is described. Overall aims, objectives and research questions for the case study series are stated and specific data collection methods explained. Triangulated findings are reported as categories and results are discussed and analysed. Subsequently, the following research questions are answered. 

1. How could the VRLE be used with IE material in a conventional classroom? 

2. What pedagogical factors influence the innovation process, where the VRLE is used?

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