Perspectives Of Educators Research Articles

Registrars as teachers: a qualitative study exploring the experiences of Australian general practice registrars in teaching roles

BackgroundGP registrars (specialist vocational trainees in general practice) are interested in teaching, and there are considerable benefits to teaching during training. There are, however, significant barriers for registrars as teachers, including inadequate funding, time pressures, and limited teacher training. Current evidence does not include medical educator (ME) perspectives or compare teaching settings (e.g. university vs. in-practice). Further evidence is needed to inform programs supporting registrar teaching roles.This project aimed to explore the experiences of Australian GP registrars as teachers in different contexts and from multiple stakeholder perspectives.MethodsA qualitative study with GP registrars, GP supervisors, MEs, and medical students was conducted. Participants were registrars and new (within 12 months) Fellows with teaching experience during training, supervisors who supervised a registrar in the preceding 12 months, Royal Australian College of General Practitioner MEs, and medical students with experiences of being taught by registrars. Recruitment was open to participants nationwide and sampling was purposive, aiming for a maximum variation sample. Data collection was performed via videoconference and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.FindingsInterviews were conducted with 15 registrars, 10 supervisors, and one ME. Two focus groups involved four MEs and five medical students respectively. Registrar participants taught in a variety of settings, including in-practice, universities, hospitals, and at educational workshop days. Three had experience in GP academic posts and one as a registrar ME. There were four major themes. 1) Near-peer teaching by registrars is valuable - both for medical students and registrars. 2) Teaching makes you a better GP - participants noted the transferability of teaching skills to clinical practice. 3) The importance of the teaching context– this was identified as an important determinant for registrars in teaching roles. 4) Registrar teaching strengthens the GP workforce – participants noted that teaching could elevate general practice as a specialty and increase interest in GP training.ConclusionsStudy participants saw teaching as a core skill for GPs, with transferability to their clinical practice. Registrar participants wanted greater promotion and support for teaching opportunities that counted towards attainment of Fellowship. These findings have implications for teaching practices, MEs, universities, and training providers.

Exploring the Impact of Mobile Devices in E-Learning: A case Study Evaluating its Effectiveness

Aim. The integration of mobile devices into educational environments has revolutionized the landscape of e-learning, presenting new opportunities and challenges. This research paper aims to examine the pivotal role of mobile devices in the e-learning environment and assess the effectiveness of mobile learning applications in enhancing the educational experience. Methodology. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data through surveys and usage analytics with qualitative insights derived from interviews and focus group discussions. Results. By analyzing the perspectives of both educators and learners, the research investigates how mobile devices contribute to the flexibility and accessibility of e-learning content. Additionally, the paper evaluates the effectiveness of various mobile learning applications in promoting engagement, knowledge retention, and overall learning outcomes. It scrutinizes the features that contribute to the success of these applications, such as user interface design, interactivity, and adaptability to diverse learning styles. Furthermore, the research delves into the challenges associated with mobile learning, including issues related to device compatibility, connectivity, and user motivation. Strategies to overcome these challenges and optimize the benefits of mobile learning are explored. The findings of this study are expected to provide valuable insights for educators, curriculum designers, and developers of mobile learning applications. Conclusion. The research contributes to the ongoing discourse on the effective integration of mobile devices in e-learning environments and offers recommendations for optimizing the design and implementation of mobile learning strategies.

Using a stakeholder engagement approach to inform professional development programs to promote education for sustainability in schools

This exploratory study highlights the experience and perspective of educators and school leaders implementing sustainability as a cross-curriculum priority (S-CCP) in Queensland, Australia. The barriers and facilitators for integrating S-CCP were explored through qualitative interviews (N = 16). The findings underscored a profound knowledge gap wherein sustainability was interpreted narrowly, emphasizing environmental actions and overlooking the broader socio-economic and equity dimensions. This misperception led to multiple challenges within and outside of the classroom as Education for Sustainability (EfS) was perceived to be tied to environmentally sustainable facilities that require financial resources. A lack of leadership support was also noted. The experience of the educators successfully navigating these barriers are detailed. Furthermore, the findings highlighted the complexities and nuances of sustainability education and provided valuable insights for the design of professional development programs.

Personal, Institutional, and Societal Barriers to Educators’ Engagement with Datafication on Campus

Datafied digital systems have permeated higher education over the past decade. Registration, grading, financial operations, alumni communications, and often teaching take place through digital platforms that extract and collate data, about students as well as faculty and staff. At the level of these data system processes, academics may not have the knowledge or practices to fully grasp the shift in their workplace that datafication represents. However, our research suggests that educators do understand the paradigm shift that datafication represents and have strong beliefs about how institutions should proceed to protect students and academia itself. Our team conducted an in-depth Comparative Case Study (CCS) investigation of how university educators make sense of the datafied infrastructures in and on which they work. This presentation overviews the knowledge, practices, experiences, and perspectives of educators in various institutional status positions from six different countries, in relation to datafied digital tools. We will focus particularly on the barriers that participants articulated to their own engagement with data, at personal, institutional, and societal levels. We will frame ways barriers are reinforced by institutional approaches to datafication, overview participants’ concerns, and explore how datafication has altered faculty’s power position as knowers within the academy.

EDUCATION OF REFUGEE CHILDREN WITHIN THE INTREF PROJECT FRAMEWORK

Amidst growing migratory movements and hurdles of assimilation, the INTREF initiative strives to craft a comprehensive strategy for the schooling of refugee children, melding e-learning, emotional and social support, along with adaptable teaching methods. This endeavor learns on principles like linguistic diversity, cross-cultural skills, and customizing the educational journey, crucial for assimilation and triumph within academic settings. Studies indicate the indispensability of bespoke linguistic assistance, cognizance of cultural variances, and personalized educational tactics for the seamless school transition and societal assimilation of children in refuge. The project devised a survey instrument aimed at evaluating the baseline educational scenario in the participating nations and formulating education plans tailored to specific needs. This survey zeroes on four pivotal areas: linguistic proficiency, cross-cultural consciousness, embracing diversity, and pedagogical customization. Feedback from 31 students, 30 teachers and 28 parents revealed a pressing need for augmented linguistic aid in Slovenia, heightened cross-cultural understanding, and classroom method modification to enrich the academic experiences of culturally diverse children. The findings also underscore a discernible discrepancy between the perspectives of educators versus those of parents and children. The insights from this survey lay the groundwork for creating innovative instructional units and resources, finely adapted to the needs of children in refuge. By forging links between theoretical insights and practical application, as well as among various educational stakeholders, INTREF is ready to enrich the discourse and practices surrounding inclusivity, and endeavor made increasingly pertinent by the recent global disruptions, including the migratory dilemma and the COVID-19 outbreak. Keywords: educational system, individualization of education, integration practices, intercultural competence, refugee children

Educator perspectives on stressors and health: a qualitative study of U.S. K-12 educators in February 2022

BackgroundTeachers experienced increased stressors and stress during the initial onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. While many educators returned to in-person instruction in the 2021–2022 school year, they faced changing job demands and stressors which has important implications for educator well-being. We sought to understand the stressors and health impacts faced by U.S. educators in the 2021–2022 school year, two years following the acute phase of the pandemic.MethodsThirty-four certified educators based in Connecticut, USA participated in four virtual focus groups in February 2022. A semi-structured focus group script, designed by the research team and guided by the job demands-resources model, was administered to understand stressors and stress impacts. Data were transcribed and analyzed using the constant comparative method to identify themes and sub-themes. Themes were summarized based on how many participants mentioned them.ResultsAnalysis of the qualitative data yielded three themes concerning the well-being impacts of stress: physical health and health behaviors, psychological health, and relationships and social well-being behaviors. The majority of educators indicated impacts in these domains with 76% indicating impacts on physical health and health behaviors (e.g. poor sleep, physical exhaustion, lack of exercise, unhealthy eating), 62% indicating impacts on psychological health (e.g. emotional exhaustion, anxiety, negative self-evaluation); and 68% indicating impacts on relationships social well-being behaviors (e.g. connections with family or friends, connections with others, relationships with coworkers). The majority (94%) of educators indicated that stressors from the school or district with the majority (91%) citing stressors related to protocols/expectations (e.g. excessive or increased demands, insufficient or decreased resources) and some (38%) administrators. Over half (62%) indicated personal stressors including personal/home life (41%), high personal expectations (18%), and income (18%). Some (35%) indicated either the pandemic (26%) or safety concerns (9%) were stressors. Some (24%) cited students’ parents as a stressor and a few indicated community (12%), students (12%), and state or national level (9%) stressors.ConclusionEducator well-being continued to be impacted in the post-pandemic era. Targeted interventions are needed to reduce school and district-related demands and to address stress-related educator well-being.

Game Lab Innovations in Education: Insights from a Board Game Design Project

From the perspective of educators, game development has great potential as a teaching method, as it promotes group collaboration, project-based learning and the development of content tailored to a given target group. This paper is based on a study that was carried out through an international project, implementing an educational game development concept called Game Lab into an educational context. The study explored professional development topics such as game-based learning, game development, and game testing, along with the Game Lab method focusing on group dynamics, progression, and creativity. It employed an abductive analysis of written responses from twelve teachers who participated in the Let’s Play project, which involved a Game Lab component. The teachers, ranging in age from their thirties to their sixties, represented all levels of education from preschool to upper secondary school. They responded to a survey with open-ended questions and reflection notes, providing insights into their experiences with game development methods as pedagogical tools. Their responses were analyzed to identify key themes and patterns. Findings suggest that this approach has broadened participants' perspectives on utilizing diverse games and game development techniques in education, aligning with prior research on production pedagogy. It underscores the importance of integrating in-game content with real-world contexts as a modern teaching method. Participants also highlighted that effective game-based learning supports a constructivist approach to teaching over behaviorism. The participants emphasized their increased insight and understanding of game development and game systems and how the combined effect of educational game design and the Game Lab method (working in teams) resulted in a more valuable learning outcome than they would have experienced alone. They also reported an improved understanding on how working with the development of a board game made them dig much deeper into the topic at hand. In addition, they found that this increased their motivation for learning, knowing that this was going to be a product that was to be tested and played by others (pupils and teachers). Furthermore, the participants highlighted the role of group dynamics in fostering teamwork and consensus during the collaborative game development process.

Person-Environment Fit and Socioeconomic Status in Medical School

Abstract Purpose This study examined the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on medical education in the context of person-environment fit (PE fit) theory, and specifically focused on the medical school experiences of students from lower-SES backgrounds. Method A constructivist approach was used in this qualitative study of 48 medical students from 27 US medical schools, all of whom self-identified as first-generation college graduates and/or being from a lower-income background (30 were both). Semi-structured audio-only interviews were conducted with these demographically and geographically diverse students from November 2021 through April 2022. Themes were identified using open coding and content analysis software. Results Almost all, 44 of 48, interviews included themes related to PE fit. Medical students indicated three interacting domains in which PE fit is relevant for them: (1) school, (2) clinical, and (3) professional environments. Learners from lower-SES backgrounds describe struggling to navigate multiple environments that are unfamiliar, culturally complex, and both personally and financially costly. They also describe ways they are addressing gaps, generating positive changes, supporting underserved patients, and broadening the perspectives of peers and educators. Conclusions PE fit theory provides a lens to understand unique aspects of lower-SES medical student experiences, including navigation of professional identity formation. It is critical for medical schools, funders, peers, and professional communities to sustain learning environments that support the flourishing of medical students from lower-SES backgrounds. This support includes transferring the burden of addressing fit from individual learners and marginalized classes of learners to educational, clinical, and professional organizations.

Hospice educators' perspectives on e-learning in palliative care education in Ireland.

Knowledge of and understanding the palliative care approach should be a core competency in all healthcare settings. E-learning offers the potential to deliver palliative care education and meet this challenge. To examine hospice educator's perspectives of e-learning in palliative care education. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of hospice educators on the island of Ireland (Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland). These were transcribed and the data was analysed thematically. Many factors were considered when using e-learning: objectives of the programme, learner's characteristics, topic suitability (as palliative care is very emotive) and organisational factors. Barriers to using e-learnning were the preparation time required and developing expertise in e-learning. Support mechanisms for hospice educators to share knowledge would be beneficial. Educators were keen to adopt a blended approach in their teaching. While acknowledging the challenges and limitations of e-learning, educators felt that e-learning has a positive role in palliative care education.

Examining the Alignment of Tourism Management Related Curriculum with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) in Higher Education Institutions in Ireland

The purpose of this research is to examine current alignment of tourism, hospitality, culinary, events, and sports management curriculum with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) across two departments in Higher Education Institutions in Ireland. To do this, a quantitative approach was adopted utilising a content analysis of programme learning outcomes and surveys with programme specific educators. This permitted an evaluation on the current status of incorporation of SDG’s within existing curricula and an insight into the motivations and challenges of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) integration from the perspective of educators. Findings revealed weak levels of current alignment of learning outcomes to SDG’s for tourism, hospitality, culinary, events, and sports management curriculum across two sampled departments while educators emphasised a need to upskill on the subject matter in an effort to ensure more comprehensive ESD integration across modules and programmes. The Results overall highlighted the need to ensure future curriculum review and development takes appropriate cognisance of ESD and through communities of Practice within Higher Education Institutions, educators can better embed and advance ESD within third level curricula. The findings presented in this study may have lessons to be learned for other Higher Education Institutions across Ireland and internationally.

General practice trainee, supervisor and educator perspectives on the transitions in postgraduate training: a scoping review

Transitions are a period and a process, through which there is a longitudinal adaptation in response to changing circumstances in clinical practice and responsibilities. While the experience of the transition...

The Mediating Role of School Adaptation in the Impact of Adolescent Victimization from Bullying on Mental Health: A Gender Differences Perspective.

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the mediating role of school adaptation in the impact of adolescent bullying victimization on mental health, as well as the gender differences therein. These findings offer a novel perspective for parents and educators, aiding bullied adolescents in managing and addressing mental health concerns. The primary data source for this study was the 2020/2021 Adolescent Health Theme Database from the China Population Health Data Center (PHDA). The research sample consisted of high school students from 16 cities in Shandong Province. Descriptive statistics, reliability and validity testing, structural equation modeling, as well as mediation analysis and multiple group analysis were conducted using SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 26.0. School adaptation serves as a mediating variable between adolescent bullying and mental health. The model fit indices are as follows: GFI=0.946, AGFI=0.922, RMSEA=0.070, NFI=0.978, IFI=0.979, CFI=0.97. Even when considering gender, the model still demonstrates good fit. School bullying has significant negative effects on the mental health of both male and female victims (p<0.05). For female victims, the mitigating effect of school adaptation on mental health is slightly lower than that for males (-2.256). Regarding cyberbullying, male victims face a greater threat to mental health (-3.234), with a impact of -0.109 from cyberbullying on male mental health and -0.065 from school bullying on female mental health. The school is found to mediate between school bullying, cyberbullying, and mental health. Schools may play a greater role in improving female mental health than male mental health. The impact of campus bullying on female mental health is greater than that of cyberbullying, whereas the opposite is true for males. Enhancing adolescents' school adaptation levels helps mitigate the adverse effects of school and cyberbullying on adolescent mental health.

Navigating self-regulated online teaching: Educators’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Amidst the unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the landscape of education has undergone profound transformations. One of the most notable shifts has been the rapid transition to online teaching methodologies. This transition has highlighted the critical role of teachers in self-regulating their instructional approaches while actively engaging in the realm of online learning. In this study, we delve into this dynamic environment, closely examining the practices of different age groups of educators: 177 teachers aged 20-30, 217 teachers aged 31-40, 68 teachers aged 41-50, and 15 teachers aged 51 and above. Our research takes a comprehensive approach, organizing the investigation into three distinct phases, each comprising six essential elements. Through this structured analysis, intriguing patterns emerge, particularly within the Performance and Appraisal Phase, where notable disparities among age groups within the Self-regulated Teaching Model become evident. In response to the multifaceted challenges posed by online teaching, our study proposes a compelling solution. We advocate for a strategic alignment of instructors from diverse age groups to collaboratively guide online courses. By harnessing the collective strengths and perspectives of educators across generations, this collaborative pedagogical approach has the potential to significantly enhance the efficacy of online teaching endeavors.

Analyzing the Educational Needs of Dental Hygiene Students Using the Borich Needs Assessment and Locus for Focus Models

Objective: This study aimed to develop a standard for a practice-based curriculum that reflects the needs of dental hygiene students’ clinical practice education and to provide basic data that can contribute to improving dental hygienists’ competence in clinical practice. Methods: A survey of 132 dental hygiene students from selected universities was conducted. The Borich Needs Assessment model and The Locus for Focus models were used to evaluate the students’ educational needs for clinical practice content. Results: The highest level of present educational needs was for ‘fluoride application,’ while the greatest requirement was for ‘preparing surgical dental treatment’. Using The Locus for Focus model, 33 items in the first quadrant were identified as common to the Borich Needs Assessment priorities. These items include ‘dental insurance claims’, ‘patient reception’, ‘dental materials counseling’, ‘making a temporary crown’, ‘setting a temporary crown’, ‘document management’ and ‘prepare of dental emergencies’. Conclusions: The analysis of the clinical practice needs of dental hygiene students identified the needs for practice-oriented education. These findings suggest that future curriculum revisions should reflect not only the needs of students, but also the perspectives of educators and clinical dental hygienists.

A mixed-method evaluation of the New York State Healthy Pantry Initiative: application of the SNAP-Ed evaluation framework

ABSTRACT Food pantry nutrition environments are important settings for improving access to healthful foods among food-insecure populations. The Healthy Pantry Initiative (HPI) used policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes to improve the food pantry nutrition environment from October 2018 through September 2019. Program implementers assessed the need for PSE changes, developed action plans, and collected baseline, implementation, and follow-up data. Guided by the SNAP-Ed Evaluation framework, the collected data were used to capture information about HPI need, planning, adoption, implementation, and reach, from the perspective of frontline nutrition educators.

A study on the transformational leadership of madrasah principals from the perspective of educators and educational staff

This study aims to understand the perceptions of teachers and educational staff regarding the transformational leadership style of Madrasah Principals in Bengkulu Province, Indonesia. The study uses a descriptive research design with several variables: Madrasah level, position within the Madrasah, teacher expertise, educational qualifications, work experience, and gender. To achieve this goal, the researcher designed a questionnaire consisting of 6 indicators and 17 question items, distributed electronically at random from 03-02-2024 to 18-08-2024, with a total of 615 respondents. The results of the study indicate that the transformational leadership of Madrasah Principals in Bengkulu Province can be concluded as a leadership style that motivates teachers and educational staff, enabling them to grow and achieve optimal performance. The transformational leadership in these madrasahs is also characterized as charismatic, where subordinates place trust in their leaders. Additionally, the principals have successfully directed the staff to act in alignment with the shared goals. Furthermore, the principals have stimulated enthusiasm among subordinates for individual and group tasks, as well as addressing issues at hand. The madrasahs in Bengkulu Province have developed rapidly and have become a source of pride for the community. Madrasahs with transformational leadership are expected to maintain the quality of the institution, the vision and mission, and its flagship programs, thereby strengthening the quality of religious education for the younger generation.

Methodological strategies to extend the attention of the students of the sixth year EGB of the Educational Center "5 de mayo" in the teaching-learning process of the English language

This investigation delves into the efficacy of various methodological strategies in sustaining student attention within a sixth-grade English classroom in Chone City. With a class size of 62, maintaining student engagement presents a significant challenge. To address this, the study employed a bibliometric analysis to inform the research framework. A convenience sample of five English teachers with varying levels of experience was selected for in-depth interviews. Additionally, classroom observations were conducted to gather comprehensive data. The research findings illuminate the correlation between specific methodological approaches and their impact on student attention levels. By examining the perspectives of experienced educators and observing classroom dynamics, this study offers valuable insights into effective strategies for optimizing student engagement in large-scale classroom settings. The study also explores the role of interactive and participatory teaching methods, such as group discussions, multimedia presentations, and hands-on activities, in fostering a more engaging learning environment. By integrating these approaches, teachers can create a more dynamic and stimulating classroom atmosphere that caters to diverse learning styles and keeps students actively involved. Furthermore, the research highlights the importance of continuous professional development for teachers, enabling them to stay updated with the latest educational trends and techniques. This ongoing learning process empowers educators to implement innovative strategies that can effectively capture and maintain student interest. Ultimately, the findings of this study aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors that contribute to student engagement and offer practical recommendations for educators seeking to enhance the learning experience in large classroom settings.

Understanding the perspectives of a teacher educator and pre‐service teachers toward an immersive STEM experience

AbstractThis study explored the nuanced perspectives of a teacher educator and primary pre‐service teachers regarding their participation in an immersive STEM experience. Employing a descriptive case study methodology augmented by storytelling techniques, our study aimed to unravel the complex dynamics inherent in such educational initiatives. Through the lens of figured‐world analysis, we uncovered the tensions and dualities that permeate this immersive learning environment. Our findings revealed a complex interplay of perspectives, highlighting the challenges and opportunities encountered by both educators and learners. By elucidating the nature of their experiences, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of immersive STEM education and offers insights into its effective implementation in initial teacher education programs.

Expanding the boundaries of leadership development: Propositions for leadership educators.

This article delves into the intricacies of leadership development through the lens of the leadership learning framework (LLF); challenging conventional notions by emphasizing self-awareness, relational dynamics, and values as key elements of the leadership development process. We first explore how the LLF reshapes traditional paradigms, redirecting focus from skills acquisition to personal growth rooted in self-awareness, relational dynamics, and values acquisition. Through recommendations and examples, the discussion seeks to clarify the implications of this perspective for leadership educators, advocating for programs that foster not only task proficiency but also critical reflection and a deep sense of interdependency in relationships with others in the leadership process. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of integrating self-reflection, social awareness, and value-centered approaches into leadership development programming to cultivate leaders capable of navigating the complexities of modern society.

Experiences, barriers and perspectives of midwifery educators, mentors and students implementing the updated emergency obstetric and newborn care-enhanced pre-service midwifery curriculum in Kenya: a nested qualitative study

IntroductionTo achieve quality midwifery education, understanding the experiences of midwifery educators and students in implementing a competency-based pre-service curriculum is critical. This study explored the experiences of and barriers to implementing a pre-service curriculum updated with emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) skills by midwifery educators, students and mentors in Kenya.MethodsThis was a nested qualitative study within the cluster randomised controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of an EmONC enhanced midwifery curriculum delivered by trained and mentored midwifery educators on the quality of education and student performance in 20 colleges in Kenya. Following the pre-service midwifery curriculum EmONC update, capacity strengthening of educators through training (in both study arms) and additional mentoring of intervention-arm educators was undertaken. Focus group discussions were used to explore the experiences of and barriers to implementing the EmONC-enhanced curriculum by 20 educators and eight mentors. Debrief/feedback sessions with 6–9 students from each of the 20 colleges were conducted and field notes were taken. Data were analysed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s six step criteria.ResultsThemes identified related to experiences were: (i) relevancy of updated EmONC-enhanced curriculum to improve practice, (ii) training and mentoring valued as continuous professional development opportunities for midwifery educators, (iii) effective teaching and learning strategies acquired – peer teaching (teacher-teacher and student-student), simulation/scenario teaching and effective feedback techniques for effective learning and, (iv) effective collaborations between school/academic institution and hospital/clinical staff promoted effective training/learning. Barriers identified were (i) midwifery faculty shortage and heavy workload vs. high student population, (ii) infrastructure gaps in simulation teaching – inadequate space for simulation and lack of equipment inventory audits for replenishment (iii) inadequate clinical support for students due to inadequate clinical sites for experience, ineffective supervision and mentoring support, lack/shortage of clinical mentors and untrained hospital/clinical staff in EmONC and (iv) limited resources to support effective learning.ConclusionFindings reveal an overwhelmed midwifery faculty and an urgent demand for students support in clinical settings to acquire EmONC competencies for enhanced practice. For quality midwifery education, adequate resources and regulatory/policy directives are needed in midwifery faculty staffing and development. A continuous professional development specific for educators is needed for effective student teaching and learning of a competency-based pre-service curriculum.