PJDOL

Identifying Factors Encouraging University Students to Play Computer Games

2024-01-01T11:22:29+05:00

The study employed a quantitative research design using the general survey model to understand a large research population without intervening in variables. It involved 552 teacher candidates from an education faculty in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey, with 142 males and 410 females participating voluntarily. Data were collected using the Computer Game Motivation Scale (CGMS) with 17 items and five sub-dimensions (Concentration, Enjoyment, Escape, Learning, and Socialization), assessed on a five-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree, 5 = Strongly Agree). The reliability coefficients (Cronbach's Alpha) ranged from .77 to .95 for scale structures and were .94 for the entire scale. Internal consistency coefficients for sub-dimensions varied from .78 to .94, with .93 for the overall scale. The information form included gender, department/unit, perceived income status, and place of residence inquiries. Male students had higher gaming addiction scores than females, and those in verbal programs scored higher than numerical programs. 2nd and 3rd-year students had higher gaming addiction scores, and students with a perception of very poor income also scored higher in gaming addiction. Interestingly, the place of residence did not significantly affect gaming addiction, likely due to widespread internet and technology access. In summary, this study highlighted how gender, program, class level, and income perception impact gaming addiction among university students, while place of residence does not seem to play a significant role.

Role of Administrators in Blended learning in Higher Education Institution

2024-01-01T11:10:21+05:00

As higher education institutions adopt blended learning, administrators play a crucial role in implementing and supporting blended learning, ensuring its success (Lomonosova & Valentinovna, 2018). The study investigates administrators' perceptions of blended learning as a teaching strategy, using a proportionate sampling sample and a content validity instrument modified by an expert. The study involved 27 administrators respondents who were selected from the universities in Islamabad. The interview guide was created to assess administrators' readiness for blended learning, focusing on their awareness of facilities, finances, capacity-building initiatives, challenges, and technology capabilities. The reliability of the results was ensured by consistent patterns and plausible reasons for differences. Data analysis involved analyzing administrative attitudes through interviews, coding the data, and identifying recurring themes. The study concluded that despite the availability of resources and support, the studyemphasises the difficulties administrators encounter when implementing blended learning in higher education institutions. For blended learning to be successfully implemented, infrastructure facilities including well-equipped classrooms and high-speed internet connection are crucial.

Relationship between Digital Leadership Competencies and Teachers’ Performance: Structural Equation Model Analysis

2024-01-01T11:03:19+05:00

Leadership competencies contribute to the ability of teachers to perform successfully and efficiently in the modern technology era. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between digital leadership competencies and teachers’ performance. The study was correctional following the cross-sectional survey method. The sample of the study consisted of 273 social sciences teaching faculty members of Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad and Virtual University of Pakistan selected through a simple random sampling technique. The reliability of the instruments; digital leadership competencies and teachers’ performance were confirmed by calculating Cronbach’s Alpha score; .969 and .936 respectively. After ensuring ethical considerations from participants, the data were collected by administering the Six E-Competencies model of Roman et al., (2019) consisting of 18-items and Goodman and Svyantek (1999) Teachers’ Performance (TP) scale comprised of 15-items mode of 7-points Likert responses. Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling [PLS-SEM] was computed to analyze the proposed hypotheses in this study while the measurement model and structural model were assessed. The findings of the study showed a significant correlation between digital leadership competencies and teachers’ performance. The study helps to enhance the performance of university teachers through the support of digital leadership by using modern technology tool

Determinants of Smartphone Addiction and its Influence on Students’ Academic Performance

2024-01-01T10:58:03+05:00

Smartphone is the mostwanted gadget of this era and smartphone addiction is the association with its use. This research aims to find the role of craving, social relationships, and overuse of smartphone as determinants of smartphone addiction and its influence on students’ academic performance. This study uses purposive sampling (non-probability) technique and survey method was adopted. The data was collected through online questionnaire via Google Forms from 300 students of Bachelor of Education (hons.) studying in the Department of Teacher Education, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur Mirs’. For hypotheses testing, structural equation modeling was used. The findings indicated that social relationships and overusage of smartphone were positively affecting smartphone addictionwhereas craving to use smartphone was proved insignificant in creating smartphone addiction, further it was found that the created smartphone addiction among students was positively and significantly affecting their academic performance. This study recommends that use of smartphone must be encouraged in teaching learning for students’ effective academic performance.

Problems Experienced by Undergraduate Students in Conducting Research in Online Distance Learning

2024-01-01T10:52:40+05:00

This study's aim was to examine the difficulties that undergraduate students had while doing their research in online distance learning environment. This study used a descriptive research design and was quantitative in nature. By using census all 247 students enrolled in different undergraduate degree programs in department of education were selected who have completed research projects as a part of their degree program at Virtual University of Pakistan. In the questionnaire, students were asked about problems faced by them in three domains i.e. student-related, supervisor-related and institution-related. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings of the study revealed that during research conduction the problems faced by students are; lack of discussion with supervisor, lack of time for research, lack of digital library resources, insufficient content and lack of direction, tool/questionnaire selection, accessing resources, unwillingness of participants and problems in writing and reporting the results. Thefindings highlighted the problems of resources that hindered students’ smooth learning progress at VU. It is recommended that institute may provide digital library resources and also upload the theses on its website so students can get help from differentsources during research conduction.