Fundamental Skills Research Articles

A meta-analysis of the effect of physical activity programs on fundamental movement skills in 3-7-year-old children.

This study aimed to systematically review the effects of different physical activity programs on the fundamental movement skills of 3 - 7-year-old children. For this review, the databases of CNKI, Web of Science, and PubMed were searched to collect relevant literature on the effects of different physical activity program interventions on fundamental movement skills, and a total of 10 articles with 1,121 subjects were included. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool was used to assess the quality of the literature, and meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 software. Physical activity significantly influenced children's running ability, horizontal jump, dribbling the ball, kicking ability, catching ability, overhand throwing, striking a stationary ball, and dynamic balance. However, the intervention effect was insignificant for the hop and underhand throwing abilities. The intervention effects for running ability, horizontal jump, kicking ability, and catching ability were better at less than 12 weeks than at 12 weeks and above. In addition, an intervention duration of 90 min or more was better than less than 90 min for running ability and horizontal jump. Future research is recommended to focus on the common factors of the intervention effects of physical activity programs to develop more precise and effective intervention practices to further improve children's fundamental movement skill levels.

Learning to Write Short Stories with the Assistance of Social Media as a Means of Improving Students Writing Skills in Indonesian Language Subjects Class XI SMA/SMK/MA

This research aims to enhance the short story writing skills of class XI SMA/SMK/MA students by utilizing the Telegram Bot as an innovative learning medium. Writing short stories is a fundamental skill in Indonesian language learning but often encounters challenges due to low student interest and limited innovation in instructional methods. This study employed a case study method with a qualitative approach to explore the application of Telegram Bots in improving students' writing skills. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and questionnaires, and analyzed to assess students' writing abilities, creative thinking, and engagement with social media. The findings indicate that the use of Telegram Bots significantly enhances students' proficiency in story structure and language use. Furthermore, social media has proven effective in motivating students by providing inspiration, fostering creative discussions, and facilitating constructive feedback. This research demonstrates that technology-based innovations, such as Telegram Bots, can create interactive, effective, and contextually relevant learning experiences tailored to the demands of the digital era.

Embodied Creativity: An experimental school laboratory on movement to promote the educational development of students with SLD

The concept of creativity identified as a mental construct, in recent years, has seen an evolution towards an embodied vision of creativity. The body and movement take on a fundamental role as an educational and inclusive tool for relating to others, for exploring the environment and as a generator of ideas and mental abilities. In this regard, the aim of this research was to propose a creative dance school laboratory for students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) and evaluate its effectiveness in the development of fundamental personal skills. The Questionnaire on Mental Abilities second version (QuAM 2) was used as an evaluation tool and the results allowed us to appreciate the goodness of the educational proposal and to propose interesting considerations for the stakeholders of teaching and special pedagogy.

Improving the methodology of training wrestling sports specialists

The training of wrestling sports specialists requires a comprehensive and scientifically structured methodology that integrates physical conditioning, technical skills, psychological resilience, and recovery strategies. Traditional training methods, while effective in developing fundamental skills, must be supplemented with modern evidence-based approaches to optimize athlete performance and reduce injury risks. This study explores contemporary advancements in sports science, including periodization, strength and endurance training, biomechanical analysis, mental conditioning, and nutritional strategies to enhance wrestling training. The findings highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating innovative techniques such as motion analysis, cognitive training, and recovery optimization. By adopting an integrated and data-driven training methodology, wrestling specialists can achieve higher performance levels, improved adaptability, and long-term career sustainability. Future research should focus on refining these methodologies and personalizing training programs to address the specific needs of different wrestling styles and weight categories.

Are Analytics Skills in Curriculum Aligned with Skills in Job Description? A Knowledge Graph Approach

Recently, many academic institutions in the Intermountain West Region of USA update their traditional IS programs with various data analytics and data sciences courses. To evaluate whether newly incorporated contents are appropriate to prepare students as data scientists or data analysts, we compare core analytical skills emphasized in current data analytics and information systems (DAIS) curriculum with analytical skills in 11,225 job advertisements for data analysts or scientist positions. We found that job descriptions source presents the importance of application of specific skills to various business settings while curriculum source focuses on the conceptual and theoretical skills along with fundamental skills such as SQL. Based on our findings, we suggest that courses should address not only technical skills, but also soft skills to make informed decisions and turn them into business decisions through real application scenarios.

Examining the Impact of Sports and Physical Activities on Basic Motor Skills in Primary School Children

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of sports and physical activities on the fundamental motor skills of primary school children. The research was conducted with 54 volunteer students, including 27 in the experimental group and 27 in the control group, at Beyrebucak Primary School in Gazipaşa, Antalya. Necessary permissions were obtained from the Antalya Governorship and the parents of the students before the study.Within the scope of the research, the experimental group participated in activities using the Physical Activity Cards (PAC) referred to as yellow cards, which were implemented in physical education and game classes for 8 weeks, 3 days a week. In addition to measuring the students' height and body weight, their fundamental motor skills were evaluated using the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2). On the other hand, no intervention related to physical activity cards was provided to the control group.The research findings showed a significant difference in favor of the experimental group in terms of the total score of the TGMD-2 (p<0,001). Moreover, there was a significant improvement in the experimental group in the subcategories of the TGMD-2, namely locomotor and object control skills (p<0,001), whereas no significant changes were observed in the control group (p>0,05).In conclusion, the study suggests that sports and physical activities can have a positive impact on the fundamental motor skills of primary school children.

Evaluating Language Models for Assessing Counselor Reflections

Reflective listening is a fundamental communication skill in behavioral health counseling. It enables counselors to demonstrate an understanding of and empathy for clients’ experiences and concerns. Training to acquire and refine reflective listening skills is essential for counseling proficiency. Yet, it faces significant barriers, notably the need for specialized and timely feedback to improve counseling skills. In this work, we evaluate and compare several computational models, including transformer-based architectures, for their ability to assess the quality of counselors’ reflective listening skills. We explore a spectrum of neural-based models, ranging from compact, specialized RoBERTa models to advanced large-scale language models such as Flan, Mistral, and GPT-3.5, to score psychotherapy reflections. We introduce a psychotherapy dataset that encompasses three basic levels of reflective listening skills. Through comparative experiments, we show that a finetuned small RoBERTa model with a custom learning objective (Prompt-Aware margIn Ranking (PAIR)) effectively provides constructive feedback to counselors in training. This study also highlights the potential of machine learning in enhancing the training process for motivational interviewing (MI) by offering scalable and effective feedback alternatives for counseling training.

Principle Accounting Refreshment Training for Accountants in PT Anugrah Argon Medica with GOAD Model

This community service program aims to offer a fundamental accounting refresher to accountants at a prominent distribution company in Indonesia (PT Anugrah Argon Medica) with GOAD model. This practice aims to reinforce their comprehensive understanding of journal logic and its influence on financial accounts and their interpretation. Every accountant must possess a comprehensive understanding of fundamental accounting principles to accurately prepare journals and comprehend the effect of each journal entry on the components of the financial statements, especially in distribution companies. This community service initiative is aimed at all accounting personnel in PT Anugrah Argon Medica. This community service project occurred over seven days, specifically from August 15 to August 28, 2024, at the company's headquarters. Community service activities commenced with an introduction to normal balances, the creation of general journals, the adjustment of journals, and the preparation of financial statements. Quantitative and qualitative test results indicated an enhancement in employees' fundamental accounting skills following the training session.

The Role of Technology in Transforming Healthcare Education

Introduction: TDigital technology can be harnessed to reform and enhance healthcare education. This paper seeks to explore the current state of research on technology’s influence on the evolution of healthcare education.Methods: Methods A broad literature search using PubMed, Google Scholar and other databases identified relevant, contemporary studies, articles and reports regarding the use of technology in healthcare education. The keywords included “technology,” “healthcare education,” “medical education,” and “e-learning."Results: The study disclosed that technology has been integrated into large-scale healthcare education to improve a number of sectors, including knowledge retention, clinical skills and communication skills. E-learning platforms, virtual and augmented reality, simulation tools, and gamification have all been the most widely used technology for healthcare education. These tools have also found their way to rewrite the story, therefore improving the quality and effectiveness of the training, increasing student engagement and providing students with a more interactive and immersive learning experience.Conclusions: Conclusions: the use of technology in healthcare education has the potential to transform traditional methods of teaching and learning. It allows healthcare providers to learn and practice fundamental skills in a safe, controlled environment, ultimately enhancing patient safety and improving the quality and effectiveness of care delivered. Further studies are needed to assess the long-term effects of technology adoption in healthcare education and to create evidence-based recommendations for its incorporation. However, given the trends, the evidence points to an essential role for technology in reworking healthcare education and preparing the next generation of the workforce.

Child standardized patients in pediatric OSCEs: a feasibility study for otoscope examination among undergraduate students in Rwanda

BackgroundOtoscope examinations are a fundamental skill in pediatric care, crucial for diagnosing and managing ear conditions such as otitis media. Traditional training methods for pediatric otoscopic examination often rely on adult standardized patients (SPs) or simulated models, which may not be adequate for pediatric examinations.ObjectivesThis study evaluates the feasibility and effectiveness of use of children as SPs in Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) to assess medical students’ competency in pediatric otoscopy.MethodsThis descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), Rwanda during the final exit examinations. This study included 30 final-year medical students, and six child SPs aged 5–8 years, along with their guardians. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires on students perceived self-efficacy and performance. Qualitative data were obtained through focus group discussions with guardians and child SPs.ResultsThe mean (standard deviation) performance of students at the otoscope examination station was 81.67 (5.7) %, with a significant positive correlation between perceived self-efficacy and actual performance (r = 0.493, p = 0.006). The mean performance at the OSCE station was slightly higher than perceived students’ self-efficacy, (72.5 (6.8) vs. 81.67%. p < 0.001). Students reported high levels of satisfaction with the use of child SPs, with 83.3% recommending their use in pediatric OSCEs. Guardians and child SPs also expressed overall satisfaction, though concerns were noted regarding students’ levels of confidence. and communication skills.ConclusionIncorporating children as SPs in pediatric OSCEs enhances the realism and educational value of otoscope training with positive correlation between perceived self-efficacy and actual performance.

Finding Standard Levels for Some Special Physical Fitness Elements and Basic Skills of Volleyball for Juniors in the Middle Euphrates Clubs

Since tests and measurements are thought of as the fundamental sports tests that reveal the true level that the player reaches, they shed light on the secrets of the ability so that the coach can know the true level of the players to achieve good results. This highlights the significance of the research by identifying standard levels for young volleyball players through specific physical fitness elements and basic skills using evaluation tools. Regarding the research problem, although there are several tests for the components of particular physical fitness and fundamental volleyball skills, the results only provide raw values that are meaningless to the coach. Therefore, in order to assess the components of unique physical fitness and fundamental skills, these raw scores need to be transformed into standard ratings. We can establish benchmarks and levels for junior volleyball players in the Middle Euphrates clubs by assessing their actual physical attributes and fundamental ball skills. The purpose of the study was to determine the degree of fundamental skills and unique physical fitness components among junior volleyball players in the Middle Euphrates clubs. Establishing benchmarks for assessments of particular physical fitness components and fundamental abilities for young volleyball players in the Middle Euphrates clubs. In order to address the nature of the study problem, we employed a descriptive technique that made use of the survey method as well as relationships and correlations. The research sample's highest percentage in the preparation, agility, and strength tests was at the standard level (good), according to the most significant findings. Additionally, the research sample's maximum percentage in the speed tests was at the standard level, or average. Additionally, the research sample's lowest percentage in the spiking test was at the standard level, which is quite poor.

The effect of push frequency and stroke time on wheelchair maneuverability among wheelchair tennis athletes on hard tennis court

Wheelchair propulsion is a fundamental skill in wheelchair sports, particularly in wheelchair tennis. To achieve optimal mobility during wheelchair athletic performance, it is essential to consider propulsion techniques. This study examines the effect of push frequency and stroke duration on wheelchair maneuverability, measured by velocity during propulsion, among wheelchair tennis athletes. The athletes (N = 9; 5 elite and 4 novice) performed three tests; namely the comfortable speed propulsion test, sprint test and round-trip test; with and without holding their racquet, over their hard court. Results revealed that push frequency had positive correlation with propulsion velocity (r = 0.840, p < 0.001) while stroke time was negatively correlated with velocity (r = -0.859, p < 0.001). Propulsion performance between elite and novice wheelchair athletes, and between propelling with and without racquet were also reflected through these parameters. The rate of perceived exertion (RPE) had significantly positive but low correlation with velocity and push frequency, and significant negative correlation with stroke time. This study could serve as a recommendation for wheelchair tennis athletes and coaches in planning their training protocols and techniques.

Communication skills in pediatrics: perception of medical students

BackgroundEffective communication with patients and their families is a fundamental skill for medical students to cultivate during their undergraduate training. However, communicating with pediatric patients presents unique challenges. This study investigated the perceptions, attitudes, and confidence levels of undergraduate medical students regarding communication skills in pediatrics.MethodsA cross-sectional, quantitative, descriptive, and analytical survey was conducted by applying a validated questionnaire, the Housestaff Communication Survey (HCS), to medical students from two higher education institutions in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS and Excel, employing descriptive statistical tests and multiple logistic regression analyses to evaluate communication, importance, and confidence.ResultsA total of 520 (52%) students participated in the study, with 422 (81.15%) aged from 20 to 29 years and 365 (68.27%) women. While only 113 (21.73%) students reported receiving training in communication skills with both adults and children during their undergraduate studies, over half (270) reported no such training. Those lacking training exhibited lower confidence levels compared with those trained exclusively with adults. Although most students recognized the importance of communication skills, their confidence levels were generally below 60%. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified gender, institution, academic period, and training as significantly associated variables with communication scores.ConclusionsTraining, gender, and academic period emerged as the most significant variables influencing communication skills. Most students expressed lower confidence in interviewing children. To enhance communication with pediatric patients and their families, comprehensive training in pediatric communication skills during undergraduate studies is imperative.

Association between fundamental movement skills and accelerometer-measured physical activity in orphan children with severe intellectual disabilities

BackgroundChildren with intellectual disabilities (ID) typically exhibit low levels of physical activity (PA) and delayed motor skills. Understanding the motor skill factors that influence PA participation in this population is essential for designing effective interventions. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between fundamental motor skills (FMS) and objectively measured PA among orphan children with severe ID residing in welfare institutions.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional study was undertaken from January 2019 and October 2020. A total of 267 children (180 boys and 87 girls) with severe ID, with a mean age of 10.51 years, from 12 cities’ welfare institutions in China were included. FMS were assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development-Second Edition (TGMD-2). PA was objectively measured by an ActiGraph GT3X + accelerometer. Multiple linear regression to examine associations between two FMS components (object control skills and locomotor skills) and PA (weekday and weekend day PA), separately.ResultsChildren with severe ID living in welfare institutions displayed relatively low weekly PA, with mean moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA, ≥ 2800 counts/min) of 33.29 (range: 16.43–59.86) minutes. Pearson correlation indicated that light PA (100-2,799 counts/min), MVPA, and total PA showed moderate but positive correlations with both locomotor skills (range: r = 0.359–0.433) and object control skills (range: r = 0.381–0.449). Regression analysis indicated that object control skills explained more of the total variance than locomotor skills for weekly light PA (β = 0.287 vs. β = 0.243, p < 0.05) and MVPA (β = 0.331 vs. β = 0.0292, p < 0.05).ConclusionsFMS may predict participation in regular PA among children with severe ID, with object control skills more predictive than locomotor skills. Developing FMS in children with severe ID may be an important strategy for improving their PA levels.

An Analysis of the Reading Comprehension Levels of Class VIII Students in Descriptive Texts at SMP Negeri 7 Medan

This study aims to analyze the reading comprehension levels of Class VIII students in descriptive texts at SMP Negeri 7 Medan. Reading is a fundamental skill for language learners, especially for students learning English as a foreign language. However, many students face difficulties in comprehending descriptive texts, such as identifying key details, understanding the structure, and drawing accurate conclusions. These challenges are attributed to limited vocabulary, lack of familiarity with descriptive text conventions, and ineffective reading strategies. This research will evaluate students' comprehension levels and the effectiveness of current teaching strategies and materials. The findings are expected to provide insights that contribute to the improvement of reading instruction and strategies, benefiting both students and educators, and enhancing literacy education in junior high schools across Indonesia.

«The new society» by Vasily Koltashov or the childish mistakes of the head of the institute

The article by Vasily Koltashov, who is identified as the head of the Institute of New Society in official sources, is subjected to a critical examination. A number of questions are posed concerning this institute. An attempt is made to clarify the meaning of the concept of “new society”. It is demonstrated that the article contains a significant number of errors. A number of factual assertions made in the article are questioned. It is revealed that there is a discrepancy between the title of the article and its actual content. It is noted that V.G. Koltashov has violated scientific ethics norms. It is emphasised that the ability to write in a grammatically correct and coherent manner is a fundamental skill for an individual to possess in order to be considered educated. Furthermore, it is argued that this skill is a prerequisite for individuals to engage in full scientific and artistic creativity. The question of V.G. Koltashov's literary legacy and his contributions as an author of “psychoanalytical research” are addressed. The text presents relevant quotations that allow for a reasonable assessment of the character and value of the author's works. The proposition is advanced that the reader's trust in the author is contingent upon the latter's actual qualifications, most notably the degree of proficiency in literary writing.

NEP-2020 Awareness among Teachers: A Study of Knowledge, Perceptions and Challenges

New Education Policy 2020 has been announced by honorable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi Ji to make India a knowledgeable vibrant country which is a current need of 21st century. The policy aims to promote the role of teachers in Indian society and culture and to develop fundamental skills in students as well as social, ethical, emotional and critical thinking skills in all students. However, there is no sufficient implementation of NEP -2020 yet. This study was conducted to explore the knowledge of teachers about NEP-2020. It was a questionnaire based study consisting of 10 questions. All data were analyzed in MS-Excel, SPSS. A significant proportion of teachers (68%) have foundational knowledge of current educational policy, indicating a basic knowledge that is essential for effective implementation. However, 52% of teachers were not aware about the role of NEP in higher education system, national education schemes. Only 20% of educators express confidence in using these frameworks. Most of the respondents deny to be benefited from National Education Schemes due to lack of awareness, highlighting the critical need for targeted professional development and support. Key gaps in technology integration and policy understanding were identified, highlighting areas where teachers need additional training and resources. Seminars should be organized regularly to keep teachers informed about national programmes and their implementation.

From design as a socio-technological practice to design as an educational strategy

Recent high school curriculum reforms worldwide have integrated engineering design. However, the implementation of engineering design (ED) into high school curricula faces challenges due to teachers' misconceptions regarding engineering as well as their lack of knowledge and training. This study examines how the course at Université de Sherbrooke (UdeS) impacted preservice science teachers (PSTs). The main purpose was to examine 13 student’s perceptions of engineers and ED. Also, the study investigates how such a course enables preservice teachers to acquire fundamental ED skills. The data were analyzed through qualitative tools and techniques. Results indicate high levels of course satisfaction and deepened understanding of engineering practice among students. Participants valued the experience, were actively engaged, and expressed positive outcomes including enhanced thinking and interpersonal skill. However, students also observed difficulties such as time management and teamwork collaboration. This research provides an overview of the effect of integrating an ED course within pre-service teacher training.

Measures of Information Visualizations in Design Studio Education: Designing Climate Change Visualizations

The climate crisis and sustainability are priority issues that are increasingly integrated into all fields of study in universities. For the field of communication design, there is a challenge to deliver effective designs on the climate crisis due to the complexity of the issue and the large volume of scientific data involved. To overcome this challenge, information visualizations are designed to help communicate complex data. Information visualizations, being data-driven, necessitate specific design principles in addition to fundamental graphic design skills. This study investigates the communication of the climate crisis through information visualizations, with the aim of determining the prominent measures and relevant design language that can be incorporated into design studio education. We conducted three focus groups with academics teaching communication design studios and professionals who have work experience in information visualization design and experts who are doing projects on sustainability and the climate crisis. The findings highlight the importance of actionability, enlightening, evoking curiosity, evoking emotions, localization, personification and positivity in designing effective climate change visualizations. This study contributes to the fields of information visualization and communication design by offering measures to enhance climate change visualizations and providing insights for teaching these principles in communication and graphic design studios.

Expected features of the course leader in the rehabilitation healthcare professionals' higher education: A qualitative study on students' perspectives.

Course leaders in rehabilitation healthcare professionals' higher education face challenges stemming from multi-disciplinarity and the co-existence of different stakeholders. So far, the literature mainly attributed to course leaders' managerial tasks, neglecting other fundamental transversal skills. Students represent an essential source of information for understanding the expected characteristics and roles of course leaders in rehabilitation healthcare degree programmes. This study explored students' expected features of the course leaders in the rehabilitation healthcare professionals' higher education. A qualitative interview study was carried out. A group of recent graduates and students of the MSc in 'Healthcare Professionals Rehabilitation Sciences' (University of Verona, Verona, Italy) was recruited using purposive sampling. Data were analysed using 'Reflexive Thematic Analysis' by Braun & Clarke. Ten healthcare professionals agreed to partake in the study (age 30 ± 9; men N = 2; women N = 8). Five themes were generated from the analysis: 1) 'A Collaborative Manager', as students perceived course leaders as non-authoritarian managers who involved all the stakeholders in the decision-making process addressing aspects such as curriculum adjustments, program improvements, and any challenges faced; 2) 'A Diplomatic yet Honest Communicator', as students needed course leaders capable of communicating transparently; 3) 'A Flexible Mediator', as course leaders should actively listen to all stakeholders, mitigating conflicts; 4) 'An Empathic and Available Guide', as students need course leaders available and ready to help; 5) 'An Experienced Healthcare Professional', as students felt course leaders should have a clinical background related to the course they lead. The results of this study suggested that students expect the course leaders to have a wide range of qualities and attitudes about soft (i.e., adaptation, communication, organisation skills, teamwork) and hard skills (i.e., clinical experience, evidence-based practice updated). They expect a course leader to consider all stakeholders' needs and preferences to guarantee course harmony and satisfaction.