Online studying instructional measures at the International Relations Department of the National University of Ostroh Academy

Aim. The paper’s aim is to present some current specific online studying instructional measures at the International Relations Department of the National University of Ostroh Academy in Ukraine.Methods. The study is devoted to the observation of some theoretical and methodological aspects of the peculiarities of online studying measures at the International Relations Department. The theoretical and comparative methods of analysing the peculiarities of online studying have been taken into account. In order to summarise the currentonline studying experiences at the International Relations Department, some specific instructional measures for both students and teachers are presented, for example: how to handle the lack of interaction, master self-learning, promote self-regulation strategies and become more strategic thinkers.. The necessity of studying the above-mentionedaspects has been caused by their impact on students’ learning activity, especially in the times of COVID-19 pandemic.Results and conclusions. The focal point of this research is to provide an insight into the background of online studying peculiarities through the prism of Ukrainian teachers and students. The analysis is focused on online studying of foreign languages, as well as the possible online teaching methods of professional disciplines (History of International Relations; Foreign Policy of the Countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America; International Conflicts; Current Problems of International Relations in the Middle East) at the International Relations Department. What is more, the authors outline how to help students deal with the lack of interaction, master self-learning, promote self-regulation strategies and become more strategic thinkers. The authors also highlight possible challenges for the faculty and suggest ways to overcome those difficulties. Moreover, some major prerequisites of students’ self-regulatory online learning are described. Contribution. The results of the study are instrumental in mastering the peculiarities of online studying through the prism of learning at the International Relations Department of the National University of Ostroh Academy (Ukraine). The findings of this study may be considered important and contribute to future research.

Flip & Pair – a strategy to augment a blended course with active-learning components: effects on engagement and learning

Blended learning technique has adapted many new digitized tools to facilitate students with flexible and self-phased learning opportunities. The flipped classroom strategy, one of the blended learning models has been limited by low engagement of students in the online component. In the present study, we augment a Flip and Pair (F&P), an active-learning strategy into the blended learning course. Following the AB type single group quasi-experimental design, we evaluated the effects of F&P strategy on the student’s engagement and learning while orchestrating it for an undergraduate engineering physics course. Our results highlighted that there is a positive correlation between the engagement (computed based on learning logs of TEEL (Technology-enhanced and Evidence-based Education and Learning) platform in the F&P activities with that of the performance score (knowledge quizzes and final exam). F&P strategy had a better contribution compared to Flip and Traditional Teaching (F&TT) strategy with respect to both engagement and performance. Also, students exhibited a positive perception of learning and engagement. Based on our findings, we identified the key instructional measures that an instructor can follow to increase student engagement while using the F&P strategy.

Individualisation in the Multicultural Teaching-Learning Situation

This article aims to indicate that an individualised approach is imperative for the successful teaching of multicultural pupil populations. The cultural plurality displayed by the South African population is first dealt with, whereafter the educational needs which evolve from the cultural plurality are identified. The process of educational change is described in terms of Kuhn's idea of the structure of scientific revolutions as it pertains to the South African situation. Appropriate instructional measures for meeting evolving educational needs are suggested. These measures are largely based on Lynch's model of instructional strategies which illustrates the process of matching curriculum and pupil information with a view to achieving equity in educational provision.