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As in other contexts, Iranian students encountered challenges in the closedown of schools due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. The present study investigated the attitudes of 108 high school EFL students, using an online questionnaire to find out whether students preferred either to receive distance e-learning or the traditional face-to-face methods of instruction at schools. To this end, the participants completed a 20-item questionnaire. Also, the study attempted to explore EFL students' perceptions of the use of distance learning using individual semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data and the major emergent themes were discussed. The results revealed that most of the students were not ready to adopt the ongoing distance e-learning system. They complained that the pandemic had negatively impacted their learning and found the distance e-learning system ineffective. The results suggested the need for further studies on empowering the learners and teachers to improve the effectiveness of instruction in critical situations.

Though dynamic assessment (DA) has gained strong theoretical and empirical support over the last decades, second language (L2) practitioners have blamed it for its applicability in large classes. To ameliorate this limitation, peer-dynamic assessment (peer-DA), rooted in the conceptualization of zone of proximal development (ZPD), can be introduced and practiced as an alternative approach. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of peer-DA on cultivating Iranian upper-intermediate EFL learners' interlanguage pragmatic (ILP) competence. Additionally, it was to disclose how peer-DA leads to improving the learners' ILP competence. To achieve these aims, a sample of 84 upper-intermediate EFL learners, including females was selected through a convenience sampling method at Iran Language Institute in Borujerd City, Iran. Then, a total of 37 EFL learners whose scores fell around the mean score were selected and randomly assigned to two groups, namely an experimental (n = 19) and a control (n = 18). Then, they went through a pre-test, interventions (lasting 16 one-hour sessions held two times a week), and a post-test. The experimental group's interactions were meticulously recorded. The collected data were analyzed through two independent samples t-tests, and the microgenetic development approach. Findings documented a statistically significant difference between the experimental group and control group concerning the gains of ILP competence on the post-test. Furthermore, the results of the microgenetic development analysis evidenced how the gradual, contingent prompts could lead to noticeable improvements in the learning of ILP features. These findings may have some pedagogical implications for different stakeholders.

The present study aims to extend our understanding of motivational factors that improve the knowledge sharing intention of employees thereby can lead to creating knowledge successfully. Specifically, we aim to extend previous knowledge management research to contribute to both knowledge sharing theory and knowledge creation process with consideration of motivational factors including socialization, externalization, combination and internalization. This study has used quantitative research methodology wherein the data have been collected from 405 students from various universities in Iran using a survey questionnaire. Structural equation modelling has been applied to test the hypotheses of the study. The findings of the study reveal that motivational factors positively influence knowledge sharing and knowledge creation. Results reveal that motivational factors tend to increase the usage of knowledge sharing methods, and consequently, they impact on the creation process of knowledge. Further, motivational factors act as a mediator between knowledge sharing and knowledge creation. This study has limitations that present opportunities for future research. First, the research context covered people from universities only, which limits the generalizability of findings. Second, we did not consider regional cultural differences, which could cause variations in people' knowledge sharing intention. Future studies can build upon the research models to understand the influence of the cultural factors on other type of organisations. This research contributes to both knowledge sharing theory and knowledge creation process with consideration of motivational factors including socialization, externalization, combination and internalization. Thus, the study provides directions to managers to focus on cognitive social aspects (i.e., motivational factors) to encourage the people to share and create knowledge. To the best of authors' knowledge, this study is an early study conducted to examine the influence of motivational factors on knowledge sharing and knowledge creation. This research provides valuable information and guidelines that will be helpful for the managers to consider the important issues during knowledge creation establishment in the universities and organizations which are directly involved with creating knowledge.