SEARCH ARTICLE

35 Pages : 346-355

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2021(VI-I).35      10.31703/gssr.2021(VI-I).35      Published : Mar 2021

The Role of English Language Skills in Career Growth: A Study of Perceptions and Strategies Used to Improve English Language Skills by Graduate and Undergraduate Students of Karachi, Pakistan

    The English language has a major impact on our companies and workplaces. Regardless of geographical, social, political, or religious divisions, English has become the lingua franca of the international corporate world. The purpose of this research study was to explore the role of English language skills in the career growth of a person and understand the perceptions of graduate and undergraduate students about learning and improving this language. For this purpose, relevant literature was scouted, and based on scholars points of view; a questionnaire was developed to get the opinions of the students. The data was collected using Google Form, employing a stratified convenience sampling procedure. The analysis shows a positive relationship between English language skills and career growth.

    English Language Skills, Perceptions, and Undergraduate Students
    (1) Stephn John
    Associate Professor/Chairperson, Department of Education, Sindh Madressatul Islam University, Karachi, Singh, Pakistan.
    (2) Subhash Gurario
    Associate Professor/Chairperson, Department of Social Development, Sindh Madressatul Islam University, Karachi, Singh, Pakistan.
    (3) Jamshed Adil Halepota
    Professor, Department of Business Administration, Sindh Madressatul Islam University, Karachi, Singh, Pakistan.

18 Pages : 180-190

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2021(VI-II).18      10.31703/gssr.2021(VI-II).18      Published : Jun 2021

The Influence of Parent-Teacher Meetings on Early Childhood Students' Academic Performance: Prospective Teachers' Perceptions

    Parent-teacher meetings (PTM) play an integral role in a child's education. The importance of PTM is even more critical for Early childhood Education (ECE). ECE is not a novice concept in Pakistan; however, parents have only realized now that learning during early childhood goes beyond the walls of the classrooms and can only realize its full potential if parents are actively participating in their children's education. Therefore, PTM is the time when parents and teachers can collaborate to work for the education of the children. The current study explores the prospective teachers' perceptions of PTMs and their influence on ECE students' performance. The data were gathered from seven participants through an open-ended, semi-structured interview guide. The analysis concluded that prospective teachers had a good understanding of PTMs processes and generally had a positive attitude toward them. Prospective teachers also believed that PTMs positively influence students' academic performance.

    Prospective Teachers, Perceptions; Influence, Parent-Teacher Meeting, Students' Performance
    (1) Mahnoor Arshad
    MPhil Scholar, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (2) Yaar Muhammad
    Assistant Professor, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (3) Naima Qureshi
    Assistant Professor, University of Education, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

25 Pages : 254-265

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2021(VI-II).25      10.31703/gssr.2021(VI-II).25      Published : Jun 2021

The Perceptions of Veterinary University Students towards Online English Learning Classes during COVID-19

    Online learning has got penetration in the system of formal teaching-learning in covid-19 context. It has transformed the teaching methodology from traditional Physical classes to online classes due to the closure of educational institutes. The current study is significant as it aims to explore the perceptions of veterinary University students towards online classes using self-determination theory. The data were gatheredfrom150 above stated English learning students through a questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS. The findings support that learning can happen within online classes, depending on the teacher’s methodology and strategies in online classes. The results are effective for higher education institutes in determining the level of motivation and perceptions respondents have while taking English courses online, which can be made interactive by developing outcome-based courses with the integration of technology to fit the needs of modern education in the post-Covid-19 world.

    Perceptions, Online, Physical, Interactive, Extrinsic, Intrinsic, and Veterinary
    (1) Abdul Khaliq
    Assistant Professor, Department of Social and Allied Sciences, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
    (2) Rasheed Ahmad
    Visiting Lecturer, Department of English Literature, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
    (3) Noor Ul Ain
    Lecturer, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khawaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology ( KFUEIT), Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab, Pakistan

17 Pages : 159-67

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2021(VI-III).17      10.31703/gssr.2021(VI-III).17      Published : Sep 2021

Cultural Perception Regarding Mental Illness: A Case Study of Domestic Carers in Jalalpur Pirwala, District Multan

    Culture guides the individuals to live their lives according to the beliefs set by the people of that culture. In order to know about the cause of any illness, the combination of knowledge and culture is considered to be a powerful tool. The study aimed to see the cultural perceptions about mental illness in Jalalpur Pirwala. This study focused on the carers of mentally ill persons by observing their perceptions regarding the mentally ill person of their families. The subject of the research was 18-60 years old mentally ill persons. Data collection methods included observation, unstructured interviews with practitioners (spiritual healers/bhoopa), and in-depth interviews were conducted with caretakers of mentally ill persons, selected through snowball sampling. Findings showed that cultural beliefs regarding mental illness are related to supernatural or divine phenomena in which causes of mental illness are Allah's will or punishment, witching, black magic, evil eye, curse or women's fault.

    Culture, Mental Illness, JalalpurPirwala, Spiritual Healer, Carers, Beliefs, Cultural Perception
    (1) Shagufta Hamid Ali
    Lecturer, Department of Anthropology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah, Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (2) Altaf Ghanni Bhatti
    Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (3) Abid Ghafoor Chaudhry
    Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah, Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan.

14 Pages : 134-146

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2022(VII-I).14      10.31703/gssr.2022(VII-I).14      Published : Mar 2022

The Perception of Physical Education Teachers towards Physical Education at Public Secondary Schools Punjab, Pakistan

    The study aimed to examine the physical education teacher's perception of physical education classes at public secondary schools in Punjab,Pakistan. The targeted population of this study was the physical education teachers working in secondary schools. The study sample was taken from four districts of Punjab (Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, and Rajanpur). Eighty physical education teachers participated in this study. Data was collected using an adapted questionnaire. The descriptive and inferential statistic techniques were applied to analyze the data. The gender perception differences of teachers were tested through an independent t-test. Age and qualification differences were measured through a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The relationship between age, qualification and perception was examined through correlation analysis. The findings revealed a significant difference in teachers' perceptions of gender, age and qualification groups. Age, qualification and perception have a positive and meaningful relationship. The results showed that male teachers have a higher perception of physical education than females.

    Physical Education, Teacher's Perception, Secondary School, Pakistan
    (1) Saira Akhtar
    Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Education, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (2) Muhammad Imran Yousuf
    Associate Professor, Department of Education, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (3) Qaisara Parveen
    Assistant Professor, Department of Education, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan.

15 Pages : 147 - 156

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2022(VII-I).15      10.31703/gssr.2022(VII-I).15      Published : Mar 2022

The Psychological Effects of Online Classes on Students: A Study of Pakistan in Covid-19 Pandemic

    The learning process in the university and the environment on campus have a crucial role in the development of students' psychological and physical well-being. The present study aims to highlight the problems of online classes faced by university students during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also examines the factors of online classes that caused depression among Pakistani students. The data was collected through an online survey and students were asked to fill survey comprised of perception sand problems of online classes and Patient Health Questionnaire-9. A total of 820 students were approached. Among them, 734 (89.51 Percent) had completed the survey. The results showed that most of the students had moderately (31.34 Percent) or moderately severe (24.39 Percent) depressive symptoms because considerable problems occurred in their educational learning process due to online classes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It is concluded that emotional support is necessary for the well-being of students as a study examining the COVID-19outbreak has an extraordinary burden on university students.

    COVID-19, Online Classes, Perception, Problems, Depression
    (1) Faiza Anjum
    Assistant Professor of Sociology, National Textile University, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
    (2) Madieha Akram
    Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, The Women University Multan, Punjab, Pakistan
    (3) Raja Shaharyar
    Social Welfare Officer, CDP, Tehsil Kot Chutta, District D. G. Khan, Punjab, Pakistan.

53 Pages : 579-588

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2023(VIII-I).53      10.31703/gssr.2023(VIII-I).53      Published : Mar 2023

Secondary School Teachers' Perception of Goal Attainment and Measures of Quality Control in Lahore District

    The present research aimed to study quality control techniques used by secondary school teachers in district Lahore to improve educational outcomes. The link between quality control measures, secondary school teachers' performance, and target accomplishment was examined in particular. The study's sample was selected by convenient sampling technique and included 418 secondary school instructors from 200 secondary schools. Questionnaire QCMSSGA was adapted to collect data on quality control measures and secondary school goal achievement (QCMSSGA). It was found that the instrument has a coefficient of reliability ranging from 0.75 to 0.81. Analysis including frequency distribution and Pearson product-moment correlation. Secondary school pupils who received high-quality supervision and teacher evaluations were more likely to meet their objectives. Due to the reasons mentioned earlier, secondary school instructors were instructed to conduct more frequent, routine instructional monitoring and pay greater attention to teacher performance evaluations.

    Perception, Quality, Control, Secondary School Teachers, Goal Attainment
    (1) Mubbsher Shahzad
    Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Education, University of Education, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (2) Huma Lodhi
    Ph.D., Department of Education, University of Education, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (3) Muhammad Siddique
    Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Education, University of Education, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

09 Pages : 84-98

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2024(IX-II).09      10.31703/gssr.2024(IX-II).09      Published : Jun 2024

EFL Students' Perceptions on the use of Blackboard Technology in English Language Learning

    Blackboard is an Internet teaching management platform that allows a virtual learning environment via the Internet. It is the most popular system used by universities and educational institutions worldwide. However, this study is more concerned with foreign language (EFL) students' perceptions of the use of Blackboard in their courses. For this reason, we focused on 100 EFL students as respondents to the online questionnaire who attended the Language Department-College of Science and Humanities at Rumaah-Majmmah University in this research. Whereas, findings from both the survey data were analyzed by using (the SPSS Program) with the Lickert scale method showed participants had positive perceptions of the use of Blackboard technology for educational purposes. The results of students' perceptions proved the usefulness of Blackboard technology in the field of education. Hence, the suggestions of this study could be shared with other educational institutions in the kingdom.

    Blackboard Technology, English Language Learning, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Perceptions, Technology Integration (TI)
    (1) Najeeb us Saqlain
    Associate Professor, Department of English, ISRA University, Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan.
    (2) Moomal Chandio
    Visiting Faculty English, Department of English Linguistics & Allied Studies, NED University of Engineering & Technology Karachi, Sindh,Pakistan.
    (3) Hina Hussain Kazmi
    Chief of Party, USAID WGS Project.

12 Pages : 115-124

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2024(IX-II).12      10.31703/gssr.2024(IX-II).12      Published : Jun 2024

Pedestrian Experiences in a Megacity: A Case Study of Walkability in Johar Block-15, Karachi, Pakistan

    In the dynamic urban landscape of Johar Block-15, Karachi, this research investigates residents' perceptions of walkability, a crucial aspect of urban life. Survey data reveals significant concerns about safety, overall walkability, cleanliness, infrastructure adequacy, and connectivity to amenities. Most respondents express dissatisfaction and emphasize prioritizing and investing in enhancing walkability. Accessibility problems resulting from choking and poor roads also affect the area’s pedestrian host factor in terms of traffic and maintenance. However, 68.18% of the respondents use walking for small distances, showing the relevance of walking in developed countries' mobility systems. These recommendations will be helpful to urban planners and policymakers in putting a focus on improving the quality of life of the people living in Johar Block-15 and every other block. 

    Pedestrian Accessibility, Environment, Karachi City, Live Perception; Pedestrian Movement, Environment, Urban Planning, Sustainable Environment
    (1) Afraz Ahmed Memon
    MCRP (Master of City and Regional Planning), Department of City and Regional Planning, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
    (2) Imtiaz Ahmed Chandio
    Professor, Department of City and Regional Planning, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
    (3) Rabia Soomro
    Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Campus, Khairpur Mir's, Sindh, Pakistan.

03 Pages : 21-36

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2024(IX-III).03      10.31703/gssr.2024(IX-III).03      Published : Sep 2024

Parents' Advice-Based Discipline Selection and its Impact on Academic Performance in Higher Education: Insights from Students’ Perceptions

    This study emphasizes the common perceptions of students regarding discipline selection on their parents’ advice and its impact on academic attainment in tertiary education. The objective of this particular study was, to find out the effect on academic achievement of discipline selection on parental advice. A mixed-method approach was utilized. The target population of the study was comprised of senior students of BS-level programs. Samples for qualitative and quantitative were 15 and 382 respectively. Phenomenological design for the qualitative part while survey design was employed for the quantitative part. Word cloud and thematic analysis were used for the qualitative data, while Pearson (r) and linear regression were employed as inferential statistics for the quantitative data. The findings reveal a weak positive association between discipline selection based on parents' advice and academic performance. The study recommends that parents should recognize and respect their children's autonomy in making subject selections.

    Perceptions, Parents’ Advice, Aptitude, Passion, Discipline Selection and Academic Achievement
    (1) Abdus Samad
    PhD Scholar, Department of Education and Research, University of Lakki Marwat, KP, Pakistan.
    (2) Irfanullah Khan
    Assistant Professor, Department of Education and Research, University of Lakki Marwat, KP, Pakistan.
    (3) Mudassar Hussain
    Assistant Professor, Department of Education and Research, University of Lakki Marwat, KP, Pakistan.