Education Curriculum Research Articles

The The Silent Curriculum: Classical Aesthetics as a Catalyst for Emotional and Social Skills in Higher Vocational Education

This study examines the integration of classical aesthetics into the silent curriculum of higher vocational education, emphasizing its potential to significantly enhance emotional and social skills. Incorporating aesthetic principles into education emphasizes the importance of nurturing emotional intelligence, creativity, and cultural awareness in students—skills that go beyond the classroom and are essential for their growth, adaptability, and future careers. It explores theoretical foundations and practical implementations and addresses challenges such as the need for specialized educator training, overcoming institutional resistance, and securing adequate resources. Advocating for empirical research and strategic cultural partnerships, the paper proposes a transformative approach to vocational education, aligning it with contemporary societal and labor market demands, and underscores the vital role of classical aesthetics in enriching vocational training and enhancing student outcomes.

Analysis of Perceptions and Requirements for Creative Experiential Activity Curriculum for the Revision of Special Education in South Korea

This study investigates the perspectives of key stakeholders—teachers, principals, and parents of students with disabilities—regarding the 2022 Revised Curriculum, which integrates sustainability and climate change education into the Creative Experiential Activity (CEA) curriculum in special education. It focuses on their perceptions and needs for improving CEA to reflect hands-on learning and sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly in areas like ICT integration and social inclusion. Through a focus group interview (FGI) and the KJ method of analysis, key themes were derived and organized into six levels to structure the transcripts. The teacher group identified 69 perceptions and 73 needs, with main themes related to ‘extracurricular operation status’, ‘evaluation of extracurricular activities’, and ‘experience activities’. Their needs highlighted ‘suggestions for the revised curriculum’ and ‘expectations for new activities’. The school expert group recognized 37 issues and expressed 74 needs, focusing on incorporating ICT and SDGs, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) into the revised curriculum. The parent group, with 58 recognitions and 56 needs, expressed perceptions of extracurricular activities in terms of ‘related knowledge’, ‘negative emotions’, ‘school status’, and ‘positive attitude toward their child’s participation’. Their primary needs included ‘request for student guidance’, ‘expectation for successful social integration of children (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being)’, and ‘opportunities for participation in education’. Furthermore, this study addresses gaps previously unexamined in the field of special education by analyzing the distinctive needs of special education settings and proposing concrete solutions to address these unmet needs. The findings underscore the necessity of tailoring educational content to the diverse needs of students with disabilities, promoting inclusive practices that align with SDGs and reflect the evolving educational landscape in special education.

Developing Electronic School Report (E-Rapor) for Strengthening the Profile of Pancasila Students

The research aims to develop an electronic school report (e-report/e-rapor) to assess the achievement of competencies profiling Pancasila students. The development of this e-report facilitated the needs of schools that did not have an assessment system for the implementation of the Enhancing Pancasila Student Profiles Project (EP4). The e-report was developed in accordance with the Decision Letter of the Education Standards, Curriculum, and Assessment Agency (BSKAP) number 009. The development of this e-report used the development method approach, commonly known as Research and Development (R&D). To test the feasibility of the developed e-report, it was evaluated based on two aspects: content validity and effectiveness. The respondents in this research were 30 teachers and/or school principals. The data analysis technique for analyzing data from the interactive e-report development process was descriptive to explain the process and the effectiveness for the product. The results of the e-report validity on the accuracy of dimensions and elements were as follows: 54% very accurate, 40% accurate, and 6% fairly accurate. Meanwhile, the accuracy of the assessment was 54% very accurate, 43% accurate, and 3% fairly accurate. The accuracy of other components was 57% very accurate, 37% accurate, and 6% fairly accurate. The e-report effectiveness on ease of use was as follows: 50% very easy, 47% easy, and 3% fairly easy. Then, the e-report attractiveness was 43% very attractive, 47% attractive, and 10% fairly attractive. The conformity of appearance with the EP4 concept was 60% very suitable, 34% suitable, and 6% fairly suitable. As a result, the e-report was recommended in assessing the implementation of EP4.

Virtual Physics’ Programs & Students’ Improvements

The research article examines the effect of virtual Physics’ programs on students' achievement in the subject within public secondary schools in the Kakamega South sub-county. Quasi-experimental research design was adopted, quantitative data from a sample of form two students was collected using physics achievement test. The data was analyzed using Difference in Difference model. Findings showed a statistically significant difference in achievement between students taught using Physics virtual programs and those taught using face to face. The results of the analysis also showed that students’ achievement in physics was increasing by 1.34 point over time and the increase was statistically significant The findings are in agreement with those of Smith (2013) in a study comparing in-person learning and blended learning in secondary schools within New Zealand who reported a significant difference between students' achievement in blended and face-to-face classes. The findings would provide widespread benefits that extend to individual student by enhancing their understanding hence improved learning achievement. Its overall argument is that the government through KICD rolls out full integration of virtual physics programs in secondary education curriculum, incorporating teacher professional development and blended teaching and learning.

Pemberdayaan Masyarakat dan Peningkatan Kualitas Pendidikan Serta Optimalisasi Potensi UMKM Lokal melalui Produk dan Pemasaran di Desa Besar II Terjun

Independent Community Service (KKN) in Desa Besar II Terjun by students of the Faculty of Islamic Studies, University of Muhammadiyah North Sumatra aims to improve the quality of education and optimize MSMEs. Through an in-depth survey, the author identified four main problems: the use of chemicals in agriculture, inappropriate educational curriculum, and less than optimal innovation and marketing of MSME products. The implementation method involves face-to-face (on the spot training) with coordination of village officials, as well as the use of chemical raw materials and promotional media to support marketing. The results of the activity show that the author understands the importance of effective communication in building relationships with the community and gaining valuable experience outside the classroom. MSME actors feel helped by the support of students, while the community feels a more lively village atmosphere. This activity is expected to provide significant benefits for the community of Desa Besar II Terjun and be the first step in sustainable empowerment.

The Red Sports Culture is Integrated Into The Public Sports Curriculum of Colleges And Universities Evaluation System Construction And Path Analysis

The red sports culture, which was born in the revolutionary era, is an excellent traditional culture of the Chinese nation. Its inheritance and development reflects the theoretical consciousness of the coordinated development of "cultural power" and "sports power". The integration of red sports culture into the public physical education curriculum of colleges and universities is the in-depth analysis of the concept of cultivating college students' "cultural self-confidence" and the goal path of forging ahead "sports power". In this study, the literature method, Delphi method, expert interview method, analytic hierarchy process and other research methods are used to construct the evaluation system of integrating red sports culture into public physical education courses in colleges and universities, including 4 first-level indicators, 13 second-level indicators and 42 third-level indicators, and determine the weights of indicators at all levels. Finally, objective analysis and case enumerations are made according to the weights assigned to indicators at all levels. And put forward the path of integrating red sports culture into college public physical education curriculum construction.

Issues and Challenges of Implementing Special Education (SPED) Curriculum in the Philippines: A Systematic Literature Review

This systematic literature review examines the issues and challenges in implementing the Special Education (SPED) curriculum in the Philippines. Despite legislative efforts, numerous obstacles hinder effective implementation, including inadequate funding, insufficient teacher training, curriculum inflexibility, social stigma, and infrastructural barriers. This review synthesizes findings from various academic articles, government reports, and organizational publications to comprehensively understand these challenges. It recommends policy enhancements, resource allocation, teacher training, curriculum adaptation, and stakeholder involvement to improve SPED implementation in the Philippines. The research uses Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to determine and choose the articles used in this systematic literature review. From over a thousand related articles, the researchers narrowed it down to fifteen (15) related articles following inclusion and exclusion criteria. The report offers evidence-based recommendations to address these difficulties, with the goal of policy reforms and improving their efficacy.

Integration of social determinant of health in patient’s history-taking in medical education: an educational scholarship and action research study: phase I

Background and objectiveOne of the most important aspects of health is social health. Addressing social health and social accountability is possible by education of social determinants of health (SDH) to medical students. The aim of current study is to integrate the SDH variables to patient’s history-taking in medical education during clerkship stage as an action research and scholarship in education. Pediatric patients were selected as the target population for this study.MethodsThe present study is an action-research including three phases of the program's design, implementation, and evaluation. The present paper reports the results of phase I including the following steps; rapid scoping review and expert panel for development of history-taking form. The goal of this phase was to prepare an SDH checklist for history-taking in the Pediatrics Ward of Firoozabadi Teaching Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. The checklist of history-taking was evaluated in terms of measurability, feasibility, priority, and clarity using a 5-choice Likert scale.ResultsAccording to the results of the scoping review and consensus-based methods, the preliminary version of the program was prepared including the SDH history-taking checklist. A total of 21 items were selected after two expert panel rounds. The overall absolute agreement was 0.704 (95% CI: 0.587 – 0.793) which was significantly higher than 0.5 (P < 0.001). The range of scores was 3.5 – 4.83 (out of five).ConclusionWe developed a SDH history-taking form including nine domains and 21 items. This form should be piloted and evaluated by an expert panel in the next phases. The present phase of the project proposed a consensus-based program for the imputation of SDH education in the education program of medical students. The reason for the importance of choosing children is that social factors in the group of children can have a greater impact considering the long life ahead and being in the growing age. After the implementation and evaluation phases, this program may be imputed in the medical education curriculum.

Practical teaching in secondary level certificated physics: a view from Scotland

Abstract This study reports on a survey conducted in the Scottish physics education context focusing on practical work within National 5 certificated classes. The online survey was open to all practising educators and technicians in Scotland’s secondary schools and further education colleges. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the results, alongside basic thematic analysis of text responses. The results indicate a decline in practical work in the classroom but suggests this is not due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, cost and availability of equipment alongside a perceived lack of time for experimental work are cited as the major difficulties. The resulting recommendations are improvements to the curriculum and support for educators to develop best practice.

Advocacy Skill Development in Public Health Education Curriculum: A Pilot Study.

The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) released updated Responsibilities and Competencies for Health Education Specialists based on the 2020 HESPA II. For the first time, advocacy is a standalone area of responsibility (Area V: Advocacy) for health education specialists. Although this is exciting for the field of health education, there is limited consensus on how to effectively teach advocacy or what content and skills to include. Furthermore, while the HESPA II was updated, the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) criteria for advocacy have not been. This pilot study examined how CEPH-accredited programs in the United States are addressing the profession-wide advocacy competency in their health education curricula. A cross-sectional research design with single-point data collection was used to assess how CEPH-accredited university programs (including Standalone Baccalaureate Programs, Public Health Programs, and Schools of Public Health) are preparing health education students to meet the national advocacy responsibility. The survey included items from the Advocacy Area of Responsibility and potential barriers for faculty teaching advocacy. Results indicate that most programs are teaching something about advocacy, but there is no program teaching all listed sub-competencies. Barriers to including all components of the advocacy responsibility were largely related to faculty motivation, knowledge, and time. With a full responsibility area devoted to advocacy, it is reasonable to expect that programs will adjust with the profession. However, program administrators must be catalysts for these changes in their individual programs.

Features of the development of strength and flexibility of middle school children by means of fitness with elements of martial arts

The article is devoted to the study of the peculiarities of the development of flexibility and strength of schoolchildren aged 13-14 under the influence of martial arts fitness. The purpose of the study is to determine the effectiveness of using fitness exercises with elements of martial arts for the development of flexibility and strength abilities of secondary school children. The research involved 20 boys and 20 girls who studied in the 8th grade of a secondary school. The following methods were used to solve the research tasks: studying and analyzing literary sources on the research topic; pedagogical experiment; pedagogical testing of the level of physical abilities development, methods of mathematical statistics. To conduct the pedagogical experiment all participants of the experiment were divided into two groups: experimental (10 girls and 10 boys) and control (the same composition). The essence of the experiment was that for children who were included in the experimental group during 5 weeks during physical education lessons an experimental variable module on fitness with elements of martial arts was introduced. When developing the variable module on martial arts fitness, we adhered to the requirements for variable modules in the current physical education curriculum for schools. Girls and boys in the control group attended physical education classes based on the educational material of the variable module gymnastics. The study proved that the use of a variable fitness module based on the use of classical aerobics exercises and martial arts elements during physical education lessons in middle school contributes to a statistically significant improvement in flexibility (forward bending) and strength (flexion and extension of the arms in a lying position and lifting the torso from a lying position in 30 seconds). At the same time, such exercises are emotional and can have a positive impact on adolescents' functional fitness, well-being, and mood.

Implications of Constructivism Theory for the Development of Islamic Religious Education Curriculum

Implications of Constructivism Theory for the Development of Islamic Religious Education Curriculum

El tratamiento de la cultura en las clases de español del primer ciclo de la enseñanza secundaria en Senegal

Studies on the cultural component in the Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE) classroom have seen significant growth in recent decades, although they have been limited in the Senegalese context. Therefore, through this article, we aim to contribute to this field of study. Our objective is to explore the balance of different aspects in the treatment of culture in the teaching of Spanish in the first cycle of secondary education in Senegal: the three cultures, the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world, and the culture of the target language in relation to the student's culture. To achieve this, we have reviewed the Senegalese education curriculum and one of the most commonly used textbooks, Horizontes, while also investigating the teaching practices of educators in this stage through a questionnaire. We have observed an imbalance in that "Culture" has a greater presence than "culture", and "culture” is absent from Spanish classes. Additionally, local culture, which is not often approached from an intercultural perspective, is also addressed in the classroom, albeit to a lesser extent than the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world, with Spanish culture predominating among them.

Implementation of a Pedagogical Model of Ocean Citizenship: Students’ Perspective

Abstract This article evaluates the implementation of the pedagogical model by Schio and Reis (2024), aimed at promoting ocean citizenship within basic education. The evaluation is based on a pilot project from the 2021/2022 school year, which involved 543 students, aged 10 to 11, from 10 Blue Schools located along the Portuguese coast. This paper reports on phases 3 and 4 of the Design-Based Research cycle, corresponding to the implementation and evaluation phases of the pedagogical model. Preliminary results allowed us to verify the emergence of new knowledge, skills, values, critical thinking and attitudes, reflecting the development of ocean citizenship competencies among students. These outcomes affirm the model’s applicability and its potential to seamlessly integrate ocean citizenship into the basic education curriculum. However, it was observed that the activism dimension requires additional emphasis. Further testing in diverse educational settings is crucial to refine the model, adjust to local nuances and maximise its impact on nurturing future generations committed to ocean sustainability.

Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact on Academic Integrity among University Students in Peru and Chile: An Approach to Sustainable Education

In a context where artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming higher education, this study analyzes how students’ perceptions of AI influence their academic integrity (INA), with a focus on sustainable education. Through a correlational-explanatory analysis based on Structural Equation Models (SEMs) applied to a sample of 659 students from 13 universities in Chile and Peru, it is observed that AI has a significant and direct impact on academic integrity in both countries (β = 0.44). In Peru, the most influential dimension is trust in education (λ = 0.86), followed by social, economic, security, and risk implications (λ = 0.78), while attitudes towards AI also have a direct impact on integrity factors (β = 0.15). In Chile, the dimensions of trust in education (λ = 0.83) and social and economic impact (λ = 0.79) are most relevant, and the relationships between the dimensions of academic integrity such as justice, respect, and responsibility (λ = 0.71) are stronger. The study highlights the importance of incorporating AI literacy into educational curricula and developing regulatory frameworks that promote its ethical use, linking these actions to sustainable education. The findings highlight the need for sustainable educational approaches that enhance understanding of AI and ensure that its use in academia is beneficial, ethical, and contributes to sustainable development.

Learning and teaching with ChatGPT: Potentials and applications in foreign language education

This literature review delves into the applications and implications of ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence-driven chatbot, in educational settings. As technology continues to permeate the field of education, ongoing debates persist regarding the potential impact on learners' critical thinking skills and the evolving role of educators. Instead of resisting such technologies, this review contends that discussions should focus on strategies to optimize their use within education. By conducting a comprehensive document analysis, this study hones in on the utilization of ChatGPT, harnessing its natural language processing technology, within the realm of foreign language acquisition. The findings of this review indicate that ChatGPT can significantly enhance foreign language writing skills and conversational capabilities, offering tailored language support. Through personalized feedback and guidance, ChatGPT has the potential to facilitate more effective knowledge acquisition and create practical and interactive learning experiences, particularly in applied sciences. It is important to note, however, that ongoing debates surrounding accuracy, currency, and reliability should be taken into account. Thus, the study emphasizes the cautious and responsible use of ChatGPT within educational contexts. To summarize, when used responsibly, AI chatbots such as ChatGPT can enrich language learning processes and provide practical and active learning experiences, ultimately fostering more effective knowledge acquisition. Therefore, this review underscores the significance of bolstering the tech-literacy of both educators and students, integrating novel technological skills into educational curricula, and investing in comprehensive training on technology usage for students. By embracing these approaches, educational institutions can harness the full potential of AI chatbots in enhancing the learning journey.

Integrating Life Skills in Secondary Education: Teachers’ Perspectives and Challenges

The current study aims to find out the perspectives of secondary school teachers on the incorporation of life skills into their teaching. Selecting purposively, the present study participants include ten teachers from public secondary schools in a district of Punjab, Pakistan. The study used a phenomenological research design to get teachers’ perceptions and experiences on the integration of life skills. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Data was analysed through qualitative content analysis with the help of NVivo 14 software. The results of the study showed that teachers, in general, value life skills in education. From the participants’ perspective, critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication were the most focused skills. However, several constraints, including limited time, increased class size, and limited textbook support, limit the efficiency of implementation. Teachers were of the view that students responded positively to life skills-focused teaching and activities but the means of assessing the progress in teaching these skills were lacking. It also revealed insufficient knowledge identification in learning life skills integration and better resources and curricula adaptability requirements. These results suggest prospective future work at curricular, methodological, and teachers’ professional development for better integration of life skills into secondary education. Pakistan’s educational policymakers and curriculum developers will find the study useful in improving the integration of life skills in secondary education.

The Co-Design of a Locally Led Health Professional Education Curriculum in Lao People’s Democratic Republic

(1) Background: There is a need to scale and transform health professional education (HPE) globally to not only improve the quantity but also the quality of health workers. This paper describes the approach undertaken by a Health University in Lao PDR. (2) Approach: The HPE curriculum was designed in an iterative process with key stakeholders from both the institution and government, with external expert advice. (3) Outcomes: The curriculum was successfully developed consisting of nine core modules and one elective module, reflecting both elements seen globally in HPE curricula as well as reflecting local needs. The content and teaching methods were validated and reviewed through piloting with local education leaders. (4) Conclusions: Despite the need to scale HPE globally, there are few examples of how this can be achieved in countries in which large gaps exist in HPE capacity. This paper provides one such example, through recognizing that sustained external partnerships will still be needed for successful future implementation.

Democratising the Music Curriculum: Integrating Ubuntugogy for the Africanisation of South African Higher Education

In recent years, there has been an ongoing debate about the need for redress in South African higher education which is largely informed by Western perspectives, and the music curriculum is no exception. Even though there is growing progress, music education continues to be dominated by the Western classical canon. Therefore, the purpose of this article was to provide a comprehensive investigation of how ubuntugogy can be successfully and effectively merged into the South African higher education music curriculum. The researcher used ubuntugogy as a theoretical framework to advocate for the integration of ubuntugogy—a teaching philosophy rooted in African values and communal learning—to democratise and Africanise the music curriculum in South African higher education. This article used a qualitative content analysis grounded in examining existing literature on a similar subject under the guidance of the research questions developed earlier. The findings of this study show that ubuntugogy provides an approach that can Africanise the curriculum and pedagogy by incorporating indigenous musical practices, oral traditions, and cultural values into the teaching and learning process. The results of this article revealed that applying ubuntugogy as a method of teaching and learning can help in preparing music education students to engage with the world from a culturally informed and empowered perspective. This article concludes by affirming that ubuntugogy as a method of teaching and learning provides a transformative framework for Africanising music education in South African higher education.

Navigating the Complexities of School Leadership for Students With Disabilities

This case study delves into the complexities faced by Principal Williams, a newly appointed leader at Hudford Elementary School, as she navigates the challenges of providing high-quality education for students with disabilities in an elementary school. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), each student with a disability is required to have access to the general education curriculum and specially designed instruction (SDI) that is tailored to the student’s unique needs. As Principal Williams steps into her role as leader of Hudford Elementary School, she has questions about the current service delivery model for students, the distribution of responsibilities across general and special education, and the extent of inclusion. She is considering her next steps, including how she will address some problematic working conditions experienced by special educators at the school. Through this case, readers gain insights into the complexity of supporting students with disabilities in a time of teacher shortages and learn about identifying the resources teachers need to fulfill their responsibilities.