A new epoch for humankind has started in most, if not all sectors of life, including the education sector. The question that seeks to be answered is whether the new period that started with the commencement of the COVID-19 pandemic, often referred to as the "new normal", is and will be characterised by less favourable education…

Micro-credentialing is unique because it spans epistemological paradigms, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies in every academic discipline. Micro-credentialing and related technologies promote formal, non-formal, and informal learning among global adult learners through public-domain Open Educational Resources (OER) and other online…

The paper shares the results of the process of forming a cross-disciplinary collaborative team and using a user-centered design framework to co-create a self-directed, self-paced, personalized, flexible learning environment as an alternative approach to preparing PK-8 preservice teachers to teach computational thinking. It is part of a larger…

In this study, we investigated the factors associated with education-job mismatches among US workers by immigrant generation. We used the data from the U.S. sample of the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) and documented the distribution of education-job mismatches across selected independent variables. We…

Human beings are compulsive learners. Strong demographic and economic factors coincide with this natural desire to learn. This current paper focuses on quality aspects of shorter-term educational experiences. What features determine quality? What type of quality reviews would be most suitable? Are accreditation and quality assurance as they have…

The purpose of this study was to examine distinct latent classes of middle grades mathematics teachers with respect to reasoning about fractions. Survey response data came from a nationwide sample of 990 in-service middle grades mathematics teachers. The survey focused on four components of reasoning about fractions in terms of quantities:…

In e-learning environments, 'digital badges', often referred to as 'micro-credentials', are expected to function not only as valid indicators of learner's accomplishments but also as useful tools for motivational and reward purposes (Clayton, 2012). In this study, we investigated students' perceptions about the use of digital badges in an online…

The issue of quality in higher education has been a staple of conversation for centuries. In the current environment, this conversation is complex, involving many constituents and, at times, contentious. To explore and address the central question of quality, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) has initiated a "National…

The National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education conference theme -- "Leading Beyond the Campus: Driving Change as Experts" -- responds to public policy demands and signals consequential choices. Many choices are illuminated by the prototype for the Neo-liberal university. Essentially, economic development imperatives give…

Using ten universally accepted criteria for a profession and following the Structural-Functional Model of professionalism, this study evaluates the status of teaching as a profession in South Africa. The study found that policies and structures have been put in place since the beginning of the new millennium to enhance the professional status of…

'Employers know that they can hire worldwide now … so, there is limitless supply of people … who can do the job … . they're all qualified, most of them are actually over-qualified … . I'm a wage slave basically, I don't think we have very much social status … . we are replaceable workers … I mean, the employer holds all the cards really. We are…

This paper was the keynote address at the June 6, 2012 Occidental College completion ceremony for new teachers completing their teacher credential program. This occasion was momentous because it was the final new teacher graduation that Occidental College would hold, due to the previously announced closure of the teacher preparation program by the…

The utilitarian spirit of Australian education has meant that since the nineteenth century the notion of tertiary education has embraced all post-school learning, delivered in sandstone universities or working men's institutes or on the job. This is not the definition the peak bodies TAFE (Technical and Further Education) Directors Australia (TDA)…

The purpose of this study was to identify the concerns of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) career changers to better inform teacher education programs on how to best address their unique needs. We identified three career-changers with former STEM-related careers, each seeking a secondary teaching credential in biology and…

Extensive education research on the contribution of teachers to student achievement produces two generally accepted results. First, teacher quality varies substantially as measured by the value added to student achievement or future academic attainment or earnings. Second, variables often used to determine entry into the profession and…