Students Of Different Age Groups Research Articles

Contributions of Reading Support from Teachers, Parents, and Friends to Reading Related Variables in Academic and Recreational Contexts

AbstractReading skills are considered an important lever for success in school and active participation in society. They are positively associated with reading motivation, reading self‐concept, reading frequency, and behavioral engagement in reading (e.g., time, effort), variables that tend to decline as students move from elementary to secondary school. Few studies have yet compared the contributions of reading support from teachers, parents, and friends to each of these variables among students of different age groups. In this multicohort correlational study, students (n = 1246) in grades 4, 6, 8, and 10 completed a questionnaire measuring the reading support they perceived receiving from three social agents (teacher, parents, and friends) as well as variables related to reading in academic and recreational contexts. The data collected were used to evaluate the construct relevance and predictive validity of the questionnaire. The results suggest that: (1) Reading support can be conceptualized in nine dimensions defined according to the source that provides it (e.g., teachers) and the type to which it corresponds (e.g., relatedness support); (2) secondary school students overall consider that they receive less reading support than do elementary school students; (3) reading support from teacher has unique contributions to certain variables measured in the academic context without, however, having as many positive contributions as parents in this context; (4) reading support provided by parents and friends is important in both reading contexts, particularly in the recreational context. Methodological, theoretical, and practical implications are discussed.

RESEARCH OF STUDENTS' ORIENTATIONS REGARDING INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION

The purpose of the article is to identify and compare the essential characteristics of migration attitudes among Ukrainian and Polish students, and to outline trends in their development in the future. Methodology. The subjects of the research are students of various courses and specialties of the Lviv National Environmental University and the University of Life Sciences in Lublin (Poland). To collect empirical information, an online survey was conducted in October 2023, with 187 Ukrainian and 187 Polish students (n=374) participating. The questionnaire consisted of 10 questions, the results of which will be analysed in this study. The survey results showed that students of both higher education institutions have a rather positive attitude towards international migration processes, both women and men. Possible manifestations of student mobility can be seen as a fact that characterises the social role of modern students. Practical implications. The work is a study of young people's attitudes to migration, i.e., it is prospective, not retrospective. Such research can be extremely useful for the development of an effective socio-economic policy of the country. Since the research results reflect the moods of young people, they cannot claim to be highly predictive. However, a vision of what might happen if people's hypothetical aspirations were to become reality can be a powerful argument for politicians and statesmen in developing migration-related policies, both now and in the future. Value/Originality. Survey data from different age groups of students at two universities allow for a better understanding of their attitudes towards migration, immigration, and mobility and a comparison of these indicators in a peaceful country and in times of war. Possible manifestations of student mobility should be seen as a fact that characterises the social role of modern students. The problem, however, is that there are currently no effective mechanisms for managing these processes. There are also no mechanisms capable of ensuring the systemic effectiveness of communication links between different actors at the intercultural level, with the possibility of meeting their socio-cultural, professional and material needs in the process of socialisation of modern youth, as well as for the adequate reproduction of the intellectual potential of society as a whole. However, student emigration cannot be viewed exclusively from a negative perspective, as a "brain drain", although it is obvious that if students who study and work abroad do not return, the country loses part of its intellectual potential (Adamic, Dyachuk, 2023; Tokar, 2022). If to consider the return and emigration not as a purely territorial movement of students, but as a movement of intellectual resources, one can identify a positive trend: significant intellectual potential in the form of ideas, technologies and professional knowledge is returning to the country.

Statistical indicators of dental disease prevalence among students of general educational institutions of the Ministry of Defense of Russia

BACKGROUND: Currently, there are 33 general educational institutions of the Ministry of Defense of Russia, with around 18000 students who are part of the personnel reserve aimed at enhancing the country's defense capability.GOAL: To evaluate the medical-statistical indicators of dental disease prevalence among students, which can be used to optimize dental care in the general educational institutions of the Ministry of Defense of Russia.MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the dental disease prevalence (ICD-10 codes K00-K14) among students from the academic years 2009/2010 to 2021/2022 using the reporting form 13K/MED approved by the Main Military Medical Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Russia, as well as during annual medical examinations. The level of dental disease prevalence was calculated per mil (‰). The results were tested for the normal distribution of characteristics. The text includes the mean values and their errors.RESULTS: The average annual level of total dental disease prevalence or incidence among students was (1687.9 ± 16.0) ‰, and for primary dental disease it was (563.4 ± 12.2) ‰. This was significantly higher by an order of magnitude compared to previously examined conscripted military personnel, achieved through personalized approaches and strict medical-statistical accounting. There were no statistically significant differences in dental disease prevalence indicators among different age groups of students. A decrease in both total and primary dental disease prevalence rates has been observed in recent years. The average annual percentage of students requiring oral cavity sanitation was (40.9 ± 1.2) %, and those who underwent sanitation was (75.4 ± 1.8) %. The proportion of sanitized students in the 16-18 age group was significantly higher than in younger age groups (p 0.001).CONCLUSION: Medical-statistical indicators should be used to optimize dental care in the general educational institutions of the Ministry of Defense of Russia.

Экологическое образование и культура в контексте цифровой модернизации

The article analyzes the integration of environmental education and culture into the process of digital modernization of society. The author explores how modern innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence, big data, which can contribute to a deeper understanding and involvement of the public in the process of solving environmental problems. Various approaches to education and familiarization of the population with the norms and principles of ecological culture are considered. The article notes that the use of breakthrough achievements in the field of information and communication technologies makes environmental education more accessible, interactive and effective, and also contributes to the development of a deeper and more meaningful understanding of environmental issues among students of different age groups.

How to motivate students to learn – four motivational styles and how to support each of them

In the dynamically changing educational reality, with the ongoing evolution of teaching methods and the growing role of technology, the role of teachers is no longer limited to merely providing information. Currently, the key element influencing students’ success is their motivation to learn. Another aspect is the common practice of working in a diverse group and the resulting consequences of teaching interactions. They assume the implementation of the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which recognise the intellectual and cognitive differences of all students, as well as their diverse interests and learning styles, including various ways of motivating students to work. The article raises the issue of motivation while referring to the key principles of UDL. It describes four motivational styles that support differentiated learning, namely: the MASTERY style, emphasising the development of student memory; SELF-EXPRESSIVE style, stimulating students’ imagination and creativity; UNDERSTANDING style, designed to expand students’ ability to reason and explain; and the INTERPERSONAL style, emphasising the importance of relationships in motivating students. The article also provides practical methodological tips for describing various motivational styles. The proposed practical and methodological solutions have been adapted to different age groups of students and refer to various subjects. Thanks to this, recipients have the opportunity to individually adapt them to the specificity of their work.

Теоретичні засади формування загальнолюдських ціннісних орієнтирів в здобувачів загальної середньої освіти

The article discusses the theoretical foundations of forming universal human values orientation in individuals acquiring general secondary education. Scientific developments dedicated to this issue are analyzed. It is noted that the prerequisites for the formation of value orientations are laid down in preschool age, but the actual formation occurs during adolescence, when interest in issues of morality, ethics, worldview grows, and students' interests shift from the concrete to the general. Modern scientists study the national self-awareness of young generations as a civic value, emphasizing the importance of forming value orientations in students of different age groups. Considering the crisis of values in modern society, it is crucial today to continue developing and testing personality-oriented technologies, to search for reserves to enhance the effectiveness of the educational process. Attention is focused on the fact that Ukrainian language lessons have long acquired the status of a universal human value. They serve as a means of personal growth, moral influence on individuals, and create necessary conditions for forming value orientations in students' personalities.

Investigating the Involvement of Parents in Their Children’s Education at Primary School Level

The involvement of parents in their children’s education affects the quality of their learning. The purpose of this study was to investigate the involvement of parents in the education of primary school children. The quantitative descriptive research method was employed to conduct the study. The population of the study was 3,297 children studying at the primary school level and their parents. A proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to select 348 students and their parents for data collection. The data were collected from children and their parents through a five-point scale. The research instrument consisted of six factors: parenting, communicating, decision-making, learning at home, volunteering, and collaboration with the community. The data were collected through personal visits by the researchers. Data were analyzed through mean, standard deviation, Kruskal Wallis, and Mann-Whitney U test. The research study concluded that primary school students and their parents hold the same perspective regarding parental involvement in their children's education. However, there was a significant difference in parental involvement in their children’s education, as the students reported, based on their demographic characteristics and the educational institutions they were attending. It is suggested to adapt the involvement of parents according to the needs of students of different age groups and grades by developing a strong and continuous connection between school and home.

Socio-Psychological Aspects of Digitalization of Modern Education

Digitalization processes affect all spheres of human activity, including the system of modern education. As a result, there are many open questions and socio-psychological problems associated with digitalization. Studies of the ‘influence of numbers’ on the health of people, in particular students of different age groups, are relevant. In this context, it is advisable to study the impact of digitalization on schoolchildren and students from the point of view of medical and psychological approaches. The purpose of this study is to analyze the features of the influence of modern digital technologies in the field of education on the psychological and somatic state of students in connection with the level of general social health of the population.

Exploring Effective Physics Teaching Strategies in High Schools during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The need for educational approaches that comply with the restrictions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic has raised a number of critical issues for students of different age groups. The delicate transition between high school and university has become a key point to focus on, leading many institutions to replan projects dedicated to students involved in this transition. A Physics vocational training project for high school students was carried out in the school year 2020–2021, and it was replicated in the school year 2021–2022. The project included webinars, self-assembled laboratory group experiences, and peer evaluation. The starting point on which we designed our project is that learning is an experience; thus, we built the entire project by particularly focusing on two peculiarities. One peculiarity is the assessment methods: student presentations describing their own experiences were evaluated by teachers and their peers. The second peculiarity is the open approach with respect to how students handle experimental activities. We present a description of these projects along with the results of an evaluation survey filled out by the participants and a descriptive analysis of the assessment strategies. Students appreciated the design of the entire project and, better still, the peer evaluation process. Moreover, we discovered that the evaluation provided by the teachers is lower compared to the assessment reported by the students. This disparity holds potential significance from a statistical perspective and warrants further investigation.

Transforming education: A review of the benefits of integrating mindfulness and meditation techniques in schools

This review article explores the growing interest in incorporating mindfulness and meditation practices into school settings, examines their potential benefits and effectiveness for students' well-being and academic performance. The article provides an overview of various mindfulness and meditation techniques, their theoretical underpinnings, and psychological mechanisms. With the method of literature review, four phases of designing, conducting, analysing, and structuring as well as writing the outcomes of review were held systematically. The present study found that discussion about the advantages of these practices were visible for students, including improved cognitive functioning, reduced stress and anxiety, enhanced emotional well-being, and better social skills and relationships. The review also addresses the implementation of mindfulness and meditation in schools that focuses on curriculum integration, teacher training, and challenges to implementation. Lastly, it highlights future research directions and recommendations to further understand and optimize these practices for students of different age groups and cultural contexts.

Conceptual Model of Formation of Electoral Culture of Teacher in Special Cross-Level Educational Environment

The article actualizes the problem of formation of teachers’ electoral culture in a special educational environment. The aim of the article is the conceptual substantiation of the formation of the electoral culture of the teacher on the basis of the creation of a cross-multi-level educational environment. Methodology. In developing the concept of forming the electoral culture of a teacher, the author relied on the methodological framework that includes the positions of dialectical materialism and noosphere approach at the worldview level, systemic and evolutionary approaches at the general scientific level, environmental, competence and activity approaches at the specific scientific level. The technological level is represented by specific technologies, ways, methods, and techniques of forming teachers’ electoral culture. The proposed methodology formed the basis for conducting an empirical study of the level of teachers’ electoral culture formation. The method of polling and questionnaire survey was used. Results of the research. The teachers’ electoral culture is a set of gnoseological (electoral competence), axiological (electoral disposition), praxiological (electoral activity) components which form a relatively stable system of knowledge, values, norms and models of electoral behavior, which are transmitted by a teacher in the course of educational relations and promote formation of civil identity and active life position in all participants of educational process. The traditions of attitudes towards electoral activity are revealed. The analysis of empirical data on the attitude towards electoral activity among teachers in the Chechen Republic is presented. Theoretical substantiation of the construction of a conceptual model for the formation of teachers’ electoral culture in the cross-multilevel educational environment, taking into account the principles of cultural appropriateness, scientificity, and the formation of an individual educational trajectory. Conclusion. Based on the results of two organized surveys among the teachers of the Chechen Republic the generalizing conclusions containing the focus on innovations in the formation and development of electoral culture were made. In this connection, teachers need to master the competencies that allow forming the electoral culture of students: special technologies, oriented to students of different age groups, training sessions with teachers, allowing them to gain confidence in the importance of broadcasting electoral culture, in their own potential.

Gamification Elements in the Process of Ukrainian Language Training of Pedagogy Specialists

The article studies the problem of using gamification elements in the process of training future preschool and primary school teachers on the example of the methodology of teaching Ukrainian Language for Professional Purposes. The necessity of improving the methodology of teaching the language to students of different age groups while taking into account the main educational trends and public demand has been substantiated. According to the goal, the essence of the "gamification" concept has been defined regarding the modern education sector. The peculiarities of using gamification, which have a great impact on the effectiveness of teaching students at pedagogical institutions of higher education, have been determined.
 It is emphasized that the growth of the number of game means in the methodology of teaching Ukrainian Language for Professional Purposes is not always directly proportional to the increase of success. Since gamification is impossible without using information and communications technology, consideration of the factor of appropriate technological support is necessary. The age factor manifests itself rather in the information and technological skills and abilities of certain age groups than the effectiveness of completed tasks on the condition of unhindered mastery of the technology. In the process of gamification, the element of novelty has a significant impact, as well as the temporal and motivational dependence of the interest of the performers on the duration or algorithmization of the tasks. The psychological factor is manifested through gender, which substantiates the inefficiency of using gamification with elements of competition or open ranking of results for female audience. In the context of training pedagogy specialists, the process of gamification during the study of a certain discipline has a dual purpose: increasing the motivation and therefore the effectiveness of training, formation of necessary competencies of future teachers; mastering completed gamified tasks as possible ways and means of teaching the Ukrainian language in future professional activity.
 Based on the analysis of the information space of the problem, a system of tasks with gamification elements has been developed and adapted to the content of the Ukrainian Language for Professional Purposes academic discipline.

ОСВІТНІЙ МОНІТОРИНГ – ІНФОРМАЦІЙНА ОСНОВА ЕФЕКТИВНОГО УПРАВЛІННЯ ЗАКЛАДОМ ПОЗАШКІЛЬНОЇ ОСВІТИ

The article defines the concept of monitoring as a means of effective management of extracurricular educational institutions. Monitoring as a means of management is an effective information base that provides the head of the institution with data on the quality of conditions, the quality of the educational process and the quality of the results necessary for the implementation of the educational process in extracurricular educational institutions, ensures management decision-making, predicts trends in further development and identifies certain corrective measures, and it is believed that the effectiveness of management is influenced by external and internal factors. The success of effective management of extracurricular educational institutions is determined by two main factors. These are: the ability of the institution to clearly define the behavior of its teaching staff required to achieve the strategy, and the ability to apply effective management decisions to direct the behavior of the teaching staff in the right direction. Both tasks are equally important and challenging. The article describes the personal qualities, professional and managerial competencies of heads of educational institutions as an important aspect of the management of out-of- school educational institutions. Effective management of extracurricular educational institutions involves creating favorable conditions for the growth and development of pupils and students of different age groups, as well as for theself- realization of the team and the disclosure of their educational competencies, providing opportunities for experimental educational activities and the formation of advanced pedagogical experience. It is shown that a systematic approach plays an important role in the management of extracurricular educational institutions. The institution is characterized by the synergy of all potential subjects and entities, their subsystems and possible components, both in the internal environment of the extracurricular educational institution and in external influences.

Value and Semantic Grounds for Obtaining Education in the Postgraduate Course of the National Research University

The article deals with a range of issues related to motivation factors for admission to graduate school and behavioral reactions in the process of studying under the programs of scientific specialties in a modern national research university. Using the example of the implementation of postgraduate programs in political sciences at a technical university, the key motives of young specialists to continue their studies at the university are revealed. The features of the motivational and value sphere of graduate students mastering the training curriculum and performing the tasks of research work are determined. The reasons for expulsion from graduate school, the reasons for failure in the educational program, as well as the motives for frequent academic leave are analyzed. The article presents arguments in favor of the author's hypothesis about the need to develop postgraduate studies in the humanities and social sciences in technical universities. Political science education contributes not only to the conscious choice of the profession of an engineer or a highly qualified specialist for state and municipal service bodies. A young researcher gets the opportunity to recognize the value-semantic grounds for working in the organization of higher education. A potential high school teacher develops stable ideas about pedagogical ethics, about the psychology of communication with students of different age groups, about the inadmissibility of forms of deviant behavior when performing professional tasks.

School children growth monitoring program in the state of Qatar: Observations from two survey rounds in 2016–17 and 2019–20

AbstractIntroductionGrowth monitoring surveys provide critical anthropometric data to monitor physical growth and various forms of malnutrition among school age children. In the beginning, growth monitoring programs were introduced to identify the extent of undernutrition among children, which were later considered equally useful in the identification of overweight and obesity among school age children. Observing the shifts in weight categories among school age children provides an important insight to design targeted interventions for improving growth and development of children.MethodologyThe study used growth monitoring survey data among 5–19‐year school children of two academic years (2016–17 and 2019–20) in Qatar where 2016–17 survey included 186,986 students, whereas 2019–20 survey included 215,279 students. A total of 7514 unique records of students aged 5–14 years available in both survey rounds were included in the final analysis. This study documented shift in BMI‐z‐scores to ascertain the movement of students among obese, overweight, normal, thinness, and severe thinness categories. Python version 3.9.5 was used for data analysis along with a pairwise comparison between each of BMI‐z‐score shift to evaluate the effects of specific shifts in BMI‐z‐score category.ResultsOverall, the proportion of overweight and obese category of students increased from 44% in 2016–17 to 49.3% in 2019–20 with a decrease in the proportion of students in normal BMI‐z‐score category (from 48.8% to 47.8%) and severe thinness and thinness category (from 7.3% to 3%) between two rounds of growth monitoring survey. Statistically significant shifts in BMI‐z‐score categories were noted for students of different age groups, gender, and nationality.ConclusionsShift from normal BMI‐z‐score to obese and overweight category is a cause of concern and an opportunity to develop appropriate interventions. The significant shift among different categories needs to be investigated further to identify associated reasons to effectively develop interventions.

STEM IN ACTION: VIDEO COURSE “ARDUINO IN TINKERCAD

In the context of an integrated approach to education, this paper emphasizes the importance of utilizing video resources as a powerful tool for STEM education. The authors present their experience in creating a series of video lessons aimed at disseminating knowledge on Arduino programming using the TinkerCAD platform. The use of this platform allows individuals to learn programming even when access to physical Arduino boards is limited, which is especially relevant in the face of destructions in Ukraine’s educational infrastructure and mass migration of educational participants. The need for multimedia Ukrainian content on YouTube is stressed as a means to popularize knowledge about methods and techniques of Arduino programming in TinkerCAD among a broad audience, including students of different age groups and educators interested in electronics and STEM education. The content of the video lessons is described, highlighting their significant feature — the hyperlink of TinkerCAD projects. This interactivity enables teachers and students to actively improve their skills and projects while simultaneously watching video lessons, simplifying the learning process. An analysis of the author’s YouTube channel demonstrates substantial interest in this content, both from students of general secondary education institutions of Ukraine and viewers of arious age groups from different countries. This popularity attests to the relevance and importance of the “Arduino in TinkerCAD” video course as a whole. In conclusion, this article will be a valuable instructional resource for educators seeking to implement innovative teaching methods for STEM subjects using Arduino, especially in the face of modern challenges.

СУБЪЕКТИВНЫЕ ПЕРЕЖИВАНИЯ РЕЗУЛЬТАТИВНОСТИ И УДОВЛЕТВОРЕННОСТИ В ПРОЦЕССЕ СМЕШАННОГО ФОРМАТА ОБУЧЕНИЯ

The article considers the relationship of the subjective assessment indicators for the results of learning in a mixed format, satisfaction with the process of mixed learning with awareness and tolerance to uncertainty in students of different age groups. The results showed that there was no connection between the subjective assessment of learning in a mixed format and tolerance to uncertainty, as well as between satisfaction with the process of mixed learning and awareness. Mindfulness is associated with a subjective assessment of learning outcomes, whereas interpersonal tolerance to uncertainty is associated with the perception of the variability of mixed learning. The majority of respondents demonstrated high levels of satisfaction with the mixed learning format. The study found a connection between awareness and satisfaction with the results of learning in a mixed format, which is associated with the fact that the resource of awareness helps to adapt more easily in the learning process. The flexible model of mixed education combined with high awareness allows to realize the individual educational needs of students. Awareness helps to better understand the own changes, in particular, the formation of expertise in the chosen field. The relationship between satisfaction with the process of mixed learning, characterized by variability, and interpersonal tolerance to uncertainty is revealed. Such a connection indicates rigidity in the perception of interpersonal relationships, which is a factor in the formation of discomfort due to the learning forms variability

Смысложизненные ориентации и копинг-стратегии девушек разного студенческого возраста

Student age is sensitive for the formation of a worldview and life goals, awareness of responsibility for one’s life. Their search contributes both to the formation of an appropriate assessment of reality, understanding, and awareness of the life purpose and to the formation of constructive ways to solve life problems, one’s special behavior strategies. The paper aims at the establishing the correlation of the life-purpose orientations and coping strategies of female students of different age groups. The author carried out the study on a sample group represented by female students of different undergraduate and graduate courses of Tula State Lev Tolstoy Pedagogical University (n=69) aged 18 to 24. The PIL test by D.A. Leontiev and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ) by R. Lazarus were used as the diagnostic tools. The correlation analysis showed the presence of strong direct correlations between goals, the life process and life performance, the life meaningfulness general indicator and planning strategy. The study identified strong inverse correlations between life performance indicator and the distancing and escape/avoidance strategies. The study showed that the values of life awareness of female students are the higher, the older the respondents are. Life-purpose orientations influence the choice of coping strategies: for the (≤21) age group respondents, avoiding-type coping strategies, i. e., unproductive strategies, are more characteristic, while for the (≥22) age group, problem-oriented coping is the most typical.

Stress Indicators Among 21st Century University Students

Introduction: Pursuing higher education has always been considered to be stressful as students need to adapt to new social and academic environment. Higher education in recent years has shifted from teacher centred authoritarian approach to student centred learning with amicable learning environment. In this changing scenario, this study aims to identify the indicators of stress and stress levels among 21st century university students and fathom the demographic factors influencing it. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on students attending a private university in Malaysia using Stress Indicators Questionnaire. The data was analysed with descriptive and inferential statistical tests. Results: A total of 1050 university students aged between 18-30 years from different faculties voluntarily participated in the study. All respondents reported stress varying from very low to dangerous levels. Among the indicators of stress, sleep and emotional indicators were at dangerous levels, physical indicators and personal habits were at high level and behaviour indicators were perceived at medium level. A significant difference in total stress score between students of different age groups and ethnicity were observed, while no significant difference was noted with regards to gender. Conclusion: This study reveals that various indicators of stress are prevalent among the present-day university students. It may help guide policy makers and teachers in early identification of stress among their pupils and plan effective strategies aimed at balancing a good quality of life and academic achievement for the learners in institutions of higher learning.

Features of the Attention Span in Adult Internet Users

The article generally considers the problem of changes in the functioning of cognitive processes in the context of digitalization. Systematization of the current studies on attention reveals that the vast majority of them are devoted to media multitasking, the results of which are rather contradictory and relate mainly to adolescents and young men. The academic community also analyzes the impact of digital technologies on the attention of students of different age groups, the effect of which is assessed rather as negative. The present study tests the hypothesis of possible changes in the implementation of this cognitive function in adult Internet users. Empirical testing was carried out through a comparative analysis of the attention span in adults who prefer different information coding systems: traditional (“paper”) or digital. The study sample included people aged 37-60 who received higher education in the pre-digital era and are currently engaged in intellectual work; they were divided into two groups: adult readers and adult Internet users (n = 50 each). To clarify the differences in the attention span in adult respondents with different practices of accessing information carriers, a group of students, active young Internet users (n = 50), was also involved. The attention span parameters were assessed using Bourdon’s dot cancellation test. The results of the study statistically reliably show that the adult readers ( p ≤ 0.01) have a higher ability to concentrate attention than active Internet users (both young and adults), keeping it within the normative boundaries that were inherent in people of the pre-digital era.