Abstract

Abstract. An abstract of about 250-300 words should be presented immediately preceding the text. The abstract should concisely inform the reader of the manuscript’s topic, its methods, and its findings.

Exploring Digital Test Bank Usability and Acceptability with Productivity Tools: Evidence from the Philippines

admin_irjstem Abstract , , , ,

Exploring Digital Test Bank Usability and Acceptability with Productivity Tools: Evidence from the Philippines
Corresponding email: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T

The increasing integration of digital technologies in education has created new opportunities and challenges for teaching, learning, and assessment. In response, this exploratory study investigated the capability for digital assessment in a Philippine school through the development of digital test banks using commonly available productivity tools. The project aimed to a) design digital test banks aligned with existing curricular standards, b) evaluate their content validity, c) evaluate their usability among teachers and d) evaluate students’ acceptability of digital assessments. Results obtained from the validation and surveys revealed that a) digital test banks may be developed using commonly available productivity tools, b) the developed digital test banks are well-designed and capable of providing accurate and fair assessment of student learning as shown by the validation results; c) the usability of the developed digital test banks is very high as shown by the very high ratings across all usability indicators; and d) the acceptability of digital assessments among students is high as evidenced by the high ratings for acceptability among students. These findings suggest that productivity tools can serve as practical platforms for digital assessment and highlight a growing readiness among Filipino teachers and students for digitally enhanced instructional practices. Future efforts may build on the insights found in the study to further promote digital assessments and technology-enhanced education in Philippine schools.

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Land use land cover change detection using Remote sensing and GIS technique: A case study of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

admin_irjstem Abstract , , ,

Land use land cover change detection using Remote sensing and GIS technique: A case study of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Corresponding email: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T

Land use and land cover change is a modification of the earth surface by humans, due to an interaction between natural and anthropogenic processes. Land use land cover change provides important input for making decision regarding environmental management and planning the future. The objective of this research is assess the LULC changes in a fast growing city Addis Ababa by using satellite image of the years 2000, 2010, and 2023 in the study area using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Satellite images of the year 2000, 2010, and 2023 were downloaded from the USGS Earth Explorer online portal (path: 168, row: 54). To do this change detection supervised classification method has been employed. Supervised classification is important for grouping the different class of LULC sensed from the satellite imageries. The Land use land cover change in the respective years were obtained as the difference of the values of different years of the same category while percentage change is obtained by dividing it with the total area and multiplying by hundred. This calculation gives information on the trend of transformation of land use land cover over the time. The result indicates that during 2000 to 2010, the areal coverage of vegetation, bare land, and Agriculture land were decreased by 175.4 ha, 13,174.7 and 1,776.7 ha, respectively. In addition to that, Built-up area and water body land use land cover are increased in area coverage by 13,613.8 ha and 1,512.9 ha, respectively. Preceding period (2000–2023) Built-up showed an area increment of 12,919.4 hectare and vegetation, bare land, water body and agriculture land showed a decrease in area of 3,519.7, 5,839.3 ha, 175.7ha, and 3,387.5 respectively.

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Reflection on the integration of tutorship development programme in one South African University 

admin_irjstem Abstract , , , ,

Reflection on the integration of tutorship development programme in one South African University 
Corresponding email: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T

The integration of the Tutorship Development Programme into the Faculty of Education at one of the universities in South Africa in 2024 aimed to enhance student academic support, promote faculty ownership, and ensure programme sustainability across two campuses. Despite its potential benefits, the process encountered several challenges, including limited faculty engagement, inadequate resources, and technological constraints. This study responds to the need for a structured, faculty driven tutorship model that bridges both theoretical and practical gaps in academic support interventions. The primary objective was to develop a scalable and effective tutorship framework aligned with faculty goals and curriculum requirements. Specifically, the study aimed to improve the quality of tutorship, encourage deeper faculty involvement, secure adequate resource allocation, and incorporate technology-based learning tools to support students effectively. A mixed-methods research design was adopted, employing surveys, focus groups, and stakeholder consultations to gather both qualitative and quantitative data. Data analysis involved thematic coding for qualitative responses and descriptive statistics to examine quantitative trends. Key findings underscore the importance of collaborative faculty engagement, strategic institutional partnerships, and the provision of targeted training resources in ensuring successful programme implementation. Theoretical frameworks such as Systems Thinking and Transformational Leadership informed the design and integration process, emphasizing the value of adaptability, feedback loops, and sustainable leadership practices. This study contributes to the broader discourse on academic development and student success by proposing a robust, context-sensitive tutorship model. It offers practical guidance for faculties aiming to institutionalize sustainable, impactful academic support programmes responsive to both student needs and institutional priorities.

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The impact of toxic workplace on employee well-being and organizational outcomes in Lebanon

admin_irjstem Abstract , , , ,

The impact of toxic workplace on employee well-being and organizational outcomes in Lebanon
Corresponding email: [email protected] 

A B S T R A C T

A hostile workplace is measured by the encountered toxic environment employee has to deal with. Not only the managers, but also the co-workers play a crucial role in creating a safe community for others by their own behaviors. Toxic environment can significantly impact the employee’s physical as well as mental well-being decreasing thus the employee engagement. This critical issue needs more worldwide awareness and even courage to be shared especially in the lack of organization support. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impct of toxicity at workplace on employee well-being and institutions outcomes among Lebanese public community. Over 204 adult Lebanese were recruited in a cross-sectional study that covers both genders residing in the five Lebanese governorates. The survey questionnaire was designed and carried out from May 2024 to April 2025 with 99.2% as responsive rate. The participants ‘characteristics were under study as well as their association with the institutions where they work in the purpose of shedding light on employees suffering that should lead to decisive acts against these companies. The study revealed that the hostile workplace had negatively affected 100% of all the participants. In addition, no matter was the socio-demographic status difference between the volunteers such as age, gender, profession experience…the toxicity at workplace is dominant. Moreover, the survey identified that not only one but multiple criteria of toxic environment such as bullying, narcissistic behavior, and discrimination…were well recorded with gossiping at highest rate of 15.5%. By consequence, increasing public awareness by awareness campaigns use in Lebanon emphasizes the importance of reporting toxic workplace thus leading to legal acts.

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The role of ICT integration on primary school learners’ cognition: A rural education perspective

admin_irjstem Abstract , , , ,

The role of ICT integration on primary school learners’ cognition: A rural education perspective
Corresponding email: [email protected] 

A B S T R A C T

Using the cognitive theory as a framework, this paper examines the ways in which the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in teaching and learning contributes to and supports content understanding among rural primary school learners. ICT plays a transformative role by altering traditional teaching methods and reshaping how learners engage with content. In rural educational settings, however, schools often face numerous contextual challenges, including inadequate physical infrastructure, limited computer access, insufficient educational programs, and unreliable internet connectivity. Despite these limitations, when integrated thoughtfully into an ICT-enabled curriculum, technology holds significant potential to transform instructional practices, accelerate learning processes, enhance skills acquisition, and deepen learners’ comprehension of academic content. The study was conducted through an interpretivist lens, employing a qualitative research methodology and a case study design. Data were gathered from six teachers teaching different subjects across three selected rural primary schools. The collected data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify emerging patterns and insights. The findings demonstrate that the integration of ICT into the teaching and learning process plays a crucial role in enhancing learners’ cognitive development, ultimately leading to improved academic performance. Based on these findings, the study advocates for the provision and effective implementation of ICT-enabled education in rural primary schools to promote the cognitive growth and academic success of learners, even in the face of contextual challenges that characterize many rural educational environments.

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Research patterns on technological inclusivity and equity in higher education: A bibliometric analysis

admin_irjstem Abstract , , , ,

Research patterns on technological inclusivity and equity in higher education: A bibliometric analysis
Corresponding email: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T

This study presents a bibliometric analysis of research trends on technological inclusivity and equity in higher education, leveraging data from the Dimensions academic research database to identify prevailing patterns, emerging trends, and gaps in scholarly discourse. We identified and analysed a total of 1,916 relevant publications spanning the years 2015 to 2024. The study employed VOSviewer, a bibliometric visualisation tool, to map citation networks, co-authorship patterns, and thematic clusters within the literature. The analysis showed a growing focus on digital accessibility, assistive technologies, inclusive teaching methods, and policy-driven efforts to make higher education fairer. The study also highlighted the importance of collaboration among individuals from different fields to enhance technological accessibility. However, apart from South Africa, no research was found in any other African country. These insights provide a foundation for future research and policy development, ensuring that technological advancements in education are accessible to a diverse range of learners.

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Impact study of school-based interventions among public secondary schools

admin_irjstem Abstract , , , ,

Impact study of school-based interventions among public secondary schools
Corresponding email: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T

This study investigates the impact of school-based interventions on teaching performance and student academic outcomes in public secondary schools in Northern Negros, Philippines. Using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach, it integrated both quantitative and qualitative analyses to assess the implementation and impact of targeted initiatives, that includes that includes Project SHARE, Project SHINE, Project ReWal, E-CARE, Project PPST, Project LERI, Project V-EXTRA, and Physics in Minecraft. Stratified sampling was employed to ensure adequate representation with 288 junior high school respondents in DepEd. Results revealed significant improvements in student proficiency across key domains—literacy, numeracy, science conceptual understanding, and environmental awareness. Notably, Physics in Minecraft yielded the most substantial increase, with average accuracy scores rising from 24% to 50%, demonstrating the effectiveness of gamified instruction. Across all interventions, student engagement, teaching effectiveness, stakeholder participation, and resource utilization also improved, as reflected in mean ratings nearing 4.00 (“Somewhat Positive”). The success of the initiatives was largely enabled by teacher collaboration, contextualized instruction, and active community involvement. But there are problems like not having enough resources, not getting enough training, worrying about workload, and not being able to fully implement plan. The study highlights the potential of evidence based, context-sensitive interventions to enhance educational equity and learner outcomes. Recommendations were offered to inform with Policymakers, school leaders, and educators to optimize, scale, and sustain such interventions for broader impact.

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EcoMask: Development of a biodegradable respirator using Sugarcane Bagasse (Saccharum officinarum) cellulose coated with shrimp shell chitosan and Bamboo (Bambusoideae) nonwoven fabric

admin_irjstem Abstract , , , ,

EcoMask: Development of a biodegradable respirator using Sugarcane Bagasse (Saccharum officinarum) cellulose coated with shrimp shell chitosan and Bamboo (Bambusoideae) nonwoven fabric
Corresponding email: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T

Disposable face mask usage has caused a significant environmental crisis, with an estimated 129 billion masks discarded globally each month. Conventional masks, mainly made from polymers like polypropylene and polyethylene, take over 50 years to decompose, rising levels of pollution in both terrestrial and marine habitats. This study presents the development of EcoMask, a biodegradable respirator composed of sugarcane bagasse (Saccharum officinarum) cellulose coated with shrimp shell-derived chitosan, and reinforced with nonwoven bamboo (Bambusoideae) fabric. Biodegradability tests using ISO 14855-2:2018 standards revealed that the EcoMask decomposes within 3–6 months under aerobic composting conditions, significantly faster than conventional plastic masks. Particle Filtration Efficiency (PFE) testing following ASTM-F2299 protocols indicated a moderate efficiency of 36 41%, suitable for non-medical environments. While the mask shows limited filtration performance compared to medical-grade respirators, it excels in environmental sustainability, offering a promising step toward reducing the environmental impact of plastic masks.

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Enhancing employee engagement: Strategies for boosting job satisfaction

admin_irjstem Abstract , , , ,

Enhancing employee engagement: Strategies for boosting job satisfaction
Corresponding email: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T

This research aims to analyze the impact of employee engagement on job satisfaction. In an era of globalization and fierce competition, companies must effectively manage their human resources to compete, survive, and thrive. Job satisfaction plays a crucial role in achieving organizational goals through employees. When individuals are satisfied with their work, they strive to perform to the best of their abilities, leading to better job performance and increased organizational success. Job satisfaction is subjective and challenging to measure, as it varies among individuals based on their unique desires and expectations. Therefore, understanding the factors that contribute to job satisfaction is of utmost importance. Employee engagement is one such factor that can significantly influence job satisfaction. Engaged Employees actively contribute to the accomplishment of the organization’s goals and ideals because they are dedicated to them. This journal investigates the relation between employee engagement and job satisfaction, aiming to provide valuable insights into enhancing job satisfaction. The research employed a quantitative approach and collected data using closed-ended questionnaires with a Likert scale (1-5). The sample consisted of 48 employees from Private Company in Malaysia. selected through saturation sampling. Data analysis was conducted using simple regression analysis in SPSS v26. The findings indicate a strong positive relationship between employee engagement and job satisfaction. These results support previous research that emphasizes the importance of employee engagement in promoting job satisfaction. In conclusion, this study highlights the significance of employee engagement in influencing job satisfaction. Companies should prioritize strategies to enhance employee engagement to ultimately improve job satisfaction, leading to better organizational performance and employee well-being. Future research should delve deeper into the mechanisms and factors that drive employee engagement and explore additional variables that may affect job satisfaction. Understanding these dynamics can help organizations create a more engaged and satisfied workforce, contributing to their long-term success.

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Good governance practices of barangays in one LGU in Negros Occidental

admin_irjstem Abstract , , ,

Good governance practices of barangays in one LGU in Negros Occidental
Corresponding email: [email protected]

A B S T R A C T

This study aimed to determine governance practices of selected barangays in Sagay City and test its hypothesis. The study was anchored in the Behavioral Theory of Leadership and Contingency Theory of Leadership. A descriptive-quantitative research design was applied, and a modified research instrument that underwent validation with a 0.79 content validity index and Cronbach alpha of 0.967 was used. Therefore, most participants are residents, followed by appointed personnel and elected officials. The results also showed that there is a high level and significant difference (p < 0.05) in the level of good governance practices in the selected barangays in Sagay City in terms of Transparency, Responsiveness, and accountability when they are grouped according to their category. Thus, the selected barangays in Sagay City perform good governance practices wherein the officials rule their constituents in a good political manner, execute fairness in decision-making for the progression of their people, and observe the current situation in their barangays for them to implement good governance. The researchers recommended that elected officials maintain their good governance practices in terms of transparency, responsiveness, and accountability and future research about good governance practices-related variables.

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