International Journal of Instruction, Technology and Social Sciences

Dynamics of risk factors in the national and international security environment

Edith Kaiter — 2024-12-04

The past decade was marked with an embrace of both positive and negative trends that entrenched new global security threats that occasioned both international and regional risks. However, it is possible to achieve major objectives in this time lapse; yet there has been an emergent necessity to build a new architecture of international/ regional security phenomenon. Nevertheless, the contemporary world still offers numerous conflicts based on the access to resources and such aspects as ethnic, cultural, religious and ideological diversities.

The present paper now turns to one of the areas greatly affected by instability, uncertainty and disruption of the established international relations. Current conflict dynamics depict a different picture, with terrorist attacks in 2015 being clear evidence of need for different approach to the problem than the military one. They have a significant role in protecting national security as public order is a state of order within a country characterized by harmony, law and order in societies. It is essential as it relates to stability and protection and which requires national and international security to be in synergy and to admit extensive multidimensional international cooperation. This era stresses out the need to update national legislation to the international level and the development of international police cooperation. A management of public order through information is crucial to tackle existing security challenges. Thus, the protection of security and public order is currently one of the main worldwide and regional priorities in a condition of constant alteration and uncertain risks, requires an extensive and integrated interdisciplinary view on the current and future problems.

Influence Peddling

Gheorghe Buzescu — 2025-01-04

Trafficking in influence is addressed at the international level in the context of affirming the need for criminalization and law enforcement in this area, in art. 18 of the United Nations Convention against corruption, adopted in New York on October 31, 2003 and ratified by Romania through Law no. 365/2004 where it is stipulated that "each state party adopts the legislative measures and other measures that prove to be necessary to assign the character of a crime, in the event that the acts were committed with intent: a) the act of promising, offering or giving to a public agent or any other person, directly or indirectly, an improper benefit, with the aim that the respective agent or the respective person abuses his real or supposed influence, in view obtaining from an administrative authority or from a public authority of the state party an improper benefit for the initial instigator of the act or for any other person; b) the act of a public agent or another person to request or accept, directly or indirectly, an improper benefit for himself or for another person, with the aim of abusing his real or supposed influence, in order to obtain a improper use from an administrative authority or from a public authority of the state party”. It has been observed that the provisions of this convention have a much more extensive nature than the precedent of the instrument adopted in the matter of anti-corruption, as it addresses the requirements for the criminalization of various acts, including influence peddling. The criminal convention on corruption, adopted within the Council of Europe, in Strasbourg, on January 27, 1999, ratified by Romania through Law no. 27/2002, states, in art. 12, that "each party adopts the legislative measures and other measures that prove necessary to criminalize as a crime, according to its internal law, if it was committed with intent, the act of proposing, offering or giving, directly or indirectly, any use improperly, for remuneration, to anyone who affirms or confirms that he is able to exercise an influence in making a decision by any of the persons referred to in art. 2, art. 4-6 and of art. 9-11 [i.е. national public agents, members of national public assemblies, foreign public agents, members of foreign public assemblies, international officials, members of international parliamentary assemblies, judges and agents of international courts], regardless of whether the improper benefit is for oneself or for someone else, as well as the act of requesting, receiving or accepting the offer or promise, as remuneration, for such influence, regardless of whether the influence is or is not exercised or whether the alleged influence produces or does not produce the desired result"

Assessment of TBC1 coverage of 2015 Presidential Elections in Tanzania

Kaanaeli Kaale — 2025-01-11

This study assessed TBC1 2015 Presidential Election news coverage. The study used the specific objectives firstly, to assess the extent TBC1 coverage of CCM and UKAWA 2015 Presidential candidates, secondly to examine TBC1 news tones coverage of CCM and UKAWA 2015 presidential candidate and lastly, to find out types of TBC1 news coverage of CCM and UKAWA 2015 Presidential candidates.

This research applied concurrent mixed research methods to collect and analyze both qualitative and quantitative data. The study examined news content in 448 news bullets aired in months of the election campaign from August to October 2015. The results showed that there is biasness in the TBC1 news coverage as ruling part, CCM received wide coverage and UKAWA Presidential candidate received lower coverage in all items including news frequency, news length, news placement and news tones. The general findings demonstrated that CCM candidate received 1,700 % equivalent to 75% while UKAWA candidate received only 566 news, which is 25% of news frequencies for both candidates.

The findings showed that the agenda-setting effect of journalism reflects the interests of media owners (McCombs & Shaw, 1972). Unbalanced media coverage affects political candidate’s especial opposition party. The findings suggest that there is a need to reform the policies and regulations informing electoral coverage to ensure a more balanced portrayal of all presidential candidates as it stated in the National Elections Act, 1995 Cap. 343 (URT, 2015).

The Study of UNSC Structure and Reform for Effective Imposition of International Sanctions

David Kim — 2025-01-13

This paper analyzes the structural flaws of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and their impact on the effectiveness of international sanctions. It focuses on the rivalry among permanent members (P5), particularly China and Russia, and examines how veto misuse and conflicting national interests hinder the UNSC’s ability to enforce sanctions effectively. Through case studies of North Korea and Russia, the research demonstrates how P5 self-interest undermines collective decision-making, reducing UNSC sanctions to unilateral state actions. The paper concludes that reforms, such as revising the veto system and addressing power rivalries, are crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of UNSC sanctions and strengthening global governance.

Analysis of the usage of artificial intelligence (AI) applications among university students in Malaysia

Siti Nur Nadirah Binti Mustaffa — 2025-03-26

Artificial Intelligence (AI) transforms Education by enhancing personalized learning, automating administrative tasks, and improving student engagement. Despite its growing presence, AI adoption among university students in Malaysia remains limited. This study investigates the level of AI application usage, identifies key factors influencing adoption, and examines the relationship between these factors and actual AI usage. Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the study focuses on perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), and technological skills as primary determinants of AI adoption. A quantitative research approach was employed, with data collected through a structured survey from 115 undergraduate students at a university in Kedah, Malaysia. After data screening, 105 valid responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The findings reveal that AI-powered chatbots and academic support tools are the most frequently used applications due to their perceived usefulness and ease of use. However, AI adoption remains moderate, primarily due to limited technological skills and concerns about AI complexity and ethical implications. The study highlights the need for AI literacy programs, improved user-friendly AI designs, and clear ethical policies on AI-assisted learning. Universities should integrate AI training into curricula, and developers should ensure AI accessibility for students with varying technical proficiencies. Future research should explore cultural attitudes, ethical concerns, and trust in AI within educational settings. By addressing these challenges, institutions can enhance AI adoption, ultimately improving student learning outcomes and academic experiences.

The impact of using chatgpt on academic writing among english as a second language (ESL) students

Fatin Nurizzaty Binti Yasmi — 2025-03-26

Academic writing is a crucial skill in higher education, yet ESL students often struggle with linguistic barriers, grammatical accuracy, and structural coherence. With the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), tools such as ChatGPT have emerged as potential aids in overcoming these challenges. This study explores the impact of using ChatGPT on academic writing among ESL students, focusing on their perceptions, experiences, and challenges encountered during its integration into their writing practices. A qualitative research approach was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with seven ESL students from higher education institutions in Malaysia. Thematic analysis was used to examine the collected data and identify key themes. Findings reveal that ChatGPT enhances writing skills by improving grammar, refining sentence structures, and expanding vocabulary. Additionally, it increases students’ confidence in writing and facilitates engagement with complex academic texts. However, several concerns arise, including plagiarism risks, inaccuracies in AI-generated content, and potential over-reliance, which may hinder students’ ability to develop independent writing skills. This study highlights the need for a balanced integration of ChatGPT as a supplementary tool rather than a primary writing resource. Institutions should implement AI literacy programs to guide students in using ChatGPT ethically and effectively while preserving academic integrity. Future research should explore long-term impacts and best practices for integrating AI-assisted writing tools into ESL education.

Digital Technology Integration in Teaching and Learning Among Teachers in Kedah, Malaysia

Nurul Shahida Ahmad — 2025-03-26

Integrating digital technology in education is essential for preparing students with 21st-century skills, yet its implementation varies across regions. In Malaysia, national policies such as the Malaysia Education Blueprint (2013-2025) and the Digital Education Policy (2023) emphasize digital transformation in teaching and learning. However, research on regional disparities, particularly in Kedah, remains limited. This study examines the extent of digital technology integration among teachers in Kedah and identifies demographic and professional factors influencing its adoption. A two-phase research design was employed: Phase 1 involved translating, adapting, and validating the EFL Teachers' Actual Integration of ICT Questionnaire into Malay, resulting in the Skala Integrasi Digital dalam PdP (SIDP), a culturally relevant assessment tool. Phase 2 comprised a large-scale quantitative survey of 15,061 teachers across Kedah, analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression. Findings indicate that 90.4% of teachers achieved a satisfactory level of digital integration, with female teachers and those in Social Sciences, Islamic Education, and TVET fields more likely to integrate technology effectively. Neither rurality nor age significantly influenced digital adoption, but special education teachers exhibited lower integration levels, highlighting the need for targeted support. This study underscores the necessity for context-specific interventions, digital literacy training, and evidence-based policymaking to enhance technology integration in education. The validated SIDP provides a reliable tool for future assessments, ensuring continued progress in Malaysia’s digital education landscape.

A genre-based rubric for assessing higher-order thinking skills in student essay writing

Vanhitha Kernagaran — 2025-03-26

Higher-order thinking Skills (HOTS) play a crucial role in modern education, yet existing writing assessment tools often fail to adequately evaluate students' cognitive depth. This study addresses this gap by developing a genre-based rubric that integrates HOTS—analysis, evaluation, and creativity—into the assessment of student essay writing across four distinct genres: story, review, article, and report writing. Grounded in Bloom's Revised Taxonomy and genre-based writing theories, the rubric was systematically designed, validated by expert reviewers, and pilot-tested with students and educators. The research employed a design-based approach, incorporating quantitative measures such as inter-rater reliability (Cohen's Kappa = 0.85) and qualitative thematic analysis to refine the rubric's descriptors and applicability. Findings indicate that the rubric enhances assessment accuracy, providing educators with a structured yet adaptable tool to evaluate HOTS across different writing genres. This study contributes to writing pedagogy by bridging the gap between traditional assessment methods and the cognitive demands of 21st-century education, ultimately fostering analytical, evaluating, and creative thinking in student writing.

Enhancing Teachers' Resilience in Special Needs Education

Marini Kasim — 2025-03-26

Teachers working in special needs education face numerous challenges that demand resilience at emotional, cognitive, and physical levels. Resilience is essential in managing classroom complexities, navigating policy changes, and ensuring the well-being of both students and educators. This study aims to investigate factors influencing teachers' resilience in special needs education and identify effective strategies for fostering and maintaining resilience. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, utilizing both quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to gather comprehensive data from special needs educators. Through statistical analysis and thematic evaluation, this research identifies key determinants of teacher resilience, including support systems, workload management, professional development, and coping mechanisms.

The findings of this study contribute to the existing body of knowledge by providing insights into the personal, institutional, and policy-related factors that shape resilience among teachers. The results will inform policymakers, educational institutions, and stakeholders on effective interventions and strategies to support teachers in special needs education. Given the increasing prevalence of burnout and attrition in the teaching profession, fostering resilience is vital for sustaining a high-quality, inclusive education system.