Participation style and social anxiety as predictors of active participation in asynchronous discussion forums and academic achievement.

Learners in asynchronous discussion forums are inundated with diverse options when it comes to interaction. This enables the embodiment of various styles of participation. On the other hand, the affective domain tends to be overlooked in the online discussion context. The modeling of discussion activities based on both cognitive and affective indicators constitutes this study's unique aspect. In the study, the impact of social anxiety and participation styles on active participation in discussions were investigated using three-factor social anxiety and four-factor participation style models. In addition, the impact of active participation on academic achievement was also examined. Path analysis was used to explain the predictive correlation among these indicators. Students' participation behaviors in discussions during a three-week implementation were analyzed within the scope of a course taught during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The findings showed that social anxiety and participation styles had a significant impact on active participation, which, in turn, significantly affected academic achievement. The study provides crucial inputs in portraying the characteristics of learners in such a way as to tailor online discussions to their needs.

A quantitative content analysis of Turkish state universities' official websites in terms of their preparedness and actions during emergency distance education in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Most universities worldwide had to temporarily interrupt face-to-face education and start Emergency Distance Education (EDE) due to the COVID-19 outbreak. It is useful to identify the difficulties and problems that universities faced in this process in order that they can carry out a similar process more efficiently in the future. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct an in vivo examination of EDE from the institutional perspective within the scope of universities during the pandemic period in Turkey. To this end, all state university websites were searched according to 27 criteria which were determined to set out the EDE readiness status of universities. The results revealed that higher education institutions had difficulty in providing sufficient pedagogical and technical guidance to academic staff due to the rapid transition. With respect to students, distance course contents, activities and announcements were not equitably accessible for students from foreign countries and those with disabilities owing to the lack of information and communications technology (ICT) tools, internet connection, translation, etc. A remarkable number of higher education institutions preferred the features of distance education tools such as cost, familiarity, stability, availability of technical support, and short preparation time rather than their pedagogical affordances.

Covid 19 Pandemisi Sürecinde Dünyada Şiddet ve Göç

Covid 19 Pandemisi, çatışma ve göçler üzerinde önemli etkileri olmuştur. Pandemi tüm ülkeleri etkilerken küresel ve sistemler arası ilişkileri, çatışma tarafları arasında ortak bir zemin oluşturmayı zorlaştırmıştır. Pandemi sırasında bölgesel ve küresel barışın saǧlanması mümkün olmamıştır. Pandeminin siyasi, sosyal, ekonomik açıdan da çok yönlü ve önemli sonuçları olmuştur. Pandemi sürecinde dünya genelinde savaş ve çatışma gibi şiddet türlerinde azalmalar görülürken sivillere karşı işlenen eylemlerde artış yaşanmıştır. Pandemi döneminde başta sosyal izolasyon olmak üzere tüm tedbirlere raǧmen ülke içinde ve ülke dışına göç eden insan sayısında artış gerçekleşmiştir. Íç çatışmaların yaşandıǧı ülkeler ulusal güvenlik için harcamaları gereken maddi ve manevi enerjilerinin önemli kısmını pandemi ile mücadeleye harcamışlardır. Bu çalışma, tarama modelinde betimsel bir araştırmadır. Çalışmanın amacı, Pandeminin yaşandıǧı süreçte dünyadaki şiddet ve göç olaylarının daǧılışını ve yoǧunluǧunu incelemektir. Çalışmada harita, tablo ve grafiklerle mevcut durum hakkında bilgiler verilmiştir.Alternate :The Covid 19 Pandemic has had significant effects on conflict and migration. While the pandemic affected all countries, its global and inter-system relations made it difficult to establish a common ground between the conflict parties. It has not been possible to achieve regional and global peace during the pandemic. The pandemic has had multifaceted and important consequences in terms of political, social and economic aspects. While there has been a decrease in the types of violence such as war and conflict throughout the world during the pandemic process, there has been an increase in the actions against civilians. Despite all the measures, especially social isolation, during the pandemic period, there has been an increase in the number of people migrating inside and outside the country. Countries with internal conflicts have spent a significant part of their material and moral energies, which they need to spend for national security, on the fight against the pandemic. This study is a descriptive research in survey model. The aim of the study is to examine the distribution and intensity of violence and migration events in the world during the pandemic. In the study, information about the current situation is given with maps, tables and graphics.

A quantitative content analysis of Turkish state universities’ official websites in terms of their preparedness and actions during emergency distance education in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic period

Most universities worldwide had to temporarily interrupt face-to-face education and start Emergency Distance Education (EDE) due to the COVID-19 outbreak. It is useful to identify the difficulties and problems that universities faced in this process in order that they can carry out a similar process more efficiently in the future. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct an in vivo examination of EDE from the institutional perspective within the scope of universities during the pandemic period in Turkey. To this end, all state university websites were searched according to 27 criteria which were determined to set out the EDE readiness status of universities. The results revealed that higher education institutions had difficulty in providing sufficient pedagogical and technical guidance to academic staff due to the rapid transition. With respect to students, distance course contents, activities and announcements were not equitably accessible for students from foreign countries and those with disabilities owing to the lack of information and communications technology (ICT) tools, internet connection, translation, etc. A remarkable number of higher education institutions preferred the features of distance education tools such as cost, familiarity, stability, availability of technical support, and short preparation time rather than their pedagogical affordances.

A snapshot of the readiness for e-learning among in-service teachers prior to the pandemic-related transition to e-learning in Turkey

Owing to the coronavirus outbreak, face-to-face educational activities have been curtailed and there has been a rapid switch to e-learning environments. It is a matter of critical importance;therefore, how ready teachers are for this transition. This study presents a snapshot of the readiness of Turkey's in-service teachers for teaching online. Some 555 teachers, from pre-school to high school, participated in the study. The results indicated a medium-level of e-learning readiness and a pressing need for the appropriate training. Teachers' readiness differed significantly according to gender, major, school-type, professional experience, teaching level, e-learning experience and Internet usage.