درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Coping Abilities Workshop, a structured intervention designed to enhance self-regulation, improve social performance, and reduce aggression among first to third-grade primary school students exhibiting signs of Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Tehran, District 2. Methodology: This randomized controlled trial involved 60 students, evenly divided into an intervention and a control group. Each group comprised 30 participants, and the intervention spanned eight weeks, with follow-up assessments conducted three months post-intervention. Measurements for self-regulation, social performance, and aggression were taken using standardized tools at three time points: pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up. The data were analyzed using ANOVA with repeated measures and Bonferroni post-hoc tests, utilizing SPSS software version 27. Findings: Significant improvements were observed in the intervention group compared to the control. Post-intervention results showed substantial increases in self-regulation (mean pre = 32.45, SD = 4.12; mean post = 45.67, SD = 3.56) and social performance (mean pre = 28.54, SD = 2.95; mean post = 40.26, SD = 2.45), along with a notable reduction in aggression (mean pre = 35.60, SD = 5.12; mean post = 20.22, SD = 4.75). These effects were maintained at the three-month follow-up, indicating the lasting impact of the intervention. Conclusion: The Coping Abilities Workshop significantly enhanced self-regulation and social performance while effectively reducing aggression among primary school students with Oppositional Defiant Disorder. The intervention proved to have a sustainable impact, suggesting its potential for broader application in similar educational and behavioral settings.

Purpose: In the context of rapidly evolving digital landscapes, digital media literacy has become a foundational element in primary education, crucial for preparing students to navigate and influence their digital surroundings effectively. This study aims to identify and describe the key components of digital media literacy as taught in primary schools, focusing on the insights of faculty members from Iran to understand how these components are integrated into the educational system. Methodology: Employing a qualitative research design, this study gathered data through semi-structured interviews with 21 faculty members who are directly involved in teaching digital media literacy in primary schools across Iran. Theoretical saturation was achieved to ensure comprehensive coverage of the concepts. Data were analyzed using NVivo software to facilitate a thorough thematic analysis, identifying the core components of digital media literacy education. Findings: The analysis revealed five main themes central to digital media literacy in primary education: Transfer, Usage, and Digital Competence; Computer Fundamentals; Online Basics Skills; Word Processing, Spreadsheet, and Presentation Skills; and Database and Data Security Skills. Each theme comprised several categories that detailed specific skills and knowledge areas essential for comprehensive digital literacy, ranging from basic computer operations to advanced data management and security. Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of a robust digital media literacy curriculum in primary education, highlighting specific skills that are crucial for students' development as competent digital citizens. It also points to the need for ongoing teacher training to keep pace with technological advancements, ensuring that educators are well-equipped to impart these essential skills.

Purpose: The excessive use of mobile phones significantly alters human thought patterns and affects individuals' behavior and psycho-social well-being. This study aims to explore the correlation between social intelligence and self-determination in adolescents, focusing on how mobile phone addiction plays a mediating role. Methodology: The research employed a descriptive-correlational approach and cross-sectional method, utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM) for analysis. The statistical population consisted of teenage boys and girls in Tehran who experienced mobile phone addiction from July to October 2023, with psychologist confirmation of addiction. A sample of 150 teenagers was selected through purposive sampling, with 17 individuals excluded due to incomplete or erroneous questionnaire responses. Research instruments included the Tromso Social Intelligence Scale, Self-Determination Scale, and Mobile Phone Addiction Questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 27 for overall data and SmartPLS version 4 for path analysis between variables, with a significance level set at 0.05. Findings: The results of the current study indicated that Social Intelligence had a significant negative impact on mobile phone addiction (β=-0.380, p <0.001). In addition, there was a significant positive effect of Social Intelligence on Behavioral independence (β=0.383, p <0.001), but no significant effect on Psychological Empowerment and Self-determination (p>0.05). Furthermore, the relationship between Social Intelligence and Behavioral independence, as well as Self-determination with the mediating factor of Mobile phone addiction, was found to be significant (p < 0.001). However, the association between Social Intelligence and Psychological Empowerment with the mediating role of Mobile phone addiction was not significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: The findings of the current research indicate that social intelligence can decrease mobile phone addiction and enhance behavioral independence, while mobile phone addiction can diminish behavioral independence and self-consciousness. However, social intelligence and mobile phone addiction do not impact psychological empowerment. Additionally, mobile phone addiction serves as a mediator in the correlation between social intelligence and the aspects of behavioral independence and self-consciousness.

Purpose: The efficacy of postmethod pedagogy (PMP) in Iran remains undetermined despite the growing attention being paid to it. A multitude of factors may contribute to differing levels of motivation among teachers in effectively implementing postmethod principles. The Achievement Goal Theory (AGT), rooted in a socio-cognitive perspective, provides a framework for understanding the types of goals individuals tend to pursue in achievement situations. Hence, this study aims to investigate the goal orientations of experienced English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers who are practicing postmethod tenets. Methodology: The current study employed an applied qualitative approach to explore the goal orientations of 18 experienced EFL teachers from various language institutes in Kermanshah, Iran. Participants were selected in two phases: first, a postmethod questionnaire was administered to identify respondents familiar with Postmethod Pedagogy (PMP) principles. Next, a semi-structured interview was conducted to elicit their goal orientations while adopting PMP conditions. Field notes were also used to document the researcher’s reflections and opinions, facilitating data analysis. The researchers utilized a three-stage approach for data analysis, following the inductive data coding method of open, axial, and selective coding. Findings: After analyzing the interview transcripts, it became apparent that the implementation of postmethod pedagogy tenets in teachers' teaching practice was influenced by their achievement goal orientations. This included learning, relational, and performance-approach goal orientations. The findings revealed that expert teachers predominantly exhibited learning goal orientations. In contrast, performance-approach goal orientations were the least prevalent among these educators. Conclusion: Examining teachers’ goal orientations through the socio-cognitive lens of postmethod language teaching can benefit the growth and development of teacher training programs, curriculum planning, and policymakers.

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to compare the effectiveness of emotional intelligence training and self-compassion practices on mental well-being, academic vitality, and academic self-concept among female high school students in Hamedan. Methodology: The research method was a semi-experimental three-group design (two experimental groups and one control group) with pre-tests and post-tests. The sample was selected using multi-stage cluster sampling from the population of female high school students in Hamedan in the academic year 2023-2024, with 60 individuals randomly chosen (20 in the first experimental group, 20 in the second experimental group, and 20 in the control group). Measurement tools included the Keyes and Magyar-Moe (2003) Mental Well-being Scale and the Liu and Wang (2005) Academic Self-concept Questionnaire. MANCOVA test and its assumptions were used to test the research hypotheses. ANOVA (one-way analysis of variance) with box plot and post-hoc tests like Tukey and Scheffé were employed for multiple comparisons in the post-test using SPSS version 23. Findings: The results showed that both emotional intelligence training and self-compassion practices are effective in improving the mental well-being and academic self-concept of female high school students in Hamedan. Additionally, it was found that self-compassion training is more effective than emotional intelligence training in enhancing academic self-concept, but there is no significant difference in the effectiveness of emotional intelligence training and self-compassion practices on mental well-being. Conclusion: Psychologists can help students gain more awareness of their emotions and learn how to deal with them, set meaningful and achievable goals, increase academic vitality and motivation through realistic goals aligned with personal interests, and strengthen their academic self-confidence. Students should be taught how to cope with educational stress and anxiety, find creative solutions, and learn to utilize available resources and supports.

Purpose: The present study aimed to design a framework for recruiting non-teaching educational staff in Iran’s Ministry of Education. Method: The present study pursues a qualitative approach. The statistical population of the research included experts and professors in the field of specialization and the senior managers of the General Department of Education of Semnan province in the academic year of 2023-2024, among which 15 were chosen as the samples using theoretical saturation sampling and targeted sampling. The research instruments were a semi-structured interview and a review of the existing documents on this subject. The collected data were validated using member checking. The data validity was evaluated and confirmed using the quality criterion (reliability). The research data analysis method was thematic analysis in three levels: basic themes, organizing themes and Global Themes. Findings: The data analysis led to the identification of 393 basic themes, 33 number-one organizing themes, and 13 number-2 organizing themes in the field of specialization in recruiting non-teaching educational staff in the Ministry of Education. These themes were categorized under 4 global themes including expertise management with two organizing themes (expertise management and performance management), resource management with four organizing themes (human, time, material, and information), change management with three organizing themes (change in organizational structure, change in competitive atmosphere, and change in attitude), and management of organizational development with four organizing themes (managerial capabilities, human resource planning, creation of specialization culture, and organizational interactions). Conclusion: The use of elite and expert employees in the nonteaching sector of the educational system, as a leading institution in providing extensive services to the general public, depends on the presence of a specialization pattern in the recruitment of non-teaching staff. Identification of specialization criteria in the non-teaching sector, which has been done in this research, helps with the formulation of an appropriate specialization model to employ skilled and specialist staff in this sector.

Purpose: Enhancing divergent thinking and academic enthusiasm in students can positively affect their academic and non-academic performances. Consequently, the present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of critical thinking education on divergent thinking and the academic enthusiasm of high school students. Methodology: This quasi-experimental study followed a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with experimental and control groups. The research population comprised all female students in the 10th and 11th grades of the academic branch in Saveh city for the 2022-23 academic year, with a sample size calculated as 25 for each group based on G*Power software. Thus, 50 individuals were purposively selected and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group underwent 10 sessions of 75-minute critical thinking training, while the control group received no intervention during this period. The research instruments included the divergent thinking subscale in Kolb’s (1984) Learning Style Inventory and Schaufeli et al.’s (2002) Academic Enthusiasm Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests in SPSS software. Findings: The results showed significant differences between the experimental and control groups in post-test and follow-up stages in terms of divergent thinking and academic enthusiasm. In other words, critical thinking education led to an increase in divergent thinking and academic enthusiasm among high school students, and the results were sustained at the follow-up stage (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, counselors and psychologists can use critical thinking education alongside other effective educational methods to improve academic and non-academic characteristics of students.

Purpose: This study aims to develop a comprehensive model for performance improvement management among educational group managers by identifying critical factors and components that influence managerial effectiveness in educational settings. Methodology: The research adopts a descriptive-survey methodology, with a statistical population comprising 400 educational group managers from Islamic Azad University in Tehran. Using the Morgan table, a sample of 196 participants was randomly selected. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) based on an exploratory factor analysis approach with LISREL software. Validity was assessed using composite reliability (CR) and Cronbach's alpha, with additional evaluations through Bartlett's test and KMO measure. Findings: The analysis identified six significant factors affecting performance improvement management: continuous monitoring and evaluation (R = .67, t = 9.56), knowledge management (R = .58, t = 8.27), professional development (R = .61, t = 8.70), empowerment (R = .89, t = 13.12), professional ethics (R = .71, t = 15.81), and managerial role (R = .69, t = 9.85). These factors encompass 25 specific components, such as planning, educational needs assessment, knowledge sharing, self-development skills, cognitive support, and strategic planning ability, all demonstrating significant factor loadings (p < .001). Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of structured and continuous management practices in educational settings. Emphasizing continuous monitoring, effective knowledge management, professional development, empowerment, ethical standards, and strong managerial roles can significantly enhance the performance of educational group managers. These insights provide a robust framework for educational institutions to improve their management strategies and achieve better organizational outcomes.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of academic buoyancy training and psychological capital training on academic procrastination among female students. Methodology: The population of this research included all female high school students in District 7 of Mashhad in the academic year 2020-2021. To collect data, the Academic Procrastination Questionnaire by Solomon and Rothblum (1984) was used. This research was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group, involving 45 participants who had higher scores on the dependent variable and were willing to participate in training sessions. They were randomly assigned to two experimental groups and one control group (each group consisting of 15 students). One week after the pre-test was conducted for all three groups, one of the experimental groups was exposed to the independent variable of academic buoyancy training, and the second experimental group was exposed to psychological capital training, while the control group did not receive any training. Then, a post-test was administered to all groups. In this study, to examine the differences between groups, multivariate and univariate repeated measures analysis of variance was used, taking into account within-group (test) and between-group (group membership) factors. Findings: The results showed that both academic buoyancy training and psychological capital training led to a reduction in academic procrastination among female students. The results also indicated that there was no significant difference in the effectiveness of academic buoyancy training and psychological capital training on academic procrastination. Conclusion: It can be concluded that both academic buoyancy training and psychological capital training are effective in reducing academic procrastination, and there is no difference in their level of effectiveness.