Bachelor Degree Course Research Articles

Early Detection of Drop Outs in E-Learning Systems

After the popularity of Learning Management Systems, Data Mining and Learning Analytics have become emerging topics. Learning Management Systems such as Moodle, provide big amount of data to be used in analyzing students’ online behavior. This paper represents a method for early detection of drop outs from a Bachelor degree course using data mining methods. Data is collected through Moodle logs. For early detection, event logs till the first exam is taken into consideration. Decision Tree (DT) and Bayesian Network (BN) algorithms are used for the prediction. In the end it is shown that DT algorithm gives a higher over-all accuracy but BN is better for discovering fail cases as it has higher specificity.

GEOGRAPHY, MULTICULTURALISM, CITY: MODERN ASPECTS

Education is an inseparable part of current global processes which is shaping and at the same reflecting the basic changes in economic, social and ecological spheres. One of the most significant current global trends is the high level of mobility of people - from tourism to growing working migration. Relocation of people, mixture of ethnic groups and nationalities have taken place in all epochs of the history of humanity but it has never been so grand-scale, that is including absolutely all continents. The development of transport, information technologies have simplified people’s relocation, including with educational purposes. Such state of things has identified multiculturalism as a separate branch of pedagogical theory and practice. Russia is a multicultural state that has formed a corresponding system of education as the foundation of national culture, outlook, based on variety of cultures, languages, traditions. Modern challenges of social development formulate a sophisticated task of up-bringing in the spirit of deep respect to all nations, the ability to communicate and cooperate with people of various nationalities, social groups, religions. Among the multitude of tasks of multicultural education, connected with designing of its contents, the most important from our point of view is the up-bringing of a multiculturally orientated personality. Multiculturally orientated personality possesses civic self-actualization, means of creative self-organization and self- realization in the multicultural world. It must possess key general competences, including the knowledge of basics and objective laws of the development of multicultural world, the ability to orientate in the cultural multi-variety of the world. The major role in solution of the task is given to studying geography, shaping geographic culture. Geoculturalistic agenda, various aspects of studying geography has very deep roots. Geography is tensely connected with the idea of culture. Culture is territorial, that is it experiences full-scaled influence of geographic factor, it is differentiated in space, and is organized in a very special way, developing and functioning in specific, immanent territorial forms. Besides, teaching geography at school does not correspond to the current demands to full extent. In secondary school, especially in city, geography is taught only in specialized classes which obviously diminish the opportunities of developing multiculturual environment to full scale. These and many other aspects of shaping geographic culture of students are realized on bachelor degree course and master course in institutions of higher education. Thus, the development of geographic culture, advance of geographic education should become the important part in solution the problems of multicultural education and multicultural preparation of specialists.

Problems of teaching the discipline “Agricultural Law” in institutions of higher education

The subject of the research is the peculiarities of teaching the discipline “Agricultural Law” in institutions of higher education oriented towards the training of bachelors in the field of agriculture and agro-industrial complex. The author analyzes the Federal Educational Standard in Jurisprudence (bachelor degree course), educational standards of institutions of higher education authorized to develop them, and the curricula of some institutions of higher education for the presence of the discipline “Agricultural Law”. The author also gives attention to the up-to-date scientific literature in this discipline.   The research is based on the methods of analysis, observation, description, the formal-legal method and sociological method. The author arrives at the following conclusions: 1) in specialized agricultural universities, even if they have the faculty of law, the discipline “Agricultural law” is often not taught in bachelor degree courses. The author suggests introducing the compulsory discipline “Agricultural Law” in field-oriented educational institutions (primarily those under the Ministry of Agriculture). 2) the author notes students’ low motivation for studying this discipline. 3) there’s a lack of up-to-date agricultural law textbooks.   

Psicologia e Letras Libras: um encontro na busca por uma educação inclusiva no Ensino Superior

Discute-se neste texto a promoção da Educação Inclusiva no Ensino Superior por meio do relato de uma experiência formativa que inaugurou a parceria entre o Curso de Psicologia da Faculdade de Ciências Humanas (FCH), o Curso de Licenciatura em Letras: Língua Portuguesa/Libras da Faculdade de Educação a Distância (EaD) e o Núcleo Multidisciplinar para Inclusão e Acessibilidade da Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (NuMIAc). Com intuito de promover a inclusão de estudantes com deficiências, implementou-se uma proposta de estágio supervisionado que, a um só tempo, inscreveu a educação inclusiva no processo de formação inicial de psicólogos; contribuiu para a reflexão sobre o perfil do egresso do curso de Letras Libras; e subsidiou encaminhamentos institucionais necessários à implantação de políticas de acessibilidade e permanência qualificada a estudantes autodeclarados com deficiências na universidade.

Do Graduate Police Officers Make a Difference to Policing? Results of an Integrative Literature Review

This article updates and extends a literature review by Paterson on the attributes said to be brought to policing by graduate officers compared to their non-graduate counterparts. A number of methodological shortcomings in the research as well as criticisms levelled at various bachelor degree courses means drawing definitive conclusions is problematic. Overall, it seems policing or criminal justice degrees confers no particular advantage; rather, it is the experience of university per se that is important. Whilst too early to say what benefits the present Police Education Qualification Framework devised by the UK’s College of Policing will yield, current research is unable to confirm unambiguously that values associated with higher levels of education may bring improved policing outcomes.

O perfil e a trajetória dos bacharéis e tecnólogos da área de gerenciamento e administração: estudo comparativo

A presente pesquisa apresenta como tema os Bacharéis e Tecnólogos da área de Gerenciamento e Administração graduados em instituições de ensino superior privadas do Estado de São Paulo, que utilizam o custo praticado em suas mensalidades para atrair novos discentes. Objetiva comparar o perfil e a trajetória de profissionais que concluíram Cursos de Bacharelado e, igualmente, aqueles que concluíram Cursos Superiores de Tecnologia na área de Gerenciamento e Administração, entre os anos de 2004 e 2015. Consideraram-se validos apenas questionários de respondentes graduados em instituições que anunciavam valores de mensalidades próximos ao salário mínimo de 2016, ou ofertavam bolsas de estudo e descontos para atrair novos estudantes. Os resultados comprovaram que o grau acadêmico de ensino superior promove diferenciação na carreira dos egressos da área de Gerenciamento e Administração.

Factors Influencing Job Choice among Agricultural Graduates in Tamil Nadu

The results revealed that 96 per cent of the doctoral degree students selected the course by choice, which was 97.5 and 74 per cent in case of master and bachelor degree students, respectively. Majority of the students opted bachelor degree course to learn practical agriculture, while post-graduation has been opted for attaining a better job. The percentage of students who selected agricultural studies by their own decisions have increased with increase in the degree level, which was 36, 57, and 62 per cent at bachelor, master and doctoral degree levels, respectively. Apart from their own decisions, their fathers and siblings served as a source of motivation for a significant number of students at all the degree levels. Majority of the students, as well as their parents, wished to get employed in the service sector, and a considerable proportion of them wanted to go for higher education. Within the service sector, state government jobs were mostly preferred and private sector jobs were least preferred. Interestingly, a significant volume (26%) of the bachelor degree students wanted to take up farming as their profession. There was a significant positive relationship between career preferences and profile characteristics like family income, degree level and medium of instruction at the secondary level. Student respondents felt that family type, family background and income were the major constraints in selecting their career options.

Роль модульного обучения в развитии профессиональных компетенций студентов прикладного бакалавриата

The modular principle of the educational process organization is considered in which practical work, training and introductory, educational practice, SSRP are included into the module, along with the theoretical content. The aim of the article is to consider possibilities of modular education in developing professional competencies of future primary school teachers. In the article experience of the module section approbation "Organization of students’ learning activities at Arts and crafts lessons" is presented. Two models of the teacher's activity in the teaching process are described: the “instruction” model of the teaching process and the teacher’s "controlling" activity. Experience of implementing the model of modular education at all stages is presented: an example of the task for students for educational and introductory practice is given; examples of questions discussed in reflexive work are given; how classroom studies are conducted taking into account the specificity of the subject "Arts and crafts". Examples of a test task and a case for the midterm assessment of students are provided. The effectiveness of the modular organization of the educational process in developing students’ professional competencies of applied bachelor degree course is shown.

Mentoring questionnaire for health profession students in Switzerland: validation study

Purpose: This study aims to determine the validity of a mentoring programme questionnaire that should to be used for future evaluations in bachelor degree courses at the Bern University of Applied Sciences.Material and methods: One hundred and twenty-nine students were finally included in this study. Explorative factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis was conducted and model fit was discussed.Results: The model fit shows a good RMSEA value of .064 and a good CFI value of .946. A non-significant chi-square value could be determined (χ2 = 45.76, df =30, N = 129, p = .063).Conclusion: The current study determines a feasible model fit and suggests applying the mentoring programme questionnaire in bachelor degree courses at the Bern University of Applied Sciences Health with relatively good construct validity.

FINAL YEAR PROJECTS: MAKING IT MORE APPLIED.

Final-year projects and dissertations undertaken by students at the end of their Bachelor degree courses are a topic of interest in many countries. This paper reasserts the importance of Final Year Projects and rethinks their role in the business school curriculum to equip students for employability and for the business world. 
 While recognizing the strengths of the traditional research-based dissertation honors project, what are also needed are alternative types that provide students with a forward-looking experience and equip them to thrive in an uncertain, super-complex world (Barnett 2000; 2004). 
 The paper discusses alternative methods for the Final Year Projects in business schools and recommends that business schools have student-run businesses, a consultancy practice and an entrepreneurship incubator. Students would then be exposed to real world problems and learn to take decisions. Supervisors would act as advisors and offer business coaching. The benefits of such projects and issues involved are discussed.

Rural environmental planning in a family farm: education, extension and sustainability

ABSTRACT: Developing research, teaching and extension in university programs is fundamental to capacitate professionals for the challenging endeavors. Considering the importance of these three university functions as relevant learning practices, the objective of this study was to analyze qualitatively the development of teaching project proposals associated with extension activities, directed to the rural environmental planning in an Agricultural Production Unit, in order to identify the issues and their degree of applicability. Twenty project proposals were developed in the "Rural Environmental Planning" course to plan an Agricultural Production Unit, which were subsequently evaluated by the farmer. This discipline is part of the Bachelor's degree course in Environmental Management and Analysis of the Universidade Federal de São Carlos. The projects followed qualitative research methods using the systemic and participatory approach. At the end of the process the farmer answered an evaluation matrix of the projects. Development of the projects was particularly important for the students and for their knowledge on the various topics covered, which also resulted in factual improvement perspectives in the Agricultural Production Unit. Construction of knowledge was participatory and integrated between the students and farmer.

Опыт Ярославского государственного университета им. П.Г. Демидова по усилению практико-ориентированного подхода при реализации образовательных программ «Бакалавр по направлению туризм» и «Магистр по направлению туризм»

The article focuses on the implementation of a practice-oriented education in Bachelor’s and Master´s programmes in tourism in P.G. Demidov Yaroslavl State University. These requirements are set by the Federal State Educational Standard 3 and 3+ and are dictated by the real labor market. The practice-oriented approach is achieved through the applying of interactive training forms, involving of experts in tourism industry, organization of various kinds of practices associated with real activity, realization training trips and extracurricular students’ activities. An important factor of increasing the connection of the educational process with the actual needs of the tourism business is the formulation of final results in the form of specific professions. This approach allows organizing training modules in accordance with the tourist industry requirements. An important form of the formation of business thinking in students, who are studying tourism, is their work at workshops on the development of specific programs or objects by request the municipal or commercial establishments. In contrast to the bachelor degree course for master course at the Yaroslavl State University are formulated professional guidelines relating to the enterprise management in the tourism industry, territory management, as well as the development of territorial tourism and recreation complexes.
 The high demand of the University graduates at the enterprises of the tourism industry proves the success of this approach in the educational field.

The Ethno-Cultural Approach to Training Bachelors Teachers in the Context of Preschool Education Modernization

Background/Objectives: The purpose of the article is to justify the ethnic and cultural bases of students' vocational training in pedagogical university, focused on formation of ethnic identity, tolerance and prevention of intolerance. Methods: Sociological surveys were conducted among employers, students, parents, graduates of various years and the questionnaire results were analyzed to substantiate our approach to vocational training of teachers and to the development of the Basic Educational Program (BEP) for applied bachelor degree course. The results of a sociological survey confirmed the relevance of the problem. Findings: The bachelor teachers' vocational education modernization is justified with regard to the ethno-cultural situation in the region. The Basic Educational Program (BEP) for applied bachelor degree course majoring in 44.03.01 Pedagogic Education, the profile of Preschool is developed and introduced. The program focuses on providing specialized, fundamental, practical training of preschool teachers taking into account regional peculiarities of the republic. A distinctive feature of applied bachelor degree program is close interaction with the pre-school educational institutions. The integration of activities of university teachers and skilled practitioners of preschool educational organizations provides a high level of teacher training. and Pedagogical School Scientific and Methodical Support of the Pre-School Education Development in the Conditions of North is operating, within which more than 40 research projects were implemented in experimental sites of the republic. The activities of the scientific school have made a certain contribution to the theoretical and scientific-practical development of ethno-cultural education in the North. As a result, a laboratory of ethnic and cultural education was established. Applications/Improvements: Ethno-cultural approach in vocational education will allow for qualitative training of future teachers, forming their civic identity, aimed at strengthening peace, respect for people, friendship and solidarity.

The Scientific Programming Integrated Degree Program – A Pioneering Approach to Join Theory and Practice

While already established in other disciplines, integrated degree programs have become more popular in computer science and mathematical education in Germany as well over the last few years. These programs combine a theoretical education and a vocational training. The bachelor degree course “Scientific Programming”, offered at FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences, is such an integrated degree program. It consists of 50% mathematics and 50% computer science. It incorporates the MATSE (MAthematical and Technical Software dEveloper) vocational training in cooperation with research facilities and IT companies located in and nearby Aachen, Jülich and Cologne.This paper presents the general concept behind integrated degree programs in Germany and the Scientific Programming educational program in particular. A key distinguishing feature of this concept is the continuous combination of theoretical education at university level with practical work experience at a company. In this fashion, students end up being very well positioned for the labor market, and companies educate knowledgeable staff familiar with their products and processes. Additionally students are able to earn two degrees in three years, which is a rare approach for computer science programs in Germany. Therefore, Scientific Programming offers an important contribution towards reducing the shortage in advanced software development and engineering on the German labor market.

University economists training under global educational environment: challenges and prospects

Kazan Federal University being the leading one in the Volga region has set a strategic goal of academic reputation and University authority growth to achieve a high level of international recognition. The article describes the measures that were implemented by University management to enter the list of world leading universities. Some tools that accompany and foster necessary transformation are described and the way to align strategic priorities and economists training programs development is analyzed. The paper considers Bachelor and Master Degree courses in Economics and Management reshaping and establishes connection between New Third Generation Educational Standard introduction into the system of higher education and the process of University integration into the global educational environment. The new competence-based paradigm and interdisciplinary approach are both considered as important steps to improve academic and research performance. The “road map” developed and implemented by University management team was used as a platform for content analysis of qualitative data via systematic examination and verification of projected indicators open for public consideration on the official University web-page.

INCREASE OF DEMAND FOR GRADUATES OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Abstract. The aim of the research is identification of the objective and subjective factors influencing professional self-realization of graduates of the field of study «Public and Municipal Administration». Methods. The authors have conducted anonymous opinion survey of prestigious economic universities undergraduates (bachelor and master degree course) and graduates specialized in this sphere. The questions were about correspondence of gained academic qualification and actual occupation, the importance of degree certificate, satisfaction with education quality, attitude to different aspects of studying etc. In order to make relevant conclusions, the authors apply comparative, statistical, eneralization and induction methods. Results. Informants’ answers helped to count out the percentage of graduates whose occupation is connected with public administration, understand the reasons of choosing relevant master course, assess the significance of acquired competence and qualification for job placement at governmental organizations. The main scientific result of the research is working out a system of recommendations aimed at increasing demand for graduates specialized in the sphere of civil service, and, consequently, improving the efficiency of investment in management training. It is specified that the most important issues in this regard are forethought of career choice, students’ vision of academic planning, and approach to teaching, practice-oriented type of education. Scientific novelty. Having organized the data and compared it with previous surveys’ results, the authors reveal the factors essential to professional success and application of knowledge as well as correlation of these factors which means meeting the objective of the research. Practical significance. The presented materials can be used for the further modernization of the process of educational planning and taken into notice while developing academic programs for the direction «Public and Municipal Administration».

Quo vadis universitas

The article considers the advantages and disadvantages of the European universities that can be explained only by the analysis of their history. In contrast to the conventional theories, the economic enforcement was the driving cause for university formation in the Middle Ages. The guild concept created by Siegfried Bar 15 years ago explains the historical imperative, but also the construction faults of the universities resulting from their specific features essentially the principles of self-autonomy and cooptation. The faults of university organization are the main reasons why nearly all university reforms failed. There does not exist any convincing proof that the introduction of new organization models such as bachelor and master degree courses or excellence clusters are of more efficiency in teaching and research. The international university ranking did not change in recent years; the top ten universities are still located in the USA and Great Britain. The majority of German universities range between the middle and the end of the ranking list. It is demonstrated that the main causes of this discrepancy are the delay of academic qualification, the lack of competition, the dependency of the public policy, and the insufficient financial support. Progress in university research and teaching can be obtained only if these problems can be solved.

Developing Effective Educational Strategies in Kazakhstan

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the current state of business education market in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The research methodology is based on the processing of secondary data that makes it possible to conduct a preliminary analysis of the problems. The author gives an assessment of the current business education system. The conducted study led to the conclusion that contemporary business education in the Republic of Kazakhstan provides rather quality education from an academic point of view, though faces certain problems when focusing on business needs. The author reveals the existing problems and deficiencies of the business education system in the country, as well as identifies key trends and growth options of bachelor and master degree courses, as well as short-term courses in business education system in the Republic of Kazakhstan. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n5s1p54

Active Learning in Fiber Optic Course Using Applied Education Game

The strategy or method used in the learning process affect the result of learning. The wrong strategy will make students feel bored and lazy to attend class. In general, the learning method that is mostly used in universities around the world is center learning where the lecturer will give speak and the students will listen and take notes. This study was done in two classes i.e. a master’s degree module and a bachelor degree course in the Department of Electrical, Electronics and System Engineering, National University of Malaysia. A total of 31 students were used as respondents (sample) that consists of 61.3% male and 38.7% female, where 41.9% of them are doing bachelor degrees and the other 58.1% doing master’s degrees. This research show that 45% of respondents strongly agree and 55% of respondents agree that education games are more enjoyable than conventional lectures. 68% of respondents strongly agree and 29% of respondents agree that they like to study fiber optic using games. Furthermore, 58% of respondents strongly agree and 39% of respondents agree that they could remember fiber optic principles using the educational game.

Transition of the Higher Education to the Practically Oriented Educational Programmes

The study of the applied bachelor degree course is represented. It is exposed that in the Russian system of the tertiary education the qualified gap has been formed: in practice there is a lack of the educational servicing providers, who execute training of the specializations, uniting the acquisition of the practical skills and theoretical teaching. The European, Canadian and American examples are analysed. The research provides the comparative analysis of the target direction and the applied bachelor degree course. We concluded that in the conditions of the modern life the development of education, and rapid tempos of technology modernization, the top priority is given to the training of graduates, who possess the skills and abilities of the professional adaptation in the rapidly changing world. It is solved which model of education must be preferential today in order to be demanded and employed. The education becomes the means for the most adequate reflection of the market economy and the new society requirements.