Investigating and Comparing Payame-Noor University Textbooks with the Desirable Model of Open and Distance Learning Universities Textbooks
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Journal of Critical Reviews ISSN- 2394-5125 Vol 7, Issue 1, 2020 Original Article INVESTIGATING AND COMPARING PAYAME-NOOR UNIVERSITY TEXTBOOKS WITH THE DESIRABLE MODEL OF OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING UNIVERSITIES TEXTBOOKS MANOOSH MEHRABI1, BAHMAN ZANDI2, ALI REZA SAFARPOUR3* 1Assistant professor, Department of e-Learning in Medical Sciences, Virtual School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. 2Professor of Linguistics, Payame-Noor University, Iran. 3Assistant Professor, Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Received: 10 Aug 2019 Revised and Accepted: 26 Oct 2019 ABSTRACT Textbooks are the main media in open and distance learning universities, including Payame-Noor University. This medium should include features that bring the distance learner to the deepest possible level of learning without the need for a teacher. We have designed and implemented the present research by studying open and distance learning university textbooks and comparing the desirable model with Payame-Noor University books. To achieve the purpose of the research, ie comparing the desirable model with textbooks, we have used the method of descriptive statistics using the mean, standard deviation and percentage, and the inferential statistical method of comparing the means using the "independent t-test". The results of comparing the main elements of this model with the books of Payame-Noor University showed that the mean and standard deviation of the scores of selected books of Payame-Noor University are 50.30 and 14.4, respectively, which is far from the desirable model. At the end, we have provided suggestions for achieving the desirable model. Keywords: open and distance learning university textbook, content, open educational resources, desirable model, Payame-Noor University. © 2020 The Authors. Published by Advance Scientific Research . This is an open-access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22159/jcr.07.01.01 INTRODUCTION The rapid development of information and communication and knowledge transfer to students (Sheikhzadeh, 2006). Despite the technologies and the move towards increasingly knowledge-based, diversity of new educational and information tools, it is one of the most interdependent and international societies have created new important educational tools at all levels. The book is considered also as challenges and opportunities in the planning and implementation of a tool in the hands of knowledgeable professors for teaching and a tool education. Open and distance learning can create new models for in the hands of students to learn and engage in scientific research teaching and learning; because of its strong link with the development (Razi, 2006). of information and communication technologies, it is closely related to A textbook is an organized collection of information related to a the development of new educational needs and new models of access subject that is taught in a course. This type of book is usually text, but to information and its application and learning. Evidence suggests that may include illustrations, drawings, photographs, and other types of distance learning can lead to innovation in the overall process of descriptions (Chen, 1998: 1). We can consider a textbook a book that is education and the scope of its effects extends beyond the realm of written, designed and produced only for educational use and covers education. Therefore, open and distance learning plays a very decisive specific educational purposes (Chen, 1998: 12) (Riyazi, 2006) role in creating a global knowledge-based society. (Educational Assistance Publishing Office, 2000). Open and distance learning as a force contributing to the social and The American Textbook Publishers Association (1949) defines the economic progress quickly becomes a reasonable and necessary pillar textbook as "Teacher's Print Assistant." The book is the most in the educational systems of both developed and developing countries important resource available to the teacher and learner. Textbooks to (UNESCO, 2005). Open universities in the world, especially in third some extent determine the content of the curriculum. Regarding the world countries, are receiving special attention due to cost reduction role of the textbook in the structure and activities of the teaching- and covering a higher percentage of science and knowledge learning process of the higher education system, it has been said that enthusiasts (Rabbani, 2007). the textbook is a tool that the teacher uses to motivate students and The educational resources used in open and distance learning provide maximum awareness about an issue or subject. Therefore, universities or open educational resources around the world have students' complete and accurate understanding of the textbook is attracted attention because they share collective organizational, social important for optimal learning. In addition, along with the importance and cultural knowledge (Petrides and Jimes, 2008). of preparing textbook, understanding how to cultivate skills in In the distance learning education system, which does not have a students to effectively acquire knowledge from textbooks is also very classroom and a teacher in the traditional sense, it is tried to occur the important (Nowruzzadeh and Aghazadeh, 2006). learning-teaching process with appropriate efficiency by using modern We cannot ignore the impact of textbooks. Textbooks have a significant educational methods and using various media such as textbooks, effect on students' learning experiences. laboratory sets, radio and television programs, etc. In most of the Despite the existence of books of interest that reach the tenth or higher universities that work according to this system (including Payame- editions in Iran and the world, unfortunately, the critics have not Noor University), for various reasons, especially economic efficiency accept the quality of textbooks in general. Many book authors and ease of use, the textbook is of special interest and has the greatest introduce themselves as educators, while in fact their books pay little role in educating students (Lepionka, 2008). attention to the learner and may be they do not know much about In distance learning education systems, the content of textbooks is theories of cognitive learning or educational psychology and are considered as a key element (Rabbani, 2007) (Woodastra and Adria, unfamiliar with textbook production. All of these issues are evident in 2003). The textbook is known as the strongest and most important some writings (Lepionka, 2007). communication media, the production and processing of information 943 Journal of Critical Reviews ISSN- 2394-5125 Vol 7, Issue 1, 2020 What is certain is that the studies and researches done on university library studies. The results of the research showed that with textbooks are not appropriate and need deeper and broader appropriate researches, we can accurately identify and analyze researches (Jafarzadeh Afshari, 2006). It seems that in order to achieve students' needs and interests by differentiating them into different the desirable productivity in writing textbooks and increase their dimensions and aspects and by considering appropriate criteria and efficiency and effectiveness, it is necessary to make effective and standards; then, regarding the obtained results, we can establish a fruitful efforts to strengthen the strengths and eliminate the relationship between different types of learning materials and their weaknesses of existing textbooks. In any case, the issue of the application in different situations and opportunities of life. Finally, efficiency of university textbooks is one of the most important with continuous evaluations (of various dimensions) and flexible challenges in higher education in different countries. The efficiency of changes over time, we can introduce desirable and appropriate academic textbooks has a significant relationship with supplies that features for the preparation and presentation of academic textbooks. without preparing and organizing them, it would not be reasonable to In a research entitled "Studying the criteria for compiling textbooks in expect the effectiveness of the textbook (Dadgar, 2006). In fact, the the books of the BSc courses of educational sciences", Nasr et al (2006) above statement shows that being an expert in the field of a science have studied and reviewed the relevant specialized texts. Based on does not mean having expertise in publishing a textbook that is equally these studies, they extracted the desirable criteria for academic multifaceted, multi-layered and diverse (Abolhassani, 2006). textbooks. These criteria included: appearance and writing, structural, In Payame-Noor University, as one of the custodians of the distance content and psychological characteristics. Then, they selected 20 education system, education is provided through the main media and academic textbooks in the field of educational sciences, and examined comprehensive support occurs through communication media the extent to which the criteria mentioned in these books were (Rabbani, 2007: 5 and 6). It has faced problems like other third world observed. The results of this research showed that many textbooks in countries. In the meantime, self-study textbooks may play a very the field of educational sciences are far from the desirable textbook. important role in compensating for these problems (Rabbani, 2007).