درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

Purpose: The curriculum is a central element in any educational activity, and the present study aimed to design and validate an environmental education curriculum model for higher education based on the "Aker" approach. Methodology: This study used a mixed-methods approach, where the qualitative sample consisted of academic and organizational experts familiar with the research field, and the quantitative sample included curriculum specialists, textbook authors of the Ministry of Education, and environmental experts. The qualitative and quantitative research samples comprised 22 and 191 individuals, respectively, selected according to the principle of theoretical saturation through purposive non-random sampling and Cochran's formula with convenience non-random sampling. The research tools were semi-structured interviews and researcher-made questionnaires in the qualitative and quantitative sections, respectively, whose psychometric indices were confirmed. Data were analyzed using coding in Nvivo software and exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling in SPSS and Smart PLS software. Findings: The qualitative findings indicated that the environmental education curriculum model for higher education based on the "Aker" approach contained 87 concepts across 10 elements; namely, 13 concepts for program logic, 15 for program objectives, 13 for educational content, 7 for teaching and learning activities, 9 for instructor characteristics, 7 for educational materials and resources, 5 for educational space and setting, 8 for grouping, 4 for instructional time, and 6 for assessment. Additionally, the quantitative findings showed that the factor loadings, average variance extracted, and composite reliability of the elements were respectively higher than 0.40, 0.50, and 0.70. The fit of the environmental education curriculum model for higher education based on the "Aker" approach was appropriate, with all path coefficients being higher than 0.50 and significant at the 0.001 level. Conclusion: According to the environmental education curriculum model for higher education based on the "Aker" approach and its concepts, planning for the design and application of an environmental education curriculum is essential.

Purpose: One of the methods of curriculum design is based on the positive education approach. Therefore, the aim of this study was to design and validate a curriculum model based on the positive education approach in Iran's secondary education. Methodology: This study was applied and mixed-methods in terms of objective and implementation, respectively. The research population in both design and validation parts consisted of experts and scholars in the fields of educational studies, educational management, educational psychology, and research and planning experts for the compilation of secondary education textbooks. The sample of this study, based on the principle of theoretical saturation, included 22 individuals who were selected through purposive sampling and were subjected to semi-structured interviews and completion of a researcher-made questionnaire. The data obtained from the interviews and questionnaires were analyzed using coding methods based on grounded theory, exploratory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling. Findings: Coding findings revealed that for the curriculum model based on the positive education approach in Iran's secondary education, 50 components were identified in 4 categories: causal factors (16 components), contextual and intervening factors (18 components), strategies (8 components), and effects and outcomes (8 components). Validity was confirmed through triangulation method and peer review, and reliability was calculated at 77 percent using the inter-rater agreement method. Findings from the exploratory factor analysis showed that the factor loading of each of the 50 components was appropriate, and 11 components were able to explain 86.4 percent of the total variance of the curriculum based on the positive education approach in Iran's secondary education. Structural equation modeling findings indicated that the curriculum model had a suitable fit and significantly impacted all four categories: causal factors, contextual and intervening factors, strategies, and effects and outcomes. Conclusion: Curriculum specialists and planners, based on the categories and components of this study, can take effective steps towards improving the curriculum based on the positive education approach in Iran's secondary education.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant effects and outcomes on primary education. Therefore, the aim of this study was to understand teachers' experiences of the effects and outcomes of COVID-19 on the quality of education in elementary schools. Methodology: This qualitative study was phenomenological in nature. The research population consisted of elementary school teachers in Zanjan County, from which 24 were selected as samples through purposive sampling based on the principle of theoretical saturation. The samples were subjected to semi-structured interviews, the validity of which was confirmed through triangulation and the reliability was calculated as 0.88 using the intercoder agreement coefficient. Data analysis of the present study was conducted using thematic analysis in MAXQDA software. Findings: The results of this study indicated that understanding teachers' experiences of the effects and outcomes of COVID-19 on the quality of education in elementary schools consisted of 14 sub-themes under 2 main themes. The main theme of the virtualization of education included 9 sub-themes: deficiencies in facilities and infrastructure, lack of information and experience among teachers, decreased quality of learning, increased stress among families, behavioral and psychological problems of students, health and physical problems of students, economic problems, educational gaps, and the organization of psychological strengthening courses. The main theme of developing new policies and strategies in education and teaching included 5 sub-themes: a new approach to modern education, new policies in school development, new strategies in teacher training, new work procedures and goals, and the integration of technology in the workplace and life. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it was determined that COVID-19 opened a new window for the education system to adjust and change educational policies and develop the necessary infrastructure to improve the quality of education.