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Greetings Dear readers of TOJDE,TOJDE is appeared on your screen now as Volume 10, Number: 4. This is the last issue of the year 2009 and 10th anniversary of TOJDE. In this issue it is published 3 notes for Editor, 13 articles, 4 book reviews. And this time, 33 authors from 13 different countries are placed. These published articles are from Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Iran, KKTC, Lesotho, Lithuania, Malaysia, Pakistan, Romania, United Kingdom, USA and Turkey.“iPhones and Smartphones” has sent to editor of TOJDE from, USA and written by Kevin YEE & Jace HARGIS from University of the Pacific, California. Their paper involve that the iPhone has become a juggernaut in the United States, with 13 million units sold in 2008 (a 245% increase over 2007) and a further 45 million units expected in 2009 (Elmer-DeWitt, 2009). While iPhone still lags Nokia and RIM internationally, the overall trend toward mobile computing becomes firmer by the day, and it behooves educators to become familiar with the cell phone tools that are relevant for teaching in tomorrow’s -and increasingly “today’s”- classroom.The second notes for editor is titled as “Indian School Teachers’ Perspective On Globalisation of Education A Case Study of Atomic Energy Education Society School Teachers ” which is written by Dr. M. RAJESH and SINDHU. P. NAIR, from Indira Gandhi National Open University. They mentioned in their paper that globalisation has become an enduring reality of our times and more so in the field of education. Teachers are the harbingers of change in the global economy and school teachers have a major role in shaping the attitude of the society towards all social and economic phenomena including that of globalisation. At the Regional Centre of IGNOU situated at Cochin, Kerala an unique training programme was conducted for a year to train school teachers of the Atomic Energy Education Society (AEES) one of the elite educational organisations of the country in ICT applications. This opportunity was utilised by the researchers to conduct a study that holds multiple portends for policy makers to channel the direction of the forces affecting the globalisation of education. “Evaluation of Utilizing Service Oriented Architecture As A Suitable Solution to Align University Management Information Systems And Learning Management Systems” is the third paper for “Notes for Editor” section of TOJDE’s in this issue. It has written by Hamdy K. EL-MINIR, National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysic and Haitham A. EL-GHAREEB. Mansoura City University, EGYPT. An article points out that a University consumes University Management Information Systems (UMIS) to handle managerial aspects as they do with Learning Management Systems (LMS) to achieve learning objectives. UMIS advances LMS by decades and has reached stable and mature consistency level. LMS is the newly acquired solution in Universities; compared to UMIS and so adopting LMSs in universities can be achieved via three different deployment approaches. This paper presents the current situation at Mansoura University; Egypt, presents integration as the most suitable solution, and evaluates three different implementation techniques: Dynamic Query, Stored Procedure, and Web services. Evaluation concludes that though SOA enhanced many different aspects of both UMIS and LMS; and consequently university overall. It is not recommended to adopt SOA via Web services as the building unit of the system, but as the interdisciplinary interface between systems. The first article is a joint study which its authors are from Bangladesh and United Kingdom who A.Q.M. Bazlur RASHID, Hazel JOHNSON and Professor Norman CLARK. Their subject is titled as” Odel Can Address the Reality-Problems Of Agriculturists’ Post Graduation In Bangladesh”. Their research project was carried out during 2007-08 at the Open University, UK to explore the suitable strategic policy & practices, and partnership possibilities for open, distance and e-learning (ODEL) programme for the postgraduate agricultural education in Bangladesh. Under the new millennium context resurgence of global interest in web-based Open, distance and e-learning (ODEL) has been proved to be potentially useful strategy for human development issues, particularly due to the evolution of fast-growing as well as net-working new Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The Second article is on “Collaboration of Stakeholders As An Expanded Learner Support System For A Distance Learner: The Case of Institute of Extra Mural Studies”, written by H. Manthoto LEPHOTO and V. Mantina MOHASI from Institute of Extra Mural Studies National University of Lesotho. In this article is mentioned that through some of the stakeholders within this circle ways in which all could collaborate in order to improve and strengthen learner support. The results affirm the importance of an extended circle of stakeholders and the need for both the educational institution and the different stakeholders to collaborate in order to promote learner support needed for distance learning.The third articles are from Anadolu Universith, Turkey. The third one is on “Open Courseware Opportunities for Architecture Education: Anadolu University ANAPOD Experience”, written by Alper CABUK, Hakan SENEL, Halil POLAT, Anadolu University and Saye Nihan CABUK Odunpazarı Municipality Eskisehir. In their paper discussed an efficient information access and mobility has become a prerequisite for the sustainability of all systems and ANAPOD experiences for the architecture education. They mentioned that Internet technology is the fastest and the most proper media to access the required information worldwide, from our daily questions to scientific researches. Within this rapid development, many Internet compatible applications have been specialized to ease information access and sharing. Hence, internet inevitably becomes the top asset for obtaining the inputs, sharing the information and marketing goods and services. Increasing demand for web based education services is also one of the reflections of this rapid development. Internet based education models integrated with computer technologies provide the best and most efficient conclusions for mass education. ANAPOD application is a new education model within University’s distance education process, which is highly applicable for many disciplines. The 4th articles arrived from Iran which is prepared on “Challenges Of Developing Online Learning In Higher Education In Iran”, written by Masoud REZAEI GreatPersian Encyclopedia Foundation,. In his study was based on survey research method and a questionnaire was developed to gather the data. The results of the research indicated that three major factors explained 74.4% of variances of challenges to developing online learning. These factors were cultural/educational, technical, and financial challenges. The fifth article came from Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic and written on Providing Feedback On Student Work In Distance Education In Turkey: Practices and Recommendations, by Murat HISMANOGLU and Sibel HISMANOGLU, European University of Lefke, English Preparatory School, Lefke, KKTC. The aim of their study is to find out whether distance students are provided any feedback by their faculty, whether they think that feedback provision is beneficial in distance learning process, and lastly whether they would like their faculty to provide them with some feedback. In the conclusion part, considering the high proportion in demand of feedback provision, certain feedback mechanisms will be introduced to make the distance learning process more appealing, encouraging, and fruitful for distance learners. The sixth article which is entitled as “Perceptions of Malaysıan Students on Computer Mediated Collaborative Learning”, written by Siti Hamin STAPA and Maureen Shyamala RAJAMONEY, Faculty of Social Studies and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan, MALAYSIA. The purpose of the study is to report findings from an on-going research using Computer-supported Collaborative learning in an ESL classroom in Malaysia. Collaboration is the act of working together to produce a piece of work. Collaborative learning deals with instructional methods that seek to promote learning through collaborative efforts among students working on a given task. At the end of the collaborative activities they were expected to complete written projects. The students were interviewed on their perceptions on this innovative way of learning. The findings indicate that the students have responded positively towards computer supported collaborative learning. “Studying the Attitudes of Agricultural Faculty Members towards Distance Education”, send by Leila SAFA and Seyed Mahmood HOSSEINI, University of Tehran, Tehran, IRAN. In their paper was descriptive survey research which is undertaken to study the attitudes of agricultural faculty members towards distance education. The statistical population of the study consisted of all the faculty members of agricultural colleges of Shiraz and Ferdowsi Mashhad universities. The results revealed that more than half of the agricultural faculty members had moderate familiarity with distance education. Also, the results indicated that agricultural faculty members had a positive attitude towards distance education. Finally, agricultural faculty members ranked time as the primary barrier to using instructional technology in distance education. The eight article is again came from Pakistan AIOU. Titled article is on A Theoretical Framework For Quality Indicators In Elearning, written by Ciprian CEOBANU, Prof. Roxana CRIUFaculty of Psychology and Education SciencesAnd Laura SANDULUI Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Al.I.Cuza University, ROMANIA. Their paper focuses on the strong potential that ICT provides, in order to develop the learning possibilities among students. The great challenge is to draw up a quality indicators framework which can represent an instrument for teachers on how to organize their online course – including ways of developing the teaching methods. The 9th article is arrived to us from Tuırkey again and written by Binnur GENC ILTER on Effect Of Technology On Motivation In Efl Classrooms. The study concludes that technology was a dynamic and challenging motivating factor in EFL classrooms and there may be some suggestions focusing on the achievement of learning objectives.Next and the tenth article are written Rasit OZEN, Abant Izzet Baysal University Faculty of Education Department of Educational Sciences, BOLU, TURKEY. The paper is entitled as “Investigating the Opinions of Mone Staff about Inset Programs via Distance Education”. He presents that to investigate the opinions of the Ministry of National Education (MoNE) staff about in-service training (INSET) programs via distance education. During the study, the qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews held with the (MoNE) staff by the researcher. The results of the interviews revealed the importance of needs assessment, the relationship between INSET program course content and participants’ school curriculum, support mechanism in INSET programs via distance education, the application of what is learned and providing various opportunities to them that lead to their active involvement to the application of these programs, the characteristics of learning environments for these programs, INSET instructors’ teaching competencies and skills to fulfill various roles in online learning environments, of measuring and evaluating the performance of teachers during INSET programs via distance education and of the effectiveness of INSET programs via distance education. The eleventh article arrived from Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad, PAKISTAN, which is titled as “Study on Role of Radio For Rural Education In Pakistan”, written Dr Nabi Bux JUMANI, Department of Distance Non Formal and Continuing Education. He focused on an overview of the Radio schools like Interactive Radio instruction (IRI) may be used for effective teaching learning process in rural areas. Time of educational programmes should be enhanced. Programmes like radio rural forum may be started as well as open broadcasting should be adopted for rural development programme.The article is which numbered as 12, from Tukey. Article is entitled as “Learners’ Perception of Blended Writing Class: Blog and Face-to-face, written by Aysel BAHCE and Nazmi TASLACI, from Anadolu University.Their paper reports this research that was to investigate student perception of blended writing classes. It was conducted with intermediate level EFL learners in the preparatory school at Anadolu University. Data consisted of student reflections. The first reflection aimed at finding out learners’ perception of fall term writing lessons, and, the instant and final reflections aimed at finding out learner perception of blended writing lessons. Although learners’ perception of writing lessons was negative in the first reflections, they changed into positive in the latter ones. The findings indicated that blended writing class had changed students’ perception of writing lessons positively. Therefore, this kind of classes may help students develop a positive attitude towards writing by providing meaningful writing opportunities. In 13ht article theme is very intresting on these days for our planet during global warming. In this article is environtmental education via television is mentioned as a subjet by Nedim GURSES and Cosgul YUKSEL from Anadolu University Open Education Faculty, Eskisehir, TURKEY. Their artile is entitled as “Environmental Education via Television: Eskisehir Camlıca District Case”. In their article, they asked and mentioned that, education is an inevitable necessity to carry the targeted society to the position of environmentally aware individuals. It is taught that television is a good and the best media and educational tool in an environmental education to a targeted group that has fairly high ratio of television watching habits contrary to reading habits. So, what can be the properties of an environmental education program?Four books are reviewed in this issue. The first one is about belogs to me and my colleague Dr. N. Serdar Sever. The book is titled as THE CHALLENGES FOR MARKETING DISTANCE EDUCATION IN ONLINE ENVIRONMENTAn Integrated Approach reviewed by Reviewed by Natalija LEPKOVA, from Lithuania. The book is purposed of role of marketing and to understand trends in the field and customer needs in a global marketplace. In this case the customers are students and they could be called as a “kings” of the market. This is a challenge with online learning because the field is in a constant state of development. Marketing online education programs is becoming more of a necessity as global competition increases. To be on time and in a right place-this is the target of distance learning marketing. The second one about “Economics of Distance and Online Learning Theory, Practice and Research” By William BRAMBLE & Santosh PANDA. The book points to directions for the further research and development in this area, and will promote further understanding and critical reflection on the part of administrators, practitioners and researchers of distance education. The experiences and perspectives in distance education in the US are balanced with those in other areas of the world.The third book review reviewdd by Alev ATES, Ege University, Izmir, TURKEY, on “The Handbook of Blended Learning: Global Perspectives, Local Designs”. She mentioned concluded that, “The Handbook of Blended Learning: Global Perspectives, Local Designs” is a quite comprehensive reference with the contributions of prominent experts in instructional technology and a helpful handbook for those who wish to learn more about blended learning, BL design models and example case studies of worldwide implementations in local higher education institutes and also in organizations. The last and the fourth reviewed book Reviewed by Ozlem OZAN from Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey. This book discusses how educational technology can be used to transform education and assist developing communities to close the knowledge divide. Its broader audience is anyone who is interested in educational technology for development. In the book you can find best practices and case studies especially from countries in Africa. Dear readers, you can reach us online either directly at http://tojde.anadolu.edu.tr or by visiting Anadolu University homepage at http://www.anadolu.edu.tr from English version, clicking on Scientific Research button and than goes to the Referred Journals. To receive further information and to send your recommendations and remarks, or to submit articles for consideration, please contact TOJDE Secretariat at the below address or e-mail us to tojde@anadolu.edu.tr Hope to stay in touch and have good readings up to meet in our next Issue, 1st January 2010 Cordially,Prof. Dr. Ugur Demiray Editor-in-Chief Anadolu University Yunusemre Campus 26470-Eskisehir TURKEY Tel: +90 222 335 0581 ext. 2521 or 2522GSM: +90 542 232 21 167 Fax: +90 222 320 4520 or Emails: udemiray@anadolu.edu.tr or ugdemiray@hotmail.comURL: http://home.anadolu.edu.tr/~udemiray URL: http://tojde.anadolu.edu.tr |
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