ISSN 2350-7497 (online) ISSN: 0119-2000 (printed) The International Forum is a peer-reviewed journal published electronically twice yearly by the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) Graduate School.
Graduate School of the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS)
DESIGNING HYBRID TEACHING STRATEGIES FOR MULTIAGE LEARNERS
Diversity is pervasive in classrooms today, highlighting a variety of student needs. An eclectic approach towards teaching and learning allows for customized delivery of lessons. Consequently, the hybridization of teaching models and strategies creates effective instruction, potentially supporting students’ varied learning styles and multiple intelligences. It addresses the limitation of utilizing a single pedagogic approach to achieving better learning outcomes. This theoretical paper explores the possibility of designing hybridized teaching strategies for multiage learners. It defines hybridized teaching strategies, highlights the scope of the teaching strategies or models of teaching to be combined, and discusses the approach to multiage learners.The paper presents the possibility of utilizing teaching models that include the personal family, information- processing family, behavioral family, and social family to design such a hybrid of teaching strategies for the instruction of multiage learners.
Transition Experience of Graduate Students in an Asian Multicultural Institution: A Case Study
Success in higher education is a complex matter. Some students experience challenges in their transition process from a secular to a faith-based multicultural institution. There is a need to identify the ways to facilitate the transition in a faith-based international environment. This qualitative case study describes the transition experiences of students who never studied in but are currently studying in a faith-based institution. The study is built upon the Socialization theory (Weidman et al., 2001), which helps in understanding the adjustment process to a new academic environment. Data collection comprised interviews, observation, and documents. Data was transcribed, coded, and grouped by categories and themes using thematic coding. The recurring themes revealed challenges in academic, social, and spiritual aspects. Several coping strategies were mentioned, like personal initiative, familial, collegial, faculty, administrative, and communal support. For implementation, it was recommended a digital orientation kit translated into different languages, assignment of mentors, and organization of study groups for the new students. The study also proffers several recommendations for further research.
Application of Leadership Theories to Crisis Management in Institutions of Higher Learning: The Case of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously impacted individuals and organizations globally. It has significantly affected educational institutions. Institutions that had considered only traditional approaches to learning were left with little or no choice but to shift to virtual or online learning modality. Many educators and educational leaders were not prepared for the rapid change that the pandemic caused. The concept of virtual education or learning was not considered an effective substitute to traditional learning approaches by many institutions before the pandemic. Higher education institutions faced grave challenges in starting or continuing their courses of action. These challenges posed by the pandemic heavily impacted various spheres of the institutions, with much of the burden on teaching, learning, and finance. Institutions responded to the crisis in the most effective way they knew how. This paper analyzes theories and approaches that were applicable to the COVID-19 crisis management strategies in institutions of higher learning during the pandemic. It explores four critically interwoven leadership approaches inclusive of transformational, servant, adaptive, and team leadership, which were inarguably beneficial for both long- and short-term impacts on the advancement of higher education in an unstable environment like the one imposed by COVID-19.
The Portrayal of the Implementation of Faith and Learning by Adventist Teachers in Manado: A Case Study
Adventist education is based on the balanced growth of physical, mental, social, and spiritual aspects of the individual. The spiritual aspect is a distinctive factor of Adventist schools that makes them different from other schools. Integration of faith and learning (IFL) is a critical feature of the spiritual development of the students. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Adventist schools were forced to study remotely from their houses with limited time allocation. This limitation brought changes to the implementation of IFL, and so far, there was no study focused on the portrayal of the implementation of IFL, especially in Manado, Indonesia. This qualitative case study used the theory of integration of faith from Taylor (2001) as the basis to explore the implementation of IFL in Adventist high schools in Manado. Individual interviews and observations were used for the data collection procedure. The data was analyzed using the method of triangulation, coding, categorizing, and setting the themes. Findings showed that IFL implementation in Adventist high schools is portrayed as character building, Bible-based learning, worship and Bible stories, home visitation, and outreach. Also, there were challenges in the implementation due to the COVID-19 restrictions. It is recommended that the implementation of IFL during this COVID-19 pandemic should be more intentional.
Acceptance and Adoption of E-Learning Tools Among Second Language Learners: A Case Study
Effective E-learning tools can provide the support students need in learning the language. The integration of instructional e- learning tools to second language learners can aid in designing standard academic content with the accessibility of materials for learning and offer relevant instruction with specific learning strategies that can enhance the learners of the language. The audio-lingual method has been one of the teaching methods in the 1950s, and new technologies have emerged from it in this present world. The self- determination theory and the Cognitive Multimedia Theory expound on the inherent potentials of language learners embracing these innovative techniques and computer-assisted language learning programs and improving the learners’ learning skills. This qualitative case study sought to examine the contributions of acceptance and adoption, assistance, and challenges that second language learners faced using e-learning tools at a private higher educational institution in Silang, Philippines. Research respondents were second language learners. The data were collected through observations, interviews, and focus groups. Findings showed an amount of contribution and assistance that e-learning tools have provided for ESL learners as well as being intentional in using them during the learning process. However, there are possible challenges and acceptance of e-learning tools among second language learners. The study provides recommendations for e-learning tools embracement, adoption and acceptance among second language learners.
The Interpretation of Daniel 2:41-43 Through A Cointegration Analysis of the Eur
Daniel’s interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream about the statue’s feet and toes crushed by a rock cut out of a mountain, represents how God will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end. Using historical, biblical, and econometric analysis in the positioning of the economic power of the European Union (EU), the study fundamentally presented suggestion of potential disintegration among the member countries’ economic indicators; particularly the Eurozone’s balance of payment problems, rising sovereign debts, deteriorating banking performance, unemployment, and wider income inequality, which all indicated strong cointegration as good predictors with the following medium-term equilibrium equation: y (EU’s GDP=1, t) = a0+β1(y CA=0.139, t)+β 2(y CAP=4.926, t)+β 3(y FDI=0.653, t)+ β 4(y D=1.191, t)+β 5(y CRE=4.558, t)+ β 6(y NPL=0.777, t)+ β 7(y IIQ=0.954, t)+et. From the matrix of economic panel data, GDP or gross domestic product (in ppp or purchasing power parity) and global technological innovation index indicate that Germany and French are the core economic power in the EU with the Italy as a potential economic power. The gap between the strong and weak seems to be economically wide as what the prophecy says as a mixture of clay and iron.
MIPM (more innovative peripheral member)
Practices of Cooperative Learning in Synchronous Meetings at an International Faith-based Elementary School in the Philippines: A Case Study
Covid 19 had an enormous impact on the delivery system of education. Synchronous Zoom meetings have been a great help in distance learning in the elementary school. This article aimed to explore the practices of cooperative learning at an international faith- based school in the Philippines. A qualitative single case study is used as the research design to find out the practices of cooperative learning in the synchronous Zoom classes. Data collection was conducted by using individual in-depth interviews and Zoom classroom observations. Findings were revealed in four major themes: virtual cooperative learning practices, attributes of teachers for cooperative learning implementation, challenges of implementing cooperative learning in synchronous classes, and administrative support for teachers’ needs. The recommendations could be to conduct studies regarding elementary teachers’ readiness for online learning and the experiences of cooperative learning from the perspective of elementary students. The administrative support could be to provide a teacher assistant, visit each classroom occasionally, provide necessary electronic gadgets, and upgrade the Zoom account to extend the class duration.
A Narrative Inquiry of an Adventist Educational Leader in Asia
Adventist higher education has a great need of excellent leaders. This study describes the process of capturing the life story of an exemplary Adventist educational leader in Asia. It aims to present the essential details that led to an understanding of the leader’s life experiences that inspire current and future Adventist leaders. The related literature on educational leadership was explored. The leadership emergence theory by Robert Clinton formed the theoretical framework, which extended to several related themes. The study was conducted using a narrative inquiry design with one purposefully selected participant. The data was collected through interviews, observations/shadowing, documents, and literature review. Reported here is the biographical sketch that is the initial product of a narrative inquiry. This biography results from restorying, a procedure used in narrative inquiry where the story is chronologically organized to the purpose of the research. The participant of this study applied his spiritual gifts and leadership skills that he obtained throughout his training in different fields of his work-life experiences. As a result, he made a vast contribution to the development of the institutions that he served. The recommendation of this study is that aspiring leaders should accept God’s calling as it comes, regardless of the position, time, place, monetary benefits, or other things. This study is in line with leadership emergence theory, which argues that leadership development is a process; and leaders are made, not born.
Reframing Leadership with a Focus on Inner Space Development
Humanity is facing a complex set of challenges in an increasingly uncertain, radical, and volatile world. To thrive, it needs leadership that manifests more positive outcomes from the leader’s inner space. Through the lens of both transformational and servant leadership theories, this article argues that knowing what a leader does and what factors or behaviors demonstrate a particular leadership theory or style does not lead to enacting that style. There has to be a developmental formula that goes deeper than just looking at behaviors (Watkins, 2014). Leadership development cannot be separated from the development of the leader as a human being, no matter the nature of the organization that someone leads. Further, this paper argues that leader development must go deeper than behaviors associated with a particular theory (the common focus of scholarship) into the inner place from where all actions and behaviors flow—the heart. Science reveals much about the heart—the inner space of the leader. For instance, ancient wisdom, sacred writings, and growing scholarly discussions have always pointed to this truth. This article explores the concept of the heart and offers a biblical outlook on the growth of effective leadership through the cultivation of the leader’s heart.
Nurturing Engineering Habits of Mind in the 21st Century Learners
The 21st-century community expects schools to equip students with skills like creativity, collaboration, effective communication, ethics, optimism, and systems thinking. These life skills are also referred to as engineering habits of mind (EHoM) that engineers use when they solve societal problems that impede progress. They are not, however, richly cultivated in STEM classroom practices. Students’ learning is not often aligned with the demands of life beyond school. This theoretical paper explores the six engineering habits of mind that need to permeate students’ learning, such as systems thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, optimism, and ethical considerations. An ill-structured (having no clear direction to a solution) problem-solving approach is deemed significant in developing EHoM. Such nurturing calls for a re-engineering of the teachers’ instructional practices to draw relevant support from the administration, parents, and community to promote efficacy.
Orchestrating Simultaneous Changes in a Complex World
If you were asked what one word best describes the dynamic attribute of the workplace today, a resounding answer could be “change!” More than a decade ago, Degenhardt and Duigan referred to the changing scenes in the world as VUCA, an acronym for Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous. Here is a brief possible description of each of these attributes: Volatile—instability brought about by rapid changes; Uncertain—the present is unclear and the future uncertain; Complex—overload of information deriving from various interconnected factors; and Ambiguous—lack of clarity to interpret a situation. Indeed, these VUCA attributes have only become more intense in our world today. A look around us is enough is see that changes are exponential, multi- dimensional, and simultaneously occurring on many fronts. How professionals manage the VUCA world of work is critical. This issue of the InFo Journal presents various studies, ten in all, theoretical and empirical, that highlight suggestions and solutions to the changing scenes at work. To begin with, De Guzman suggests the need to nurture engineering habits of mind among learners through re-engineering the instructional practices. Three articles focus on organizational leadership in times of change. The articles of Obara and Wa-Mbaleka, and Seboe and Wa-Mbaleka address the importance of practicing the biblical model of leadership by developing the heart of the leader and managing a crisis in higher education integrating leadership theories, respectively. Mukabalisa and Gaikwad have presented the results of a narrative inquiry portraying the life sketch of an Adventist leader in Asia, whose career path supports the leadership emergence theory. Nasution’s study juxtaposes historical, biblical, and econometric concepts to portray an important contemporary phenomenon. He analyses a the macro- level change, the potential disintegration of EU. VUCA at this best or rather worst, I must say! Focusing on the classroom level of changes and effective practices are a series of qualitative case studies. Sin Lay presents on cooperative learning in synchronous online classes during these changing times in the Philippines; Sarempa on the integration of faith and learning in a school in Indonesia; and Kingstone of English language learners’ use of E-learning tools. Petre and Jones’ study describes the experiences of post-graduate students’ transition to faith-based institutions. De Guzman and Kachachhap suggest ways to use hybridized teaching processes using the four groups of models of teaching: personal, information processing, behavioral and social. It is obvious that change itself is changing. As you enjoy this smorgasbord presented in this issue, I wish to mention that the Info Journal is also going through change. The time has come for me to retire, leave AIIAS, and return to India. I have much satisfaction looking at the past two years of the journal under my editorship. May the journal continue to provide academicians an avenue for both the production and consumption of research. The journal will be in good hands as managed by one of the associate editors, Dr. Ruhupatty. I acknowledge and appreciate the support of the journal team, the readers, and the article contributors over the past two years. May the journal rise to new heights as a flagship of the AIIAS Graduate School. Prema Gaikwad, PhD Editor International Forum
AIIAS Graduate School Theses and Dissertation Titles 2020-2021
AIIAS Graduate School Theses and Dissertation Titles
10 mindframes for visible learning: Teaching for success
All learning is social and emotional: Helping students develop essential skills for the classroom and beyond
Engage the brain: How to design for learning that taps into the power of emotion
Lived Experiences on Employment of Persons with Disability in Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines
This study explored the lived experiences of persons with disabilities (PWD) working in the local government offices in Mandaue City, Cebu, in their employment activities to propose measures to enhance their well-being through policy formulation. The study utilized the Qualitative Husserlian phenomenology, with an interview as the source of data collection, and followed Colaizzi’s method of data analysis. The study revealed four emergent themes as follows: (a) deficiencies can be corrected with the right attitude for support; (b) empowering PWDs to augment employment, (c) implementation and compliance needs monitoring, and (d) mobility and accessibility of PWD require private-public partnership. The recommendation includes the creation of a council composed of PWDs, coordination withhiring companies, a non-governmental organization that provides training, and the local government unit (Mandaue City) that will propose a policy creating a council to monitor the implementation of RA 7277 and Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 of 1982 (Accessibility Law) in the City of Mandaue.
Church Stigma and Discrimination Against People Living with Chronic Conditions Such as HIV: A Biblical-Theological Perspective
The strides to mitigate stigma and discrimination against people living with chronic conditions such as HIV are undertaken by various stakeholders. However, the challenge remains formidable in the church. While it is true that some chronic diseases such as HIV can be contracted through immoral behaviors, they can also be contracted through non-immoral ways. These include but are not limited to (a) from mother to unborn baby, (b) from patient to caregiver, and (c) from unfaithful spouse to innocent partner. Thus, stigma and discrimination against people living with conditions such as HIV are unacceptable and undesirable for any community, including the church. This paper utilizes a biblical-theological perspective that suggests ten biblical principles in response to church stigma and discrimination against people with chronic conditions such as HIV. Suggested are principles applicable to all sicknesses or conditions that cause people to stigmatize or discriminate against them.
Parents’ Perceptions of Their Involvement in Curriculum Development at Secondary School: A Case Study in the Philippines
Curriculum development is a collaborative work that implies the involvement of different stakeholders. While parents are one of the stakeholders of learners’ education, they do not participate in curriculum development even at the school level. This lack of parents’ participation has negative impacts on teaching and learning and the future of learners. Parents are recognized as important stakeholders of the school curriculum. This case study explored parents’ perceptions of their curriculum development involvement in a selected private high school in the Philippines. Individual semi-structured interviews were used in collecting data from the parents. The data collected were analyzed according to Saldana’s model. This process consisted of organizing and preparing data, coding data, generating categories, providing thick descriptions of themes, and interpreting the findings. The five themes were (a) parental involvement in children’s education, (b) parental absence in curriculum committee, (c) parent perceptions of the taught curriculum, (d) barriers to parental involvement, and (e) parents’ opinions. The result indicated that parents contribute financially and attend meetings organized by the school for the children’s education. However, they are not involved in school curriculum development. Implications and recommendations are provided in this study.
Factors That Trigger Consumer Cause-Empathy: A Conceptual Model
This study is an attempt to develop a conceptual model to gauge the impact of moral emotions in a cause-related marketing (CRM) setting. It specifically considers the factors that can trigger empathy in a CRM campaign. It is assumed that for cause-related marketing (CRM) campaigns to be successful, a key ingredient is consumer empathy towards the cause that the campaign intends to support. The phrase consumer-cause empathy (CCE) is coined together to address this specific emotion. CCE is thus, an element that must work within the customers-end towards achieving CRM success and not at the business-end or the Non-Profit Organization’s-end. This paper produces a conceptual model as a product of the premise that if there is CCE, consumers are moved to the degree that there will be purchase intent for the product in a CRM campaign. Hence, what are the factors in a CRM campaign that can trigger CCE? This is what the paper strives to explain.
Correlation Between Bullying and Students’ Attitude Toward Learning: A Case of Secondary Schools in Tarime District, Tanzania
This study sought to establish the correlation between bullying and students’ attitude toward learning in secondary schools of Tarime District, Tanzania, using a survey research design. A total number of 330 randomly sampled students participated by filling the questionnaire. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistics, t-test, and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient. The study established that regardless of their gender difference, students had a positive attitude toward learning. Apart from bad nicknaming, students disagreed that other forms of bullying take place in their schools. Bullying in all its forms significantly relates to students’ attitudes toward learning. Teachers can take advantage of students’ positive attitude toward learning to do effective teaching so that learners may be prepared to complete their studies successfully and proceed with further studies. Teachers and students need to stop bad nicknaming as this form of bullying, however insignificant it may look, may have detrimental effects on students who are nicknamed. Lastly, bullying in all forms should be discouraged both at home and in schools as such effects negatively students’ attitudes toward learning.
Developing a Holistic Lifestyle Curriculum Model: A Case Study in Zimbabwe
Lifestyle plays an essential role in ones’ wellbeing. The existing studies on lifestyle lack a holistic approach to a healthy lifestyle among university students in Zimbabwe. A qualitative case study was conducted to discover the lifestyle practices of university students and create a lifestyle curriculum model. Concerns-based adoption model guided this study. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, observations, and document analysis. Saldana’s model was used for data analysis. Most of the university support systems promoted a healthy lifestyle. However, some physical facilities needed upgrading to enhance the holistic healthy lifestyle of students. The results of this study showed the need for improving academic programs and practices, improving cafeteria services, offering a variety of physical activities, enhancing social, and enriching spiritual activities. Data obtained from the participants resulted in a holistic lifestyle curriculum model using the innovation configuration map.
Researcher’s Social Responsibility: Challenges and Solutions
Research plays an important role in any major development, and higher education institutions are expected to produce research to contribute to development. Research production and dissemination through scholarly avenues are expected from faculty in higher education institutions around the world. Scholars may have different reasons why they conduct, produce, and disseminate the outputs of research. Among them, one common and less discussed aspect they all share is their social responsibility. This topic is not commonly discussed in scholarly circles, although it is incidentally scattered across the fields. Based on a careful analysis of the existing literature, this paper is meant to bring this discussion to light by synthesizing seven major social responsibility problems and proposing some practical paths that researchers can take while conducting, disseminating, and implementing the outcome of their research studies. The seven major social responsibility problems were gleaned from a thematic analysis of the existing literature. The proposed guidelines are meant to guide researchers to address their social responsibility while they generate more discussion to make this issue of researchers’ social responsibility more visible in scholarly circles.
The Sustainability and Best Practices of Wellness and Spa in Cebu: A Case Study
The emergence of BPO companies and export-oriented companies in Mactan Export Processing Zone increased the target market for wellness and spa. Although the spa business is thriving, it may not be for long since the challenge of service-business management begins with a design that effectively meets the needs and desires of an attractive group of customers. This is what they do not have. This study is anchored on John Elkington’s pillars of the triple bottom line of sustainability (environment, social, and economic performance). It aimed to explore the experiences of the 10 managers/owners of wellness and spa in Cebu for the year 2018. This study utilized five sources of data: (a) documents from spa’s standees and brochures; (b) online website records, such as threaded discussion records; (c) journals of observations and photos, (d) face-to face interviews, including the researcher’s narrative log (transcription); and (e) artifacts such as newspaper clips. The data were analyzed using Yin’s pattern matching technique. The emergent themes that described the best practices were in the areas of service delivery, personnel recruitment, products used, facilities, and competence of service providers. It further revealed themes on resource allocation, finance, social, environmental, and political-legal aspects of the business as elements of sustainability. The study proposed a guideline for sustainability for wellness and spa in Cebu.
Initiating Industry-University Collaborations Through theUniversity-Appointed Office of Relationship Manager/s: A Conceptual Model
This conceptual paper applies Lewin’s (1951) forcefield approach of change management to emphasize the importance of a key driver to change in the literature regarding Industry-University Collaborations (IUCs) that are replete with barriers and drivers to establishing successful relationships. It draws insights offered by Darabi and Clark’s (2012) model of initiating collaborations using the Vangen and Huxham’s (2003) ‘trust-building loop’, Rybnicek and Königsgruber’s (2018) conceptual model, and Nakagawa et al.’s (2017) ‘trading zone framework’ for an IUC, to establish the most common enabler in most studies, identified as the element of relationship management, as a vital driving force to overcome much of the barriers to successful IUCs, or what Lewin calls the restraining factors. Then, a new IUC conceptual model is proposed with the role of relationship manager/s emphasized in bridging between the two sectors to overcome barriers and strengthen the driving forces to establish successful IUCs.
Effects of Educational Obesity Prevention Program on Lifestyle Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Among Adults
Lack of knowledge, poor attitude, and negative practices are the barriers to preventing overweight and its co-morbidities. There is a need to increase the knowledge, attitude, and practice(KAP) of obese individuals to ensure effective weight reduction. Therefore, this study aims to determine the effects of educational obesity prevention programs on KAP among adults. A pre-experimental research design was conducted with 31 adult outpatients in Penang, Malaysia, using a pre-and post-one group intervention study, which consisted of two parts: (a) group-based class; (b) educational materials via text messaging. The results showed significant improvement in knowledge (p = 0.015), attitude (p = 0.021) and practice (p < .001). There was no significant difference in KAP when considering the moderating variables of age and educational level, except gender in terms of knowledge and BMI in terms of attitude. The study concluded that the educational obesity prevention program had a positive effect on KAPs.
Deconstructing Myths in Quantitative Research
A myth can denote a prevalent but erroneous idea or belief. This article examines nine of these beliefs within quantitative research, that although popular, are ultimately misconceptions. Beyond highlighting the fallacy of the myth, positions are proposed in each case that align more closely with a scientific approach to research.
We continue to venture through some of the uncharted areas and modalities of scholarship and research. This issue of International Forum ascertains that research continues through challenging situations and that stacking it on the backburner is not an option. Scholars in academe have found new possibilities of exploration and venture in these unprecedented times. Being vigilant (watchful of possible dangers) and veridical (truthful), however, is as important as ever before. This is where the present issue of the journal comes in. To start with, John Wesley Taylor V highlights the need to banish erroneous thinking and clarifies nine myths related to quantitative research. He cautions, “the fundamental problem often lies in our innate desire to be something beyond who we really are” (p.15). He passionately calls for the need for being vigilant and veridical in the realm of quantitative research. Considering the effects of overweight in adults which is related to co- morbidities, the pre-experimental study of Khaw, Calbayan, and Pondi (p.25) provides insights on the positive effects of an obesity prevention program in Penang, Malaysia. Being vigilant is surely the way to go in terms of lifestyle. Dominic’s two articles present theoretical models applicable, especially in the business sector. In the first article (p.49), he prescribes a conceptual model for industry-university collaboration and proposes creating an office of a relationship manager to liaison between the university and industry. The second article (p.147) provides insights into factors that trigger consumer-cause empathy in the context of cause-related marketing. The next article by Imbong and Imbong (p.67) describes the best practices of wellness spas in Cebu, Philippines that run on outsourced modality. The sustainability of these enterprises is described through the lens of the managers in this study. Important guidelines for the sustainability of the spas point to vigilance and veridicality. Wa-Mbaleka and Wa-Mbaleka (p.86) address seven social responsibilities of researchers during the stages of conducting, disseminating, and implementing the results of research. They provide suggestions that help integrate social responsibility into research. The next two articles come from studies in Zimbabwe and Tanzania, respectively. Gwizo (p.102) focuses on the lifestyle practices of university students in Zimbabwe. Her qualitative study has led to a holistic lifestyle curriculum model via an innovation configuration map for use in higher education settings. Ngussa and Mwema’s (p.129) quantitative study, on the other hand, focuses on secondary school students’ attitude towards learning in relation to bullying. Irembere (p. 173) continues with a quest for vigilance and veridicality by studying parents’ perception of their involvement in curriculum development and proposes greater involvement of parents in secondary school curriculum. The last two articles provide insights into specific social issues. Gwizo’s (p. 193) article focuses on stigma and discrimination. He looks at the issue through a biblical-theological lens and provides suggestions for church response to individuals with chronic conditions as HIV documentations. Ibong and Pielago (p.214) present a phenomenological study on the employment experiences of individuals with disability in Cebu, Philippines. Finally, the three books reviews by Sin Lay (p. 246), Kato (p.250), and Sarempaa (p.254) give a glimpse of the possible professional reading resources that one can try out. As we venture on with such scholastic pursuits in the coming days, may the insights gained from this issue of the journal keep us vigilant and veridical. We cannot afford to be otherwise. I believe this to be so. Prema Gaikwad, PhD Editor, International Forum
Sense of Civic Responsibility of National Service Training Program Completers and Non-Completers in a University Setting in the Philippines
In compliance with Republic Act 9163, Philippine higher education institutions are mandated to include the National Service Training Program (NSTP) program into all the degree program curricula offered. The government aims to develop young people who are civic-conscious towards nation-building. The present study aimed to determine the extent of the sense of civic responsibility of NSTP completers and non-completers of a University as of July 2017. The study used a quantitative, descriptive design in which 204 respondents enrolled in June-July 2017 answered the self-constructed survey questionnaire. Findings show that the respondents had a very high sense of civic responsibility in terms of connection to the community and civic awareness. However, in terms of civic efficacy, they had yielded only a high sense of civic responsibility. This could be attributed to their sense of willingness but, feeling of unpreparedness. A comparison of NSTP completers and non-completers indicated no significant difference in their sense of civic responsibility. It is thus recommended for the administration and concerned department to further look into how the NSTP program can maximize its opportunities to effectively foster a greater sense of civic consciousness and responsibility among the youth.
Transitioning to Emergency Remote Learning amidst Covid-19 and Its Effects on Higher Education Students: A Case Study
The worldwide spread of the Covid-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of human beings, including education. Schools at all levels closed the doors and transitioned to emergency remote learning modalities. In the theory of independent study and transactional distance, Moore (2019) argues that students’ ability to manage learning must be analyzed before getting involved in the online learning process. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has forced students to embark on emergency remote learning without preparation. This qualitative case study aimed to describe the experiences, discover the challenges and effects of emergency remote learning on higher education students at one faith-based institution in the Philippines. Researchers used semi-structured interviews to collect data from students. Data was coded, categorized, and themed for analysis and thick description. Findings revealed that students experienced stress, anxiety, and uncertainty when learning remotely. Furthermore, students faced poor internet connection, lack of space for studies, lack of feedback from some faculty, and dramatic health lifestyle changes, including sleep patterns, eating habits, and physical and health ailments. This study has implications for school administrators, faculty, and students.
Developing Students’ Leadership Skills Through Cooperative Learning: An Action Research Case Study
Traditional teaching styles are not adequate to help students develop 21st-century skills. The purpose of this action research case study was to explore the teaching practices in a Romanian university and to propose a process model to improve students’ leadership skills through cooperative learning. The study is built upon Social Interdependence Theory (Johnson & Johnson, 2008), Structure-process-outcome Theory (Johnson & Johnson, 2018), and the Empowerment Education Framework (Freire, 1993). Data was collected through observations, focus-group discussions, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis. The data have been transcribed, coded, and organized by themes. The results of this action research showed a need to make traditional teaching more interactive. After implementing cooperative learning, results revealed positive effects in developing students’ leadership skills such as critical thinking, effective communication, decision making, and teamwork. The Process Model developed from this action research consists of four core components supporting cooperative learning implementation in higher education: training model, flipped classroom, interactive lecturing, and classroom management.