University Level Research Articles

Impact of Affective and Cognitive Variables on University Student Reading Comprehension

The problem of reading comprehension at the university level has not been sufficiently explored in the field of education research. Understanding written texts is an essential prerequisite for academic success during university. Consequently, reading comprehension challenges can influence the dropout rate at the university level. On the other hand, research has been conducted from a cognitive perspective, without considering affective variables such as reading motivation and its relationship with linguistic and psychological variables. In this study, five questionnaires were administered to a sample of 65 teaching students from different disciplines. The questionnaires dealt with linguistic dimensions such as reading comprehension, at lexical, textual, and discursive levels; psychological aspects such as reading motivation; and cognitive aspects such as working memory. The results obtained through bivariate and mediation analyses show the mediating role of vocabulary in reading comprehension and other cognitive and affective variables. In this context, working memory has a positive indirect effect on more explicit processing tasks in reading comprehension of long texts associated with discourse comprehension. Finally, intrinsic motivation has a positive indirect effect on reading fluency and also on the comprehension of short texts. It also correlates positively with vocabulary tasks. These results are relevant in order to establish a reading profile of university students who have reading comprehension problems, as found in this study.

Education Status of the Santal Community in Northern Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a land of cultural diversity, with several small ethnic groups living across the country, each with its own tradition and identity. The purpose of this study is to explore the educational status of the Santal community, one of the largest ethnic groups residing mainly in the northern part of Bangladesh. This study adopted a qualitative approach, using a case study as methodology. Data were collected through interviews, group discussions, and document analysis. The findings reveal that the educational status of the Santal community is characterized by poor enrolment, continuity and literacy rate. Despite receiving primary education, their attainment rate declines in the secondary, higher secondary, and university levels. In this regard, various socioeconomic factors contribute to the low educational attainment rate. The Santal children are unable to continue their studies mainly due to poverty. Furthermore, language barriers, future employment uncertainty, child marriage, gender discrimination, industrialization and cultural impediments are primarily responsible for low educational attainment. They are already fighting to make ends meet, so adding the expense of school to their list of concerns is excessive. Despite this, the majority of the young people, especially those who are currently pursuing education, acknowledge the value of education and aspire to improve their situation by reaching a high social position through educational attainment. It illustrates that the current generation is aware of the importance of education and is eager to continue their studies. As a case study, the results of this research demonstrate how ethnic groups have struggled to get education in Bangladesh and what steps should be taken to enhance education status, so adding to the existing literature on education and policy. The findings may also be useful for policymakers concerned in improving the educational status of ethnic groups, notably the Santal community. Teacher’s World: Journal of Education and Research, 49 (2),173-196

Design of Fast Mining Algorithm for Educational Sport Course Data Based on Cluster Analysis

In this age of big data, education researchers are reconceptualizing and re-evaluating the value of education data. Therefore, we need to use educational data mining methods for data analysis to better guide teaching. The informatization level of colleges and universities is improving year by year, and the entire training data of students from enrollment to graduation is stored. These datasets are collected, stored, and kept by different departments, contain a large amount of regular and relevant information, and truly record the growth footprint of students. Traditional educational decision-making has not yet fully explored and used the valuable information hidden in data resources. Although some scholars have carried out research related to campus data mining at this stage, there are still many problems that have not yet been solved in the application of decision-making in colleges and universities. This paper is based on the idea of data-driven decision-making, combined with the data characteristics of campus big data, and establishes a model solution for student behavior analysis and behavior prediction by applying multiple machine learning algorithms. On the basis of the analysis of students’ academic behavior performance in the context of multi-category educational data, we proposed a cluster analysis framework for processing multi-type campus big data, and described the group characteristics of the clustering results. By introducing the K-prototype algorithm, we effectively solved the multi-category problem where traditional clustering algorithms (such as K-Means, etc.) cannot adapt to the attributes of educational data. The research results show that innovative educational decision-making models and methods are based on the idea of “data-prediction-decision”, which promotes the application research of big data science in the area of education.

Exploring the Influence of Socio-Cultural Factors on Teacher Development in the Saudi EFL Setting

This research article explores the complex relationship between socio-cultural factors and teacher development within the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context in Saudi Arabia. Acknowledging the pivotal role of teacher growth in enhancing language education, the study seeks to unravel the influence of socio-cultural elements on the professional development of EFL educators in the unique Saudi Arabian educational landscape. Through the lens of qualitative research, this investigation employs in-depth interviews with 10 Saudi teachers actively engaged in teaching English at the university level. The thematic analysis method was chosen for its suitability in identifying patterns and recurring themes within the qualitative data, allowing for a comprehensive exploration of the socio-cultural dynamics influencing teacher development. Themes such as societal perceptions of the teaching profession, the influence of traditional teacher-development approaches, group learning, community support, cultural sensitivity, and Islamic values emerge as crucial elements shaping the participants’ experiences. The study highlights the intricate ways in which cultural norms and societal expectations interact with teachers’ professional journeys, impacting their teaching methodologies, beliefs, and overall development. The findings offer valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and researchers seeking to enhance teacher development programs within diverse cultural and linguistic contexts.

The Impact of Quizlet on Vocabulary Achievement among Non-English Major Students at Dong Nai Technology University

This research aims to investigate the impact of Quizlet, a digital learning tool, on vocabulary achievement among non-English major students at Dong Nai Technology University. Vocabulary acquisition is a crucial aspect of language learning, particularly for non-English major students who often face challenges in mastering vocabulary. Quizlet, an online platform offering various interactive learning activities, has gained popularity as a supplementary tool in language learning contexts. This research aims to explore the effectiveness of Quizlet in enhancing vocabulary acquisition among non-English major students and its implications for language education at the university level. A quantitative analysis of pre-test/post-test scores is employed to provide comprehensive insights into the impact of Quizlet on vocabulary achievement. The findings contribute to understanding the potential of digital learning tools like Quizlet in supporting language learning and informing pedagogical practices for non-English major students.

Evaluation of the Current Status of Artificial Intelligence for Endourology Patient Education: A Blind Comparison of ChatGPT and Google Bard Against Traditional Information Resources.

Introduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) platforms such as ChatGPT and Bard are increasingly utilized to answer patient health care questions. We present the first study to blindly evaluate AI-generated responses to common endourology patient questions against official patient education materials. Methods: Thirty-two questions and answers spanning kidney stones, ureteral stents, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and upper tract urothelial carcinoma were extracted from official Urology Care Foundation (UCF) patient education documents. The same questions were input into ChatGPT 4.0 and Bard, limiting responses to within ±10% of the word count of the corresponding UCF response to ensure fair comparison. Six endourologists blindly evaluated responses from each platform using Likert scales for accuracy, clarity, comprehensiveness, and patient utility. Reviewers identified which response they believed was not AI generated. Finally, Flesch-Kincaid Reading Grade Level formulas assessed the readability of each platform response. Ratings were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and chi-square tests. Results: ChatGPT responses were rated the highest across all categories, including accuracy, comprehensiveness, clarity, and patient utility, while UCF answers were consistently scored the lowest, all p < 0.01. A subanalysis revealed that this trend was consistent across question categories (i.e., kidney stones, BPH, etc.). However, AI-generated responses were more likely to be classified at an advanced reading level, while UCF responses showed improved readability (college or higher reading level: ChatGPT = 100%, Bard = 66%, and UCF = 19%), p < 0.001. When asked to identify which answer was not AI generated, 54.2% of responses indicated ChatGPT, 26.6% indicated Bard, and only 19.3% correctly identified it as the UCF response. Conclusions: In a blind evaluation, AI-generated responses from ChatGPT and Bard surpassed the quality of official patient education materials in endourology, suggesting that current AI platforms are already a reliable resource for basic urologic care information. AI-generated responses do, however, tend to require a higher reading level, which may limit their applicability to a broader audience.

The Relationship of University Students' Internet Addiction Level Through Telephone Use and 2d:4d Ratio

Aim: To evaluate the relationship between the 2nd and 4th finger measurement ratio (2d:4d) ratio of university students' internet addiction level through phone use. Material and Method: 322 students were questioned about their demografic data, dominant extremity, and the device while using the internet. Hand width (HW), length (HL), grip strength (HGS), 2d:4d measurements were taken. Young Internet Addiction Scale (YIAS) was used for internet addiction, Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Form (SAS) was used for smartphone addiction. Results: In men, it was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of Right-Left HL, Left HGS, Right/4d, YIAS and SAS values. In addition, it was determined that the device preference, HL right, HL left, HGS left and Right/4d parameters originated from normal and dependent groups. It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in women in terms of Left HL, Right/2d, Right/4d, Left/2d, Left/4d, Young and SAS values. It was determined that the device preference was due to individuals falling into the normal group of Left HL according to the YIAS, and the statistical difference of the Right/2d, Right/4d, Left/2d and Left/4d parameters. It was determined that there was a moderately strong negative correlation between SAS and Right/2d, Right/4d, Left/2d, Left/4d parameters in addicted men. Conclusion: The gender relations of the accepted scales regarding phone and internet addiction may be due to the length of the left hand and the movement function of the right 4d to provide control in phone use, rather than the 2d:4d finger ratios.

Unveiling universities’ sustainability disclosure antecedents: an empirical analysis during the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose This study aims to investigate the level of online sustainability disclosure provided by international universities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ultimate goal is to identify the factors influencing the amount of sustainability information these universities disclose through their websites. Design/methodology/approach This study conducts a manual content analysis to measure the extent to which a sample of 100 international universities disseminate information on sustainability and COVID-19 issues via the web. A multiple regression analysis is performed to test the research hypotheses. Findings The findings confirm that universities worldwide leverage the potential of websites to convey sustainability information beneficial for stakeholders and society. Moreover, while board gender diversity positively affects the level of online sustainability disclosure, board size exerts a negative effect. Furthermore, university size, internet visibility and ranking position have no significant impact on the amount of online sustainability information provided by international universities. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that provides insight into the possible determinants of universities’ online sustainability reporting during COVID-19. This study extends prior research mainly conducted in single countries by providing data on the sustainability disclosure level of universities in different geographical regions. Empirical findings also support policymakers’ global action in the past decade to increase the role of women in leadership and governing positions.

Dual career through the eyes of university student-athletes in the Republic of Kosovo.

The successful combination of a sports career and education, known as the dual career, requires cooperation and a multi-dimensional approach. Although extensive research has been conducted on dual career programs and services in developed countries, there is limited information available on the dual-career phenomenon in developing countries. This study aimed to explore the dual career experiences of university student-athletes in the Republic of Kosovo. A 30-item online survey was distributed to student-athletes, addressing various aspects of the dual career. A total of 121 student-athletes (males: 63.6%; females: 36.4%) voluntarily participated in the survey. These student-athletes represented 13 different sports, with 102 (84.3%) participating in team and 19 (15.7%) in individual sports. Between individual and team sports no significant differences were found regarding university and sports engagement, and the time required to travel from the university to the training venue, whereas a significant difference (p = 0.019) emerged for the time needed to travel from home to the training venue. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between university majors in terms of sports engagement. The present findings highlight a lack of familiarity with dual career programs among student-athletes (89.3%) and the need for dual-career policies at the university (16.5%), sport (9.9%), and national (13.2%) levels. Student-athletes faced various challenges, mainly related to limited leisure time (62.8%), academic overload (60.3%), frequent absence from classes (59.6%), and financial uncertainty (35.5%). Recommended improvements included increased financial support (66.1%), the availability of sports facilities at or near the university (48.8%), greater educational flexibility (26.4%), tutoring services at the university (25.6%), and sports clubs (19%) levels, as well as improved communication regarding existing initiatives and legal aspects (53.7% and 47.1%, respectively). The study also identified parents (98.3%), coaches (86%), and siblings (60.3%) as important sources of support for student-athletes at personal, sports, and university levels. In conclusion, to enhance the potential of future student-athletes in the Republic of Kosovo, relevant stakeholders in sports and higher education should collaborate closely and implement programs and services based on international best practices for dual-career support.

A Systematic Review: How the Implementation of Collaborative Learning in Chemistry?

This research aims to determine what chemical materials are commonly used in collaborative learning and what methods/modes/approaches are used in collaborative learning in chemistry classes. The research method used is a systematic literature review (SLR) by analysing relevant research results from the Google Scholar and ERIC databases of 20 articles based on their suitability with the research theme within the last eight years (2016-2023). Through the SLR method, articles are reviewed systematically by following the steps that have been determined. The results of this systematic literature review (SLR) chemical material commonly used in collaborative learning is basic chemistry at the senior high school and university level, then the models/methods/approaches used in collaborative learning are inquiry-based collaborative learning, flipped classroom, and game-based collaborative learning.

Multilingual use assessment questionnaire: a proposal for assessing language and literacy experience

The linguistic profile of multilingual individuals can vary significantly due to diversity in linguistic experience. This poses challenges for language researchers, educators, and clinical practitioners. We developed a Multilingual Use Assessment Questionnaire (MUAQ) to capture the heterogeneous nature of multilinguals profiles integrating three dimensions: self-assessment of language(s) competence, language(s) use for mental operations, and language(s) use in different contexts. The questionnaire was administered to bilingual Catalan/Spanish children and adults across three educational levels: elementary school (year 6), secondary school (year 10), and university level. The application of the MUAQ revealed that Catalan/Spanish bilinguals displayed variations in their self-assessed proficiency based on the type of linguistic activity required by each language. While high bilingual competence was concentrated in oral comprehension, production skills exhibited lower bilingual competence and a strong asymmetry between languages emerged in writing. Also, more pronounced preferences for one language were observed for Thinking and Counting. Whereas Catalan (the language of schooling) was more frequently preferred for Counting, a more multilingual approach was observed for Thinking. A significant heterogeneity was also evident in the language(s) used in different contexts, with each third of the study population demonstrating distinct patterns of linguistic behavior depending on the context. An Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) identified two key dimensions (linguistic competence skills and languages involved in mental operations) that accounted for a substantial portion of the variance, while the third dimension (language use in different contexts) bifurcated into situational/communicative vs. personal contexts. These results endorse multidimensional approaches for a comprehensive understanding of multilingualism.

Research on the Incentive Status and Optimization Strategy of Local University Teachers

Since the reform and opening up, the comprehensive ability of the country has been continuously improved, and the requirements for talents are also getting higher and higher. Therefore, we have invested a lot of money in the development and training of universities, which brings a rare opportunity for the development and training of talents in our universities. Today, the shortage of higher education resources, more than one thousand colleges and universities to a certain extent can solve the needs of modern China, but now, "Chinese and foreign universities", "double top" construction has become the object of colleges, and the construction of high quality, high level of university, cannot leave the optimization of teachers and incentives for teachers.

Investigating the Institutional Embedding of Social Innovation at Five Leading Technical Universities in Europe

Although the relevance of social innovation has been increasingly discussed in politics and science in recent years, the role of universities in social innovation ecosystems still needs to be determined. In particular, there is little research on the role of European technical universities in promoting social innovations. Thus, this article uses a document analysis to conduct a cross-country analysis based on five European technical universities. The results show differences in promoting social innovation at five European technical universities and can thus provide an overview of the situation at technical universities. In brief, the results indicate that, in line with previous research on social innovation at universities, the five technical universities have not established holistic approaches to promote social innovation and that implementing social innovation in research and teaching could depend on policy instruments and support mechanisms for social innovation at the national and university levels.

The salience of students’ body language during in-person and online lectures at a Canadian university

Abstract Professors teaching different disciplines at a university in Canada received an email invitation to fill-out an online questionnaire where they could reflect on and express their opinions about the pedagogical and communicative roles of the body during their lectures. The questionnaire was divided into two parts: one asking professors to comment on their own body language; the other inquiring about professors’ perception of their students’ body language usage. This article is specifically focused on the second part of the survey, where professors reacted to questions concerning awareness of students’ body language during classes held in-person and online. In investigating the perceived salient functions attributed to students’ body language, this study values multimodal competence, embodied communication, and it informs the concept of immediacy in the relationship between students and professors at the university level.

Role of Academic Leadership in The Context of Transformation of Higher Education in India

The higher educational institutions have started witnessing initiatives taken towards restructuring and revamping existing educational structure as envisaged by the New Education Policy 2020.Strategic planning at all hierarchical levels of institutional structure is the need of the hour. Efficient leadership is the key to ensure necessary improvements and innovation at the institutions. College level institutions constitute 86 percent of Higher Education in India. Revival in colleges will have ripple effects at large. The role and responsibility of academic leadership on all organizational levels is crucial to effectively implement the NEW Education policy 2020 in its true spirit. Literature survey has been done on academic leadership aspects and Implementation of NEP 2020 which showed relevance for further study. The main research question dealt with is to understand the roles and responsibilities of academic leaders in Higher Educational Institutes in India to achieve and sustain quality and excellence in the light of New Education Policy 2020. Devise an applicable framework for institutional development plan commensurate to curriculum and pedagogy in HEIs as propounded in NEP 2020. The paper will be useful for Management and leaders of Undergraduate level of education.

Interdisciplinary learning combining engravings and poems by teachers in initial training

Interdisciplinary is proposed to address a technologic knowledge-based society. This research employs quantitative methodology to analyze the perception of an integrated interdisciplinary practice involving engraving and poetry among 63 teachers in initial training. The goal is to identify correlations between age, gender, and the three dimensions of interdisciplinary. We infer a moderate positive correlation between age and the perception of skills, and a weak correlation with the perception of knowledge and interdisciplinary attitude dimensions, yielding results. This research aligns with the stance in favor of interdisciplinary education, advocating for its importance from pre-university to university levels, as a preparation for students to tackle complexity.

Exploring AI Ethics Syllabi Through NLP Cluster Analysis

With new technology comes new responsibilities. Examining AI through an ethical lens has become increasingly important and significant. Numerous professional organizations, such as IEEE have developed AI ethics guidelines. Additionally, academia is essential for fostering innovation and developing gifted people who work in both the ethical and technical spheres. Academia prepares students to be culturally responsive, have a collaborative mindset with interdisciplinary skills, and be aware of equity issues and other social problems that plague society. To assess the content in academia, a Natural Language Processing (NLP) analysis of AI ethics syllabi at the university level was conducted. A total of 45 AI ethics syllabi that are publicly available and online were used in this study. Some important features captured from each syllabus are the course description, topics, department, and year. Using various NLP tools for analysis, a general exploration of AI ethics curricula was conducted. Through supervised and unsupervised clustering and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) analysis, various patterns in the contents of the AI ethics syllabus were found. Some of these include patterns from syllabi across various academic departments and the pre-post Chat-GPT era. This study is insightful as it acts as a baseline for investigating various AI ethics topics that converge across academic departments, as well as uncovering potential gaps in AI ethics syllabus contents.

English Language Speaking Anxiety: A Quantitative Study

The present study attempts to investigate the extent of English language speaking anxiety among the English as foreign/second language learners, studying at a public sector university in Sindh, Pakistan. The study is quantitative in nature and the data is gathered using random sampling survey method. Participants of the present study are studying in part II. A theoretical framework based on Horwitz et al (1986), a well-known theory followed by Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) is adapted. For the purpose of data analysis, SPSS (V.24) is used to determine the general descriptive statistics of the study. This study reveals the level of anxiety among students. It also concludes that learners even at a university level face language anxiety specifically in the EFL context. This study also assist the teachers and course designers for necessary steps be taken to overcome the English language speaking anxiety among EFL learners in EFL classroom.

The effect of augmented reality application (ARSINAPS) on learning motivation and outcomes in biology

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of using the ARSINAPS mobile augmented reality application on learning motivation and outcomes in high school and biology education students. The method used in this study was quasi-experimental with a post-test control group design. The research sample consisted of two experimental classes and two control classes from three schools in the Jakarta, Bekasi, and Tangerang areas, totalling 140 students, and from the college level, consisting of one experimental class and one control class, totalling 68 students. The data obtained were in the form of learning outcomes in the respiratory system and learning motivation scores in biology learning. The average high school-level motivation score in the control class was 85.99, and the overall average for learning outcomes was 77.33 and 63.05. Based on the results of the data calculations, the application effectively improves students’ learning outcomes at the high school and undergraduate levels

Examining The Foundations Of Academic Books: A Longmanian Analysis Of The Oxford Eap Elementary/A2 Student Book

This article delves into the analysis of the Oxford EAP Elementary/A2 Student Book using the analytical framework developed by M.H. Longman. The focus lies on comprehending the structure, content, and learning objectives embedded within the textbook. Through the Longmanian framework, various aspects such as clarity, consistency, relevance to learning objectives, variation in material presentation, and student engagement are evaluated. The analysis aims to provide insights into how the book is designed and utilized in educational contexts, thereby enhancing its effectiveness in supporting student learning at the Elementary/A2 level in academic language contexts. Additionally, the integration of language skills and academic skills within the book is explored to assess its role in preparing students for success in English-speaking academic environments at university level.