Active Engagement Research Articles

Introduction to Interactive Video-Based E-Learning to Improve Critical Thinking Skills in Vocational High School Students

This Community Service (PKM) activity aims to introduce interactive video-based e-learning to improve critical thinking skills in Vocational High School (SMK) students. Critical thinking skills are essential in facing the challenges of the world of work, especially for vocational school graduates. This activity was conducted online through the Zoom application, involving vocational school teachers as the main participants. The training focuses on using interactive videos as a learning medium that integrates interactive elements such as reflective questions, simulations, and problem-solving tasks to stimulate active student engagement. The evaluation was carried out through pre-test and post-test tests that showed a significant improvement in students' critical thinking skills, with an average post-test score of 80, an increase from 65 in the pre-test. In addition, a survey of teachers showed that 85% of participants benefited from using interactive videos to make learning more engaging and effective. However, some challenges related to internet infrastructure and students' technical ability to access video were identified. As a solution, materials are also provided offline. The results of this activity show that interactive video-based e-learning effectively improves the critical thinking skills of vocational school students. Hopefully, this method can be adapted more widely in the context of vocational education and contribute to developing the quality of education in Indonesia.

국제개발협력과 로컬라이제이션: 이론적 변천과 실천적 적용

Purpose: By introducing localisation and exploring its key issues, this study aims to raise awareness of localisation within the context of international development cooperation in Korea and derive implications. Originality: Localisation is an approach for promoting sustainable development by strengthening local capacities and expanding the use of locally available resources, with its necessity being increasingly highlighted amid the global economic crisis and various international challenges. Methodology: This study analyzes key discourses of international development cooperation, the theoretical background and major concepts of localisation, as well as evaluation frameworks and issues, through a literature review. Result: Localisation is regarded as a key paradigm in international development cooperation, as it enhances the autonomy of partner countries and incorporates the local social and cultural context. Moreover, it has been identified as playing a significant role in reshaping power dynamics between donors and local actors, while fostering the active participation of local communities. Conclusion and Implication: The successful implementation of localisation necessitates equitable partnerships, active engagement of local communities, resolution of conflicts over control between donors and local entities, and a development approach that prioritizes sustainability. Addressing these challenges requires establishing a forum for dialogue grounded in mutual trust and cooperation between donors and local actors, thereby enhancing the sustainability of international development cooperation.

HOLISTIC EDUCATION IN THE EUROPEAN SOCIO-CULTURAL SPACE IN THE EARLY MODERN PERIOD

The article presents a historical-pedagogical analysis of the content and development of the humanistic idea of holistic education in the European socio-cultural space during the Early Modern Period. It traces the value-based interpretations of the idea of holistic education within both secular (Renaissance humanism) and religious (Christian humanism) worldviews of the early modern era. The study reveals that the concept of holistic education was formulated within the philosophical and cultural discourse of Renaissance humanism. It is noted that the Renaissance ideal of holistic education was based on three key components: first, the virtues of broad erudition, intellectual culture, and the art of rhetoric; second, moral principles focused on the ideals of goodness, virtue, modesty, and personal inner culture, as well as Christian priorities of love and compassion; third, the recognition of the individual as the highest value, grounded in the dignity and rights of the person, and the idea of comprehensive and harmonious development of one’s abilities and talents. This also includes the Renaissance virtues of active engagement, initiative, industriousness, persistence, and the appreciation of physical beauty and courage. It is shown that the institutionalization of the idea of holistic education was carried out through the educational activities of Protestant gymnasiums, Jesuit colleges, brotherhood schools, and other educational institutions founded in the context of Protestant Reformation, Catholic Reformation, and religious reforms in the East Slavic lands. The article outlines the civilizational and human-creative significance of the concept of holistic education for the formation of modern European civilization.

Preservice Teachers' Perceptions, Attitudes, and Challenges of Using Scratch as a Coding Tool to Foster Active Learning in Life Sciences Classrooms

In the contemporary educational landscape, integrating technology into teaching practices is crucial for promoting active engagement and learning, particularly in science classrooms. This study investigated preservice teachers' perceptions of using Scratch as a coding tool to enhance active learning in Life Sciences classrooms. Adopting a qualitative research design, the study used purposive sampling to select five preservice teachers with relevant Life Sciences teaching experience. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews and classroom observations, and thematic analysis was employed to examine the data. The study found that Scratch was perceived positively by preservice teachers as a tool that could foster essential twenty-first-century skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, critical thinking, innovation, and communication. Preservice teachers demonstrated varying levels of familiarity with and adaptability to Scratch, influencing their methods of integration into teaching. While the tool showed promise in engaging students and enhancing active learning, the study also uncovered significant challenges, including resource limitations, inadequate teacher support, and logistical issues such as load shedding. These findings underscore the potential of Scratch to support innovative teaching practices and develop critical skills in learners. However, they also highlight the need for improved resources and support structures to maximise the effectiveness of technology integration. The study offers valuable insights for curriculum developers, higher education institutions, educational communities, and teachers, emphasising the need for strategic interventions to address implementation challenges and optimise the use of Scratch in fostering 4IR skills and preparing students for future careers.

Integrative Empowerment Of Health Cadres In Efforts To Monitor Stunting Risk Through The Use Of Smartphone-Based Electronic Child Card Applications In Ngiliran Village, Panekan District, Magetan Regency

ABSTRACT The Community Engagement activity, conducted from May to August 2024, aimed to empower various stakeholders, such as early childhood integrated health service cadres, prospective brides and grooms, pregnant women, and mothers of young children, in their endeavors to monitor early stunting effectively. It addressed the pressing issue of stunting prevalence in Ngiliran Village, which had reached an alarming 18.6%, surpassing the national target set for 2024, which is 14%. Partners, including integrated health service cadres, prospective brides and grooms, pregnant women, and mothers, faced challenges like limited knowledge in measuring children's nutritional status, inconsistent monitoring, and inadequate stunting prevention education. To address these issues, the activity utilized the Electronic Child Card (KARANEL) smartphone application. KARANEL accurately measured children's height and weight, stored data electronically, presented nutritional status visually, and offered guidance. It empowered partners to identify, prevent, and manage stunting effectively. The results demonstrated that KARANEL enhanced the knowledge, skills, and motivation of integrated health service cadres and partners. Conclusion: the smartphone-based KARANEL application proved highly beneficial for early stunting monitoring in Ngiliran Village, providing a practical solution to combat stunting

Outcome Measures And Analysis Of Memory Movers- An Exercise Programme For The Brain, Body And Mind

Abstract Background Memory Movers is a six-week early intervention specialist programme designed for implementation in community settings to meet key healthcare needs for individuals experiencing memory difficulties/dementia and their family carers. This programme provides individuals with the knowledge, skills and education to care for their overall health and well-being. It supports mental health and well-being by utilising cognitive stimulation exercises in conjunction with physical health exercises and providing information and basic exercises in mental health. Methods The Specialist Mental Health Service for Older People collaborated with an Acute Hospital, local Council, and Sports and Wellbeing Partnership in designing a suitable, accessible programme to promote Mental Health and well-being in the community. The programme incorporates the following aspects of health: Memory, Movement, and Mental Health. Results Pre- and post-assessments were undertaken with results highlighting the following: The Life Satisfaction Scale improved by 6%; the Mood Rating Scale improved by 19% and the overall rating of experiencing feelings of anxiety was reduced by 14% within the final week. There was also a 101% increase in the average engagement in physical activity. A range of positive comments received from attendees were recorded on feedback questionnaires. Conclusion Findings highlighted that remaining active supports both physical and mental health. According to the HSE (2020), physical exercise can cause chemical changes in the brain, which can help improve mood. Cognitive stimulation is beneficial to brain health and cognition (Schulz 2015). These contribute to the overall well-being of individuals, promoting cognitive functioning and movement, as well as overall mental health and well-being. This programme also provides opportunities for social connection and integration with services.

Incorporating AI into English Language Learning: An Experimental Study Focusing on Autonomous Learning

This study investigates the impact of integrating AI-powered tool, Plang, on English language learning among Korean EFL learners. Specifically, the study aims to examine the overall experiences of using the AI app in language learning and the impact of using the AI app on learners’ autonomous learning. The two-month study employed a qualitative data approach derived from a mixed-method study involving pre- and post-survey, reflective journals, and in-depth individual interviews. Overall, the findings have shown that the integration of the AI-powered tool into the English language learning helped learners: (i) to enhance language skills, particularly speaking proficiency; (ii) to foster learner autonomy through a personalized feedback system; and (iii) to establish a new goal that facilitates active learner engagement. The analysis also points out some challenges learners faced in the learning process. Some important implications of this study are discussed for teachers who consider integrating AI-powered tools into English language teaching. Considering that there has been little research on incorporating AI tools into classrooms, it is recommended that further research should highlight more dynamic classroom cases by developing a flipped classroom model utilizing AI tools in English language teaching contexts.

Feminist Impact via Chinese Social Media

This paper discusses the impact of feminism on women through the Chinese social media and e-commerce platform—Xiaohongshu. Sentiment and themes were categorized for 50 top posts of feminism, which ranged from feminism Comment, female power education to analysis of movie and news. The research reveals that different content categories, emotional tones, and commentator feedback significantly influence user engagement. This study is also an indication of active engagement and diversity of ideas on issues of feminism by young Chinese women. These findings offer valuable insights for content creators and platform operators, emphasizing the need to consider emotional and categorical dynamics in strategy development to optimize user experience and content dissemination on Xiaohongshu.

Predicting the drivers of Bothrops snakebite incidence across Brazil: A Spatial Analysis

Snakebite envenoming poses a significant public health challenge on a global basis, affecting millions of people annually and leading to complications that may result in fatalities. Brazil stands as one of the countries most impacted by snakebite envenoming, with snakes of the Bothrops genus being responsible for most bites. The current study aimed to identify the determinants of Bothrops snakebite incidence across different regions of Brazil. An ecological study was conducted using municipality-aggregated data, with snakebite incidence as the dependent variable. The study period comprised the years 2015–2021. We constructed Species Distribution Models (SDMs) for Bothrops species, and information was collected on precipitation, runoff, maximum and minimum temperatures, native forest, historical forest loss, agriculture, and pasture in each Brazilian municipality. These data were employed to assess the association between snakebite incidence and biotic, climatic, and landscape factors. The data were analyzed using Generalized Least Squares (GLS) regression. The SDMs demonstrated good performance. The average annual snakebite incidence during the study period ranged from zero to 428.89 per 100,000 inhabitants, depending on the municipality. Higher incidence rates were concentrated primarily in municipalities in the northern region of the country. In this study, we found that nationwide, areas with extensive native forests and those that have historically experienced significant loss of forest cover exhibited higher snakebite incidence rates. Additionally, areas with higher temperatures and precipitation levels, as well as greater climatic suitability for the species B. jararaca, showed significantly higher snakebite incidence rates in the South and Southeast of Brazil, respectively. These associations may be linked to increased snake abundance and active behavior, as well as to engagement in activities favoring human-snake contact in these areas. The findings of this study can contribute to the improvement of prevention and control strategies for this public health issue in Brazil.

Formalising variety: the organisation of universities’ regional engagement and third mission activities

ABSTRACT At a time when higher education institutions are increasingly expected to demonstrate societal relevance, it is pertinent to examine why specific structural configurations are chosen to carry out that task. Based on a comparative case study of three merged higher education institutions in Norway, this article examines the three new HEIs’ rationales for and attempts at constructing and maintaining their relations with external stakeholders. The findings illustrate that the type of merger, size and geographical spread of campuses all matter in this regard. Based on our results, a finer-grained set of categories is proposed for mapping the structural configurations of organisations in support of regional engagement and third mission activities. These highlight the importance of identifying positions, arenas, formal agreements and oversight and coordination activities.

Psychometric Properties of the PLAYself in a Cohort of Secondary School Student-Athletes.

Physical literacy is the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, and understanding, enabling individuals to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life. While tools exist to measure physical literacy in most populations, the psychometric properties of the Physical Literacy Assessment for Youth (PLAY) tool in an older adolescent age group are currently unknown. The purpose of this work was to determine the psychometric properties of the PLAY tool, specifically the PLAYself, in an older adolescent age group (~14-18 years). One hundred and fifty-one secondary school in-season student-athletes completed the PLAYself, with construct validity assessed using an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Results from the EFA yielded a 7-factor model across the three subsections (environment, physical literacy self-description, relative rankings of literacies) of the PLAYself, all with acceptable levels of internal consistency. The PLAYself produced acceptable estimates for construct validity and reliability, making it a useful tool for measuring physical literacy in secondary school student-athletes.

"Take a minute (or 60) to focus on yourself": Using autophotography to explore postpartum physical activity experiences and associated psychological constructs.

The demands of motherhood have been shown to negatively impact physical activity (PA) engagement. Participants in a larger PA-based study in British Columbia, Canada were invited to participate in this sub study. Forty-eight photos and descriptions were provided by 9 participants with infants 3-7 months of age. Photos depicted challenges with PA, PA self-efficacy, body image and self-compassion in motherhood. We noted four themes that reflected the complex and gendered nature of postpartum PA engagement. First, gendered expectations of motherhood placed demands on time and space for PA engagement. Second, how mothers felt about their bodies both positively and negatively impacted their sense of self and PA engagement. Third, moments of self-compassion illustrated how navigating feelings of self-compassion about PA was messy. Fourth, PA self-efficacy was essential and required reimagining PA within the constraints of motherhood. In conclusion, PA postpartum is complex and impacted by broader concepts related to the expected duties of motherhood.

Innovative pedagogy: nurturing excellence through an effective student-centered approach in medicinal chemistry courses

Medicinal chemistry educators face challenges in providing students with essential tools to ensure an ideal learning environment. The suspension of on-site classes during the COVID-19 pandemic introduced further obstacles. This study investigated learning outcomes in an online versus on-site medicinal chemistry course in Saudi Arabia, focusing on drug classes and biomolecular interactions. We utilized a causal-comparison study method using data from first-year Pharmacy students (P1) enrolled in the Medicinal Chemistry I course (semester 1) during the 2019–2020 (on-site class) and 2020–2021 (online class) academic years. Data were analyzed using JMP software. The online course utilized advanced virtual technology such as Blackboard Collaborate Ultra and other computational platforms. Data representing the performance of 196 students were obtained. The analyses of the assessment scores showed a mean of 80.45 ± 12.65 for the online class group compared with 71.90 ± 9.50 for the on-site class group. Most online students showed improvement in their active engagement and learning experience. Current data support the argument that there is no apparent difference between outcomes for online versus on-site medicinal chemistry courses. Furthermore, advanced tools and their application within the online instructional methodology play a critical role in the overall learning experience.

Exploring user privacy awareness on GitHub: an empirical study

GitHub provides developers with a practical way to distribute source code and collaboratively work on common projects. To enhance account security and privacy, GitHub allows its users to manage access permissions, review audit logs, and enable two-factor authentication. However, despite the endless effort, the platform still faces various issues related to the privacy of its users. This paper presents an empirical study delving into the GitHub ecosystem. Our focus is on investigating the utilization of privacy settings on the platform and identifying various types of sensitive information disclosed by users. Leveraging a dataset comprising 6,132 developers, we report and analyze their activities by means of comments on pull requests. Our findings indicate an active engagement by users with the available privacy settings on GitHub. Notably, we observe the disclosure of different forms of private information within pull request comments. This observation has prompted our exploration into sensitivity detection using a large language model and BERT, to pave the way for a personalized privacy assistant. Our work provides insights into the utilization of existing privacy protection tools, such as privacy settings, along with their inherent limitations. Essentially, we aim to advance research in this field by providing both the motivation for creating such privacy protection tools and a proposed methodology for personalizing them.

Australian University Students' Experience of Animal-Assisted Education: An Exploratory Study.

University students experience poorer mental health outcomes when compared to the general population. Poor mental health has been associated with reduced wellbeing and low academic performance, resulting in higher rates of withdrawal. Animal-assisted education is an intervention found to result in a reduction in anxiety and an increased learning engagement among primary and secondary students. However, minimal research has been conducted regarding the inclusion of therapy dogs in the learning environments of students in tertiary education. This study explored the influence of animal-assisted education on the experience of university students. A total of 56 university students engaged with animal-assisted education over a 13-week period and completed an online survey comprised of open- and closed-response questions. The findings showed that all perceived benefits of the therapy dog, including improved mood and reduction of anxiety, increased motivation and engagement in learning activities, as well as an improved social engagement with peers and the educator. Preliminary findings demonstrated that the inclusion of animal-assisted education into the teaching of university students may assist in supporting their mental health and overall learning experience. Research is needed to explore the most effective ways to incorporate animal-assisted education into university settings for both students and therapy dogs.

The Influence of Intercultural Communication by the Banua Niha Keriso Youth Commission on the Preservation of Nias Cultural Values in Tangerang City

This study examines the impact of intercultural communication by the Banua Niha Keriso Youth Commission (KNBK) on preserving the cultural values of the Nias tribe in Tangerang City. The research was conducted through a series of cultural activities, educational workshops, and dialogue sessions over six months, involving 150 participants from the Nias community. The findings reveal a significant positive influence of intercultural communication on the preservation of Nias cultural values, especially among the younger generation. The implications highlight the necessity of continuous cultural education and active community engagement to sustain cultural heritage in urban settings

Myasthenia Gravis: utilising cross-platform quantitative content analysis to uncover and validate unmet needs.

Recent years have seen a rapid growth in the number of online health communities targeted at patients with long-term conditions. Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is a rare neurological disease for which such communities have not been analysed before. The aim of this study was to better understand the needs of the MG population through the collation and categorisation of questions that users of MG social media were asking fellow users on these platforms. Systematic observation of four MG Facebook groups was conducted over a 2-month period. Groups were selected for analysis based on the following systematic criteria: Language (English), Membership (≥ 5,000 members), group activity (≥ 2 posts per week), target audience (general MG population) and researcher engagement with group administrators. The study protocol was reviewed by the institutional review board of the Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin (EA2/106/22). During the observation period, data were extracted from individual posts featuring questions made across each group using a systematic and objective coding scheme. All data points were coded directly from the source and collated into an SPSS database (IBM SPSS V.27, SPSS). Absolute and relative frequencies were calculated for categorical variables and proportions were compared across groups to validate the credibility and relevance of different requests. Of the 2,062 posts observed (N = 2,062), 1,392 featured questions (n = 1,392). Questions were asked by 787 unique users: 531 were identified as one-time users (67%) and 256 were identified as repeat users (33%). Six hundred and fifty six users were classified as presumed diagnosed (83%), 61 as seeking diagnosis (8%), 69 as family and/or friends (9%) and as other (<0%). Eight unique categories of questions were observed including MG treatment (31%), Symptoms (19%), Living with MG (12%), Diagnosis (10%), non-MG medication (11%), Tests (8%), Location (4%) and Other (4%). Members of the MG population make active use of online health communities to seek and discuss practical information concerning various aspects of the disease, its diagnosis and care. The openness and willingness of the sample population to share sensitive medical information shows a high need for information not entirely catered to by the medical profession.

The impact of a nurse's dual role on implementing an effectiveness study.

Reorganizing the Approach to Diabetes through the Application of Registries (RADAR) improved diabetes care and outcomes for First Nations people in Alberta, Canada. The nurse involved in the implementation of RADAR performed two roles in this model of care: research nurse and care coordinator. To describe the research nurse's dual role in the implementation and evaluation of RADAR. The research nurse not only documented and collected data in hard-to-reach communities as part of effective research, she also provided remote care coordination to support community healthcare providers using a culturally tailored registry to facilitate population-level care. This dual role required many qualities of nursing leadership and transformation. The research nurse's two roles contributed to the success of the intervention and were critical to the successful implementation of the model, creating valuable real-world evidence across diverse populations and settings. for practice Nurses are well placed to perform research duties alongside engagement and implementation activities. This can enhance the effectiveness and evaluation of healthcare interventions, particularly in community-based interventions within First Nations communities.

Quantitative Measures of Engagement in History Classes: Analyzing the Efficacy of Interactive Pedagogies

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of interactive pedagogy on student engagement and knowledge retention. A quantitative method was used. The sample was 500 students from three high schools. The Engagement measurement instrument and Knowledge Retention Test were used to measure engagement and knowledge retention metrics. Data collection was conducted over one semester. Data analysis used descriptive statistics, inferential, ANOVA, and Effectiveness Index. The results of this study confirmed that classroom activity engagement reached 88.32%, and history knowledge retention reached 80.30%, indicating the success of the pedagogical intervention. The Effectiveness Index of student engagement and knowledge retention was 35.70%.

The Evolution of Paperless Education in Medical Universities: Enhancing Efficiency and Health Outcomes

The adoption of paperless education in medical universities has revolutionized various aspects of academic life, offering enhanced efficiency, cost savings, and improved health outcomes. Traditional paper-based systems in medical education have long been associated with inefficiencies and environmental concerns. The advent of digital technologies has provided opportunities to streamline educational processes, reduce waste, and improve accessibility. This mini review examines the transformative impact of paperless education on medical universities, focusing on its benefits in registration, teaching, education, and exams. The shift to online registration systems has simplified the enrollment process for both students and administrators, allowing for seamless registration, payment, and course selection. Online registration also enables real-time tracking of student progress and facilitates communication between students and faculty. In teaching, digital tools such as e-learning platforms and virtual classrooms offer students flexible learning opportunities, promoting active engagement and knowledge retention. Similarly, the adoption of electronic textbooks and digital libraries has significantly reduced the reliance on printed materials in medical education, fostering self-directed learning and research. Furthermore, digital assessment methods such as online quizzes and remote proctoring have streamlined the examination process, offering greater flexibility in scheduling exams and ensuring the integrity of the assessment process. Economically, the transition to paperless education has resulted in cost savings by eliminating the need for printed materials, storage, and distribution. Additionally, digital technologies enable universities to reach a broader audience, potentially increasing enrollment and revenue. Moreover, paperless education offers health benefits by reducing exposure to allergens and pathogens associated with paper-based materials, and promoting social distancing to reduce the risk of transmission of infectious diseases. In conclusion, the adoption of paperless education in medical universities represents a transformative shift, offering numerous benefits including enhanced efficiency, cost savings, and improved health outcomes. As technology continues to evolve, medical universities need to embrace digital innovations to ensure a sustainable and effective learning environment.