Impact of Convergence of Smart-Technology as Compared to Traditional Methodological Tools on Fostering Cognitive Aspects of Leadership Competencies in the Process of Vocational Training of Students - Pages 1-8

Oksana H. Oleksiyenko, Oksana M. Martsyniak-Dorosh, Sergii V. Mishyn, Oleksander M. Buryanovatiy and Borys A. Yakymchuk
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6000/2292-2598.2019.07.01.1

Published: 07 May 2019

Abstract: The main objective of this research is to explore how effective and efficient the convergent use of traditional and smart technology tools could be when deployed in fostering leadership competencies of the students in the settings of tertiary vocational education. The experiment involved the students of two universities doing the elective course “Do Better Your Leadership Skills Up”. Having been split up into two halves, the first part of the focus group used the traditional forms of educational process, while the second one additionally used the software like CogniFit, Lumosity, BrainHQ, NeuroNation, Brain Metrix, Eidetic, Fit Brains, BrainExer 2.0. At the entry stage, the pedagogic surveys had been used as well as the cognitive function test to study the cognitive capabilities of the focus group students. We used a multi method approach of combining the close-ended and open-ended questions to get the feedback and the above cognitive test to measure the output of the study. Quantitative methods had been used to analyze the data and such Covariance-based Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) software as SPSS AMOS had been applied to evaluate the results because cognitive function of a person includes sub-components of latent constructs. Textalyzer software had been used to process the students’ responses to open-ended questions of the questionnaire for the most commonly used positive words in the texts, which helped us to identify broad categories of responses. Here, the most commonly used words we had distinguished were “involvement”, “improvement”, “gamification”, “motivation”, “speed”, “concentration”, “memory”, “current studies”, “future job”. Then we distributed the answers by the frequency of the identified words. The responses, which fell under no category, had been analyzed manually. The experimentally obtained data shows that integration of the smart technology into traditional learning environment increases students’ involvement by 23%, personal transformation by 18% and motivation by 17%. Our study proves that the convergent mode of instruction brings more benefits to the students in terms of fostering cognitive aspects of leadership competencies in the process of vocational training than the traditional mode. We found that the converged pedagogical mode enhances the collaboration and involvement of all the stakeholders of educational process. It makes students achieve the greatest personal satisfaction through enhanced self-esteem, efficiency gains, a sense of continuous personal achievement and enhanced autonomy and experimenting with their own learning strategies. We suggest universities (of Ukraine, specifically) to provide training to the teachers with all the latest technology, which seems essential for teaching. Academic institutions (of Ukraine) should also invest into research in the area of the educational-purpose use of smart technology.

Keywords: Cognitive skills of leadership, smart technology, traditional mode of education, vocational training, tertiary institution.

Download

Identifying Early Developmental Profiles in Children with FXS: A Retrospective Home Videos Analysis - Pages 9-20

Nuno Alexandre Gomes Costa and Vítor Daniel Ferreira Franco

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6000/2292-2598.2019.07.01.2

Published: 07 May 2019

Abstract: One of the major difficulties concerning Fragile X Syndrome has been early diagnosis enabling early intervention. The obstacle stems from the dismissal of signs that might raise suspicion that the syndrome is present and therefore subsequent diagnosis.

The present research aims to validate a methodology employing retrospective home video analysis to explore possible early signs in children with Fragile X Syndrome. As part of this trial the videos of 6 children aged less than 30 months were analysed. We utilized a set formed by three behavioural analysis grids, mainly to analyse social attention, joint attention and sensory-motor development of said children.

The retrospective home video analysis demonstrated its effectiveness in early sign identification. We verified that children with FXS had a non-social stimuli preference (e.g., prolonged visual fixation on objects), had difficulties directing attention to social stimuli (e.g., attention and response to name calling), demonstrating impairments in joint attention, and displayed prolong and repetitive interaction with objects as well as positive affective expressions. Our findings indicated that children with FXS seem to be able to discriminate between social and non-social stimuli (e.g., vocalization to people) and presented stereotypes behavior from 0 up till 30 months. Use of home videos is a potentially important methodology in identification of early sign. Identified signs from this study may serve as markers for medical referral to genetic diagnosis.

Keywords: Home videos, attention, Fragile X Syndrome, sensory-motor developments, early risk.

Download