International Journal of Social & Natural Sciences
The International Journal of Social and Natural Sciences (IJSNS) publishes high-quality research manuscripts in the fields of natural and social sciences. The journal aims to foster a global exchange of ideas and insights by presenting research that is both innovative and relevant to an international audience.
Education Leaders in Supporting Learning Culture in Higher Education Institutes: Strategies and Issues
Leadership plays a vital role in determining and nurturing collaborative learning cultures in organizations. This research aimed to examine the educational leadership role in creating a collaborative learning culture for faculty in higher education institutes. The research was based on the assumption that leaders provide their staff with a learning culture—an environment that demonstrates and encourages work-place learning and where both gaining and sharing professional knowledge are prioritized and valued. The specific motive for this study was to explore; how higher education leaders perceive their role as instructional leadership to develop learning culture for development of their faculty? What practices do they adopt for developing learning culture within their department? Data was collected by semi-structured interviews with six Heads/Deans of Department of Education of different private universities located in Karachi. Thematic analysis was used to conceptualize and analyze the qualitative data. The study concludes that fostering a positive learning environment and promoting faculty development in higher education require a comprehensive strategy that can incorporate a variety of leadership philosophies and acknowledge faculty accomplishments.
A Study of Social Interactions between Students with and without Disabilities in a Mainstream School
The purpose of this study was to describe and document social interactions between students with and without disabilities in a mainstream school. The participants included two boys with mobility impairment and their typically developing classmates (ten of whom were interviewed) at a rural high school. Qualitative research methods were employed for data collection through participant observations and interviews. The study found that students with and without disabilities engaged mostly in positive social interactions, such as cooperation in academic work and sports. Students with disabilities mainstreamly reported pleasant friendship experiences; however it was also reported that they sometimes experienced limited opportunities to participate fully in their classrooms and school activities. Exclusion from school- related activities may lead them to feel like outsiders in their classrooms and play areas, as they are not always fully welcomed by typically developing classmates. Nonetheless, the overall findings support inclusive practices and advocate for strengthened inclusive educational provisions.
An Analysis on Privacy Risks, Attacks and Issues in Mobile Social Networks
A current trend for social networking websites such as Twitter, Facebook, My Space, is to create mobile application to give their users instant and real-time access from their mobile devices. Mobile Social Networks have become more popular. So it is important to examine the privacy risks, attacks and issues of Mobile Social Networks. In this paper we will make three major contributions. First, we will identify the main privacy risks, attacks and issues in different Mobile Social Network Applications. Second, we will survey or study some of the existing MSN security and privacy mechanisms and approaches. Third, we will make a comparison of these approaches.
A study on the perception of students about the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at universities in Islamabad
The intricate challenges of the modern educational landscape demand the integration of advanced knowledge and skills, particularly in the realm of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). This study investigates the perceptions of students regarding the application of AI in universities located in the H-9 sector of Islamabad. The key objectives were to explore BS Education students’ perceptions of AI, identify the educational domains influenced by AI technologies, and examine the challenges associated with the implementation of AI-based solutions in academic settings. A convenient sampling technique was employed to collect data from 130 students enrolled in International IslamicUniversity, National University of Modern Languages, and Iqra University. A structured 38-item opinionnaire on a five-point Likert scale was used to assess perceptions, usage patterns, and concerns regarding AI. The instrument demonstrated strong reliability with a Cronbach Alpha of 0.840. Findings indicate students generally perceive AI positively, acknowledging its benefits in enhancing learning, research efficiency, and academic support. However, concerns were raised about diminished critical thinking, reduced human interaction, and privacy risks. The study emphasizes incorporating AI into higher education curricula, offering relevant training, and addressing ethical implications to promote responsible and effective use of AI technologies.
Emotional Intelligence of Secondary School Students: A Study of Gender Differences
The present study investigated the disparity in emotional intelligence between female and male teenagers at secondary schools in Islamabad. The study sample consisted of three hundred students (N = 300). They were distributed in two groups: male students (N = 157) and female students (N = 140). The Bar on Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-I) with a Cronbach’s Alpha of.827 was used to collect data on students' emotional intelligence levels. In contrast, the demographic sheet was used to collect data about the gender of the students. A total of 258 (female = 123 and male = 135; 86%) responses were received. Statistical analysis reveals that females have a higher emotional quotient than their male counterparts do (t = 2.97, p<003).
Effectiveness of ICT integrated Modularized Instruction on Retention Learning of Science Students
In this era of globalization, the needs of digital learners demand the use of technology-driven classrooms and learning resources. To assess the effectiveness of ICT integrated Modularized Instruction, an experimental study was designed and implemented in one of the Islamabad Model Colleges for Girls and one for Boys simultaneously. All science students of class 9th, who were studying Biology as one of the elective subjects at these colleges were the target population. A total of 172 students formed the required sample. Technology-enriched modules were prepared to teach the students of the experimental group. A sample of 172 students was divided into groups (treatment, reference) and subgroups (3-categories) using stratified random sampling. Random assignment of two biology teachers was ensured who were equally qualified and trained. One-week training oriented teachers with the objectives and operational procedures of modularized Instruction. A pretest-post-test control group design was employed to assess the retention learning of students. T-test and ANOVA helped to determine the statistically significant differences among the groups. On the whole, ICT-integrated modularized Instruction enhanced the retention learning of students,
Information and Communication Technology
School Heads' Attitudes Towards Admission of Students with Mobility Impairment to Mainstream Schools; Do They Think Mythically or Realistically?
This study explores the attitudes of school heads toward the admission of students with mobility impairments into mainstream schools, focusing on their perceptions regarding academie capabilities, social competence, and participation in co-curricular activities. Using an exploratory design, interviews were conducted with ten secondary school heads in District Nankana Sahib, Pakistan. The participants included heads with and without experience accommodating students with mobility impairments. Emerging themes revealed a mix of attitudes, with some heads demonstrating positive views about the academie abilities of these students, while others expressed concerns influenced by myths and logistical challenges. The study also uncovered barriers such as infrastructural limitations and perceived burdens on school resources. The findings suggest that misconceptions and lack of awareness persist among school heads, highlighting the need for professional development and policy interventions to promote inclusivity in education,
Students' Perceptions about Technical Education in Pakistan and China
Technical education is a device for achieving sustainable socio-economic development by producing manpower. This study was designed to compare the students' perceptions about technical education in Pakistan and China. A purposive sampling technique was used to draw a sample of students from technical education programs. The online questionnaire developed on Google Docs was used for this purpose. Responses of sixty-nine respondents from China and one hundred and five from Pakistan were considered for analysis. The results indicate that students faced many issues and challenges in both countries and need improvement for producing dexterous manpower.
Impact of Animated Videos on Academic Achievement of Students in Physics at the Secondary Level
Science education is crucial in today's world because all progress comes from scientific progress. Providing scientific knowledge is a fundamental responsibility of any society. The development of a highly qualified scientific workforce relies on the use of effective teaching methods combined with supporting tools. The researcher employed an experimental method to test the treatment variable, i.e., animated videos. A pretest-posttest control group design was used in the present study. All students of grade 9 studying physics in various institutions under the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) were the population of the study. The researcher selected students of IMCB, G-9/4 as practical samples and distributed them in control and experimental groups randomly. The research tool was a multiple-choice test, consisting of 20 questions, designed by the researcher. The data was personally collected, organized, and analyzed by the researcher. The results revealed a significant difference in students' academic performance in physics when taught with animated videos compared to traditional teaching methods. The researcher achieved all the objectives of the study and recommended extending this approach to other science subjects, such as chemistry, biology, and mathematics.
A Study About Awareness of STEM Education as A Rationale of Innovative Science Classroom at Secondary Level in Islamabad
This study was outlined to check the awareness of STEM education as a rationale for innovative science classrooms among secondary school teachers in Islamabad. The main objectives of the study were: to investigate the teachers' awareness of STEM education, to know teachers points of view about the introduction of STEM education in Pakistani science classrooms, and to check teachers' perceptions about the expected STEM outcomes in science classrooms of Pakistan. Out of 144 schools, 15 schools under FDE were selected randomly as a sample and all the science teachers teaching at the secondary level in the selected schools were taken as participants. The data was collected online because the schools were closed due to COVID-19. After data collection, the data was analyzed by using SPSS, and the frequency and percentage of teachers were cheeked. The research study's findings showed that most teachers are well aware of STEM education and want to introduce STEM education at the secondary level. In addition, teachers have a great knowledge of the expected STEM outcomes in students. Based on the findings of the research study, it is strongly suggested to initiate STEM education at the secondary level to shift traditional science classrooms into STEM classrooms,