Master Class Digital Learning Academy

UNESCO’s Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) for 2030 Framework  UNESCO's Education for Sustainable Development: Towards Achieving the SDGs (ESD for 2030) is a global framework adopted in November 2019 by the 40th UNESCO General Conference and acknowledged by the 74th UN General Assembly in December 2019. It serves as the successor to the UN Decade of ESD (2005–2014) and the Global Action Programme on ESD (2015–2019). The framework aligns education directly with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ), emphasising education's role in fostering transformative change toward a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world. It promotes action-oriented pedagogies that equip learners with knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes to address urgent planetary challenges like climate change, inequality, and biodiversity loss. The framework is operationalised through a Roadmap for ESD for 2030, published by UNESCO in 2021, whi...

Sampling Techniques: Quantitative Reasoning Course for BS Honours Level Students  Sampling technique involves selecting a subset of a population to study, enabling researchers to draw quantitative, qualitative and mixed conclusions about the larger group without studying everyone.  In Linguistics and Education or in any other field of study, sampling is crucial because populations (e.g., language speakers, students, teachers, customers,  users, and viewers etc.) are often large and diverse, making it impractical to study every individual.  The choice of sampling technique impacts the study’s validity, generalisability, and feasibility. Types of Sampling Techniques Basically, there are two main types of sampling techniques that are further subdivided. Both of these types including subtypes are explained below with examples. 1. Probability Sampling (Random-based, ensures every unit has a known chance of selection) Simple Random Sampling : Every individual in the popul...

Globalisation in Education: Its Significance, Impact, and Challenges Globalisation in education refers to the increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of educational systems, institutions, and practices across national borders, driven by economic, technological, cultural, and political forces. It has profoundly influenced curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, values, and policy development, presenting both opportunities and challenges.  Below is a critical evaluation of its impact in these areas. 1. Impact on Curriculum Globalisation has reshaped educational curricula to align with global economic and cultural demands, emphasising skills like critical thinking, digital literacy, and intercultural competence. Positive Impacts Global Competence : Curricula increasingly incorporate global issues (e.g., climate change, human rights, and sustainable development) to prepare students for a globalised workforce. For example, frameworks like the OECD ’s PISA emphasise global competen...

Brief Introduction to Pedagogical Approaches and Teaching Styles/Techniques Pedagogy involves the specific technique, art and science of teaching. Pedagogy is a process of infusing/injecting knowledge into the minds of learners. It includes the theories, methods, and practices used to help students learn.  Similarly, pedagogical approaches and teaching styles or techniques are frameworks and strategies that teachers use to meet the different needs of learners, promote engagement, and reach educational goals. For both, teachers and learners, pedagogy covers all the important aspects including knowledge acquisition, knowledge developing and knowledge creation as Suggested by UNESCO's Framework 2030 . These approaches vary based on their philosophical foundations, specific learner contexts, and desired outcomes.  Below is an overview of major pedagogical approaches, teaching styles, techniques, and the importance of adapting to context. Overview of Major Pedagogical Approaches Pe...

Introduction to Theoretical Foundations of Learning The theoretical foundations of learning include various models from psychology and education that explain how people acquire, process, retain, and use knowledge.  These theories offer frameworks for understanding learning processes and influence teaching methods, curriculum design, and instructional strategies. They draw from fields like psychology, neuroscience, and pedagogy.  Over time, these theories have evolved to address different aspects of human development, ranging from observable behaviours to internal thinking and social interactions. Key theories include behaviourism, cognitivism, constructivism, humanism, connectivism, and social learning theory.  Below, I am going to mention in detail each theory, outlining core principles, key theorists, mechanisms of learning, historical context when relevant, and practical applications in education. Behaviourism  Behaviourism considers learning as a change in observ...

Important SPSS Tests, Procedures & Purposes: A Quantitative Reasoning Course Perspective for Undergraduate Students  SPSS provides a wide range of statistical tests for quantitative research and analysis. It is a popular software used to explore and interpret quantitative data. Many different tests are available, but some of the most common are listed below.  New researchers should familiarise themselves with these important tests before starting their research and analysing results from a quantitative perspective.  While choosing a statistical test in SPSS, consider the number of variables you are analysing, the type of data for each variable (such as Nominal, Ordinal, or Scale ), and whether your data meets the requirements of parametric tests. The following table summarises some common tests in SPSS to help you select the right one for your analysis. Let's now look into these key SPSS tests . Pilot Testing   Pilot testing is a small-scale trial run of a re...

21st-Century Pedagogical Competencies    In 21st-century teaching and learning, changes are happening due to the integration of Information Communication and Technology ( ICT ). Both teachers and learners therefore, need to respond to these shifts in education in 21st Century. An important change involves Teaching Pedagogy. The shift from traditional teaching methods to techno-pedagogical approaches is currently a major focus. Essentially, 21st Century Pedagogical Competencies are the skills teachers must develop to prepare students for today’s world. 🎯 1. Key Competencies   ( 4Cs ) These are the main skills that students (and teachers) need to build keeping in the SDG-4 and dynamics of education in the 21st century: Creativity    The ability to generate new ideas, solve problems in innovative ways, and think outside the box. Teachers support this by encouraging exploration and project-based tasks.   Critical Thinking    The ability to analy...