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This research was conducted to see if using ChatGPT prompts students to think more deeply through reflection reports. The case study method and qualitative research methodology were used to carry out this study. Five graduate students in the Curriculum and Instruction department at Aksaray University's Social Sciences Institute who were teachers in various subjects and employed at various state school levels participated in the study. It was found that the majority of participants accepted all of the information presented by ChatGPT based on a citation as true, did not feel the need to control data reliability, and could be manipulated by ChatGPT while doing self-evaluation. Additionally, despite the fact that they prepared reflective reports in which they compared their essays with ChatGPT and included questions that prompted them to think critically and reflectively, as well as the fact that they had taken a graduate-level course on the teaching of higher order thinking skills, it was acknowledged that they could not demonstrate the expected performance in using higher order thinking skills other than to a limited extent. The onus should be on educators to pioneer positive examples of how to utilize ChatGPT and provide direction on how to harness its potential, supported by critical thinking, rather than to avoid using it and identify it as a tool to be avoided.

The student exchange programs are venues for learning opportunities by offering multicultural contexts. This study reports on the experiences of ten prospective English language teachers in a virtual student exchange program to investigate likely skill development in a multicultural and open and distance learning setting. This descriptive study used the qualitative method. The textual data were elicited through eighty reflective essays written by the participants. Virtual classroom observations and WhatsApp chat data ensured data triangulation. The results revealed the themes as developed learning and life skills and enhanced internal gains. It was found that internal outcomes, such as self-confidence, empathy, and self-reliance, were enhanced rather than external gains. One of the limitations of this study was the brevity of the exchange program, which lasted only eight days. Additionally, the current study is a small-scale study, which limits the generalizability of the results. Last but not least, only two participants placed in the researcher's class were observed. The study poses a few implications for education policymakers, curriculum developers, and teachers. In light of the results, it is posed that adding a multicultural aspect to the teacher training curriculum is imperative for teacher empowerment. Though the literature on student exchange reports findings on the gains and challenges, there is a scarcity of studies delving into what skills students develop and how with vivid examples. In this respect, this study adds to the relevant literature.

The use of virtual museums in cultural transfer is an interdisciplinary approach of significant importance. Virtual museums play a crucial role in cultural transfer by digitally preserving cultural heritage. This article examines the educational role of virtual museums as a key tool in cultural transfer, particularly in the context of representing Ottoman works in virtual museums. Museums, indispensable elements of cultural transfer and education in contemporary society, have gained the opportunity to reach wider audiences by transitioning into the digital realm. In this context, the representation of Ottoman works in virtual museums and its role in cultural transfer are highlighted. Virtual museums hold great educational potential. It is well recognized that the representation of Ottoman works in virtual museums has educational effects such as expanding learning environments, facilitating access to knowledge, and increasing cultural awareness. Therefore, the representation of Ottoman works in virtual museums, especially in the field of education, is addressed. This study evaluates the role of the representation of Ottoman works in virtual museums in cultural transfer and education, thus demonstrating the educational potential of virtual museums. The research illustrates that virtual museums serve as significant tools for the preservation and dissemination of cultural heritage, and the representation of Ottoman works in virtual museums contributes to this process. Using Ferdinand de Saussure's theory of signs, signifier, signified, this study examines the representation and educational role of Ottoman works in virtual museums.

English for young learners (EYL) teachers have practiced some creative activities to maintain their pupils' learning with natural exposure to the target language amidst the pandemic. One activity practiced by Indonesian and Korean teachers was an international collaboration to perform a virtual drama of each country's folktale. This phenomenological research aimed at tapping the teachers' perceptions regarding interculturality and world Englishes (WE) in the virtual dramatic play collaboratively conducted and delving into their commitments in honing interculturality and WE. Two Indonesian and Korean teachers were involved in three sessions of in-depth interviews using pre-prepared interview questions. The trustworthiness of the data was achieved by the group discussions allowing the participants to comment on and revise the transcribed data, as well as triangulation by two international collaborators. Thematic analysis was performed to identify emerging themes and to provide novel insights into EYL teachers' encounters with interculturality and WE. The Indonesian and Korean teachers admitted the compatibility between language and culture, the urgency of introducing varieties of English, and the merits of conducting international collaboration to promote interculturality and WE. The teachers are committed to integrate interculturality and WE in their instructions despite some differences in the stipulated curricula.

Purpose: Self-assessment is regarded as a complex metacognitive process by scholars. Nevertheless, in the context of English as a Second Language (ESL) speaking, self-assessment practices often rely on assessment criteria and teacher commentaries. However, speaking involves spontaneous expression with limited access to external standards. Therefore, this case study aims to explore the metacognitive strategies that proficient ESL students use during self-assessment in spontaneous speech production contexts. Methodology: Three participants, purposefully selected, participated in two spontaneous group discussions recorded on video. Instances of participants' dysfluency served as prompts in stimulated recall interviews, complemented by video recordings to validate participants' responses. The thematic analysis of interview data utilised a conceptual framework integrating O'Malley and Chamot's (1990) metacognitive strategies and Kormos' (2006) speech production model. Findings: The analysis revealed that participants employed three key metacognitive strategies -- organisational planning, selective attention, and self-monitoring to self-assess their spontaneous speech. Feedback sources, such as their proficiency in the second language (L2) and contextual factors, influenced the application and effectiveness of these strategies during self-assessment (SA). Significance: This study offers insights into how proficient ESL students self-assess their spontaneous speech production, leveraging their available resources. In addition, this study identifies speech challenges the participants encountered and how they applied metacognitive strategies to address them.

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.

This study examined experiences and viewpoints of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners' regarding the integration of QR codes into writing and speaking practices at the tertiary-level L2 learning. Employing an action research design, researchers collected qualitative data through online interviews, a survey of open-ended questions, and learners' written reflections during class hours and brief field notes. Inductive thematic analysis was used for data analysis to form codes and themes. As a result, the learners identified QR codes as time-saving, useful, and enjoyable pedagogical tools for writing and speaking practices. The facilitative role of QR codes was centered on increasing motivation and interaction with classmates during different phases of productive skill-based activities, particularly in the idea-generation steps. The learners reported that QR code-based mobile learning practices make learning environments more participatory, safe, inclusive, and cooperative. The study presents instructional implications for transforming conventional student-teacher interaction into a peer-learning-oriented and autonomous atmosphere in higher education.

This study delves into the opportunities and challenges associated with the deployment of AI tools in the education sector. It systematically explores the potential benefits and risks inherent in utilizing these tools while specifically addressing the complexities of identifying and preventing academic dishonesty. Recognizing the ethical dimensions, the paper further outlines strategies that educational institutions can adopt to ensure the ethical and responsible use of AI tools. Emphasizing a proactive stance, the paper suggests that by implementing these strategies, schools can harness the benefits of AI tools while mitigating the risks associated with potential misuse. As the adoption of AI tools in education continues to expand, all stakeholders must stay abreast of the latest developments in the field. This knowledge equips educators to navigate the opportunities and challenges posed by AI tools, fostering a learning environment that is both secure and conducive to empowering students to realize their full potential.

Developments in information and communication technologies, especially with the increase in internet use, have caused some important changes in the tourism industry, as in all sectors. Marketing strategies in the tourism sector have also undergone a transformation affected by these changes. As information and communication technologies develop, not only there is a decrease in communication costs, but also the regional borders of marketing activities have expanded and global studies have emerged. Transition to the digital world with the Internet; sharing information that will affect consumers' purchasing decisions, from destinations to tourism businesses and the diversity of services in tourism, has become one of the important variables of tourism marketing. The widespread use of information and communication technologies in the tourism sector has significantly changed the strategies and activities in tourism marketing, and especially the widespread use of social media has led to radical changes in the structure of promotional activities in tourism. In this study, which compares the social media usage of 5-star chain hotels, which are tourism businesses operating in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the Greek Administration of Southern Cyprus, the Republic of Turkey and France, it is aimed to evaluate the effects of developments in information and communication technologies on tourism business marketing and the consumer-educational role of social media used in tourism marketing. Study; in addition to the advantageous and disadvantageous effects of technology and social media on tourism marketing, it also reveals the dimensions of the educational aspect.

This research study focuses on the growing concern of academic misconduct in distance education courses. A quasi-experimental study was conducted to measure the impact of introducing webcam recording software as an online supervision tool for high-stakes exams in two separate online courses (Management and Accounting). Results revealed that overall performance decreased following implementation of the software, and persisted after taking potential confounding factors into account. Additionally, the explanatory power of the regression analysis was higher for scores under supervision, which suggests that cheating was occurring before online supervision was introduced. It can be concluded from this study that online supervision is an effective tool to combat academic dishonesty in distance education courses.

This research paper delves into the origins of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) speaking anxiety in Moroccan high school students and offers potential remedies to reduce or prevent its occurrence, with a particular emphasis on encouraging a willingness to speak. The study involved 37 high school teachers who completed a questionnaire regarding their strategies to mitigate speaking anxiety and promote communication willingness among Moroccan EFL high school students. The data was collected and analyzed using SPSS. The findings reveal that anxiety stems from various factors, including linguistic issues (such as limited vocabulary, grammar challenges, and fluency), personal factors (such as learner personality and motivation), and teacher-related factors (including feedback quality and classroom activities). Moreover, the research suggests that teachers should prioritize strategies like providing positive feedback, offering praise, and incorporating collaborative work or task-based learning to reduce students' EFL speaking anxiety. Additionally, teacher participants proposed additional strategies focused on a variety of activities and methods to foster a welcoming classroom atmosphere.

Mastery of the art of crafting online reviews and responses is essential as a valuable additional tool for enhancing learners' English proficiency in specialised contexts. This study aims to: 1) Examine the formality levels in crafting reviews and responses; 2) Explore face-threatening acts utilised in reviews and politeness strategies employed in responses; and 3) Uncover moves and steps in composing reviews and responses. Data was collected from the Top 25 Hotels in the World in 2022 according to Tripadvisor.com. Six distinct corpora were formed, comprising positive, negative, and mixed reviews, along with corresponding responses, resulting in 87,973 tokens. Findings show reviewers leaned towards casual language (85.87%), while respondents used a consultative style (82.67%) in their responses. The shift from casual to consultative occurred most frequently (70.67%). For politeness, admiration (73.07%) and expressions of complaints/reprimands (64.53%) were common in reviews. In responses, strategies like offering, promising, or giving gifts (72.00%) and apologising and begging for forgiveness (50.40%) were prevalent. Reviews used three moves and ten steps, while responses employed six moves and 16 steps. These insights can be integrated into ESP classrooms to enhance review and response writing skills effectively.

In this qualitative study, we analyzed the processes of a collaborative online international learning (COIL) collaboration between two higher education institutions in Japan and the United States from the perspective of the technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge (TPACK) framework. The research question this study aimed to address was: What is the utility of the TPACK framework, as a lens of analysis, for this online cultural exchange? To address this question, we conducted semi-structured interviews with student participants and examined their written works. From the student participants' learning experiences, we identified evidence of cultural exchange as well as evidence of missed opportunities for cultural exchange arising from the limited knowledge of technology, pedagogy, content, and culture. COIL and TPACK both share a common goal of increasing students' access to multiple knowledge systems using educational technology. As a result, COIL conceptually aligns well with the TPACK framework. This collaboration showed an ongoing need for the centering of cultural knowledge and cultural exchange in both COIL and TPACK. We, accordingly, outline potential for a TPACCK, a modified TPACK framework to center cultural knowledge in both with the hope of taking steps towards a more culturally sustaining framework of international collaboration.

Recent studies have consistently demonstrated that antisocial behaviors occur in online environments. Although online antisocial behavior has a long history, it appears to have become more widespread in recent years due to the widespread use of online social networks. Although there are established criteria and instruments assessing antisocial behavior there are few examining such behavior online. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop the Online Antisocial Personality Scale (OAPS). The OAPS was developed using the diagnostic criteria for antisocial personality disorder in DSM-5. The OAPS assesses antisocial behavior in online environments. The present study comprised 447 adolescents (219 girls and 228 boys) from four different samples. The measures used included the Online Antisocial Personality Scale (OAPS), E-Bullying Scale (E-BS), and Personality Belief Questionnaire-Short Form (PBQ-STF). The structural validity of OAPS was investigated with exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and criterion validity. When validity and reliability analysis of the OAPS are considered as a whole, it is concluded that the OAPS is a valid and reliable scale that assesses online antisocial personality among adolescents.

In an era of major advances in the digital world, artificial intelligence has been a part of programs, tools, applications, and platforms. It has also been integrated into fields of education including language teaching and learning. To this end, ChatGPT, one of the most recent AI-driven systems, has been proposed to support language learners' personalized studies. Thus, this paper presents a qualitative study aiming to explore how Turkish EFL learners in higher education use ChatGPT for speaking. For a deeper understanding, the study was designed as a case study which used multiple sources to collect qualitative data. In this sense, semi-structured interviews were held with the participants, and through open-ended questions, they were asked about their study habits and any background knowledge about ChatGPT. In a following session, they were introduced the chatbot and instructed on possible ways to use it for speaking practice. Screen recordings of the usage by the participants were another source to observe and later describe the process for the researcher. A final session of the interviews planned as a stimulated recall was held to explore the participants' ChatGPT use experience through their reflection. The thematic analysis of the data revealed codes and themes leading to language teaching implications about learner characteristics and use of AI for language studies.

In this randomized control study, we evaluated science teachers' pedagogical practices via classroom observations following ongoing, intensive, and structured instructional support sessions. These sessions included virtual professional development (VPD) and virtual mentoring and coaching (VMC) that accompanied a literacy-infused science curriculum. Using a low-inference observational instrument, we explored the direct impact of VPD and VMC on fifth-grade science teachers' observed time allocation in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) validation study. The observations were collected three times during science instruction from 121 teachers in 68 schools from 35 public school districts in the U.S. state of Texas, during the 2017-2018 school year. Preliminary findings revealed pedagogical differences in time allocation among teachers between treatment and control classrooms. We identified improved instructional practices within treatment classrooms, which suggests the intervention had a positive effect by enhancing the quality of pedagogy as well as the content-area instruction in science.

This study explores primary teachers´ initial training programs, focusing on Foreign Language Teaching (FLT) and its integration with technology. The research is grounded in two dimensions of contemporary society: plurilingual competence and digital literacy. The study employs the conceptual framework of "Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge" (TPACK) (Mishra & Kohler, 2006) and applies content analysis methodology. The scientific interest lies in the scarcity of studies examining this specific area within the Spanish context, because research on TPACK in FLT has primarily focused on Asia and the Middle East. To address this void, a comprehensive national study encompassing 39 public universities was conducted. This study involved an in-depth analysis of 496 course guides within the field of FLT in primary education teacher training programs. The research findings indicate that less than half of the subjects incorporate technology, and when they do, two prominent trends emerge: the integration of TPACK and the presentation of technology as a broad competency, not specifically tailored to FLT. The primary conclusion drawn from this study is that the incorporation of TPACK in this context is moderate, emphasizing the need for a more comprehensive integration of technology within FLT teacher training programs.

This article investigates technologies used for knowledge sharing among rice farmers in the Eastern Region of Ghana and suggests ways by which the use of technologies may be enhance rice farming. The research was underpinned by the pragmatic paradigm where a concurrent triangulation mixed method design was adopted. The data was drawn from 101 survey respondents and nine interview participants, consisting of rice farmers, farm managers and extension officers. The findings revealed elementary use of technologies, tools and systems for knowledge sharing among the rice farmers. The main social media platform used for knowledge sharing was WhatsApp. The platforms that were used the least were Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Imo and Instagram. Findings have implications for integrating various tools, technologies and systems into knowledge sharing among rice farmers. There is a need to address the challenges in structural-level technological infrastructures, architecture and functionalities, in order to build the technological competence of rice farmers. Farmers' knowledge of technology is influenced by training, motivation, and personal experiences. Previous studies on use of technologies in knowledge sharing focused on organisation. This article examines technology within the context of rice farming.

This study aims to investigate students' speaking anxiety in English classes in the second semester of Universitas Borneo Tarakan. Specifically, this study examines the factors that influence students' speaking anxiety and strategies to minimize it based on what the students have experienced. Thirty-eight students were selected as research subjects using a specialized sampling method. The researchers used a descriptive qualitative method with a phenomenological approach by conducting interviews, questionnaires, and observations with students who have anxiety in speaking English. The results showed two factors, including internal factors, i.e., discouragement (feeling shy), lack of confidence, and fear of making mistakes, and external factors (limited vocabulary and friends/classmates). And there are two strategies shown in this study (preparation and relaxation). The conclusion of this study is that speaking anxiety can occur and hinder students' speaking performance. Therefore, strategies are needed to do so in order to make it easier for students to speak.

This research and development study aimed to develop the prototype of virtual learning implemented in flipped classrooms and evaluate its effectiveness as a tool for developing Thai undergraduates' English receptive skills. To assess if the designed prototype is effective, a quasi-experimental method was employed. The experimental sample group consisted of 40 undergraduates studying English as a required general education subject at a university in Thailand. They were purposively selected as their English proficiency level did not meet the university requirement of not lower than 600 of the TOEIC scores for graduation. The actual TOEIC tests as a pre- and post-tests, have been employed to examine if the prototype was effective. The collected data from pre- and post-tests were then analyzed through the t-Test and ANOVA. The results showed that the designed prototype applied in teaching and learning through the three online virtual platforms, namely Second Life, VRChat, and the ClassStart in the flipped classrooms was effective for developing students' English receptive skills, as the overall development of students' English receptive skills, both listening and reading, as shown from their post-test English TOEIC scores had significant development, showing that the post-test scores were higher than those of their pre-test's. Therefore, applying this prototype to language teaching and learning as a pedagogy is highly advised.

This study investigated the effects of a reading assistant software on the fluency and accuracy of speech production among EFL university students, employing a one-group pretest-posttest design. The participants included 50 Thai undergraduate English majors in their first and second years. Data were analyzed using paired samples t-tests to measure L2 oral fluency, specifically pruned speech rate (PSR) and mean length of run (MLR). Accuracy rate was assessed by quantifying the proportion of error-free clauses within the participants' speeches from the pretest and posttest and calculating the average number of error-free clauses per T-unit. Results indicated significant improvements in speech fluency, evidenced by longer uninterrupted speech segments, fewer disfluencies like filled pauses and repairs, and increased overall fluency. Additionally, the post-test showed a higher percentage of error-free clauses compared to the pretest, reflecting a substantial enhancement in grammatical accuracy. This suggests that the intervention had a positive impact on the participants' ability to produce grammatically accurate and error-free clauses. These outcomes suggest that the reading assistant software effectively enhances both the fluency and grammatical accuracy of speech production in EFL learners, underscoring its potential benefits in language education contexts.

Previous studies on blended learning (BL) have explored students' satisfaction, perception, and motivation. However, there remains a notable gap in the literature concerning the impact of group collaboration on students' learning experiences within blended learning environments. Using a qualitative approach, this study explores what 30 Thai English as a foreign language (EFL) vocational students think about their blended learning environment and how working in groups improves their learning. Findings from the interviews revealed that group collaboration is crucial for communication, understanding the topic, completing tasks, and building relationships and trust among students. Specifically, the research highlights how collaborative efforts foster greater student engagement, accountability, and a sense of community within blended learning environments. It also contributes significantly to the existing body of knowledge, underscoring the essential nature of group collaboration within BL settings. The findings hold valuable implications for teachers, curriculum developers, and policymakers, suggesting avenues for leveraging blended learning and group collaboration to optimize language learning outcomes and enrich the overall educational experience for students.

The present study analysed digital literacy issues encountered by elementary school teachers in remote classrooms due to COVID-19. The study sought to derive a plan for cultivating teachers' digital literacy to support students' distance education. To this end, focus group interviews were conducted with five elementary school teachers in charge of upper grades, the results were analysed, and strategies to improve teacher digital literacy were derived. Specifically, three main areas of teacher digital literacy were identified for improvement. The first was providing training to use digital devices and online platforms, develop online content, and strengthen copyright understanding. The second was providing professional development programs to train digital teaching methods or pedagogies by level and by subject characteristics. The third was activating online and offline platforms for information sharing among teachers and establish a digital teaching support system. This study will be of value to teachers and school administrations in preparing for distance education in the era of digital transformation because it presents measures to foster teachers' digital literacy required by future society.

This study aimed to systematically compile the activities and applications to be used by instructors to conduct synchronous virtual classrooms effectively. Using specific keywords in various databases we examined the literature to discover the activities and applications associated with effective synchronous virtual classrooms. A total of 70 studies were included in the study, based upon pre-determined criteria. A total of 53 activities and applications for conducting synchronous virtual classrooms effectively were obtained and classified according to Gagné's nine events of instruction (GNEI). These activities and applications were sorted within 11 themes dimensions: technical control, environment control, clarity, introductory activities, technological tools, course materials, interaction, feedback, summarizing, time management, and self-assessment. Synchronous virtual classrooms conducted according to this classification will serve as a guide for instructors to conduct synchronous virtual classrooms effectively.

Framed by family engagement frameworks, this study presents four types of interactions college access professionals (CAPs) have with the families of underrepresented college-going students - inconsistent communication, transactional exchanges, student-family mediation, and trusting relationships - to explore the nature of family-educator partnerships for students' college access. Drawing from in-depth qualitative interviews with a diverse sample of 20 CAPs, this study demonstrates that the nature of these interactions and their corresponding family engagement practices are influenced by CAPs' job requirements and previous experiences working with families. This ultimately shapes their ability to invest in and develop strong, trusting partnerships with students' families. By understanding these family-educator interactions, college access programming can work towards benefitting from strong and trusting partnerships, which can ultimately lead to successful college acceptance and matriculation for underrepresented college-bound students.

Recent advancements in generative artificial intelligence (GAI) have sparked debates and research on its transformative potential in education. This study explored how a specific group of educators partner with GAI tools, particularly ChatGPT, to complement and enhance their teaching. Within an interpretative paradigm, the study used an exploratory case study design to investigate how 13 educators enrolled as students in a structured master's programme at an open distance learning university in South Africa use GAI tools in their teaching. Their posts on a discussion forum were used to collect data. Findings reveal that they actively employ GAI to streamline their teaching practices, specifically to personalized tutors, simplifying English texts and translations, assessments, lesson planning, and critical thinking tasks. The study also highlights the need to understand the limitations and boundaries of GAI, including concerns about accuracy, biases and reliability. Importantly, the absence of institutional guidelines on GAI raises questions about the necessity for clear guidelines and policies to ensure responsible and ethical integration in educational contexts. The paper concludes by emphasizing the transformative potential of GAI and the fact that it will increasingly act as a partner in teaching and influence modern teaching practices. Ultimately, GAI's foothold in education is undeniable, challenging educators and policymakers to navigate its implications while maximizing its potential to support effective teaching.

Since 2015, a continuous online integration training service has been active. In 2021, eight integration instructors, teaching online for two to six years across diverse regions participated in semi-structured interviews. Analysing the technology-mediated community formed by teachers and learners, we explored how the entirely online, gradually growing teacher community operates. The interviews revealed four influential categories for the teacher's work which encompass individual resources, antifragility resilience, collaborative resources, and an entrepreneurial mindset. An entrepreneurial mindset fosters collaboration and community, thereby enhancing learners' engagement in online learning and social inclusion. The study highlighted key factors for social impact within the community: informal teacher chats, the mentor-mentee model in learning design, shared materials, teacher rotation, direct collaboration with learners' environments and employers, and information shareability. This teacher community proved to be entrepreneurial and involves learners in co-design individualized integration training connected to their living situations. Entrepreneurial mindset. However, challenges in sustain, antifragile and developing online teaching, such as psychological insecurity, diversity of teachers and learners, heightened competition, time management, and workload, were also noted.

In the current era, the E-Government phenomenon, which describes the state's provision of public services to its stakeholders through information and communication technologies, has a global character. This study aimed to examine the big data-based e-Government portal, which has many examples in the world and was created by utilizing digital technologies, on the example of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and whether the portal is user-oriented or not was examined by content analysis method in the context of big data features and citizen-oriented. The absence of any other study on the examination of the TRNC E-Government Portal, which was reorganized in 2021, gives the study a unique quality. At the end of the study, although progress was observed in the information and transaction stages of the TRNC E-Government Portal in the context of e-Government models, it has been determined that success has not yet been achieved in the interaction and integration stages, as well as in the context of citizen-oriented and big data features, it has been concluded that there is not enough level for a successful government portal.

Examination of the personal characteristics (i.e., gender, participation styles) of participants and the technical infrastructure (i.e., device type, internet connection type) of Instructional Discussion Forums (IDFs) can provide functional clues for mitigating social anxiety in these settings. In this context, this research investigated variances in learners' participation styles and social anxiety in IDFs in terms of gender and ICT availability. In addition, it explored the predictive relationships between participation styles and social anxiety. A sample of 272 freshman undergraduate students discussed various topics related to Internet ethics for three weeks through an IDF. The results indicated that participation styles differed by gender and ICT availability in several respects. First, handheld devices and cellular internet connections exerted a medium-size effect on social anxiety. Further, "to get information" and "to fulfill requirement" purposes in the "Why" dimension of participation styles had a small predictive relationship with social anxiety, as did "analytical" and "practical" participation approaches in the "How" dimension. Of these, only the "to get information" purpose negatively predicted social anxiety. Overall, participation styles accounted for 19.1% of the variance in social anxiety. Based on the findings, future directions and practical implications are suggested for both researchers and practitioners.

The escalation in online learning post-COVID has created a pressing need to consider faculty-student interactions in a virtual environment. A sequential explanatory, mixed-method design was used to investigate university students' perceptions of faculty caring online following the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were 46 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in one of four programs offered either fully online or with a significant number of required courses offered in an asynchronous online format at the same university in a single semester. Results from the Student Perspectives of Caring Online Survey indicated participants' feeling strongly about effective communication, specifically a detailed class calendar with a schedule and due dates as well as clear instructions regarding expectations for online communications, as a faculty behavior that conveyed caring. Qualitative data supported this finding and indicated that empathy and support from faculty were also highly valued. Implications of findings for online teaching practices are presented.

Engagement with online media among learners is closely linked to language proficiency and cultural comprehension, offering a platform for enhancing English language skills. This has given rise to the field of online informal learning of English (OILE), with numerous studies exploring learners' habits in this domain and indicating positive impacts on language proficiency. However, disparities in OILE engagement exist among learners, with individual factors like motivation and attitude playing a role. Recent research has affirmed the positive correlation between learners' motivation, global outlook, and their involvement in informal learning. Yet, the connection between motivation and OILE remains insufficiently explored. This mixed-methods study, conducted with female university students in Saudi Arabia, utilized a questionnaire (n = 550) and subsequent semi-structured interviews (n = 19) to scrutinize students' motivations, International Posture (IP), and frequency of OILE use within the framework of the L2 Motivational Self System. The investigation aimed to elucidate how students' motivation and global outlook influence their OILE practices. Results indicated that participants were moderate OILE users with a relatively restricted global outlook, displaying diverse levels of motivation. Moreover, participants' engagement with OILE was notably shaped by their Ideal L2 selves and IP. The findings propose that participants perceived OILE as a means to connect with the international English-speaking community. Pedagogically, the study advocates for educating learners about the potential advantages of OILE use and emphasizes the need for institutions in this context to cultivate learners' International Posture.

By interviewing eleven graduate students in online counseling programs, this interpretive qualitative study explored students' perceptions and practical experiences of synchronous and asynchronous learning methods. The results suggested that counseling students preferred in-person counseling classes to online courses, found synchronous methods more effective than asynchronous methods, considered asynchronous methods less stressful compared to synchronous methods, and felt that micro-counseling skills and emotional reactions were not fully attainable in their online counseling training programs. Based on these findings, we recommend further systematic investigation of counseling graduate students' diverse experiences and perceptions of synchronous and asynchronous learning methods.

This study explores the student perception of traditional discussion boards in online courses and their effectiveness in building connections and enhancing learning. The results indicate that, while online students recognize the importance of connecting with others, traditional discussion boards are ineffective in helping students connect. Students had a mixed perception of discussion boards and their value in enhancing learning; although they appreciate the opportunity to share their perspective and learn the perspectives of others, the study revealed that students struggle to find value in traditional discussion boards.

This qualitative case study aimed to explore fillers usage to address speaking challenges related to the improvement of self-confidence and motivation in speaking practices done by two English foreign language (EFL) learners of the English department of one of the Islamic Universities in Malang, Indonesia. Data were collected through observations and in-depth interviews to two students employing filler strategies to address speaking challenges related to the improvement of self-confidence and motivation during their speaking exercises. The research revealed that both learners used fillers to address speaking challenges during the conversation due to their linguistic components' shortage such as a limited mastery of vocabularies and having a little understanding on grammar. Fillers might bring them to have more self-confidence in speaking practices shown by not being afraid of making mistakes when they practice speaking with their speaking partners. Fillers might bring them to have more motivation in speaking shown by their enthusiasm to get involved in the discussion whether in group or class discussions. Thus, fillers usage is prominent due to its potential to address speaking challenges, enhance self-confidence and motivation, eventually contributing to an overall improvement in language proficiency particularly in speaking skill.

Communication is an indispensable element for the individual to exist in society. The individual has his first communication experiences in the family. The communication an individual establishes with his or her parents in early childhood shapes his or her entire life. The positive and effective communication process established in the family enables the child to acquire positive communication skills. At this point, the mother, who is the person with whom the child first and intensively communicates, is in an important position and directly affects the development of the child's communication skills. The aim of this research is to examine children's communication skills based on mothers' opinions. For this purpose, the phenomenological pattern, one of the qualitative research methods, was used. The study group of the research consists of 8 mothers whose children's age is between 43-70 months. 'Personal information form' and 'semi-structured interview form' were used as data collection tools. Content analysis was used to analyze the data obtained. The opinions of the mothers are included with direct quotes. As a result of the research; It was determined that children mostly communicate with their mothers about games and toys. It has been observed that children mostly determine the duration of child-mother communication. It was determined that the most frequently contacted family member was the mother. It has been found that the child's tone of voice increases when he/she gets angry, encounters a problem or gets excited. On the other hand; It has been observed that children use body language in their communication with their mothers, speak by making eye contact, and easily convey their problem situations to their mothers. It was determined that the majority of children used polite words. Additionally, it was found that in the presence of other individuals in mother-child communication, all but one of the children showed behavioral changes.