Critical pegagogy in ELT: perspectives and praxis of western English teachers in Korean post-secondary education

Presently, there are numerous Native English Teacher (NETs) teaching in Korean post-secondary educational (PSE) institutions. The aim of this thesis is to explore the views held by NETs with regards to their self-perceived teaching perspectives while working in a Korean PSE setting. The thesis also aims to answer the assertion made in the literature that English as Foreign Language (EFL) teachers are "acritical and atheoretical". To this end, the thesis intends to identify the extent of the NETs’ preference for social reform as a teaching perspective, the NETs stated reasons for identifying with roles as social reformers, how these views are reflected in the NETs’ practice (praxis), what the barriers impeding the adoption and enactment of social reform are, and how the NETs’ perspectives relate to critical pedagogy. The results reveal that NETs in Korean PSE do not align themselves with social reform, yet categorizing NETS as "acritical and atheoretical" may be overly-simplistic. The results show that there are three kinds of obstacles that prevent NETs from engaging more with social reform and being less acritical and atheoretical: 1) NETs teaching in Korean EFL are conflicted and/or confused about their roles as English teachers; 2) there are significant cultural constraints to teaching in Korean EFL as a NET; 3) there are significant pedagogical constraints to teaching in Korean EFL as a NET.

A recessionary debate: who suffered more? A study of sectoral well-being and economic insecurity in Ireland

The aim of this thesis is to identify the relationship between subjective well-being and economic insecurity for public and private sector workers in Ireland using the European Social Survey 2010-2012. Life satisfaction and job satisfaction are the indicators used to measure subjective well-being. Economic insecurity is approximated by regional unemployment rates and self-perceived job insecurity. Potential sample selection bias and endogeneity bias are accounted for. It is traditionally believed that public sector workers are relatively more protected against insecurity due to very institution of public sector employment. The institution of public sector employment is made up of stricter dismissal practices (Luechinger et al., 2010a) and less volatile employment (Freeman, 1987) where workers are subsequently less likely to be affected by business cycle downturns (Clark and Postal-Vinay, 2009). It is found in the literature that economic insecurity depresses the well-being of public sector workers to a lesser degree than private sector workers (Luechinger et al., 2010a; Artz and Kaya, 2014). These studies provide the rationale for this thesis in testing for similar relationships in an Irish context. Sample selection bias arises when a selection into a particular category is not random (Heckman, 1979). An example of this is non-random selection into public sector employment based on personal characteristics (Heckman, 1979; Luechinger et al., 2010b). If selection into public sector employment is not corrected for this can lead to biased and inconsistent estimators (Gujarati, 2009). Selection bias of public sector employment is corrected for by using a standard Two-Step Heckman Probit OLS estimation method. Following Luechinger et al. (2010b), the propensity for individuals to select into public sector employment is estimated by a binomial probit model with the inclusion of the additional regressor Irish citizenship. Job satisfaction is then estimated by Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) with the inclusion of a sample correction term similar as is done in Clark (1997). Endogeneity is where an independent variable included in the model is determined within in the context of the model (Chenhall and Moers, 2007). The econometric definition states that an endogenous independent variable is one that is correlated with the error term (Wooldridge, 2010). Endogeneity is expected to be present due to a simultaneous relationship between job insecurity and job satisfaction whereby both variables are jointly determined (Theodossiou and Vasileiou, 2007). Simultaneity, as an instigator of endogeneity, is corrected for using Instrumental Variables (IV) techniques. Limited Information Methods and Full Information Methods of estimation of simultaneous equations models are assed and compared. The general results show that job insecurity depresses the subjective well-being of all workers in both the public and private sectors in Ireland. The magnitude of this effect differs among sectoral workers. The subjective well-being of private sector workers is more adversely affected by job insecurity than the subjective well-being of public sector workers. This is observed in basic ordered probit estimations of both a life satisfaction equation and a job satisfaction equation. The marginal effects from the ordered probit estimation of a basic job satisfaction equation show that as job insecurity increases the probability of reporting a 9 on a 10-point job satisfaction scale significantly decreases by 3.4% for the whole sample of workers, 2.8% for public sector workers and 4.0% for private sector workers. Artz and Kaya (2014) explain that as a result of many austerity policies implemented to reduce government expenditure during the economic recession, workers in the public sector may for the first time face worsening perceptions of job security which can have significant implications for their well-being (Artz and Kaya, 2014). This can be observed in the marginal effects where job insecurity negatively impacts the well-being of public sector workers in Ireland. However, in accordance with Luechinger et al. (2010a) the results show that private sector workers are more adversely impacted by economic insecurity than public sector workers. This suggests that in a time of high economic volatility, the institution of public sector employment held and was able to protect workers against some of the well-being consequences of rising insecurity. In estimating the relationship between subjective well-being and economic insecurity advanced econometric issues arise. The results show that when selection bias is corrected for, any statistically significant relationship between job insecurity and job satisfaction disappears for public sector workers. Additionally, in order to correct for endogeneity bias the simultaneous equations model for job satisfaction and job insecurity is estimated by Limited Information and Full Information Methods. The results from two different estimators classified as Limited Information Methods support the general findings of this research. Moreover, the magnitude of the endogeneity-corrected estimates are twice as large as those not corrected for endogeneity bias which is similarly found in Geishecker (2010, 2012). As part of the analysis into the effect of economic insecurity on subjective well-being, the effects of other socioeconomic variables and work-related variables are examined for public and private sector workers in Ireland.

‘Never Let Me Down Again’1: Loyal customer attitudes towards ticket distribution channels for live music events: a netnographic exploration of the US leg of the Depeche Mode 2005–2006 World Tour

Ticket distribution channels for live music events have been revolutionised through the increased take-up of internet technologies, and the music supply-chain has evolved into a multi-channel value network. The assumption that this creates increased consumer autonomy and improved service quality is explored here through a case-study of the ticket pre-sale for the US leg of the Depeche Mode 2005–06 World Tour, which utilises an innovative virtual channel strategy, promoted as a service to loyal fans. A multi-method analysis, adopting Kozinets' (2002) Kozinets, R. V. 2002. The field behind the screen: using netnography for marketing research in online communities. Journal of Marketing Research, 39: 61–72. [CrossRef], [Web of Science ®] netnography methodology, is employed to map responses of the band's serious fan base on an internet message board (IMB) throughout the tour pre-sale. The analysis focuses on concerns of pricing, ethics, scope of the offer, use of technology, service quality and perceived brand performance fit of channel partners. Findings indicate that fans behaviour is unpredictable in response to channel partners' performance, and that such offers need careful management to avoid alienation of loyal consumers.

Applied behavior analysis: What do teachers of students with autism spectrum disorder know?

With rising numbers of school-aged children with autism educated in mainstream classroomsand applied behavior analysis (ABA) considered the basis of best practice, teachers’ knowledgein this field has become a key concern for inclusion. Self-reported knowledge of ABA of specialneeds teachers (n=165) was measured and compared to their actual knowledge of ABAdemonstrated in accurate responses to a multiple-choice test. Findings reported here show thatteachers’ self-perceived knowledge exceeded actual knowledge and that actual knowledge ofABA was not

Incidência de cárie dentária em adolescentes em município do Nordeste brasileiro, 2006

NORO, Luiz Roberto Augusto et al. Incidência de cárie dentária em adolescentes em município do Nordeste brasileiro, 2006, Cadernos de Saúde Pública, Rio de Janeiro, v. 25, n. 4, p. 783-790, abr. 2009.

Incidência de cárie dentária em adolescentes em município do Nordeste brasileiro, 2006

NORO, Luiz Roberto Augusto et al. Incidência de cárie dentária em adolescentes em município do Nordeste brasileiro, 2006, Cadernos de Saúde Pública, Rio de Janeiro, v. 25, n. 4, p. 783-790, abr. 2009.

Optimização do desenvolvimento organizacional: Liderança e entrega como premissas chaves?

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada ao Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada para obtenção de grau de Mestre na especialidade de Psicologia Social e das Organizações.

Travel frequency of seniors tourists

Current demand for tourism is characterized by more frequent, shorter trips throughout the year. Such trends may have adverse effects on the hospitality industry but benefit the travel industry. Most current literature assumes that the variables that determine travel participation are identical to those that influence travel frequency, though there is no evidence to support this assumption. Therefore, the current study seeks to identify variables that influence travel frequency among Spanish senior tourists, who represent a key target market for the tourism industry. The results specify that gender, self-perceived economic status, and self-perceived time available variables strongly determine Spanish seniors' travel frequency.

Avaliação de um programa de promoção de habilidades sociais para idosos

Evidências na literatura apontam a importância da qualidade nos relacionamentos sociais, mas não fornecem dados suficientes que indiquem como auxiliar os idosos a se tornarem socialmente competentes. O presente estudo pretende avaliar a eficácia de um Programa de Promoção de Habilidades Sociais para Idosos (PHSI). A pesquisa contou com a participação de 40 idosos de uma Universidade da Terceira Idade. O grupo experimental reuniu 20 pessoas com idades que variavam de 62 a 83 anos (M=69,4; DP=6,05) e o grupo controle apresentou 20 idosos com idades que variavam de 60 a 74 anos (M=67,1; DP=4,61). As habilidades sociais foram avaliadas antes e depois da intervenção com follow-up por meio de uma medida de autorrelato e o desempenho através de jogos de papéis em sete situações sociais. Os resultados apontaram melhora significativa no desempenho social dos participantes do grupo experimental, em relação ao grupo controle, nos contextos envolvendo conflito de interesses. Análises intragrupos também confirmaram uma melhora na capacidade de lidar com situações interpessoais que demandam a afirmação e defesa de direitos. Esses resultados constatam que o Programa criado promoveu habilidades assertivas, previamente apontadas na literatura como deficitárias na população de idosos.

Compétences en littératie visuelle chez les étudiantEs en biologie au niveau collégial: bilan des apprentissages selon des activités digitales ou des activités de dessins à la main

This study examines the role of visual literacy in learning biology. Biology teachers promote the use of digital images as a learning tool for two reasons: because biology is the most visual of the sciences, and the use of imagery is becoming increasingly important with the advent of bioinformatics; and because studies indicate that this current generation of teenagers have a cognitive structure that is formed through exposure to digital media. On the other hand, there is concern that students are not being exposed enough to the traditional methods of processing biological information - thought to encourage left-brain sequential thinking patterns. Theories of Embodied Cognition point to the importance of hand-drawing for proper assimilation of knowledge, and theories of Multiple Intelligences suggest that some students may learn more easily using traditional pedagogical tools. To test the claim that digital learning tools enhance the acquisition of visual literacy in this generation of biology students, a learning intervention was carried out with 33 students enrolled in an introductory college biology course. The study compared learning outcomes following two types of learning tools. One learning tool was a traditional drawing activity, and the other was an interactive digital activity carried out on a computer. The sample was divided into two random groups, and a crossover design was implemented with two separate interventions. In the first intervention students learned how to draw and label a cell. Group 1 learned the material by computer and Group 2 learned the material by hand-drawing. In the second intervention, students learned how to draw the phases of mitosis, and the two groups were inverted. After each learning activity, students were given a quiz on the material they had learned. Students were also asked to self-evaluate their performance on each quiz, in an attempt to measure their level of metacognition. At the end of the study, they were asked to fill out a questionnaire that was used to measure the level of task engagement the students felt towards the two types of learning activities. In this study, following the first testing phase, the students who learned the material by drawing had a significantly higher average grade on the associated quiz compared to that of those who learned the material by computer. The difference was lost with the second “cross-over” trial. There was no correlation for either group between the grade the students thought they had earned through self-evaluation, and the grade that they received. In terms of different measures of task engagement, there were no significant differences between the two groups. One finding from the study showed a positive correlation between grade and self-reported time spent playing video games, and a negative correlation between grade and self-reported interest in drawing. This study provides little evidence to support claims that the use of digital tools enhances learning, but does provide evidence to support claims that drawing by hand is beneficial for learning biological images. However, the small sample size, limited number and type of learning tasks, and the indirect means of measuring levels of metacognition and task engagement restrict generalisation of these conclusions. Nevertheless, this study indicates that teachers should not use digital learning tools to the exclusion of traditional drawing activities: further studies on the effectiveness of these tools are warranted. Students in this study commented that the computer tool seemed more accurate and detailed - even though the two learning tools carried identical information. Thus there was a mismatch between the perception of the usefulness of computers as a learning tool and the reality, which again points to the need for an objective assessment of their usefulness. Students should be given the opportunity to try out a variety of traditional and digital learning tools in order to address their different learning preferences.

Entrepreneurship: a long way to go

Entrepreneurship education has emerged as one popular research domain in academic fields given its aim at enhancing and developing certain entrepreneurial qualities of undergraduates that change their state of behavior, even their entrepreneurial inclination and finally may result in the formation of new businesses as well as new job opportunities. This study attempts to investigate the Colombian student´s entrepreneurial qualities and the influence of entrepreneurial education during their studies.

Au1to-reporte de la condición física relacionada con la salud en una muestra de escolares del distrito Bogotá: estudio FUPRECOL

Introducción y objetivo: La escala de auto-reporte de la condición física (IFIS) “The International FItness Scale”, fue creada como parte del proyecto financiado por la unión europea HELENA Study “Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence”. A la fecha, no se conoce ningún estudio que haya examinado el auto-reporte de la condición física en un contexto distinto al Europeo. Este trabajo evalúa por auto-reporte la condición física relacionada con la salud (CFRS) en una muestra de niños y adolescentes del distrito de Bogotá pertenecientes al grupo FUPRECOL. Materiales y Método: Estudio transversal en 1.922 escolares (54.3% mujeres). Se aplicó de manera auto-administrada la escala “IFIS”. Se midió el peso, talla, circunferencia de cintura y se calculó el índice de masa corporal (IMC) en kg/m2. La capacidad aeróbica, el índice general de fuerza (z-score fuerza prensil + z-score salto de longitud), la velocidad/agilidad y la flexibilidad fueron como indicadores objetivos de la CFRS objetiva y directa. Resultados: La muestra estuvo conformada por 1.922 escolares, de los cuales 1.045 fueron mujeres (54.3%) y 877 hombres (45.6%). El análisis ANOVA mostró que los varones tenían mayores valores de peso (p<0.003), estatura (p<0.001), CC (p<0.001), capacidad aeróbica (p<0.001), velocidad/agilidad (p<0.001) e índice general de fuerza (p<0.001), mientras que las mujeres presentaron exceso de peso por IMC (sobrepeso y obesidad). En el componente de condición física general, las puntuaciones más altas en la escala “IFIS” se encontraron en la categoría buena (40%), seguido de aceptable (34%), mientras que la puntuación más baja se encontró en la categoría muy mala/mala (6%). En población general, relaciones lineales fueron observadas entre el auto-reporte de la CFRS por la escala “IFIS” y la mayoría de los indicadores del fitness evaluado objetivamente. El análisis post-hoc ajustado por sexo, edad y etapa de maduración reveló que los escolares que acusaron mejores valores en la auto-percepción de los dominios del “IFIS”, presentaron mejor desempeño en los indicadores de CFRS objetivos. Conclusión: Este trabajo describe por primera vez en población Latina, que el auto-reporte con la escala “IFIS”, es un instrumento válido para evaluar la CFRS, y además posee una adecuada capacidad para clasificar la aptitud física en población escolar de Bogotá, Colombia. Esta escala se encuentra disponible para otros investigadores interesados en evaluar la condición física muscular en América Latina.

Petrofac International Limited: el mercadeo interno, una estrategia efectiva en el manejo de personal

Como futuros administrados es importante recordar que nuestra función no será únicamente crear una empresa y generar constantemente ingresos. Esto es una de tantas tareas que tiene una persona que se encamina por crear o ser parte de una empresa, sea grande o pequeña siempre existirán variables que con los años se han convertido más y más indispensables en los procesos de este recorrido. El tema principal de nuestro estudio de caso es entender el concepto del endomarketing o como muchos lo conocen marketing interno; en pocas palabras es algo que por años se ha visto su efectividad en la productividad y satisfacción de los empleados. Google es una de las multinacionales más grandes del mundo, que el ultimo reconocimiento fue por parte de uno de los ranking más influyentes “The World’s Billionaries” ocupando como el CEO de la compañía Larry Page el puesto #12 , que por años ha sabido invertir en su recurso más importante que son sus empleados. En una entrevista con la revista Fortune, Larry exclama que “es importante que la empresa sea una familia, que las personas sientan que son parte de la empresa, y que la empresa es como una familia para ellos. Cuando se trata a las personas de esa manera, se obtiene una mejor productividad”. Con este pequeño ejemplo e idea de cómo una de las marcas más influyentes en el mundo ha fortalecido su mejor recurso por años el cual le ha remunerado con el éxito que tiene hoy en día. Entonces es como el mercadeo interno o endomarketing siendo uno de los conceptos tratados en el mercadeo en general hoy en día, logrando meterse como un modelo de negocio en la mayoría de empresas que existen hoy. Este es uno de los motivos que nos motivó para desarrollar este estudio de caso que verán a continuación, el cual se basa en la investigación y análisis de variables que comprenden a la empresa Petrofac, y si bien ha sabido implementar el concepto en sus procesos diarios. El estudio de caso describe como a través de los años ha sabido implementar con éxito la herramienta de evaluación y análisis del mercado interno a los empleados que constituyen hoy en día Petrofac International Limited. Abarcaremos primero con los objetivos del estudio, seguido del inicio y crecimiento de la empresa en los últimos años, en que países tiene presencia y cuáles son sus proyectos más importantes hoy en día. El estudio de caso será implementado por un tipo de investigación descriptiva, que con la recopilación de suficiente información tanto cuantitativa como cualitativa nos ira fortaleciendo la hipótesis principal, usaremos datos estadísticos que serán recopilados de encuestas, entrevistas y focus group. Al final con el análisis y a las conclusiones que lleguemos se busca demostrar el impacto positivo que ha tenido los empleados de diferentes países y de diferentes culturas que poco a poco han influenciado a la empresa para alcanzar el éxito que ha logrado hasta ahora, y de la misma forma como la empresa ha influenciado en cada una de las vidas de estas personas sin importar el lugar en el que estén laborando, siempre la empresa busca que se sientan parte de ella. Como resultados generales, se obtienen argumentos que sustentan que la implementación del mercadeo interno le permite a la empresa generar ventajas competitivas y dinámicas, que son desarrolladas internamente para un futuro reflejarlas ante los clientes externos. El estudio permitió concluir que el mercadeo interno debe ser una estrategia de comunicación dentro de una empresa convirtiéndose de primera necesidad para la compañía, pues los beneficios que genera son cada vez más necesarios para cada área que abarca el negocio.

Impacto da prática de exercício físico em adolescentes: bem-estar, autoestima e rendimento escolar

O presente estudo partiu de uma amostra de 472 estudantes, do 7º ao 9º ano de três escolas e duas entidades desportivas de Évora, e seis escolas de Lisboa. Procurou-se compreender qual o impacto que a prática de exercício físico tem na adolescência ao nível do bem-estar, autoestima e rendimento escolar através da aplicação da EBEPA e da Escala de Autoestima Global de Rosenberg. Objetivou-se também perceberquais as atitudes dos/as jovens face à educação física e ao exercício físico, através da aplicação do QAAEF e QAEFFCE. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a prática de exercício físico extracurricular potencia os níveis de bem-estar, autoestima e rendimento escolar dos/as adolescentes. Ao praticarem exercício físico para além do proporcionado pelas aulas de educação física, estes jovens apresentam atitudes mais positivas no que diz respeito ao gosto e importância atribuídos à disciplina e à prática de exercício físico. Os rapazes apresentam resultados mais elevados do que as raparigas, no que diz respeito ao bem-estar e autoestima; Impact of physical exercise in adolescents: well-being, self-esteem and school performance Abstract: This study came from a sample of 472 students, from the 7th to the 9th grade of three schools and two sports entities of Évora, and six schools of Lisbon. We tried to understand the impact that the practice of physical exercise has in adolescence in terms of well-being, self-esteem and school performance through the application of the EBEPA and the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale. The goal was also to understand the attitudes of young people in the face of physical education and physical exercise, through the application of QAAEF and QAEFFCE. The results suggest that the practice of extracurricular physical exercise increases levels of well-being, self-esteem and academic achievement of adolescents. By practice physical exercise,not counting physical education classes, these young people exhibit more positive attitudes giving more credit to the discipline and practice of physical exercise. This study confirmed that the boys have higher results than girls, with regard to the well-being and self-esteem.