مطالب

The issue of culture is very important in the field of e-education. Accordingly, the purpose of present study was to investigate the learners’ cultural characteristics of e-education at PNU. The research method was descriptive and the instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire which was designed based on the four dimensions of Hofstede's cultural theory. These four dimensions investigated were power distance, uncertainty avoidance versus uncertainty acceptance, masculinity versus femininity, and collectivism versus individualism. Its content validity was determined by experts and its reliability was estimated using Cronbach alpha (83%). Participants were the students of PNU in Khuzestan province, who were studying in e-education courses in the academic year 2021-2022, and 897 participants responded to the online questionnaire using the available sampling method. Mean, standard deviation and one sample t-test were used for data analysis. The results compared with the test value of number three revealed: the mean of cultural characteristics of learners in PNU students in power distance are higher than that of the society mean, and the mean of the uncertainty avoidance factors is higher than the society mean and the mean of the factors of Uncertainty acceptance is lower than the society mean, in the dimension of masculinity verses femininity in both factors, the mean is higher than the society mean, in the dimension of collectivism verses individualism, mean of the factors related to collectivism is lower than the society mean and the mean of the factors related to Individualism was higher than the society mean. The research results provide guidelines for the design and implementation of e-learning courses.

The present study investigated the relationship between technology acceptance, electronic assessment (e-assessment) methods and the satisfaction of students at Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran, using a descriptive-correlational design. The research population consisted of all the students (n = 14096) studying at Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman in the academic year 2021-2023. A sample of 387 students was selected using quota sampling. The data were collected using the Technology Acceptance Questionnaire (Teo, 2009) and two researcher-made satisfaction and e-assessment questionnaires, whose validity and reliability were estimated as 0.96 and 0.88, respectively. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling (SEM). The proposed model was evaluated using a two-step approach (Anderson & Gerbing, 1988). The Baron and Kenny (1986) approach and Sobel’s test (1982) were used to test the mediating relationships in the proposed model and their significance. The results showed a positive and significant relationship between e-assessment and student satisfaction (β=0.78). There was also a positive and significant relationship between the degree of technology acceptance and student satisfaction (β=0.16), but no significant relationship was found between e-assessment and the degree of technology acceptance among the students (β=0.01). These findings imply that technology acceptance cannot play a mediating role in the relationship between e-assessment and student satisfaction at Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman. However, satisfaction acted as a mediating variable in the relationship between technology acceptance and the assessment method. Keywords: E-assessment, Technology Acceptance, Student Satisfaction, Students, University.

The landscape of education has been revolutionized by the rapid advancements in digital technology, presenting both opportunities and challenges for educators and learners. In this context, the integration of technology into teaching and learning is no longer sufficient; educators must also embrace the power of networked learning to foster knowledge construction in a connected world. This expository article introduces the innovative framework of Connective TPACK, which seamlessly combines technology, pedagogy, content knowledge, and networked learning. By exploring the key elements of Connective TPACK and its implications for education, this article aims to empower educators and learners in navigating the networked environment and constructing knowledge collaboratively. From fostering connections and collaboration to nurturing a culture of self-directed learning, the Connective TPACK Framework paves the way for authentic, global, and learner-centered education. Embracing this holistic approach enables educators to leverage technology and networked learning effectively, preparing learners to thrive in the interconnected world with confidence and agency.

This study is investigated the effectiveness of science education with STEM approach, in a combined (face-to-face and virtual) method, on problem solving skill of the students of the middle school in the topic of energy. This research is a semi-experimental and pre-test-post-test type with the control group. The statistical population is all the 7th-grade male students from middle school in Tabadakan region, Mashhad 2021-2022. From this statistical population, 70 students were selected by the convenience sampling who were in two classes. One of the classes was randomly selected as the experimental group and the other as the control group. The control group received training through the traditional approach, whereas the experimental group underwent training using the STEM method. The research tool was Hepner and Patterson's (1988) standard problem solving skill questionnaire. In order to develop lesson plan with STEM approach, the proposed standard framework (STE(A)M IN INTEGRATED LEARNING SCENARIO) was used. Data from questionnaires was analyzed using SPSS, with statistical indicators calculated and normality. Also, hypotheses investigated using Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests and covariance analysis. The significant values obtained for problem-solving skill (0.033) and its subscales, including Confidence (0.022), Approach-Avoidance style (0.046) and Personal Control (0.025), indicated that the STEM approach was helpful in improving learners' learning and strengthening their problem-solving skill. Also, this study showed that students generally have difficulty learning scientific concepts and problem solving skills, but hybrid approaches such as STEM can improve educational processes and learner performance in developing countries such as Iran. Therefore, the role of STEM approach in education becomes highlighted.

Open Soft Software brings about a powerful learning environment, and it transforms the learning and teaching process in which students deal with knowledge in an active and self-directed way. However, over-reliance on conventional methods, lack of awareness, skills, knowledge, among others, are factors militating against the adoption of OSS for learning. This study examines the self-efficacy in the use of open-source software for instruction among undergraduate pre-service teachers in Lagos State. The population for this study were pre-service teachers in all universities in Lagos State. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the universities from where the student samples were drawn based on public universities that are on campus. The instrument for data collection was an adapted questionnaire. Descriptive and Inferential statistics were used to answer the research question and test the stated hypothesis with the aid of stastistical product and service solution (SPSS) version 20.0 at 0.05 level of significant . The findings indicated that undergraduates have low self-efficacy in the use of open-source software for instruction. Also, significant difference exists between male and female pre-service teachers’ self-efficacy on OSS for instruction in Lagos State. This study concluded that most pre-service teachers in Lagos State did not have the skills necessary to use OSS for learning. Therefore, the study recommended that government should organise training for pre-service teachers on the use of OSS for learning. Key words: Self-efficacy, Open-Source Software, ICT, Gender and Constraints