Karma Utha | Royal University of Bhutan (original) (raw)
Papers by Karma Utha
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), Feb 14, 2022
The study explored the pictorial representation of Scientists by the Bhutanese students of grade ... more The study explored the pictorial representation of Scientists by the Bhutanese students of grade IX and science teachers by using a method called Drawing-A-Scientist Test (DAST). A total of 208 students from grade IX and three science teachers from two rural schools participated in the study. The study employed a mixed method. The study found that participants hold stereotypical images of scientists as being predominantly male who are more knowledgeable and hardworking. They wore laboratory coat and possessed eccentric characters, messy hairs and facial hairs. However, they were not depicted as someone always wearing eye glasses or working with test tubes, flasks, microscope, bunsen burner and experimental animals. Also, the use of formula, equations, and taxonomy were minimal. There was also no indication of use of technology which could be attributed to the study site-rural school, where access to technology is minimal. It is recommended that teachers should make the students aware that all students have equal opportunity to become a scientist and the sinister look with messy unkempt hairdo is not necessarily images of scientist. Further, the present study focused on only a select rural school, a study may be carried out across schools to get a deep understanding of the subject.
Journal of Educational Science, 2022
: Reflective practices have become an important part of the teaching and learning process. When t... more : Reflective practices have become an important part of the teaching
and learning process. When teachers practice it, they are considering their
own practice, examining curricular choices, incorporating students’ feedback
and making changes to improve students’ learning. This study aimed at
exploring reflective practices of Physics teachers in Bhutan. In addition, it also
examined the challenges that affected Physics teachers’ reflective practices.
This qualitative study gathered data from seven Physics teachers teaching
in two Higher and Middle Secondary Schools located in the eastern part of
Bhutan. Data for this study were obtained from four sources; semi-structured
face-to-face interviews, class observations with post-observation conferences
and analysis of documents. The study revealed that Physics teachers
incorporated different reflective practices such as self-reflection, different
strategies and skills and feedback. Factors promoting reflective approaches
included different classroom activities, questions, and responses by students
while challenges in the process of reflection were lack of resources, large
student number, bulky syllabus, and workload. This study recommends the
need for an ICT-enabled environment in the schools to promote reflective
practices. In addition, it recommends the Ministry of Education to review the
workload of Physics teachers.
Journal of Applied Engineering, Technology and Management
The fourth industrial revolution has necessitated the revamping of education relevant for the twe... more The fourth industrial revolution has necessitated the revamping of education relevant for the twenty-first-century knowledge and skills. This work studies the potential of accelerating creative learning and innovation with early exposure and access to modern STEM platforms. Early access is expected to enhance the understanding of the significance of knowledge and skills in science technology engineering, and mathematics platforms. The derivation of understanding of the impact of early access in enhancing STEM education at the grassroots was part of the study. Students and STEM teachers were engaged in learning and experiencing the potential of STEM through hands-on experimental learning. The basic application implementation on automation, the internet of things, and artificial intelligence were used to ensure the learners gets the first-hand experience of STEM technologies. The first part of study indicated the lack of platforms and learning tools has impacted the development of you...
Bhutan Journal of Research and Development
Group work as a learning activity in education is to enhance students’ content knowledge and deve... more Group work as a learning activity in education is to enhance students’ content knowledge and develop social skills. The minimal individual and group accountability has often led to only a few students working towards achieving the group goals. Research has suggested taking care of the task design and assessment to achieve the efficacy of group work. Towards this, a Group Work Assessment Framework (GAF) is proposed. The GAF consists of a detailed roadmap of planning, implementation, and assessment taking into account the task design and assessment with specific guidelines for teachers and students. A participatory design to develop and implement the GAF was applied. Six tutors as designers and 11 tutors as implementors were involved. A total of 221 students and 8 tutors participated in the survey and interviews. The findings indicate that GAF enhanced individual and group accountability. The assessment of the group work was found to be fair as each student was marked based on his/her...
Educational Innovation and Practice
This study examined the current state of STEM education in schools under Samtse Dzongkhag. Specif... more This study examined the current state of STEM education in schools under Samtse Dzongkhag. Specifically, the study explored the competency of STEM teachers, the infrastructure and resources available to support STEM education, the proficiency of teachers in the use of ICT in education, and the performance of students in STEM subjects. A mixed-method approach was used, including survey questionnaires, interviews, and document analysis. The survey sample comprised 50 teachers from six schools currently teaching STEM subjects in grades IX to XII, while qualitative data was obtained from four participants, including a Lead teacher, an Academic head, a School administrator, and a District Education Officer. The study found that STEM teachers have at least a first degree from a recognised university and a majority have taught STEM subjects for more than a decade. The study also reveals that the professional development (PD) programmes attended by the STEM teachers is far below what is env...
Research in Science & Technological Education, Apr 17, 2023
Asia-Pacific Journal of Educational Management Research, Dec 30, 2022
Educational researchers have carried out several reviews to understand the impact of various aspe... more Educational researchers have carried out several reviews to understand the impact of various aspects of motivation on academic performance. Studies found a positive relationship between learning motivation and physics learning outcomes [42][45]. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between various aspects of motivation (Self-efficacy, Physics learning values, active learning strategies, achievement goal, performance goal, and learning environment) and academic achievement. A convergent parallel mixed-method design was used to explore the relationship between these variables. Data were collected from 183 students who were purposively selected using a survey questionnaire and focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analyzed for descriptive and inferential statistics while thematic analysis was conducted for focus group discussions and document analysis. Results show a positive and statistically significant relationship between academic performance and four constructs of motivation (Self-efficacy, Physics learning values, active learning strategies, and achievement goal). However, the relationship between academic achievement and the remaining two constructs (performance goal and learning environment) was not statistically significant. In addition, the results indicate a moderate level of learning motivation in physics among grade 10 students. The results reported here contribute to our understanding that motivation is crucial for learning and hence, it may shed new insights for teachers to plan their teaching and learning process considering the levels of motivation for promoting meaningful learning. Future research on the same topic can be conducted by considering the different aspects of learning motivation.
World Journal of Educational Research, 2016
The present study was undertaken to determine the perception of Bhutanese students towards entrep... more The present study was undertaken to determine the perception of Bhutanese students towards entrepreneurship and the influence of entrepreneurship in their career choice by a team of lecturers from Samtse College of Education and a teacher from the Samtse Higher Secondary School. It was a multifaceted research involving survey, interviews, focus group interviews and document analysis. The samples include 921 students [19 diploma, 248 undergraduate, 654 school students (460=HSS & 194=MSS)], currently studying in the schools, colleges and VTIs under Samtse, Chhukha and Thimphu Dzongkhags. The major findings include: perception of students is inclined more towards entrepreneurship second to government jobs, students and parents are aware of the increasing unemployment scenario in Bhutan, minimal focus on entrepreneurship education in the school and university level curriculum, and the pedagogical practices doesnot adequately favour entrepreneurship knowledge and skill development. Some of the recommendations are a need to include entrepreneurship education in the school curriculum right from primary education, and to disseminate information related to entrepreneurship among students in all the schools and colleges.
International Journal of English Literature and Social Sciences
Simulation is an approach used in teaching to enhance students learning especially when the conce... more Simulation is an approach used in teaching to enhance students learning especially when the concept being taught is abstract and hands on activity is not possible. However, it serves its purpose only if it is effectively implemented in the real classroom situation. Using a mixed method approach, a study on the effectiveness of simulation in teaching Geometrical Optics in class IX physics was conducted in one of the schools of Bhutan. For the quantitative approach quasi-experimental design was employed involving 70 students (35 experimental, 35 control group) and two physics teachers. Five students from experimental group and two subject teachers were interviewed. The findings of the study revealed that students taught using the simulation approach performed better than those using the conventional method. The finding also revealed that the simulation approach enriched students’ attentiveness and self-exploration in learning physics. Some of the recommendations from the study include...
International Journal of English Literature and Social Sciences
Lesson planning through backward design was introduced in the schools in one of the Dzongkhags in... more Lesson planning through backward design was introduced in the schools in one of the Dzongkhags in eastern Bhutan to enhance students' learning since 2017. This study was undertaken to find out the effectiveness of backward design lesson planning in teaching and learning physics. A qualitative case study approach implementing semi-structured interviews, classroom observation, and document analysis was used. A purposive sampling method was used to select eight physics teachers from four schools. The study found that lesson planning using backward design significantly influences students' understanding of the concept and promotes purposeful classroom engagement through realistic classroom learning. As the assessment is planned separately in this design, it provided teachers with an improved understanding of students' learning, the achievement of learning standards and, subsequently, scaffolding them to achieve greater learning performance. The other benefits include improve...
International Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Journal, Apr 20, 2021
Astronomy education is rapidly growing because of its significant benefits to everyday life. Henc... more Astronomy education is rapidly growing because of its significant benefits to everyday life. Hence, Royal Education Council has introduced Astrophysics content for Bhutanese students in the curriculum from 2015. Royal Education Council is the highest decision-making body that initiate and implement educational reforms and school curriculum in Bhutan. Using Mixed-methods approach, this study investigated the perceptions of teachers and students on introduction of Astrophysics in Bhutanese curriculum. The study was carried out in four schools under Trashigang District from 1 st March to 20 th March 2020. The data were collected through survey questionnaire and structured interview. The sample comprised of 298 students (119 male and 179 female) and 11 teachers. The study found out that the teachers and students possess negative perceptions towards teaching and learning of Astrophysics. For majority of the students, the concepts of Astrophysics were found to be abstract and difficult to understand. The study also revealed that the Original Research Article
This work studies the potential of transforming STEM education with the integration of recent STE... more This work studies the potential of transforming STEM education with the integration of recent STEM learning technologies. STEM is the focus of the education system as it is the driver for creation, innovation, and invention. However, the delay in the introduction of STEM in the education system impacts the motivation of youths to take up STEM courses, thereby adversely affecting the enrolment into the field and proliferation. Furthermore, the digital divide among the youths in urban and rural settings also plays a vital role in creating the gap when it comes to STEM education. Therefore, this work analyses the experimental-based case study to assess the impact of early access to STEM educational tools in ensuring the youths understand the potential of STEM. Priliminary study to understand the pupil's perception on existing method of STEM teaching-learning is carried out. The general perception is that students' are not able to visualize, neither they are able to understand t...
Bhutan Journal of Research and Development
Group work has become an essential assessment practice to enhance students' learning and deve... more Group work has become an essential assessment practice to enhance students' learning and develop social skills in all higher education institutions. The study was undertaken to find out the effectiveness of group work. A mixed method sequential explanatory design was adopted with 181 tutors and 1241 students of nine constituent colleges of Royal University of Bhutan. The findings revealed that the students prefer group work and were aware of its benefits. However, the individual and group accountability were lacking leading to the presence of free riders. Further, awarding the same grade on a task irrespective of individuals’ contribution has led to increased free riders resulting in preference of individual tasks. Unless documentation is used for fair assessment, giving the same grade is seen as not a viable option in the current practice. Also, group work lacked interdependence due to division of work among members leading to limited opportunities for students to collaborate a...
The study aims to investigate how formative assessment relates to the students' learning. It spec... more The study aims to investigate how formative assessment relates to the students' learning. It specifically aims to find those features of formative assessment that are important for learning in Bhutanese secondary classes. Towards achieving these goals, a case study approach with multiple methods, including classroom observation of teaching practice and interviews with various stakeholders, is applied. The empirical study is about seven higher and middle secondary schools in both rural and urban areas. John Dewey's theory of experience and education is used as the primary theoretical framework, and a literature study on Lev Vygotsky's concept of the zone of proximal development and on various forms of formative assessment is also applied for the theoretical understanding and interpretation of the empirical materials. The examination of the notions and practices of formative assessment in secondary schools in Bhutan reveals a widespread misunderstanding of the concepts of 'formative assessment', 'peer assessment' and 'self-assessment'. In addition, student-centered teaching and learning, which must be regarded as a precondition for effective formative assessment, is misunderstood by many teachers and tends to be turned into the opposite. However, as reported in other Asian countries, the practice of reciprocal peer learning and peer teaching are much more favored by students and teachers in the case study schools than teachercentred learning. The study results in a number of recommended amendments of the formative assessment practices in Bhutanese secondary schools. In addition, a revision of the modules concerning formative assessment practices in the teacher education colleges in Bhutan is suggested.
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), Feb 14, 2022
The study explored the pictorial representation of Scientists by the Bhutanese students of grade ... more The study explored the pictorial representation of Scientists by the Bhutanese students of grade IX and science teachers by using a method called Drawing-A-Scientist Test (DAST). A total of 208 students from grade IX and three science teachers from two rural schools participated in the study. The study employed a mixed method. The study found that participants hold stereotypical images of scientists as being predominantly male who are more knowledgeable and hardworking. They wore laboratory coat and possessed eccentric characters, messy hairs and facial hairs. However, they were not depicted as someone always wearing eye glasses or working with test tubes, flasks, microscope, bunsen burner and experimental animals. Also, the use of formula, equations, and taxonomy were minimal. There was also no indication of use of technology which could be attributed to the study site-rural school, where access to technology is minimal. It is recommended that teachers should make the students aware that all students have equal opportunity to become a scientist and the sinister look with messy unkempt hairdo is not necessarily images of scientist. Further, the present study focused on only a select rural school, a study may be carried out across schools to get a deep understanding of the subject.
Journal of Educational Science, 2022
: Reflective practices have become an important part of the teaching and learning process. When t... more : Reflective practices have become an important part of the teaching
and learning process. When teachers practice it, they are considering their
own practice, examining curricular choices, incorporating students’ feedback
and making changes to improve students’ learning. This study aimed at
exploring reflective practices of Physics teachers in Bhutan. In addition, it also
examined the challenges that affected Physics teachers’ reflective practices.
This qualitative study gathered data from seven Physics teachers teaching
in two Higher and Middle Secondary Schools located in the eastern part of
Bhutan. Data for this study were obtained from four sources; semi-structured
face-to-face interviews, class observations with post-observation conferences
and analysis of documents. The study revealed that Physics teachers
incorporated different reflective practices such as self-reflection, different
strategies and skills and feedback. Factors promoting reflective approaches
included different classroom activities, questions, and responses by students
while challenges in the process of reflection were lack of resources, large
student number, bulky syllabus, and workload. This study recommends the
need for an ICT-enabled environment in the schools to promote reflective
practices. In addition, it recommends the Ministry of Education to review the
workload of Physics teachers.
Journal of Applied Engineering, Technology and Management
The fourth industrial revolution has necessitated the revamping of education relevant for the twe... more The fourth industrial revolution has necessitated the revamping of education relevant for the twenty-first-century knowledge and skills. This work studies the potential of accelerating creative learning and innovation with early exposure and access to modern STEM platforms. Early access is expected to enhance the understanding of the significance of knowledge and skills in science technology engineering, and mathematics platforms. The derivation of understanding of the impact of early access in enhancing STEM education at the grassroots was part of the study. Students and STEM teachers were engaged in learning and experiencing the potential of STEM through hands-on experimental learning. The basic application implementation on automation, the internet of things, and artificial intelligence were used to ensure the learners gets the first-hand experience of STEM technologies. The first part of study indicated the lack of platforms and learning tools has impacted the development of you...
Bhutan Journal of Research and Development
Group work as a learning activity in education is to enhance students’ content knowledge and deve... more Group work as a learning activity in education is to enhance students’ content knowledge and develop social skills. The minimal individual and group accountability has often led to only a few students working towards achieving the group goals. Research has suggested taking care of the task design and assessment to achieve the efficacy of group work. Towards this, a Group Work Assessment Framework (GAF) is proposed. The GAF consists of a detailed roadmap of planning, implementation, and assessment taking into account the task design and assessment with specific guidelines for teachers and students. A participatory design to develop and implement the GAF was applied. Six tutors as designers and 11 tutors as implementors were involved. A total of 221 students and 8 tutors participated in the survey and interviews. The findings indicate that GAF enhanced individual and group accountability. The assessment of the group work was found to be fair as each student was marked based on his/her...
Educational Innovation and Practice
This study examined the current state of STEM education in schools under Samtse Dzongkhag. Specif... more This study examined the current state of STEM education in schools under Samtse Dzongkhag. Specifically, the study explored the competency of STEM teachers, the infrastructure and resources available to support STEM education, the proficiency of teachers in the use of ICT in education, and the performance of students in STEM subjects. A mixed-method approach was used, including survey questionnaires, interviews, and document analysis. The survey sample comprised 50 teachers from six schools currently teaching STEM subjects in grades IX to XII, while qualitative data was obtained from four participants, including a Lead teacher, an Academic head, a School administrator, and a District Education Officer. The study found that STEM teachers have at least a first degree from a recognised university and a majority have taught STEM subjects for more than a decade. The study also reveals that the professional development (PD) programmes attended by the STEM teachers is far below what is env...
Research in Science & Technological Education, Apr 17, 2023
Asia-Pacific Journal of Educational Management Research, Dec 30, 2022
Educational researchers have carried out several reviews to understand the impact of various aspe... more Educational researchers have carried out several reviews to understand the impact of various aspects of motivation on academic performance. Studies found a positive relationship between learning motivation and physics learning outcomes [42][45]. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between various aspects of motivation (Self-efficacy, Physics learning values, active learning strategies, achievement goal, performance goal, and learning environment) and academic achievement. A convergent parallel mixed-method design was used to explore the relationship between these variables. Data were collected from 183 students who were purposively selected using a survey questionnaire and focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analyzed for descriptive and inferential statistics while thematic analysis was conducted for focus group discussions and document analysis. Results show a positive and statistically significant relationship between academic performance and four constructs of motivation (Self-efficacy, Physics learning values, active learning strategies, and achievement goal). However, the relationship between academic achievement and the remaining two constructs (performance goal and learning environment) was not statistically significant. In addition, the results indicate a moderate level of learning motivation in physics among grade 10 students. The results reported here contribute to our understanding that motivation is crucial for learning and hence, it may shed new insights for teachers to plan their teaching and learning process considering the levels of motivation for promoting meaningful learning. Future research on the same topic can be conducted by considering the different aspects of learning motivation.
World Journal of Educational Research, 2016
The present study was undertaken to determine the perception of Bhutanese students towards entrep... more The present study was undertaken to determine the perception of Bhutanese students towards entrepreneurship and the influence of entrepreneurship in their career choice by a team of lecturers from Samtse College of Education and a teacher from the Samtse Higher Secondary School. It was a multifaceted research involving survey, interviews, focus group interviews and document analysis. The samples include 921 students [19 diploma, 248 undergraduate, 654 school students (460=HSS & 194=MSS)], currently studying in the schools, colleges and VTIs under Samtse, Chhukha and Thimphu Dzongkhags. The major findings include: perception of students is inclined more towards entrepreneurship second to government jobs, students and parents are aware of the increasing unemployment scenario in Bhutan, minimal focus on entrepreneurship education in the school and university level curriculum, and the pedagogical practices doesnot adequately favour entrepreneurship knowledge and skill development. Some of the recommendations are a need to include entrepreneurship education in the school curriculum right from primary education, and to disseminate information related to entrepreneurship among students in all the schools and colleges.
International Journal of English Literature and Social Sciences
Simulation is an approach used in teaching to enhance students learning especially when the conce... more Simulation is an approach used in teaching to enhance students learning especially when the concept being taught is abstract and hands on activity is not possible. However, it serves its purpose only if it is effectively implemented in the real classroom situation. Using a mixed method approach, a study on the effectiveness of simulation in teaching Geometrical Optics in class IX physics was conducted in one of the schools of Bhutan. For the quantitative approach quasi-experimental design was employed involving 70 students (35 experimental, 35 control group) and two physics teachers. Five students from experimental group and two subject teachers were interviewed. The findings of the study revealed that students taught using the simulation approach performed better than those using the conventional method. The finding also revealed that the simulation approach enriched students’ attentiveness and self-exploration in learning physics. Some of the recommendations from the study include...
International Journal of English Literature and Social Sciences
Lesson planning through backward design was introduced in the schools in one of the Dzongkhags in... more Lesson planning through backward design was introduced in the schools in one of the Dzongkhags in eastern Bhutan to enhance students' learning since 2017. This study was undertaken to find out the effectiveness of backward design lesson planning in teaching and learning physics. A qualitative case study approach implementing semi-structured interviews, classroom observation, and document analysis was used. A purposive sampling method was used to select eight physics teachers from four schools. The study found that lesson planning using backward design significantly influences students' understanding of the concept and promotes purposeful classroom engagement through realistic classroom learning. As the assessment is planned separately in this design, it provided teachers with an improved understanding of students' learning, the achievement of learning standards and, subsequently, scaffolding them to achieve greater learning performance. The other benefits include improve...
International Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Journal, Apr 20, 2021
Astronomy education is rapidly growing because of its significant benefits to everyday life. Henc... more Astronomy education is rapidly growing because of its significant benefits to everyday life. Hence, Royal Education Council has introduced Astrophysics content for Bhutanese students in the curriculum from 2015. Royal Education Council is the highest decision-making body that initiate and implement educational reforms and school curriculum in Bhutan. Using Mixed-methods approach, this study investigated the perceptions of teachers and students on introduction of Astrophysics in Bhutanese curriculum. The study was carried out in four schools under Trashigang District from 1 st March to 20 th March 2020. The data were collected through survey questionnaire and structured interview. The sample comprised of 298 students (119 male and 179 female) and 11 teachers. The study found out that the teachers and students possess negative perceptions towards teaching and learning of Astrophysics. For majority of the students, the concepts of Astrophysics were found to be abstract and difficult to understand. The study also revealed that the Original Research Article
This work studies the potential of transforming STEM education with the integration of recent STE... more This work studies the potential of transforming STEM education with the integration of recent STEM learning technologies. STEM is the focus of the education system as it is the driver for creation, innovation, and invention. However, the delay in the introduction of STEM in the education system impacts the motivation of youths to take up STEM courses, thereby adversely affecting the enrolment into the field and proliferation. Furthermore, the digital divide among the youths in urban and rural settings also plays a vital role in creating the gap when it comes to STEM education. Therefore, this work analyses the experimental-based case study to assess the impact of early access to STEM educational tools in ensuring the youths understand the potential of STEM. Priliminary study to understand the pupil's perception on existing method of STEM teaching-learning is carried out. The general perception is that students' are not able to visualize, neither they are able to understand t...
Bhutan Journal of Research and Development
Group work has become an essential assessment practice to enhance students' learning and deve... more Group work has become an essential assessment practice to enhance students' learning and develop social skills in all higher education institutions. The study was undertaken to find out the effectiveness of group work. A mixed method sequential explanatory design was adopted with 181 tutors and 1241 students of nine constituent colleges of Royal University of Bhutan. The findings revealed that the students prefer group work and were aware of its benefits. However, the individual and group accountability were lacking leading to the presence of free riders. Further, awarding the same grade on a task irrespective of individuals’ contribution has led to increased free riders resulting in preference of individual tasks. Unless documentation is used for fair assessment, giving the same grade is seen as not a viable option in the current practice. Also, group work lacked interdependence due to division of work among members leading to limited opportunities for students to collaborate a...
The study aims to investigate how formative assessment relates to the students' learning. It spec... more The study aims to investigate how formative assessment relates to the students' learning. It specifically aims to find those features of formative assessment that are important for learning in Bhutanese secondary classes. Towards achieving these goals, a case study approach with multiple methods, including classroom observation of teaching practice and interviews with various stakeholders, is applied. The empirical study is about seven higher and middle secondary schools in both rural and urban areas. John Dewey's theory of experience and education is used as the primary theoretical framework, and a literature study on Lev Vygotsky's concept of the zone of proximal development and on various forms of formative assessment is also applied for the theoretical understanding and interpretation of the empirical materials. The examination of the notions and practices of formative assessment in secondary schools in Bhutan reveals a widespread misunderstanding of the concepts of 'formative assessment', 'peer assessment' and 'self-assessment'. In addition, student-centered teaching and learning, which must be regarded as a precondition for effective formative assessment, is misunderstood by many teachers and tends to be turned into the opposite. However, as reported in other Asian countries, the practice of reciprocal peer learning and peer teaching are much more favored by students and teachers in the case study schools than teachercentred learning. The study results in a number of recommended amendments of the formative assessment practices in Bhutanese secondary schools. In addition, a revision of the modules concerning formative assessment practices in the teacher education colleges in Bhutan is suggested.