Educational Experience Research Articles

Disabled students’ voices about their psycho-social and educational experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: an empirical study

This article presents a study about the psycho-social and educational experiences of disabled students during the COVID-19 pandemic, from quarantine and remote learning to the transition back to their schools. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with 45 primary and secondary school-aged disabled students attending both regular and special schools in Greece. Despite the identification of some positive experiences, not all disabled pupils and in all cases were benefited from the measures implemented by the Greek government, as they voiced a range of educational, psychological, and social challenges. Further, disabled pupils’ accounts indicated that they were confronted with ableist discourses in the Greek educational policy and practices concerning the ‘support’ that was available. This study emphasises the need to listen to the voices of disabled students as a pathway to ensure their rights and promote their inclusion, empowerment, and resilience in crisis and no crisis times in their schools.

The development and evaluation of an online journal club: perspectives from student participants and practitioners

ABSTRACT The coronavirus pandemic which began during the 2019/2020 academic calendar has had a significant impact on many educational providers. The Open University, UK, the largest distance tertiary provider in Europe, is ideally placed to share its experience in online and distance education. This paper outlines the use of the Online Journal Club (OJC) as a mechanism for increasing student ownership of learning within the context of an online academic community. OJCs provide an informal, low-risk environment for students to share topics of interest with fellow students, whilst practitioners step back from their traditional roles. Our findings indicate that OJCs provide an enriching and authentic experience for distance learning students, developing academic and employability skills, including digital and information literacy and communication skills. Furthermore, OJCs can act as a potentially transformative experience for practitioners.

TEACHER EDUCATORS’ EXPERIENCES OF USING THE MURSION® SIMULATION PROGRAMME: A CASE OF A SOUTH AFRICAN UNIVERSITY

This article explores the experiences of teacher educators at a South African university regarding their use of the Mursion® simulation program during pre-service teacher training. The study aimed to investigate these teacher educators’ experiences and perceptions of using the Mursion® simulation software by means of semi-structured interviews, and subsequent thematic analyses. Three themes were predominantly discussed during the interviews, namely, initial impressions of the Mursion® software, favourable aspects associated with the software, and less-favourable aspects associated with the software. The respondents’ initial impressions revealed a mixture of satisfaction, excitement, and uncertainty. The favourable aspects included the realism of the virtual classroom environment and experience, the opportunity for practice and skill development, and the potential for increased pre-service teacher preparedness. The less-favourable aspects highlighted were some anxiety and intimidation related to the technical nature of the software and the initial learning curve. The findings suggest that the software has the potential to enhance teacher education by providing a realistic and immersive classroom experience for pre-service teachers. The importance of technological support and training for educators to fully utilize such programs is also highlighted.

Composition and influencing factors of professionals’ capacity in public health emergency rescues: a qualitative study

ObjectiveTo explore the composition and influencing factors of professionals’ capacity in public health emergency rescues.MethodsA descriptive qualitative design was used in this study. Medical workers, managers, and members of an emergency rescue team in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, were recruited for participation through a purposive sampling method. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed using a conventional content analysis method.FindingsA total of 2 themes and 13 sub-themes emerged from the analysis: ability composition (knowledge reserve, early warning assessment, information reporting, emergency response, self-protection, personal ability, coordination and cooperation, health education) and influencing factors (educational background, region, experience, hospital level, human resources, and financial investment).ConclusionThese findings offer a basis for the construction of a related indicator system and provide a reference for relevant departments to further optimize their emergency education and training, strengthen their emergency drills, and improve their emergency rescue abilities. The findings indicate that it is necessary to pay attention to the construction of an emergency rescue team, adjust the ratio of personnel, improve their remuneration, and promote work enthusiasm to improve the emergency rescue ability of an organization.

An Investigation into the Utility of Large Language Models in Geotechnical Education and Problem Solving

The study explores the capabilities of large language models (LLMs), particularly GPT-4, in understanding and solving geotechnical problems, a specialised area that has not been extensively examined in previous research. Employing a question bank obtained from a commonly used textbook in geotechnical engineering, the research assesses GPT-4’s performance across various topics and cognitive complexity levels, utilising different prompting strategies like zero-shot learning, chain-of-thought (CoT) prompting, and custom instructional prompting. The study reveals that while GPT-4 demonstrates significant potential in addressing fundamental geotechnical concepts and problems, its effectiveness varies with specific topics, the complexity of the task, and the prompting strategies employed. The paper categorises errors encountered by GPT-4 into conceptual, grounding, calculation, and model inherent deficiencies related to the interpretation of visual information. Custom instructional prompts, specifically tailored to address GPT-4’s shortcomings, significantly enhance its performance. The study reveals that GPT-4 achieved an overall problem-solving accuracy of 67% with custom instructional prompting, significantly higher than the 28.9% with zero-shot learning and 34% with CoT. However, the study underscores the importance of human oversight in interpreting and verifying GPT-4’s outputs, especially in complex, higher-order cognitive tasks. The findings contribute to understanding the potential and limitations of current LLMs in specialised educational fields, providing insights for educators and researchers in integrating AI tools like GPT-4 into their teaching and problem-solving approaches. The study advocates for a balanced integration of AI in education to enrich educational delivery and experience while emphasising the indispensable role of human expertise alongside technological advancements.

Examining students' acceptance of the large‐scale HyFlex course: An empirical study

AbstractThe HyFlex course has been widely adopted in higher education settings. However, there is a paucity of empirical studies examining students' acceptance of large‐scale HyFlex courses, as well as factors influencing their acceptance. To fill this research gap, the present study investigated students' acceptance of a large‐scale HyFlex course and the variations in their acceptance according to different participation modes (ie, on‐site, synchronously online and mixed attendance), based on a total of 160 valid samples from a large‐scale HyFlex course at a normal university in central China during the fall semester of 2022. The results indicated that students' overall HyFlex course acceptance was generally high, and the students who alternately engaged in on‐site and synchronously online learning had the highest level of acceptance. Furthermore, this study employed structural equation modelling to validate a model integrating the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology with connected classroom climate (CCC). The findings showed that performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy, facilitating conditions and CCC directly influenced students' acceptance, with performance expectancy having the strongest direct effect. However, social influence only had an indirect effect on students' acceptance, while CCC had both direct and indirect effects. This study carries substantial theoretical and practical implications, enhancing our understanding of students' acceptance of the HyFlex learning approach.Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic The adoption of the HyFlex course, especially in the context of large‐scale courses, is prevalent in higher education settings. Existing studies have predominately focused on assessing the impact of HyFlex course on student engagement and learning outcomes, the development and implementation of HyFlex course structures, and educators' perspectives and experiences with HyFlex courses. Although some research has delved into students' satisfaction with HyFlex courses, particularly in small class settings, our understanding of students' acceptance of large‐scale HyFlex course remains limited. There has been a noticeable gap in investigations exploring distinctions among students who opt for varying HyFlex course delivery modes, such as on‐site, synchronously online and mixed attendance formats. What this paper adds This study reveals that students generally displayed a high level of acceptance towards the large‐scale HyFlex course. Notably, students who participated in alternating on‐site and synchronously online learning exhibited a significantly higher level of acceptance towards the HyFlex course compared to their counterparts. A novel approach was employed in this study by integrating the UTAUT model with the concept of connected classroom climate (CCC) to comprehensively explore the key influencing factors and their interrelationships regarding students' acceptance of a large‐scale HyFlex course. The study found that performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), facilitating conditions (FC) and CCC were all significant factors that positively influenced students' acceptance of the HyFlex course. Particularly, PE emerged as the factor with the strongest direct impact on HyFlex course acceptance (ACP). Interestingly, social influence (SI) did not exhibit a significant direct effect on students' ACP. However, it had a significant and positive indirect effect on students' ACP through the mediation of PE. Furthermore, CCC was shown to have both direct and indirect effects on students' acceptance of the HyFlex course, with the indirect effect of CCC on ACP accounted for nearly half of the total effect. Implications for practice and/or policy Instructors should prioritize emphasizing the advantages and benefits of HyFlex courses to enhance students' motivation and willingness to participate actively in these courses. This may involve showcasing how HyFlex course offer flexibility, convenience and varied learning opportunities. When implementing HyFlex courses, instructors should work to mitigate students' perceived EE. This could be achieved through streamlining course navigation, ensuring user‐friendly technology tools and providing clear guidelines for participation. Simultaneously, efforts should be made to enhance perceived learning support to facilitate students' engagement and acceptance of HyFlex courses. Instructors in HyFlex course settings should place a strong emphasis on creating a supportive and collaborative learning environment. This involves fostering interactions among students, encouraging peer‐to‐peer support and providing resources and guidance to help students navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by HyFlex course formats. Building a sense of community and connectedness among students can significantly impact their acceptance and success in such courses.

Addressing hidden tensions and grey areas of general practice: A qualitative study of the experiences of newly qualified GPs attending a course on generalist medicine.

Background Generalist approaches can help address several challenges facing today's primary care. However, GPs report insufficient support to deliver advanced generalist medicine (AGM) in daily practice, struggling within a healthcare system that imposes strict adherence to single-disease focused guidelines. Aim We aimed to examine the professional and educational experiences of newly qualified GPs attending a course on AGM to understand how to redesign primary care systems to support their generalist work. Design and Setting Qualitative study focusing on AGM in UK general practice (England), conducted in the context of the research evaluation of an online career development programme on AGM. Method We conducted 36 interviews and 6 focus groups with newly qualified GPs attending an online career development programme on AGM, and analysed data using framework analysis. Results Three tensions experienced by the participants were identified: tension between realistic and idealistic practice; tension between different decision-making paradigms; tension in the formation of the GPs' professional identities. These were due to grey areas of practice deeply rooted in primary care systems - namely areas of work not adequately addressed by current education and service design. Conclusions Our findings have implications for tackling the general practice workforce crisis, highlighting that solutions targeting individual problems will not suffice by themselves. By making visible the grey areas of everyday general practice, we describe the changes needed to target tensions as described by the GPs in this study to ultimately enable, enhance and make visible the complex work of generalist medicine.

Contemporary educational methods in periodontology.

The 1st European Workshop on Periodontal Education in 2009 made recommendations regarding the scope of periodontal education at undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG) and continuing professional development (CPD) levels, defining competencies and learning outcomes that were instrumental at the time in helping to define periodontal teaching curricula. The 19th European Workshop on Periodontology and 2nd European Consensus Workshop on Education in Periodontology (Education in Periodontology in Europe) was held in 2023 to identify changes and future developments in periodontal education (including those informed by the COVID-19 pandemic) and embracing methods and formats of periodontal teaching and training. The aim of this review was to assess current knowledge regarding education methods in periodontology, including traditional face-to-face (F2F) teaching and the move to student-centred methods, virtual learning methods and use of digital technology, as well as blended teaching and learning (including teaching delivery and assessment) at UG, PG and CPD levels. Systematic searches were conducted to identify relevant studies from the literature. Data were extracted and descriptive summaries collated. The pandemic was a major disruptor of traditional F2F teaching but provided opportunities for rapid implementation of alternative and supplementary teaching methods. Although online learning has become an integral part of periodontal education, teachers and learners alike favour some form of F2F teaching. Blended teaching and learning are feasible in many areas of periodontal education, both for knowledge and skills acquisition as well as in assessment. Student-centred methods and blended approaches such as the flipped classroom seem highly effective, and online/virtual classrooms with both synchronous and asynchronous lectures are highly valued. Learning with haptic methods and virtual reality (VR) enhances the educational experience, especially when VR is integrated with traditional methods. The quality of the teacher continues to be decisive for the best knowledge transfer in all its forms. Live F2F teaching continues to be highly trusted; however, all types of student-centred and interactive forms of knowledge transfer are embraced as enhancements. While digital methods offer innovation in education, blended approaches integrating both virtual and traditional methods appear optimal to maximize the achievement of learning outcomes. All areas of periodontal education (UG, PG and CPD) can benefit from such approaches; however, more research is needed to evaluate their benefits, both for knowledge transfer and skills development, as well as in assessment.

India’s emerging trends and meanings in healthy human-nature relationships: Indian outdoor education practitioner perspectives

ABSTRACT Using a descriptive, exploratory study of recent developments in outdoor adventure education (OAE) fields in India, the authors report on the significant contributions of Indian OAE practitioners in promoting healthy human-nature relationships. Semi-structured interviews with Indian OAE practitioners revealed an underlying interconnectedness between OAE, environmental education, and experiential education. Findings show that OAE practitioners in India represent new genres of practice diversifying into nature-based sports, therapeutic adventure, experiential activities, and more to help individuals develop positive relationships with nature, emphasising reciprocity and mutual respect. Drawing from the historical, spiritual, and cultural aspects of nature-relatedness in Indian culture, OAE practitioners bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and contemporary practices to foster deeper connections with the natural worlds. This study postulates that Indian OAE practitioners, with their understanding of nature’s therapeutic effects, play vital roles in guiding people towards a holistic and sustainable relationship with nature that contributes to individual well-being and environmental preservation.

‘How Can a Dalit Student Write So Beautifully, So Nicely?’ Caste-Based Stereotyping and Its Implications for Dalit Students in Higher Education

This paper presents a social-psychological study of caste stereotyping in higher education in India. It is about the lives of dalit students and their experiences of navigating through educational spaces with the awareness of being targets of stereotyping associated with their caste identity in the academic domain. With the help of in-depth interviews, the study delves into how dalit students respond to negative caste stereotyping, and what facilitates these responses. Fourteen dalit students (male = 8, female = 6) studying at two central universities in Delhi (India) participated in the study. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The analysis helped develop the following two themes: (1) The pervasiveness of caste stereotyping in the academic domain: ‘How can their handwriting be so good?’, (2) Institutional climate shapes responses to stereotyping: ‘this is not a personal issue, it is an entire group’s issue’. The analysis shows dalit students’ active efforts to navigate the negative caste stereotyping in educational contexts. Specifically, the analysis highlights the role of institutional climate in shaping these responses and transforming vulnerability (because of caste-based stereotyping and stigma) to empowerment and assertion. While the passivity and subordination of stigmatised groups such as dalits are taken for granted, this research demonstrates that given a conducive social environment such as a supportive institutional climate, dalit students’ experience of higher education may be positively impacted. The role of institutional climate in the empowerment of disadvantaged group identity and elements that promote such a climate are discussed.

An Investigation of Science And Mathematics Teachers’ Thoughts on STEM Education

This study examines the views of high school physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics teachers on STEM education. The research uses a phenomenological research design. The sample involved three public high schools and eight teachers. Participants had prior experience and knowledge of STEM education. The experience of the participating teachers ranged from approximately 9 to 30 years. Data for the study were collected using a semi-structured interview form. The interview form consists of eight questions. As a result of the analysis of the interviews, 8 themes and 67 codes were categorized. Results reveal that the implementation of STEM will greatly contribute to the development of students and teachers. Many teachers think that STEM applications will be extremely effective in creating an environment where teachers can be motivated, develop projects and discover their students’ talents. Results show that many teachers do not get enough information about STEM seminars held at universities. In addition, it reveals that teachers have problems with time, equipment and classroom control during STEM practices.

INTRODUCTION: Worldwide voices of experience in language education

INTRODUCTION: Worldwide voices of experience in language education

Improvement of Student Interaction Analysis in Online Education Platforms Through Interactive Mobile Technology and Machine Learning Integration

The emergence of online education platforms, driven by interactive mobile technology, has significantly reshaped traditional educational paradigms and underscored the critical need for advanced analysis and improvement of student interactions. Effective analysis of student interaction is crucial for enhancing teaching quality and optimizing the learning experience in these digitally enriched environments. Traditional analysis frameworks often face challenges such as inaccuracies in anomaly detection and inefficiencies in data handling, particularly when handling extensive datasets typical of online platforms. This study introduces a novel approach to enhancing student interaction analysis systems by leveraging the synergy between machine learning and advanced interactive mobile technologies. Initially, the study proposes an advanced anomaly detection method tailored for identifying irregular student interactions. This method utilizes a blend of machine learning algorithms and the real-time data processing capabilities of mobile technology. Furthermore, to address the complexities of data transmission in mobile-based online education ecosystems, a state-ofthe- art congestion control algorithm has been developed. This algorithm optimizes data flow, significantly enhancing transmission stability and efficiency. The integration of interactive mobile technology with machine learning offers a robust and dynamic framework for analyzing student interactions, thereby facilitating a more engaging and effective online educational experience. This research contributes to the advancement of online education quality and efficiency by emphasizing the role of interactive mobile technology in shaping future learning environments.

Pupil voice in physical education and the desire for (in)visibility

ABSTRACT The importance of children is a universally accepted concept in schools. However, do we actually listen to what children have to say? Rudduck and Fielding [2002. The transformative potential of student voice: Confronting the power issues. Paper presented at BERA Annual Conference, University of Exeter, p. 2] argue that the voices of pupils are ‘silent’ or ‘silenced’. The aim of this study was to listen to the voice of pupils, concerning their experiences in Physical Education (PE) in schools, with the direction of the study being driven (although not co-designed) by pupils and thereafter following the issues that they raised. It involved 154, 14–16-year-old pupils across the two schools, one an independent school and the other a state academy. A focus group in each school (6 pupils per study) drove the direction of the study which then sort breadth through a questionnaire to the whole year group in both schools (154 respondents) and finally depth through 12 individual interviews. A theoretical framework (Social Field Theory) was selected post findings to ensure that it best represented the emergent data. Through this Pupil voice method, five themes emerged, those being Participation, Choice, Pressure, Ability and Development, and Health. These indicated that pupils have vastly different experiences in the PE lesson, in particular, if they are at either end of the ability spectrum. For some it is that of humiliation and censure, and for others it is about success and achievement. The uniqueness of the lesson with regard to physique and the exposure of both skill and body can affect this duality, negatively and positively. This can lead to the desire for, or coerced, (in)visibility for many pupils. Solutions from pupils, at both ends of the ability spectrum, to counter issues in PE involved giving choice of activity and having ability setting for classes.

Peer health coach experiences promoting a nondiet approach in a university health coaching program

PurposeResearch shows peer health education programs on university campuses can support students in pursuing sustainable health-related behavior changes. However, few programs deliver peer health education through a nondiet, weight-inclusive framework. Research shows that health educators who challenge the status quo of diet culture and weight-focused health interventions may face unique challenges when sharing this perspective with others. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of peer educators who provided critical health education by introducing a nondiet, weight-inclusive approach to health.Design/methodology/approachFive health coaches from a university health coaching program at a mid-sized southwestern university participated in a semi-structured interview. The data were analyzed through interpretative phenomenological analysis.FindingsPeer educators faced numerous challenges when introducing nondiet, weight-inclusive approaches such as lacking credibility as a peer to challenge weight-centric messages, feeling conflicted about honoring clients’ autonomy when clients are resistant to a weight-inclusive approach and feeling uncomfortable when discussing client vulnerabilities. Peer educators also identified several strategies that helped them navigate these challenges such as being intentional with social media, using motivational interviewing to unpack clients’ concerns about weight, and seeking group supervision.Originality/valueGiven the reality that health coaches will face challenges sharing weight-inclusive health approaches, educators and supervisors should explicitly incorporate strategies and training methods to help peer health coaches prepare for and cope with such challenges. More research is also needed to examine effective ways to introduce weight-inclusive approaches to college students.

Needs Assessment of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Training in North American Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship Programs.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) is widely used in adult rheumatology practice for diagnosis of arthritis and procedural guidance; however, it is not yet common practice in pediatric rheumatology. MSUS is advantageous to the pediatric population because it lacks radiation and eliminates need for sedation. This study aims to assess interest in, access to, and barriers to MSUS training in pediatric rheumatology fellowship programs in North America. A survey was developed by pediatric rheumatology providers with experience in medical and/or MSUS education and distributed via REDCap anonymously in March 2022 (Supplementary Material). Eligible participants included current and recently graduated (<1 year) pediatric rheumatology fellows at a North American program. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses using design-based Pearson chi-squared tests were performed. Overall response rate was 78% (88/113), and 75% reported some form of MSUS training during fellowship. Only 36% indicated their program had a formal MSUS curriculum. Of those with MSUS training, 23% reported adult-only MSUS education. Eighty-four percent felt MSUS would be beneficial to their career. Major barriers to MSUS training included lack of MSUS-trained faculty, lack of time, and lack of hands-on MSUS sessions. Those who had access to MSUS training were significantly more interested in MSUS than those without (P = 0.0036). This study demonstrates that North American pediatric rheumatology fellows have a strong interest in learning MSUS, but they face significant challenges in accessing MSUS training (lack of MSUS-trained faculty, time, and access to hands-on training). MSUS should be incorporated into fellowship curriculum; however, implementation remains a challenge.

Knowledge about Administration and Regulation of High Alert Medication among Nurses in Oncology Department

Background: High alert medications (HAMs) are associated with a higher risk of causing significant patient harm when used in error. Understanding the administration and regulation of these medications within oncology settings is critical due to the complex nature of cancer treatment regimens and the severity of potential medication errors. Objective: To assess the knowledge of nurses regarding the administration and regulation of high alert medications in an oncology department of a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 133 registered nurses in the oncology department of Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire designed to evaluate nurses' knowledge of HAMs. Participants included both male (29.3%) and female (70.7%) nurses, with varying educational backgrounds and work experiences. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, focusing on descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Results: The results revealed moderate knowledge levels among nurses with significant gaps in critical areas. Only 20.3% correctly identified the protocol for fast IV push of 1:1000 epinephrine in mild allergic reactions, and 33.8% mistakenly believed that 10% calcium gluconate and 10% calcium chloride were interchangeable. Additionally, 44.4% incorrectly used 'Amp' or 'Vial' for dose expression instead of 'mg' or 'gm', and 53.4% failed to recognize the importance of distinctive labeling on look-alike drugs. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for enhanced educational programs and standardized protocols to improve the safe administration and regulation of HAMs in oncology settings. Strengthening nurses' knowledge and practices regarding HAMs is essential to reduce medication errors and improve patient outcomes.

Optimizing Higher Education Using Artificial Intelligence

A revolutionary transformation and overhaul of our approach to how we instruct and interact with educational content is being heralded by the simultaneous development of artificial intelligence and education. Businesses dealing with educational technology are greatly engaging and spending exponentially over technologies delivering education by artificial intelligence. Such technologies generate highly interactive and deeply engaging educational experiences for the learners creating an everlasting impact. Some of the cutting-edge technologies that improve student engagement and encourage deeper connections with the educational content or the conversational assistants that interact verbally and virtually. Virtual reality (VR), Augmented reality (AR), holographic simulations, etc. are some more examples of AI generated applications which are now being used to create immersive learning experiences. This paper explores the role of AI in higher education, it’s benefits for both learners &amp; educators, it’s application in H.E. classrooms, utilisation of AI-detection technology, challenges and strategies to implement AI seamlessly in educational settings. It is an effort made in order to discuss this emerging topic and to offer an insight into the constantly evolving relationship between AI an education.

The Alternative Narrative: When Digital Learning Worked During the Pandemic

From late spring of 2020 to the present, the U.S. educational conversation about learning in K-12 public schools during the pandemic has been about the fact that students did not learn as much, widening the achievement gap due to digital learning. Some K-12 public schools and school districts have reported no learning loss. This exploratory study examined elements shared by teachers, administrators, and parents that accounted for potential reasons why these individual K-12 public school districts did not experience the learning loss during digital learning that has been at the center stage of the narrative about educational experiences during the pandemic. Analysis of the results showed four elements that were central to these school districts’ experiences: having an instructional framework; determining a clear pedagogical function; connecting technology to the pedagogical function; capitalizing on formative assessments. Data also revealed that the participants tended to believe that a focus on pedagogy before technology integration was crucial.

AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF POTENTIAL FACTORS IMPACTING STUDENT SATISFACTION – A STUDY FOCUSED ON STUDENTS LIVING IN THE NORTH OF ALBANIA AND ATTENDING PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES (CASE: UNIVERSITY OF SHKODRA, UNIVERSITY OF TIRANA AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE, TIRANA

Objective: This study aims to explore the factors influencing student satisfaction among attendees of public universities in the northern region of Albania, against the backdrop of declining student enrollment and significant emigration trends. Theoretical Framework: Student satisfaction is understood as a crucial aspect of educational evaluation, influenced by various factors such as educational experiences, services, and facilities (Chatzoglou et al., 2021). Emphasis is placed on understanding the interplay between demographic variables and their impact on satisfaction levels. Method: Data was collected via questionnaires distributed to students at the University of Shkodra, Tirana, and the University of Medicine in 2023. Factor and reliability analyses were employed to identify significant factors affecting student satisfaction. Multiple regression analysis was conducted, with variables including reputation, cost of study, course quality, employability prospects, and service quality. Results and Discussion: The findings indicate that demographic variables exhibit a notable influence on student satisfaction levels. Moreover, the regression analysis identified several factors—such as reputation, cost of study, and service quality—as significant predictors of student satisfaction. Research Implications: This study contributes to understanding the nuanced dynamics of student satisfaction within the Albanian higher education context. The findings hold implications for university administrators and policymakers in devising strategies to enhance student satisfaction and address the challenges of declining enrollment. Originality/Value: By focusing on the specific context of northern Albanian public universities, this research sheds light on understudied aspects of student satisfaction amidst broader socio-economic challenges. The study's findings underscore the importance of tailored interventions to improve overall student experiences and retention rates.