Education Research Articles

STAGES OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE OF STATE ACCREDITATION IN THE FIELD OF HIGHER EDUCATION

The article is devoted to the consideration of the features of the procedural activity carried out within the framework of state accreditation in the field of higher education. The purpose of the article is to identify problematic issues and develop proposals for improving the regulatory acts governing the relevant administrative procedure. The author’s definition of accreditation expertise is formulated as a special procedure for studying educational activities for a specific educational program, conducted by competent experts with special knowledge in the field of education, within the framework of which accreditation indicators and educational activities of the organisation are compared, which allows determining its quality. The need to exclude from the subject of accreditation expertise such indicators as the average score of the unified state examination of students accepted based on its results for training in higher education programmes, as well as the average score of entrance examinations, is substantiated, since these indicators cannot be attributed to the indicators of the quality of educational activities for a specific educational programme of higher school. The integration of the electronic educational environment of educational institutions with the Federal State Information System “the unified identification and authentication system” is proposed. The necessity of specifying individual deadlines within the stage of accreditation expertise is substantiated, which will help to ensure the right of an educational organisation to timely receive the result of the state service for accreditation of educational activities.

An ecological approach to understanding the agency of novice EFL teachers without initial teacher education background

ABSTRACT Existing research extensively explores challenges faced by novice teachers with initial teacher education (ITE) backgrounds, whereas those without ITE exposure (non-ITE backgrounds) remain less investigated. Utilising the ecological model of teacher agency, this study examines the affordances and constraints encountered by English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers with non-ITE backgrounds during their first year at 12 Chinese state junior high schools. Thematic analysis of interviews with 21 purposively sampled participants reveals that non-ITE backgrounds pose constraints, such as limited pedagogical knowledge, perceived inadequacy by peers with ITE exposure, and professional identity crises. However, significant affordances were also identified, including broad knowledge bases from diverse academic backgrounds and varied internship experiences, high intrinsic motivation, and robust innovation capabilities. Implications for teacher education programmes and school administration are discussed, highlighting the need for tailored support mechanisms to address the unique challenges and leverage the strengths of teachers without ITE backgrounds.

Confronting the idealised ‘Nordic model’ in education with contemporary realities of special education in Sweden

ABSTRACT For decades, the Nordic countries have been admired for their inclusive education systems within egalitarian societies, bolstered by PISA studies and global calls to ensure inclusive education as a human right. This paper contrasts idealised perspectives on Nordic education with internal experiences, exploring recent challenges to the relationship between special and inclusive education. Using Sweden as a case study, it highlights internal diversity within the Nordic region, showing differing paths and gaps between research, policy and school realities. The risks of idealising past educational models are discussed, noting that Sweden, once known for its egalitarian education and low special education needs classification rates, now faces higher classification rates and more separate provision due to policy changes. Recent trends have shown a shift towards increased diagnosis and classification, influenced by marketisation and decentralisation policies. The paper focuses on neurodivergence, analysing shifts in government priorities, teacher education, school practices and research agendas. Analysis of recent policies, reports and educational data reveals winners and losers in school participation, providing insights into the implications for educational discourse, the future of the ‘Nordic model’, and Swedish education in a global context.

DENAZIFICATION OF THE IDEOLOGY OF NATIONAL SOCIALISM IN OCCUPIED GERMANY 1945–1949

The policy of denazification pursued by the victors in occupied Germany, which is discussed in the article, is reflected in published sources, research, and memoirs. However, most of them concern practical measures aimed at eliminating the Nazi regime, primarily the identification and punishment of war criminals. It was much more difficult with the ideology of Nazism, which had penetrated deeply into German society. The problem was also the initial lack of understanding of its content and role in the formation of a totalitarian regime. The war had showed what a real threat to humanity the ideas and designs of German fascism, striving for world domination, posed. During the occupation period, the Allies had to rebuild the education system, upbringing, culture, social relations, and social life of the Germans. The ambiguity of approaches, which took place in the policy of all the occupation authorities in Germany, nevertheless showed us that the main tasks of denazification were indeed solved. However, the process of “overcoming the totalitarian pastˮ did not end there and had its continuation in the German history of the second half of the 20th century.

Initiatives on Education Diplomacy/Linkages: The Chequered Experience in Nigeria

Purpose of the study: The study provided clear indications from the studies of comparative education that Nigeria’s educational system is not highly rated when compared to many other educational systems around the globe. Research evidences are also rife on the use of education diplomacy and international linkages for bridging the gaps of educational inequalities between developed and developing nations. Methodology: As a qualitative study, the paper adopted historical research design, relying on documentary analysis to establish the tenets of education diplomacy/ linkages are not only capable of improving Nigeria’s educational system, but can equally be used to elevate it to a point of global relevance and reference. Main Findings: Revealed in the study are the four major purposive initiatives that are corollaries of education diplomacy/ linkages are depicted in the praxes associated with Foreign Aid packages, Technical Aids Corps, Foreign Studentship schemes and Internalization programme in higher education. The treatise critical appraises the exploration and use of these initiatives for educational image-making and cautious integration of the country’s educational system with global best practices. Despite the chequered experiences identifiable with the initiatives, the inherent derivatives of these initiatives are extremely gainful to the overall development of education in Nigeria. Novelty/Originality of this study: Finally, the paper strongly advocated that Nigeria needs to carefully re-engage and follow through the gains in these initiatives, so as to unlock and tap from the intrinsic benefits and humongous opportunities derivable from the thrusts of education diplomacy linkages.

Children, common bracken and cows at work: re-considering work in multispecies relations through childhood memories

ABSTRACT Drawing on Tim Ingold’s conceptualization of taskscape, this article explores children´s being and working within the landscape through childhood memories and walking ethnography. It examines situated relationships among children, common bracken and cows as they jointly inhabited and shaped steljniki – specific patches of land in South Eastern Slovenia. In contrast to conventional perspectives that narrowly frame children’s work as either an economic necessity or an educational endeavour, our emphasis is on the symmetrical unfolding of work in the multispecies collaboration of children, common bracken and cows in shaping the landscape in keeping with the seasons, natural rhythms, topography, soil composition and temporality. Situated in the context of the subsistence agriculture of extensive farming, where children have actively participated in work for generations, our study reimagines work within multispecies relationality. This conceptual shift responds to the imperative of challenging prevailing paradigms governing the relationship between young people and the environment.

Exploring Perceived Gender Disparities in Latin America's Vascular Neurology Workforce: Insights from a Survey-Based Study

Introduction: Limited research exists on women's challenges as specialized healthcare professionals in Latin America's stroke field. This survey-based study addresses the potential gender disparities in these professionals' work environments. Methods: This exploratory study used an online survey to investigate the work environment of women healthcare professionals in stroke across several Latin American countries. Conducted between September and November 2023, it included demographics, relationship status, reproductive history, and gender roles related to healthcare work and/or academic life. Women responders were invited through professional networks and local stroke care organizations. Descriptive analyses were performed, and sub-group comparisons were made using statistical tests such as Chi-square, FisherExact, or Kruskal-Wallis. Results: A total of 291 responses were gathered from 16 Latin American countries. The average age was 40.01±9.61 years, 34% reported holding leadership positions, with 49.5% having women as supervisors. Furthermore, 41% were married, and 52.9% reported having children. Among those, 29.2% perceived adverse effects of childcare on their academic trajectories, with 71.43% being unable to participate in academic conferences. Only 16.1% held leadership roles in scientific organizations, although 52% were involved in educational endeavors within university settings. Conclusions: Our survey reveals perceived significant hurdles women healthcare professionals encounter in stroke, notably concerning the influence of maternity on job performance and career development. Furthermore, these results highlight inequalities in leadership roles and career pathways. By shedding light on these obstacles, we aim to increase awareness and advocate for implementing fair policies to create a supportive work environment.

‘We have a great deal of influence’: Finnish early childhood in-service teachers’ agency for culturally sustaining pedagogy

ABSTRACT This qualitative study focused on the role of teacher agency and critical reflection in the context of an in-service training programme for early childhood education and care (ECEC) teachers in Finland. The programme emphasised culturally sustainable pedagogy and aimed to support teachers in an increasingly multilingual society. This study aimed to investigate how teachers displayed agency as they tried to promote culturally sustaining pedagogy, and how critical reflection interacted with teachers’ professional agency. The data of the study were versatile, as they consisted of influential texts implemented via the creative writing process, two questionnaires, and interviews with the participants. The data were analysed theoretically and empirically through inductive-deductive reasoning. The investigation revealed four levels at which in-service teachers manifest agency in culturally sustaining pedagogy: individual, child-oriented, institutional, and societal. The results revealed that by writing influential texts, ECEC practitioners significantly challenged their assumptions about their agentic capacity and inspired them to reflect on their practices critically. The findings also revealed that in terms of the targeted audience, participants were not confident in their agentic role in influencing systemic change. These findings highlight the importance of discussing multiple aspects of agency in teacher education by using guided critical reflection.

The mental health of graduate students: A relevant issue in academic education

The mental health of graduate students: A relevant issue in academic education

Improving Measurement Efficiency of an Early Education Quality Monitoring Tool for Majority World Countries

ABSTRACT Research Findings: New measures are being developed for quality monitoring of early care and education (ECE) programs in Majority World countries. However, limited psychometric work has identified items most indicative of quality or optimized the content of these tools. Therefore, the goal of this study was to showcase the empirical steps needed to streamline ECE quality monitoring measures and create more efficient, yet psychometrically robust, versions of these tools for Majority World countries. We used data on the Measuring Early Learning Environments (MELE) instrument that was administered to 250 ECE programs in one anonymous sub-Saharan African country. Findings from Item Response Theory techniques pointed to several items that should be retained for shorter versions of the MELE. Together with findings from correlational analyses with teacher/classroom characteristics and child outcomes, these results also showed that shorter versions of the MELE retained similar amounts of information on ECE quality and precision relative to the original instrument. Collectively, these results showed that it is possible to improve a quality monitoring measure’s efficiency by retaining a subset of highly informative items that maintain the original instrument’s psychometric adequacy. Practice or Policy: We recommend researchers and practitioners interested in optimizing similar tools for monitoring in their context to follow these empirical steps.

Diabetes knowledge and behaviour: a cross-sectional study of Jordanian adults.

Diabetes mellitus is a significant global health concern that is projected to affect 7.7% of the global population by 2030. Understanding factors that influence diabetes knowledge and management adherence is crucial for effective diabetes mellitus management and prevention. This study investigates the relationships between demographic and clinical factors and their impact on diabetes knowledge and behaviour, as well as the potential influence of diabetes knowledge on management behaviours. The study comprised a cross-sectional survey of 1050 adults, collecting data on age, sex, marital status, education, employment, hypertension, dyslipidaemia (any lipid imbalance, such as high cholesterol, high LDL-cholesterol or low HDL-cholesterol), smoking and diabetes status. Two multiple linear regression models were used to identify factors associated with diabetes knowledge and behaviour, and a simple linear regression model was used to assess the relationship between knowledge and behaviour. Significant associations were found between diabetes knowledge and the following factors: age (44.32 ± 9.53 for ≥50 years vs 39.73 ± 9.95 for 18 to <25 years; p<0.0001), sex (49.00 ± 12.35 for women vs 45.09 ± 13.27 for men; p<0.0001), marital status (50.92 ± 11.69 for married vs 45.39 ± 13.10 for single; p<0.0001), smoking status (45.78 ± 13.22 for smokers vs 48.22 ± 12.15 for non-smokers; p=0.003), hypertension (46.46 ± 13.11 for present vs 47.31 ± 12.87 for absent; p=0.007) and diabetes status (69.49 ± 17.35 for present vs 62.76 ± 16.88 for absent; p<0.001). Behaviour scores correlated similarly with these factors except for diabetes and smoking status. The adjusted simple linear regression model revealed that diabetes knowledge was significantly associated with better management behaviours (coefficient=0.0794, p<0.001) after adjusting for demographic and clinical factors. This study highlights the importance of demographic and clinical factors in the context of diabetes knowledge and behaviours, underscoring the need for targeted educational and preventive programmes to improve diabetes management, especially in vulnerable populations. Additionally, the strong association between diabetes knowledge and management behaviours supports a knowledge-attitude-behaviour (KAB) model of diabetes management.

The professional logics of accounting education in MENA countries: evidence from Egypt and KSA

PurposeThis study investigates the influence of the surrounding institutional context, with a particular focus on the professional perspective, on accounting education in two leading developing countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), by focusing on public universities’ undergraduate level in the two countries.Design/methodology/approachFollowing an interpretative approach, this study uses data collected mainly through interviews with the members of the key accounting professional and regulatory bodies, accounting professors and accounting graduates in Egypt and KSA. Theoretically, this study uses insights from the institutional theory to understand the institutional context shaping accounting education in the two examined settings.FindingsDespite sharing several cultural aspects, we noticed differences in accounting education in the two MENA countries. We explained how the dominant institutional perspective in these contexts (i.e. the professional perspective) affects accounting education, resulting in various implications for accounting graduates and the accounting profession. In Egypt, we noticed a retreatment of the professional perspective due to the dominance of an economic perspective informed by the worse economic conditions in the country, negatively affecting accounting education. In contrast, accounting education in KSA is primarily driven by the professional context aided by the availability of facilities and resources as well as the centrality of the role played by professionals and regulators in accounting education, which has directed accounting educators towards incorporating professional knowledge into accounting curricula.Practical implicationsBy highlighting the influence of the professional context on accounting education in a particular developing country, the findings of this study can guide regulators and policymakers in other developing countries concerning developing their accounting education programmes. Furthermore, professionals should allow accounting academics to contribute to developing the accounting profession and employers should support accounting students’ training and development.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by examining the situation of accounting education beyond Western developed contexts, presenting an extensive theoretical explanation of the salient institutional perspectives shaping that situation.

Innovation in physical education teaching based on biomechanics feedback: Design and evaluation of personalized training programs

Psychometric training is a learning and development process that is tied to the requirements and interests of individual learners. The effectiveness and the fun of workout practices can be greatly enhanced by using more personal methods in training. These programs entail tailoring workouts to the fitness level and aims of every participant, as well as their perception of the workout plans. The suggestion of this investigation is to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of individual physical training for teachers focused on biomechanics feedback. Proper body alignment is crucial during any exercise to avoid injuries and achieve maximum results; it is always difficult to sustain correct posture. For motion tracking and to give real-time biomechanics feedback to the students in this study, a refined convolutional neural network (RCNN) has been presented. Filming was done using high-speed cameras and motion capture systems to capture biomechanical responses, which included joint angle, muscle activation patterns, and body posture during activities. This study involved 158 participants drawn from different learning institutions. This approach offers rational and specific feedback on the postures of the body; it enables people to correct themselves and sustain motivation without engaging a trainer. In this study, participants with different levels of fitness engaged with the interactive system were compared to the traditional training method. The result indicated a positive shift in the delivery of personalized training with biomechanics feedback on the system’s potential teaching aid in physical education classes. The study, thus underscores the importance of technology supporting change in physical education programs to improve the student’s learning experiences and their performance in exercises.

Interdisciplinary and Collaborative Training in Neuroscience: Insights from the Human Brain Project Education Programme.

Neuroscience education is challenged by rapidly evolving technology and the development of interdisciplinary approaches for brain research. The Human Brain Project (HBP) Education Programme aimed to address the need for interdisciplinary expertise in brain research by equipping a new generation of researchers with skills across neuroscience, medicine, and information technology. Over its ten year duration, the programme engaged over 1,300 experts and attracted more than 5,500 participants from various scientific disciplines in its blended learning curriculum, specialised schools and workshops, and events fostering dialogue among early-career researchers. Key principles of the programme's approach included fostering interdisciplinarity, adaptability to the evolving research landscape and infrastructure, and a collaborative environment with a focus on empowering early-career researchers. Following the programme's conclusion, we provide here an analysis and in-depth view across a diverse range of educational formats and events. Our results show that the Education Programme achieved success in its wide geographic reach, the diversity of participants, and the establishment of transversal collaborations. Building on these experiences and achievements, we describe how leveraging digital tools and platforms provides accessible and highly specialised training, which can enhance existing education programmes for the next generation of brain researchers working in decentralised European collaborative spaces. Finally, we present the lessons learnt so that similar initiatives may improve upon our experience and incorporate our suggestions into their own programme.

Reaching gender equity in the classroom

The present study explores the impact of the choice of language in tests for girls’ academic performance at monolingual primary and secondary schools in Sub-Saharan Africa. For that purpose, students in grades 3, 6, and 10 (140 girls and 139 boys) from schools in rural Senegal were given a test consisting of three mathematics problem-solving tasks. They were randomly divided into an experimental group if they received the test in a local language, their mother tongue (Sereer for grades 3 and 6, and Joola for grade 10), and into a control group if they received the test in French, the unique language of instruction in the traditional Senegalese public education system. The findings suggest that using a local language familiar to students may contribute to girls’ attainment at school: Girls in the experimental group in grades 3, 6 and 10 outperformed girls in the control group, therefore narrowing the existing gender gap in education. The present study also explores the application of Cummins’ (1979, 2009) theories of language acquisition: The data shows that girls might take advantage of bilingual education systems that promote the transfer of language skills and knowledge. The results presented in this paper show the benefit of introducing local languages familiar to students in the education system of Senegal and other Sub-Saharan countries where only a European language is employed as the language of instruction, especially for girls, by improving their academic performance and contributing to gender equity in education.

Optimal design of neural network-based fuzzy predictive control model for recommending educational resources in the context of information technology

Abstract As the information technology develops, educational resource recommendation system has become an indispensable part of the education field. At the same time, people’s demand for personalised educational resources is also growing; therefore, how to accurately predict user demand and provide personalised recommendations has become an important issue. In this study, a fuzzy predictive control model on the grounds of neural network is proposed to optimise the design of educational resource recommendation in the context of information technology. After experimental testing, the model recommendation fit reached 95.16 and 92.91% on the two test datasets, which are significantly higher than the control model. The average F1 values of the proposed model also reached 95.21 and 88.77%, which are higher than the control model. In other control experiments, the proposed model of this study also has a better performance. The relevant outcomes showcase that the predictive performance and recommendation effect of the model can be further enhanced by improving the structure of the neural network and the parameter optimisation method. Meanwhile, the proposed model has high performance in information overload and personalised demand, which offers a useful reference for the optimal design of educational resource recommendation system.

Diabetes Self-Management and Care Among Incarcerated Individuals: A Systematic Review.

Diabetes is prevalent among incarcerated individuals, necessitating effective management within prison settings. This study aims to assess diabetes management among incarcerated individuals and analyze the methodological aspects of relevant research focusing on incarcerated individuals with diabetes. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases, with data parameters from 1990 to 2021 and following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines, to investigate diabetes management in incarcerated individuals. The search yielded 706 records, from which 14 English-language quantitative studies meeting inclusion criteria were selected for analysis. These studies were predominantly retrospective with low levels of evidence. However, they consistently demonstrated the beneficial effects of dietary interventions, educational programs, and nursing guidance on diabetes management in incarcerated populations. This study highlights the need for more comprehensive and high-evidence research to further explore health professionals' practices with incarcerated individuals with diabetes and the effectiveness of diabetes management. Such studies are crucial for improving the quality of care provided to this vulnerable population.

"Re-thinking equity: the need for a multidimensional approach in evaluating educational equity through TIMSS data"

Abstract Background In recent years, data derived from international large-scale assessments have significantly influenced the discourse surrounding educational equity. However, the use of such data has often neglected the full spectrum of dimensions that equity encompasses, while being limited to exploring the relationship between achievement variations and student background. This approach, however, constrains our understanding of the rich notion. Methods This paper aims to contribute to the advancement of current research by advocating for an alternative approach that encompasses all relevant dimensions of equity and examines their impact on both achievement and motivational outcomes. A cluster analysis manifests itself as the designated method to employ, as the concept of equity remains theoretically challenged and the detection of data patterns can serve as a strong step in its multifaceted inquiry. Moreover, this method enables us to incorporate the multidimensional concept in a country-level context. Results Employing data from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study at grade four, this paper presents five distinct clusters of educational systems that illustrate diverse equity configurations. Notably, none of the identified clusters consistently scores high or low on all equity dimensions. This suggests that all of the clusters perform inconsistently to different degrees across the dimensions of equity. Furthermore, no single cluster emerges as superior to the others across both outcome measures. Conclusions These findings shed light on the intricate interplay between equity, achievement, and motivation within the examined educational systems. The unique configuration of the equity dimensions within each cluster underscores the importance of adopting a nuanced evaluation of equity, which can enhance our understanding of equity patterns.

Pre-service teachers’ technological pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK): their readiness for online instruction

ABSTRACT Rapid changes and greater complexities bring new difficulties and place new expectations on our educational system. Teacher education programs must adapt to these changes and train pre-service teachers in various learning modalities. This study determined the readiness of pre-service teachers to teach online based on their technological pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK) when they are grouped based on their profile. Through proportional random sampling, 400 third-year pre-service teachers were surveyed using comparative research. No significant difference in the readiness of pre-service teachers to online instruction based on their TPACK when grouped according to their sex and specialization. However, it was found that the respondents when grouped according to their specialization were different in terms of their Technological Knowledge and Technological Content Knowledge. This study suggests that as the era of technological changes emerged, the abilities of preservice teachers must be highly targeted to cope with dramatic changes in the educational landscape.

Promoting Well-Being from a Gender Perspective: A Systematic Review of Interventions Using Digital Tools and Serious Games

Gender inequalities continue to pose a significant issue across various aspects of life, adversely impacting the well-being of both females and males. These disparities often stem from the ingrained gender stereotypes passed down to young individuals through parental guidance, educational systems, and media portrayal. For this reason, within the psycho-pedagogical field, various intervention models have been developed in recent years, leveraging digital tools to combat stereotypes and enhance well-being among adolescents. The aim of this systematic review is, therefore, to identify studies employing digital tools, particularly serious games, to promote well-being from a gender perspective. The review was conducted using the PRISMA guidelines and collected articles from four databases: Scopus, the Web of Science, PubMed, and PsycInfo. The screening process culminated in the selection of 15 articles. The findings reveal a proliferation of platforms, applications, and programs aimed at promoting well-being by addressing emotional, cognitive (or mental), physical, and sexual health dimensions. Some contributions emphasize nurturing positive attributes within individuals or fostering empowerment as a precursor to well-being. Additionally, certain articles delve into the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of young men and women; in particular, the authors investigated the effect of using an app to improve well-being before and after the pandemic. This systematic review aims to expand the knowledge base on technology-based interventions for social change. It endeavors to empower educators and advance the creation of innovative, evidence-based digital tools that can enhance positive mental health, promote gender equality education, and foster the well-being of young people.