PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a structural overview about indigenous approaches to learning in South East Asian countries, with a particular reference to education initiatives that have been operating in this region; and especially to investigate information and communication technologies (ICT) systems, in combination with institutional approaches for enhanced knowledge.Design/methodology/approachDiscussed issues have been designed together, through a rights‐based approach that can frame verified access to indigenous cultures under the changing methods concerning ICT, as well as, similarly compare collective challenges for applicable methodologies towards poverty reduction and sustainability.FindingsThis research process has followed developmental options already in place from the recent spread of technologies in Asia. A lack of equal distribution patterns due to the presence of multiple actors has been advanced in this study, with the gradual reduction of opportunities in education in rural/remote settings.Research limitations/implicationsConstraining factors about the compatibility of information systems and policy impacts need functional/operational data of information sources for further testing of explicative explorations.Practical implicationsThis research focus, oriented to changing implications of IT solutions in Asia, has increased a comparative analytical understanding about the direct transfer of IT methodologies to subjects for learning enhancement.Originality/valueThis study activity has explored grassroots transition in terms of limiting factors for ICTs adaptability and empowerment.
PurposeThe concept of resilience has emerged recently in scientific debate. The aim of this paper is to outline different notions of the term resilience and explore how the concept of resilience can be applied in order to foster the understanding of complex systems in a learning environment.Design/methodology/approachCharacteristics of the resilience concept used in scientific literature are outlined and a methodology is presented that enables an educated decision to be made upon selection of an indicator set for a resilience assessment.FindingsIn this paper, it is argued that vulnerability as well as adaptability shall be the two core components of the resilience concept. It is proposed that resilience is therefore formalised as a function of adaptability and vulnerability.Originality/valueDefinitions of resilience, vulnerability and adaptability are very much interlinked and it seems to be not always clear where the line between the different terms is. A novel framework is proposed to foster the understanding of the interlinkage between these three terms in interdisciplinary education, and to cluster indicators to assess system resilience.
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to highlight how future teaching in business schools will probably take place in an online (here called 24/7) classroom, where culturally diverse e‐learners around the globe meet. Technologies such as iPhone, iPad and a variety of social media, to mention but a few, give management learners of any age easy 24/7 access to information. Depending on the quality of the materials and the competences and cross‐cultural sensibilities of the teachers and trainers, this information may support the progress of e‐learning in business schools. At the same time, easy online access to knowledge and educational structures is not, in practice, equally available yet across cultures, and this will be documented with comparative cases from the Arab world and African learning communities.Design/methodology/approachThis article contributes to multicultural education by identifying various barriers in the online management classroom. It combines theories from educational and cross‐cultural leadership studies, as well as e‐learning studies.FindingsThe outcomes of this analysis show how technical, language and cross‐cultural barriers still hinder particular adult learners to benefit from the “24/7 business school”. It is concluded that by understanding and serving a wide range of culturally diverse e‐learners in business schools, the stewardship role of the business school teacher is key.Originality/valueThe interplay between technical, language and cultural barriers in the online business school is rarely reflected upon. It is the intention of the authors to trigger a broad discussion process by focusing on culturally diverse management learners and by connecting with innovative educational insights across histories and cultures.
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an improved concept of software‐based laboratory exercises, namely a Virtual Laboratory for Engineering Sciences (VLES).Design/methodology/approachThe implementation of distance learning and e‐learning in engineering sciences (such as Mechanical and Electrical Engineering) is still far behind current practice in narrative disciplines (Economics, Management, etc.). This is because education in technical disciplines requires laboratory exercises, providing skill‐acquisition and hands‐on experience. In order to overcome this problem for distance‐learning developers and practitioners, a new modular and hierarchically organized approach is needed.FindingsThe concept involves simulation models to emulate system dynamics, full virtual reality to provide visualization, advanced social‐clubbing to ensure proper communication, and an AI tutor to supervise the lab work. Its modularity and hierarchical organization offer the possibility of applying the concept to practically any engineering field: a higher level provides the general framework – it considers lab workplaces as objects regardless of the technical field they come from, and provides communication and supervision – while the lower level deals with particular workplaces. An improved student's motivation is expected.Originality/valueThe proposed concept aims rather high, thus making the work truly challenging. With the current level of information and communication technologies, some of the required features can only be achieved with difficulty; however, the rapid growth of the relevant technologies supports the eventual practicality of the concept. This paper is not intended to present any final results, solutions, or experience. The idea is to promote the concept, identify problems, propose guidelines, and possibly open a discussion.
Purpose – Muslims' commitment to religious learning and its institutions speaks of a genuine interest in a lifestyle characterized by education and wisdom, spiritual and religious well-being, in addition to sustainable intellectual and socio-cultural conditions of their communities. At the core of these critical contributions however, lays the question of the interplay between religious learning and community building, and the means according to which religious learning is continually the driving force for development and prosperity. This study aims to examine a number of questions pertaining to the character of Islamic religious learning while exploring the problems impeding religious learning from the effective development of the community. Specifically, this research draws on the perspectives of two prominent Muslim scholars, ‘Abdul Rahman Ibn Khaldun and Mohammad Tahir Ben Achour in an attempt to further understand the dilemmas impairing the position of Islamic religious learning in relation to the general context of Muslim communities. This inquiry opens new fields of critical inquiry on the role of religious learning today and brings to light some of the issues causing declining influence on the effective development of Muslim communities. Design/methodology/approach – Examination of Islamic sources to develop conceptual framework on the issue of religious learning and community. Findings – Ingraining the mind with varying degrees of information on a particular Islamic subject or mastery of a particular textbook without challenging students' minds with on-going problems and challenges, emerging ideas or trends, or growing emotions and behaviors; only causes memorized lessons to creep into stagnancy and inertia, thus shifting attention to the form and shape of learning as opposed to its essence and implications for community change and development. This calls for a systematic review of Islamic religious learning in such a way that it draws essentially from the primary sources of Islamic thinking while drawing learners closer to the folds of piety and moral discipline, embracing social change as a validating parameter for effective learning, while continually building active bridges with the surrounding community. Originality/value – Research relied on original Islamic sources including works of Ibn Khaldun and Ibn Achour.
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study suitable visualization techniques representing Qur'an history and atlas. It focuses on analyzing the effectiveness of the concept map and the hyperbolic tree visualization techniques. Design/methodology/approach – The effectiveness is measured in the aspects of the task time to complete a search based on questions provided. The task time is predicted using a task analysis technique called keystroke level model – goal operator methods and selection rules (KLM-GOMS). It is suitable to produce the hypothesis of which visualization techniques are able to maneuver the users to complete the task goals in the shortest time. The scope presented is the histories and locations related to selected chapters in part 30 of the Qur'an. Findings – Hyperbolic tree is more time effective compared with concept map visualization technique. Concept map visualization system has been voted as the most satisfying visualization technique even though the difference is only 1.3 seconds. The more important aspect for this analysis is the presentation of the information. Information should be presented clearly rather than hidden although the hidden function should be provided for users to use. However, both techniques are predicted to support conceptual understanding. Research limitations/implications – The focus of the analysis was data structure and how to get to the right nodes before retrieving the final output. Social implications – Assisting developers of Qur'anic systems therefore improves the effectiveness of users of Qur'anic system in finding information. Originality/value – Analysis on visualization techniques in context Qur'an history and atlas using KLM-GOMS study in terms of locations that lead to the birth of various chapters in Qur'an is rarely being discussed. Previous studies focus on development and implementation of textual Qur'an systems while this study focuses on user analysis using techniques mentioned above.
Purpose – Ontologies play an important role in enabling machines to understand and navigate a knowledge base. Currently, a number of ontologies covering specific topic in the Quran have been created to serve a particular application. However, these existing Quran ontologies are limited in scope and knowledge. Specifically, existing ontologies do not support contextual information that is considered necessary for correct interpretation of the verses of Quran. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – In order to fill this gap, this paper reports development of an ontology for Juz' Amma that encapsulates contextual information support, which are the translations, revelations place, tafsir, and hadiths. Findings – The developed ontology was evaluated and was found to satisfy the requirements specification. Originality/value – In addition, this ontology can be reused and further enhanced to support many Quran-related semantic applications in the future.
PurposeThe current Internet Outlook of the OECD states that e‐learning has the potential to revolutionise education and learning – if complemented by suitable didactic approaches. Therefore, the situation of e‐learning is analysed from a student's perspective with focus on a new master program in Global Studies. The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of the use of ICTs within Global Studies compared to other fields of study.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical basis of this paper is one online survey for students of Global Studies Graz and personal interviews with students' representatives of three different courses of studies at the University of Applied Sciences in Graz and at the University of Vienna.FindingsAlthough the intensity of e‐learning technologies is relatively low in Austria as compared to other OECD countries, several courses within the master curriculum of Global Studies Graz use innovative e‐learning techniques at several levels. The level and intensity of ICT usage in Austria reflects the interests of students: around 60 percent prefer ICTs as amendment to traditional teaching methods. Only around 7 percent demand a higher supply of pure online courses.Practical implicationsThe findings of this paper can be helpful especially for universities that intend to initiate a master program on global equity, multiculturality, social inclusion, global development, or globalisation.Social implicationsThe findings show that students in Austria prefer on‐campus contact with students and lecturers. Nevertheless, in cases where e‐learning increases the quality of lectures and their academic outcomes, it is preferable from a student perspective to further promote the use of ICTs in tertiary education.Originality/valueAuthentic results of student experiences and approaches such as the present analysis are important in order to improve the quality of Global Studies and other similar academic programs.
PurposeBased on an in‐depth comparison of 20 multicultural university curricula, this article aims to provide practical and implementable suggestions about how to improve such curricula in order to ensure highest and globally compatible academic quality. The recently founded developmental Master's curriculum “Global Studies” (GS) at the University of Graz, Austria serves as a case study.Design/methodology/approachThrough an academic web‐based process of authoring and reviewing, over a dozen students and practitioners in Global Studies have compiled this analysis. Such an approach shows that education technologies significantly enhance peer‐oriented scientific culture. Further networking among universities from every continent, and their students, is also facilitated.FindingsAnalyses conducted by over 50 contributors during 2010‐2013 show first that the Graz‐based curriculum has achieved international quality standards by spanning multiple faculties, disciplines, professional roles, and perspectives regarding globalisation. Secondly, suggestions for improvements pertaining to nine aggregated issues are provided: partner universities, semester abroad, interdisciplinarity, didactics & lectures, practicals, languages, electives, admission of students, and exams.Practical implicationsThe present specific recommendations serve as valuable evidence‐based and authentic input for quality assessment procedures at Graz University, and similarly for other academic curricula elsewhere.Social implicationsPeer‐oriented higher education profits greatly from student input that has undergone an academic peer review procedure. Such quality assurance is favourably implemented via collaborative education technologies such as web platforms with discussion fora.Originality/valueStudents as the core target group in higher education institutions express their own opinion and are valued as experts and stakeholders in a genuinely democratic procedure.
PurposeThis paper intends to explore the levels of availability and restrictions in relation to the use of ICTs (information and communication technologies) for educating children with disabilities in Thailand's and Ethiopia's capitals.Design/methodology/approachIn the course of an international research project, parents and teachers of children with different disabilities, the children themselves and further experts were interviewed about barriers and facilitators in the children's educational environment. For this paper only selected interviews focusing on sensory disabilities were analysed regarding the above mentioned areas of using ICTs.FindingsICTs are available in the respective cities. The levels of restrictions related to the socio‐economic situation in the two cities vary accordingly but show the same overall limitations. The intensity and kind of use of ICTs is strongly related to resources, the educational actors' awareness and knowledge.Originality/valueApproaching the topic of ICTs in relation to disability might not be new, neither is the contextualisation with the Majority World. However, the combination of the three aspects against the background of current global developments (e.g. the growing gap between the poor and the rich) reveals the importance of taking a closer look at special needs education and ICTs in the Majority World. This opens the floor for discussion on how inclusion of the most marginalised groups in education affects development in general.
Purpose This paper aims to encourage discourse concerning a “ sustainable societal system ”, proposing S.E.E.D. (=Secure‐base Earth Equilibrium Development). S.E.E.D. outlines a possible transition to a viable future civilisation, a realistic eco‐social turnaround, a “taming” (i.e. a cultivation) of the market with regard to the changed context (“nature”, ecosystem). Thus, it can become a key point for “sustainable global citizenship”; and all educational efforts in this direction are demanded. Design/methodology/approach The design/methodology/approach is along the main components of the model of “ Synoptics ”, i.e. systemic social analyses using so‐called “objective hermeneutic methodology”. This outline is the short version of the complete text of an ESD memorandum on S.E.E.D. (Vienna, 2012), which comprises approx. 200 pages; thus it has had to be very condensed. Findings For moving towards a sustainable global societal system, a “ transitional phase ” is needed. One possible transition model is S.E.E.D. Further deliberation about our future social architecture as well as some immediate and critical steps are urgently needed and are to be encouraged; this text merely aims to be an incentive. Research limitations/implications Hermeneutics can only deepen the understanding of social systems. It recognizes the difference in relation to “ science ” – based on the “reproducibility of situations” (replication) and therefore the possibility of a methodology by “replicable experiments”, which are not (yet) possible in the social realm. Practical implications This article aims to deepen the understanding of the “whole” of a social structure – as a system – and it outlines an alternative social architecture (S.E.E.D.) for the next (transitional) historic phase. The crucial factors for a “context‐appropriate change” are education (which has to become both more and more multicultural and have a global perspective at its core) and the media (where all its instruments – new and old – are very important). Social implications This social architecture (S.E.E.D.) aims towards intensifying the political discourse for a democratic political transition . It can be first envisaged for European states, respectively, within the EU (and finally worldwide). This outline might be useful for pedagogic purposes as well. If climate knows no boundaries, then why should modern teaching endeavours be limited to national boundaries? Originality/value This paper's originality/value lies in promoting the discourses with regard to concrete proposals for a sustainable social “architecture” with some utopian component parts still remaining today.
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of cultural intelligence in MBA curricula. Shaping global corporate culture that manifests itself in powerful‐shared values, group behavior, and persists despite changes in‐group membership is decisive to organizational performance. In turn, cultural intelligence (CQ), defined, as an individual's capability to function and manage effectively in culturally diverse settings, has recently emerged as a likely indicator of management ability and leadership potential.Design/methodology/approachThe authors utilized the Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS) – metacognitive, cognitive, motivational, and behavioral – to capture data from MBA students attending three universities in the USA.FindingsThese results, coupled with the open‐ended survey responses, suggest that in general the students have a firm understanding on why CQ is essential in an increasingly globalized business world, as well as a strong desire to interact with other cultures. However, although students appear highly motivated to study about other cultures, the results indicate that many of the MBA students lack an in‐depth knowledge of the values, beliefs, and practices of other cultures. Further, the data suggest that the most important attributes that increase an individual's CQ are international work experience, learning an additional language other than English, and/or obtaining an undergraduate degree from a foreign country.Originality/valueThis is the first empirical study to examine the role of cultural intelligence in MBA curricula.
Purpose – The purpose of this publication is to present a didactic concept with the targeted impact of a positive future vision. This paper reflects the effect of local educational action on the development of regionally optimised visions in rural regions of a European industrial state, compared with a rural region in the developing country of Senegal.
Purpose – Islamic art is characterized by a deep-rooted vitality and distinct form of expression that arises from its intimate position with regard to Islamic civilization. While civilizational turning points and major occurrences have held deep ramifications for its growth and development, the most prominent catalysts of civilizational status are not only found in the realm of the political and economic, but rather within a deeper expanse of ideas, spirituality, and societal consciousness; of which Islamic art acts as a prime indicator. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This paper would seek to survey the depths inherent within Islamic spirituality's relationship with Islamic art, and further isolate the reasons and source of their subsistence and continued prevalence. Findings – The paper further delves into the relationship shared by spirituality and art, and the influences they exert upon one another. Moreover, it attempts to delineate between the mundane and transcendental spheres of civilizational growth and development, while seeking to come to terms with the sustainability of Islamic art, and its position with respect to Islamic civilization. Originality/value – The paper concludes that Islamic art is sustained and defined by means of a unique catalyzing ethos responsible for Islamic civilizational culture that is altogether distinct from the temporal mundane reality of socio-political conditions of civilization.
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a structural overview of speech recognition system for developing Quranic verse recitation recognition with tajweed checking rules function. This function has been introduced, due to support the existing and manual method of talaqqi and musyafahah method in Quranic learning process, which described as face-to-face learning process between students and teachers. Here, the process of listening, correction and repetition of the correct Al-Quran recitation took place in real-time condition. However, this method is believed to become less effective and unattractive to be implemented, especially towards the young Muslim generation who are more attracted to the latest technology. Design/methodology/approach – This paper focuses on the development of software prototype, mainly for developing an automated Tajweed checking rules engine, purposely for Quranic learning. It has been implemented and tested towards the j-QAF students at primary school in Malaysia. Findings – The paper provides empirical insight about the viability and implementation of Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCC) algorithm of feature extraction technique and hidden Markov model (HMM) classification for recognition part, with the results of recognition rate reached to 91.95 percent (ayates) and 86.41 percent (phonemes), after been tested on sourate Al-Fatihah. Originality/value – Based on the result, proved that the engine has a potential to be used as an educational tool, which helps the students read Al-Quran better, even without the presence of teachers (Mudarris)/parents to monitor them. Automated system with Tajweed checking rules capability functions could be another alternative due to support the existing method of manual skills of Quranic learning process, without denying the main role of teachers in teaching Al-Quran.
Purpose – The study aims to investigate the students' perceptions on the teaching of Islamic education in the Malaysian secondary schools. The study will also look into the students' attitudes based on their personal self-evaluation as well as to examine the relationship between these two variables. Design/methodology/approach – The study employs quantitative and survey research design. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire which is distributed to samples that were randomly selected in representing the selected population among students of Malaysian secondary schools. The instrument used is a modification of instrument developed by Ab Halim et al., Ahmad Munawar and dan Azhar. The pilot study done shows a high reliability of 0.924 for the assessment of Islamic education teachings and 0.869 for the aspect of Islamic attitudes. 3,262 Form 4 and 6 students from selected schools in Malaysia participated in the study. The data were analyzed to display the frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and Pearson's correlation. Findings – The study revealed a high level of mean on the aspect of students' evaluation on the teaching of Islamic education at their schools. It was also found that the level of students' attitudes was also high, i.e. 4.26. There was a significant relation between the students' perceptions on the teaching of Islamic education and their attitudes (r=0.740, p=0.000). Practical implications – The implementation of teaching and learning strategies and new approaches are some of important elements in the teaching and learning process of Islamic education. This study shows that the lesson of Islamic education has significant and strong relationship with the students' attitudes in their daily lives. Since the students felt that the lesson of Islamic education was important for them, teachers should improve the lesson on Islamic education by using different types of teaching methods, technique application and motivational approaches. The teaching of Islamic education should not only focus on theoretical aspects but must also emphasize on practical implementation of Islamic knowledge. Originality/value – This paper describes the religious teaching and learning in schools which has significant relationship with the students' daily attitudes. A new area of research can be conducted to explore the most important factors of teaching and learning that contribute to the students' attitudes development. These findings can also be used by educators to improve the quality of the lessons based on the students' evaluation.
PurposeOn the educational level, this paper aims to show a practical case of dialogic web‐based learning. It has provided a consensus during a web‐based negotiation game between four different parties on poverty and inequality. On a multicultural level, this paper seeks to offer diverse cultures of argumentation on global poverty.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology is a web‐based and real life negotiation game, namely “Surfing Global Change” which includes structured online review processes on literature‐based research and reflection.FindingsThe paper provides the consensus of four different parties on global development and poverty, and a new system of scaling development based on democratic decisions through a round table for all countries from the global north and the global south.Research limitations/implicationsThe presented dialog and consensus‐finding process concentrates on poverty and inequality from the point of view of the G‐8, NGOs, the global rich and the global poor.Originality/valueThis research, based on literature, is formed through a dialog and consensus finding between four different parties (G‐8, NGOs, the rich and the poor).
