Hebron University Research Projects Abstract
The effect of utilizing lecture capturing technology on students’ attitude, performance, and skills in introduction to Computer programing course.
Researchers: Dr Khalil Massri, Dr Mohanad, Dr Nabil Jondi
Attending a computer-programming course for the first time is a challenging task for many students who often fail or drop out. The abstract and mathematical nature of computer programming has been noted as one of the major stumbling blocks students face. In fact, this issue has been identified as one of main reasons for the declines in enrolment in some Computer Science programmes. Moreover, this problem is not exclusive for computer science students, since students in other IT programs must also take programming courses.
In this research, we investigate the effect of using SnagIt application as a teaching approach for improving student’s performances in a first programming course.
This tool is expected to facilitate the logical thinking and enhance problem solving skills. Additionally, this technological tool will open the opportunity for the teacher to provide additional training resources which supposed to be open for the students’ population. This process will enable the teacher to save lecture time for provide additional contents and programming skills.
This is an experimental research with pre-post design model. It’s supposed to have four sections. Two of them are randomly nominated as experimental group and the two others as a control group.
Both groups will be given an experimental diagnostic exam. Additionally they will be given a pre-survey to assist their attitude towards educational technology.
Through this study we hope to answer the question, to what extent students’ knowledge, skills attitudes and performances have improved by using the application.
Reflective writing by students
Researcher: Dr. Mohammed Farrah and Dr. Manal Abu Minshar
This study will examine how deeply do students use reflective writing and to what extent reflection give them insights into how their professional skill and knowledge have progressed. Students will be provided with writing prompts and framework to support the development of reflective writing .Semi-structured interviews will be held to investigate how reflective writing give them insights into how their professional skill and knowledge have progressed. Pre and post content analysis will be used to analyse students’ reflective writings.
What do practicum portfolios reveal about the development of Palestinian pre-service teachers’ knowledge, beliefs and practices?What do practicum portfolios reveal about the development of Palestinian pre-service teachers’ knowledge, beliefs and practices?
Researchers: Mohammed Farrah and Nabil Jondi (Hebron University)
Hebron University prepared a new program for teacher preparation for grades from one to four. Through this program teachers will study five different practicum courses. Those students are proposed to use portfolios in their practicum learning experience. This study aims at investigating the possible impact of practicum portfolios on the development of Palestinian pre-service teachers’ knowledge, beliefs and practices. The study will try to answer the following questions:- What are pre-service teachers’ attitudes towards developing an evidenced-based practicum portfolio? – What does the practicum portfolio reveal about the development of Palestinian student teachers’ knowledge, beliefs and practices?- How does submission of physical portfolios and online portfolios impact on the range and quality of portfolio tasks?A triangulation of data collection methods will be used. A Pre-post survey, interviews (focus group or individual students) and mentors reports will be used for the sake of data collection. Moreover, a close analysis of portfolio tasks from a representative sample to identify themes, perspectives and patterns of meanings