Challenges and Opportunities to Collaborative Distance Learning in ESP Instruction

Ridwan, A., & Athena, T. (2023). Challenges and Opportunities to Collaborative Distance Learning in ESP Instruction. Academic Journal Perspective: Education, Language, and Literature11(2), 70-88. https://ejournalugj.com/index.php/Perspective/article/view/9161

 

Abstract

In post pandemic instruction fueled by digital media and technology, distance learning emerges as a powerful opportunity for higher education collaboration. The Directorate of Students’ Learning, Ministry of Education and Culture of Indonesia opens opportunities for universities across Indonesia to have collaborative online learning with those students based on underprivileged regions in Indonesia. This research investigates a case of collaborative online learning project between two universities in East Java and East Nusa Tenggara province with two ESP courses designed collaboratively and implemented with shared classes in online mode. Through this case study, two things are explored during the program: challenges and opportunities in the stage of course development and course implementation. Two course developers, four university instructors, and thirteen selected students from both universities were involved in this study. Data collection combined interviews, virtual observations, and instructional documents. Analysis employed thematic layering and triangulation, revealing challenges in four areas: course development, technology readiness, teaching methods, and student support. However, rooms of improvement are there for more prepared future collaboration. Despite the challenges, collaborative distance learning conducted by both universities can be a lesson to learn for a better online instruction in the future amidst the pluralistic backgrounds of the students and problematic technology support.


The contribution of profit company on education in Indonesia: an analysis of character education management in public elementary school.

Nuraini, S. D., Rukiyati, & Putera, A. R. (2023). The contribution of profit company on education in Indonesia: an analysis of character education management in public elementary school. Journal of Educational Management and Instruction, 3(1), 51-62.
Introduction. https://ejournal.uinsaid.ac.id/index.php/jemin/article/view/7913


Exploring teacher collaboration: what’s inside the Malaysian PLC black box?

Mohd Zabidi, Z., Abdullah, Z. and Sumintono, B. (2023), “Exploring teacher collaboration: what’s inside the Malaysian PLC black box?”, Journal of Professional Capital and Communityhttps://doi.org/10.1108/JPCC-03-2023-0020

 

 

 

 

 

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore mathematics teachers' collaboration within their professional learning communities (PLCs), and to gain insight into how the teachers developed their collective efficacy through it to focus on improving student learning.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative approach, data were collected from three high-performing secondary schools, mainly through semi-structured in-depth interviews with the Heads of Mathematics Unit. For explication and triangulation purposes, focus group interviews with the mathematics teachers and students and document analysis were also conducted.

Findings

The findings indicate that PLCs were the vessel through which a culture of disciplined teacher collaboration was fostered. More importantly, this culture encouraged teachers to participate in reflective dialogues that became a driver for their learning, and eventually led to their changed professional practice for improved student learning. The collaborative setting within the PLCs allowed teachers to pool their resources, knowledge and individual expertise to identify their student learning focus, and administer and measure their student intervention strategies. This collaborative professional learning reduced professional isolation, and as a result, improved teachers' collective pursuit of professional growth to impact student outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

The aim of this qualitative study was to provide a detailed description of the teachers' collaboration within their PLCs based on the researchers' interpretation of how the participants make sense of their PLC practices and experiences. Hence, findings are indicative, and not definitive. In addition, the Heads of the Mathematics Unit, and the mathematics teacher participants in this study illustrated salient aspects of subject subcultures, where their beliefs, norms and practices were non-generic, or specific only to their subject context. Therefore, the implications to practice were built from commonalities shared only among the mathematics units.

Originality/value

This is a study in a Malaysian context that provides empirical evidences that are concerned primarily with the process of teachers developing their collective efficacy through disciplined collaboration within their PLCs.

The 1st International Joint Seminars on Education, Social Science, and Applied Science (IJESAS) in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara

Dr Bambang Sumintono, the faculty member of FoE UIII, has presented as one of the Speaker for The 1st International Joint Seminars on Education, Social Science, and Applied Science (IJESAS) that managed by Institut Nasional Flores (INF), Asosiasi Pendidik Nusantara (Apentara), BREC Borneo, and Dharma Samakta Edukatulistiwa (DSE), with theme  “Camaraderie Toward Sustainable Prosperity: Accelerating Development on Applied Natural Science, Social Science, and Education at Post Pandemic” October 28th, 2023. The conference conducted hybrid , virtual Meeting as well as  offline in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.

 

 

 

 

 


Experts from FoE UIII and Deakin University Share Practices for Assessing Diverse Students

Experts from FoE UIII and Deakin University Share Practices for Assessing Diverse Students

September 04, 2023

Contributor: Maroof Ahmed | Editor: Supriyono

The Faculty of Education (FoE) of Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII), in partnership with Deakin University, Australia, orchestrated an online joint lecture on September 4, 2023, that brought together two esteemed speakers, namely Dr. Bahrul Hayat, Vice Rector for Academic, Student Affairs and Human Resources at UIII, and Dr. Joanna Tai, Senior Research Fellow at Deakin University.

Part of the UIII-Deakin Joint Lecture Series 2023, the event served as a platform for the sharing of thoughts concerning non-cognitive assessment in education and inclusive assessment in higher education. Both speakers, drawing from their extensive research, emphasized the need for a holistic approach to assessment that recognizes and values the diverse attributes and backgrounds of students.

Dr. Bahrul Hayat began his lecture by emphasizing the importance of non-cognitive attributes and skills in education. He cited various research findings that underscore the significant contribution of non-cognitive attributes and skills toward student success. These attributes and skills not only promote academic achievement but also lay the foundation for life success.

He elaborated on the vast array of non-cognitive constructs, ranging from tenacity, collegiality, and enthusiasm to motivation, conscientiousness, and adaptability. Dr. Hayat also highlighted the challenges in assessing these non-cognitive attributes, such as the potential for faking, subjectivity, and the complexities of the assessment instruments. However, he proposed potential approaches like the Situational Judgment Test (SJT) and Classroom Response Systems ("Clickers") as effective methods for non-cognitive assessment in education.

"Non-cognitive is a popular term found in the literature and is one of the many terms used in lieu of social and emotional learning (SEL). In education, non-cognitive encompasses attitude, behavior, skills, and strategies that powerfully affect students’ academic performance but are not components of the core content area knowledge and skills taught to students," said Dr. Bahrul Hayat.

Switching gears to Dr. Joanna Tai's segment, she provided an overview of the Australian context for inclusive assessment within higher education. Dr. Tai emphasized the increasing diversity in student demographics and the importance of designing assessments that are inclusive of all students.

She shared her research findings on student experiences of inclusive assessment, in which students highlighted the importance of clear and consistent instructions, meaningful assessment tasks, flexible due dates, and opportunities for formative feedback. Dr. Tai also discussed the challenges in changing assessment practices, including staff attitudes, university policies, and resource constraints.

"Assessment should recognize diversity in student learning and endeavor to ensure that no student is discriminated against by virtue of features other than their ability to meet appropriate standards," said Dr. Joanna Tai.

The collaboration between UIII and Deakin University in organizing this lecture is a testament to the importance of international academic exchanges in fostering understanding and promoting best practices in education. As the world of education continues to evolve, such discussions pave the way for more inclusive and effective teaching and assessment methodologies.

source: https://www.uiii.ac.id/news/57408/experts-from-uiii-and-deakin-university-share-practices-for-assessing-diverse-students


Navigating the Learning Map with Dr. Jarrod Hingston at FoE

Navigating the Learning Map with Dr. Jarrod Hingston at FoE

August 27, 2023

Contributor: Maroof Ahmed | Editor: Dadi Darmadi

On August 2, 2023, the Faculty of Education (FoE) at Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) was honored to host a public lecture by Dr. Jarrod Hingston, the Director of School and Early Childhood Education Services at the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). The topic of discussion was ‘The Learning Progression Concept,’ and it provided valuable insights into the modern approaches to educational assessment and progression.

Dr. Jarrod Hingston is an esteemed academic and a pivotal figure at ACER, an independent, not-for-profit research organization established in 1930. ACER's mission is to "create and promote research-based knowledge, products, and services that can be used to improve learning across the lifespan". With a global presence, including an office in Indonesia established in 2015, ACER has been actively collaborating with Indonesian educators for over three decades.

Dr. Hingston emphasized the importance of assessment in the educational journey. He highlighted that good assessment begins with a clear purpose, whether it is for selection, certification, or understanding achievement. A crucial aspect of assessment is its construct, which refers to 'what students know and can do'. This construct is further divided into definition, structure, content strands/processes, proficiencies, and contexts.

One of the central themes of Dr. Hingston's lecture was the Progressive Achievement Approach. He explained that while the traditional year-level achievement approach focuses on curriculum expectations, it often fails to acknowledge that learning is cumulative and not confined to specific year levels.

To address this, Dr. Hingston introduced the concept of a 'progress map,' which serves as a guide to understanding what skills and concepts a student needs to learn next. This map also allows educators to track a student's progress over time.

ACER's approach to this concept is rooted in providing reliable and valid methods to measure attainment at specific points in time and track progress over extended periods. Their Progressive Achievement assessments are designed to provide evidence to support teaching and learning, emphasizing that all students can demonstrate progress.

Dr. Hingston's lecture was a testament to the evolving nature of education and the need for a more holistic approach to assessment. The Progressive Achievement Approach underscores the importance of understanding each student's unique learning journey. It shifts the focus from mere year-level achievements to a more comprehensive view of a student's progress over time.

The lecture was not just an academic discourse but a call to action for educators to adopt a more inclusive and progressive approach to teaching and assessment. It emphasized the importance of evidence-based teaching and the need to support every student in their unique learning journey.

Dr. Jarrod Hingston's lecture was a valuable addition to the academic discourse at UIII. It provided a fresh perspective on assessment and emphasized the importance of a student-centric approach to education. As we move forward, it is essential to incorporate these insights into our educational practices to ensure that every student gets the best possible learning experience.

source: https://www.uiii.ac.id/news/57405/navigating-the-learning-map-with-dr-jarrod-hingston-at-foe


Attraction of Authority: The Indonesian Experience of Educational Decentralization

Sumintono, B., Hariri, H., and Izzati, U.A. (2023). Attraction of Authority: The Indonesian Experience of Educational Decentralization. In: Sakhiyya, Z., Wijaya Mulya, T. (eds) Education in Indonesia, Critical Perspectives on Equity and Social JusticeSpringer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-1878-2_10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abstract

The fall of the New Order government in 1998 changed the landscape of Indonesian education from a highly centralized system to a decentralized one. With this paradigm shift, district governments received a transfer of power in most public sectors in 2001, including education. The central questions in this chapter are: (1) How has Indonesia managed education in the decentralization era? and (2) How has the country managed the changes so far? Four key issues are discussed, namely, new regime of standardization, school operational cost, teachers and principals, and National Exam. We argue that Indonesian educational decentralization has mostly been about legitimacy and authority dialectics between local/district and central institutions. Moving from a highly centralized system to a more locally oriented one contests the legitimacy of each actor involved, resulting in competition for resources and survival. Nevertheless, we also identified some advances in terms of social justice and student learning support in this process of decentralization.


'Creative Schools' book review by Maroof Ahmed

Mr Marook Ahmed, an MA in education student from Pakistan provide popular book entitle "Creative Schools" by Sir Ken Robinson. This book is an inspiring call for educational reform. Robinson critiques the standardized approach to learning, advocating for a system that nurtures individual creativity and diverse talents. He highlights real-world success stories of innovative schools and educators who prioritize student engagement and exploration. Through engaging anecdotes and compelling arguments, Robinson challenges conventional methods and offers a vision for an education that encourages curiosity, collaboration, and critical thinking. While the book's ideas are invigorating, some may find its practical implementation challenging. Overall, "Creative Schools" urges a reimagining of education to better prepare students for the complexities of the modern world.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW1pFfUfxjE


International Conference on Educational Leadership and Asian Culture (ICELAC) 2023

Dr Bambang Sumintono, the faculty member of FoE UIII, has presented as one of the Plenary Speaker for the International Conference on Educational Leadership and Asian Culture (ICELAC) 2023. Dr Sumintono presented topic about Islamic Educational Leadership: Southeast Asia Perspectives. The conference  organized by Faculty of Education, Universiti Manitoba, Canada and School of Educational Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia. ICELAC 2023 was successfully held online (via Webex) and  attracted 571 registered participants from 31 countries worldwide who jointly explored prospects and developments in educational leadership and Asian culture.

The official news about the conference: https://news.usm.my/index.php/english-news/9338-usm-co-hosted-icelac-2023-promoting-asian-culture-and-research-on-development-of-educational-leadership?fbclid=IwAR0Nu6eJ7ciilOrdpbvismpOhlyLU6KcwzyDp7JoZqaHjGq1TY-mOHhMmNY