Articles

Exploring challenges of online learning in the context of Ba Ria – Vung Tau University by English Major students

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This study aims to find out challenges of English major students in conducting online learning at Ba Ria – Vung Tau University (BVU). The research results were found by analyzing quantitative data by introducing survey to 160 English major students; the qualitative data was summarized by 15 English major students and 10 teachers from the interview. The results revealed many difficulties by the evaluation and perception of both students and teachers. The aspect of support is the highest while the lowest belonged to the challenges in aspect of the environment. Meanwhile, the challenges in aspect of collaboration were at the second position and the third position is about students’ attitude towards online learning. About challenges relating to equipment, the result was at the fourth position. Additionally, further discussions and recommendations on challenges that English major students encountered during online learning were also proposed.

Lived Experiences of Grade – 11 Stem Students in Mathematics Using Modular Distance Learning

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This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of Grade – 11 STEM students in mathematics using modular distance learning. With the aim of understanding the challenges, coping strategies, support systems, emotional factors, and perceived advantages associated with this learning modality, the research design employed a phenomenological approach. Data collection involved one-on-one interviews with 12 participants, and thematic analysis was utilized to identify common themes. The findings revealed challenges in understanding complex topics, managing the modular structure, and dealing with distractions and connectivity issues. Participants adapted through self-regulated learning, utilization of online resources, and independent learning strategies. The study highlighted the importance of teacher and parental support, effective guidance, and the promotion of positive emotional experiences. The advantages identified include access to information, flexible time management, and autonomous exploration of resources. The implications of these findings would contribute to the design and implementation of educational interventions, addressing challenges, and enhancing distance learning experiences. The study concluded by offering recommendations for educators, policymakers, and researchers to optimize distance learning programs and support student success.

The Adoption of Blended Learning as an Emerging Mode of Learning among EFL Students: Current Challenges and Future Directions

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Blended learning is one of the well-known concepts that has emerged as a result of the significant impact that technology has had on learning and teaching. The latter has created obstacles that have greatly influenced learning while also bringing new opportunities to learn from. In order to ascertain students’ perceptions of this type of learning and weigh the advantages and disadvantages to ensure best practices that support the quality of online learning, the current study was conducted among EFL students at three Moroccan universities (Dhar Mehraz University, Sais University, and Moulay Ismail University). 304 EFL students who successfully completed an online survey were included in the study. According to the quantitative and qualitative data collected, it was found that EFL students are thrilled with this approach to learning as they are prepared to switch from traditional learning to blended learning due to its benefits, such as self-paced learning, increased student engagement, flexibility, and cost effectiveness. The findings also indicated that EFL students encounter several difficulties while employing blended learning, which include procrastination, distraction, content overload, technical issues, and plagiarism.

Cultural Practices against Women in Nigeria: The Media Frames and the Challenges

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This study set out to investigate the patterns of framing of cultural practices against women by the media in Nigeria; as well as the challenges of framing the practices in South East Nigeria. The major objectives were to determine the frequency of coverage, the framing patterns and the constraints to media coverage. The survey method was employed to study a sample of 276 journalists in South East Nigeria using the questionnaire as instrument for data collection to determine their opinions about the challenges of media coverage of the practices. Also, content analysis method was employed to study the frequency of coverage of the practices in select radio, television and newspaper contents; as well as to determine framing patterns. In the end, it was found that both radio and television stations gave adequate coverage to the practices while the newspapers’ level of coverage was low. It was also found that the patterns of framing ranges from condemnatory stance to revealing the consequences on the societal development and to clamouring for review, amendment and eradication of the practices. However, challenges of coverage were lack of enabling laws, family and religious link to practices, sacredness and secrecy of the practices, etc.  It is, therefore, recommended that the media, policy makers, NGOs, community leaders, etc should find ways of ameliorating the identified hitches so as to enable hitch-free coverage of cultural practices so that analysis would be pragmatic.

 

Pedagogical Challenges and Opportunities during Covid-19 Pandemic: Perspectives from the Pre-Service and High School Teachers

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This study aimed to determine the pedagogical challenges and opportunities of the Pre-Service and high school teachers in the new normal education.  The sample size was determined using the slovins formula and 13 pre-service teachers, and 26 High School Teachers were the participants. Descriptive and inferential were used. Findings revealed that most of the respondents were 21-26 years old, female, high school teachers, and situated mostly in urban areas. The conduct of online classes was the major challenge faced by both pre-service and high school teachers for they used to conduct classroom teaching for many years. The online teaching-learning modality was successfully implemented to practice teaching as a mission to facilitate students learning through various online strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Age, sex, type of respondents, and locality did not show a significant degree of variance in the extent of the pedagogical challenges and opportunities they encountered. The locality has a significant degree of variance in terms of teaching-learning engagement and opportunities for teaching-learning platforms. Hence, seminars and workshops on online pedagogies and online assessment tools strategies to facilitate online teaching more engaging was recommended.

Challenges of Teaching and Learning English at Undergraduate Level: A Case Study

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This paper is an attempt to investigate the challenges or problems regarding teaching and learning English as a compulsory subject at the undergraduate level of Panjab University Constituent College Dharamkot (PUCCD). The study discusses both the perspective of teachers and learners using case study model. Classroom observation, questionnaire, and textbook analysis are used as methodology. The triangulation of data results out the challenges of teaching and learning English language which is faced by both the students and teachers in this college and points out some basic solutions regarding that.

Assessment of Challenges Experienced Among Households on Promotion of Sanitation Practices in Tigania West Sub County, Meru County, Kenya

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A poorly constructed toilet may deter its use and provoke open defecation. Globally, 2.5 billion people do not have access to improved sanitation facilities. In Kenya, over 5 million people are forced to defecate in the open due to challenges associated with toilet construction and use resulting in high prevalence of water, sanitation and hygiene-related diseases such diarrhea. This study therefore sought to profile the challenges experienced on promotion of sanitation practices among households in Tigania West, with a view of yielding insights on promotion of safe disposal of human waste. Questionnaires, interview guide and observations were used to collect data in a mixed study design. Systematic and purposive sampling technique was employed to select respondents and the data analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 and audio recordings were transcribed into text and then analyzed thematically.  73.4% of the residents lacked adequate space for toilet construction and (26.6%) who did not. (69.1%) of respondents had limited toilet construction materials, (11.8%) had challenge in toilet construction in rocky soils. Loose/collapsing soils were 9.4% (4.6 %) and financial constrains were (5.1%). 75.3% encountered culture challenges which affected toilet construction. More than half 64.9% had problems with sanitation facilities sharing (n=225).Sanitation practices had a significant positive correlation with cultural practices (0.119 (p=0.003<0.05), sharing of toilets (0.142; p=0.002<0.05), space availability in the household (0.098; p=0.004<0.005) and financial challenges (0.074; p=0.004<0.005). Innovative approaches to toilet construction using locally available materials, training and subsidies together with behavioral change sensitization could improve sanitation among households of Tigania West Sub-County.