Research Paper
Monireh Movahedi; Mohammad Sadegh Esmaeilifar; Nadiya Gholamipour
Abstract
The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of Blended learning-Based Social Networks on female second-year high school students’ self-efficacy in math in Gha’emshahr. The population of study consisted of 6263 female second-year high school students in Gha’emshahr. They ...
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The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of Blended learning-Based Social Networks on female second-year high school students’ self-efficacy in math in Gha’emshahr. The population of study consisted of 6263 female second-year high school students in Gha’emshahr. They were studying in 42 schools in 93-94 school year. Out of schools with ICT facilities, one school was randomly selected, then two second grade classes were selected as experimental and control groups. Matius et al’s Self-efficacy questionnaire was used to gather required information on self-efficacy. It was used as a pre-test, survey and post-test instrument in both control and experimental group. First pre-test was administered. Then, during 8 weeks of first term of school year, educational contents were taught using social networks and traditional methods for experimental and control groups, respectively. After training, both groups were assessed in terms of their self-efficacy. Survey test was administered two months after training. Using frequent assessments, the results revealed that there was a significance difference in the self-efficacy of experimental and control groups (P≥./001). Experimental group continued their superiority in self-efficacy two months after training. Research results demonstrated the positive effect of Blended learning-Based Social Networks on self-efficacy.
Research Paper
Esmaeil Zaraii Zavaraki; Hamidreza Ghorbani
Abstract
This research occurred to determine the effect of virtual social networks usage on the students' English language learning. The method of research is Quasi-experimental and the pre-test and post-test with the control group was used. The research community includes all English language students between ...
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This research occurred to determine the effect of virtual social networks usage on the students' English language learning. The method of research is Quasi-experimental and the pre-test and post-test with the control group was used. The research community includes all English language students between 14-18 years old of Sari English language institutes. The sample size of this research is 30 students. We divided them in two groups. There were 15 students in control group and 15 students in experimental group. The selection of this sample size was done by purposive sampling. We taught to experimental group by using Skype as a virtual social network and taught to control group commonly and without virtual social network. We used the standard questions of Interchange book for collecting the information. The experts have confirmed the validity and its reliability has been proved by the applying of test-retest method. To evaluate the research hypothesis the multivariate analysis of covariance has been used. This research finding showed that teaching by virtual social networks has a considerable positive effect on three language skills: listening, speaking and reading. As the tests have been conducted, the experimental group students achieved better scores. However, there was not any significant difference about the effect of virtual social networks on writing skill. Generally, using of virtual social network has a significant effect on students' English language learning.
Research Paper
Azad Allah Karami; Hojattollah Almasi
Abstract
The purpose of present study was to investigate and compare Viber and WhatsApp capabilities in teaching and learning from university students’ point of view. Combined research method was used and the population of study consisted of all university students users of Viber and WhatsApp at Shahreyar ...
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The purpose of present study was to investigate and compare Viber and WhatsApp capabilities in teaching and learning from university students’ point of view. Combined research method was used and the population of study consisted of all university students users of Viber and WhatsApp at Shahreyar Payamenoor University in 1393-94. Out of this population, 13 and 143 university students were selected randomly for qualitative and quantitative sections, respectively. Semi-structured interview and researcher made test were used to gather required information and to investigate the research questions. Based on theoretical principles, empirical literature, and interview with specialists in forming and managing group components, using multimedia, educational attractiveness, security and creditability, feasibility of installing and administration, researcher made questionnaire consisted of 29 items. Research findings revealed that from students’ point of view group, formation and management capability of Viber was average and its multimedia, installing and administration feasibility was desirable. They also stated that educational attractiveness, security and creditability of Viber were weak. University students also asserted that educational attractiveness of WhatsApp was weak but its other variables were desirable. In addition, the results of multi variable variance analysis indicated no statistically significant difference between two programs in terms of being multimedia program and educational attractiveness. However, there was significant difference in-group formation and management, security and creditability, installation and administration feasibility variables of two programs. With regard to the importance of mobile messenger programs in learning settings, appropriate software should be designed based on the principles and standards of educational planning and should be incorporated into learning milieus.
Research Paper
Sedigheh Kazemi; Najmeh Soulati; Maryam Talebdoost
Abstract
The main purpose of the present study was to identify the existing status on the amount and method of using virtual social networks among Farhangian instructors and university students. The population of this study consisted of university students at Shahid Hasheminezhad Pardis Farhangian University ...
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The main purpose of the present study was to identify the existing status on the amount and method of using virtual social networks among Farhangian instructors and university students. The population of this study consisted of university students at Shahid Hasheminezhad Pardis Farhangian University of different fields. For the sample of this study, 230 freshman undergraduate students were selected using Morgan sample size table according to the comprehensive population size. This study is descriptive research in order to determine the amount and method of using virtual social networks through survey. Qualitative-quantitative method was used collect data. Researcher made questionnaire was used to obtain required information. Its validity was confirmed using content analysis and its reliability was computed using test retest. Research finding revealed that 67/4 percent of respondents stated that free use of virtual social networks has made them to continue using these networks. Out of subjects 30%, 20 % and 16% of them were members of one, two and three social networks, respectively. The main purpose of using social networks in the studied sample was spending free time (51%), information exchange (13%), communication (9%), and friends’ recommendation (2%). Based on these findings, social networks as body for learning and acquiring essential merits should be taken into consideration by curriculum planners and designers.
Research Paper
Marjan Kian; Nima Ya’ghoubi Malal; Nosrat Riyaheeniya
Abstract
The purpose of the present study is to investigate how graduate students recognize, perceive and use public virtual social networks. The method of this research is descriptive using survey. The population consisted of all graduate students at Tehran Kharazmi University in 1392-93 school year. For the ...
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The purpose of the present study is to investigate how graduate students recognize, perceive and use public virtual social networks. The method of this research is descriptive using survey. The population consisted of all graduate students at Tehran Kharazmi University in 1392-93 school year. For the purpose of this study, 120 students were selected using random sampling. Research instrument is a researcher made questionnaire. It investigates six issues concerning virtual social networks. Gathered data were analyzed using Mann- Whitney U and Chi-square tests, with SPSS software (version 20). Findings indicated that Facebook was the most popular virtual social network (86%). The controlled and uncontrolled general accounts were approximately equal but Chi-square test showed that females’ controlled accounts were significantly more than male students’ controlled accounts. The main goal of most students joining these networks was recreation and entertainment. There was no significant difference between male and female students on use of virtual social networks. Students were unaware of features and unique characteristics of these networks or they were unwilling to use these properties. The most negative effect of virtual social networks is spending so much time in these networks that could harm their educational process. Providing information on the use of virtual social networks and their various works can prevent decrease in academic success and promote better use of these networks as well.
Research Paper
Farideh Hamidi; Majid Mahdiyeh Nejafabadi; Samaneh Namaziyan Nejafabadi
Abstract
Academic procrastination is one of the barriers to academic success and educational objectives. On the one hand, computers and internet as essential tools facilitate people’s life; on the other hand, they bring about new dangers and problems. One of these dangers can be ignoring academic success. ...
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Academic procrastination is one of the barriers to academic success and educational objectives. On the one hand, computers and internet as essential tools facilitate people’s life; on the other hand, they bring about new dangers and problems. One of these dangers can be ignoring academic success. The aim of the present study is to probe the relationship between internet addiction and academic procrastination among secondary school students. This research is a descriptive correlative study. The population of the study consisted of all secondary students of Najafabad city in 1393-94 school year. Using one-step cluster sampling one secondary school was selected. The sample included 124 students. Yang’s Internet Addiction Questionnaire and Savari’s Academic Procrastination Questionnaire were used as research instruments. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and Linear Regression. Results indicated that there is a positive relationship between internet addiction and academic procrastination (r=. /52, p≤. /01). Internet addiction predicts 26/9 percent of variance in academic procrastination. Among students non-addicted to internet the correlation reduced to r=./46 (P≤./01). In general, it can be concluded that internet dependence can be a strong predictor of academic procrastination. This prediction is weaker among non-addicted students. On the other hand, less internet dependence decreases procrastination. Based on obtained results, the need for implementing strategies to prevent and cope with internet dependence is inferred.
