Academic Infrastructure Research Articles

Soft Skills Don’t Have To Be Hard: Embedding Soft Skills Instruction in Moroccan Secondary Schools

In an increasingly diverse and interconnected world, the need for the development and mastery of soft skills has perhaps never been greater. Schools can play a key role in soft skills education, but implementation in the classroom has faced a range of challenges that have impeded instruction. One solution is embedding soft skills within an extant academic curriculum, with the advantages that the academic infrastructure is already in place, and few additional materials or time are needed. This field study found that embedding soft skills had excellent outcomes, even with limited resources, materials, and training, a notable first step in the long road toward urgently needed, facilitated, and measurable soft skills instruction in the secondary school learning environment.

Profile of School Quality Based on Quality Reports in Elementary Schools in Banten Province

Profile quality school covers various aspects, including academic students' performance, management schools, facilities, infrastructure, and stakeholder participation and involvement. Report card quality is used to collect data about students' performance, teaching effectiveness, and school management. This data is then analyzed To evaluate the performance of schools in achieving learning targets and improving the quality of education. Study This aim To know the quality of educational services provided to schools. Profile quality school-based report card quality can be used for repair sustainability. With a view of the data and analysis contained in report card quality, the schools can identify areas that need to be improved and develop a plan of appropriate action. Steps repair can cover curriculum enhancement, teacher competence, or support program development For students. The research method is quantitative, collecting data through instrument surveys of respondent-related management schools and reporting quality education. Data analysis was performed with the use of technique statistics certain. Research results show that profile quality school-based report card quality education to quality education has an average achievement of 6,67 categories, significant achievement of NES 4 quality high. The acquisition of elementary school quality report cards in Banten province is 6,16. The quality report card profile score in Banten Province is 3,85. Based on Statistical calculation, obtained Sig value. (2-tailed) of 0,034 <0,05, which means category score report quality relates significantly to report quality education. Value contributions received in the study This is 0,034, which means contributions earned by 0,204%.

Design and Implementation of a Robotic Arm for a MoCap System within Extended Educational Mechatronics Framework

Educational mechatronics aims to be the evolution of educational robotics so it can be identified as a part of the educational paradigm of the university, its academic spaces, infrastructure, and practical activities. The fundamental goal of this framework is to develop the knowledge and skills that the new industrial world, inspired by the latest technologies, necessitates. This work proposes the modular design of a robotic arm aligned with the extended educational mechatronics conceptual framework by designing and implementing educational tools to develop the knowledge and skills required for Industry 4.0. The 3D-printed, low-cost robotic arm is designed to be used in a motion capture system for robotics applications to build kinematics concepts for a learning process. In particular, the instructional design to build the mechatronic concept of a robot workspace is carried out considering the three learning levels: concrete, representational, and abstract. The above demonstrates how the proposed pedagogical methodology can impact Industry 4.0 in the small- and medium-sized enterprises’ context.

Unraveling crime scenes strand by strand: the forensic odyssey of Bruce Budowle.

Bruce Budowle speaks to Ashling Cannon, Journal Development Editor for BioTechniques, about advancements & challenges in forensic science. Budowle completed his doctorate in genetics at Virginia Tech (VA, USA) formally known as Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He then went on to complete a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (AL, USA) to study genetic risk factors for acute lymphocytic leukemia, diabetes and melanoma. Budowle was early in his career and hadn't spent much time in forensics at this stage, but in 1982 an advert caught his eye for a job with the FBI to develop genetic marker systems to identify people who have left biological evidence at crime scenes. Budowle spent 26years with the FBI and helped develop a plethora of genetic analysis methods. In 1985, it became a reality that DNA could be a signature for identifying people, and there were huge developments in DNA forensic analysis. In 2009, Budowle moved into academia and went to the University of North Texas Health Science Center (TX, USA), eventually becoming the Director of the Center for Human Identification, where he oversaw missing person and traditional crime cases, taught students and carried out fundamental and applied research. Budowle feels incredibly lucky to have had the resources, opportunities and academic infrastructure to learn and develop his knowledge. Budowle recently retired from academia and now spends his time building capacity for DNA forensics applications in Africa through the Department of Justice, with a well-established program known as the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) as well as with the non-government organization (NGO) DNAforAfrica.

Administering Online Writing Assessments in English Language Teaching: Challenges and Solutions

In the digital age, assessment becomes one of the most important factors to consider when planning English courses virtually. In actuality, however, many English teachers struggle to manage and administer online writing assessments efficiently and successfully. This article will give a general overview of the difficulties associated with online writing assessments and their workable solutions. Qualitative principles of data gathering and analysis were applied to provide answers to the issues and served as valuable references. The finding reveals three main problems with online writing assessments: academic integrity, limited facilities and infrastructure, and a lack of digital literacy. However, despite the drawbacks of online writing assessments, students are gaining more benefits and knowledge in digitalizing education. Thus, practical solutions such as using task performance, particular strategies to overcome technical issues, and increasing teacher awareness of digital literacy must be properly implemented.

Study protocol: the ILANA study – exploring optimal implementation strategies for long-acting antiretroviral therapy to ensure equity in clinical care and policy for women, racially minoritised people and older people living with HIV in the UK – a qualitative multiphase longitudinal study design

IntroductionCabotegravir and rilpivirine (CAB+RPV long-acting (LA)) is recommended as a treatment for HIV-1 allowing people living with HIV to receive 2 monthly injectable treatment, rather than daily pills. Providing injectable...

PERAN GURU DALAM MENINGKATKAN MINAT BACA SISWA KELAS IV DI MI NU JATIREJOYOSO

One of the tasks of an educator is to coordinate students in learning activities, within the scope of education, reading is an important skill for students to learn. This research focuses on the urgency of educators who are required to have a contribution in increasing interest in reading in individual students. The fact that interest in reading is low among students then becomes the reason for this research being carried out. A fact, where growing, caring for and accommodating students' interest in reading is the role of a teacher. Reflecting on field conditions, this research then uses a qualitative model that is collaborated with a descriptive approach. For the understanding of the descriptive approach, it can be interpreted as research based on a specified group, one situation, one form of idea, or one class of events. While the expected goals of qualitative research with a descriptive approach are oriented towards accurate writing which includes the preparation of sketches in a structured, valid, and on target manner related to events that are of temporary concern. The research results show that the teacher's role is as a teacher, inspirer, initiator, motivator, facilitator, class manager, mediator, and evaluator. Then for supporting conditions in the implementation of increasing students' interest in reading, between academic aspects, environment, infrastructure and learning materials. The inhibiting factors are academic, environmental, and infrastructure that are not used as well as possible, such as the internet network. Characteristics of grade 4 students, who like picture books.

Future of Conferences

In this first piece of our new series, our contributors address issues around an important element of our academic infrastructure, namely conferences. We are all too familiar with the frustrations that emerge from outdated conference formats, the real-time manifestations of hierarchies, the lack of time and space for discussion in the official programs, the pricey and environmentally excessive travel and accommodation arrangements, and the overwhelmingly long days and exasperating parallel sessions. Although the pandemic presented us with a chance to rethink many of our business-as-usual practices, the disappointment of returning to post-COVID conferences that do not reflect any of these discussions and visions for the post-lockdown future is palpable. Returning to our manifesto mission, contemplating approaches for creating places for inclusivity, accessibility, kindness and safe spaces for debate, we have asked four colleagues to share their experiences at academic and non-academic conferences as a means to reinvigorate these discussions and (potentially) renew our interest in making positive and sustainable changes in how to network and we share our research.

The Platformisation of Scholarly Information and How to Fight It

The commercial control of academic publishing and research infrastructure by a few oligopolistic companies has crippled the development of open access movement and interfered with the ethical principles of information access and privacy. In recent years, vertical integration of publishers and other service providers throughout the research cycle has led to platformisation, characterized by datafication and commodification similar to practices on social media platforms. Scholarly publications are treated as user-generated contents for data tracking and surveillance, resulting in profitable data products and services for research assessment, benchmarking and reporting. Meanwhile, the bibliodiversity and equal open access are denied by the dominant gold open access model and the privacy of researchers is being compromised by spyware embedded in research infrastructure. This article proposes four actions to fight the platformisation of scholarly information after a brief overview of the market of academic journals and research assessments and their implications for bibliodiversity, information access, and privacy: (1) Educate researchers about commercial publishers and APCs; (2) Allocate library budget to support scholar-led and library publishing; (3) Engage in the development of public research infrastructures and copyright reform; and (4) Advocate for research assessment reforms.

Perpustakaan Sebagai Public Relations dalam Mendukung Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi

This research was conducted to offer a concept for the implementation of higher education libraries, where we know that the higher education library is one of the units whose existence is to support the implementation of education organized by tertiary institutions. The role and function of the library towards the Tri Dharma of Higher Education so far seems to be limping, that is because the new ones that are running support education and even then it is not optimal, while research and community service seem to be separated from the role of the library. Here the author offers that the management and organization of the library can pay attention to academic culture, what needs to be built is the academic cultural infrastructure and making Public Relations a strategic step in manipulating the habit of neglecting the library in the implementation of the Tri Dharma. The type of approach used is comparative qualitative with a qualitative approach. Data collection was used with data collection techniques in the form of articles, books, regulations, websites and other sources related to the problem under study. The collected data is studied by linking the phenomena that occur so as to give birth to an interpretation or view then arranged systematically so as to produce a view or concept that can be applied by managers in organizing libraries, especially in supporting the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education

The introduction of a data-driven population health management approach in the Netherlands since 2019: The Extramural LUMC Academic Network data infrastructure

Improving population health and reducing inequalities through better integrated health and social care services is high up on the agenda of policymakers internationally. In recent years, regional cross-domain partnerships have emerged in several countries, which aim to achieve better population health, quality of care and a reduction in the per capita costs. These cross-domain partnerships aim to have a strong data foundation and are committed to continuous learning in which data plays an essential role. This paper describes our approach towards the development of the regional integrative population-based data infrastructure Extramural LUMC (Leiden University Medical Center) Academic Network (ELAN), in which we linked routinely collected medical, social and public health data at the patient level from the greater The Hague and Leiden area. Furthermore, we discuss the methodological issues of routine care data and the lessons learned about privacy, legislation and reciprocities. The initiative presented in this paper is relevant for international researchers and policy-makers because a unique data infrastructure has been set up that contains data across different domains, providing insights into societal issues and scientific questions that are important for data driven population health management approaches.

Implementation of Academic Supervision and Infrastructure Management in Improving the Quality of Al-Qur'an Hadith Learning

This study aims to determine the implementation of academic supervision and infrastructure management in order to improve the quality of learning the Qur'an Hadith. The research carried out is research that seeks to reveal, find and explore information about the Implementation of academic supervision and infrastructure management. This research uses a qualitative approach, namely research aimed at describing and analyzing phenomena, events, social activities, attitudes, perceptions, and thoughts of people individually and in groups. The results showed that the implementation of academic supervision and infrastructure management can improve the quality of learning al-Qur'an Hadith in MTsN 6 Sragen very well. Application of academic supervision includes the process of planning, implementing, evaluating and following up, and reporting. Ensure infrastructure management by carrying out five stages of management, namely planning, procurement of goods, use and maintenance, inventory, and elimination.

Model Proposal for Service Quality Assessment of Higher Education: Evidence from a Developing Country

Higher education institutions must generate added value through the continuous improvement of services offered to the academic community. Students’ needs and expectations must be met to increase their satisfaction within the system. Bearing this in mind, this paper proposes a service quality assessment model for higher education institutions in developing countries. In total, 845 questionnaires were self-administered by university students. The instrument was composed of 119 closed questions. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was applied to create the proposed model. An 18-component model resulted from the data analysis, with an emphasis on academic aspects, infrastructure, web services, wellbeing, and financial procedures. It is expected that higher education institutions in other developing countries may validate, replicate, and adapt this model to their needs.

Manajemen Sarana dan Prasarana untuk Efektivitas Layanan Administrasi Akademik di SMK Plus Darunnajah Maruyungsari

This study aims to describe the implementation of facilities and infrastructure to supervise the planning of facilities and infrastructure for the effectiveness of academic administration services. This study usesqualitative research methods, the approach used is phenomenology. Sources of data taken through 3 people as informants. Data collection procedures include interview techniques, field observations and documentation studies. The data analysis used is Miles and Huberman analysis, namely data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. To test the validity used, the credibility test was carried out with the tringulation technique, transferability test, dependability, and confirmability.The results of the research findings are: (1) planning in the management of facilities and infrastructure for the effectiveness of academic administration services at SMK Plus Darunnajah Padaherang is carried out by the Deputy Principal (WKS) II Facilities and Infrastructure and is assisted by the Head of the Other Fields unit and approved by the Principal. (2) Implementation of Facilities and Infrastructure at SMK Plus Darunnajah Padaherang is carried out by all parties in SMK Plus Darunnajah Padaherang. In practice, the number of facilities and infrastructure is not met so that their utilization is not optimal. (3) supervision is carried out by all parties who use academic administrative facilities and infrastructure at SMK Plus Darunnajah. The supervision carried out by WKS II is not supported by a good inventory. So that planning for the future is not optimal, the management of facilities and infrastructure for the effectiveness of academic administration services at SMK Plus Darunnajah has been carried out and is in accordance with PERMEN DIKNAS No. 24 of 2007. However, the management of WKS II archives is not good and the number of existing facilities and infrastructure is not adequate due to limited funding.

Changes in the Learning Behavior of the Islamic University Students during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Online learning is different from offline learning, and the various academic atmosphere, facilities, and infrastructure cause changes in behaviour. By comparing how students learn in the face-to-face learning process to how they learn when using the internet, this study hopes to find and explain the factors that change how students learn when using the internet. This study uses descriptive and quantitative methods, and 99 students at an Islamic university in Lhokseumawe were asked to participate. The results showed that: (1) all indicators of learning behaviour in learning using the internet network decreased in percentage compared to face-to-face learning, but this percentage decrease was still within the range of reasonable interpretation; and (2) every item in the questionnaire showed that there is a change in learning using the internet network, with more answer choices sometimes and less answer choices often or always. This is a sign that learning to use the internet for too long will cause students to change the way they learn in a wrong way or not the way they should.

Busting the Silos of “Global” Scholarship

Busting the Silos of “Global” Scholarship

Building an Academic Infrastructure for Rigorous Testing of Online Platforms to Support Family Caregivers

AbstractBackgroundWith COVID‐19, online opportunities to support families living with dementia are becoming increasingly important. However, academic institutions are typically not prepared to develop and test online platforms. We present a case study to describe steps for creating an infrastructure to test an online platform, WeCareAdvisor (WCA). WCA provides caregivers disease education and tailored strategies to manage dementia‐related behavioral symptoms using the DICE Approach. WCA was previously tested in a small, randomized trial demonstrating positive caregiver outcomes. To advance its evidence‐base, WCA is being tested in a NIA‐funded Stage III efficacy trial with a national sample of 326 caregivers.MethodTo test WCA, an infrastructure in the academic institution had to be created to address HIPAA compliance, privacy considerations, integrate user and developer input, and support rigorous trial methodologies. Through key informant interviews and literature reviews, we established a six‐step process: 1) Identifying and engaging key stakeholders (legal, Information Technology offices, research team, software company); 2) Creating software development agreement with stakeholder input; 3) Detailing scope of work and an oversight structure of software company, 4) Developing formal agreements with the software company, 5) Conducting security assessments with university IT offices; and 6) Establishing formal vendor status of the software company. This also necessitated new roles and responsibilities of research team members.ResultThe six‐step process was labor intensive, transpired over 12 months, and involved over 15 iterative meetings with investigators, project staff, and stakeholders. Careful coordination of stakeholders to provide practical and iterative guidance at each of the six steps was essential. Deliberations resulted in app store access, URLs and domains, and compliance and privacy statements reviewed and approved by various university offices, and then launching WCA on app stores for access by study participants.ConclusionResearchers and academic institutions have varying levels of understanding and readiness to engage in infrastructure development to rigorously test online platforms. Our approach resulted in an effective infrastructure for testing WCA which can be used by other researchers. Development of an infrastructure requires new skills for investigators, engaging multiple stakeholders, appropriately budgeting for this activity, and allocating sufficient start‐up time.

Forecasting delay-time model for Saudi construction projects using DEMATEL–SD technique

Construction delays are common in the construction industry in Saudi Arabia. This study aims to develop a simulation forecasting model for the delay time in Saudi projects by considering ten previously identified factors. This study employs a systematic, integrated approach of the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) methodology and system dynamics (SD) to reflect the ten factors that impact project delay. The DEMATEL technique is used in this study to solve the difficulty of systematically developing a causal loop diagram within the SD modelling process. The developed SD model is tested for consistency and extreme conditions. It is then validated and applied using three case studies (an academic building, administrative building, and infrastructure project) in Saudi Arabia by comparing the actual and fitted progress curves of each case study. The results show that the proposed model can be a respectable aid to project managers in forecasting Saudi projects wherein the actual monthly progress follows an S-curve. In this regard, three satisfaction conditions are introduced to check the project progress in the S-curves. In addition, this study provides a systematic approach combining the DEMATEL and SD techniques, which can simplify the SD modelling process in the future. Furthermore, the study methodology can be repeated in other countries.

Students as researchers: An example of high-level participation of undergraduate midwifery students as co-investigators in research

BackgroundThere is a shift in focus of the curricula of undergraduate midwifery research-education - from research content to the research process, and the student from being an observer to a participant. Aim and MethodsTo explore an example of how to involve midwifery students as co-investigators in research. This paper discusses the experiences of an educational research project that adopted the highest level of student autonomy in research, involving six Bachelor of Midwifery final-year students participating as co-investigators in qualitative research focusing on women’s lived experiences of traumatic childbirth. The experiences are supported by the parameters of research-education and learning, and are discussed in the context of the dimensions of framing undergraduate research: Motivation, Inclusivity, Content, Originality, Setting, Collaboration, Focus and Audience DiscussionCrucial for this educational research project is the recognition of the motivation, interests, (experiential) knowledge and real-world experiences of students. It starts with listening to the questions, thoughts and ideas that students bring, recognising and respecting the content and importance of their work and what is important and meaningful to them, while facilitating a student-led learning process. Collaboration between students and students and supervisors needs to be formally facilitated and supported, as this contributes to qualitative products for curricular and extra-curricular products. An academic infrastructure is necessary to support extra-curricular activities. ConclusionTo embed research adequately and effectively in the curriculum, a pedagogical approach, institutional learning and student-centred teaching strategies and practices, including high impact practices to mainstream undergraduate research and enquiry, are crucial.

Resilient university campus in the city in COVID and post-COVID era—recommendations, guidelines, and evidence from research in Italy and Poland

The pandemic ‘stay at home’ obligations turned our homes from a place to live to a place to live, work, entertain ourselves and to study. Since March 2020, confinement has had a permanent impact on students’ perception of studying and on academic lifestyle. Most universities continue teaching online, and most academic facilities, such as lecture and seminar halls, student halls, and dormitories, have been abandoned. Some of them form vast areas in cities that play a major role in the urban structure. The authors have examined the degree and way of occupation of the academic infrastructure before and in time of the pandemic. Evidence and data have been gathered from different universities in Poland and Italy. From their origins, academic campuses can be considered autonomous communities within or on the city limits. In a post-pandemic perspective, the evidence shows that the growing population of students does not mean campus development and that the campuses that have shown the greatest resilience are “open” campuses which are able to share, integrate, and exchange their spaces and facilities with those of the city. The authors conclude that the pandemic will have an impact on the future urban form of academic facilities.