A model to facilitate transformative learning in nursing education

Objective:Transformative learning is a learner-centered process of learning.Learners are actively engaged through critical reflection and discourse to question assumptions and expectations.The purpose of this article is to describe a model to facilitate transformative learning in nursing education.Methods:A qualitative,exploratory,descriptive and contextual design for theory generation was selected in this study to describe a model to facilitate transformative learning in nursing education.Concept analysis of transformative learning was done in the first stage of the main study using Walker and Avant's eight step approach to clarify the conceptual identification and meaning.The results of concept analysis guided data collection in the second stage.Eleven individual agenda semi-structured interviews were conducted with nurse educators to explore and describe their perceptions regarding how transformative learning can be facilitated in nursing education.Matrix building approach was used to analyse the collected data.The third stage constituted the conceptualisation of findings from the second stage using relevant literature within the elements of practice theory.The fourth stage focused on the description and evaluation of a model to facilitate transformative learning in nursing education.Findings:Four themes and nine sub-themes emerged and were conceptualised within the six elements of practice theory namely the context,agent,recipient,dynamic,process and procedure and outcome.Conclusion:The relation statements provided the basis for model description.Reliable method was used to describe and evaluate the model.The refinement of the model by experts in model development andqualitative research was made.

Transformative Learning in Language Arts as a Method of Guidance and Counseling

Our voluntary project ran in different groups of adults （healthy, depressed, schizophrenic, and clients with anxiety disorders）. The study is based on analysis of personal counseling experience, where literature was used as a tool to disclose client＇s personal meanings. During our sessions, clients were observed phenomenologically, and their speach was written down. Reflecting on the qualitative data of transformative learning in language arts, we developed techniques for facilitation and disclosure of personal meanings. Grounded theory was used for data generalization： Personal educational insights and its comparison with other researchers＇ theoretical insights were the basis to develop the methodical system for psychological guidance and counseling and to explain it. We revealed that focus on personally important meanings during discussion after literature reading has influence on the mental state of personality and deepens the interactions with the literature art, so we suggest a spiral model to explain the methodical system of our method. Transformative learning in language arts as a method of guidance and counseling can be understood as spiritual motion by spirale. It has three levels： （1） art level （interaction with the literature）; （2） psychology level （counseling）; and （3） art level （interaction with the same peace of literature as in the beginning of the session, poetic summary of the session）. Levels （1） and （3） mean interaction with literature art, but at the third level, this interaction has new quality, because personality has better perception of Self and more ability to connect personal meanings and literature wisdom. At the first level, we have direction from literature to Personality. At the third level, we have direction from the Self （Speaking from Within） to literature. Disclosure of personally important meanings is a key to self-understanding and poetical thinking; our developed methodical system reduces emotional tension and strengthens interconnectedness between inner and outer world and improves poetical understanding. In this paper, the methodical system of transformative learning and guidance is discussed.

Strategies on Promoting Transformative Learning of College English Teachers

Based on the previous case study in promoting transformative learning of college English teachers,who participated in a three-month online training courses,the article made a further research and concluded four strategies on promoting transformative learning of college English Teachers.

Transformative Learning:Intercultural Adaptation of Chinese Teachers at the Confucius Institute in Spain

In recent years there has been a proliferation of studies demonstrating the value of teaching abroad as much for its benefits for the training and professional development of these teachers,as for its impact and beneficial effects on students.This article uses transformative learning as a theoretical framework to interpret the achievements associated with the experience of teaching abroad,and to identify and analyze different motivational factors,adjustments,changes,challenges,and perspectives of Chinese teachers linked to a Confucius Institute in Spain,through a qualitative analysis of narratives elicited through in-depth interviews and focus groups.It highlights the role and potential of the transnational,intercultural experience of these teachers as authentic actors in the part played by the Confucius Institutes in language teaching and the promotion of Chinese culture,indicating many issues including language difficulties,professional adjustment,ideas about education,beliefs of teachers and the management of the program.

Phronesis and Transformative Learning： A Joint Challenge for Moral Philosophy and Educational Theory

Strengthening moral learning may become available to us by bringing phronesis and transformative learning in a common theoretical space. For both Aristotle and Mezirow, the exercise of morality, or rising to the standard of moral choice, decision, and action, is not the result of an intuitive achievement or a sudden understanding of a morally demanding situation but a lifelong affair. Our strategy here addresses three aims： Firstly, to invoke and reclaim the endemic bond between education in the broader sense of paideia and the significant role that reeds to be re-ascribed to moral education. This allows a turn towards qualitative features and makes room for an inclusion of moral education, or values education, within education. Secondly, to portray the exercise of autonomy, choice, and judgment as a result of paideutic development; both theories share the assumption that moral learning rests on constant reflection upon past experiences and the zetesis of future goals. Thirdly, to focus on the way one reclaims the right to exercise judgment, whenever this is required. A joint study of the two theories may enlighten the content of this lifelong reflective procedure.

Building a Bridge Between Authentic Learning and Service Learning： A Case Study From an English Technical Writing Class

In order to help technical/business writing students transfer their authentic learning experience to service learning practice, this study explores the relationship between authentic learning and service learning through a course research project at a small public university in southwestem Oklahoma, USA. The participants, a small group of technical writing students, engaged in writing a proposal targeting a real-life local problem as well as finding a solution. The study shows that authentic learning, such as writing the proposal for a real-world problem, can generate a potential solution while the service learning portion of the assignment （such as working with the community） can provide a specific real-life location for resolving the problem. The study also shows that the authentic learning experience can inspire the students to move further to serve the community and when students volunteer to help the local community implement the solution, a bridge between the authentic learning and service learning can be built, which can then lead to students＇ enhancement of all round real-life skills and of a sense of serving the community. Finally, the implications of the study for English language teaching in an authentic leaming context also will be discussed.

Can University Be a Transformative Environment？ Fostering Critical Reflection Through Art in Higher Education＊

The uncertainty of postmodern world is a common belief. This uncertainty influences citizens in all aspects of their lives （personal, professional, social, etc.）. The question arises intensively： How can people be prepared for this continuous changing？ One of the suggestions presented in current literature is the development of critical reflection Educational environment can play a major role in this domain. The need for the development of critical reflection is especially noted in the higher education framework. Universities can become a ＂holding＂ environment for transformation. This study underlines the importance of preparing young students as future professionals and citizens, by developing their critical reflection. A practical method is discussed and concerns the use and benefits of the aesthetic experience in a transformative learning procedure. The research presented here is based on the application of this method and aims to the reinforcement of specific dimensions of adulthood in a university environment. The application was carried out on students of the department of educational studies at a Greek regional university. One of the topics analyzed through art was the notion of ＂useful knowledge＂ and was part of a wider range of applications that concern the process of learning

Developing a Business Ethics Curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Accountancy （BSA） Students of De La Salle University （DLSU）-Manila

In a constantly changing environment, accountants must not only acquire technical accounting knowledge and skills, but also acquire integrity, objectivity and the skills that enable them to take a firm stand in difficult situations. The purpose of this study is to know how to effectively incorporate business ethics in the Bachelor of Science in Accountancy （BSA） curriculum at De La Salle University （DLSU）, Manila. Discussions in this paper focused on the responses of the students on what teaching strategies may prove to be effective when teaching business ethics subjects. Results of this study revealed that students ranked as the most effective the teaching strategy sub-group learning through ethical discussion and collaborative learning followed by the lecture method. Role playing and/or film viewing was ranked third. Inviting guest speaker for practitioner participation, case study method, personal value journals, and service learning were ranked fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh respectively. It is interesting to note that students ranked last/eighth the teaching strategy using the technology-enhanced learning or E-learning when teaching business ethics. This can give us an idea that even though the current generations of students are adept in using the computer and the Internet, they would still prefer actual classroom experiences in learning ethics courses.

A Threshold Concept Perspective for Enhancing Effectiveness of PhD Supervision in Computing~ Disciplines

This study describes the planning process of a major multi-disciplinary research project that aims to enhance effectiveness of the Higher Degree Research （HDR） training process in computing-related disciplines by applying the threshold concept theories and framework. Two specific disciplines, the computer science and information systems were chosen for the study that closely represents the two ends of a wide range of computing discipline spectrum within the faculties of science, engineering, business and education. The ultimate goal of the above major project, when completed, is to enhance productivity of research training process in computing schools. The foreshadowed problem is that for many of HDR students it takes a long time to produce a specific result expected to be done in much shorter periods of time; and yet at some stage the student seems to get over this hurdle almost overnight. By adopting a threshold concept framework this study extends existing studies in the above area by specifically targeting HDR process in computing disciplines, and provides plans for a wide range of studies that will ideally lead to identification of threshold concept for HDR students in computing disciplines. The issue under development in the current study is how can the process of overcoming the above hurdles be facilitated？ How can the productivity of various resources utilized during the above long and frustrating waiting periods be increased by shortening the waiting times？

Learning Effectiveness of Semester and Year-Long Study Abroad Programmes:Perspectives of International Students in a UK and China Context

Research on international students’learning experiences pays much less attention to those studying semester and/or year-long programmes in a country that differs significantly from their home country with respect to culture and the education system.Adopting transformative learning theory as the theoretical framework,this paper explores the learning effectiveness of students on such programme in a Chinese and in a UK university.It analyses the narratives of 27 students in relation to their cognitive and behavioural activities and also their self-reflective and collaborative reflective activities.The findings indicate that these students only partially achieved transformative learning.The main reasons are:(1)the duration of this type of programme was not long enough to achieve a full transformation and(2)both host universities did not include reflection in the learning process properly.This paper makes a contribution to cross-border learning literature in the Chinese and the UK contexts.

What They Learned Won't Go Away:The Impacts ofan International Exchange Program on Chinese Teacher Candidates' Understanding of and Practice in Science Education

Purpose:The Canadian university where this study took place has established an international exchange program in teacher education with a large Chinese university.This study was designed to examine how the international exchange program influenced Chinese science teacher candidates'understanding of science education and how such learning impacted their teaching in China.Design/Approach/Methods:The study adopted a qualitative research design with interview and reflective journal as the main approaches for data collection.Findings:Participants greatly appreciated the opportunity of exchange.They reported an improved understanding of Canadian school education and its science curriculum and pedagogy,which changed many aspects of their original values about the relationship between the teacher and students,classroom environment,and so on.Although they faced many constraints to implement what they learned from the exchange in Chinese science classrooms,what they learned had never been forgotten.Participants tried to apply them here and there at the level they could control.Originality/Value:There are many reported studies in the literature about Chinese international students on Western campuses.However,research on Chinese students who participate in international exchange programs is very rare.The findings of this study can inform policymakers and education practitioners about student international exchange programs and benefit future exchange participants.