LEARNING

This quantitative, qualitative study investigates the usage of mobile phone applications in teaching and learning processes. The study aims to identify the benefits, difficulties, and resolutions of using mobile phone applications. The study was conducted in the English Department at Hebron University at the second semester of the academic years 2015/2016. The study focuses on the Business English course. A questionnaire was used to show the general attitudes of the students towards the effects of using mobile phone applications in the classroom. Interviews were administered to reveal the general attitudes of the students and instructors towards the difficulties and the solutions. The results showed that most students responded positively to using mobile applications in teaching and learning processes. In addition, all students had smart phones, and they used varied brands applications in the learning process. Moreover, the results indicated that students understand and learn better through using the applications.

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to identify specialized language needs of MA students in University of Mazandaran. Method: This study was mix method instruments which would deeply explore the perspectives of English for specific purpose teachers and students about task–based language needs of teaching ESP. Semi-structured interview was carried out with a number of teachers and students in the field of sport management. The statistical population of the stage includes some teachers and students in the field of sport management. The sampling method was Purposive sampling and Sampling continue until theoretical saturation. Three ESP teachers who have been teaching ESP to the students for at least four years participated in this study. They were all selected through purposive sampling. Also, MA and Ph.D. (twelve persons) students who had passed this course were selected in qualitative stage. In quantitative stage and based on the results of the first stage, the questionnaire was designed. This questionnaire was broadly distributed amongst students and teachers (33 persons) in the field of sport management. Descriptive and Inferential statistics, were used to analyze the demographic information of the participants and their responses. Results: The results of the study showed that the main real tasks which were most frequently used in the English sport management classes include Participating in daily conversations, giving lectures at conferences, Conversation with foreign experts, Understanding daily conversations. The method of working with and using English to English dictionary to take advantage of all the capabilities contained in it. Conclusions: The information obtained about the target tasks and their frequency can be employed when taking decisions about which tasks should be part of a curriculum.

Learning vocabulary constitutes a crucial step in language learning. Amongst different word categories, compound words have failed to attract the attention they deserve. This led us to conduct a study trying to pinpoint the difficulties learning these words and to suggest some techniques facilitating their acquisition. To that effect, a questionnaire as well as a vocabu-lary test were given to two groups of FFL (French as a Foreign Language) learners. Carried out from a descriptive and analytical point of view, this study was based on a real corpus and led to the following results: Firstly, learners showed little tendency towards making use of compound words, both in writing and in speaking. Secondly, teachers can contribute to a better learning by providing learners with convenient strategies. Thirdly, familiarity with Greco-Latin roots enormously help learners to guess the meaning of an unknown word.

This paper explores the empirical evidence of the nature of intra-metropolitan supply linkages and industrial clustering and searches for the driving forces that enhances the learning processes and innovation capacities hence; contributing to competitive advantage within the Tehran metropolitan. The research points to accelerating growth in the automotive sector since the late 1980s and early 1990s which has been the driving force of the Tehran’s economy. This growth appears to be related to industrial clustering and systemic linkages with actors such as suppliers, sub-contractors and so on. The analysis of empirical evidences from the sample industrial cluster indicates a considerable number of interesting findings from strong degrees of industrial clustering. However, there are some weak evidences of industrial clustering such as weak institutional environment in the cluster.

The environmental crisis is increasing today and this makes it imperative for people more than ever to expand their understanding of the environmental concepts. Accordingly, films can be an effective tool to do that, but finding the right medium is a matter of debate. Needless to say, different forms of films have different effects. Within the same line, the current paper aims to test out the effectiveness of narrative and non-narrative documentary films on the learning and retention of the environmental concepts. The research method was quasi-experimental, administering a pre-test and a post-test on 20 male and 20 female participants between 20-27 years old. The samples were randomly categorized into two groups. Both groups had an equal number of participants who did not have any earlier  environmental activities and their majors were not related to environment and natural resources studies. They were from a variety of educational backgrounds. The groups were homogenous in terms of GPA, too. Firstly, the pre-test was administered to both groups. One group watched a narrative documentary on environmental and natural resources for 8 weeks, while the other group watched the non-narrative version of the same film for the same period. Then, a learning and retention test was given to both groups. The MANCOVA test was administered on the data and the findings showed a significant difference between the two groups in terms of learning and retention. It was concluded that narrative films can have a more significant effect on the learning and retention of the variables.

Due to the global competitive environment in the mobile app market, traditional problem-solving methods in examining the problem of accepting stores offering these digital products have ignored the important role of human factors and therefore this weakness necessitates research on relevant policies by governing bodies from another perspective based on a soft systems thinking approach. This problem has structural complexities, and many stakeholders have different views on it. Therefore, using the methodological approach of soft systems can be a solution for this purpose. This research was applied, exploratory, and qualitative, and the statistical population consisted of 10 experts in the telecom industry, whose selection was made by purposeful judgment. Data collection tools were conducted in in-depth semi-structured interviews. The research findings lead to a conceptual and structured model for improving change, learning and helping to improve macro policies in this area.

Choosing the right method for teaching is an important step in learning. Corporate trainers have always been interested in finding new ways to achieve effective learning. The present study seeks to improve language learning by measuring, comparing and prioritizing the effectiveness of three methods: traditional, blended and flipped method. In terms of purpose and nature, the present study was experimental and with respect to method it was quasi-experimental including a pre-test and a post-test designed with an equivalent control group. The participants consisted of 66 employees in an Iranian organization who were required to attend English language courses. The participants were sampled in accordance with training needs analysis results in the organization. Moreover, data were analyzed by means of descriptive and inferential statistics including mean analysis, standard deviation, F-way ANOVA, and Scheffe post hoc test using SPSS software version 25. The findings of the study indicate a significant difference between the three groups and the ranking of methods in terms of learning effectiveness from the highest to the lowest level includes; 1)Flipped 2) Blended 3) Traditional, respectively. The results showed that in spite of the high effectiveness of the flipped classroom to the other methods, some cultural differences such as family preference, feasts,  training customs and also resistance to new methods of learning hindered the allocation of sufficient time for practicing the lesson at home. In addition, such hindrances partially trace back to ancient Iranian culture. In conclusion, some suggestions were proposed to modify technology acceptance and other related weaknesses.   

It appears that English Proficiency Test (EPT) as a high stake test plays a key role in addressing many aspects of the educational system and individuals' lives. This paper aimed to represent Iranian non-English PhD students’ perceptions regarding their learning and testing preferences, and to investigate the relationship between educational consequences and psychological consequences of EPT among Iranian non-English PhD students. To reach the goals, two attitudinal researcher-made questionnaires developed and validated (in Persian) at five point Likert-scale format scaling from 1-5 (strongly disagree to strongly agree); subsequently, pilot study was conducted and then the instruments were distributed among 252 participants via online administration throughout Iran. The analyzed results by the software package of SPSS, version 24 showed that deep learning had the highest mean among other subscales and item 3 in testing preferences which was related to creativity hit the lowest mean score. Moreover, the results confirmed that there was a significant and positive relationship between educational consequences and psychological consequences.

Purpose: This paper aims to evaluate the teaching and learning processes of the Arabic course in the high schools of Zabol County. Methodology: Descriptive-correlational method was applied as the research method and the statistical population was comprised of two groups – students and teachers of Arabic course. It had a practical aim and relies on the general hypothesis stating that the Arabic course taught at the high schools of Zabol does not attain the acceptable level. Using separate questionnaires, the data regarding the level of acceptability of teaching and learning as perceived by students, teachers and textbooks were collected. The data were analyzed using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, one-sample t-test and independent t-test, Spearman’s rank correlation and analysis of variance. Findings: The results indicated that the level of acceptability was lower than average regarding two factors: students and textbooks; furthermore, it was slightly higher than average regarding teachers. To enhance the level of acceptability it is recommended to create an Arabic atmosphere using posters, brochures and images and using the visual capabilities like watching movies and cartoons related to the lesson. Conclusion: In addition, produce Arabic software and video games and teaching Arabic using various games and reducing uninteresting pictures is suggested.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the factors affecting Service Learning (SL) in primary school students in Tehran. Methodology: The present descriptive survey research was conducted in terms of the goal as basic with mixed approach, exploratory categorization. In the qualitative part, in addition to using specialized texts in the field of SL, Teachers and specialists active in the field of service learning were interviewed; participants in quantity part included elementary school teachers in the same city. In the qualitative section, the sample included 30 people who were selected by targeted sampling method, considering 5-15 people for each variable, and in quantitative one, 309 people were randomly selected via single-stage cluster. To collect data in the qualitative part, analysis of texts related to service learning, and semi-structured interview, and in the quantitative part of the study, the researcher-made questionnaire were used. Findings: For data analysis in the qualitative part, two analyses of grounded and content, and in quantitative, exploratory factor analysis were administered. The results showed that five factor categories affect the implementation of service learning in schools, which were respectively (based on factor load value) at the following: 1) professional and general competence factor of teachers, with 25 indicators and factor load of 0.694. 2) the atmosphere factor of School, with 8 indicators and operating load 0.680. 3) Curriculum development, with 34 indicators and factor load of 0.631. 4) Educational leadership, with 12 indicators and factor load of 0.0670. 5) School relationship with community, with 7 indicators and Operating load 0.646. Conclusion: In general, in order to increase students' orientation of service learning, the competency and capability of teachers should be improved through new software methods and technology, furthermore, the school space should be appropriately enriched in terms of content, curriculum and educational programs to meet students’ basic needs and to establish effective relation between the school, and influential factors in the society.

Purpose: The present research aimed to designing and compiling a pattern to pave the way for the growth of creativity in the learning process in the curriculum structure of elementary course education. Methodology: This study was in terms of purpose was applied and in terms of implementation was qualitative by method of theoretical. The research population was superior documents and education experts of education of Tehran city in 2019 year, which for this purpose were used from the theoretical foundations and approaches of creativity and the opinions of experts. Data were collected by filing and interview methods and their psychometric indices were confirmed. To analyze the data were used the methods of document analysis, interpretive analysis and consensus adequacy. Findings: The findings showed that the amount of attention of the document of fundamental change of education to foster creativity was low and the amount of attention of the document of national curriculum to foster creativity was very low. Also, the most important elements and characteristics to pave the way for the growth of creativity in the learning process were included purpose, content, teaching and learning strategies, evaluation, learning activities, learning space, learning time, teaching materials and resources and grouping. In addition, the research pattern according to the findings was designed and approved based on the general consensus of experts. Conclusion: According to the results, in order to pave the way for the growth of creativity in the learning process in the curriculum structure of elementary course education, must to pay attention to the elements and characteristics extracted from this research and design and implement programs to improve them.

Plato 1s doctrine of recollection is often identified witb innatism, and he is said to be an innatist. The present pape0 alongside J,vifh e:x:plaining this doctrine and other related doctrines in Plato's epistemology, argues that the doctrine of recollection is not necessarily the same as innatism. It is a matter of fact that, in Plato's epistemology1 perception and intellectual epistemic activi01 plqy a crucial role in the acquisition of kn01vledge.

Abstract Cognitive strategies and also social self-efficacy are the most important learning tools that are essential and influential components for student performance. Considering this, the present study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the cognitive styles training on the improvement of learning and social self-efficacy among students of Farhangian university of Mazandaran. Present research was a quasi-experimental with pretest-posttest and control group design. To this purpose, 60 students were allocated to experimental and control groups during the year 2018-2019 using a random sampling method (30 control group and 30 experimental group) and they were asked to complete Smith and Betz’s (2000) 25-item Scale of Perceived Social Self-Efficacy (SPSSE) as pretest. The experimental group received 10 ninety-minute sessions of cognitive strategy training. At the end both groups answered the above questionnaire again. Mean, standard deviation and analysis of covariance were used to analyze the data. The results indicated that Cognitive styles training increased students’ learning and social self-efficacy significantly (P≥0/001). Considering the effectiveness of cognitive style training, it is suggested that utilizing this method to improve students' academic status and increase social self-efficacy.

The present study aimed to explore the relationship between the hidden curriculum components and the affective attitudes of students' learning in high schools and to create a better learning and educational setting. The research adopted a quantitative method using a cross-sectional survey. The population consisted of 277 male high school students in District 1 of Bandar Abbas in the academic year 2019-2020. They were selected through the cluster sampling method and randomly assigned to the experimental groups. Data were gathered by the Affective Attitudes of Learning Questionnaire and the Hidden Curriculum Components Questionnaire. Structural equation modeling, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data in a quantitative way. In the quantitative part, the results of multiple regression showed that there was a correlation (0.0627) between the components of the hidden curriculum with affective attitudes of learning that was significant at (0.095) confidence level. To compare the differences between the scores of the hidden curriculum components in different types of high schools, the quantitative findings showed the mean scores of most components in Exceptional Talents (SAMPAD) high school were significantly higher than the mean scores in public and non-public high schools (P <0.05). Furthermore, the results showed that the components of the hidden curriculum have a profound and lasting impact on their affective attitudes toward school, textbooks, courses, and their academic self-concept.

Learning of students. This study, in terms of purpose, applied, and in the manner and method of implementation, is an integral part of empirical studies. In this research, a four-group Solomon design with pre-test and post-test, and control group were used. The statistical population consisted of all undergraduate students at Kermanshah Payam Noor University, who had specialized  language lessons during the semester. Among them, 60 people were selected as the statistical sample using available sampling. To test the students' learning, a researcher-made test was used. The validity of the test using the Kooder Richardson method was 82. announced. SPSS software was used to perform statistical calculations, and multivariate analysis of variance analysis was used to investigate the hypotheses of the research. The results of the data analysis showed that there is a significant difference between the mean scores of the experimental and control groups in the visual, written, audio, and oral components, but the effect of the pre-test, as well as the interaction of pretest and group is not meaningful. The results also showed that the participation of learners in training exercises, while paved the way for activating knowledge of learners' resources, helps them to associate past and future. These findings ultimately confirm the impact of multimedia education on the level of learning the student's English language vocabulary, and can be used in conjunction with other intervening methods. 

Designing places particular for children entails desire conditions for the physical, mental, emotional and social development in different age ranges, and this design shouldn’t bring about any disturbance in the natural growth and their entertainment. In the modern educational system, the physical atmosphere of the school must be an alive and dynamic factor in the quality of educational and training activities for the students. In the creation of physical atmospheres based on identifying the principles of aesthetics, it is essential to put the perceptual principles of atmosphere, context and color into practice. According to the findings of the researchers, colors has miraculous effects on the mental and morale of human beings and the color type bring about joy, freshness, mobility or depression, tiredness, and dullness and they influence on the individuals’ performance. The present study aims to explore the appropriate atmosphere features for children`s learning and the effect of color diversity on education level and their attraction toward the educational setting in order to enhance the quality of educational environment. To do so, 6 schools in Isfahan were selected randomly as the sample group. To collect data, colorful brochures (questionnaires) followed by free questions about the educational environment were applied. When the data was analyzed, desirable results on the role of color in the educational settings and the students` interest to the educational settings were found suggesting that the sense of motivation and interest to educational settings are effective factors on the student`s understanding about school and their educational progresses.