Academic Calendar Research Articles

COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND POSSIBLE TRENDS INTO THE FUTURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION: A REVIEW

COVID-19 virus pandemic resulted to abrupt closure of higher education institutions globally as a strategy to manage its spread. This has extensively impacted on the core functions of higher education which include teaching, research and community service. Through a desktop review of relevant literature, the study explored the impacts, mitigation measures adopted, emerging challenges and the future of higher education in the context of COVID-19. The pandemic disrupted the academic calendar, research activities, displaced students, and there has been loss in revenue streams and human resources. It is likely to affect sustainability of local and international higher education. Higher education institutions responded by leveraging the use Information Communication technology (ICT) to minimize disruptions. Challenges experienced include unreliable internet connectivity and ICT infrastructure, equity in access to remote teaching and learning, staff and students’ readiness, assessment of learning, resource constraints, delivery of field and practical courses and quality assurance in emergency remote teaching and learning. The impacts, responses and challenges have been manifested with gaps and inequalities between learners, institutions and countries. The study envisions widescale uptake of blended delivery of academic programmes, capacity building for staff and students on online pedagogy and a holistic quality assurance framework that infuses achievement of desired learning outcomes with Maslow Hierarchy of needs. Greater emphasis will be placed on the entrepreneurial university, institutional mergers and strategic planning for disasters.

Attitude of Medical Students About Their Role and Social Accountability in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: In this study, we aimed to explore the attitude of medical students toward their role and social accountability in this pandemic era. An online survey was developed to elicit information on (1) the role of medical students in the pandemic era; (2) Medical education in the “new normal,” and (3) the impact of COVID-19 on medical students.Methods: The online survey, developed by a team consisting of three medical students, three psychiatry residents, and three professors of psychiatry, was conducted on 574 participants (213 medical students, 180 graduates, and 181 professors) in the University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. Anxiety symptom rating scales, including the Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-6 (SAVE-6) scale and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder−7 (GAD-7) scale, were applied to measure participant anxiety level.Results: Medical students indicated their willingness to join the healthcare response to the COVID-19 pandemic, if requested; however, graduates and professors recommended that medical students continue their training rather than join the pandemic healthcare response. In the new normal era, medical education has had to change appropriately. Moreover, adequate knowledge of COVID-19 infection and spread must be considered for the continuation of clinical clerkships during the pandemic. Overall, medical students who indicated anxiety about treating possible or confirmed cases of COVID-19 rated higher on the SAVE-6 scale. Finally, medical students who reported that COVID-19 had an impact on their studies and daily life rated higher on the general anxiety scale (GAD-7).Conclusion: Social accountability is an important issue for medical students in the pandemic era. At the same time, non-disruption of their academic calendar would ensure continuous availability of component medical professionals, which is important for adequate future healthcare responses.

Online Student Attendance System Using Android

The purpose of this research is to design a database system implemented on an academic management android application that will be utilized to support the academic management information system for the advancement of institutions and education systems. The method in this study is to perform a design consisting of a proposed design to be implemented in applications such as online study materials, notifications, academic calendars and online reminder checks, online attendance records, performance records, and parent intimacy systems using Android applications. The system helps teachers to attend via smartphone and keep student records for their progressive assessments. The system provides prior intimacy to students as soon as their attendance is below the attendance threshold specified in the form of SMS. The result of this study is an android-based student attendance management application at an Educational institution.

Medical and Nursing Students’ Perception and Experience of Virtual Classrooms during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nepal

Background: On March 9, 2020, the government of Nepal declared suspension of all academic activities in line with a nationwide lockdown following the COVID-19 outbreak. To keep pace with the academic calendar, medical universities resumed their teaching and learning activities through virtual means on account of nonfeasibility of holding physical classes. The present study sought to identify the perception and experiences of undergraduate medical and nursing students regarding the virtual classrooms. Methods: We adopted a sequential explanatory mixed method design whereby data were collected in two phases. Quantitative data were gathered from a survey (n=737) and qualitative data from focused group discussion (n=14). The participants were recruited using a non-probability Peer Esteem Snowballing technique. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, whereas qualitative data was examined using a narrative thematic analytic approach. Results: Mean age of participants was 22±2.01 with (81%) female participation. The quantitative findings revealed that the “synchrony” domain had the highest mean score (4.10±0.47) and “course interaction” had the lowest mean score (2.93±0.81) amongst the four domains. The domains were significantly correlated to each other (P=0.01) and (P=0.05). Results from focus group discussion indicated that interactions were lower in the virtual classes and there was a great variation between the learners’ perception and their experiences of virtual classrooms. Students preferred blended classes to be implemented in future sessions. Conclusion: In spite of various challenges, the students perceived the transition from traditional to virtual classrooms in a positive and enthusiastic way. An effective virtual learning experience requires a modified instructional approach on the part of educators and a consistent attitude from learners.

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The Development of i-TACwim for Academic Calender Management in Polytechnic

The need for automated and intelligent technology is a need nowadays. Even in the academic system, these technologies such as mobile apps and intelligent web system is essential for effective communication. However, the method of dissemination of information regarding academic calendar in Polytechnic is conducted conventionally thru hardcopy or downloaded document from institutional portal. The conventional method was found less practical in use which the lecturers often faced problems in their daily academic activities. Thus, namely as i-TACwim aims to design and develop an intelligent academic calendar that able to distribute real-time information regarding academic activities. The application also serves to send notifications to users according to important dates related to the International Standards Organization (ISO) procedures. This project applies repetitive development process adapted from agile Model consists of six phases. The development of this project is using YII2 Framework PHP of the system and interface, MySQL Server for the database and Firebase as the technology used for push notification. As a result, the i-TACwim application is a need and consider as an alternative to manual academic calendar to be used as the polytechnic intelligent academic calendar among the polytechnic community. User acceptance pilot testing will be conducted via questionnaire to form in order to show the capability and deliverables of this project.

THE USE OF AN ONLINE LEARNING PLATFORM: A STEP TOWARDS E-LEARNING

In South Africa for the last few years, the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have experienced unforeseen events that have eventually led to universities’ suspension of academic activities. This has financial implications and leads to the extension of the academic calendar. This article looks at using an online learning platform to respond to unforeseen circumstances and beyond this, a shift to the new mode of university service delivery. The article presents the collective perspective of selected students of the School of Governance at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This quantitative study used a census approach of collecting data from the defined population. A total of 212 questionnaires were distributed to students, of which 107 were completed and returned. E-learning is currently a common topic of conversation and will continue to be so in the wake of the current worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. This study suggests that there is a need to improve students’ experiences of using online learning platforms and doing online assessments to roll out online teaching and learning successfully. The results also suggest that the facilitators need to rethink their teaching pedagogy in the process of shifting to e-learning.

Discovering the Value of Anatomy Laboratory Education During the COVID‐19 Pandemic from The Perspective of Three Medical Schools’ Experience

The SARS‐CoV‐2 (COVID‐19) outbreak adversely affected medical school education and drastically reduced in‐person learning, specifically affecting gross anatomy laboratory dissection. Depending on the academic calendar schedule, some schools were interrupted in the middle of anatomy teaching while others had more lead time to prepare but schools suddenly faced an imposed demand for a transition to distance learning. SUNY Downstate had its anatomy education interrupted due to the Covid‐19 shut down. To gap the previous laboratory experience of students and complete the semester anatomy curriculum, a series of dissected abdominal videos were created and distributed to all first‐year medical students (n=208). The video‐based curriculum and the current student experience taking anatomy without cadaveric dissections were assessed via pre/post‐tests and a five‐question survey. A paired single tailed t‐test comparing student responses (n=164) in the pre‐ versus post‐test was statistically significant (P < 0.002) while 92% of students (n=136) reported that their previous time dissecting prepared them to learn through videos without the benefit of hands‐on dissection. Icahn School of Medicine adopted digital Grant's Dissector utilizing their accompanying narrated videos. Faculty voiced over the narration, however, permitting emphasis of material, directing pacing of course, and tying content to lecture and physical exams. Complete anatomy was used to augment the experience, with 3D virtual dissections and enhance the visualization of the structures, however the videos remained as the driver of content delivery. Weill Cornell Medicine created, and customized anatomy prosected material videotaping the show and tell sessions integrating powerpoint slides to tie in lecture content and clinical correlates. Results from all three schools highlight the technical success of implementing an anatomy video‐based curriculum in response to COVID‐19. Survey findings describe a unique cohort of students who were compelled to participate in a video‐based curriculum after having learned anatomy in a donor body laboratory environment and student performance on summative exams in general equaled or exceeded scores from previous years. Overall, anatomy education through videos, digital platforms, and apps can offer a reliable stop‐gap solution in the absence of traditional cadaveric dissection in a short‐term, provisional model. However, the experience of learning anatomy from a human body in laboratory is irreplaceable and the future now seems to point to a combination of these modalities, and others, such as virtual reality or augmented reality, yet to be adapted and customized to our educational settings.

An Analysis of Online Class of Postgraduate Course Conducted by Saraswati Multiple Campus during COVID-19 in Lockdown Period

COVID-19 has changed the way people around the world change their daily lives. Such a change took place not only in developed countries but also in developing countries. Such daily changes took place in the educational sector of the country as well as in other sectors. As a result, Saraswati Multiple Campus also changed its old academic calendar to conduct online classes. This article aims to inform all about the online classes conducted by Saraswati Multiple Campus during the lockdown period of COVID-19. This article is descriptive. However, in general, 60 students have been asked three questions each online and the data has been collected and explained based on that. Similarly, the general method for interpreting online classes is based on online information published by Tribhuvan University at different times, online information published by the campus administration, and various online related articles. Also, the summary of this article says that the online class conducted by the campus has been effective despite various problems.

Trans-Disciplinary Pedagogy for Science and Journalism Majors Linking Water Resource Information to Communities

Water Quality Indiana is a learning platform that leverages collaborations, community partnerships, and active mentorship of transdisciplinary student cohorts. Since 2013, this platform has engaged teams of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and communication and media students to investigate water quality in east central Indiana (since expanded to other domestic and international locations) in an experiential problem-based learning environment. For community partners, Water Quality Indiana provides scientific data, analysis, and multimedia deliverables about water quality, and it has a successful record of finding solutions to real-world problems. From the point of view of faculty, project deliverables enhance several aspects of a faculty portfolio. For student participants, the goal is to increase metacognition, civic engagement, and confidence in processes associated with STEM and media studies, and, therefore, the transdisciplinary skills required in an increasingly competitive workforce. Assessing learning artifacts (e.g., assignment, quizzes, or other evaluative metrics) reveals a cognitive dissonance between metacognition and accuracy in declarative knowledge related to topics in water quality—student scores did not increase in posttest data despite an increased confidence in selected answers. In contrast, pretest and posttest results, synthesis reports, and focus group data suggest that confidence in procedural knowledge in both water quality and media production significantly increased by the end of the course. Students cited time constraints imposed by academic calendars and project deadlines as a limitation of the learning environment. Course data reveal differences based on academic background and gender: 1) media studies majors became more confident in their multimedia skills, while STEM majors became less confident; 2) note-taking style and detail is more organized and meticulous for female and STEM students compared to male and media studies counterparts.

Technology-enhanced Learning for Promoting Technical and Social Competences in Hydrological Science

This paper explains and analyses a virtual gamification experience developed by a teaching group from the University of Catania (Italy) and the University of Cordoba (Spain). A competition based on professional tasks about hydrological planning was implemented in two subjects on Hydrological Sciences. The teaching experience was designed to improve the acquisition of technical knowledge and skills needed for hydrological studies, promote the management of ICT and increase international cooperation between different universities; all aimed at making students more employable. The experience is transferable to different academic levels. Following the philosophy of soccer leagues, the students solved and presented the exercise by teams of two students. Through videoconference, the presentation and the explanation were done so the fans in each country supported their teams. The students found it a very challenging experience but at the same time, some of them were aware of their needs of improving technical knowledge, particularly Geographical Information Systems, and English language skills. Updating of tools and the schedule within the different academic calendar were their main organization handicaps. The main outcome of the presented experience is that social energy and enthusiasm associated to popular activities such as soccer led to improve the interest and the motivation of the students in challenging technical contents as well as teamwork and language transversal competences.

RELATIVE EFFECT OF COVID-19 ON TEACHING AND LEARNING IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the impact of COVID-19 on students’ academic calendar of higher institutions in Ekiti State, Nigeria.&#x0D; Methodology: The study adopted descriptive survey research design guided by two research questions which were formulated to guide the study. Questionnaire was used for data collection Random sampling technique was used to select the population size. Also one and hundred fifty (150) questionnaire instruments were administered to the respondents who formed the population of the study through email. The questionnaires were filled and returned to the researcher and data collected was presented in percentage tables.&#x0D; Findings: The study revealed among others that COVID-19 schools close down has affected the academic calendar of schools in Nigeria because major external examinations would be postponed. Also, COVID-19 schools close down has led to suspension of teaching and learning, and suspension of all extra-curriculum activities in higher institutions.&#x0D; Recommendations: Based on the findings of the study, recommendations were made. The schools administrators should ensure teachers develop strategies to cover all their scheme of work for the term before going for internal examinations, the government should provide all infrastructural facilities that will support online education in all the schools in Ekiti State to prevent any eventuality of future close down of schools because of pandemic

Clustering and statistical analyses of electricity consumption for university dormitories: A case study from China

Electricity consumption in university dormitories deserves more attention owing to its constituting a large proportion of total electricity consumption in university buildings and the enormous electricity conservation potential. This research proposes a methodology comprising aggregated and segmented analyses to provide an in-depth understanding of electricity consumption in university dormitories from multiple perspectives. Aggregated analysis provides global perspectives for electricity consumption by resolving a novel and practical problem of setting free electricity consumption quotas for student dormitories. Segmented analysis provides partial perspectives for electricity consumption by discovering electricity consumption patterns according to the academic calendar. The actual daily electricity consumption data of 2434 undergraduate dormitories, 542 graduate-MS dormitories, and 583 graduate-PhD dormitories collected by smart meters from a Chinese university are analyzed to demonstrate the application of the proposed methodology. The main results of the research include the following: (1) different modes of setting free electricity consumption quotas have different effects on electricity conservation, and the monthly mode seems to be a more efficient alternative to stimulate energy-saving behaviors than the annual mode; (2) there is no significant linear correlation between outside temperature and electricity consumption against the background of limited electric power and nonusage of air conditioning systems; and (3) the representative electricity consumption patterns in the three types of dormitories are explored according to the academic calendar. The university administrators can devise good electricity use policies and implement electricity network planning and operations according to the patterns. The implications of the results and several recommendations for promoting energy conservation are provided simultaneously

Calendar Month Variation in Alcohol and Marijuana Use in a Community Sample of Young Adults

Alcohol use among adults varies by season, and drinking among 4-year college students has been linked to holidays and the academic calendar. Little research has assessed calendar-related variation in marijuana use. We examined calendar month variation in alcohol and marijuana use among a sample of young adults that was diverse with respect to college status and educational attainment. Data were drawn from a community sample of 761 individuals (57% female; ages 18-23 at enrollment). Participants were surveyed monthly for 24 consecutive months. Multilevel models accounted for nesting of monthly data within individuals. All measures of substance use showed evidence of variation by calendar month, with the exception of hours high in months when marijuana was used. Drinks per week and peak number of drinks were relatively elevated in summer months and in October and December; the prevalence of heavy episodic drinking was also elevated in October and December. Attending a 4-year college was associated with more drinking than not being enrolled in a 4-year college, regardless of whether a 4-year degree had been obtained. Students in a 4-year college reported more drinks per week than those not in a 4-year college in September and October, whereas the peak number of drinks converged across educational status in the summer months and in December. Across educational statuses, marijuana use was highest in April and December. Findings may guide the targeting and timing of substance use prevention programs by focusing efforts before and during higher risk months.

A Critique of Online Learning in Higher Education during the Coronavirus Lockdown Level 5 in South Africa

Despite adapting to the lockdown necessitated by the Coronavirus pandemic, Higher Education Institutions in South Africa have acknowledged that continued lockdown further jeopardizes the 2020 academic calendar. This paper looks at what the Higher Education response has been to continue with academic activity at the onset of Lockdown Level 5. The use of electronic tuition through various media channels has been highlighted since the announcement of lockdown, at all levels of education. While this approach may constitute work-in-progress, it also poses many challenges, chief of which is the high cost of Internet access and data. In this paper, an analytical literature review was conducted using communication media analysis through desktop research. Two conceptual structures, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Two-way Communication Model (TCM), underpin the study. The paper found that the Coronavirus pandemic and lockdown have forced HEIs to rethink their teaching and learning strategy on the run; that online learning has begun but with varying degrees of success and that implementation presents challenges. Further monitoring post lockdown, to establish the effectiveness of the HEI response, is vital.

The University of Wisconsin Flexible Option is an effective model to prepare students for a recovering economy

AbstractCOVID‐19 has accelerated changes that were already underway in the American economy, such as the increasing displacement of workers by automation, the exponential evolution of industries due to technical advancements (the Fourth Industrial Revolution), and a widening skills gap and attainment deficit in the American workforce. As a result, adult workers and their employers will increasingly demand efficient, reputable, and customizable pathways to quickly reskill and upskill. This paper will use the UW Flexible Option as a case study for how traditional universities can build competency‐based programs to help adults rapidly meet changing workforce needs. The UW Flexible Option's design is an exemplar of wrap‐around support services; a flexible academic calendar; integrated and efficient curriculum design; effective assessment of competence against articulated learning outcomes; project‐based learning tied to workplace competencies; and tuition policies and financial aid delivery tailored to adult learners. The design will be explored through a case study of one of our programs, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Massive economic change will soon displace workers on a scale not yet seen, and higher education has a responsibility to ensure those individuals get back into the workforce with the appropriate skills. Institutions of higher education will need to innovate to rise to the occasion, and competency‐based education is one such pathway.

Expanding a single-institution survey to multiple institutions: Lessons learned in research design and deployment

Objective: Creating generalizable knowledge across institutions is a step beyond a successful local research project. The purpose of this article is to share the process and lessons learned from expanding a survey tool developed and piloted at a single veterinary college to its deployment at multiple veterinary colleges in the United States and Canada. &#x0D; &#x0D; Population or problem: Little guidance exists on expanding a survey developed for a single institution to distribution to health professions students across multiple institutions. &#x0D; &#x0D; Methods: In June 2016, the first author of the survey contacted librarians from veterinary colleges to explore a possible multi-institution study to investigate student behaviors and perceptions around scientific information. Librarians from twenty-nine institutions initially expressed interest. Those at fifteen institutions participated in initial planning, and eight elected to distribute the survey. Of these, seven submitted for IRB review at their own institution and one institution facilitated the distribution of the survey under the original institution’s IRB exemption.&#x0D; &#x0D; Findings: The IRB submission process and requirements varied by participating institution. Mean time from submission to approval was 10 days (range: 2-31 days). Several changes were made to the survey based on the recommendations of participating librarians, ranging from simplifying the method of survey distribution to modifying specific questions to make them meaningful across institutions. As participating institutions did not have synchronized academic calendars, the survey distribution took a staggered approach between institutions based on IRB review and varying institutional processes. &#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusions: Expanding even a simple IRB-exempt survey from one institution to others requires careful consideration of local practices, attention to differences in the IRB process, and ethical considerations for recruiting students where librarians serve as instructors or hold other positions of influence. Attempts to standardize recruitment messaging and survey questions for generalizable results required compromise by the librarian researchers at participating institutions.

Examining The Ravaging (Covid 19) And Its Implications For Educational Institutions On A Global Perspective

The study examined the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic and its implications for educational institutions on a global perspective. COVID-19 outbreak occurred in Wuhan City, China at the twilight of the year 2019 and spread like wild fire to other countries. Globally, over eight million people have been infected with the coronavirus, over four million people recovered and more than half a million deaths recorded due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The disease was so dreadful that various nations adopted the lockdown measure to forestall further spread. Consequently, educational institutions at all levels were shut-down along-side other sectors. Corollary to the above, it was found that the academic calendar would be affected; international students’ enrolment might reduce; schools that depend more on foreign students for funding may experience a down-turn during the period of COVID-19 outbreak; schools may not be able to be liberal with their financial aid offerings; private school owners may find it difficult to pay the salaries of their employees during the period of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic. It was however, recommended that schools should source revenue through entrepreneurial practices; the government of each country should allocate 26% of her annual budget to education sector; tuition fee for international students should be cut down by at least 20%; World Health Organization (WHO) should sponsor more research towards getting a vaccine for COVID-19.

The Covid-19 Pandemic and the ICT Enabled Education: A Boon

The whole world fight against the COVID-19 virus a newly discovered virus an infectious disease. It is an infectious respiratory disease. One should protect oneself by covering face with face mask, wash hands frequently with soap for 20 seconds or sanitizer, maintain social and physical distancing and avoid going out if not necessary. The countries of the globe imposed complete lockdown situation to control and stop the spread of number of cases. In this situation to continue with academic calendar and continue with teaching learning process the ICT enable education also known as digital education, online education was a perfect solution to continue with the teaching learning process.

A TIC atuando como mediadora na educação superior brasileira durante a pandemia do Covid-19

A pandemia do Coronavírus (Covid-19) coloca a sociedade em uma situação em que todos os sistemas educacionais, foram paralisados ou tiveram um comprometimento muito drástico com a interrupção de atividades pedagógicas. As universidades e faculdades privadas movimentaram uma operação sem precedentes com aulas remotas e a distância, com o intuito em não parar o calendário acadêmico. Nesse sentido, o presente artigo objetiva discutir a importância da reflexão da Tecnologia da Informação e Comunicação (TIC) como mediadora na educação brasileira superior, durante a pandemia do Covid-19. A metodologia empregada foi qualitativa e bibliográfica, por meio de pesquisas em arcabouços teóricos, legislação brasileira, além da observação do cotidiano do ensino superior brasileiro que se dá nos veículos de comunicação de massa. A partir da análise dos resultados obtidos, foi possível concluir que o auxílio das tecnologias, o professor beneficia o aluno no período da pandemia do coronavírus, na medida em que faz uma abordagem mais ampla e o permite fazer associações, através de aulas remotas que podem ser potencializados com as metodologias ativas de ensino.