Educational Activities Research Articles

May Ayim: To Be Black

The article considers the complexity of the search for identity by the Afro-Germans in the last quarter of the 20th century based on the life path of the prominent teacher, poetess and activist May Ayim. The author presents a number of stages of her literary, scientific and educational activities. And examines the specifics of May Ayim’s self-awareness in the creative direction, studying of legacy and resistance in her poems and essays, as well as the integration of her work into the German-language literary space. Drawing on her literary contributions, political activism, and struggles against racism and discrimination, this article sheds light on Ayim’s impact on the Afro-German community and her enduring legacy in the German literary landscape. The article examines the problems of perception of Afro-Germans in Germany at the turn of 1980-1990, as well as May Ayim’s personal contribution to activist activities in Germany. This research aims to celebrate Ayim’s personal contribution to Afro-German literature and to changing the situation regarding Africans and half-breeds in Germany.

Strategies for activating youth film education: focusing on the achievements and limitations of the Korea Film Council (2018–2022)

This article proposes possible directions for the long-term development of film education based on an analysis of the achievements and limitations of the Korean Film Council’s Youth Film Education Activation Project from its seventh (2018–21) and eighth (2021–2) terms, as well as the background and nature of the project and its budgetary trends. Since 2018, the Korean Film Council has reviewed the discourses about film education that have arisen from various fields, and, in particular, it has conducted research into overseas film education case studies. Furthermore, it has supported film education teacher research groups, directly operated a pool of film education practitioners, and taken active steps to publicise the importance of film education. However, due to the freezing of the Film Council’s budget from 2021, and the extent to which its 2022 budget was allocated for the operation of pilot schools, overarching visions for the activation of Korean film education have yet to be realised. The article adopts a reflective, critical perspective on the council’s activities during this period, while considering the future of film education in South Korea more generally.

Brick Walls and Broken Hearts: Physicians Draw how they Feel About Treating Pain and Addiction.

As part of a continuing medical education activity, primary care physicians in Arizona were asked to draw how they feel about treating patients with chronic pain and addiction. Their drawings, complete with cliffs, walls, torn-out hair, and connected hearts, make for a harrowing look at burnout, angst, and empathy among physicians who treat this subset of patients. Public health and exercise facilitators were troubled, leading them to publish this essay along with a selection of the drawings that depict the feelings of the physicians who feel ill-prepared to treat this patient population, which is only growing in number and needs.

Educational Activities in the Ljubljana University Botanic Gardens

Botanic gardens have an important role in educating people about plants. Direct contact with plants has a positive effect on the perception and understanding of plants and prevents plant blindness. In botanic gardens, pupils can learn about plants through practical work. At the Ljubljana University Botanic Gardens, educational programmes for schools have existed since 1986. Every year the Ljubljana University Botanic Gardens is visited by many different groups, from the youngest to oldest (kindergarten, primary school, graduate and professional school students, and faculties). We run around 350 guided tours for groups per year. Groups can choose either a guided tour with work sheets and workshops or they can visit the botanic gardens on their own. Most of groups are children from primary school. Ljubljana University Botanic Gardens offers programmes related to the valid school curriculum in Slovenia. Our programmes include guided tours based on level of pupils and/or practical work. The most popular time to visit is spring. But, we still have visitors in winter due to our tropical greenhouse. The most popular programme at our botanic gardens is the general tour. With our pedagogical programmes we contribute to plant knowledge, since we teach our pupils about nature.

Cross-Sectional Survey Analysis of Institutional Research Partnerships in Complementary and Integrative Health: Identifying Barriers and Facilitators.

Objective: Collaboration between complementary and integrative health (CIH) institutions and research-intensive (R1) institutions has been successfully undertaken in the United States, resulting in federally funded research projects, educational programs, and faculty development. The aim of this cross-sectional survey study was to explore the barriers and facilitators to establishing and maintaining such collaborative partnerships. Methods: A 32-question survey was sent to participants recruited through author contacts and resources, literature review, and database searches. Participants were required to be researchers and affiliates who attempted, completed, or had current collaborative endeavors involving CIH and R1 institutions. Data were collected in the research electronic data capture (REDCap) system and descriptive quantitative and qualitative data analysis was undertaken. Results: A total of 26 unique entries were included in the final data analysis; four of which were paired entries (one from an R1 institution and one from a CIH institution) to make up two dyad data collections. Eighty-one percent of the participants had senior leadership roles at CIH institutions representing five CIH disciplines-East Asian medicine (acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine), chiropractic medicine, massage therapy, naturopathy, and yoga. Collaborative research projects were often (>38%) in response to specific project funding mechanisms. Over 60% of the collaborations also included educational activities and faculty development. Collaborations resulted in multiple different types of benefits to both institutions but were not without associated challenges. Conclusion: Collaborations between R1 and CIH institutions can be cooperative, productive, and mutually beneficial. Funding mechanisms supporting R1 and CIH collaboration increase CIH research productivity as well as the development of innovative research methodology to study the real-world practice of CIH therapies, whole systems, and whole person health. CIH researchers would greatly benefit from such funding, allowing access to research infrastructure, professional development, and the provision of protected time to conduct research.

Економічна теорія: формування і розвиток освітньо-наукового потенціалу української теоретичної економічної науки та класичної університетської освіти

The article is devoted to the problem of the formation and development of the educational and scientific potential of the Department of Economic Theory, Macro- and Microeconomics of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, which is the successor of the Department of Political Economy and Statistics, founded at St. Volodymyr's University in 1842. The aim of the article is to reveal the patterns of the historically conditioned process of forming the educational and scientific potential of the Department and its influence on the formation and development of Ukrainian theoretical economic science and classical university economic education. The principles of historicism, objectivity, and a systemic approach are used. The historical-evolutionary approach in the analysis of empirical material ensures the consideration of the specific historical situation. The systemic approach in the study of factual material makes it possible to avoid the bias in the selection of facts and their interpretation. A comprehensive analysis of the research object and the analytical approach are supplemented by retrospective analysis and content analysis. The authors reveal the department’s powerful contribution to the development of Ukrainian economic science and education, the process of spreading economic knowledge, training highly qualified specialists, business practice, and reforming socio-economic relations. The article describes the substantive content of the main areas of the department’s activities over the more than 180-year period of its existence proving its leading role in the structure of Kyiv University, the Faculty of Economics, and in the system of Ukrainian economic science and classical university economic education. Scientific reflection of fundamental changes, problems, and prospects for the development of Ukrainian economic science and education on the example of its well-known institutional center – the Department of Economic Theory, Macro- and Microeconomics – forms a conviction in the extraordinary demand for the highest standards of scientific research and educational activities demonstrated by the department. The short experience of the functioning of scientific and educational institutions in wartime requires an in-depth analysis of the place and role of its institutional centers in the permanent process of modifying the content and methods of research, scientific, educational, public and educational activities during the war and during post-war recovery.

An Analysis of Thermal Comfort as an Influencing Factor on the Academic Performance of University Students

Academic performance is the level of achievement that students reach in their educational activities. It is influenced by several factors that should be analysed and prioritised, especially in engineering courses, characterised by their difficulty and low success rates compared to other careers. This paper analyses the impact of these factors on academic performance during exams in a technical college in southwestern Spain, with a particular focus on environmental conditions, identified as a relevant and independent variable. The results show a significant connection between thermal comfort and academic performance. Temperatures within the comfort range (23–26 °C) improved students’ satisfaction with exams. In contrast, those who experienced thermal discomfort pointed to environmental conditions as the main obstacle to their performance, overcoming factors such as prior preparation and coincidence of exams. These findings underline the importance of optimising the classroom’s thermal environment through strategies that promote a more favourable learning space, improving both students’ well-being and their academic performance.

The Effect of Directed Listening Strategies on Enhancing Listening Proficiency Among Intermediate EFL Learners

This study aimed to reveal the effect of the Directed Listening strategy on developing listening skills among EFL Intermediate Stage Students. The researchers employed a quasi-experimental design with two groups, experimental and control groups. The study sample consisted of (44) third-grade intermediate school female students studying English as a foreign language. The control group included (22) students, while the experimental group comprised (22). The tool was a listening skills test designed from the English curriculum prescribed for third-grade intermediate students in Saudi Arabia. The study findings indicated that using the Directed Listening strategy significantly impacted learning listening skills (comprehending ideas, understanding the speaker's purpose, and extracting meaning) among third-grade intermediate school female students. Additionally, the Directed Listening strategy encourages students’ participation in designing educational activities, helping them connect prior knowledge with new information and predict expected new information from the text. The study recommended providing a suitable environment for implementing the Directed Listening strategy and organizing training programs for teachers to apply it effectively.

Cognitive engagement as a predictor of learning gain in Python programming

The relationship between cognitive engagement and learning gains in computer programming has not been well-studied. This study examined the relationship between students’ cognitive engagement and learning gains in the context of Python programming. Cognitive engagement, defined by the Interactive, Constructive, Active, Passive (ICAP) framework, refers to the level and depth of mental effort and involvement a learner invests in an educational activity. In this paper, we provide details about how students’ actions were classified into three levels of cognitive engagement. We studied these actions’ frequency and duration differences and performed regression analysis. The results revealed significant student diversity regarding frequency and time allocation to these engagement categories and highlight the complex interplay between students’ cognitive activities and their corresponding time investments. Further, the regression analysis results showed that the constructive and passive levels of engagement were significant predictors of students’ learning gains in the case of Python programming.These findings offer actionable insights into why some students may have lower learning gains. By examining the specific levels of cognitive engagement that lead to better learning outcomes, this study hopes to inform the development of more effective learning environments that support student engagement and improve programming education.

Reaching the top of Bloom’s Taxonomy: an innovative pilot program for preclinical undergraduate and medical school students to create curricula for STEMM outreach/service-learning programs

Bloom’s Taxonomy is an andragogical tool that classifies educational objectives, learning activities, and assessments into distinct levels of cognitive thinking. Preclinical medical sciences educators aim to promote higher-order thinking in their curricula to help students develop clinical decision-making skills and foster deep learning. However, many courses and curricula remain focused on lower levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy because they are easier to implement and assess. Meanwhile, many service-learning opportunities for medical students focus on developing affective faculties over higher-level cognitive processing of curricular material. We describe a model program in which undergraduate pre-medical education (UPE) and undergraduate medical education (UPE/UME) students at Boston University Charles River Campus (BU CRC) and Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine (BU Chobanian & Avedisian SOM) simultaneously engaged in service-learning and the Create level of Bloom’s Taxonomy by developing a supplementary high school (HS) medical science curriculum based on content and instructional models from their preclinical courses. Activities such as mock patient cases, simulated patient interviews, and physical examination training contributed toward a HS curriculum that promotes healthy habits; increases community public health self-efficacy; sparks interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Medicine (STEMM) concepts; and educates about medical careers through engaging lessons and activities focused on human anatomy and physiology.

Evaluating Tourism Performance through Tourist Perceptions: A Case Study of Petengoran Mangrove Tourism in Lampung, Indonesia

The existence of components that did not represent the concept of ecotourism and the decline in the number of visits was very significant. This research evaluated tourism performance based on tourists’ perspectives to determine the components that need improvement. The respondents in this study were 100 tourists, who were obtained by applying the Slovin formula. This study used primary data collected through research questionnaires distributed to respondents. The research instrument was tested to ensure its validity and reliability. The collected data were analyzed using the Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI), Gap Analysis, and Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA). Petengoran Mangrove Tourism does not match tourists’ expectations. The attributes that become the main priority because their performance is considered not to have met tourists’ expectations are the availability and diversity of tourist activities, accessibility conditions, implementation of educational activities, and several facilities that do not meet tourist satisfaction, even though these components are what tourists highly expected. Keywords: customer satisfaction index, mangrove tourism, Petengoran, tourism performance, tourist perception

Scoping Review of Ethical Discourse in Global Cleft Surgery Literature.

The ethical discourse regarding the delivery of global surgical care has increased in the 21st century. The aims of this manuscript are to explore the differences in ethical domains in the global cleft surgical literature discussed by authors from high-income countries versus lower-middle-income countries and to elucidate changes in ethical discussions over the last decade. A thematic coding analysis was completed using NVivo 12 qualitative data analysis software. Articles were analyzed and coded for discussion of 24 distinct subdomains in the global cleft surgical literature from 1992 to 2022. The domains with the most significant discourse in the global cleft surgery literature found were (1) clinical care and delivery and (2) engagement in collaborations and partnerships. Furthermore, when manuscripts are first authored by low- and middle-income country (LMIC) authors, the subdomains of (1) level of visiting trainee supervision, (2) relevance of educational activities, and (3) patient/procedure/location selection increase in relative discourse. The impact of visiting trainees on local educational programs is the ethical subdomain that has the largest increase in the last decade. There are barriers to publication as evidenced by the exclusion of abstracts which included LMIC authors but did not result in publications in peer-reviewed journals. A critical finding of this study is that the distribution of discussed ethical domains differs when LMIC authors are included as authors, in particular when primary authorship is from an LMIC author. To the authors' knowledge, there is no other study to date which has attempted this form of analysis.

Socio-economic determinants of girl’s higher education: empirical insights from the high-mountain Nagar District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

ABSTRACT Girls in the high mountainous regions of Pakistan have a comparative disadvantage in terms of getting higher education. By conducting 255 household surveys and employing a binary logistic regression, this study determined socio-economic factors influencing the likelihood of household heads sending their daughters for higher education. The findings indicate that household size, maternal education, and monthly income significantly influence decisions about girls’ higher education. Specifically, daughters of educated mothers are 2.84 times more likely to pursue higher education compared to daughters of illiterate mothers. Additionally, an increase in household monthly income enhances the likelihood of a daughter receiving higher education 14.2 times more than households with stable income. The study recommends raising awareness among mothers about the importance of girls’ education to improve their engagement in educational activities. Additionally, it suggests providing targeted financial support to girls from high-mountain regions to facilitate their access to higher education.

Academic integrity in the framework of a student’s sustainable anti-corruption stance: insights from sociological analysis

Introduction. The process of fostering a sustainable anti-corruption stance among students faces a significant challenge: the disconnect between publicly stated condemnations of corruption and the behaviours exhibited in daily life.Aim. The present research aimed to conduct a sociological analysis of the development of a stable anti-corruption stance among students, focusing on three key parameters: cognitive, value-based, and behavioural.Methodology and research methods. A sociological survey was conducted among 572 university students in Ekaterinburg (n = 572) studying Economics and Management. The survey was administered online using the Yandex platform, and the results were analysed using the statistical software SPSS.Results. A comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the results obtained in relation to findings from Russian and international empirical studies. The analysis revealed that students exhibit a relatively high level of values rejecting corruption in society; however, they simultaneously display a tolerant attitude towards violations of academic honesty within their educational activities. It was concluded that the norms of academic honesty are more stable during group interactions than in individual educational pursuits. Additionally, the study identifies the need to analyse new opportunities and risks to academic integrity associated with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in educational contexts.Scientific novelty. A diagnostic assessment of the “sustainable anti-corruption position” among university students was conducted, focusing on their rational, value-based, and behavioural manifestations. It is argued that academic integrity serves as a behavioural indicator of the sustained anti-corruption stance that students exhibit through their educational activities.Practical significance. The adoption of standards of academic integrity will assist students in developing a socially acceptable model of behaviour, particularly in situations where there may be a temptation to violate anti-corruption rules for personal gain. The cultivation of a student’s academic integrity should be regarded as a crucial component of systemic anti-corruption efforts within the university.

Practical research on picture books in art activities for preschool children

Kindergarten Education Guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education clearly puts forward: "use painting and other forms to arouse children's interest in reading picture books, and cultivate pre-reading and pre-painting skills".This shows that picture books are of great significance for children to cultivate their interest and develop the ability of art education activities. Picture books are timely and appropriately introduced into children's art teaching, by guiding children to observe, think and discuss the pictures and plots in picture books, to stimulate children's art creation inspiration and imagination, and make up for the lack of children's art teaching, but also to enrich its content and form, promote children's all-round development.

Developing the digital competencies of future public servants: a differentiated approach

Introduction. In the digital age, a primary condition for ensuring national security, fostering long-term economic development, and enhancing the quality of life for citizens is the effective functioning of state civil service institutions. Consequently, the quality of training for future employees in public authorities, particularly in the field of information and communication technologies, is of paramount importance.Aim. The present research aims to establish scientific and methodological foundations for a differentiated approach to developing digital competencies among future specialists in public and municipal administration during their training.Methodology and research methods. The methodological foundation of the study was grounded in the methods and principles of systems analysis, as well as general logical methods of scientific inquiry, including analysis, synthesis, generalisation, induction, and deduction. Additionally, it employed modelling techniques such as mental modelling and visual modelling.Results. The definition of the category “differentiation” as a specific form of educational organisation has been established. Key principles have been identified and substantiated, including the principles of complexity levels, individualisation, and collaboration. A framework model for the differentiated training of future public authority employees in the field of digital technologies has been outlined.Scientific novelty. A new methodology for training future specialists in state and municipal administration has been developed, substantiated, and is currently being implemented, taking into account contemporary trends in the evolution of the higher education system, particularly in the realm of digital technologies.Practical significance. The results obtained can serve as a methodology for organising educational activities within the higher education system, specifically for training future employees of public authorities.

Examining Changes in Implementation of Priority Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Practices, and Related Barriers, Over Time in Australian Early Childhood Education and Care Services: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Promoting healthy eating and physical activity in early childhood education and care (ECEC) is recommended within guidelines and supported by health promotion programs; however, implementation is suboptimal. Evidence suggests implementation within the sector varies over time; however, this has not been empirically examined in relation to implementation barriers. This study aims to: (1) describe changes in the prevalence of, and barriers to, implementation of priority healthy eating and physical activity practices; and (2) explore the associations between such barriers and implementation. Methods: This was a repeated cross-sectional study over an 8-month period. A cross-section of 150-180 Australian ECEC services were prospectively randomly sampled for each month (April-November 2023), with 1127 ECEC services sampled in total and 20% of services sampled twice. Services reported via survey their implementation of two priority practices: (1) healthy menu standards and (2) educating and engaging parents in child physical activity. They also reported on implementation status, implementation stage, and five core implementation barriers. Results: Overall, 716 services completed 809 surveys. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of implementation or general trends in barriers to implementation of the two priority practices across that time. Services reporting less barriers were significantly more likely to be implementing the priority practices, and services in more advanced implementation stages were significantly less likely to report barriers. Conclusions: To enhance the implementation of priority practices in ECEC services, key barriers to implementation need to be understood and targeted to progress services through to advanced implementation stages.

Cadets’ Self-Government as a Factor of Future Officers’ Organizational Culture Formation

The article deals with substantiation of the role of cadets’ self-government in the formation of future officers’ organizational culture at a higher military educational institution. The organizational culture is defined as a complex of norms, values, and beliefs and consider it to be an important component of the officers’ professional culture and, at the same time, a factor of the future officers’ personal development during their professional training and independent professional activity as well. The main characteristics of the future officers’ organizational culture, three components in the structure of future officers’ organizational culture (culture of self-organization, culture of subordinate personnel organization, culture of interpersonal interaction organization) have been defined. Based on the identified components in the structure of future officers’ organizational culture, we have identified the criteria for its formation (cognitive, activity, personal), which are specified in a set of relevant indicators. The pedagogical conditions of future officers’ organizational culture formation with the use of cadets’ self-government in higher military educational institutions have been determined: ensuring the gradual involving of cadets in different forms of extra-our educational activities; involving cadets in organizational activities in the framework of the program "Young Leader School", which provides the formation of professionally oriented personal background in the organizational culture formation. The study concluded that organizational culture is an essential component of the professionalism of a future officer, which largely determined the success of the professional tasks implementation; cadets’ self-government has a significant potential in the context of forming the organizational culture of future officers, and its capabilities should be actively used to form the organizational culture of cadets.

Persistent Identifiers for Instruments and Facilities: Current State, Challenges, and Opportunities

Objective: Persistent Identifiers (PIDs) are central to the vision of open science described in the FAIR Principles. However, the use of PIDs for scientific instruments and facilities is decentralized and fragmented. This project aims to develop community-based standards, guidelines, and best practices for how and why PIDs can be assigned to facilities and instruments. Methods: We hosted several online and in-person focus groups and discussions, cumulating in a two-day in-person workshop featuring stakeholders from a variety of organizations and disciplines, such as instrument and facilities operators, PID infrastructure providers, researchers who use instruments and facilities, journal publishers, university administrators, federal funding agencies, and information and data professionals. Results: Our first-year efforts resulted in four main areas of interest: developing a better understanding of the current PID ecosystem; clarifying how and when PIDs could be assigned to scientific instruments and facilities; challenges and barriers involved with assigning PIDs; incentives for researchers, facility managers, and other stakeholders to encourage the use of PIDs. Conclusions: The potential for PIDs to facilitate the discovery, connection, and attribution of research instruments and facilities indicates an obvious value in their use. The lack of standards of how and when they are created, assigned, updated, and used is a major barrier to their widespread use. Data and information professionals can work to create relationships with stakeholders, provide relevant education and outreach activities, and integrate PIDs for instruments and facilities into their data curation and publication workflows.

Exploring the Ancient Temples of South India: A Review

South India is home to some of the most exquisite and architecturally significant temples in the world, dating back to the Pallava, Chola, Pandya, and Vijayanagar dynasties. These temples not only serve as places of worship but also as repositories of art, culture, and history. This review explores the historical evolution of South Indian temples, their architectural marvels, and the religious and cultural significance they hold. Key architectural features, such as gopurams, vimanas, and intricately carved mandapas, reflect the ingenuity of ancient craftsmen and their alignment with spiritual and cosmic principles. The temples also served as centres of education, art, and socio-economic activities, sustaining traditional dance forms like Bharatanatyam and fostering community cohesion. Today, these temples are integral to cultural tourism, attracting millions of visitors who seek to experience their spiritual and historical heritage. By examining these enduring legacies, the review highlights the profound role of temples in shaping South India’s cultural identity.