Education Degree Research Articles

An Investigation into Vocational Preferences among University Students: A Case Study of Lahore Pakistan

The preference for general academic degrees over technical education among youth in Pakistan is a trend that has been observed in recent years. This trend may be attributed to several factors, such as the perception that general academic degrees are more prestigious than technical education degrees, the belief that general academic degrees offer more diverse career opportunities and lack of awareness about the benefits of technical education. The preference for general academic degrees over technical education is not unique to Pakistan. This trend may be observed in many other countries as well. Therefore, the current study aimed to learn from student`s observations enrolled in general academic degrees to implement best practices in order to address this trend in Pakistan. A multifaceted approach was required to address the preference for general academic degrees over technical education among youth in Pakistan. This multifaceted approach focused on raising awareness, improving the quality of technical education programs, addressing the underlying factors, and learning from the experiences of other countries. Data was collected via a cross-sectional survey from the students of University of Management and Technology (UMT). The statistical results showed a significant association among low preference for technical education, preference for general university education, and preference for a white-collar job. Therefore, it was crucial to raise awareness regarding the benefits of technical education to address this trend. These benefits include development of practical skills, potential for higher earning, and alignment with the needs of labor market.

Global Citizenship Education and Its Role in Sustainability at the University Level

The contents linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) should be introduced in studies in the field of education. This research analyzes the knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda among 477 participants from the University of Murcia and the University of Valencia in the Degree of Primary Education, Social Education, and the Master of Teacher Training in the Faculty of Education. A descriptive–comparative methodology with a quantitative approach was used based on an ad hoc questionnaire. The educational intervention included theoretical–practical modules on the SDGs and citizenship, with academic readings and case studies on the implementation of the SDGs in various sectors, which positively impacted future education professionals who were to be part of their initial training. The results showed significant differences in the knowledge of the SDGs between the experimental group and the control group at the end of the term, especially among the experimental group, which worked on the SDG concepts in the subjects taken. Greater knowledge was also observed among the students with a Social Education degree who took a subject related to this topic.

Investigation of the Competencies of Teacher Candidates in Using Web 2.0 Tools

This study aimed to examine the web 2.0 tool usage competencies of Turkish and Turkish language and literature teacher candidates. The participants' proficiency with Web 2.0 tools was assessed in this context based on several characteristics. 279 teacher candidates (219 female and 59 males) were the subjects of the study, which was carried out at an eastern Turkish university. The data was gathered using Google Docs (Google Forms) and the “Web 2.0 Tools Usage Competency Scale (WAKYÖ)” created by Çelik (2021) as the data gathering method. The results of the study indicate that the digital competency of teacher applicants is frequently in the medium range. The results show that while most teacher applicants use social media, they don't use it frequently. In the gender-based examination, male teacher candidates performed much better than female teacher candidates when using Web 2.0 tools. However, an analysis of age groups shows that there are no discernible differences in Web 2.0 tool proficiency. The examination conducted based on the department or main science that each student pursued at the university revealed that teacher candidates with varying degrees of education possessed comparable levels of digital proficiency. However, there was no discernible difference in the analyses conducted based on the individuals' devices, their use of social media, the amount of time they spent on it each day, and whether or not they had taken computer or information technology courses during their undergraduate studies. The results showed no appreciable variation based on family income level. The results suggest that the focus of educational activities should be on more effective ways to improve digital skills. This makes it obvious that specialized training and support programs should be developed to fulfill the requirements of teacher candidates while taking into consideration factors like academic specialization and gender.

A theory of degrees in education

Degrees are presumably the most important institution in education markets. However, despite their high relevance, degrees and their design features remain poorly understood within the economics of education. This study addresses this gap. We provide an accurate formal definition of what constitutes a degree and formulate the first theory of degree design. This theory is based on a technological platform view that interprets degrees as modules within a hierarchical structure resembling that of software architectures. This approach provides new opportunities to address questions of degree optimization. Furthermore, a novel strategy to optimize the design of school degrees is proposed. This strategy is expected to improve the learning environment of weaker students across all school types, leaving higher-performing students rather unaffected. The implications and limitations of our approach are also discussed.

Investigating the relationship between fear of missing out and teacher education students' school engagement in physical education

Background: Notably, there is a scarcity of papers that focus on deepening the relationship between fear of missing out (FoMO) and school engagement for undergraduate students, most especially in a university setting in Indonesia and the Philippines. Research Objectives: In this regard, this study aims to deepen the relationship between the FoMO and school engagement. Methods: In this research, a correlational method was adopted. The respondents for the study were undergraduate students currently taking the Bachelor of Physical Education degree at the College of Teacher Training and Education Pasundan (Indonesia) and the University in Region III (Philippines). Instrument FoMO used the Fear of Missing Out scale (FoMOS), and the involvement used UWES-9. Pearson-R analysis was used to analyse the relationship between FoMO and school engagement. Finding/Results: After obtaining data from 100 teacher education students taking the degree in Bachelor of Physical Education, it was observed that there is no significant relationship between overall FoMO and school engagement (r(98) = .190, p = .059). Additionally, no significant relationship was found between the FoMO-Private Factor (r(98) = .145, p = .147), the FoMO-Social Factor (r(98) = .173, p = .085), and school engagement. Conclusion: Thus, we confirm that students' engagement in their studies is not significantly influenced by FoMO. This research contributes information to teachers and students regarding the relationship between FoMO and school engagement in physical education.

Art therapy in mitigating pervasive loss and grief within correctional settings

Those incarcerated often experience different types of loss. Because of where they are, such experiences often result in unresolved, unacknowledged, disenfranchised grief. Recognizing such vulnerability by those who are incarcerated is often difficult and, in some ways, dangerous. Not addressing such losses further exacerbates their chances of completing any respective programs established for success. Art therapy has been effective in alleviating such complications, including for those incarcerated inside correctional institutions. This article draws from the authors’ experiences of providing art therapy services in a statewide program for youthful offenders–those who are 14–22 years old but in the adult institutions–to mitigate obstacles for completing their General Education Degree—and will provide an overview of the various losses that incarcerated individuals experience, their potential grief responses, and the value of art therapy in addressing such grief. The case vignettes provided underscore how, as their expressions were made visible and subsequently seen, validated and acknowledged through art therapy, the incarcerated youth were able to begin the process of moving beyond their grief and attend to their goals, allowing them to succeed in their respective programs, which may include but are not limited to; re-entry focused, substance abuse, GED prep classes, college courses and technical trade programs.

An Autoethnography of Teaching Drama to Student Teachers in Hong Kong

Schools in Hong Kong are encouraged to engage students in learning activities to strengthen moral and values education. The use of fairy tales in drama teaching—in this case, Mr. Fox—is an approach to learning that can present opportunities to positively engage students in a range of issues, such as moral and value education. The aim of this research was to enhance moral and values education by taking an autoethnographic approach to exploring my experiences of using and adapting a Western fairy tale with local student teachers learning to teach drama as part of their Master of Education degree at a university in Hong Kong. The use of various narrative genres to engage in the process of self-dialogue emerged as an important source for developing understandings of teaching and learning. Through this reflective process, I gained insights into my own teaching and the challenges and benefits of using fairy tales and structured drama in moral and value education. This research also revealed that fairy tales, as cultural treasures passed down through generations, may hold immense value as a resource for personal enjoyment, drama teaching, and academic exploration.

The impact of pregnancy on sexual functioning in Polish women

IntroductionSexual life of pregnant women alters during pregnancy due to the physiologic,’ anatomic and hormonal changes in her body. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate female sexual functioning after becoming pregnant.Patients and methodsA prospective survey study including 148 pregnant women. An anonymous questionnaire including 60 inquiries concerning intimate relationship before and during pregnancy was performed. The following statistical test were used: Chi-square test of independence, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and Wilcoxon test. The significance level of p = 0.05 was assumed.ResultsMost of the respondents were between 31 and 40 years old (55%). Majority of them were married (86%). During pregnancy, slightly more than half of women had a moderate need for sexual intercourse (51%), a large percentage of them had a low need (32%), a high need for intercourse was declared by 17% of women. The correlation analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between women’s education and the need for sex before pregnancy (p = 0.049). Respondents with higher degrees of education more often felt the need for intercourse before pregnancy. No correlation was found between education and the need for intercourse after pregnancy (p = 0.107). After becoming pregnant, 51% of women had less need for intercourse, 7% more, and 42% the same as before pregnancy, and these differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Also, a decreased satisfaction with sexual intercourse was reported during pregnancy (p < 0.001). After getting pregnant, the average number of intercourses decreased in majority (71%) of respondents, and differences in the number of intercourses before and during pregnancy were statistically significant (p < 0.001).ConclusionPregnancy has significant impact on woman’s sexuality. After becoming pregnant majority of women declare less need for sexual intercourses, decreased number of intercourses with less satisfaction.

Reconfigurable and versatile augmented reality optical setup for tangible experimentations

HOBIT, which stands for "Hybrid Optical Bench for Innovative Teaching and learning" is an educational platform that leverages the combination of numerical simulation and physical manipulation to facilitate learning of complex phenomena and motivate users about wave optics in practical work. HOBIT operates in real time and is self-adaptive, providing realistic displays of optical phenomena with virtual augmentations designed to facilitate their understanding. HOBIT makes it quick and easy to build any reconfigurable optical experiment. Students can manipulate optical components and observe the changes induced on detectors and displays. We detail the technology, the simulation model and the initial teaching aids. Current and future enhancements should meet the needs of students at different levels, from high school to higher education degrees.

Assessing vaccine hesitancy and vaccine literacy among the European prison population and staff: A multicentre observational study

Vaccination is the most efficient and cost-effective public health intervention. Prison population, for its low social distancing, constant turnover, and high percentage of migrants, should be an important target of vaccination campaign. However, vaccination coverage in prison is low. In this study we estimated vaccine hesitancy and vaccine literacy among the prison population and staff and assessed their correlation.We conducted a cross-sectional study in 13 prisons of 4 European countries. The sample included 847 people living in prison and 755 staff members. Through a structured questionnaire we assessed vaccine hesitancy, vaccine literacy, general health literacy, previous vaccine refusal and socio-demographic characteristics of participants. Exploratory factor analysis was used to extract three components of vaccine hesitancy. Logistic regression was applied to assess the association between previous vaccine refusal and vaccine hesitancy; linear regression was applied to assess the association between vaccine hesitancy and vaccine and general health literacy. All analyses were adjusted for socio-demographic variables.We identified three components of vaccine hesitancy explaining 49% of the total variance: Mistrust, Concern and Conspiracy. In both people living in prison and staff, all the components were associated to previous vaccine refusal (p-value < 0.001) and presented good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.90, 0.73 and 0.78). Young participants presented the highest levels of vaccine hesitancy; migrant people living in prison had the lower levels of Mistrust and the higher level of Concern; all three factors were lower among participants with the highest degree of education. Mistrust and Concern were inversely associated with vaccine literacy while all three subscales were inversely associated with general health literacy (all p-values < 0.001).This study suggests that educational interventions aimed at increasing vaccine literacy in people living and working in prison could decrease vaccine hesitation and consequently increase vaccination uptake among the prison population and staff.

Client experiences and perceptions of naturopathic treatment in New Zealand: A qualitative study

IntroductionNaturopathy is a well-known and utilised form of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM). Limited New Zealand research exists that has examined the utilisation of naturopathy from the perspective of users. The present study was designed to identify and explore individual's experiences and perceptions of naturopathic care. MethodsTwenty clients (18 female and two male) who attended a student naturopathy and herbal medicine teaching clinic in Auckland, New Zealand were individually interviewed via Zoom video conferencing using open-ended questions. Interview transcripts were anlysed using an inductive thematic approach, focusing on similarities in participants' experiences and perceptions of their naturopathic treatment. ResultsSix main themes were identified regarding individual's experiences and perceptions of naturopathic care (1) feeling heard, (2) perceived attributes of the student practitioner and feeling looked after, (3) perceived knowledge of student practitioners, (4) high degree of client education, (5) partnership, empowerment and ownership, and (6) recommending naturopathy based on own experiences. ConclusionsParticipants reported positive experiences and perceptions of their naturopathic treatment. Participants felt heard and looked after and indicated that their student naturopaths were caring, supportive and knowledgeable. Client education enhanced health literacy and participants felt empowered and in control of their health and healing. Client education was perceived to be important for individuals with chronic health conditions, as the information imparted was not always covered by their other healthcare practitioners.

The impact of entrepreneurs’ wives participating in corporate management on company risk-taking

To investigate the influence of spouses of business leaders on corporate decision-making behavior, we use data from 2003 to 2019 from Chinese listed family-controlled companies to examine the impact of entrepreneurs’ wives participating in corporate management on the risk-taking of family businesses. We found that entrepreneurs’ wives participating in company management significantly reduce the risk taking of family businesses, particularly when the wife is a shareholder in the company. Additionally, the wife’s age, level of education, and professional experience also affect her attitude and behavior toward participating in company management. When the wife is older and has a higher degree of education, the risk taking of the enterprise decreases. However, the wife’s rich professional experience can mitigate female conservatism and increase the company’s risk taking. Our research has implications for understanding gender differences in the context of the extension of marital power of Chinese entrepreneurs’ wives from the family to corporate decision-making and risk preferences. This helps to deepen our understanding of the role and status of women in China’s family business management.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of orthopedic operating room personnel regarding the use of pneumatic tourniquets.

Pneumatic tourniquets (PTs) play a crucial role in hemostasis during orthopedic surgery. This study aimed to investigate the current knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of orthopedic operating room personnel concerning the use of PTs. This cross-sectional study was conducted from Jul. 2023 to Aug. 2023. An online questionnaire was used to collect demographic information and KAP score data of the orthopedic operating room personnel from Hangzhou Regional Hospitals. A total of 336 participants included orthopedic physicians (37.8%), orthopedic nurses (31.5%), anesthesiologists (8.9%), operating room nurses (19.9%) and medical students (1.8%). The median knowledge score was 28.5 (24, 32), with a maximum score of 38; the median attitude score was 31 (28, 35), of a maximum of 35; the median practice score was 41 (36, 44), of a maximum of 45. Correlation analysis showed links between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.388, p<0.001), knowledge and practice (r = 0.401, p<0.001), and attitude and practice (r = 0.485, p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that female gender (OR = 0.294, 95% CI: 0.167-0.520; p<0.001), working in a specialized hospital (OR = 0.420, 95% CI: 0.219-0.803; p = 0.009), and occupation as a surgical anesthesiologist (OR = 3.358, 95% CI: 1.466-7.694; p = 0.004) were associated with better knowledge scores. A higher educational degree (OR = 0.237, 95% CI: 0.093-0.608; p = 0.003) was associated with better practice scores. No previous training was associated with lower knowledge (OR = 0.312, 95% CI: 0.187-0.520; p<0.001) and practice (OR = 0.325, 95% CI: 0.203-0.521; p<0.001) scores. Orthopedic personnel in this study had acceptable knowledge, attitude, and practice concerning the use of PTs; additional training and guidance might enhance proficiency.

Students perceptions of fake news created by artificial intelligence: The case of deep Soria

Fake news and artificial intelligence are phenomena addressed in academia and research within the fields of communication and audiovisual education. As a medium and language, cinema has mirrored these challenges, exemplified by the short film Deep Soria. The primary objective proposed in this study is to ascertain whether this short film, directed by Pedro Estepa in 2021, is perceived as a mockumentary and to explore students’ perceptions of the social issues it raises and the way it expresses them. An ad hoc questionnaire was employed specifically for the short film, enabling the assessment of 118 students from the Journalism and Primary Education Degree programmes at the University of Valladolid. The method used is exploratory and descriptive. Results were obtained by combining descriptive statistical analysis and content analysis of the open-ended questions in the questionnaire. Notably, the study highlights the detection of the documentary’s central themes- fake news and depopulation- the use of humour, the focus on depopulation, and suggestions for incorporating more elements of “everyday reality”, such as images and testimonies from the inhabitants of Soria and the city/province. At the same time, the short film has been reevaluated for its propensity to address social issues.

An Examination of the Original Knowledge and Inheritance of Putu Xian Opera Among Putian Citizens

The purpose of this study is to investigate how the age and educational level of Putian citizens affect their attitudes towards the original perception and transmission of Putu Xian opera. Putu Xian Opera, with its distinct art form and rich cultural legacy, holds a significant place in the history of Chinese opera as one of the first batch of national intangible cultural heritages in China. The original preservation and transmission of Putu Xian Opera are vital to Putian inhabitants, as Putian is the cradle of this traditional art form. According to the findings of an extensive survey of Putian residents, the age group of 46 55 has the largest proportion of citizens, followed by that of 36 45. Regarding the awareness and transmission of Putu Xian opera, citizens between the ages of 26 and 35 and 18 and 25 have the most positive opinions, whilst those under the age of 18 and those 56 and older have the lowest awareness. The survey population is somewhat more male than female, with a more balanced ratio of male to female. The data does not indicate any discernible variations in opinions regarding the understanding and legacy of Putu Xian Opera. The respondents greatest degree of education was a bachelor s degree (23.2%), which was followed by secondary or high school (23%), specialty or college (22.2%), and high school (22%). The group places greater value on preserving the unique qualities of Putu Xian opera and fostering a positive outlook on its dissemination the more educated they are. Research indicates that individuals with higher levels of education have a stronger feeling of responsibility and initiative towards the preservation of cultural heritage. They are also better able to strike a balance between tradition and modernity, which helps to effectively preserve and advance Putu Xian Opera. In addition, this study highlights the critical role that people educational attainment plays in the preservation of intangible cultural assets and offers insightful experience and theoretical references for the preservation and transmission of traditional culture in other countries.

Social networks - help or hindrance in patient care

Abstract Background/Introduction After the pandemic, there has been a significant rise in the time people dedicate to social networks. Throughout periods of local and international lockdowns, these platforms became recognized as quicker and more effective tools for communication across various fields. Purpose We aimed to conduct a study to assess the effectiveness of deploying an information system to improve the communication process between patients and healthcare specialists. Methods A questionnaire consisting of 20 questions was utilized, completed by 43 patients or their relatives admitted between January 1, 2024, and January 31, 2024 in a cardiology ward of a tertiary centre. Results Among all participants, a proportion of 65% was represented by middle-aged women from urban areas, with 68.4% holding higher education degrees and 31.6% with secondary education. A vast majority (98%) reported using at least one social network daily for both professional and personal reasons. Eighty-three percent believe that doctor-patient interactions on social networks are ethical and regard it as a secure and effective method for communicating with healthcare professionals. Feedback from social networks did not significantly influence the selection of doctors or medical institutions. However, social network advertising notably affects the choice of medical specialists or institutions, with 48% of respondents indicating they sought out the most prominently featured hospitals or doctors on these platforms. Despite this, 72% of respondents were unaware of personalized advertising strategies or that such messages are often crafted by public relations firms. Most found social network communication with medical staff suitable for follow-ups (92%) but not for initial assessments or determining diagnostic procedures (81%). Still, there was reluctance to rely exclusively on social networks for choosing medical services. Conclusions Patients and their families are open to receiving medical information and communicating with healthcare providers through social networks. However, a limited understanding of the technologies employed to boost the visibility of specific content or endorse procedures on social media could expose patients to skewed information. Responsible regulation of medical information and advertising is imperiously needed.

Innovation and wage inequalities: Evidence from Brazilian regions

AbstractInnovation can lead to wage inequalities through different channels. This paper explores this relationship, focusing on the direct and spillover (indirect) effects of these channels on personal wage inequalities in Brazilian regions. Product and process innovation are measured by patents and the acquisition of foreign technology through imports of capital goods respectively. Based on data that covers 482 regions from 2003 to 2014, we use the Spatial Durbin Model with spatial fixed effects to control spatial dependence and heterogeneity across regions. The results point to a positive association between our measures of innovation and wage inequalities. However, as we found a non‐linear relationship between imports of capital goods and wage inequality, an increase in imports of capital goods may reduce wage inequality. Other variables may also cause inequality to fall, such as the share of the population with a higher education degree and social skills. Drivers behind an increase in inequality are female participation in the workforce and the level of GDP per capita.

The Vision of University Students from the Educational Field in the Integration of ChatGPT

ChatGPT has significantly increased in popularity in recent months because of its capacity to generate novel content and provide genuine responses to questions. Nevertheless, like all technologies, it is crucial to assess its limitations and features prior to implementing it into an educational setting. A major obstacle associated with ChatGPT is its tendency to produce consistent yet occasionally unreliable and inaccurate responses. Our study provides students with training in this area, and its objective was to analyse the opinion of those same university students studying education-related degrees regarding the efficacy of the usefulness of ChatGPT for their learning. We used a mixed methodology and two instruments for data collection: questionnaires and discussion groups. The sample comprised 150 university students pursuing degrees in teaching and social education. The results show that the majority of students are familiar with the technology but have not had any formal training in a university. They use this tool to complete academic assignments outside the classroom, and they emphasise the need for training in it. Furthermore, following the training, the students highlight an increase in motivation and a positive impact on the development of generic skills, such as information analysis, synthesis and management, problem solving, and learning how to learn. Ultimately, this study provides an opportunity to consider the implementation of educational training of this tool at the university level in order to ensure its appropriate use.

Impact of a digital serious game on emotional variables of students of the master’s degree in teaching

ABSTRACT The training of future teachers requires innovative strategies that involve and motivate students. The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of a digital serious game on students’ emotional variables. A total of 62 students aged 22–23 years of age from a Master’s degree participated. A digital serious game called ‘The case of the stolen exam’ was carried out in an experimental group to analyse its impact on emotional variables, in comparison with a control group that did not take part in this serious game. To evaluate several emotional variables, the Gameful Experience in Gamification scale was used, including five dimensions: enjoyment, absorption, creative thinking, activation, and absence of negative effect. Significant differences were observed favourable to the experimental group in all the questionnaire’s dimensions with an overall high effect size (r ≥ 0.61). New innovative approaches in education are needed to improve students’ commitment and motivation.

Becoming a secondary school teacher: Keys to a meaningful professional identity

This study explores the construction of teachers' identities during their pre-service training and their initial period of professional induction. Thirteen life stories of novice teachers of differing characteristics attending the Master's Degree in Secondary Education Teaching at the University of Barcelona (Spain) are analysed. Findings identify four dimensions in identity construction (attribution, projection, development and transformation) and analyze their key components. The implications of the findings are discussed in terms of the dialectic between the professionalizing models in the training programme and the professional communities and teachers' specific personal processes of professional self-determination.