Emerald | Multicultural Education & Technology Journal

FACEBOOK USAGE PATTERNS AND SCHOOL ATTITUDES

Bernadett Koles, Peter Nagy — 2012-04-06 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of the current paper is to explore the impact of Facebook usage patterns school related attitudes in high school and college students. Design/methodology/approach - Data were gathered on the basis of surveys, and were analyzed through a series of multivariate models. Findings - Participants’ reasons and motivations for online presence varied as a function of gender and age. Different degrees of Facebook usage were linked with different school related attitudes. More specifically, more extensive usage was associated with more negative school and peer attitudes; more so for females and for college students. Furthermore, greater reliance on online interactions for social and emotional support was found disadvantageous for college students, while neutral or in some cases beneficial for high school students. Research limitations/implications - Gender and educational level appear to be important factors explaining some of the variation in school related attitudes, and thus should be explored separately.Practical implications - The differential impact of online presence on school attitudes for college and high school students highlights the need for teachers and student advisors to be sensitive to such transitional groups. Originality/value - Facebook usage and school related attitudes were observed simultaneously in high school and college populations studying in Budapest, Hungary.

Cross-Cultural Study into ICT Student Attitudes and Behaviours Concerning Teams and Project Work

Deborah Richards, Ayse Bilgin — 2012-04-06 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The paper describes a project involving Information and Communication Technology (ICT) students in Australia and Singapore working together as a virtual global team. We investigated the question: Can differences be found in the behaviours and attitudes of our two cohorts to working in teams? This would allow us to better manage the project and reflect on its success/failure.Design/methodology/approach - We ran a one semester cross-cultural software development project. An anonymous online survey measured three temporal dimensions commonly used in time-at-work studies and seven cultural dimensions. The results are discussed in the context of cohort behaviours, project outcomes/outputs and related literature.Findings - Differences were found along the temporal dimensions of punctuality, time boundaries and awareness of time use. While conformance with national cultural stereotypes was evident, only selected statements in the cultural dimensions showed significant differences. Some gender differences were also identified.Research limitations/implications - Generalisability beyond the domain of ICT students would need further investigation. Though larger numbers would strengthen our claims, some statistically significant results show differences between Australian and Singaporean cohorts requiring further investigation. Practical implications - Education providers should carefully design, implement and monitor cross-cultural learning opportunities to prepare graduates to work in global teams. Originality/value - The project provided rare cross-cultural and virtual team experience and revealed that providing this experience is likely to be effort intensive for all parties, involve higher project and people risks but potentially deliver greater (life-long) learning gains.

STUDENTS' ORIENTATION TOWARDS INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION IN ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES Keywords: communication, social networking sites, physical, social, task

KAZEEM KAYODE BAKARE — 2012-04-06 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this research, therefore, is to examine the claims for reliability and validity of the attraction scales by using Confirmatory Factor Analysis CFA in the light of research since 1974 which has employed the scales, and then improve the measures if needed.Design/methodology/approach - Random sampling procedure was carried out in two kulliyahs (Faculty) at International Islamic university Malaysia (IIUM), in which 340 students were selected from a population of 2000 undergraduate students. A total of 26 items tested from an instrument that has been used in previous studies, each item is expected to measure one of the three orientations dimension. Findings - The analysis result confirms that the orientation of students towards interpersonal communication in online social network sites is a multi-dimensional construct consisting of social attraction, physical attraction and task attraction. In addition, since substantial numbers of research studies have been reported to have employed one or more of these measures, this research was therefore examined to evaluate their reliability and validity.Research limitations/implications - However, since the reliabilities found in literatures have been highly varied, it was therefore determined that improved measures should be used in the future. Thus, a revised and improved version of these measures using Confirmatory factor Analysis (CFA) are reported and recommended in this study for future research.Originality/value - The present research has produced a second-generation measure with substantially improved internal reliability and validity. The most important and obvious conclusion from this study is that interpersonal attraction does appear to be a multidimensional construct.

Collaborative International Education: Reaching Across Borders

Michael G. Hilgers, Barry B. Flachsbart, Cassandra Elrod — 2012-04-06 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - As international boundaries fade and financial pressures increase, universities are redefining the norm in educational models. The move from a synchronous classroom to a blended classroom or a completely asynchronous environment has forced faculty to be creative in delivery while overcoming complexities in the associated infrastructure. Furthermore, geographic boundaries have diminished, leaving universities seeking ways to reach out to growing student markets, such as South-east Asia. However, this rapid international growth and nearly constant revision of delivery has raised serious questions regarding the maintenance of the quality and reputation of the institution. This is particularly challenging for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs requiring laboratory facilities, commercial software, and detailed, highly interactive theoretical analysis. Design/methodology/approach - This paper will examine an example of using a local provider in an international setting to deliver content originating from three universities collaborating to deliver a single STEM degree. Findings - The question of quality of education overshadows this entire process, particularly given the strict constraints placed by accrediting organizations. Originality/value - The example under consideration has addressed these issues in a variety of means that will be examined through the course of this paper as a case analysis.