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Anne Karhapää, Pauliina Rikala, Johanna Pöysä-Tarhonen and Raija Hämäläinen
The purpose of this study is to explore how digital technologies at work serve as environments for informal workplace learning in knowledge work.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore how digital technologies at work serve as environments for informal workplace learning in knowledge work.
Design/methodology/approach
Digital ethnography was used to investigate the digital environments of one public sector workplace. The data included observations, interviews and participant diaries.
Findings
The digital work environment consisted of a complex network of technologies and people connected to them. The ethnographic accounts revealed both expansive and restrictive features of the digital environment. Digital technology extended learning opportunities by providing flexible possibilities for interaction, collaboration and access to a wealth of information. On the contrary, digitally mediated presence could restrict learning if the attendance and learning remained superficial. The complexity and constant change in digital workplace environments presented challenges that could potentially restrict learning. Information overload, constant interruptions and changes were burdens that required employees’ skills to manage these challenges.
Originality/value
The authors take a novel approach to view the workplace as a phygital environment in which social, physical and digital environments are combined. Because digital environments are becoming increasingly essential parts of the workplace, it is important to understand how they can support learning.
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Aizza Anwar, Andrea Tick, Yi Shern Lim, Daisy Mui Hung Kee and Lilis Surienty
E-learning has demonstrated its value as a powerful tool for enhancing students' educational experience. This paper uses a quantitative approach to examine the impact of students'…
Abstract
Purpose
E-learning has demonstrated its value as a powerful tool for enhancing students' educational experience. This paper uses a quantitative approach to examine the impact of students' cognitive problem-solving skills on their e-learning management ability. In addition, it investigates the parallel mediation role of student psychological motivation and peer collaboration. Moreover, the moderating role of gender was examined to identify the difference in e-learning management ability among male and female students.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 214 Malaysian business students using an online survey. For the analysis, the researcher utilized both SPSS and a SMART PLS software.
Findings
The results show that cognitive problem-solving skills directly impact student e-learning management. Moreover, psychological motivation and peer collaboration mediate the relationship between cognitive problem-solving and student e-learning management. The study's results reported that female students' psychological motivation is higher than males in managing their e-learning environment. The study found that an e-learning environment helps students develop cognitive problem-solving skills, and students can manage their e-learning independently.
Originality/value
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 worldwide has shifted the educational system from a traditional approach to an online context. There is a lack of studies examining students' cognitive problem-solving skills, their ability to manage e-learning and investigating gender differences. The findings reported here are novel in the context of Malaysia. Little evidence exists about the impact of problem-solving among business students on e-learning management ability while providing insight into gender differences.
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Fei Ping Por, Christina Sook Beng Ong, Siew Keow Ng and Arathai Din Eak
The psychological theory of self-determination postulated that gamification enhances learning engagement by intrinsically motivating learners to undertake tasks spontaneously…
Abstract
Purpose
The psychological theory of self-determination postulated that gamification enhances learning engagement by intrinsically motivating learners to undertake tasks spontaneously. Gamification has then been integrated into adult learning as part of the initiative of learner-centred pedagogies to curb the low retention rates of adult learners who struggle with heavy work commitments, family obligations and financial pressure. Gamification, being one of the technological mediations, assumes the crucial role of engaging and retaining adult learners. Adult learners have received less attention in research when compared with conventional university students. The purpose of this study is to conduct a bibliographic analysis to assess the past, present and future publication trends of gamifying adult learning and to identify the research gap.
Design/methodology/approach
This study included publications related to gamification and adult learning from 2014 to 2022, extracted from Dimensions. A total of 79,864 publications were retrieved initially, and 3,469 publications were ultimately selected for final analysis after the refinement of the keyword search. VOSviewer was used for bibliographic coupling, keyword co-occurrence, clustering and co-citation analysis of countries.
Findings
The number of publications related to gamification in adult learning has decreased since its peak in 2020. The saturation is mainly concentrated in the USA, the UK and China, with similar levels of national income and technology advancement skills. However, gamification in adult learning remains a popular and growing research area in developing countries like Malaysia, which has huge potential due to government investments in education, technology and lifelong learning. There is also an evident research gap on gamification, adult learning and personality traits, which have not been covered in previous studies.
Originality/value
Prior research mostly focused on systematic literature reviews, while the use of bibliometric analysis could be a missing link in this research domain. This paper unveils the evolution of publications on this topic over time by scientifically analysing a large number of publications and rigorously identifying research gaps contributing to future research avenues.
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Cecilia Woon Chien Teng, Raymond Boon Tar Lim and Claire Gek Ling Tan
Reflective practice (RP) is a key skill for developing one’s professional practice. It has, however, not been unanimously prioritised in public health (PH) competency and…
Abstract
Purpose
Reflective practice (RP) is a key skill for developing one’s professional practice. It has, however, not been unanimously prioritised in public health (PH) competency and education frameworks. Reflection activities are often unstructured in higher education. There is also a dearth of literature on the RPs of undergraduate PH students. This study aims to explore in greater depth how RP helps undergraduate PH students explore their own learning in internships.
Design/methodology/approach
Reflection prompts were designed using the DEAL model. 124 written reflection entries from 32 students were collected and analysed thematically using a deductive-inductive approach. The conceptual framework of internship learning goals by Ash and Clayton (2009) was used to guide the deductive analysis.
Findings
Three themes were identified: initial engagement with reflective learning; gradual integration of reflective learning, and a transformative phase involving professional development, personal growth, civic learning, growth through struggle, being confronted with differences in expectations, and skill acquisition.
Originality/value
This study extends the limited evidence regarding RP in undergraduate non-medical PH education, and contributes toward informing the revision of undergraduate PH programmes, for example, by integrating structured reflection earlier in the curricula, and establishing/supporting mentorship programmes between institutions. The findings call for PH educators to be more intentional in creating opportunities to nurture RP among budding PH professionals.
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Muhammad Mujtaba Asad, Sayeda Sapna Shah and Prathamesh Churi
This study aims to determine the influence of Mobile learning (M-learning) technologies based on the gender orientation of vocational education construction trade trainees in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to determine the influence of Mobile learning (M-learning) technologies based on the gender orientation of vocational education construction trade trainees in Pakistan. Additionally, it explores the challenges associated with integrating M-learning technologies in vocational institutions of civil engineering. Further, this study will focus on the solutions to improve the accessibility of M-learning technologies after the pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative method with a survey research design has been adopted in this study. In contrast, the target population was the trainees of vocational education institutions of civil engineering in Pakistan. Further, the data was collected using an adapted survey tool with a five-point Likert scale. Similarly, the data were analyzed through SPSS 27 software tool by using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Findings
The study's findings highlighted a positive influence of M-learning technologies based on the gender orientation of construction trade trainees from vocational institutions. Similarly, it is also specified that the challenges vocational trainees of the construction trade have faced while utilizing M-learning technologies were related. Hence, it is evident that the potential challenges of M-learning technologies integration and utilization are related to both gender orientations during a postpandemic situation in Pakistan.
Practical implications
In the Pakistani context, the M-learning technologies approach is recently introduced in the vocational education sector. Therefore, the utilization and integration of M-learning technologies are considered challenging tasks in the context. In this regard, this study helps to understand the acceptance, challenges and impact of M-learning technologies based on gender orientation among vocational institutions trainees of construction trade in Pakistan.
Originality/value
This study not only refers to the impact of M-learning technologies and their challenges but also highlights the current situation of M-learning in Pakistan, particularly construction engineering trainees in vocational education institutes.
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Experiential learning is considered to be a crucial factor in students' perceived learning outcomes. This study aims to explore the development of a mechanism in hospitality…
Abstract
Purpose
Experiential learning is considered to be a crucial factor in students' perceived learning outcomes. This study aims to explore the development of a mechanism in hospitality education and to analyze the learning outcomes (i.e. perceived quality, perceived value and learning satisfaction) using experiential learning (i.e. previous learning experience and personalized learning environment).
Design/methodology/approach
The course design consisted of two activities (instructing and learning activities) and three phases (before, during and after class) using the Moodle version 3.5 online platform as the educational and training site to sustain e-learning archives and activities. A longitudinal survey using a sample of 207 hospitality students in blended e-learning environment indicates positive relationships among the previously mentioned factors.
Findings
Results indicated that both previous learning experience and personalized learning environment have positive direct effects on perceived quality and perceived value, while both perceived quality and perceived value have positive direct effects on learning satisfaction. Furthermore, both perceived quality and perceived value mediate the relationship between previous learning experience and learning satisfaction, as well as the relationship between personalized learning environment and learning satisfaction.
Originality/value
These findings sustain the value of experiential learning, particularly the curriculum, student and faculty development in sustainable development education for hospitality.
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Paula L. Costa, João J.M. Ferreira and Rui Torres de Oliveira
The purpose of this study was to examine entrepreneurs’ learning before, during and after entrepreneurial failure and understand the relationship between learning and recovery…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to examine entrepreneurs’ learning before, during and after entrepreneurial failure and understand the relationship between learning and recovery from failure.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative multiple case study was carried out based on entrepreneur interviews who have experienced the failure of their businesses.
Findings
The study finds that entrepreneurs learn both during the company’s lifespan and post-failure, with distinct types and intensities of learning at different life cycle phases. It highlights the link between learning and emotions during the failure process, revealing entrepreneurs’ limited awareness of their knowledge gaps, particularly during successful business phases, and shows the difference between women and men.
Research limitations/implications
One limitation of this study is that the companies are all located in northern and central Portugal, and the number of entrepreneurs starting new ventures post-failure is limited. Another is a lack of comprehensive measurement of the economic impact, especially on the health of individuals who have experienced the impact of failure. The absence of concrete data hampers understanding and the development of targeted support mechanisms for these individuals.
Originality/value
This study stands out for its unique approach, thoroughly exploring the intricate, profound and significant experiences during a crisis, such as a business failure, from the entrepreneurs’ perspective. It delves into their learning processes before, during and after the failure, providing a comprehensive understanding. This study evidence that significant learning occurs during the operation of the business, and not during or after failure, due to the limitations imposed by the pain and disorientation it causes. Therefore, if recovery does not occur, learning does not happen either. It also highlights the differences between women and men in their learning experiences, adding a new dimension to the research.
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Paul Lyons and Randall Bandura
The purpose of this paper is to identify influential workplace engagement interventions that were initiated by managers over several years as revealed in many studies. Also, an…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify influential workplace engagement interventions that were initiated by managers over several years as revealed in many studies. Also, an action learning guide is offered for an individual manager to use such interventions with the employee in shaping activities to assist employee learning and performance improvement which may result in greater workplace engagement.
Design/methodology/approach
The first step was to examine the research literature on: the meaning of workplace engagement along with theory bases for it, the framework for stimulating employee engagement and information about action learning in the workplace. Second, was the identification of manager/organization interventions found to result in employee assessment of their own positive growth in workplace engagement? Third, we offer a practical, action learning approach.
Findings
An action guide is presented as an example of a method to assist a manager working with, in this case, a single employee. The guide is grounded on empirical research, mostly meta-analyses, and reflects positively assessed workplace engagement interventions.
Originality/value
In the performance management, human resources and training domains there is limited research and/or examples of practical guides for managers to use to link guidance with efforts to apply specific interventions to support employee workplace engagement. This paper provides the manager with a path to assist employees.
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Paul Lyons and Randall Bandura
The purpose of this paper aimed primarily at the practitioner is to offer foundational information regarding reciprocal-reflective approach to learning (RRAL). Presentation and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper aimed primarily at the practitioner is to offer foundational information regarding reciprocal-reflective approach to learning (RRAL). Presentation and explanation include conceptual and theory grounding of the processes to be initiated by a manager for collaboration with an employee. A detailed model reflective of the approach is presented. Conceptual and practice-aimed information may be adapted for training and development.
Design/methodology/approach
Explanations of employee learning often place the manager in role(s) of teacher, guide, coach and/or expert. Proposed here is an approach in which manager and individual employee, jointly, make use of a learning approach which is representative of an experiential, action or problem-based form of learning from which they both can learn. The manager can initiate the process in which both participants collaborate to identify some specific, shared learning goals aimed at the matters under consideration. Other goals, likely more personal in the case of each participant, may also be identified and efforts made to help one another attain progress regarding such goals. The RRAL process as explained mirrors a bifurcation of instrumental behaviors (focus on learning activities) and emotional behaviors (caring and sharing resulting in a strengthened relationship and trust).
Findings
Relying on research that clearly identifies various supportive behaviors on the part of the manager, a detailed example of a plan is provided. The plan is driven by shared aims, focus, feedback and adjustment. In addition to individual learning goals, the manager has the opportunity to make her/his own role adjustments that lead to positive, supportive actions stimulating the quality of the relationship with the employee including the building of trust.
Practical implications
Using the example provided as a guide can be very helpful to a manager with limited experience in instigating employee learning and change. Initial use may be regarded as an experiment subject to much analysis and discussion by both participants as they contemplate how to work together in future reciprocal learning endeavors.
Originality/value
Currently, there is little research available that expresses how manager and employee can work as partners on some matter (change, problem, improvement) in a collaborative, reciprocal fashion. This paper, as an example, should demonstrate that skills and knowledge of both participants can improve and progress made regarding the issue at hand. The RRAL can be fashioned by the participants to yield progress and a more positive relationship.
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