Academic Process Research Articles

The re-emergence of police education

In the past 25 years growing complexities of the policing landscape and emerging challenges, like technology, increased vulnerability and new crimes, mean that police officers require different skills and knowledge than previously. One way to enable this has been the increasing professionalisation of the police service including the academisation of police learning and an emphasis of developing better police knowledge informed by evidence. Increased professionalisation is viewed as one of the solutions to resolving some of the problems often associated with policing like the negative effects of police culture. The process of embedding higher education into policing has been slow, fragmented and challenging at times, and influenced by a broader set of political and external dynamics. Critics argue that policing is a more practical occupation in which the best way to develop is to learn on the job or develop craft knowledge. The intention of this article is to discuss the relationship between police and education particularly in the recent past. It will explore why higher education has become increasingly important, explore why resistance to the academisation process continues and look at the developing relationship between academia and the police. Finally, the future of higher education and policing is discussed.

Accountability and governance in academia: a Foucauldian perspective on digital governance and control

PurposeThe study views accounting, control and governance dimensions in academia through the Foucauldian lens in the digital era. The study demystifies the dichotomy of controls and creative academic initiatives for enhanced learning outcomes by utilizing the works of Michel Foucault (1977, 1980, 1991a, b, 1979) in the context of digitally native actors.Design/methodology/approachThe archival documents were studied to gain a clear insight into the academic processes. Next, the primary data was collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews of academic administrators (AA) and professors.FindingsFirst, the study establishes that academia extensively models its systems and processes on the Foucauldian tenets of disciplinary control, self-surveillance, trust, empowerment and visibility, utilizing a blend of digital and non-digital technologies. Second, the study unpacks the shortcomings and offers a nuanced critique of digital governance in academic institutions. Such institutions extensively situate their systems, processes and routines on Foucauldian tenets. Third, digital platforms do reinforce injustice and exclusion. Such digital exclusion exists among the faculty, the students and the administrative staff. There are student groups which are marginalized in emerging economy settings. Furthermore, in a predominantly technology-driven ecosystem such marginalized students’ academic experience is significantly different from their privileged peers.Originality/valueThis study is one of the few studies that utilize the Foucauldian lens to understand the tension among accounting, controls and governance outcomes, at a granular level in an emerging market academic setting which is characterized by inequitable resource distribution. Second, by collecting rich primary data from knowledge agents, it supports the dominance of Foucauldian thought with respect to disciplinary control, self-surveillance, visibility, trust and power by embracing digital technologies.

University Management System

University Management System (UMS) is designed to automate the everyday operations of administrative, academic functions in higher degree education institutions. UMS are using integrated features like online registration for students, administration file maintenance of colleges faculty details course scheduling fee transactions academic performance monitoring in simple manner. We have seen an incredible change in thesesystems over the years, largely due to increased demands for digital transformation from schools. Today, there are cloud-based access to modern UMS solutions in place which allows institutions manage their data efficiently while retaining it on secure physical storage. These systems also come with mobile capabilities that are very useful in allowing students and faculty to remain up-to-date on the latest information. Advanced data analytics has become a critical ingredient as well, enabling administrators to balance the scales through academic planning, resource allocation and performance measurement. Education institutions are increasingly using digital ways of working and UMS have enabled these organizations to streamline processes, strengthen communication channels thus making the educational journey better for all stakeholders. Keywords— University Management System (UMS), higher education, administrative automation, academic processes, cloud-based access, mobile-friendly interface, data analytics, student registration.

Trayectorias socioeducativas de estudiantes en condición de discapacidad como estrategia de inclusión en la educación superior

Based on an investigation carried out with higher education students from different regions of Colombia, which sought to analyze inclusion practices for people with disabilities, this article reflects on the importance of socio-educational trajectories as a strategy to build personalized inclusion programs considering previous knowledge and adaptive schemes of the subjects and their families. The reflection revolves around the reconstruction process of vital trajectories through biographical-narrative methods and the contributions made by the participants to identify the main events, ruptures, and itineraries of their life stories. The emerging categories from the cases studied and their contributions to this subject are highlighted. The results are compared with interviews carried out with professors and directors who participated in the academic processes of the students.

Deficit to development: rethinking centralised workshops

Centralised academic skills provision has been criticised for being ‘generic’, ‘remedial’, or ‘bolt on’ (Wingate, 2006). Critics argue it takes a deficit approach towards student learning, simplifying academic processes and failing to meet students’ discipline-specific needs. Embedded provision is often seen as the solution. However, embedded does not necessarily mean non-deficit. Indeed, Schneider (2023) highlights that academic tutors can perceive students in relation to skills they are lacking. Subsequently, Learning Developers can be brought in to ‘fix’ students, and as such, embedded sessions may still be disconnected from the curriculum and designed to offer pre-prescribed solutions, reflecting deficit approaches. As Webster (2023) asserts, the Learning Developer’s role is not ‘to give students academic skills’ but rather to help them make sense of the skills and literacies that are hidden in the curriculum. In this workshop, we discussed how we redesigned our entire skills programme using a non-deficit pedagogic approach that aims to help students ‘uncover their curriculum’. Inspired by the University of Manchester’s constructive and collective approach (Blake and Illingworth, 2015), we see our co-curricular offer as providing a unique opportunity to create empowering and developmental learning spaces which sit alongside embedded provision. To meet these aims, our redesign was informed by four principles: Reflection: centring students’ prior knowledge and experience. Collaboration: harnessing knowledge from a community of learners, rather than a ‘sage on the stage’. Choice: students customise their own learning experience, tailoring sessions to meet their own needs. Application: students relate session content to their own discipline and apply learning to their own work. Workshop participants considered debates around deficit thinking in relation to centralised training, working together to redesign learning activities and reflect on the opportunities and challenges of such an approach.

Investigating academics’ attitudes towards ChatGPT: A qualitative study

ChatGPT, at the forefront of artificial intelligence advancement, has caused excitement and scepticism within academic spheres due to its potential to affect academic processes. Understanding attitudes towards ChatGPT could help manage expectations and concerns for ChatGPT in academia, predict behaviour and inform policy. This study aimed to develop an understanding of university academics’ attitudes towards ChatGPT. A total of 11 university academics participated in semi-structured interviews. Data analysis found three main themes: (a) ethics, (b) changes to academic processes and (c) accessibility and inclusivity. Results showed academics had positive attitudes towards ChatGPT overall; however, they held negative attitudes towards the unethical use of the technology. Key findings included discrepancies in perceptions of academics’ personal ethical use of ChatGPT compared to unethical use by others. Furthermore, academics viewed ChatGPT as a useful tool for saving time and enhancing research processes and student learning. Finally, ChatGPT could increase equity among diverse groups, though it should be used with caution. Future studies could conduct a longitudinal study and recruit a larger and wider sample exploring specific and/or multidisciplinary domains for research diversity and the generalisability of findings. Implications for practice or policy: Academic policy and codes of conduct concerning the use of ChatGPT in research and education can be refined to address key ethical concerns, such as plagiarism. Academic educators and researchers can save time and improve processes using ChatGPT to attain better work-life balance and thus potentially improve the quality of their work.

Teacher education in Israel: a fifty-year journey (1974–2024)

ABSTRACT This study explores the evolution of teacher education in Israel from 1974 to 2024, analysing key policy actions, reforms, and initiatives that have shaped the field over the past five decades. During these years, extensive efforts were undertaken at the state level by the Ministry of Education and the Council for Higher Education to elevate the status of the teaching profession by advocating for the professionalisation and professionalism of teaching and teachers. These efforts include the academisation process of all teacher education colleges, the establishment of task forces and standing committees to address challenges, continuous upgrades and adjustments to the initial teacher education curriculum, support mechanisms for newly qualified teachers, ongoing professional development for practicing teachers, including master’s degree programmes, salary adjustments, and the decision to move the colleges of education to the sole auspices of the Council for Higher Education and the Planning and Budgeting Committee. Despite these numerous attempts, the status of teachers has continued to decline, and the profession has struggled with low public perception and prestige, leading to both quantitative and qualitative teacher shortages. The repeated policy shifts and inconsistent implementation strategies have often exacerbated rather than resolved these issues. By providing a comprehensive historical analysis, the study offers insights into the successes and significant shortcomings of past initiatives, aiming to inform future policy-making and strategic planning to enhance the effectiveness and appeal of the teaching profession in Israel.

Academic Opportunities of Gamification at University

Gamification is a powerful tool of modern education, but its successful implementation requires careful planning that takes into account the academic context and the individual needs of students. The authors tested a new narrative model of gamification, which integrated game elements and storylines to create a more interactive and motivating learning environment. The model involved stories and scenarios that linked various tasks and activities to immerse students in professionally relevant situations. The model was based on gamification principles, game mechanics, interactive tasks, social interaction, and adaptive feedback. The narrative contextualized learning, thus enhancing students’ engagement, motivation, and professional identity. The experiment (September-December 2023) gamified a course of Professional Ethics and involved first-year students of Clinical Psychology (n = 31), Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University. The narrative model of gamification fostered a more positive attitude towards the future profession, increased students’ engagement, and enhanced their interest in the academic process. Storylines, roles, personages, problematic situations, and unpredictability ensured students’ deep immersion in professional situations and contributed to the development of important ethical and professional qualities. Gamification has a great potential for improving the quality of higher education, making the learning routine more exciting and effective.

SCENOGRAPHY DESIGN IN A DIRECTOR’S ARTISTIC PRACTICE

The paper describes a methodology of designing scenography for a contemporary theatrical performance in the academic process. The systematic approach to artistic visualisation of a performance, modernisation of its structure, selection of scenography functions, style and type of design widen the range of the director’s interaction with the audience as well as contributes to effective management of the creative process from the stage of the artistic concept design through to its implementation. The method of depicting compositional schemes to design action development helps individual types of art interweave with the director’s concept, develop creative thinking and cope with numerous management challenges. Designing diverse parts of staging paves the way to developing students’ skills of comprehending the processes of integration of arts and technologies. The “directing scenographic concept” method contributes to the integration of the director’s and the artist’s professional activities, helps to express a creative idea in a groundbreaking form, and turns into an effective tool of innovative design and management of a theatrical performance.

Publish or Perish? Game Design Based on Self-Determination Theory and Persuasion

The academic world is known for its competitiveness and collaboration, demanding researchers to possess resilience and adaptablility. In light of this, this paper examines the self-designed game called Publish or Perish and its potential benefits in gamifying academic experiences and replicating the complexities of scholarly researches. The objective of this research is to investigate how game design can improve understanding of academic processes, develop crucial skills such as teamwork and ethical reasoning, and cultivate player resilience. The findings from this study suggest that gamification can effectively engage participants by simulating real academic challenges, offering valuable insights into the nuances of academic life. This research holds significant importance due to its potential in creating an innovative educational tool that not only entertains but also equips researchers with greater confidence and proficiency in navigating the complexities of academia.By expanding on these findings, educators may be able to develop more interactive learning methods that capture students attention while imparting crucial knowledge about academic life.

Public engagement with science: a novel researcher-led collaboration with a major UK science centre

ABSTRACT Science communication is a key component of the academic process. Science centres provide researchers with an opportunity to convey their findings directly to the public, who in turn can be sure that they are receiving information from a trusted source. Therefore, this paper focuses on a new researcher-led public engagement project situated within a major UK science centre. The project utilises three freestanding digital touchscreen kiosks that provide visitors with the opportunity to learn about science through active participation (e.g. interactive research studies) as well as through more traditional knowledge exchange routes (e.g. static images with text), and it tested the effectiveness of onscreen QR codes as a means for maintaining public engagement beyond the initial kiosk experience. Data collected from nearly 10,000 visitor interactions demonstrated a preference for the interactive activities (5,000 complete datasets were collected) over the more traditional passive knowledge exchange content, and the QR codes were shown to provide a promising route to continued engagement. We recommend this approach to scientists, educators, and designers, seeking to develop an effective, practical, updatable, and cost-effective public engagement exhibit within a public science space.

THE ROLE OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN INCREASING ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS IN THE CONTEXT OF UNIVERSITIES

In the face of rapid change and increasing complexity in higher education, quality management (QM) is emerging as a useful tool for universities to adapt and optimize their processes. This paper emphasizes the importance of implementing effective QM systems in academic institutions, highlighting their significant impact on organizational effectiveness. The research aims to investigate how QM implementation can enhance efficiency within universities. It achieves this by analyzing current QM practices, identifying areas needing improvement, and proposing specific solutions. The study reveals a diverse range of QM approaches across institutions, reflecting their unique structures and processes. While many universities have initiated QM systems, the success and coverage of these initiatives vary. Key areas identified for potential improvement include decision-making transparency, interdepartmental communication, and the integration of student feedback. The research also highlights gaps, such as the lack of systematic QM implementation, unclear performance indicators, and difficulties adapting to rapid changes in higher education. The overarching message of this paper is that a well-implemented QM system can be a strategic asset for universities, supporting both academic and administrative processes. QM implementation has been shown to increase organizational efficiency, leading to improved academic processes, reduced administrative costs, and increased satisfaction among students and staff. The research findings underscore the need for continued investment and commitment to QM in higher education. By embracing QM principles and practices, universities can enhance their overall performance, adapt to evolving challenges, and provide a higher-quality educational experience. This research not only contributes to the existing knowledge base on QM in higher education but also provides practical recommendations for institutions seeking to improve their organizational effectiveness.

Цифровизация преподавательской деятельности: роль искусственного интеллекта в высшей школе

Digitalization of education is one of the key processes of transformation of modern society, which allows to upgrade the outdated structure of education and introduce new technologies that can improve the quality of the final result and make education more accessible. The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) in the academic process of higher education helps to simplify and systematize the learning process. Thanks to AI, educational programs become more personalized and the process of analyzing and predicting learning is facilitated. The article investigates the role and impact of AI on teaching activity in higher education institutions in the context of digitalization of education, as well as identifies the positive and negative aspects associated with the introduction of AI in the educational process of higher education. The results of the study showed that it is necessary to conduct intensive retraining of university teaching staff aimed at their mastery of AI. Additionally, the training of students in pedagogical fields should be based on their advanced mastery of modern digital educational technologies, including those related to AI.

La internacionalización de la educación superior desde la perspectiva de estudiantes universitarios

Introduction: Corporación Universitaria del Caribe-CECAR has been interested in creating internationalization spaces from academy, transforming its teaching-learning processes regarding the demands of the globalized world; this has allowed to develop and to strengthen, in these future professionals, the competences and abilities that fit the labor and social needs from the context they will work in. Objective: The current study aims at identifying practicum students’ perceptions towards higher education internationalization and describing the benefits of internationalization in such processes. Method: The applied methodology had a mixed descriptive approach; the data collection tools were the Likert scale to measure CECAR’s internationalization and the documentary revision. Results: Within results, it was evidenced that, in 2021-2, the 79% of practicum students has a positive attitude and only the 21% has a rejection attitude with regard to internationalization processes. Regarding its main benefits, is highlighted the critical thinking aspect that is developed on professionals which allow them to communicate assertively throughout diverse contexts and generating international academic networks. Conclusions: To conclude, undergraduates are interested in making part of internationalization activities, letting them to articulate their academic process with international experiences in their practicum requirement, in which they can strengthen their professional skills and competences

Design and Implementation of Digital Collection of Past Questions Papers in Auchi Polytechnic Library

This paper presents an overview of the implementation and implications of an electronic repository of past question papers within a polytechnic library setting. The electronic repository represents a significant advancement in academic resource management, offering a streamlined and accessible platform for students and staff to access past question papers. Through intuitive interface design and robust search functionalities, users can efficiently navigate through vast collections of question papers spanning various academic disciplines, courses and semesters. The repository enhances accessibility by allowing users to retrieve materials remotely, thereby eliminating the constraints of physical visits to the library. Security measures ensure the integrity and confidentiality of question papers, while also promoting sustainability by reducing paper usage. The availability of a comprehensive repository of past question papers fosters a culture of academic excellence by empowering students to enhance their understanding of course material and improved examination preparation. Overall, the electronic repository of question papers signifies a transformative approach to information management within educational institutions, reflecting a commitment to innovation and efficiency in academic processes.

Perancangan Sistem Informasi Akademik pada SD Holistic Children Center Berbasis Web

In an increasingly competitive educational landscape, many institutions are seeking technologies that enhance performance. An academic information system is a system developed to manage academic data using computer technology, transforming academic processes into useful information. This research aims to design a web-based academic information system at Holistic Children Center Elementary School. Currently, the management of academic data at the school is conducted manually using books and Microsoft Excel, which is prone to data loss and inefficient in tracking academic information. The implementation of an academic information system with a centralized database method is expected to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of academic data management and support the enhancement of the school's accreditation. The research methods employed include direct observation, interviews with school officials, and literature studies to obtain relevant theories and methods. The results indicate that the designed academic information system can manage data centrally and structurally, facilitating information presentation for teachers, students, and parents. Additionally, this system can enhance the school's reputation through more organized and integrated data management and simplify the tracking and documentation of alumni.

College Management System using Python & Django

The College Management System (CMS) is an advanced web-based application designed to streamline administrative and academic processes within educational institutions. Developed using the Django framework for backend functionalities and HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for frontend presentation, the CMS offers a comprehensive solution for managing various tasks efficiently. Leveraging SQLite as the databadminisratiase management system ensures robust data management capabilities, scalability, and ease of maintenance. The CMS provides a wide array of features to automate routine tasks and enhance collaboration among students, faculty, and administrators. Student admission and enrollment management, course scheduling, curriculum planning, and faculty assignment are seamlessly handled by the system, reducing manual workload and minimizing errors. Integrated messaging systems and announcement boards facilitate communication, fostering a collaborative learning environment. The examination management module automates the entire examination process, including exam scheduling, creation of question papers, venue allocation, and result processing. Online exam registration and automated grading streamline the process, ensuring accuracy and transparency while reducing administrative burden. Attendance tracking is simplified with the CMS, allowing faculty to record and monitor student attendance easily. Integration with biometric systems or RFID technology enhances accuracy and eliminates manual attendance taking. Comprehensive attendance reports provide insights into student progress and compliance with attendance policies. Resource management is optimized through the CMS, which enables efficient allocation and utilization of classrooms, laboratories, library resources, and equipment. Administrators can manage inventory, track asset availability, and schedule resource bookings to prevent conflicts and ensure optimal utilization. Reporting and analytics features empower administrators with real-time insights into various aspects of college operations. Customizable dashboards provide information on enrollment statistics, academic performance, financial data, and more, enabling informed decision-making and continuous improvement. In conclusion, the College Management System developed with Django, HTML/CSS/JS, and SQLite revolutionizes educational institution management. By combining advanced technology with intuitive design, the CMS enhances efficiency, transparency, and collaboration, ultimately contributing to the success and growth of the institution.

Towards the Use of Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT) in Higher Education: Students’ Perspective

The paper deals with the issue of AI, in particular ChatGPT used for various purposes during the academic process, in higher education from the standpoint of students’ perception of the phenomenon in question. Nowadays, we live in the era of internet technologies which interfere with all aspects of human life; education is no exception. Today the use of technology is greatly supported to improve and support innovative teaching and learning, and it is undeniable that AI is bringing changes to the teaching and learning process. However, the question is whether those technological advances, in particular, ChatGPT will bring positive changes and enhance students’ learning skills. Besides, when discussing the intensive use of technologies in different spheres of human life, usually, ethical issues usually come into the spotlight. Therefore, the paper aimed to identify the frequency and intensity of addressing ChatGPT for different purposes by the undergraduate students at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, their perception of the tool in terms of academic honesty and integrity, and the university’s role in raising awareness about the possible implications of breaching academic ethics through the survey questionnaire circulated among the target audiences. The obtained results demonstrated students’ considerable reliance on AI (Chat GPT) -assisted learning in Higher Education despite admitting its potential for Academic Dishonesty. The study also revealed the practical necessity for more informed discussion and refocus on the concepts of Academic Ethics among the stakeholders of the University to regulate the use of ChatGPT-generated content in education.

Satisfacción personal: componente del desarrollo humano como estrategia pedagógica para la formación docente

This article from reflection aims to recognize the incidence of personal satisfaction: component of human development to strengthen teacher training. The results will contribute to the improvement of the training proposals for teachers that contribute to their human development levels. The paradigm is interpretive, from the qualitative approach; the strategy is documentary. This study aims to describe how teacher well-being in the institution where they work as an element of human development is a device that strengthens their professional training, thus contributing to improving their academic-pedagogical processes in the educational establishments where they practice their profession. In this way, the results will serve in the immediate future so that the administrative staff of educational institutions focus their attention on improving the human development of teachers as an alternative to continuous improvement of academic processes.

Screening guidelines for individuals at increased risk for prostate cancer.

Individuals at increased risk for prostate cancer (PCa) are inconsistently defined in national and international guidelines. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) defines people at increased risk for PCa to include those with a concerning family history, West African/Caribbean/African-American individuals, and those who have germline mutations in known PCa-related genes. Recommendations for screening are also inconsistently defined in national and international guidelines. The NCCN and American Urological Association recommend that individuals at increased risk for PCa be screened with prostate-specific antigen and digital rectal exam starting at age 40. Defining increased risk groups and defining lifetime risk is an ongoing academic process that can be facilitated through patient registries of these cohorts at academic centers.