Education Project Research Articles

Thinking About Rural Education and Binary Logic

Although definitions of rural vary across educational research projects and from country to country, an enduring theme has been the framing of rural as a disadvantage or problem that sits alongside a view of the urban as normative. In questioning the urban/rural binary and the deficit discourses that are associated with it, the authors present four short data excerpts and their thinking about how they represent rural education in their research. They conclude that the telling of positives stories about rural education is a move towards changing the discourses that circulate.

SCRUM METHODOLOGY FOR LEARNING: APPLICATION ON REFRIGERATION COURSE

This paper discusses the applicability of an agile project management methodology called "Scrum" in postgraduate engineering studies, specifically for managing a refrigeration project. The main objective is to convert an educative project into a real-life project with different challenges and objectives. In this scenario, the teacher plays the role of the product owner, who creates a product backlog containing the main requirements for reaching an ultimate goal by groups of students called "development teams." The team leader, or Scrum master, organizes meetings, controls the workflow, and acts as a link between the team and the product owner. Within the Scrum framework, the project is divided into short work cycles of two weeks named "sprints." After each sprint, an intermediate result should be released and reviewed in accordance with the objectives established. This innovative methodology is expected to teach the students many values, such as awareness, focus, commitment, courage, and respect, besides promoting many soft, hard, and metacognition skills inside them.

Анализ социальных проектов в стратегических документах цифровой трансформации Республики Коми

The article interprets the concepts of digitalization and digital transformation discussed in the regulatory legal acts, documents of international organizations and scientific publications. It analyses legal acts regulating the processes of digital transformation for industries and subjects of the Russian Federation. The current strategic directions in the field of digital transformation of economic and social sectors determine largely the general and project content of strategies and digital transformation programmes of the regions. The main attention is paid to the consideration of health, education and culture projects in the strategy and digital transformation programme of the Komi Republic. Underlined is the lack of official monitoring for the implementation of digital transformation projects and the possible analyzing the situation only according to the data in the regional media, which complicates the unbiased assessment.

Recovering the Worker in Meridel Le Sueur’s Worker Writers (1939/1982)

ABSTRACT While Meridel Le Sueur’s oeuvre has continued to receive increased scholarly attention since the late twentieth century, less attention has been paid to her creative writing manual Worker Writers, originally printed in 1939 for the Works Progress Administration in Minnesota when Le Sueur taught creative writing for the Workers Education Project of the New Deal. Although West End Press republished in 1982 a revised edition of Worker Writers, this edition made omissions that have limited readers’ engagement with Le Sueur’s vision. Removed are the nine worker stories curated by Le Sueur; also removed are references to these stories in the instructional language as well as references to Midwest regional developments. Recovering the 1939 text enables a fuller understanding of Le Sueur’s approach to proletarian writing. The 1939 manual shows Le Sueur’s vision of proletarian expression informed by her commitment to the writing workshop; her understanding of the literacies workers possess vis-à-vis more conventional literary technique and aesthetics; and her mobilization of regional Americanist discourses to create an elevated platform for worker writing, especially in the Midwest. The manual should also be studied in the context of Le Sueur’s efforts to develop a cultural “infrastructure” for worker writing in the Midwest.

Building an Educational Automated Mechatronics-Based Sorting System

This paper discusses the development of an automated sorting machine designed as a comprehensive mechatronics educational project. The project integrates mechanical and electrical design, incorporating a robot arm, a microcontroller, sensors, and actuators. The sorting machine uses color identification to sort wooden blocks of three different colors. The blocks are stacked and dropped onto a conveyor belt by a hopper system that employs a solenoid actuator and a servo to release one block at a time at specific intervals. As the belt runs continuously, each block passes under a color sensor, which monitors the color and signals one of three servo-powered mechanical arms to guide the block into the appropriate chute. Each chute is equipped with a capacitive proximity sensor that sends a voltage signal to the robot controller, queuing commands for the robot to pick up the blocks from the bottom of each chute and return them to the hopper to form a continuously running sorting system. This paper details the design and integration of the system’s various elements and the development of the control software. The designed system can drop blocks every 8.05 s, sort each block within 5 s of being sensed, and return them to the sorting system every 12 s. It has a color-sensing accuracy of 97%, with a failure rate of around 7%. The system achieved quick and reliable sorting using various low-cost, accessible, and open-source parts. The project exemplifies a cost-effective solution suitable for mechatronics education, demonstrating the numerous challenges involved in developing automated sorting systems.

Implications of Financial Distress on Tertiary Education in Nigeria

The study examined the implications of financial distress on tertiary Education Nigeria. The financial distress in tertiary institutions in Nigeria today can be attributed to poor management and leadership problems. This has tremendously affected the operations of higher institutions in Nigeria. The university system requires a lot of funds for effective administration to be able to achieve its goals. The inability of the government to stick to the UNESCO 26% of national budget for education has seriously affected the management of Nigerian universities. Most of Nigerian tertiary institutions today face a lot of problems due to financial distress. As many of them find it difficult to pay workers’ salaries, provide adequate infrastructure and teaching equipment. The causes and implications of financial distress on tertiary Education were examined. It was recommended that both federal and state governments need to collaborate more with the private sector to explore opportunities for raising non-traditional funds and participation in education financing. Also, government should stop the habit of diverting the funds meant for tertiary education projects to other sectors. In addition, funds disbursed for projects and programmes should be adequately supervised, monitored and evaluated to achieve effective implementation.

Role of Advocacy Efforts in Conservation of Pangolins Species in Kenya

Pangolins, the unique and enigmatic scaly mammals, are facing an existential crisis due to rampant poaching and habitat loss, particularly in Kenya, where four species reside. This study assessed the role of advocacy efforts in conservation of pangolins species in Kenya. Advocacy efforts play a crucial role in the conservation of pangolin species in Kenya by raising awareness, influencing policy changes, and mobilizing resources for conservation initiatives. Pangolins face severe threats due to illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss, and lack of strong legal protections. Effective advocacy can address these challenges through various means. Firstly, advocacy efforts contribute significantly to raising awareness about the plight of pangolins among the public, policymakers, and key stakeholders. By highlighting the ecological importance of pangolins and the threats they face, advocates can generate public support and empathy, leading to increased conservation action. This awareness can also foster behavioral change, such as reducing demand for pangolin products, which is critical in combating illegal trade. Advocacy also plays a pivotal role in influencing policy changes and strengthening legal frameworks for pangolin conservation. Advocates work with policymakers to enact and enforce laws that protect pangolins from poaching, trafficking, and habitat destruction. This includes advocating for stricter penalties for wildlife crimes and advocating for the inclusion of pangolins in international conservation agreements. Furthermore, advocacy efforts help mobilize resources for pangolin conservation projects. By engaging with governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international donors, advocates can secure funding and support for research, enforcement efforts, and community-based conservation initiatives. This financial backing is essential for implementing effective conservation strategies on the ground. Community engagement is another critical aspect of pangolin conservation advocacy. Advocates work with local communities to promote sustainable livelihoods that reduce dependency on pangolin-related activities, such as bush meat hunting or illegal trade. Empowering communities through education and alternative income-generating projects not only helps protect pangolins but also fosters long-term conservation efforts. In Kenya, advocacy efforts are also focused on addressing broader conservation challenges, such as habitat loss and fragmentation. By advocating for the protection of critical pangolin habitats, such as forests and savannahs, advocates contribute to the overall biodiversity conservation landscape. This holistic approach recognizes the interconnectedness of species conservation and ecosystem health. Advocacy efforts also contribute to international collaboration and knowledge-sharing on pangolin conservation. By participating in global forums, conferences, and campaigns, advocates can leverage international support and expertise to amplify conservation efforts and promote best practices

Asian Neonatal Network Collaboration (AsianNeo): a study protocol for international collaborative comparisons of health services and outcomes to improve quality of care for sick newborn infants in Asia – survey, cohort and quality improvement studies

IntroductionReducing neonatal deaths in premature infants in low- and middle-income countries is key to reducing global neonatal mortality. International neonatal networks, along with patient registries of premature infants, have contributed...

ОСВІТНІЙ ПРОЄКТ «ЦІКАВА НАУКА ОНЛАЙН» ЯК ШЛЯХ КОМПЕНСАЦІЇОСВІТНІХ ВТРАТ В УМОВАХ ВІЙНИ В УКРАЇНІ

The article highlights the experience of implementing educational projects in the conditions of the transformation of education in Ukraine, which was caused by the war. Research conducted by the State Education Quality Service of Ukraine showed that compensation for the loss of study time most often occurs through providing students with educational materials and tasks for independent study. Group and individual consultations, additional training classes are held less frequently. The study notes that it is too difficult to assess how often these measures are implemented, given that most teachers complain of a lack of conditions and opportunities. Research conducted by us in the Ukrainian educational hubs of JRS Romania in Bucharest confirmed the feasibility of creating educational hubs as an effective form of non-formal education aimed at overcoming educational losses caused by martial law. The results of research and the search for possible ways to reduce the level of educational losses determined the need to introduce new forms of educational activity and more appropriate forms of pedagogical education. In the context of the mentioned problems, the training of natural science teachers in higher education institutions should correspond to the realities of life, the social order and be oriented towards the organization of the educational process online. The implementation of educational projects conducted online based on the STEM-oriented approach, as the experience described in the article has shown, is one of the possible ways to overcome existing educational challenges and ensures that the training of future teachers meets the modern demands of the market of educational services. An example of the implementation of the above ideas is the "Interesting Science Online" project. The idea of the project is to combine the efforts of forms, methods and technologies of formal and informal education to compensate for educational losses in emergency situations. The project's online studios were developed by us depending on the value orientations and preferences of the project participants. The studios of scientific rap, scientific TikTok, the studio "Know How" and "Battle of the Worlds" are actively working in the project. All online studios work under the leadership of students - masters of interesting science. Educational products created in the studios are presented during the work of the studios and in social networks on the project pages. The article presents an innovative form of pedagogical education, online university studios, which improve the quality of training future teachers to carry out educational activities online and demonstrate the possibilities of compensating for educational losses in wartime conditions.

From Deficit to Asset-Based Perspectives on Multilingual Learners: A Critical Inquiry in Teacher Education

Preparing teachers to develop a critical lens on educational inequities and to leverage all students’ resources and potential are central projects for teacher education. This case study examines how critical asset-based teacher inquiry in diverse K-12 English and ELD classes, supported by teacher noticing, may support development of equity-oriented teaching for racialized multilingual learners (MLs). We report three themes in preservice teachers’ (PST) practices and reflections that evidence affordances of our assets-focused teacher inquiry design, as well as areas of need in our design and PST learning: (1) centering MLs through unit design and early use of inquiry resources, (2) documenting ML engagement for achievement, and (3) critiquing assessment and context as potential impediments to an assetbased focus. Our study marks both possibilities and need in teacher education for pedagogical innovations and designs that intentionally shape an assets-based perspective on racialized MLs.

When the parish turns into a classroom: teaching pluriliteracies in regional collateral languages through place-based education (the case of Latgalian)

ABSTRACT Our paper discusses ways of connecting the acquisition of a regional language with learning processes related to specific places. For this aim, we relate the investigation of the Linguistic Landscape (LL) to the pluriliteracies teaching approach and to place-based learning. As an example, we use the case of Latgalian in Latvia: How can local multilingual and sociocultural realities as identified in the linguistic landscape enrich disciplinary content in regional language teaching, while also enhancing language awareness and active engagement among the students? And how can place-based education be used for developing (pluri)literacy in regional collateral languages? To this end, the paper first provides the background to place-based education, before turning to roles of Latgalian in public space and a recent LL study in Latgale. Then, we provide suggestions of how to ‘turn the parish into a classroom’, but also of how ‘to bring the parish into the class’ by using digital resources, e.g. language corpora. Finally, we suggest a set of components that influence place-based education for developing literacy in a regional collateral language and which may be taken into consideration when preparing educational projects. This paper is complementary to two other papers on Latgalian in this special issue.

Implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka di TK Aisyiah Bustanul Athfal IV Kota Jambi

This research aims to obtain information about the implementation of the Independent Curriculum and the challenges teachers face in implementing the curriculum. The place where this research was carried out was Aisyiah Bustanul Athfal IV Kindergarten, Jambi City as one of the Driving Schools. This type of research is descriptive qualitative research. The data collection method in this research uses techniques, namely interviews, direct observation and document collection. The research results show that the Aisyiah Bustanul Athfal IV Kindergarten in Jambi City has successfully implemented the Independent Curriculum through three stages, namely preparation, implementation and evaluation. At the planning stage, the Principal collaborates with teachers to develop the Educational Unit Operational Curriculum (KOSP), Teaching Module, and Project Module for Strengthening the Pancasila Student Profile (P5).

Communicating educational innovation projects in Latin America mediated by the scaling of complex thinking: Contribution of the UNESCO-ICDE Chair in Mexico

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chair in the open educational movement for Latin America aims to promote scientific, technological, entrepreneurial, and innovative development. In Mexico, face-to-face bootcamps occur every two years, where prototypes of high-value solutions for education are developed using design and active learning methodologies, with the aim of scaling complex thinking and sustainable development. In the 2023 edition, 94 academicians from 12 countries participated (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Germany, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Spain, the Dominican Republic, and the United Kingdom). Experts from Tecnológico de Monterrey, the Open University, the University of Leeds, and Siemens Stiftung supervised the process. This article presents the prototyped proposals and the results of applying the Play2Train4C methodology, enabling participants to develop educational innovation projects under the paradigm of complex thinking. The results indicate that (1) the participants managed to prototype ten proposals validated by experts and (2) their perceptions of their systemic, critical, scientific, and innovative thinking (sub-competencies of complex thinking) improved by the end of the bootcamp. The conclusion was that the UNESCO Chair boosted solution-building skills for the complex problems arising in Latin America and enabled key agents in education to improve their complex thinking skills for quality education, as promulgated by sustainable development goal 4.

Self Directed Learning: A More Impactful Tool for Learning Tracheostomy by Medical Undergraduate?!

An educational project in medical undergraduate otorhinolaryngology teaching-learningmethodology was designed with the aimof objectively studying the impact of self-directed learning on the topic of tracheostomy, since the latter has been included by the National Medical Commission as a core-competence for students. 150 third-year medical undergraduates participated in the study. They were divided into two groups, namely A and B. Group A was guided to undertake self-directed learning on tracheostomy while Group B underwent a lecture on the sametopic. Thereafter, both the groups responded to a validated feedback performa. Both the groups were assessed before and after the teaching-learning sessions by way of validated multiple-choice questions. Seventy-eight percent of participants from Group A agreed with the fact that they had acquired adequate knowledge on tracheostomy following the self-directed learning session as compared to 93.3% of those in Group B. Lacunae in the knowledge at the end of the teaching sessions were found to be more (27.4%) in Group B as compared to Group A (22%). The results obtained through the preand post-tests found Group A students to be performing significantly better than those in Group B, indicating that self-directed learning had been a more effective method for teaching the skills of tracheostomy as compared to the conventional lecture involving a large group. Self-directed learning, when used alone for a topic like tracheostomy, is more effective than a lecture in terms of reduced lacunae in knowledge and students performance in examinations.

Lessons of the Past for the Present and Future of Russian Education: The Attempt of Historico-philosophical Analysis (Reflections on the Book by V.V. Serbinenko and I.V. Grebeshev “Educational Projects in the History of Russian Philosophy”)

Lessons of the Past for the Present and Future of Russian Education: The Attempt of Historico-philosophical Analysis (Reflections on the Book by V.V. Serbinenko and I.V. Grebeshev “Educational Projects in the History of Russian Philosophy”)

Developing and strengthening learning motivation: Evidence from a project for primary education in Greece

This study reports the results obtained from the implementation of an educational program for primary education in relation to the development or enhancement of students’ learning motivation. The publication of a school journal by 24 6<sup>th</sup> grade students at a public primary school in Greece and their teacher was the main project of the project. The students worked in a communicative and collaborative environment and were encouraged to actively participate in all stages of writing and publishing the magazine. The study describes the pedagogical approach followed by the teacher and the main topics of the journal. The way of collecting the qualitative and quantitative data of the research conducted and the analysis of the data are also mentioned. In relation to the quantitative data, the students’ motivation index (SMI) was calculated before and after the educational project. The results of the quantitative analysis showed that after the implementation of the program, SMI had increased, and the results were statistically significant for both boys and girls. Qualitative data collected agreed with the quantitative results.

Development of the Flappy Helicopter Game Using Scratch

The development of the Fruit Ninja game using Scratch is an innovative and educational project. By utilizing Scratch, this game development allows users to express their creativity in designing fruit characters, sound effects, and unique game mechanics. This process also provides a deep understanding of basic programming concepts such as logic, loops, branching, and variables, presented in an intuitive and easy-to-understand interface. Additionally, this game development involves in-depth analysis in designing game flow, score management, and difficulty levels, which can enhance users' analytical skills. Through the Scratch platform, users also have the opportunity to collaborate and share projects with the online community, receive feedback, and improve their skills. With a step-by-step approach, users can start with basic features and gradually add additional features to create a fun and educational game. This project combines creativity, programming learning, and community interaction to produce a beneficial and educational product.

Creating a Fruit Ninja Game for Kids Using SCRATCH Application

The development of the Fruit Ninja game using Scratch is an innovative and educational project. By utilizing Scratch, this game development allows users to express their creativity in designing fruit characters, sound effects, and unique game mechanics. This process also provides a deep understanding of basic programming concepts such as logic, loops, branching, and variables, presented in an intuitive and easy-to-understand interface. Additionally, this game development involves in-depth analysis in designing game flow, score management, and difficulty levels, which can enhance users' analytical skills. Through the Scratch platform, users also have the opportunity to collaborate and share projects with the online community, receive feedback, and improve their skills. With a step-by-step approach, users can start with basic features and gradually add additional features to create a fun and educational game. This project combines creativity, programming learning, and community interaction to produce a beneficial and educational product.

Can primary school pupils become researchers? A research project on the accessibility of public spaces

Education for sustainable development plays an important role in the cognitive and social development of pupils. A wealth of studies demonstrate the correlation between environmental education (EE) projects and the future potential development of informed and active citizens with pro-environmental behaviours. All EE project have common characteristics, but usually the pupils involved in them hold the position of little explorers. It would be interesting if students could have the role of the researcher and be actively involved in all stages of a research project. The current study aims to describe a research on the accessibility of public space and to contribute to the discussion if primary school pupils could become researchers. The main conclusion of this paper, after the evaluation of the research project, is that pupils from the upper primary school classes can play an active role in a scientific research project.

841 The Management of Post-Operative Haemorrhage in Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery: An Educational Quality Improvement Project in ENT

841 The Management of Post-Operative Haemorrhage in Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery: An Educational Quality Improvement Project in ENT