Search

Idiomatics--the scientific study of idiomatic language and figurative language--is a pervasive theme in global literature, yet its precise terminology often lacks clear definition. This article addresses this challenge directly by delving into the etymology, significance, and universality of idiomatics. It emphasizes the pivotal role of idiomatics in understanding human behavior and language development, stressing its interdisciplinary relevance. Advocating for idiomatics to gain recognition as a distinct academic discipline, the article calls for the establishment of clear boundaries and methodologies within academia. It concludes with a compelling appeal for collective action, urging idiomatists worldwide to unite under the imperative "Make it happen!" To this end, it presents ten strategic priorities that transcend geographical and linguistic divides, uniting researchers and language professionals in a common mission to advance idiomatics. These priorities underscore the urgency of addressing the current state of idiomatics and shaping its future trajectory, emphasizing the need for decisive action and collaboration. Through concerted efforts, the article seeks to propel idiomatics into new heights of understanding and application across diverse linguistic and cultural contexts, one priority at a time.

The researchers examined the relationship between informal digital gameplay and learner profiles in two Japanese private universities. Seventy-eight participants responded to 59 items on a digital questionnaire that consisted of four sections: 1) Learner Profiles, 2) Digital Game Usage, 3) Open-Responses, and 4) Demographics. The results of the study demonstrated that students positively identified with the learner profiles featured on the questionnaire (M = 3.80). The highest mean values were associated with the profiles of Digital Citizen (M = 4.30) and Knowledge Constructor (M = 4.15). It was discovered that participants engaged in digital gameplay most often with smartphones (M = 3.64) and game consoles (M = 2.79). Simulation (M = 2.81) and real-time strategy (M = 2.66) games were the most frequently played. The results of a Pearson Product Moment Correlation showed that there was no significant relationship between informal digital gameplay and learner profiles. Furthermore, self-identified gamers and non-gamers did not significantly differ on the Learner Profile Total Scale or subscales.

Researchers have considered how school choice policies affect student achievement, but less inquiry explores how the organization of schools may change in the presence of choice. This descriptive and exploratory paper analyzes a state representative sample of school mission statements at two time points: before the enactment of choice policies in Indiana, namely the Indiana Choice Scholarship Program, and again six years into the policy. Using structural topic modeling, this paper examines whether and how school mission statements topics have changed over this period. Descriptive findings suggest mission statement topics differ significantly between sectors but show few changes over time. The most striking shift is that Catholic and other private religious schools appear to be clarifying the religious aspects of their mission in the presence of robust choice policies.

Emerging technologies are transforming educational practices, but successful integration requires improving the quality and efficiency of learning. New technology emerges in hype cycles but adoption and performance lag over time. A strategy development framework is needed for decision-makers to understand the complex interaction of all the factors to consider when making new technology investments. The research explores how strategy development occurs through the dynamic interaction of strategy with learning, and technology integration. It analyses the key elements of a strategy map for learning with technology and how they influence each other within the overall strategy map. The research design integrated the different cycles of Design Science Research (DSR) with a modified Delphi Technique in two phases of research. During the first research phase, Delphi panel members were interviewed to understand current challenges and practices in learning with technology. The results of the literature review and thematic data analysis from the interviews were used to create a hypothetical strategy map and a strategy development framework, as an artefact, as part of the DSR process. This framework was shared with Delphi members in the second phase of research, and they were requested to evaluate the framework for its fit and utility in similar contexts of learning with technology. The feedback contributed to the refinement of the artefact and highlighted the key operational focus areas for learning with technology. The key operational focus areas identified were the need to increase the basic technology literacy of students and educators, continuous professional development in terms of online pedagogy, and the need for principles in terms of multimedia design. Other focus areas were an online design blueprint and an improvement in learning and teaching experiences through efficiencies and productivity of ed-tech technologies. This study contributes a strategy development framework for educational technology which enhances theories around the analytical and conceptual processes when planning and implementing new emerging technologies in learning. Analytical processes include external and internal analysis and a SWOT analysis of aspects related to learning with technology. Other key outcomes of the study include a hypothetical strategy map for learning with technology which aligns business objectives to a financial, customer, internal business process and learning and growth perspective.

Students of strategic management are often inundated with a plethora of analytical tools from which they must chose a select few to help them to effectively analyse the forces impacting the sustainable competitiveness of an organisation. Choosing the right tool(s) can be daunting, yet crucial for understanding organizational challenges and crafting relevant and effective strategic solutions. This desk research study explores the utility of analogies and metaphors as pedagogical tools to prepare students to become adept in strategic analysis. Aristotle likened metaphors to puzzles, suggesting that, like puzzles, metaphors engage us in figuring out how one thing resembles another. It is during this active participation and interpreting that makes analogies and metaphors effective in making complex strategy concepts more relatable to students. Through the process of analogical encoding, this conceptual study argues that the medical analogy holds promise for effective scaffolding of students' learning, demystifying abstracts and making them more relatable in addition to structuring thinking across domains as well as promoting critical thinking, decision-making, creativity, problem-solving, collaboration and communication skills - key 21st century skills sought by industry. By leveraging familiar medical analogies, teachers or educators can promote learner-centred authentic learning, simultaneously enhancing the students' learning experience.

Background: The concept of 'learner voice' has received global attention in recent years, frequently credited to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The UNCRC recognises that children have (1) the right to express a view and (2) the right to have the view given due weight. However, in many countries, including South Africa, despite legislation that recognises child rights, there is a relative absence of learner voice and participation in school-level decision-making. Setting: The setting of this continuing professional development (CPD) initiative is GADRA Education, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), in Makhanda Eastern Cape. Method: A consultative participation approach was adopted with Grades 2-4 learners, under the auspices of GADRA Education. Eight child participation consultations were held, followed by a further eight feedback sessions 5 months later. All were audio-recorded. Results: The results of the CPD initiative suggest that the model provides a useful framework for increasing child participation in primary schools. However, further deliberation is necessary 'with' learners around choices related to space, audience, and the alternative 'hat' of the facilitating teacher. Conclusion: Building on our learning, we aim to develop these ideas further through a more sustained research project, involving not only consultative participation but also collaborative participation and child-led participation. Contribution: Insight into the extent to which the Lundy model of child participation (Lundy 2007) can be used as a framework to guide researchers and practitioners in assisting primary school learners to develop their voice and exert influence in matters concerning them.

School management committees' (SMCs) roles are crucial in the smooth, unfettered administration, development and provision of quality basic education. However, the preponderance of research evidence available indicates that in sub-Saharan Africa SMCs are not adequately involved in preparing and implementing school performance improvement plans (SPIPs). This study surveyed 298 SMC chairpersons and members in the South Tongu District (STD) of Ghana to investigate their knowledge and participation in SPIPs. The results showed that SMC members' limited knowledge of and low involvement in SPIP preparation and implementation were lower than the Ghana Education Service required, which hindered success and contribution to high quality teaching and learning in the schools. These results have implications for improving the quality of education for all by increasing their access to data, technical assistance, and financial resources at the basic school level. We recommend against this backdrop that the STD Education Directorate, in collaboration with the STD Assembly, conduct periodic training workshops, reward success, and provide clear guidelines and expectations to increase SMC members' knowledge and participation in successful SPIP preparation and implementation. Further research needs to focus on SMC members' capacity for sustained school improvement through education policy initiatives at the district and school levels.

In a higher education context, students are expected to take charge of their learning by deciding "what" to learn and "how" to learn. While the learning analytics (LA) community has seen increasing research on the "how" to learn part (i.e., researching methods for supporting students in their learning journey), the "what" to learn part is still underinvestigated. We present a case study of curriculum analytics and its application to a dataset of 243 students of the bachelor's program in the broad discipline of health sciences to explore the effects of course choices on students' academic performance. Using curriculum metrics such as grading stringency, course temporal position, and duration, we investigated how course choices differed between high- and low-performing students using both temporal and sequential analysis methods. We found that high-performing students were likely to pick an elective course of low difficulty. It appeared that these students were more strategic in terms of their course choices than their low-performing peers. Generally, low-performing students seemed to have made suboptimal choices when selecting elective courses; e.g., when they picked an elective course of high difficulty, they were less likely to pick a following course of low difficulty. The findings of this study have design implications for researchers, program directors, and coordinators, because they can use the results to (i) update the course sequencing, (ii) guide students about course choices based on their current GPA (such as through course recommendation dashboards), (iii) identify bottleneck courses, and (iv) assist higher education institutions in planning a more balanced course roadmap to help students manage their workload effectively.

The quality of the data and the amount of correct information available is key to informed decision-making. Higher education institutions (HEIs) often employ various decision support systems (DSSs) to make better choices. However, there is a lack of systems to assist with decision-making to promote innovation in teaching and learning. In this study, we evaluate an analytic tool called PROF-XXI that supports strategic decision-making of teaching and learning centres (TLCs) by identifying their competencies in teaching and learning innovation. Through a multiple case study conducted with three Latin American universities and supported by quantitative and qualitative data, we observed how this tool is used and how it facilitates strategic decision-making. Our findings indicate that the tool is accessible, user-friendly, and effective in 1) initiating identification and systematic reflection of institutional competency levels in teaching and learning innovation, 2) enhancing understanding of strengths and weaknesses as well as identifying opportunities for innovation, 3) supporting TLCs with short- and long-term decision-making, and 4) continuously evaluating their strategies, programs, and initiatives. This research can benefit policymakers in higher education who are involved in measuring institutional competencies to improve teaching quality or in making strategic decisions related to teaching and learning innovation.

The objective of this study is twofold: 1) To examine the current situations, desired conditions, and requirements for participation in quality assurance efforts of small schools under the Office of the Basic Education Commission; 2) To explore developmental guidelines for enhancing the quality assurance practices of these educational institutions. The research methodology involved: 1) surveying to assess the current situations, desired conditions, and essential requirements; and 2) investigating development guidelines embedded in the working processes of three schools with the best educational assurance practices. The sample groups included 385 persons who were school administrators and teachers. Research tools included a survey form, interview forms, and an assessment form, which was verified and approved by nine qualified individuals. Data analysis involved content validation and factor analysis. The statistics also indicated the correctness, appropriateness, feasibility, and utility of the information. The statistical techniques used in the research included basic statistics and the analysis of essential requirements. The findings of the study revealed the following: 1) The current situation of the participation in educational quality assurance efforts of the small schools was rated at a moderate level, with the highest level of the desired conditions. An area of the requirements that was rated with the highest score of development priority was active participation in quality assurance; 2) The developmental guidelines for quality assurance practices in educational institutions encompassed five domains with a total of 16 strategies. The experts' evaluation of these domains indicated a high level of accuracy, while appropriateness, feasibility, and utility were scored at the highest level.

The objectives of this mixed-method study were to develop strategies for sustainable leadership of school administrators under the Secondary Educational Service Area Office Nakhon Phanom. There were 4 research methods: phase I) identify the components of sustainable leadership of school administrators by interviewing 5 experts and confirming factors by 5 experts, phase II) develop strategies for sustainable leadership in a focus group including 7 people, phase III) validate the appropriateness, feasibility and utility of sustainable leadership development by collected of data which comprised 84 school administrators using multi-stage random sampling, and phase IV) produce a user manual of strategies by 5 experts for validate the appropriateness of user manual. The findings were as follows: I) There were four main components in the sustainable leadership of school administrators, namely 1) depth 2) breadth 3) vision, and 4) media literacy. All of the components have appropriateness at the highest level and feasibility at the high. II) The strategies for the development of sustainable leadership of school administrators comprised a vision, 6 missions, 6 objectives, 7 strategies, 61 operational approaches, and 25 indicators. III) The appropriateness, feasibility, and utility of the strategies for the development of sustainable leadership of school administrators were at the highest level. IV) The user manual of the strategies for the development of sustainable leadership of school administrators obtained the overall appropriateness at the highest level.

This research overview investigates the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education, focusing on challenges encountered during the shift to online learning. Drawing insights from studies in New Zealand, Oman, Malaysia, and Germany, the overview explores diverse experiences of educators and students. The abrupt transition to online learning revealed significant challenges, as indicated by various studies. Opportunities for positive changes in education systems are emphasized, advocating for a reimagining of education through innovative practices. This literature review identifies practical and effective strategies for online education, including fostering a sense of community, providing personalized support and feedback, accommodating divers e-learner needs, and considering the learning environment and cognition. Insights from various studies underscore the importance of these practices in overcoming challenges and improving online education quality.

This paper aims to determine the challenges and recommendations of an effective writing retreat, investigated from the attendees' experiences and the facilitators of writing retreats held by an accounting college of an (Open distance e-learning) ODeL institution from 2016 to 2022. The researchers purposively sampled sixteen researchers for interviews from the attendees of the writing retreats, namely--four proven researchers, four emerging researchers, eight developing researchers--and two organisers. The researchers captured the participants' experiences during the writing retreats, challenges, and recommendations for an effective writing retreat. The findings reveal that writing retreats face budget approval issues, undefined objectives, noise, unfocused attendees and non-stop emails and calls from work. Recommendations for effective writing retreats were: organisers need timely budgetary support from the organisation, researchers need subject experts, peer review, ongoing support, accountability, clear retreat objectives, and attendees setting pre-retreat goals to improve the retreat's success. Additionally, a far-from-home venue and tranquil environment are important.

The objective of this study was to study the composition and indicators of innovative organizations of secondary schools under the Office of the Basic Education Commission using research papers study principles and concepts. Then, data was collected, analyzed, and synthesized to obtain the composition and indicators of the innovative organization of secondary schools under the Office of the Basic Education Commission. The tools used to collect data included document notes and assessment forms for the suitability of elements and indicators by confirming elements and indicators from 9 experts. Among the informants are notable people. Three expert groups' credentials are ascertained by Purposive Sampling: Group 1: Academic staff members in postsecondary education establishments who hold a Ph.D. in education, educational administration, or a related field and are assistant professors or higher. Group 2: Educational Administrators having a Ph.D. in Education and a minimum of five years' experience in the field. Group 3 consists of school administrators who have at least five years of experience managing schools and a doctorate in educational administration. The results of the study showed that 1) the innovative organizational composition of secondary schools under the Office of the Basic Education Commission consisted of 5 components: (1) Vision and Strategy, (2) Organizational Structure, (3) Organizational Culture, (4) Human Resource Development and (5) organizational communication. 2) Elements and indicators of vision and strategy are most appropriate, 3) Elements and Indicators of organizational structure are most appropriate, 4) Elements and Indicators of Human Resource Development and 5) Elements and Indicators of corporate communication are most appropriate.

This study has two main objectives: (1) to analyze how different constituencies (students, teachers, and community partners) in service-learning courses at VU Amsterdam (Netherlands) responded to the COVID-19 crisis during the first outbreak and (2) to investigate the effects of these responses on reciprocal interactions between them. Our results show that the switch to an online environment caused a high burden on teachers. However, their motivation, adaptability, and creativity have been essential to safeguard students' academic outcomes and the benefit to community partners. Also, the responses to the COVID-19 crisis have created opportunities for urgent and relevant community-based activities and for new conceptualizations of community. This article presents the current state of the impact of a crisis situation on experiential pedagogies such as service-learning and provides recommendations on how to safeguard different types of reciprocity in an online environment and better respond to crises in the future.

Local leaders are essential for helping Michigan achieve its 30-year water strategy goals. The Michigan Water School is an Extension nonformal educational program to address the knowledge gap of local leaders. We evaluated programs conducted from 2017 to 2019. Results revealed program outcomes in knowledge, attitudes, perceptions of criticalness to work, and stewardship and behavioral intentions aligned to water quality, water quantity, and field experience units. Growth areas for program improvement include water policy, economics, planning, and finance as well as expanding the focus of the program for transformational leadership and to broaden recruitment efforts.

The objective of this study is to investigate the principals' leadership skills in elementary schools to meet the national educational strategy outcomes based on the teachers' views. A quantitative- descriptive approach was applied. The questionnaire was used to collect data. The validity of the questionnaire was measured and the reliability results using Cronbach alpha were 0.948 for educational leadership skills and 0.859 for educational outcomes. The questionnaire was distributed in both male and female schools. A random sample of 385 teachers was included. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling to measure the effects of different variables. The findings indicated that the teachers in the sample had five to fifteen years of experience. The teachers showed principals in the elementary schools have moderate educational leadership (3.39). The results showed that the highest trait that existed among the principals was crisis management with a high-weight regression coefficient (0.693), visionary leadership (0.653) and ethical leadership (0.601). The effect of adaptability, communication skills and strategic planning was less. The least common traits among the principals of elementary schools were emotional intelligence and decision-making skills. The research suggested establishing a programme for elementary school principals to develop their leadership skills in order to support the achievement of national educational objectives.

This study aims to study the Current Conditions, Desirable Conditions, and Necessary Needs of Educational Management according to standards for Excellence of Sub -- District Non -- Formal and Informal Education Centre. And to study educational management guidelines according to the Sub -- District Non -- Formal and Informal Education Centre Standards for Excellence. There were two steps: Step 1: Study the Current Conditions, Desirable Conditions, and Needs of educational management standards of Sub -- District Non -- Formal and Informal Education Centre Standards for Excellence. The sample consisted of 40 school administrators and 328 of the heads of Sub -- District Non -- Formal and Informal Education Centre, a total of 368 attended in the academic year 2022 using Multi-stage Random Sampling. Step 2: Study the standard educational management guidelines. The informants are qualified by studying best practices from five Models of Sub -- District Non -- Formal and Informal Education Centres, two persons, totaling ten people, by specific sampling. The research instruments: 1) The Current Conditions and Desirable Conditions Questionnaire following educational management according to standards for Excellence of Sub--District Non--Formal and Informal Education Centre, a 5-level rating scale. 2) Semi-structured interview 3) The Educational Management Approach Assessment Form is a 5-level estimation scale with statistics used to analyze the data, including mean, standard deviation, priority sorting of PNI[subscript modified] data, and content analysis. The results showed that 1) the current condition as a whole and in terms of study is at a high level; Overall desirable conditions are at the highest level. One aspect is at the highest level: six are at the highest level. Considering the necessary needs, it found that the needs of educational management according to the standards. There is a need to develop all seven areas as follows Organizational Leadership, Strategic Planning, Learner and Stakeholder Focus, Knowledge Analysis and Management Measurement, Processing Management, and Personnel Focus. 2) the suggestions were seven aspects and 135 approaches as follows Workshops, Learning from other people, Brainstorming, Operating Integration, Mentoring, and Learning from successful organizations.

State-level governing boards (SLGBs) play integral roles in the leadership and governance of higher education. Oftentimes, though, their role and influence are understated or ignored in scholarship. In this article, the authors recenter the integral impact of these boards and push for a better understanding of their impact on higher education. Specifically, through an examination of 33 strategic plans, the authors consider how SLGBs can better manage the equity challenges within colleges and universities. Recognizing that higher education governance is complex and involves many moving parts, the authors present an argument for how SLGBs can influence postsecondary equity work. This article helps elucidate how SLGBs intersect with prevailing equity discourses and support higher education leaders to better recognize and understand the surreptitious ways equity is absent from pivotal discourses despite the best intentions and measured efforts of entities such as state-level governing boards.

Ball State University's (BSU) bold strategic plan, which was drafted in 2019, states that all students will have access to one of four specific High Impact Practices (Immersive Learning, Undergraduate Research, Study Abroad, and Societal Issues) before they graduate. This article documents the key steps that occurred as the Ball State campus worked to meaningfully integrate HIPs into the campus curriculum and culture. It highlights one significant tool--a faculty learning community--and provides testimonials from two faculty members who have been crucial to campus implementation.

This article discusses the knowledge, skills, and mindsets necessary for careers in assessment. The authors outline strategies and techniques to rapidly transition and be successful in assessment roles. Finally, they prepare readers of this work to consider a succession plan for sustained excellence in assessment within their organization.

The integration of research activities in universities of applied sciences (UASs) has led to the transformation of these universities into organisations with two primary processes: research and education. Although many believe in the benefits of combining research and education in one organisation, which is referred to as synergy in this study, research-education synergies have rarely been empirically investigated, particularly in the UAS context. Thus, this research investigates the intended synergy between the research and education of UASs by conducting a document analysis of their university-wide strategic policy. The findings show that UASs aim for synergies among people, UAS organisations and outside UAS organisations, with a focus on education-oriented synergies. This study provides an initial understanding of the strategic aims of UASs considering research--education synergy. The findings provide direction and a framework for future research and form a base for making explicit strategic choices for research--education connections in universities.

To its traditional missions of education and research, the entrepreneurial university adds a 'third mission': knowledge transfer (KT), which aims to contribute to the economic and social development of the university's environment. To this end, it is the role of government to implement regulations and design policies that push universities to be more entrepreneurial. In addition, an entrepreneurial university should interact with industry and society as a whole and implement a clear strategy--endorsed at the highest level--to incorporate the function of KT. However, there has been a lack of critical reflection in the literature about the ways in which universities implement the strategy, and administrators and coordinators, who play a pivotal role in implementing it, are usually underrepresented in university research. The exploratory research presented here addresses this gap by focussing on the current vice-rectors and KTO directors in charge of implementing KT strategy at Spanish universities. Our findings suggest that the respondents think KT is an objective shared by the government; however, they do not perceive it to be an objective for top and middle managers in universities.

This article highlights inherent conflicts between technology industry incentives and a new social contract for education, while arguing for safeguards to mitigate the risk of technology industry engagement in education governance. Business strategies often utilize economies of scale, standardization, and internationalization to maximize profits. These strategies are diametrically opposed to education as a public endeavor and as a reflection of humanity's diverse ways of knowing and being in various local contexts. Technology industry strategies tend to emphasize the disruption of sectors and encourage entrepreneurialism and innovation with an emphasis on outputs, measurement, and impact. These strategies often recast the "good" of education from public to private returns. While appropriate engagement of non-state technology actors in education governance can offer solutions in support of global education goals and a new social contract for education, I argue that such mobilization is multi-sided, simultaneously pushing through innovative, yet untested, education agendas. The article identifies potential risks to systems of public education and reflects upon safeguards, which fall into two main categories: issues of transparency, accountability and legitimacy; and issues of technology management and governance. Proactively addressing inherent conflicts and potential safeguards, I argue, is a key step to identifying ways to strengthen motivations for corporations to forge meaningful long-term investment in a new social contract for education and for the development of education governance structures that are equitable and democratic.

Schools in the rural context of Limpopo Province, South Africa have a plethora of challenges, which have a negative impact on learner achievement. This paper argues that for schools to triumph over the obstacles, effective school leaders are necessary. Such leaders must define and communicate a clear vision and mission and work with stakeholders to achieve them. With these assumptions, this paper explores how members of the school management team (SMT) of a rural school in the Limpopo Province define and communicate their school's vision and mission. Through the qualitative research method underpinned by the interpretive paradigm, a case research design was adopted and a single high school sampled to participate. Data were generated from semi-structured interviews with seven SMT members, a focus-group discussion with six teachers, and an observation of the research site. The findings revealed that most participants could not articulate the school's vision and mission. In addition, stakeholders were not involved in the processes of defining the vision and mission and communication methods in this regard were also ineffective. Lastly, the SMT viewed the vision and mission as fixed and did not review them. Based on these findings, I conclude that SMT members must understand that the vision and mission could serve more than a visual purpose when designed as guiding principles to direct smaller objectives within the organisation.

Institutional change is being called for to renew higher music education (HME). But what institutional pressures, specifically, are driving these calls, and how are HME organisations responding to pressures to change? By turning to institutional theory, we lean on the concept of institutional isomorphism to shed light on how HME organisations may be navigating pressures to appear legitimate in the field to secure organisational survival. Drawing from a comparative case study of two HME organisations from Norway and the Netherlands, in which strategic plans and interview transcripts with students and professors have been analysed, we discuss how change processes are intertwined with an organisational quest for legitimacy. The findings suggest that there are overarching pressures to change in the field of HME and that variables in the institutional environment indicate how processes of change may unfold. Finally, implications of this unveiled landscape are discussed.

Libraries at academic institutions have been involved in research data management services (RDMS) for more than ten years. Institutions have adapted their service models in response to funder, journal, and federal mandates that have consequently increased RDMS demand. However, institutions that hope to start or grow their services may have difficulty extrapolating from thepublished literature, as few studies recount RDMS development strategies.

Strategic planning is a key competency for business management education. This study designed a dual scaffold-oriented strategy planning board game based on cognitive scaffolding and peer scaffolding and combined it with a real-time checking mechanism using mobile technology. The 68 university students were divided into an experimental group for scaffold game-based learning and a control group for case-based discussion learning to investigate the differences in learning effectiveness, flow and learning anxiety, and to explore the technology acceptance, scaffold usefulness, and activity anxiety of the game-based learning group. The results revealed that the learning effectiveness of the experimental group was significantly improved, while there was no significant difference in the control group; the overall flow and technology acceptance of the experimental group were both relatively high; learning anxiety was significantly reduced in both groups, and the experimental group did not have excessive activity anxiety. There were no significant differences in learning anxiety of the two groups. As for scaffolding usefulness evaluation, the proportion of using peer scaffolding was the highest, and the learners thought that using peer scaffolding was helpful for developing their strategic planning skills. It is suggested that the design of the game mechanism in the future can encourage learners to use the cognitive scaffolding and the mobile-based metacognitive scaffolding more often, and the quality of peer discussions may be improved through the real-time evaluation of the metacognitive scaffolding.

The study aims to explore how integrating digital tools and platforms in public management practices can enhance educational outcomes and address the challenges faced by the Indonesian education system. The research methodology employs a qualitative approach, including interviews with key stakeholders, document analysis, and case studies. The results indicate that digital technology can revolutionize teaching and learning methods, promote student engagement, and facilitate access to quality educational resources. However, infrastructure gaps, teacher training, and equitable access to technology remain key concerns. The implications of this study emphasize the need for strategic planning, policy development, and investment in digital infrastructure and teacher professional development programs to effectively leverage digital technology in transforming public management and advancing education in Indonesia.

Language placement tests (LPTs) are used to assess students' proficiency in a progressive manner in the target language. Based on their performance, students are assigned to stepped language courses. These tests are usually considered low stakes because they do not have significant consequences in students' lives, which is perhaps the reason why studies conducted with LPTs are scarce. Nevertheless, tests should be regularly examined, and statistical analysis should be conducted to assess their functioning, particularly when they have a medium or highstakes impact. In the case of LPTs administered on a large-scale, the logistic and administrative consequences of an ill-defined test may lead to an economic burden and unnecessary use of human resources which can also affect students negatively. This study was undertaken at one of the largest public institutions in Latin America. Nearly 1700 students sit an English LPT every academic semester. A diagnostic statistical analysis revealed a need for revision. To retrofit the test, a new test architecture and blueprints were designed in adherence to the new curriculum created following the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. After the institution gave two courses to language instructors in language assessment, new items were developed and tried out gradually in several pilot studies conducted with a sample of actual examinees. Then, Item Response Theory (IRT) was used to examine the functioning of the new test items. The aim of this study is to show how the test was retrofitted, and to compare the functioning of the retrofitted version of the English LPT with the previous one. The results show that the quality of items was higher than that of the former English LPT. This study has implications for the design of language tests administered large-scale in higher education, particularly in (semi) periphery countries that decide to design and administer their own LPTs.

As students' achievement is correlated with self-regulation, finding interventions promoting self-regulated learning (SRL) in online courses is a current focus of research. However, few studies have explored the potential of contract learning in scaffolding and developing SRL in non-traditional learners who have work and family and are at risk of dropout. Here, we investigate the utility of contract learning as an individualized learning approach in developing self-regulation in non-traditional learners during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a qualitative approach, we collected data from the experience of one teacher and seven non-traditional learners in an online English for Specific Purposes (ESP) course. The data were collected from teacher logs over eight months and semi-structured interviews with the students. The results of deductive thematic analysis of the data indicate that contract learning positively affected the forethought, performance, and self-reflection phases. Further, despite the cognitive, emotional, external, motivational, and behavioral challenges aggravated by the pandemic, the teacher's efforts to implement contract learning affected the persistence and effort, goal setting, strategic planning, and time management of most learners (N = 4). Possible reasons for the learners' success and failure and the implications for developing SRL skills in students at risk of dropout in online English courses are discussed.

The article proposes and illustrates a methodological framework that aligns with the action-research models and utopian methodology in particular, although it represents a more substantial leap forward, especially regarding the distributed nature of decision making in the different processes of research/intervention, and its multiple and systematic nature (linking theory, practice and politics). It is developed through four main phases: i) collective identification of the needs and the object of the study, ii) expansive co-design of the action-research, iii) dynamic and multiagency implementation, and iv) critical and participatory reflexive evaluation. It is examined more specifically how the phases proposed here can be illustrated by an ongoing project called 360Education Alliance ("Aliança Educació 360") conducted in the context of Catalonia, Spain. It consists of a partnership presented in January, 2018, that currently involves more than 300 entities for promoting a community vision of education based on improving equity and social justice. Some opportunities deriving from this methodology are mentioned in the conclusion, emphasizing the transversal role of self-criticism as permanent inquiry of multiple agents involved in the process, including the participants themselves.

Because of the scattered pieces of documents both in Khmer and English about the education systems in Cambodia from the prehistoric period to the present, we have tried to collect all the related documents to review and then combined them into one piece. The combined piece from this review makes it a lot easier for all the researchers and readers who want to know about the education system in Cambodia from the past to the present since the piece has highlighted all the stages of the education process in Cambodia along with the review from the look into the history of Cambodia. This article also looks into the future of the education strategic plan (ESP) in Cambodia based on the policy of the Royal Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia and ESP put forth by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS).

This descriptive qualitative study explores lecturers' perspectives on Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT) in New Zealand Tertiary Education Institutions (TEIs) during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Through in-depth semi-structured interviews with the five purposively selected lecturers from four TEIs, this article investigates the challenges and opportunities lecturers experienced in teaching during the pandemic. While the findings showed some opportunities that include enhanced flexibility, teacher creativity, and saving commute time to the workplace, they also demonstrate that the pandemic created three significant challenges of (i) socio-psychological, (ii) technological, and (iii) pedagogical nature. This study recommends that TEIs need to develop a crisis management action plan to mitigate teaching-learning difficulties in a similar kind of situation in the future. Additionally, TEIs could benefit by upskilling their lecturers and students to use digital literacy and virtual teaching and learning.

Using competencies for volunteer organizations and applying those competencies to both situational and servant leadership, the Delphi study method was used to identify leadership competencies necessary for titled leaders within NACADA's Advising Communities Division. Surveys were administered to former and outgoing chairs within the division. Results from 10 experts identified important competencies, including knowledge of the advising community, communication, time management skills, and the ability to conduct meetings. At the end of the chair term, important competencies identified were a deeper knowledge of the advising community; communication; the ability to determine, organize, and prioritize the needs of the advising community; and people management skills. Implications for practice and areas for additional research are discussed.

Disruption is an inevitable factor in business and society, while inability to mitigate and manage risk can cause irreparable damage to business, the economy, and our ways of life. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened interest in standards-based strategies for risk management and crisis preparedness to enhance organizational and societal resilience. University curricula that integrate national and international standards offer students a rich skill-set for effective performance in their careers. Moving forward, we must cultivate capable professionals who understand the challenges and risks facing society, and who grasp standards and systems for strategic planning, response, and recovery to promote organizational resilience and sustainable development. This paper focuses on the effectiveness of integrating risk management and continuity standards into university curricula, based on implementation at a large private university and regional community college in the Northeastern United States. We propose and evaluate a modular approach to introduce students to specific national and international standards, and teach them to identify and apply relevant standards based on the locally driven, whole community nature of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Education using standards-based curriculum and the competencies that result will be key to readiness for tomorrow's graduates.

Education must be accessible to all citizens, including those incarcerated in penitentiaries, to contribute to the socio-economic development of the countries. In Malawi, to enhance incarcerated people's access to quality education in correctional facilities, the Malawi Prisons Service (MPS) included education as a strategic objective in its five-year strategic plan covering the period between 2016 and 2021. This article analysed and compared this strategic education objective against reality to ascertain its implementation and relevance during the implementation period. Guided by Bunning's model of strategic planning, the study employed a qualitative content analysis research method using the 'hybrid approach'. The study mainly used data from the semi-structured interviews involving purposively selected 25 educators and officials from five young offenders' rehabilitation centres in Malawi. Findings revealed a mismatch between the contents of the strategic education objective and the actual reality. The study identified characteristics of Bunning's ritual approach since it was revealed that the strategic plan was developed to please the government and development partners. From the education objective viewpoint, the strategic plan was hardly used during the five years since the educational activities remained the same (even worse) after the implementation period. The young offenders' facilities were still stuck in the punitive philosophy, as evidenced by limited resources in the education section and the management's priority on coerced farming instead of education. It was recommended that the correctional administrations needed to prioritise the provision of quality education for school-aged offenders in correctional policies.

The massive disruptions created by the pandemic forced higher education institutions to reconfigure their operations to ensure the continuity of teaching and learning. This study identified the anticipation, coping and adaptation practices of public higher education institutions in response to the challenges during the health crisis. It was the purpose of the study to identify the anticipation, coping and adaptation practices of public higher education institutions in response to the challenges during the health crisis. The study employed the mixed method using the survey and interview. Thirty-seven (37) informants who were involved in managing five (5) government funded public higher education institutions in the Philippines expressed willingness to participate in the study. It was revealed that higher education institutions had low organizational capacity to anticipate crisis. To cope with disruptions, institutional strategies were implemented like a shift to flexible teaching and learning modality, provision for training, psychological and technological support and enhancement of student services. Adaptation initiatives included preparation of continuity plans, development of learning management system, technology enhancement and capacity building activities. Effective planning, leadership and readiness for change were the emerging themes across the resiliency stages of anticipation, coping and adaptation. It is recommended that public higher education institutions should prioritize the crafting of data driven and context based strategic plan to include technology support and budget allocation in order to ensure teaching learning continuity during disasters of any kind. Collaborative leadership and readiness for change also need to be cultivated to foster resilient academic institutions amidst and beyond the pandemic.

In every university's endeavor to promote internationalization, pedagogy is vital and there is a need to research internationalization at different pedagogical levels within different learning approaches (Katsara & De Witte, 2020). This paper discusses the value of implementing culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) within the teaching context of Problem-Based Learning (PBL). By means of a critical review, it is revealed that little is known on specific classroom internationalized pedagogies, for example PBL appears difficult to be implemented in a uniform way across the globe while becoming culturally responsive during teaching seems quite personal. Some future lines of research on students' support to PBL learning within teaching are offered providing the rationale for the development of possible departmental CRP training sessions for teachers. The evaluation of such training is suggested to determine the extent to which such an initiative could be part of a departmental pedagogy of internationalization policy development at the micro level. [Note: The page range (111-130) shown on the PDF is incorrect. The correct page range is 111-129.]

Both the external socio-economic, safety and health conditions, as well as the changes implemented by the education sector (reforms of the curriculum content and approach, the shift of educational development strategy and organizational structure paradigm, technological changes, pandemic restrictions, shortage of teachers) are changing rapidly in the world, which forces educational institutions to raise the awareness of the teachers' professional competence potential in new working conditions and move towards the training of highly qualified, competent and excellence-oriented teachers -- educational institutions have encountered the need to search for the most efficient ways to improve the quality and efficiency of the teaching process. Therefore, the goal of the study has been set to identify the teachers' professional development needs and the self-assessment of competences, determining the fundamental principles of efficient school administration. The research methodology is based on the theoretical research method (scientific and methodical literature analysis); empirical research method (survey of teachers in one of the comprehensive education institutions in Latvia); data processing and analysis methods. Analysing the data obtained in the study, it can be concluded that the factors influencing the teachers' qualitative and efficient professional development are the lack of a systematic approach in the country in general and the work overload. The teacher attends courses and seminars, but is unable to implement the acquired knowledge, insights and innovations in their daily work due to the lack of time, workload and responsibilities, as a result, teachers feel demotivated and are pessimistic about their future path in the profession.

Oman Vision 2040 strives to continue shifting the country from an oil to a non-oil-based economy by emphasizing the value of diversification in HEIs. This study aims to provide in-depth insights into implementing the knowledge economy strategy in Oman's higher education system and uses a case study methodology, draws on thematic analysis, and adopts an interpretive perspective employing semi-structured interviews conducted with the dean, assistant deans, and heads of academic departments. The study manifests a common sense among the academic leaders that espousing the policy of the KE in HE is agreed upon. This approbation of KE is ascribed to the discrepancy between developed and developing countries concerning the reality of the higher education systems and the embedded influence of neoliberalism. The study identifies the four fundamental pillars of KE in HE, whereby the study could interpret the existing educational leadership style undertaken and speculate on its future directions. The research indicates three obstacles facing educational leadership; challenges of practicing leadership, lack sustainable system (within the college), and external factors (beyond the college). It also unveils two significant benefits: preparing students for employment in the private sector will reduce the burden on the government to provide careers. Second, the potential reciprocal gains that are pursued in industry and HEIs through funding research, reviewing curriculum and learning outcomes together, and offering a hands-on approach to tackle challenges confronting the national labor market.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused massive disruption to business as usual across all industries, including education, and there is a growing consensus that the higher education (HE) sector may never go back to 'business as usual'. While universities are now developing strategies for 2030, several management consultancies are projecting a very challenging HE landscape in the next decade. Suggestions, from the death of the normal university campus to shutdowns, mergers and collaborations are widely predicted including new opportunities for growth. University administrators should develop innovative strategic plans to address the challenges and harness the growth opportunities. Although other industries have faced such disruptions and have coped with responses such as partnerships and mergers, it may be time for universities to reconsider business models for the future. The strategies adopted in the aviation industry have been used to recommend a way forward for universities. [Note: The page range (17-33) shown on the PDF is incorrect. The correct page range is 17-32.]

Great organizations have a clear sense of what they want to accomplish and how they are going to get there. For state boards of education, this vision and roadmap are typically articulated in a strategic plan. The best plans are living documents that guide state board actions or multiple years; lesser plans gather dust. What separates the two? The answer lies partly in what the plan includes, partly in the process by which state boards arrive at the plan, and in large measure by what happens after the state board approves the plan.

Teacher´s beliefs and conceptions of teaching English are an important area for the professional development path of primary teachers. Giving primary teachers opportunities to grow professionally and support their learning belongs to the wide variety of practices that can be implemented to foster early education today. To do that, the Colombian government has implemented different initiatives; however, through the exploration of literature, primary public-school teachers need more professional development opportunities to fulfill the objectives stated by the Ministry of National Education. This is why, the present study aims to investigate the perceptions and attitudes of elementary rural teachers involved in the incorporation of English in their teaching practices. A total of ten teachers were selected to be involved during a semester that lasts the implementation of the project. Through qualitative research under the exploratory paradigm, we identified frustration, motivation, and lack of expertise as the main perceptions that interfere the teaching practices of the selected population. Findings suggest that professional development strategies should be incorporated as an eventual strategy to foster the teaching practices in the classroom.

The current study aims to investigate the effects of a strategic plan developed by the involvement of the family, community, and Buddhist institutions in Thai vulnerable youth knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral changes. The sample included 302 vulnerable adolescents from Khon Kaen, Thailand. The utilization of systematic sampling was observed based on income, marital status, and neighborhood. 10 governmental employees also took part in an interview designed to investigate the participants' changes in behaviors of drug abuse. The instruments include a strategic plan for the drug prevention of vulnerable children, a test of drug prevention knowledge, a satisfaction survey, and a semi-structured interview. The data were obtained by a pre-post-test on the samples' knowledge of drug prevention, an attitude survey, and an authorities' interview. Frequency, percentage, mean score, SD, and t-test were used to examine the data. The content analysis assessed qualitative data. The findings reveal how a strategic plan designed by institutions concerned with human development led to the development of knowledge, attitudes, and positive behavioral changes among at-risk teenagers.

In 2019 the American Association of School Librarians adopted a strategic plan with three goals, including "AASL advances research that informs school librarian practice." Members of the 2020 Community of Scholars Committee undertook this study to pilot an annual aggregation and systematic review of research related to school librarian practice. The AASL Strategic Plan (2019) also included five core values: learning; innovation; equity, diversity, and inclusion; intellectual freedom; and collaboration. This review also explores how published research in 2019 reflects the core values. A scoping literature review and the search string "school libr*" were employed to provide a broad sweep of potential studies. Fifty-nine studies were identified as "in scope" and were categorized using the AASL core values. Of the 59 articles published, 24 applied to the core value of learning; 14 to innovation; nine to collaboration; three to intellectual freedom; two to equity, diversity, and inclusion; and seven to a category of "other." Subsequent systematic annual reviews of published research in the field should serve to not only document patterns and trends but also to provide guidance or inspiration to practitioners and to the faculty who prepare practitioners.

School accountability is transitioning and incorporating socioeconomic narratives regarding inclusion, responsiveness to societal challenges, improving performance, and continuous adjustments through innovation. Considering external evaluation mechanisms of regulation, this study provides evidence of the schools' lack of strategic orientations towards innovation that may leverage coherent and lasting improvements. A mixed research method was used to analyse 60 external evaluation reports concerning Portuguese school clusters. The study aims were to depict the school's strengths and improvement areas and identify associations between the school's organisational and pedagogical options that can promote or impede transformation. It used the odds ratio to quantify the associations' strengths and assess educational system practices. The results evidence that leadership and management appear as a robust valency in the Portuguese educational system, and self-evaluation and innovation are aspects of the school organisation that need to be developed and impactful. The findings also suggest that innovation appears as a missing loop when considering the external evaluation control mechanisms of action.

In this study I investigated the involvement of top management and teachers in the strategic planning process in 5 district schools located in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province guided by the Take Stock Analysis (TSA) model. The constructivist/interpretivist paradigm was the qualitative methodology adopted for the study using a case study research method. The participants were 5 education managers and 5 focus groups of 4 teachers, each purposively selected from each school as an in-depth analysis of the phenomenon was sought through face-to-face interviews. Interview data were inductively and thematically analysed while strategic plans provided were inspected using content analysis and supplemented with interview data. The findings were reported following the concept of strategic planning, the formulation, monitoring and evaluation process. The results reveal that some schools used the centralised or decentralised strategic planning process while others hired strategists with minimal involvement from the teachers and the top management of the school. I recommend that stakeholders are actively involved in the entire strategic planning process to enhance ownership and commitment at the operational level. Most importantly, joint periodic evaluations are needed for modification purposes and relevance.

Social entrepreneurship practices integrate aspects from the private, public, and non-profit sectors into a cohesive practice. This paper advocates for the integration of human resource development (HRD) research and practices into social entrepreneurship initiatives to drive progress and build effective organizations committed to positive social change and value creation. By exploring HRD insights on ethical organizational strategies, initiatives for workforce development, and their impact on employee engagement and attitudes, we contend that HRD professionals can significantly contribute to the success of social entrepreneurship.

As with many Volunteer Programs, volunteerism at Filoli began in support of a fledgling organization in 1975. Initially a separate nonprofit, Friends of Filoli was created with the purpose of fundraising and other support, but was dissolved in 1989 as it was not self-sufficient. The leadership structure, however, remained and later merged with the Board of Directors, creating confusion and discontent. The program peaked at 1,500 volunteers, and was outsizing service needs, not aligned with Filoli's strategic direction, and a considerable investment of time and management. Volunteers were largely self-managed, but were not following industry best practices and were unsupportive of needed changes for the organization to be viable. As staff implemented best practices, volunteers responded negatively and publicly. Based on staff investment, diminished returns, and negative culture, the model was unsustainable, so the organization took action to assess the needs through a professional consultant to reframe volunteerism. In 2022 Filoli launched Service Learning, a new project-based program that provides an opportunity for learning and volunteerism. Now, Filoli has no dedicated volunteer coordinator, no docents, and no dedicated volunteer database. Yet there is still a robust program for volunteerism, with 650 participants and 2,400 service hours in 2023 alone.