COVID-19 Pandemic and Strategizing the Higher Education Policies of Public Universities of Ethiopia

The purpose of the research is to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on higher education policies and their effect on students' academic performance at public universities in Ethiopia. The study adopts a quantitative approach followed by causal analysis by applying structural equation modeling. A sample of 384 has been selected through simple random sampling out of a large population of academic staff spread homogeneously across Ethiopia. The study variables are COVID-19, higher education policies, digital learning, teacher preparedness, and student academic performance. The findings reveal that the hypothesized model becomes a perfect fit. Based on the standardized coefficient, the most influencing path is the effect of higher education policy on digital learning, followed by the impact of COVID-19 on higher education policy, academic performance, and teacher preparedness, respectively. The study has further observed the partial effect of teacher preparedness on the students' academic performance.

IMPLEMENTATION OF CLIL AT TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY FOCUSING ON CLIL TEACHER PROFILE

The submitted paper deals with the issue of CLIL implementation at the Technical University in Zvolen, Slovakia, specifically with the CLIL teacher profile and the preparedness of the university teachers to apply CLIL into their teaching practice. The topic was selected due to the ever-increasing importance of English in everyday communication and for professional, academic, and scientific purposes. The nature of the research is qualitative; therefore, the SWOT analysis was used for analyzing the current state of teacher preparedness for CLIL implementation. The study was conducted using a sample of 15 university teachers teaching disciplinary subjects via a structured interview. The interviews were subsequently analyzed, considering three aspects of CLIL teacher profile: professional background and expertise, methodological preparedness, and language preparedness. Individual strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of implementing CLIL were established in the analysis. The results indicated a general lack of language and methodological preparedness of teachers. On the other hand, all interviewed teachers were eager to improve in the specific areas to teach using the CLIL methodology since they all acknowledged the importance of language knowledge. Nevertheless, students' insufficient level of language preparedness could be a threat to implementing the CLIL methodology, which could eventually discourage them from attending lectures and seminars where CLIL elements are applied.

Analyzing the Impact on Teacher Preparedness as a Result of Using Mursion as a Risk-free Microteaching Experience for Pre-service Teachers

Risk-free micro-teaching affords an opportunity for pre-service teachers (PTs) to practice teaching and student engagement techniques outside of a traditional classroom setting. More time to practice teaching is often an expressed desire of PTs. Orchestrating time to practice teaching techniques learned in pedagogy courses is a difficult undertaking for teacher educators, especially while trying to ensure low-risk or risk-free experiences. As explained through this study, the implementation of a Mursion simulation to offer risk-free micro-teaching experiences for PTs served as a valuable addition to an introductory teaching course. The Mursion experience enhanced PTs’ personal preparation for teaching as well as enhancing their professionalism and lesson quality.

Indonesian Teachers’ Perceived Technology Literacy for Enabling Technology-Enhanced English Instruction

Today, technology plays a pivotal role in language teaching and many teachers are expected to integrate technology into their instruction. Although studies have shown positive results from the incorporation of technology into language learning, many studies have also raised concerns about lack of teacher preparedness to teach with technology. Grounded in the TPACK Framework developed by Koehler and Mishra (2006), the present study examines teachers’ technology literacy for supporting technology-enhanced English as a Foreign Language (EFL) instruction in Maluku, Eastern Indonesia. The participants (n=43) were EFL teachers at public high schools and vocational high schools in Maluku. The data were collected using an online TPACK questionnaire (Schmidt et al. 2009) and semi-structured interviews with EFL teachers. The findings showed teachers’ awareness of the significance of technology use in their EFL instruction. Teachers acknowledged a handful of tools already deployed to improve English skills inside and beyond classrooms, but noted needs for effective CALL enactment, such as continued training and accessible technologies. Based on the findings, recommendations include the provision of training modules for ongoing training of in-service teachers and improved school facilities.

Validation of the Teaching Mathematical Modeling Self-Efficacy Scale (TMMSS)

Mathematical modeling has many possible benefits for students when implemented in K–12 mathematics instruction. When teachers have positive self-efficacy for mathematical modeling it is more likely they will continue to implement it. In order to measure teacher’s self-efficacy in the context of teaching mathematical modeling the development of an instrument specific to mathematical modeling is needed. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate the Teaching Mathematical Modeling Self-Efficacy Scale (TMMSS) as a tool for measuring perceived teacher preparedness for implementing mathematical modeling. The TMMSS was constructed through a thorough review of the literature regarding K–12 mathematical modeling and prior research on the development of teacher self-efficacy instruments. The participants for this study were from the USA. The TMMSS can be useful for evaluation of mathematical modeling professional development and school-based mathematical modeling research.

The Role of Teacher Educators in Curriculum Reforms in Lesotho Schools

To a certain extent, many curriculum reforms that have been introduced in Lesotho schools have been unsuccessful. Teachers’ preparedness to implement these reforms has been the major factor for the failures. Involving teacher education providers in the preparation of teacher preparedness could improve the success rate of these school reforms. Therefore, understanding how education educators prepare teachers for curriculum reforms could assist to understand why school teachers often appear to be ill-prepared for curriculum reforms. Accordingly, this paper investigated the views of six teacher educators about their role in the preparation of teachers for curriculum reforms in Lesotho schools. A questionnaire was used to collect data that were analysed thematically. The results obtained indicate that: teacher educators are involved in a limited way in Lesotho curriculum reforms; and they have limited knowledge about the current reforms. As a result, their training practices do not target to prepare teachers for the reforms introduced in schools. This explains why many studies have found teachers to be ill-prepared for any curriculum reforms in Lesotho. These findings raise awareness on the issue that teacher educators should be involved in the reforms in Lesotho. Therefore, the main recommendation of this study is to engage teacher education providers so as to make the reforms successful.

Entrepreneurship skills in the curriculum of a selected vocational college in Selangor

Entrepreneurship is important in generating economic growth and social capital. Although entrepreneurship programs have been conducted in educational institutions, there seems to be uncertainty on components of entrepreneurship required in the curriculum. In addition, there has been very few successful entrepreneurs from these programmes. Further, there has been few studies onentrepreneurship in Malaysian Vocational Colleges and hence the implementation of programmes related to teaching entrepreneurship needs to be investigated to determine the skills required for entrepreneurship.A survey among 71 students and teachers at a premier vocational college to investigate current practices and EE components required was administered using a questionnaire and analysed using percentages and cross-tabulation while the open-ended responses were analysed according to emerging themes. The findings indicate that although EE was implemented in all colleges, the stakeholders required autonomy to design the curriculum according to the needs of the local community. Lack of resources and teacher preparedness were the main challenges in implementing EE. Marketing skills were required in most of the courses related to technology (Industrial Machinery Technology, Construction Technology and Computer and Networking System) whilesales management was important for Computer and Networking System, and Accountancy courses. Innovation was important for Electronic Technology. Further, some suggestions for the improvement of the vocational and technical courses in relation to entrepreneurship skills, were made.

Primary School Teachers’ Experiences with Teaching Resources and Technology at a Primary and Junior High School in Urban Jamaica

This paper sought to explore primary teachers’ experiences with implementing Resource and Technology (R&T) and how these experiences influence successful teacher adaptability to educational change. The findings revealed a shared consensus among teachers that successful teacher adaptability is dependent on teacher preparedness, development of infrastructure, teacher support and the realities of their experiences among others.

Cross-country comparison of EFL teacher preparedness to include dyslexic learners: Validation of a questionnaire

The aim of this study was to validate a 24-item TEPID (Teachers of EFL Preparedness to Include Dyslexics) scale measuring the beliefs of 546 pre-service and in-service teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL) across three countries (Cyprus, Greece, and Poland) on their preparedness to include learners with dyslexia in mainstream foreign language (FL) classes. Principal component analysis of the scale led to a two-factor structure, that is, knowledge and self-efficacy in implementing inclusive instructional practices with dyslexic EFL learners, and stance towards inclusion. The analysis of measurement invariance confirmed the generalizability of the TEPID across all subgroups and allowed valid comparisons between factor variances and covariances. The scale is a useful tool for investigating perceived teacher preparedness to include dyslexic learners and variables that influence TEPID, comparing the results across countries, and designing tailored pre-service and in-service training schemes on inclusion.