Blended learning is firmly established in universities around the world, yet to date little attention has been paid to how students are enaging with this style of learning. Presenting a theoretically-based and empirically-validated model of engagement, this book examines the application of the model to improve the quality and productivity of university education. Covering the key qualities of blended learning, it analyses how online learning influences campus-based education, develops the student perspective of online learning, examines online learning systems as agents of change, provides insights and guidance for educational developers and administrators attempting to improve quality of learning, and considers how institutions can maximise educational returns from large investments in online learning technologies. Illustrated with case studies and developing ideas for practice, this book will be valuable reading for researchers and developers keen to improve their understanding of the emerging dynamics of contemporary student engagement with online learning.

Bachelor Thesis from the year 2018 in the subject Pedagogy - School System, Educational and School Politics, grade: 5 (GHA-System), University of Education (Distance Learning), course: Post Graduate Diploma in Education, language: English, abstract: Students’ academic performance is a key feature in education. This study was therefore conducted primarily to assess the factors contributing to improvement in academic performance of Junior High Students (JHS) in a Basic School which is in the Gomo-East District in the Central Region of Ghana. The mixed and descriptive research design was used and a sample size of 87 respondents (79 students and 8 teachers) were selected through random sampling technique. The findings revealed that the average academic performance (47.0%) of the JHS students in the Basic School is weak and their performance in Mathematics (average score of 31.48%) and English Language (average score of 39.99%) is a fail. It was noticed that student factors that contribute to an improvement in academic performance include; regular studying, self-motivation, punctuality and regular class attendance, hard-work and interest in a subject. The teacher factors were completion of syllabus, use of TLM’s, frequent feedback to students and given students special attention. Per the findings, parent factors which was very key was parent showing concern in their children’s academics and providing them their academic needs. School factors that were significant included availability of text books and TLM’s. The study also found that parent level of education and gender has a positive relationship with academic performance but it’s insignificant. However, age has a positive significant (5% significance level) relationship with academic performance. Based on findings, the study recommends that there should be strict monitoring on teachers to vary their teaching methods to suit their needs of the students and also to provide the students with constant feedback on their academic performance. Again, the students should be motivated and orientated to take ownership of their studies by having regular studies and attending school during school days.

Offers a definition of differentiated instruction, and provides principles and strategies designed to help teachers create learning environments that address the different learning styles, interests, and readiness levels found in a typical mixed-ability classroom.

What is understanding and how does it differ from knowledge? How can we determine the big ideas worth understanding? Why is understanding an important teaching goal, and how do we know when students have attained it? How can we create a rigorous and engaging curriculum that focuses on understanding and leads to improved student performance in today's high-stakes, standards-based environment? Authors Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe answer these and many other questions in this second edition of Understanding by Design. Drawing on feedback from thousands of educators around the world who have used the UbD framework since its introduction in 1998, the authors have greatly revised and expanded their original work to guide educators across the K-16 spectrum in the design of curriculum, assessment, and instruction. With an improved UbD Template at its core, the book explains the rationale of backward design and explores in greater depth the meaning of such key ideas as essential questions and transfer tasks. Readers will learn why the familiar coverage- and activity-based approaches to curriculum design fall short, and how a focus on the six facets of understanding can enrich student learning. With an expanded array of practical strategies, tools, and examples from all subject areas, the book demonstrates how the research-based principles of Understanding by Design apply to district frameworks as well as to individual units of curriculum. Combining provocative ideas, thoughtful analysis, and tested approaches, this new edition of Understanding by Design offers teacher-designers a clear path to the creation of curriculum that ensures better learning and a more stimulating experience for students and teachers alike.

Ernesto Macaro brings together a wealth of research on the rapidly expanding phenomenon of English Medium Instruction. Against a backdrop of theory, policy documents, and examples of practice, he weaves together research in both secondary and tertiary education, with a particular focus on the key stakeholders involved in EMI: the teachers and the students. Whilst acknowledging that the momentum of EMI is unlikely to be diminished, and identifying its potential benefits, the author raises questions about the ways it has been introduced and developed, and explores how we can arrive at a true cost–benefit analysis of its future impact. “This state-of-the-art monograph presents a wide-ranging, multi-perspectival yet coherent overview of research, policy, and practice of English Medium Instruction around the globe. It gives a thorough, in-depth, and thought-provoking treatment of an educational phenomenon that is spreading on an unprecedented scale.” Guangwei Hu, National Institute of Education, Singapore Additional online resources are available at www.oup.com/elt/teacher/emi Ernesto Macaro is Professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Oxford and is the founding Director of the Centre for Research and Development on English Medium Instruction at the university. Oxford Applied Linguistics Series Advisers: Anne Burns and Diane Larsen-Freeman

This research collection presents a critical review of the materials used for learning English around the world. The first section includes a discussion of materials for specific learners and purposes, such as young learners, self-study, academic writing and general proficiency. The second section presents a detailed study of the materials used in Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Africa and Australia, and critically evaluates their effectiveness in the teaching of English to speakers of other languages. Taking both the teacher's and the learner's needs into consideration, the book makes a positive contribution to the future of research in materials development, and has practical applications. This comprehensive, critical analysis of materials in use around the world will be useful for academics researching materials development and applied linguistics and for students on post-graduate applied linguistics and ELT courses.

First Published in 1998. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.