Elective Course Research Articles

Decision Support in Problems of Course Selection During Personalization of Learning Based on the Fuzzy Logic Method

The article is devoted to the actual problem of designing information systems for automated selection of courses using fuzzy logic, which take into account the personal characteristics of students. As part of the study, a decision-making system was implemented through the educational platform of personalized learning to determine the compliance of elective course packages. Elective courses developed as content for this platform are conditionally divided into 4 packages, reflecting certain personal characteristics of students. The system offers students the most suitable package of courses. Within the framework of the article, a model of fuzzy inference is described and a base of production rules is presented.

Incorporating the Internet of Things (IoT) Learning Module into the Smart Building Course

The utilization of Internet of Things (IoT) devices is increasing very rapidly, creating a demand for skilled professionals who can navigate the complexities of this technology. It is a crucial educational challenge to prepare undergraduates to become contributors in this emerging field. The curriculum needs to be updated to offer students both theoretical learning and practical application so they can benefit from it. This paper introduces a comprehensive IoT learning module to the final-year students of civil engineering in an elective course, Smart Building. The proposed learning module includes an introduction to IoT concepts and applications, IoT devices, communication protocols, cloud platforms, user interfaces, and IoT risk management and security, all of which can be easily integrated into existing courses. Results from the module are presented using direct and indirect assessments, including assignments, hands-on practical, examinations, and surveys. These assessments are designed to evaluate the students’ understanding and the challenges they encountered in their IoT learning process. The findings indicate that a significant majority, surpassing 90% of the students, have demonstrated understanding of a minimum of three essential components of the fundamental IoT architecture, despite their limited background knowledge at the beginning of the course. Additionally, this learning module can serve as a valuable resource for other educators who intend to deliver IoT-related courses.

Methods of Teaching Historical Personalistics in the Courses of the History of Kazakhstan

During the period of Independence, the historical science of Kazakhstan has emerged from the situation of a theoretical and methodological crisis and is developing with a focus on world-class humanitarian values. The main goal of the research topic is to determine the pedagogical potential of historical figures and improve teaching methods using a biographical approach in the direction of studying historical figures. In studies concerning contemporary historical figures, new conclusions were made and a body of literature relevant to historical knowledge was formed. However, using the example of individuals, it has been established that the methods for the formation of historical knowledge have not been developed, and the existing methods themselves need to be improved. It was concluded that the use of substantive and conceptual innovations in the direction of historical Personology in the teaching of professional disciplines can be effectively used in improving the professional qualifications of specialist personnel in the direction of forming a young person. The updated plan of the content of the discipline, presented as an elective course, allows you to successfully apply a wide range of innovative teaching methods.

고교학점제 관련 학교 요인이 핵심역량 분류에 미치는 영향: 일반고 -직업계고 비교를 중심으로

This study investigates the impact of school factors on students’ categorisation of core competencies
 in general and vocational high schools, leading up to the full implementation of the high school
 credit system. The study’s conclusions are summarised based on the main findings. The results of the
 latent profile classification showed that both general and vocational upper secondary schools could be
 classified into three types of core competence profiles, namely ‘top core competence’, ‘upper core
 competence’ and ‘middle core competence’, and that the levels of the four sub-competences in each
 profile were similar. According to the results of the multinomial logistic regression analysis, the
 variables that showed statistical significance for the top group in both general and vocational upper
 secondary schools based on the middle group of core competences were ‘relevance of elective courses
 to careers’, ‘teaching method (interaction)’, ‘degree of reflection of students’ opinions’ and ‘city and
 region’, and the most influential variable in both groups was ‘teaching method (interaction)’. For the
 variables ‘teaching method (individualised)’, ‘no experience with optional courses’, ‘small and
 medium-sized town’ and ‘private school’, only general secondary schools showed statistically significant
 effects on group classification, while ‘large town’ showed a statistically significant negative regression
 value only for vocational schools.

Building a Practice Ready and Resilient Nursing Workforce.

Nurse leaders depend upon resiliency skills to support their practice. It is important to provide opportunities for nursing students to learn, practice, and observe these skills, which are needed to navigate challenging work environments. This article describes the impact of a resiliency curricular component in a grant-funded BSN elective course, Concepts of Primary Care. Program evaluation was performed using a pre/posttest format and 2 surveys, the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) and the Brief Resilience Coping Scale (BRCS). Three open-ended questions were administered upon completion of the elective course. A concurrent nested design was utilized with a thematic analysis undertaken to analyze qualitative data. Analysis of quantitative data was performed using descriptive statistics. Undergraduate BSN students showed an overall increase in resiliency (BRS: P = .112; BCRS: P = .064), and responses to open-ended questions supported the ability to apply and analyze most of the resiliency skills presented during the didactic portion of the elective course. This course promoted the development and refinement of undergraduate BSN student resilience skills. Integration of resilience content in the primary care course also supported student professional development. The addition of resiliency concepts and skills into undergraduate nursing curricula is recommended to enhance the ability of novice nurses to address work-related challenges and promote career satisfaction for the future.

ПРЕЦЕДЕНТНЫЕ ТЕКСТЫ В ОБУЧЕНИИ РУССКОМУ ЯЗЫКУ: ВОЗМОЖНОЕ РЕШЕНИЕ ПРОБЛЕМЫ

The article examines topical methodic issue concerned with forming the ability of school students to comprehend texts of different functional and semantic types of speech and functional types of language, to retrieve primary / secondary and explicit / implicit information (FSES). It is proposed to solve this problem by including precedent texts in the teaching the Russian language. Possible solution of its problem is to identify linguistic personality of a student at the motivational and pragmatic levels. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the importance and necessity of studying precedent texts during teaching of Russian language in school and to show a probable system of tasks aimed at forming a set of skills and methods of action that ensure comprehension of precedent texts. The analysis results of language training kit and control sections reveal that 1) a theory about precedent texts is necessary (introduced in various forms of extracurricular work, including elective courses). It helps to create an indicative basis for actions with precedent texts; 2) system-activity and communicative approaches in teaching the Russian language determines forming system of skills and methods of action with this linguistic material. That explains the necessity to create the system of exercises. The author features parts of linguistic theory, specifies basic educational and linguistic skills and represents possible system of tasks on the example of a precedent statement and types of precedent texts thanks for including them in the text. Key words: precedent text, linguistic personality, educational and linguistic skill, precedent statement, type of precedent text according to the method of including in the text

FEATURES AND EMPHASIS OF TEACHING FORENSIC MEDICINE FOR STUDENTS OF THE PEP "PAEDIATRICS"

This article addresses current issues in teaching the academic discipline "Forensic Medicine and Medical Law" to students of the professional educational program (PEP) "Pediatrics." With a focus on violence against children, the authors emphasize the necessity of educating pediatric students on forensic principles and practical skills. The article highlights the harmonization with international standards, the importance of awareness among students, and the critical role forensic medicine plays in pediatric training. Forensic medicine, as a discipline encompassing diverse medical fields, plays a crucial role in pediatrics. This article explores the integration of forensic principles into the PEP "Pediatrics," emphasizing the increasing societal issue of violence against children. The importance of training pediatric students to recognize and respond to such incidents while maintaining a solid evidence base is paramount.
 The authors emphasize that teaching forensic medicine to pediatric students should prioritize the following directions:
 
 Expert Involvement in Forensic Medical Examinations: Focuses on the significance of forensic medical examinations related to medical errors and offenses. Article 69 of the Criminal Procedure Code allows pediatricians to act as experts, emphasizing equivalence in rights and responsibilities with forensic medical experts.
 Physician Participation in Urgent Investigative Actions: Emphasizes the importance of practical skills, such as examining a corpse at the scene. Article 238 of the Criminal Procedure Code permits pediatricians to participate in urgent investigative actions. This includes instructing students on organizational and legal aspects, as well as theoretical and practical principles of examining a corpse at the scene.
 Accurate Documentation of Physical Injuries: Stresses the essential skill of accurately describing physical injuries on a child's body. Acknowledges the role of pediatricians in initial injury documentation, considering the potential involvement in criminal investigations.
 Accuracy and Completeness of Medical Documentation: Underscores the critical nature of accurate and complete medical documentation, serving as evidence in criminal proceedings. The article discusses potential legal consequences for physicians due to improper maintenance.
 Recording Sexual Offenses Against Children: Introduces an elective course focusing on preventing sexual offenses against children and domestic violence. Aims to form theoretical and practical competencies in students, adhering to the "Istanbul Protocol" and emphasizing the role of pediatricians in recognizing and responding to sexual violence against children.
 
 Therefore, educating pediatric students on how to act in such cases, how to work with patients without compromising the evidence base, and simultaneously providing timely medical assistance becomes paramount. This ensures the preparation of a highly qualified specialist in pediatrics whose competencies align with their professional qualification characteristics.
 Conclusion.
 
 Harmonizing domestic legislation with EU norms and standards as part of Ukraine's integration into the EU creates priority directions in teaching the discipline "Forensic Medicine and Medical Law."
 Insufficient awareness among pediatric students and a casual attitude towards the consequences of unprofessional actions or inaction in future professional activities contribute to a lack of motivation for studying "Forensic Medicine and Medical Law."
 Teaching forensic medicine is a crucial part of pediatric training. By providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and respond to cases of violence against children, we can help protect children and ensure they receive the necessary assistance.

К вопросу о продуктивной направленности обучения иностранному языку в рамках элективного курса в предпрофессиональном медиаклассе

This article deals with the issue of designing an elective foreign language course “Media Content Developer” for students of the 10th – 11th profile media classes. The aim of the course is to develop students’ professional self-determination through foreign language teaching. The relevance of the research topic is related to the need for expanding the subject content of the discipline “Foreign Language” for the designated audience and further meeting the need of high school students in obtaining the conditions for their professional self-determination. The feature of the foreign language elective course will be the reinforcement of the career guid-ance orientation of education through the development of productive types of speech activities of high school students, their productive thinking, creative abilities, and the creation of media products as a result of the crea-tive activities of high school students. The developed fragment of the elective course “Media Content Develop-er” in English is a demonstration of the specifics of the course and will contribute to its preparation in general and implementation in the school teaching practice.

Empowering Student Pharmacists to Counsel Patients on Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals through Interactive Role-Play.

Preparing the next generation of pharmacists to succeed in practice and provide premier care starts with ensuring pharmacy education standards are met and align with innovative practices and that education incorporates topics that are important to promoting health. For example, recent reports link endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) to numerous diseases such as reproductive disorders, metabolic diseases, and developmental abnormalities. Considering the suboptimal awareness and knowledge about EDCs, it is imperative to provide public health education through a pharmacy curriculum. The objective of this study was to evaluate student pharmacists' perceptions of the impact of a role play activity on their knowledge of EDCs and counseling skills. A secondary objective was to explore student pharmacists' perceptions of how role play might impact their future career as a pharmacist. A retrospective qualitative study consisting of a lecture, a pre-brief, a low-fidelity simulation centered on role-play, and debrief to develop knowledge of EDCs to practice counseling skills, and a post reflection was implemented to explore this aim. Third year student pharmacists who were enrolled on the public health elective course were eligible to participate in the study. All reflections were de-identified, imported into a qualitative software, Dedoose®, Version 9.2.6 and thematically analyzed using an inductive approach. Thematic analysis revealed three master themes, which tell the story of an initial lack of familiarity with EDCs that was rectified by the lecture and low-fidelity simulation. In the first theme, we can see that all of the participants noted their positive perceptions of the low-fidelity simulation, especially the role playing on a topic they lacked familiarity with. In the second theme, participants revealed the activity's impact on their performance or behaviors. Finally, the third theme explores the future implications of a pharmacist's impact on public health. This novel study contributes to a growing body of literature on the impact of pharmacy education practices and instruction on public health. The findings suggest that pharmacy educators might consider incorporating role playing instruction for public health topics, EDCs, or topics not traditionally taught in the pharmacy curriculum.

Collaborative Governance in the Implementation of E-Voting: A Study of District Elections in Sleman Regency

The research is to look at collaboration in the implementation E-voting system in Sleman Regency. The election of Village Heads using an E-voting system is something new for the community. The problem is focused on the collaboration sector between stakeholders in the Village Head Election in Banyuraden District, Sleman Regency. This research aims to see the form of collaboration between the Field Technical Personnel and General Technical Personnel in the implementation of the Village Head Election at Banyuraden Sub Governance theory used as a reference. The research is to use qualitative research methods and descriptive analysis techniques. The instrument used is data collection obtained from the results of Primar and Second data. Primary data was obtained from interviews with Sleman Regency Community and Village Empowerment Service, Field Technical Officers, and general Technical Officers, and Secondary data was obtained from research journals, news, and several written sources that support this research. This study concluded that the collaboration created had an impact on the course of village head elections in Sleman Regency, especially in Banyuraden district.

Genre specifics of the modern novel in the context of psychopoetics

ABSTRACT The goal of the article is to consider the specifics of the genre semantics of the modern novel in the context of the psychopoetics development. Alongside this, the objective of the work is to revisit the novels through the characteristics of their varieties and to try to answer the question – why the novels under consideration can be specified as psychological. A significant element of the article is devoted to the study of the representation techniques in modern Ukrainian novels in the context of psychopoetics. This research resulted in defining the genre semantics of the novels by the modern Ukrainian authors, ways of their implementation in the light of psychopoetics, psychonarratives, psychological types and means of psycho-poetic representation. The practical significance of the research is determined by the contribution to the development of psychopoetics as a branch of modern literary studies. The research outcomes can be used to design elective philological courses, comparative studies, and also for the advanced research on historical-cultural and psychological aspects of the essence of creativity in general.

Hybrid Soft-Rigid Active Prosthetics Laboratory Exercise for Hands-On Biomechanical and Biomedical Engineering Education.

This paper introduces a hands-on laboratory exercise focused on assembling and testing a hybrid soft-rigid active finger prosthetic for biomechanical and biomedical engineering (BME) education. This hands-on laboratory activity focuses on the design of a myoelectric finger prosthesis, integrating mechanical, electrical, sensor (i.e., inertial measurement units (IMUs), electromyography (EMG)), pneumatics, and embedded software concepts. We expose students to a hybrid soft-rigid robotic system, offering a flexible, modifiable lab activity that can be tailored to instructors' needs and curriculum requirements. All necessary files are made available in an open-access format for implementation. Off-the-shelf components are all purchasable through global vendors (e.g., DigiKey Electronics, McMaster-Carr, Amazon), costing approximately USD 100 per kit, largely with reusable elements. We piloted this lab with 40 undergraduate engineering students in a neural and rehabilitation engineering upper year elective course, receiving excellent positive feedback. Rooted in real-world applications, the lab is an engaging pedagogical platform, as students are eager to learn about systems with tangible impacts. Extensions to the lab, such as follow-up clinical (e.g., prosthetist) and/or technical (e.g., user-device interface design) discussion, are a natural means to deepen and promote interdisciplinary hands-on learning experiences. In conclusion, the lab session provides an engaging journey through the lifecycle of the prosthetic finger research and design process, spanning conceptualization and creation to the final assembly and testing phases.

Handling the desire to die– evaluation of an elective course for medical students

BackgroundThe desire to die can occur in palliative care patients with a prevalence of up to 22%. Not every desire to die is accompanied by a pressure to act, but usually by a burden that can arise from various factors. To address this burden appropriately, health care workers should be trained. Based on an evaluated course on handling the desire to die, an elective course for medical students was developed and evaluated. In order to identify the impact of the elective course’s content, a comparison of attitudes towards assisted dying with two other participant groups was conducted. Therefore, three questions from the evaluation of the elective course were used.MethodOnline evaluation of the elective and questions addressing attitude were assessed using a five-point Likert scale. The specific outcome-based assessment was determined using the Comparative Self-Assessment Gain. The main participant group (group 1) were students who took the elective. The additional survey on attitudes towards assisted dying included undergraduate medical students who had taken compulsory palliative care courses (group 2) and physicians who had taken an introductory course in intensive care or emergency medicine (group 3).ResultsGroup 1 (n = 13, response rate rr = 86.7%) was very satisfied with the blended learning format (100%) and the course itself (100%). They were able to deepen their knowledge (81.0%) and train skills (71.2%) through the course. In the additional surveys, there were 37 students in group 2 (rr = 66.1%) and 258 physicians in group 3 (rr = 73.6%). Willingness to assist with or accompany the various options for assisted dying varied according to the type of assistance. Among the participants, it can be summarised that the highest willingness was shown by the students of group 2 followed by the physicians of group 3 and the students of group 1.ConclusionsA course on handling the desire to die of palliative patients can deepen knowledge and train communication skills and thus support self-confidence. Dealing with the background of the desire to die, knowledge about assisted dying, but also one’s own attitudes and responsibilities can influence the attitude towards assisted dying.

Divulgação científica em astronomia para crianças no contexto pandêmico: uma proposta de disciplina eletiva para a licenciatura em pedagogia

Este artigo descreve experiência desenvolvida no contexto de uma disciplina eletiva, Divulgação Científica em Astronomia para Crianças, oferecida virtualmente a estudantes de Pedagogia da Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp) durante o segundo semestre de 2021, devido à pandemia de Covid-19. O curso abordou desde noções básicas de Astronomia até estratégias de produção de vídeos para divulgação científica, enfrentando desafios na transição da educação presencial para o ensino remoto. A metodologia didática incluiu a divisão da ementa da disciplina em três blocos, abordando temas essenciais para a Educação em Astronomia, e enfatizou a flexibilidade e resiliência necessárias no ambiente virtual. Os objetivos da disciplina, como oferecer uma formação teórico-prática, discutir temas relevantes para a Educação em Astronomia e estudar propostas para práticas de divulgação científica, foram alcançados. A abordagem colaborativa e as atividades práticas estimularam o pensamento crítico e científico dos estudantes, trazendo alguma contribuição para pensarem na Divulgação Científica como uma possibilidade didática dentro da educação científica. A experiência reforçou a importância da comunicação e da linguagem no processo educativo, mesmo à distância, e a necessidade de explorar ferramentas tecnológicas de maneira criativa e eficiente.

Development of a physical activity prescription course in a Doctor of Pharmacy program.

Pharmacists are increasingly becoming the healthcare professional who interacts most regularly with patients who have diseases or disorders for which exercise is an effective and recommended treatment. With the relative scarcity of clinical exercise physiologists in the United States, pharmacists are expected to provide lifestyle advice to their patients, especially in community (i.e. retail) pharmacy settings, but student pharmacists typically receive no formal or informal training in exercise physiology and prescription. To address this deficit, an elective course was developed to provide student pharmacists with the knowledge and skill set that will enable them to apply evidence-based physical activity guidelines in the pharmacy. The course utilized the Exercise is Medicine resources for chronic diseases and disorders that are routinely encountered in community pharmacies, in addition to analysis of interactions between exercise and medications commonly prescribed for these conditions. After completion of the course, students reported being significantly more comfortable discussing physical activity with their patients compared to the start of the course (P < 0.001). Similarly, at the end of the course, 99% of students reported that they felt confident in their ability to apply evidence-based recommendations of common diseases and disorders to their patients. Postcourse student evaluations clearly demonstrated that student pharmacists viewed the course positively and as essential in their professional training. These data highlight the feasibility and efficacy of improving self-perceptions for the provision of physical activity recommendations via an elective course in physical activity prescription in a Doctor of Pharmacy program.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study describes a new elective course in physical activity prescription for Doctor of Pharmacy students. After completing the course, students reported improved self-perceptions for the provision of physical activity recommendations. This course fills a gap in pharmacy education and this study provides future directions to improve training in lifestyle modifications.

Структура и профориентационный потенциал учебного пособия «Legal English: Law, Crime and Punishment» (X–XI классы)

The author developed a textbook for high-school students of English. The book represents an integrated vocation-focused language course. This elective course focuses on the activities associated with the penal system and shows its relationship with the criminal law. By applying the systemic functional approach to the structure of Legal English: Law, Crime, and Punishment, the author outlines its career-guidance framework. The outcome-based activities aim at mastering the foreign language, consolidating practical skills in research, and performing career-guidance practice in criminal and penal law spheres. The career-guidance potential of the textbook offers possibilities of career awareness, career-oriented education, and professional recruitment. As a result, Legal English: Law, Crime, and Punishment can be considered a tool of academic and methodological support in the sphere of career guidance in high school.

More pain, more gain? Extricating the effect of student involvement in rubric co-construction

This quasi-experiment tested whether co-constructing a writing rubric gives students an advantage over only using the co-constructed rubric. We used students’ perception and use of the rubric, and their writing performance as outcome variables. One hundred and twenty-six second-year university students who enrolled in an elective course participated. The experimental group (N = 63) co-constructed the rubric with the lecturer. The rubric was then distributed to both groups to facilitate their writing. A peer-feedback session was held for the students to use the rubric to offer and interpret feedback. Independent-samples t-tests revealed no significant differences between the two groups in terms of their perception of the rubric, use of the rubric and writing performance. The overall null result suggests that as a one-off activity, rubric co-construction does not bring extra benefits to the students involved.

For Us, By Us

This article describes how one group of African American women educators set out to change the narrative surrounding the achievement of African American girls at their high school through the creation of an elective course entitled Ourstory, which was designed using the tenets of culturally relevant, African-centered, and Black feminist pedagogy. The main goal of the Ourstory course was to use the study of African American women’s history and heritage to increase self-esteem, self-efficacy and provide a safe space for the African American girls involved. This descriptive study explores the design and implementation of the Ourstory class using a qualitative analysis of the course syllabus, lesson plans, course materials, student work, observations, and interviews with staff and students. The findings from this study demonstrate that there is value in creating a space for African American girls to express themselves and build community.

Turkish students' language‐learning perezhivanie, learner identities, and transformation of self

AbstractThis study used the Vygotskian concept of perezhivanie, an emotionally lived experience, to examine the identities of two Turkish language learners. Learner identity has been researched from social and psychological perspectives; however, the role of emotion and its relationship with cognition has not been sufficiently addressed. As a unit of analysis, Perezhivanie offers a holistic approach to examining learners' identities by considering their emotional and cognitive processes in their learning environments. This study reports on a qualitative case study. Data were obtained from Dodo and Uraz's observations while taking an elective course in Global English and Culture, their multiple reflections written throughout the course, and their interviews. The data analysis revealed ontological instances of perezhivaniya (plural) that stemmed from the two participants' emotionally charged, memorable moments. It revealed how these perezhivaniya formed and transformed their identities throughout their language‐learning experience. These results indicate the importance of assisting language learners by introducing them to the new World of Englishes, thus providing new theoretical frameworks that create a fertile environment for identity transformation.

An Assessment of MSW Social Work Curricula: Semester-Long Courses Specifically Related to Immigrants and Immigration

ABSTRACT Social workers are well positioned to meet the needs of the immigrant population in the United States (U.S.) and social workers across all fields and specializations should both feel competent and have the appropriate skills to work with immigrant clients. In this paper, we provide context around the immigrant population in the U.S. and discuss social work’s role in helping immigrants, and the role of the MSW degree in helping to prepare social workers to work with immigrants. Using publicly available data on MSW school websites, we analyze the prevalence of courses that specifically focus on immigrants or immigration. We found a lack of semester-long immigrant-specific courses in that only 12% of the programs offered these courses. We also noted the geographic clustering of some programs that offer these courses. We propose that schools do one of the following depending on their current course offerings, faculty expertise, and other resources: ensuring that basic content and case examples about immigrants are included in foundational social work courses, and when feasible or appropriate create elective courses, or create a concentration for those wishing to specialize in social work practice with immigrants.