Faculty Of Arts Research Articles

Unveiling the relationships between language learning strategies and academic achievement among Moroccan EFL university students

This paper aims to examine language learning strategies and learning styles among EFL Moroccan undergraduate university students. It also investigates the interrelationships between learning strategies and academic achievement. The sample consisted of (N= 294) EFL undergraduate university students, enrolled in the Department of English Language at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Sultan Moulay Slimane, Beni Mellal. The participants were 151 (51.4%) females and 143 (48.6%) males, with 148 (50.3%) studying literature and 146 (49.7%) studying linguistics. The data were collected using Oxford’s (1990) Strategy Inventory to gather information on language learning strategies. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings showed that participants used language learning strategies frequently, with metacognitive strategies being the most commonly used. Memory, compensation, cognitive, metacognitive, affective, and social strategies were the most frequently used strategies in descending order. Additionally, the study found a moderately positive correlation between language learning strategies and academic achievement. Ultimately, the study drew implications for EFL students, teachers, program administrators, and curriculum designers.

Investigating Dynamic's Mental Approaches of English Grammar on EFL Learners at the University Level

This study aims to investigate some innovative mental approaches to learning English language grammar on EFL learners that graduation students in the English language department use. The researcher focused on this area because many difficulties and complex items need to be used. This study was carried out in April- 2021 with a random sample of 30 at Al-Baha University in the Faculty of Science and Arts in Almekhwa. A questionnaire was designed and participants chose one appropriate option from the three options: (I use it always, I use it sometimes and I don't use it). Percentage, frequencies, and graphs were used to analyze data collected, and an interview was conducted. The study's main results showed that the participants always use the following mental approaches; '' The students need patience on the teacher's part. – individual study and online class''. Many students need great awareness to use some approaches as staying curious, critical thinking for group discussions, and applying a judicious mix of techniques The study recommended that there are many varieties of mental approaches to enhance English language grammar learning in proper ways of ''ELF learners''.

Investigating Moroccan EFL Doctoral Students’ Perceptions of Critical Thinking as a Research Skill

The past few decades have seen a growing recognition of the importance of critical thinking as a crucial soft skill. Accordingly, its cultivation in education, more precisely at the tertiary level, is today widely endorsed. Yet, a body of research has shown that doctoral students display poor critical thinking skills. Adopting a qualitative approach and a case study design, the present study aims to investigate Moroccan EFL doctoral students’ perceptions of critical thinking as a research skill. Hence, semi-structured interviews and focus groups are used to gather data from 15 EFL doctoral students in the context of The Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Moulay Ismail University of Meknes. Inductive thematic analysis has yielded compelling issues that are grounded in students’ engagement in analytical activities and the quality of teaching they have received. The study adds to the literature on critical thinking, provides input towards pedagogical implications for research and teaching, and recommends future directions as well.

Development and Implementation of a Multicultural-Based Learning Model to Enhance Understanding of Cultural Diversity

This research aims to develop and implement an effective multicultural-based learning model to enhance the understanding of cultural diversity among students of the Department of Dance and Theater, Faculty of Arts and Culture, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo in the course of Indonesian Dance. In the era of globalization, understanding cultural diversity becomes important to build tolerance and appreciation for differences. The research method used is a qualitative approach with a classroom action research design involving 30 students. The research procedure consists of the preparation, implementation, and evaluation stages, which include the use of questionnaires, interviews, and observations to collect data. The research results show that the implementation of a multicultural-based learning model significantly enhances students’ understanding of cultural diversity, as evidenced by the increase in questionnaire scores and active student participation during the learning process. This research concludes that this learning model can be an effective strategy in teaching cultural diversity through dance, as well as making a positive contribution to the development of the curriculum in the Performing Arts department.

«ЖИВІ МЕЛОДІЇ СЕЛА» У ВОКАЛЬНО-ПЕДАГОГІЧНОМУ РЕПЕРТУАРІ ЗДОБУВАЧІВ ОСВІТИ ФАКУЛЬТЕТІВ МИСТЕЦТВ

The article analyzes the peculiarities of applying the results of the innovative project of the author of the study – «Living Melodies of the Village» in the vocal training of students of art faculties. The features of the implementation of the «Village Melodies Live» project are described, information about the participants and winners is provided. The article substantiates the importance and effectiveness of the innovative project «Living Melodies of the Village» in the vocal training of students of higher art education, describes recommendations for the use of video materials and sheet music in the process of learning Ukrainian singing and mastering a new vocal-pedagogical repertoire. The content of the song collection, which includes various folk songs of Cherkasy region and photographs of artistic works, is analyzed. Emphasis is placed on the importance of using video materials of the project, which allow you to hear and see authentic performers of Ukrainian songs and learn from them specific techniques and means of Ukrainian folk singing. The proposed materials – expedition videos and song’s book of the project - are aimed at the musical, all-round spiritual development of students, their patriotic upbringing and enrichment of worldview, the formation of vocal and pedagogical repertoire and stimulation of scientific research and artistic and educational activities. The article determines that the project «Living Melodies of the Village» affects national self-awareness, identity, helps students to master the culture of Ukrainian singing, to form a worldview and artistic and aesthetic tastes, spiritual values, to develop musical abilities and talents, to enrich knowledge about the traditions of their people. Links to Internet resources with the materials of the «Village Melodies of the Village» project are provided for their practical use in art pedagogy.

The Death Penalty, Its Pros and Cons, When and Why it Can be Justified (A Field Study for Students of the Faculty of Arts, Al-Ahliyya Amman University)

The aim of this research was to identify the death penalty in terms of its pros and cons, and when and why it can be justified, through a field study on students of the Faculty of Arts at Al-Ahliyya Amman University, using the descriptive approach, and by applying it to a sample of (450) male and female students who were chosen randomly, With the design of a questionnaire to collect information, the research concluded that the positives of the death penalty are attributed to the benefit of males, while the negatives are attributed to the benefit of females. Also, when the death penalty is justified is attributed to the benefit of married people, while why the death penalty is justified is attributed to the benefit of the educational stage.

Using Genre Analysis to Detect AI-Generated Academic Texts

This study investigates the distinguishing characteristics between human-written and AI-generated abstracts through genre analysis techniques. The research examined mini-memoir abstracts authored by MA2 students at Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Kairouan, Tunisia and compared them to AI-generated abstracts created specifically for this study using ChatGPT. The analysis focused on text function recurrence, specifically the frequency and quality of elements such as purpose statements, methodology, results, and contextualization. Findings revealed that human-written abstracts exhibit a more comprehensive and detailed presentation, emphasizing contextualization and thorough results, while AI-generated abstracts tend to prioritize clear and explicit purpose statements with less depth in results and contextual information. The study highlights the need for targeted teacher training and rigorous assessment criteria to uphold academic integrity and address the challenges posed by AI in scholarly writing.

Designing platforms for digital object-based learning

Over the last decade, object-based learning programs have become a staple of museum collections. These programs encourage and allow patrons to engage with a series of curated objects, offering educational experiences through tactile exploration. Naturally, they are focused on having their audience engage with the physical objects themselves (Chatterjee & Hannan 2016). Applying museological practice and object-based learning in the digital context requires not just presenting digital replica of physical objects, but scaffolding their presentation and platform with purpose, intent, and understanding of the strengths and pitfalls of digital delivery (Beetham & Sharpe 2013; De Kluis, Romp, & Land-Zandstra 2024). As such, digital object-based learning platforms and programs purposefully designed for remote learning and online delivery fill a unique niche in the higher education space and are beginning to come into their own. At Macquarie University, objectbasedlearning.com (an initiative of the Faculty of Arts and stewarded by its Learning Design and Production team) was relaunched in late 2023 following an extensive redesign, with learning designers, academics, and students now working together to provide new remote learning opportunities and experiences for the classroom. This presentation introduces the audience to the refurbished website, explains the ethos behind its redesign with an eye to evolving learning spaces and remote learning, and explores the site’s current and future applications and projects as a case study for designing digital object-based learning. The site was designed with future utility and outreach at its core, offering flexibility in how it presents and categorizes digital objects, and a site layout which reflects the needs of its target audience – schoolteachers. The NSW Stages 5 and 6 Curriculum informs the website’s design, determining how objects are grouped, how users navigate the site, and what information and metadata is prioritized, developed, and displayed. Since its relaunch, the website has been utilized in schools and faculties in NSW to deliver object-based learning experiences and classes. While it is too early to publish on outcomes of the project, early feedback has been positive, and new teaching initiatives have developed around the platform. In 2024, student interns at Macquarie were challenged to develop educational materials, lessons, and workshops which took advantage of the potential of technology-enabled object-based learning. These artefacts were designed to give students a unique object-based learning experience, removing the boundaries of physical distance, financial constraints, and fragility of objects. Moreover, student interns involved in the photogrammetric scanning of objects for the website were themselves enjoying an object-based learning experience, engaging with their materiality and learning how best to present the object in a digital environment.

Navigating integrity and innovation

As generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) continues to disrupt the way higher education is delivered, universities are responding at pace with strategies and resources to ensure responsible and ethical use of the technology by our students as they prepare for future professions. The integration of GenAI into teaching and learning activities is being diffused into educators’ practice on a spectrum from caution through to positive educational transformation. In this paper, a team of educational designers in an Arts Faculty shares case studies and reflections from our educator colleagues to explore the uneven uptake of the technology. We argue that the focus on assessment security is blurring the potential of GenAI to create collaborative, exploratory and expansive learning experiences for our students. We suggest a programmatic approach to ‘becoming’ a graduate will allow space for educators to interrogate their teaching, learning and assessment activities to ensure our graduates can imagine themselves as professional selves in an uncertain future.

Enhancing civic engagement through podcasting: a modern approach for higher education

ABSTRACT Civic Education in higher education often struggles with student disengagement, largely due to traditional, less interactive teaching methods. This study explores the integration of podcasts as an innovative tool to enhance civic engagement among students. Grounded in andragogical principles, podcasts offer a dynamic platform for active participation, fostering critical discussions and reflections on pressing social issues. Conducted within the Faculty of Languages, Arts, and Culture at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia, this research involved students from the English Education Program and employed a qualitative descriptive approach to assess the impact of podcasts on critical thinking, collaborative learning, and the understanding of civic concepts and social responsibility. The findings indicate that podcasts significantly enrich the learning experience, equipping students to become more critical, socially conscious citizens who actively contribute to societal change. This study contributes to the field by highlighting the effectiveness of innovative teaching strategies in Civic Education, particularly the use of podcasts to strengthen civic engagement and social responsibility in higher education. The implications of this research underscore the need for educators to adopt more engaging and interactive methods, thereby equipping students with the essential skills and knowledge to actively participate in civic life and address social issues effectively.

Staging anxiety through magical realism: A practice-based exploration in two theatrical productions

Anxiety disorders are prevalent in everyday life, yet theatrical realism often struggles to capture and convey the lived experiences from the points of view of those affected. This practice-based research explores how magical realism can serve as an alternative mode of representation to depict the internal experiences of characters with anxiety disorders on stage. The study began with a literature review on magical realism and anxiety disorders, identifying key characteristics that informed the development of performances. Through a devising process, the research culminated in two distinct productions: “The Practice,” a devised piece created with a group of seven actors and showcased at the Bangkok Theatre Festival in November 2022, and “As Fa As Farida,” a solo performance developed collaboratively by the researcher-director and an actor, staged in May and June 2023 at the Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University. Despite differences in scale and presentation, both performances were able to portray the inner worlds of characters with anxiety disorders through the essence of magical realism, characterized by four main themes identified through thematic analysis: the interplay of reality and fantasy, the disruption of space and time, metatheatrical reflections on society and identity, and voices from the margins. The insights from this study can guide future theatrical experiments and be applied across various media, including literature, film, and other art forms.

By the Book8 – Publishing and the Changing World, 21 to 22 June 2023, University of Porto, Portugal

Abstract In June 2023, a conference organized by the European Publishing Studies Association (EuroPub) – entitled ‘By the Book8’ – was held at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Porto (Faculdade de Letras Universidade do Porto – FLUP). This article analyses the participation at the conference, including details of academic affiliation and nationality, alongside the themes represented by the conference papers.

Students' Readiness and Perceptions of Autonomous Learning: A Case Study of UMI students

This paper aims to investigate the readiness and perceptions of students towards autonomous learning at the Faculty of Arts, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, English Department, a concept that emphasizes learner independence and self-regulation in the educational process. As educational paradigms shift towards more student-centered approaches, understanding how prepared students are for such autonomy is crucial for successful implementation. This case study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys and interviews to assess students' self-efficacy, motivation, and attitudes towards independent learning. It involves 120 participants, the research focuses on the impact of demographic variables such as age, gender, and educational background on students' readiness and attitudes, the factors influencing their readiness for autonomous learning, their perceptions of the benefits and challenges of autonomous learning compared to traditional learning, and the relationship between self-efficacy and perceived readiness. The findings reveal varying levels of readiness among students, influenced by factors such as prior learning experiences, access to resources, and personal motivation. While a significant portion of students express enthusiasm for the flexibility and empowerment associated with autonomous learning, others indicate concerns about the challenges it presents, including time management and the need for self-discipline. The study concludes by discussing the implications for curriculum design and the support structures necessary to enhance students' readiness for autonomous learning at UMI.

Investigation of the differences in designers' spatial perception in interior spaces using Kokedama

The word kokedama consists of the Japanese words "koke" (moss) and "dama" (ball). Due to its easily accessible materials and easy construction, it has become an application that almost everyone can do, and its use is expected to become widespread. The aim of this study is to investigate the differences in the spatial perceptions of designers who have received basic design education in different faculties in the case of interiors that including kokedama. To measure the differences in spatial perception, photographs of 8 different public interiors were processed and a survey was administered to the subjects. The survey results were analyzed statistically. According to the results of the study, the increase in the value of the perceptibility and simplicity criteria also increases the value of other criteria. As the value of perceptibility and simplicity increases in kokedama applications, the perception of complexity decreases. This data explains that the use of kokedama contributes positively to spatial perception. The criteria that have the most effect when they are together are the structure/identity and perceptibility criteria. The highest scorers on the criteria affecting spatial perception were graduates of the faculty of fine arts, while the lowest scorers were graduates of the faculty of agriculture.

Albertism in John Wenck's Commentary on the Third Book of De Anima

John Wenck is best known for his polemical writing against Cusanus and is therefore mostly portrayed in critical literature as a conservative scholastic who adheres to Thomistic theses. His philosophical and theological works remain still unedited and his adherence to Parisian Albertism has been downplayed. This paper aims to contribute to a better understanding of John Wenck's thought by investigating the Albertist elements present in his commentary on the third book of De Anima, probably used for lectures at the Faculty of Arts in Paris. This paper is divided into three parts: the first consists in an analysis of the structure and sources of Wenck's commentary on De Anima, the second is a doctrinal exploration of the theory of the intellectual soul, highlighting Albertist aspects such as self-­knowledge and the possibility of knowledge without sensory images and the third is an investigation of the commentary's reception at the University of Krakow in the late 15th century, showing the lasting influence of Wenck's work.

STUDY OF IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS) AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS OF TAIF UNIVERSITY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY IN MEDICAL VERSUS NON-MEDICAL STUDENTS

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a repeated, expensive, and disabling functional digestive disorder. Stress can play a role in its occurrence hence, nowadays many researches are conducted on the college students especially the medical as a vulnerable group to stress that may predispose to IBS. Aim of the work To determine the IBS in medical students in Tiaf University, KSA, in comparison to non-medical students in female campus. Method: A transversal study was conducted among 223 female students from Faculty of Medicine, Arts, Admin and Financial sciences, Computer and Information technology and Islamic law. Participants were selected randomly during October 2014. A questionnaire based on Rome III Criteria was used for data collection. The collected data were analyzed and represented in tables and graphs. Results: Among the 223 students, the IBS was (26.9%) according to the Rome III criteria. IBS was more incident in medical students (30.3%) than non-medical (24.2%), but the difference was statistically non-significant. The percentage of IBS-constipation subtype was (38.3%), IBS-diarrhea subtype (33.3%) and IBS-mixed subtype (28.4%). Conclusion: High IBS incidence in female students of Taif University particularly among medical students. Recommendation: stress management courses and student support services are needed to allow the University students to deal with different stressors and pressure during the year university` studies.

Development of Animated Video of Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni Spiritual Tourism Object in Medan

The purpose of this study was to make an animated video about Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni in Medan using Sparkol-Videoscribe by applying a 4-D creation model from Thiagarajan. The steps of this model are: (i) definition phase, (ii) planning phase, (iii) creation phase and (iv) deployment phase. Brochures, the official website of Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni Medan and interviews with Sr Angelina are used as data sources. This research was conducted at the Language Laboratory, Faculty of Languages and Arts, State University of Medan. The result of this production is an animated video made with Sparkol-Videoscribe. This video is 09:43 minutes long and is 388 megabytes long. This video is published on YouTube with https://youtu.be/AZ4Mw96mfrQ?feature=shared link and validated by material experts and media experts. The validator gave a score of 87.5 (good) to the material. Overall, the video received a score of 85.71 which was categorized as good by media experts. Therefore, it can be concluded that the animated video about Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni in Medan is valid and valid.

Indaga-T Innovation Group: A Trajectory of Teaching Collaboration

Objective/Theoretical Framework: This paper orders various experiences of teaching innovation in the context of the Indaga-t group of the University of Barcelona. In them, the collaboration between professors from different Degrees taught in the faculties of Education and Fine Arts is shown. Method: The work carried out went beyond sharing teaching, displaying a series of methodologies that led teachers to work in joint actions intervening in the same space and time with students. Results and Discussion: The text shows how various dilemmas were faced in a university context where, increasingly, the relationship between the credits of the courses and their teaching assignments do not invite teachers to interact by going to the classroom together. Implications of the Research: The challenge involved reflecting and becoming aware of the motivations that combined efforts in the face of a stiff institution where time is a scarce resource. Originality/Value: The experiences of communication are the result of learning relationships between teachers and students who worked together collaboratively from different areas of knowledge; These experiences speak of the commitments that were assumed as our beyond our own courses and their teaching plans.

Artistic Negotiation of Emma and Lucy Annual Drama The Musical Jekyll & Hyde: A Performance Quadrilogue View

The main focus is on the artistic aspects of the two female characters, Emma Carew and Lucy Harris in the production of “The Musical Jekyll & Hyde” by the Annual Drama team of Faculty of Language and Arts, Satya Wacana Christian University Salatiga, in 2023. The study focused on the process and artistic decision making within the context of management, musicology, dramaturgy, and literary studies. The study highlights how Emma and Lucy, are constructed in feminism artistic analysis in contemporary drama. The characters represented female with their domestic and private roles. Observation, interviews, documentation, and library studies were conducted to gather the data. Using performance centered approach, the study thoroughly observed the artistic decision process of the three actors of performance quadrilogue, namely the source, producer, and performer. As a college theater, all the artistic decision was made by the students. The four artistic elements of theater production, comprising the verbal text, song, movement, and scenary, portrayed the story’s setting in the 1800s in England. Emma’s verbal text depicted the English women of the elite with their domestic orientation. On the contrary, Lucy portrayed liberal English women. The four artistic elements in a theater production, referred to Broadway theater of the same title. This study positioned artistic elements as its study object instead of drama as a media of English learning. These two domains are discussed to sharpen on the construction of the female figure in the artistic perspective of feminist analysis. Post-production studies are also conducted to examine how students gain experience of an artistic decision-making process in producing a performance. It was conducted through the management’s delegating mechanism in the chart of the structured organization.

The Role of Mediated Learning Environment (MLE) in Improving Students Oral Skills: A Case Study on the Use of Audio-Visual Aids at the Department of English, University of Saba Region

This paper aims to improve the speaking abilities of university students in the Department of English, Faculty of Education, and Faculty of Arts at the University of Saba Region, by implementing a mediated learning environment (MLE) and using audiovisual aids (AVA). The paper utilizes a case-study research design, selecting 50 fourth-level English students from the two faculties as sample subjects. Data for the study was collected using a mixed qualitative-quantitative approach. A structured student questionnaire with 40 items was used, categorized into six fields representing the independent variables: curriculum, staff teachers, students, learning atmosphere, facilities, and university. The data collected were analyzed and discussed using the mediated theory (MT). The results suggest that the inaccessibility and unaffordability of AVA are major challenges that hinder students' improvement in speaking abilities and communication skills. Staff teachers and facilities were found to be the main influencing factors and challenges that hinder students' use of AVA to enhance their oral skills, with average values of 24.11% and 24%, respectively. The study concludes that the use of a mediated learning environment, such as AVA, helps develop students' oral skills and communication, enabling them to speak confidently and actively participate.