Student University Research Articles

Influence of Social Media Usage on the Behaviours of Students: A Study in Colleges of Education in Ghana

The study tries to examine the influence of social media usage on the behaviour of Ghana students. Cross sectional descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. A sample of 378 students was selected using proportional stratified sampling technique from a population of second and third year college of education students. Questionnaire was used as the instrument for the collection of data. Data were analysed descriptively using frequencies and percentages, and means and standard deviations. The study revealed that all the respondents were using social media with the most common social network sites used by the respondents being WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter. The study revealed also that most of the respondents spent an average of six to 10 hours on social media in a day for above an average of five days in a week and considered their social media usage to be more than necessary and interfering with their lives. The results revealed finally that social media usage influences students in terms of learning new behaviours, making new friends, becoming addicted, being peer pressured while at the same time withdrawing from real life. It was recommended that authorities of Colleges of Education should organise workshops for students on the proper usage of social media to equip students with the right skills to benefit from their social media usage.

Is It What You Know or Who You Know?: An Information Typology of How First-Generation College Students Access Campus Resources

While there has been increased investigation of the enrollment patterns and access to college for first-generation college students (FGCS), less is understood about how FGCS learn and utilize vital information to persist with limited familial knowledge about college success. In this paper we utilize focus group data of 62 diverse FGCS to create a typology of how students utilize information to succeed in college. Using theory from sociology and information sciences we categorize the sources FGCS learn from and how information is utilized. Our findings indicate that FGCS develop complex ways of finding information even with minimal support and those information sources that are most helpful are often connected to pre-existing and informal relationships. We conclude by offering implications for future research on FGCS student success and opportunities for administrators to incorporate information-finding and relationship-building concepts into student success practice.

Level of proficiency on the utilization of gender fair language among College of Arts and Sciences students in DMMMSU MLUC

One way to promote gender equality is to mitigate gender stereotyping and discrimination and one strategy is to start inside the classroom; thus, the conceptualization of this study. This study aimed to assess and interpret the proficiency of the first year CAS students on gender fair language as basis for a validated learning guide. Specifically, it looked into level of proficiency in using gender fair language as to occupational references, role references, group references, genderless words and genderless phrases. This descriptive study collected data using a researcher-made gender fair language test. The respondents were 192 first year students of the College of Arts and Sciences during the second semester of School Year 2020-2021. The data gathered were treated statistically using mean. It was found out that the respondents were poorly proficient. The use of occupation references, group references, and genderless words displayed their poor proficiency; however, they were moderately proficient in the use of role references and genderless phrases. It was recommended that the validated gender fair language learning guide should be considered for adoption in learning and instruction to further hone the students’ utilization of gender fair language.

Political awareness and involvement of college of arts and sciences students of Laguna State Polytechnic University

Political awareness and involvement of college of arts and sciences students of Laguna State Polytechnic University

An application of information and communication technologies upon professional training of primary school teachers

ABSTRACT A critical factor in improving the quality of education, according to researchers, is an increase in the special pedagogical and digital competence of primary school teachers. The novelty of the research lies in the study of the practical results of changes in the quality of knowledge when using a specialized dedicated course of IST in early school education for students of a teacher training college. The study was conducted on a representative sample of 355 College of teacher students at Hunan R&D Center for Applied Talent Cultivation in a Practical Setting (China) based on the results of three examinations after a third and fourth semester of study in a homogeneous group. The chi-squared study showed relevance levels of χ2 = 0.00018, 0.00022, and 0.00011 for the three exams, which rejected the null hypothesis that there was no statistically significant association between the test scores of the control and treatment groups in which the specialized course was used. The practical results of the research can be widely used for the introduction of specialized courses for increasing digital competence and pedagogical competence in the application of ICT for future primary school teachers.

The Continuum of Support for Building Intimacy Knowledge in College for Students With Intellectual Disability.

Postsecondary education (PSE) programs allow for college students with intellectual disability to experience a higher level of autonomy in choice making, which they may not have experienced in their family home or high school. This includes choice making related to romantic and sexual relationships. The Continuum of Support for Intimacy Knowledge in College Survey (CoSIK-C) was used to examine how PSE programs support college students in building their intimacy knowledge. Types of resources and services used to build intimacy knowledge and the frequency and context in which support was provided were identified and varied across programs. Implications for practice and future research are provided.

How Do Parents, Student College, Junior Senior High School Perception About “Cablaka Or Blakasuta” As A Universal Character Of The Banyumas Community?

Banyumas is one of the districts in the western part of Central Java. Banyumas has a variety of uniqueness in the culture and character of the indigenous people of Banyumas. Cablaka or Blakasutha is part of the universal character of the Banyumas people. However, along with technology and modernization, the original character may change or be eroded. We researched three characteristics of informants: parents, college students, and junior and senior high schools to fill in an open-ended questionnaire regarding their perceptions of Cablaka or Blakasutha. The results showed that Cablaka or Blakasutha to parents are still applied in everyday life. In contrast to informants from student colleges and junior and senior high schools who do not know the meaning of Cablaka or Blakasutha even the importance of the terms.

Georgia State University Perimeter College LSAMP Transfer Bridge Program: A Path Forward for Broadening Participation in Stem

Summer Bridge Programs are increasingly becoming a popular strategy for Colleges and Universities to retain more historically underrepresented minority students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Retaining students in STEM disciplines is a necessary first step in order to accomplish the ultimate goal of diversifying the STEM workforce to create innovative solutions for today’s complex problems. In this paper, the authors describe an exploratory and descriptive study of the promising Georgia State University Perimeter College (GSU-PC) Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Transfer Bridge Program. Most summer bridge programs are designed to facilitate seamless entry into college for incoming first year students, but the GSU-PC LSAMP Transfer Bridge program is designed to support the successful transition of underrepresented STEM students transferring from a 2-year to 4-year institution. Early results indicate that the Transfer Bridge participants were significantly more likely to enroll in a 4-year STEM program, receive a STEM bachelor’s degree, enroll in a post-baccalaureate STEM program, and receive a STEM post-baccalaureate degree than a comparison group of non-Transfer Bridge students at Georgia State University Perimeter College.

중등 발달장애 학생의 대학 진학 준비 역량 체계 개발 및 활용

This article proposes a theoretical framework to support college and career readiness for secondary students with developmental disabilities. Further, the study focuses on analyzing the Career and Vocation subject in the 2015 basic curriculum of special education using the developed framework to establish the basis for systematic career education in the secondary special education field. First, we analyzed the framework of the College and Career Readiness (CCR) in the United States. A total of 20 experts in the field of transition education participated in Delphi surveys on content validity and field suitability to modify the U.S. CCR framework, and to make it adequate for a domestic situation. In consequence of the iterative refinement process, the Korean version of the College and Career Readiness framework for secondary students with developmental disabilities was developed and included 6 domains, 16 subcategories, and 58 indicators. Second, we analyzed the relationship between achievement standards and unit objectives of the Career and Vocation subject in the 2015 basic curriculum of special education using the proposed framework. The relevance rate between the developed CCR framework and the achievement standards was low at 29.3% in total, and only 11 out of 16 subcategories were related to the unit objectives. Based on the results, the article provides implications for discussing the meaning of the development of the CCR framework for secondary students with developmental disabilities, as well as for enhancing efforts to improve student capacities for college.

An Empirical Study on College Selection of High School Students

Since 2019, the number of high school graduates in Korea has been smaller than the college admission capacity. Thus, it has been suffering from a shortage of college students. Additionally, as many young people have difficulty finding jobs after graduating from college, there is a wide variation in the admission competition rate according to the employment rate. This phenomenon will intensify in the near future, and measures are needed to resolve it. This paper aims to empirically analyze data on the college and major selections of high school students. In the existing research, the high school students college and major choices were analyzed through questionnaire surveys. However, in this paper, an empirical study on college and major selections is conducted using actual statistical data. The results of this paper are expected to be helpful for two-year colleges in attracting new students.

Evaluating Electronic Learning Reality in Fencing Class in Physical Education and Sport Sciences from Students Point of View

The study aimed at designing a questionnaire for evaluating e-learning reality in fencing class as well as identifying the evaluation of e-learning from the students’ point of view. The researcher used the descriptive method on (170) students who attend electronic fencing classes from the third-year college of physical education and sport sciences students. The subjects were divided into three groups and the researcher designed a questionnaire using google drive after applying it in a pilot study on (5) students. The data was collected and treated using SPSS to conclude that e classes support academic knowledge in fencing class from the students’ point of view but it decreases the students’ active participation in class. Fencing class requires continuous correction from the teacher a matter that negatively affected learning as well as the fencing class requires a teaching program that suits the equipment used in the practical lesson a matter that cannot be provided outside of sport halls. The researcher recommended developing a fencing classes with suitable electronic programs for fencing to increase the students’ role. He finally recommended providing material appropriate to electronic learning that can be used during emergencies such as Covid -19.

The Use of Google Classroom to Support the Learning Process

The purpose of this study is to assess the students' skills in creating virtual classrooms using the Google Classroom (GC) application through a 30 item questionnaire. In addition, the study used a Likert scale and an interview to explore students' perceptions towards GC. The sample consisted of 26 Master's students in the College of Education at Al Ain University in UAE. Data was generated from analyzing the questionnaire, and the Likert scale and the interview were used to answer the research questions. The results revealed that the degree of Master's students' skills in creating virtual classrooms was weak, and there are no statistically significant differences between students' skills based on gender and specialization. The results also showed that the perception of the GC was positive, and the majority of participants assured that GC is easy to create and use. They also expressed interest to learn more about GC through training. The findings from this study could be utilized by College of Education faculty members, students, administrators, and policymakers.

What We Know and Where To Go: A Systematic Review of the Rural Student College and Career Readiness Literature and Future Directions for the Field

College and career readiness has become a national education policy priority. With more than 9.3 million rural students in the United States, the college and career readiness of rural students is a warranted priority for rural education researchers. Using a combination of Conley’s (2012) college and career readiness model, Perna’s (2006) nested model of college choice, and Social Cognitive Career Theory (Lent et al., 2014), we systematically reviewed and analyzed the extant literature on rural students’ college and career readiness. In addition to providing a comprehensive discussion of the prominent themes in the literature, we provide recommendations for future research on rural students’ college and career readiness as well as changes to college and career readiness standards and practices that would better align with the strengths and needs of rural students, schools, and communities.

An American Perspective of the Dental and Public Health Initiatives in Cuba

Aim: To compare following the Cuban Revolution, Cuba’s economy and civil society was transformed by the initiation of a program of nationalization and political consolidation. The Cuban government operates a national health system and assumes fiscal and administrative responsibility for the healthcare of its citizens. Other industrialized nations continue to surpass the US in health-related outcomes indicating areas of improvement in its healthcare system. Assessing the successes and failures as well as the advantages and disadvantages of other countries’ healthcare systems may be instrumental in the development of modifications to the organization and delivery system of healthcare in the US. This paper aims to report the information attained from previous literature as well as from first-hand observations from a public health trip to Cuba in order to compare the healthcare systems in Cuba and the United States. Materials and Methods: A group of New York University College of Dentistry faculty and students traveled to Cuba in April 2019 for professional research and professional meetings (CFR 515.564). While in Cuba, the researchers took written notes of the lecture-based material and conversations. Upon return to the United States, published literature was searched for the collection of any additional data and all qualitative data and quantitative data was compiled and organized. Since 1959, Cuba has made continuous adjustments and improvements to its universal, free and accessible healthcare system. Results: There have been notable improvements to the country’s public health status, such as the implementation of an immunization program and subsequent eradication of communicable diseases, such as polio and rubella. Additionally, the implementation of the National Program on Dentistry guarantees dental care to all Cuban children under the age of 19. Today, the Cuban National Health System (NHS) initiatives have evolved to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Conclusion: Recognizing the advantages as well as the disadvantages of the Cuba’s National Health System (NHS) would be useful for future policymakers in the United States. Cuban approaches to health could be tailored to the United States environment to improve healthcare effectiveness and population health status in the future.

The Strength of Strong Ties

Last year was a blur for many of us. Whether leading a provider organization with nurses or a college of faculty and students, or while worrying about the health and safety of immediate and extended family members, we each experienced the pandemic in different ways. Like many of you, I turned to my nurse leader colleagues for support, inspiration, commiseration, and laughter during a difficult year. I am not sure how I would have made it through the pandemic without my network of colleagues, such as a small group of Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Executive Nurse Fellows.

Competency-based education in the state policy arena: Comparative case study of two neighboring states

Educational leaders and policymakers are reconsidering the role of competency-based education (CBE) to meet the needs of all students, address issues of equity and enduring achievement gaps, and demonstrate college and career readiness outcomes for PK-12 students. This study sought to understand the policy conditions where CBE policies were adopted in two neighboring states as well as describe the two states’ implementation plans for policy diffusion. The study used a comparative case study design to study Idaho and Utah due to their geographic proximity, socioeconomic status, and state legislative structures. We argue that although the policies in both states have many similarities and were passed under similar political conditions within each state’s policy arena, the planned implementation and diffusion of those policies was very different and influenced a divergent population of local education agencies (LEA) in each state. We also explore the role intermediary organizations played in the development and diffusion of policy in both states.

The Effects of Expectancy and Heuristics on the Major Selection Process

The current research investigates the applicability of the expectancy theory and heuristics to university business students’ major selection decision. Results from a sample of 180 college of business students confirm a positive relationship between major selection and expectancy. Availability and anchoring heuristics also affected the selection process separated by major. Valuable insights are provided as to what else, other than strictly materialistic factors, affects the major selection decision and determines perceived success in the long run. Although the research findings are based on a college of business context, the findings can be applicable to various academic majors in different settings.

Knowledge and Reasons for Use of Analgesic Medications among Haramaya University College of Health and Medical Science Students, Harar Town, East Ethiopia

Background: Analgesics, NSAIDs and opioids, commonly known as painkillers, are substances which work in various ways to relieve different types of pain experienced in the body. Approximately 25% of the patients taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs face several adverse events even in case of prescribed drug and several cases of deaths are reported. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess knowledge and reasons for use of analgesic medications at Haramaya University, College of Health and Medical Science students of Harar town, Eastern Ethiopia from March 1 2020 to February, 2021. Method: Institution based cross sectional study was conduct from March 1, 2020 to February 30, 2021. Data was collected using self-administered structured questionnaire prepared in English. Stratified sampling and simple random sampling was used to select the study participants. A total sample size of 317 was taken. Then the collected data was coded, entered and analyzed by using statistical package for social science version 23. The result is presented using tables. Results: The 90.5% of participants had used analgesic in their life time and the 63.8% them had used analgesic in the last six months. The analgesic usage prevalence in of the study is Ibuprofen (28.7%), Diclofenac (25.7%) and Paracetamol (21.7%). The 78.5% of the respondents reported that large dose of Paracetamol may cause liver. With regard to the use of alcohol with paracetamol, the 77.8% of the respondents replied that alcohols should be avoided when Paracetamol is being taken. The 60.7% of the respondents were aware of the daily maximum dose of Paracetamol. The 78.3% of respondents replied that long time use of codeine can cause addiction. In the current study the 32.4%, 13.2%, and 12.5 %, of the respondents took analgesics for the reason of headache, menstrual pain and fever pain management respectively. The 38.7% of the respondents chose the analgesics due to previous experience, the 19.9% by reading a publication and the 17.5% based on recommendations from others. Conclusion: This study showed the majority of the participants used analgesics for different reasons mainly for management of headache, menstrual pain and fever. Significant proportions of the study participants lack the appropriate knowledge about analgesics usage of analgesics.

Knowledge, attitude and practices on cervical cancer screening among undergraduate female students in University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia: an institution based cross sectional study

BackgroundCervical cancer is a major public health problem. In the world, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women and it is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality in females. It is the second most common women cancer in Ethiopia with almost 6300 new cases and 4884 deaths annually. Despite the high burden of new cases and deaths, there is a scarcity of data on knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) towards cervical cancer screening among female university students in Ethiopia particularly in the study area. Therefore, the present study was aimed to assess the KAP of undergraduate female students towards cervical cancer screening.MethodsAn institution based cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2018 at the University of Gondar, College of Medicine and Health Sciences undergraduate female students. Pretested, self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Four hundred and three female students were recruited by a simple random sampling method and the data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical packages. Descriptive data analysis was used to report the results.ResultsMore than half of the respondents (59.3.3%) had good knowledge, whereas nearly 67.7% of the respondents had favorable attitude towards cervical cancer. However, less than 1% of the respondents had been screened for cervical cancer.ConclusionAlthough undergraduate female students had apparently good knowledge and favorable attitude, their practices on cervical cancer screening were quite low. Therefore, the health sectors and the gender streaming office of the university mobilize students to strengthen the uptake the cervical cancer screening practice.

What academia say on university choices in achieving the future goals of studying abroad: meta-analysis

This paper aimed to understand what the academic elites think about the student's university decision process and achieve students' future goals from studying at foreign universities. Because the success of studying abroad is believed to be closely related to the process of selecting university candidates with all the advantages and prestige of each university offered during recruitment promotions, to understand this, we searched for data sources electronically from various international journals and promotional advertisements. We processed this in a phenomenological approach that begins with understanding the problem and the study's hypothesis—the coding system, evaluation, and in-depth interpretation to get the findings' validity and reliability. Our data sources are based on Google Scholar, Microsoft Academic, and other sources from 2010 to 2021. Based on the results of the discussion of the findings data, we can conclude our findings, among others. The decision to study abroad is first beginning with the right subject, course content, sports and societies, student accommodation, and scholarship availability. To get that information, applicants have to research alumni meetings, scholarship tours and promotions, western or eastern countries, and use multiple information sources. Thus, these findings should help prospective students and universities explore prospective international students' advertisements.