Learning Experiences In Higher Education Research Articles

Assessing self-efficacy in interdisciplinary learning experiences and the effects of career-related predictors

PurposeThis study explores the extent of undergraduate students' engagement in interdisciplinary learning experiences across their academic journey and its potential correlation with elevated levels of self-efficacy in learning. Furthermore, the research investigates how the clarity of career decisions and future goals contributes to the perception of relevance, value and alignment of interdisciplinary learning experiences among undergraduate students.Design/methodology/approachData were collected using a self-report questionnaire in a longitudinal survey administered annually to undergraduate students at a university in northern Taiwan over four waves from 2018 to 2021. The sample analyzed for this study consisted of 123 undergraduate students who willingly and continuously participated in the research throughout the specified period.FindingsThe results showed that self-efficacy within interdisciplinary learning experiences could be classified into three clusters: high efficacy, moderate efficacy and fluctuating efficacy. The determinants influencing these clusters include career decisions and years spent in university. Undergraduate students who have determined their career decisions and are in their latter two years of undergraduate studies demonstrate higher self-efficacy in interdisciplinary learning. Conversely, students who have yet to determine their career decisions exhibit a fluctuating pattern of self-efficacy across the three interdisciplinary learning categories.Research limitations/implicationsTwo key limitations of this research include a small sample size and a confined university-specific context, potentially constraining the applicability of the results to a broader population.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the interdisciplinary learning experience in higher education by explaining the significance of undergraduates' self-efficacy and career-related factors. Whereas most research has focused on the effects of self-efficacy, this study investigated the factors that influence undergraduates' self-efficacy.

Evaluation of Digital- English Project Based Learning (PJBL) Model through Eye Tracking Analysis in Higher Education

This study uses Eye Tracking technology to analyze students' visual interactions with English learning films. The goal is to actively engage pupils and develop practical skills, not just test conceptual understanding. Eye Tracking is a technique for monitoring students' eye movements and attentiveness while interacting with digital objects. This method seeks to improve learning effectiveness by recognizing patterns of visual interaction in critical areas of the movie. In the digital age, technology plays an important role in shifting the learning paradigm. Project Based Learning (PJBL) is an increasingly popular approach in which students learn through real-world projects. The purpose of this study is to assess students' grasp of English topics using a digital-based PJBL. This study used Eye Tracking analysis to monitor students' eye movements and attentiveness while interacting with digital materials. The data suggests that pupils focus on relevant portions, particularly complex ones like grammar. This emphasizes the significance of focusing on key aspects of learning. The analytic results are used to improve material, optimize content, and diversify instructional techniques. The findings of this study will help to improve digital-based English learning using PJBL, resulting in a more immersive and effective learning experience in higher education.

Experiential learning in higher education: Assessing the role of business simulations in shaping student attitudes towards sustainability

Education for sustainable development requires innovative pedagogies that entice students' engagement, ensure effective learning outcomes, and develop students' attitudes towards sustainability. The study aimed to investigate the factors that shape students' learning outcomes of a business simulation that incorporates sustainability-related decisions and to examine the effect of business simulation learning outcomes on their satisfaction, intention to continue using business simulations as a learning tool, and attitudes towards sustainability. A survey was distributed at the end of a business simulation course for undergraduates in a private university in the New Administrative Capital in Cairo, Egypt. A total of 262 students participated in the study. The results supported all research hypotheses except for the relationship between learning outcomes and student satisfaction. The study extends our understanding of the use of experiential learning in shaping student attitudes towards sustainability. The future of implementing more business simulations in curriculums depends on students' willingness to continue using such experiential learning tools in the future along with the power of positive word of mouth associated with their experience. The study offers several important implications for higher education institutions leaders and educators.

Integrated Framework for Experiential Learning: Approaches & Impacts

Purpose: The paper aims to provide a robust foundation for understanding the significance and application of experiential learning as an attractive alternative for classroom learning. Through the identification and evaluation of various types of experiential learning, the research seeks to elucidate the diverse approaches and their impacts on student learning outcomes, skill development, and career readiness. Furthermore, by focusing on the integration of curriculum and faculty training to foster an innovation culture, it aims to delineate strategies for enhancing educational practices to align the objectives of higher education with real-world applications. By predicting future trends in experiential learning, considering the influence of technological advancements, global collaboration, and integration with emerging learning models, thereby providing insights that can inform educators, administrators, and policymakers in enhancing the effectiveness and inclusivity of experiential learning in higher education. Methodology: This paper presents the multifaceted landscape of experiential learning within the context of higher education. The primary objectives of the paper include gaining a comprehensive understanding of the concept and principles of experiential learning, identifying and evaluating various methods of experiential learning and their impacts in higher education, and exploring the integration of curriculum and faculty training to foster an innovation culture based on exploratory research methods. Results/Analysis: The paper aims to assess the impact of experiential learning adoption on student learning, skill development, and career readiness, emphasizing the importance of aligning educational practices with real-world applications. Furthermore, the paper seeks to address critical issues related to equity and inclusivity in experiential learning, along with identifying faculty training needs. By examining challenges and proposing solutions, the chapter contributes to creating an inclusive environment that benefits a diverse student body. The analysis takes a forward-looking approach by predicting future trends in experiential learning, considering the influence of technological advancements, global collaboration, and integration with emerging learning models. Originality/Value: This holistic exploration serves as a valuable resource for educators, administrators, and policymakers seeking to enhance the effectiveness and inclusivity of experiential learning in higher education. Type of paper: Exploratory Research.

Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills in Students: A Study on the Effectiveness of Group Counselling Strategies Using the Talking Stick

Critical thinking skills are a crucial aspect of education aimed at equipping students with strong analytical abilities, deep understanding, and effective problem-solving skills. The primary objective of this study is to assess the impact of implementing the talking-stick-playing strategy during group guidance sessions on the enhancement of critical thinking skills among students majoring in Guidance and Counseling at Bengkulu University. The research methodology employed in this investigation is experimental, utilizing a one-group pretest-posttest design. Participant selection involved purposive sampling, with a sample size of eight students from 29 students. Data collection used the critical thinking ability scale adapted from Purnomo (2020), comprising 5 dimensions and 15 statement items. Analytical techniques were using descriptive analysis and Wilcoxon test analysis. Findings from the descriptive analysis reveal that students' critical thinking abilities were categorized as sufficient before the intervention, but improved to a good level after the treatment. Furthermore, the Wilcoxon test results yielded an Asymp. Sig. (2-tailed) value of 0.000, indicating that the implementation of the talking-stick strategy during group guidance sessions significantly influences the development of students' critical thinking skills. This indicates that the structured and participatory communication method introduced through the Talking-Stick helps students develop their critical thinking skills. Therefore, this approach should be considered by educators and counsellors as a valuable resource in enriching students' learning experiences in higher education.

Educational Management Innovation by Utilizing Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education

Innovation in higher education is essential to align teaching with technological developments. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) offers great potential to improve education management in higher education through optimizing the teaching and learning process. This research aims to explore how the integration of artificial intelligence in education management can improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of students' learning experience in higher education. The research method includes a comparative analysis between conventional education management systems and systems that utilize artificial intelligence, as well as the implementation of AI technology in the decision-making process in higher education. The results show that the application of artificial intelligence can improve the ability of prediction, data analysis, adaptation, and personalization in curriculum management, student performance evaluation, and the provision of learning resources tailored to individual needs. Artificial intelligence in education management in higher education has opened up various opportunities. Artificial intelligence enables personalization of learning. In addition, the use of artificial intelligence in administration has also improved the efficiency of resource management and administrative processes. The conclusion of this study states that the utilization of artificial intelligence in educational management in higher education can bring about positive changes. By effectively utilizing artificial intelligence technology, universities can improve students' learning experience and optimize administrative efficiency, better preparing students for future challenges. It can also manage education in higher education to create a more adaptive, responsive, and innovative learning environment, which in turn can improve the overall quality of higher education.

Driving the career readiness agenda in Hong Kong higher education

The concept of “career readiness” can trace its origin to earlier studies about learning and employability in higher education as well as management of student life cycle. Since then, career readiness has evolved into a major concern for public funders and regulators of higher education. Policy researchers contend that following the expansion of higher education and subsequent institutional commitment to ensuring student success, the current stage is about emphasizing employability as the primary indicator of graduate outcomes. This policy shift projects the university-employer interface into the spotlight and creates a favorable condition for promoting work-based experiential learning in higher education. While all postsecondary education institutions in Hong Kong give due regard to graduate employment as a measure of successful “university to work transition,” most of them however do not offer structured courses to train their students in skills for lifetime employability. This leads to the question of whether the status quo is desirable and what would be an effective lever for effecting change. Should coaching students for career readiness remain the responsibility of career development office or can academic staff also have a role to play in supporting it? What are the different approaches for teaching about “work life” in the crowded undergraduate curriculum space? Answers to the above would depend on how much the higher education sector in Hong Kong is prepared to embark on a “whole-of-life” approach to develop “work conscious” and not just “work ready” graduates. The new direction will help to generate a positive effect on higher education institutions in Hong Kong for them to compete through curricular and pedagogical innovations in support of the career-readiness agenda.

A Systematic Review of Chinese Students’ Online Learning Experience in Higher Education

The Covid-19 pandemic prompts an increasing number of university students to engage in online learning (OL). China is one of the countries that have experienced a radical shift in this sense. Before the pandemic, the online mode of university study was not recognised as a legitimate educational experience in China; thus, a small number of Chinese students engaged in online study. Subsequently, there is a relatively incomplete understanding of their OL experiences. Given the exponential expansion of OL in China during the pandemic, it would be a timely effort to synthesise knowledge on Chinese students’ OL experiences. For that purpose, the present paper presents the results of a systematic literature review of 34 published journal articles concerning Chinese students’ online study. The results give a deep insight into Chinese distance higher education from students’ perspectives and call for more studies on the implications of relevant policy and cultural dimensions on Chinese students’ online study journey.

An empirical study on immersive technology in synchronous hybrid learning in design education

AbstractImmersive technology plays an increasingly important role in design education, supporting digital literacy and experiential learning in higher education, particularly in the post-COVID-19 context. Many design disciplines, such as Architecture and Landscape Design, which used to rely heavily on physical field trips, and dialogic studios as signature pedagogies, had to adapt to the proliferation of innovative educational technologies due to the suspension of face-to-face teaching and learning. Augmented reality and virtual reality are now extensively used in technology and design education to support a more interactive, collaborative, and student-centred approach to learning. This paper expands on a pilot research study on the transition from traditional signature pedagogies of studio-based design education to technology-enhanced collaborative learning to support experiential learning. Based on Kolb’s experiential learning framework concerning four learning modes, namely, concrete experience (CE), reflective observation (RO), abstract conceptualisation (AC), and active experimentation (AE), this paper analyses data from 75 undergraduate students across four cohorts in three different higher education institutions in Hong Kong. They were surveyed on their experiences of synchronous hybrid virtual experiential learning with design and technology curricula. Furthermore, six students were interviewed about their experiences. The research findings confirm two research hypotheses showing that immersive experiential learning could constructively align RO and AE, thus bringing an overall positive impact on the experiential learning process, but shows no conclusive influence on promoting CE, especially AC. The quantitative findings and qualitative results gave new insights into the discussion of the theoretical and practical implications of the study.

Approaches to learning mathematics: preliminary evidence of a concise, valid, and reliable instrument.

We assess students' approaches to learning mathematics not only to predict students' learning outcomes but also for its crucial utilities in the teaching and learning process. These utilities range from evaluating effective instructional interventions, determining students with learning difficulties, and comparing teaching and learning experience in higher education. However, measures of the constructs have raised validity concerns among researchers. A root cause of these validity concerns is traceable to the failure of these measures to account for the content-specificity of approaches to learning. Building on a previously developed general measure of the constructs, I designed this study to bridge this gap by developing and validating approaches to learning mathematics questionnaire (ALMQ). 352 first-year engineering students who gave voluntary consent participated in the study. The students were mainly males with ages ranging from 15 years to 29 years. The average age was 20.67 years, and its standard deviation was 2.164. I analysed the generated data using confirmatory factor analysis and judged the consistency of hypothesised models with the generated data using a combination of criteria. The findings revealed a two-factor ALMQ with seven items which demonstrated an excellent global and local fit of the generated data. The standardised factor loadings for all the items were above 0.68 with an average of 0.73 showing the high strengths of the items in measuring their respective constructs. I also found a reliability coefficient of 0.81 for deep approaches, 0.77 for surface approaches, and 0.72 for the two-factor ALMQ. These findings suggest preliminary evidence of the validity and reliability of ALMQ. I discussed the practical implications of the findings for educators, policymakers, and researchers interested in improving the mathematics learning experience.

The impact of social media as teaching and learning tool on higher education: A case study of Van Hien University

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused universities to switch from traditional to online teaching and learning methods. As a result, social media has gradually become prominent as a teaching and learning resource in universities. Vietnamese universities and institutes recognize the potential of social media as a powerful tool for promotion and teaching. This study examines the positive impact of social media use on (a) enhancing teaching and learning in universities, (b) motivating and supporting students, and (c) developing community connections and assesses limitations of social networks in student learning within the university context. A qualitative approach with explicitly utilizing in-depth interviews was employed to collect data from ten lecturers and 19 students of all faculties of Van Hien University. The results of this case study have shown the positive effects of social media: enriching the teaching and learning experience in higher education by inspiring and supporting student as well as promoting community connections. Integrating social media as a teaching and learning tool in higher education is part of the modern educational landscape.

Students’ voices on generative AI: perceptions, benefits, and challenges in higher education

This study explores university students’ perceptions of generative AI (GenAI) technologies, such as ChatGPT, in higher education, focusing on familiarity, their willingness to engage, potential benefits and challenges, and effective integration. A survey of 399 undergraduate and postgraduate students from various disciplines in Hong Kong revealed a generally positive attitude towards GenAI in teaching and learning. Students recognized the potential for personalized learning support, writing and brainstorming assistance, and research and analysis capabilities. However, concerns about accuracy, privacy, ethical issues, and the impact on personal development, career prospects, and societal values were also expressed. According to John Biggs’ 3P model, student perceptions significantly influence learning approaches and outcomes. By understanding students’ perceptions, educators and policymakers can tailor GenAI technologies to address needs and concerns while promoting effective learning outcomes. Insights from this study can inform policy development around the integration of GenAI technologies into higher education. By understanding students’ perceptions and addressing their concerns, policymakers can create well-informed guidelines and strategies for the responsible and effective implementation of GenAI tools, ultimately enhancing teaching and learning experiences in higher education.

Improving Real-World Impact From Research-Focussed Experiential Learning In Higher Education; A Call-To-Arms Centring On Field Ecological Monitoring

Research-focussed experiential learning (RFEL), where students develop academic research skills by participating in research activities, is a valuable and widespread component of higher education. It is also a potentially important source of research currency for academic staff in teaching-focussed universities. Numerous initiatives facilitate this practice in an extra-curricular capacity, whilst its integration into curricula is less widespread, but is gaining momentum. Nonetheless, real-world impact deriving from RFEL is not as visible as might be expected, and we argue that the RFEL paradigm has yet to achieve its full potential. We discuss how to overcome barriers to visibility and effective implementation of RFEL in terms of real-world outcomes, for our own discipline – ecology. A capacity gap exists, particularly at the local level, in effective ecological site monitoring for biodiversity conservation and other forms of environmental management. We believe there is currently underused potential in integrating RFEL via student field experience (field trips, field work, field classes, or field programmes) to fill this gap. We show how the parallel process of citizen science, where participating university students and others outside academia collect data as volunteers, lends insights and best practice recommendations to the field experience RFEL model. RFEL is critically important for upskilling students for competitive career markets. We outline five ways in which it can be galvanised to additionally and effectively yield real-world research and management outcomes, adding value within the sector.

Gamified flipped classroom as a pedagogical strategy in higher education: From a systematic vision

The gamified flipped classroom is a pedagogical strategy that combines the principles of the flipped classroom model with gamification elements to improve the learning experience in higher education. From a systematic vision, this strategy is based on careful planning and the integration of different components to achieve a motivating and effective learning environment. First of all, the flipped classroom model implies that students acquire basic concepts outside of the classroom, through resources such as videos, readings or interactive materials. Then, in the classroom, time is spent applying those concepts through hands-on activities, discussion, and collaboration. This investment of class time allows students to work more actively and deeply with the contents, favoring the understanding and application of knowledge. On the other hand, gamification refers to the application of game elements and principles in the educational context. This includes the use of challenges, rewards, competitions, and immediate feedback to motivate students and encourage their engagement in learning. Gamification also promotes active participation, collaboration, and problem solving, which improves knowledge retention and the learning experience. By combining the flipped classroom with gamification, a dynamic and stimulating learning environment is created in higher education. Students have the opportunity to explore concepts on their own, before class, allowing them to arrive prepared and ready to more actively participate in classroom activities. In addition, gamification adds a playful and competitive element that motivates students to push themselves and improve themselves. From a systematic view, the gamified flipped classroom requires careful content planning, the appropriate selection of digital tools, and the design of challenging and meaningful activities. It also involves continuous assessment to measure student progress and adjust strategies accordingly.

The role of ChatGPT in higher education: Benefits, challenges, and future research directions

This paper examines the potential benefits and challenges of using the generative AI model, ChatGPT, in higher education, in the backdrop of the constructivist theory of learning. This perspective-type study presents five benefits of ChatGPT: the potential to facilitate adaptive learning, provide personalised feedback, support research and data analysis, offer automated administrative services, and aid in developing innovative assessments. Additionally, the paper identifies five challenges: academic integrity concerns, reliability issues, inability to evaluate and reinforce graduate skill sets, limitations in assessing learning outcomes, and potential biases and falsified information in information processing. The paper argues that tertiary educators and students must exercise caution when using ChatGPT for academic purposes to ensure its ethical, reliable, and effective use. To achieve this, the paper proposes various propositions, such as prioritising education on the responsible and ethical use of ChatGPT, devising new assessment strategies, addressing bias and falsified information, and including AI literacy as part of graduate skills. By balancing the potential benefits and challenges, ChatGPT can enhance students’ learning experiences in higher education.

Using an online escape room as a formative assessment tool during a lecture on HIV: a case study.

Escape rooms are becoming prevalent in their use as a form of playful learning and gamification in higher education, often used for a multitude of purposes to enhance students’ higher education learning experiences. Whilst studies have reported their valuable uses in a range of contexts, they have often focussed on undergraduates and fewer have explored their use in formative assessment practices. This case study seeks to address this gap by exploring the perceptions of postgraduate students in completing an online escape room activity as a form of formative assessment during an MSc lecture. Postgraduate students from the School of Psychology at the University of Surrey were invited to complete an online escape room as a form of formative assessment and took part in a follow-up qualitative survey to explore their perceptions of the activity not traditionally used in their course. The results from the case study showed that (1) the escape room was viewed positively by students as a novel and creative formative assessment practice, (2) the role of peers was important in the design of the assessment approach, and (3) students welcomed challenge and mastery of the learning outcomes and activity. This case study demonstrates initial positive findings about the use of escape rooms for formative assessment and advocates for further research to be conducted in this area. We also encourage HE teachers to think about how such practices could enhance students’ learning experiences in their own teaching contexts. 

“It feels real”: Events management and online experiential learning in COVID-19

This paper examines the experience of students transitioning between online and in-person live event projects during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing upon longitudinal qualitative data collected over a 3-year period, we explored how students perceived the challenges, their own development, and the pedagogical changes. Events management pedagogy relies on experiential learning and the hosting of student-led in-person events. The absence of in-person events and teaching had a significant negative impact on students, not caused by the adjustment to learning environment or assessment but by the act of change itself. Students ultimately recognized the value of experiential learning online and the benefits of developing digital skills, communication, resilience, adaptability, and confidence, leading to the embedding of online communications and virtual elements within 2022’s live event projects. This paper considers the lessons learned from transitioning between in-person and digital event projects and evaluates the future of online tools for experiential learning in higher education.

QR Code-Based Pedagogy for Laboratory Resource Management in Indian Higher Education Institutes

Abstract: Blending digital education with traditional teaching learning requires revamping current pedagogical approaches. Recently India has adopted a New Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020). NEP 2020 has given the focus on skill-based blended education with multiple entries and exit facilities. The learners will learn the skills in the laboratory. Students with varying skill levels and edges interact and have the opportunity to observe human behaviours as a result of the multiple entry and exit points. On the other hand, these gatherings can be viewed as opportunities to develop appropriate resources for both administrations and users. Hence there is a need to deal with and introduce a novel approach for updating laboratory management, administration and student handling approach. This article proposes a new methodology with the Internet of things and QR code technology. Proposed method has quickly and readily reading capability of a two-dimensional barcode called a Quick response code (QR code) arranged in systematic manner for ease of operation. The Laboratory components such as noticeboard contents,l a b m a n u a l s , s a f e t y i n s t r u c t i o n s , v i d e o demonstrations, attendance can be methodically arranged and utilised in the efficient manner. In this research, we are presenting laboratory management system having a Raspberry Pi-based QR Code Scanner. The system implementation is implemented with OpenCV and the ZBar library to improve students' laboratory course learning experiences in higher education. Keywords: QR code; NEP 2020; raspberry pi; thingspeak cloud; lab management; Internet of Things.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Experiential Learning in Higher Education

The Impact of COVID-19 on Experiential Learning in Higher Education

SEDucate: Sedimentary Log Exercises for an Active Learning Environment

Active learning in education has been shown to improve a students’ learning experience in higher education by focusing on a student-centered learning environment. However, development of realistic activities that replicate the complexity of real-world examples without being too complex for the novice learner is often challenging. Here we present SEDucate, a GIS plugin to build realistic active-learning exercises in sedimentology course curriculums by creating unique sedimentary logs for a tailored assessment based on modern sedimentary environments. The automated creation of simple sedimentary logs for a variety of different depositional environments can be implemented in a wide range of exercises and assessments as either individual or group-based work. SEDucate allows for the teaching on the characterization of sedimentary logs, interpretation of paleogeographic environments and the lateral variation observed in modern sedimentary environments.