Inform Curriculum Development Research Articles

The Relationship Between Students' Critical and Creative Thinking Skills in Nutrition Concepts Within the Framework of Education for Sustainable Development

In the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, equipping students with critical and creative thinking skills within the framework of Education for Sustainable Development is essential but remains insufficiently explored, particularly in relation to nutrition concepts. This study evaluates the critical and creative thinking skills of eighth-grade students at a private junior high school and examines the relationship between these skills in the context of Education for Sustainable Development and nutrition. A total of 62 students participated in the study, which employed a correlational design to analyze data from a written test comprising fifteen multiple-choice questions on critical thinking and eight essay questions on creative thinking. To minimize guessing, the critical thinking test included well-designed distractors. Descriptive analysis was followed by the application of the Spearman test to determine the correlation between critical and creative thinking skills. The results indicated low performance in both areas, with average scores of 31.61 for critical thinking and 43.34 for creative thinking. Furthermore, no significant correlation was found between the two skills, as the significance value of 0.126 exceeded the threshold of 0.05. The findings suggest that systematic planning and continuous learning are necessary to enhance these skills and improve academic performance. The study emphasizes the need for structured educational strategies to develop critical and creative thinking concurrently, thereby informing curriculum development to support Education for Sustainable Development goals and prepare students to address future sustainability challenges.

Struggling with dilemmas when teaching ethnography in higher education: agony, agonistic sensemaking, and agonistic spacemaking

ABSTRACT In this article, we reflect on our experiences with teaching ethnographic skills and sensibilities to MSc students at a Dutch university. Using methods such as (self)observation, journaling and reflection, we highlight dilemmas (conceptual, practical, ethical) faced by students when doing ethnographic fieldwork and dilemmas that emerged in classroom discussions, including: the tension between participation and observation, member checking, and what constitutes meaningful intervention. We invoke the notion of agony to express a sense of struggle in dealing with these dilemmas and we introduce the sensitising concepts of agonistic sensemaking and agonistic spacemaking as ways to jointly explore divergent responses to the issues at hand, while rethinking our views on good ethnographic research and pedagogy. Our reflections serve to explore the potential of agonistic learning in higher education by generating productive debate from the tensions of difference, promote a reflexive approach to ethnography and social science research, and inform curriculum development.

Changes in Patient Safety Knowledge During Undergraduate Nursing Education: A Scoping Review Protocol.

Patient safety is a critical component of healthcare quality, yet there remains a significant gap in understanding how patient safety knowledge progresses among nursing students throughout their educational journey. This scoping review aims to map and analyze the existing literature on the development of patient safety knowledge in undergraduate nursing education. This study will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews and adhere to the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Scoping Reviews) guidelines. A comprehensive search strategy will be employed across multiple databases, including CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS, and Web of Science. The review will include studies published from 2019 to 2024 in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Two independent reviewers will conduct study selection and data extraction. The data will be synthesized narratively, with quantitative data summarized using descriptive statistics and qualitative data analyzed thematically. The review is expected to identify key patterns in the progression of patient safety knowledge among nursing students, including critical periods for knowledge acquisition, challenges in translating theoretical knowledge into practice, and effective educational strategies. The findings will be presented in both tabular and narrative forms, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of patient safety education in nursing programs. The anticipated outcomes of this review have significant implications for nursing education, healthcare policy, and clinical practice. For educators, the findings will inform curriculum development and the design of targeted interventions to enhance patient safety competencies. From a policy perspective, the results could support the standardization of patient safety education across nursing programs. In clinical practice, the study may emphasize the importance of continuous professional development in patient safety. This scoping review aims to fill a critical gap in the literature by providing a comprehensive understanding of how patient safety knowledge progresses among nursing students. The findings are expected to contribute significantly to the advancement of nursing education and patient safety, ultimately fostering a culture of safety that benefits both healthcare providers and recipients.

Developing and implementing an Einsteinian science curriculum from years 3–10: A. Concepts, rationale and learning outcomes

Abstract There has been a growing realisation that school science curricula do not adequately reflect the revolutionary changes in our scientific understanding of the 20th century. This discrepancy between current school education and our modern scientific understanding has led to calls for the modernisation of the science curriculum. Although there have been attempts to introduce topics of Einsteinian physics (i.e. quantum physics and relativity) to school education, often at the secondary level, we still lack a seamless curriculum in which modern science concepts are gradually introduced in primary and middle schools. Guided by the Model of Educational Reconstruction and following a mixed-methods research design, the Einstein-First project aims to address this gap. Einstein-First has developed and implemented an Einsteinian curriculum from Years 3–10 (students aged 7–16) that resolves the disconnect between science in schools and modern scientific understanding. This paper presents the concepts and rationale for the Einstein-First learning approach, as well as a summary of learning outcomes in six Australian schools with 315 students across Years 3–10. Our generally positive findings lay the foundation for informed curriculum development and school education that provides all students with awareness and appreciation of the fundamental concepts that underpin the technologies of the modern world.

Psychedelic medicine in psychiatry residency training: a survey of psychiatric residency program directors

Objective The growth of psychedelic medicine creates new challenges in psychiatric education as physicians may soon be responsible for prescribing a number of psychedelic interventions. Despite this growing need for educated providers, very little is known about the training psychiatry residents receive in psychedelic medicine. We conducted a survey to determine the current educational opportunities as well as the priorities and concerns held by training directors about this emerging field. Methods We emailed an online survey to US psychiatry residency training directors. Respondents answered questions about current offerings in psychedelic medicine, as well as their interest, priorities, and concerns about curricular materials and their delivery. Results Sixty-one programs responded to our survey. The majority of respondents (64%) favored devoting additional time to psychedelic education, but many endorsed concerns about the dearth of educational materials (54%) and limited availability of faculty to deliver content (46%). The majority of programs (94%) expressed some interest in implementing a standardized curriculum in psychedelic medicine. Conclusion Training directors recognized that their current curricular materials are limited, and they appeared interested in additional support to meet the upcoming demand in psychedelic education. Further research can inform curriculum development and implementation of psychedelic education in residency training.

Error Analysis of Grammatical Features in Saudi Undergraduate EFL Writing

Mastery of English grammatical accuracy is paramount for developing proficiency as a foreign language. However, research examining tendencies among Saudi undergraduate writers remains limited. This study aimed to address such gaps through a comprehensive identification and categorization of errors present in student essays. A rigorous mixed-methods approach analyzed over 350 grammatical mistakes across 50 female students' writing samples. Errors were systematically coded and categorized to reveal frequency data through quantitative analysis. Findings demonstrated spelling, subject-verb agreement, and capitalization as the most prevalent issue areas, collectively accounting for over 75% of errors. Examples uncovered specific challenges involving verb tense, sentence fragments, and article usage. While outcomes aligned with previous literature, linguistic influences on persistent spelling difficulties were explored to broaden understandings. Recommendations for targeted exercises strengthening weaker domains like phonics rules and irregular verbs were provided. Continuing periodic error analyses can optimally inform evolving pedagogy tailored to emerging needs over time. Significantly, this novel diagnostic approach begins addressing critical literature gaps through data-driven insights that meaningfully inform curriculum development to better support the still under-researched Saudi EFL student population.

The Relevance of Curriculum for Pre-Service Teachers in Addressing Dynamic Classroom Changes in South Africa

In South Africa, the educational landscape is characterised by constant evolution and dynamic classroom changes, driven by technological advancements, diverse student populations, and evolving pedagogical approaches. Pre-service teachers are crucial in navigating these changes and fostering effective learning environments. This systematic literature analysis explores the relevance of curriculum for pre-service teachers in addressing the challenges posed by dynamic classroom contexts in South Africa. Drawing upon a comprehensive review of existing literature, this study examines the alignment between pre-service teacher education curricula and the evolving needs of classrooms in South Africa. Key themes explored include integrating technology, cultural responsiveness, inclusive education practices, and pedagogical flexibility. The analysis also considers the efficacy of current pre-service teacher training programmes in preparing teachers to meet the diverse needs of students in dynamic classroom settings. Furthermore, the study investigates the perceptions and experiences of pre-service teachers regarding the adequacy of their curriculum in equipping them for the realities of South African classrooms. By synthesising findings from various sources, this research aims to inform curriculum development efforts and enhance the preparation of pre-service teachers for the multifaceted challenges of teaching in South African schools.

Mapping essential competencies: Informing curriculum development for public health education in Thailand

Mapping essential competencies: Informing curriculum development for public health education in Thailand

Activity And Effectiveness Of Online Learning Among Nursing Students In Nigeria

Introduction: Understanding the activity levels and effectiveness of online learning among nursing students is essential for informing curriculum development, instructional design, and pedagogical practices in nursing education. Method: The study adopted prospective web-based cross-sectional descriptive design.Multistage sampling technique was used for selection of the 429 participants that completed the Google driven data, which was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22, and results were presented in tables. Results: Majority 258(60.2%) of the respondents were aged between 21-25 years as at their last birthdays. married 392(91.4%), mailyChristian 377(87.9%) and all were undergraduate. Anambra, Imo, Kwara, Ondo and Enugu were the modal states of origin 110(25.6%), 57(13.3%), 45(10.5%), 44(10.3%) and 21(4.9%) respectively. On activity levels of the students, 69(16%) the students reported extremely active, 117(27.3%) were active while 40(9.3%) were inactive. On effectiveness of online learning, Majority of the respondents had the opinion that online learning was effective 355(82.8%) while 74(17.2%) said that online learning was ineffective. Conclusion: The utilization of online mode of learning has not been without challenges especially in area of engagement, network hitches, attention and standardization of the contents delivered. Curriculum planners and teachers utilizing the online method should make sure that studentsprogress through ; Concrete Experience, Reflective Observation, Abstract Conceptualization and Active Experimentation to enhance effectiveness and encourage more students engagements.

Exploring the Impact of Email-Based Vocabulary Instruction on Saudi Adult EFL Students’ Technology-Integrated Learning

This research investigates the perspectives and experiences of Saudi EFL students as a Foreign Language students between the ages of 20 and 24 regarding using email as a technologically enhanced approach to studying vocabulary. The research’s aim is to investigate the opinions of students regarding using email as a technology-based method of instruction to study vocabulary. The significance of the study lies in its potential to inform curriculum development and instructional strategies in English programs, especially increasing digital integration in education. The research question guiding this research is: What are the experiences and attitudes of Saudi adult EFL students regarding using email as a technology-enhanced method of instruction to study vocabulary? During five weeks, three groups of students from Albaha University, were divided into three groups and taught using three instructional approaches. Likert scales and closed-ended and open-ended questions, the survey gauged students’ perceptions of the benefits and drawbacks of the teaching methods. The findings revealed that the participants held favorable views regarding using email to learn vocabulary. They recognized advantages which included increased motivation, the ability to learn independently, and the ease of storing and accessing materials. Conversely, some students experienced technical obstacles and reported a possible adverse effect on their handwriting ability. This study reveals the impact of the digital divide, which has been further exacerbated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on learning. The study’s discoveries will aid in developing curricula and instructional English major programs, improving the overall quality of language learning environments.

POPULARITY OF SHENG TO THE GRAMMATICAL ACCURACY OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KENYA

Sheng, a hybrid language combining English, Swahili, and local dialects, is widely used among urban youths, particularly school-going students. This language serves as a means of identification, secrecy, and socialization, influencing the students' English grammar usage. While numerous studies have explored the effect of Sheng on native and official languages as well as societal perceptions, there has been limited research on its influence on the learning of English grammar in public secondary schools. Therefore, this paper focuses on the contributing factors to the widespread use of Sheng and subsequent poor performance of English grammar, in public secondary schools at Roysambu Sub-County in Nairobi County, Kenya. Universal Grammar Theory of Second Language Learning by Chomsky (1985) is used as an analytical tool. The research aims to determine how the popularity of Sheng influences students' grammatical usage in English, examine its effect on grammar performance, and evaluate its contribution to poor grammatical competence among learners in public secondary schools. The findings reveal that school location and student’s social background lead to the spread of sheng in the learning institution. This leads to a negative attitude towards English grammar hence poor performance. The findings hold significance for the Ministry of Education and public secondary principals in identifying causes of the widespread use of Sheng in learning institutions, leading to poor performance in English grammar. Additionally, the findings provide a foundation for future studies and inform curriculum developers in devising strategies to address the prevalent usage of Sheng in learning institutions. KEYWORDS: Sheng, English grammar, secondary school, grammatical competence

Social justice implications of digital science, technology, engineering and mathematics pedagogy: Exploring a South African blended higher education context

AbstractHigher Education institutions robustly adopted digital pedagogy during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This article reports on a study focussing on postgraduate students’ first-hand experiences of digital pedagogy for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. This study was conducted at one higher education institution in South Africa post-COVID-19. The study was framed by the technology acceptance model and a self-constructed conceptual model focusing on key concepts and ideas related to social justice. Forty-seven postgraduate STEM education students participated in the study. A mixed-methods approach guided the data generation for this study, whereby one questionnaire was used to generate quantitative data and four semi-structured focus group interviews assisted in generating qualitative data. Thematic coding, interpretative techniques and NVivo were used to analyse the qualitative data. Excel was used to analyse the quantitative data. The results exhibit the strengths, limitations and implications of digital STEM pedagogy for higher education in a developing country. This study adds to the developing knowledge concerning digital pedagogy for STEM education and social justice issues in developing countries. Using postgraduate STEM education students’ personal experiences of digital pedagogy, this study seeks to contribute to the growing body of research on the social justice implications of using digital pedagogy in higher education. By examining the implications of digital pedagogy for STEM education through a social justice lens, this research can inform curriculum development and pedagogical practices that encourage more inclusive and equitable learning environments.

Enhancing Students' Reading Comprehension Skills through the RADEC Model: A Focus on Elementary Education

This study proposes the utilization of the RADEC (Read, Answer, Discuss, Explain, Create) learning model, a structured approach that incorporates independent reading, collaborative discussions, peer explanations, and creative activities, as an intervention to enhance reading comprehension skills. Its objective is to investigate the impact of the RADEC learning model on the enhancement of reading abilities among fourth-grade students learning Indonesian. This study employs a non-equivalent post-test only control group design, with the experimental class using the RADEC model and the control class employing conventional teaching methods. The study included all 78 fourth-grade students from SDN 20 Kurao Pagang, divided into two classes. Random sampling yielded 22 participants in the experimental group and 23 in the control group. Data collection was conducted using evaluation tests, and the average reading comprehension scores were 82.72 for the experimental class and 63.58 for the control group. Data analysis began with initial assessments, including normality and homogeneity tests, followed by hypothesis testing using the t-test. Findings revealed a noteworthy enhancement in reading comprehension scores within the experimental group in contrast to the control group, as evidenced by a significance value of (0.000.05), indicating a statistically significant difference between the two groups. The results of this study highlight the potential of the RADEC learning model as an innovative solution for increasing students' reading interest and reading comprehension skills at the basic education level. These findings inform curriculum development, teacher training programs, and educational policies in Indonesia to enhance reading comprehension outcomes.

Pursuing Inclusive Vocational Education Amidst Discrimination: The Plight and Hopes of Christian Youth in Pakistan

This research endeavors to delve into the effectiveness of civic education in shaping Pakistani students' understanding of the Palestine-Israel conflict, recognizing the imperative role of global citizenship in today's interconnected world. The study aims to go beyond traditional approaches, focusing on innovative pedagogical methods to enhance critical thinking and empathy among students. The complexity of the Palestine-Israel conflict and its global implications underline the necessity of informed perspectives. Pakistani students, like many others globally, often lack a comprehensive understanding of the conflict's historical, political, and cultural dimensions. The qualitative study focuses specifically on the Palestine-Israel conflict, aiming to uncover insights that enhance the educational experience and contribute to the broader dialogue on global citizenship. The research methodology involves a diverse sample, qualitative research methods, and thematic analysis of data. Expected contributions extend to informing curriculum development and teacher training programs, fostering a generation of Pakistani students with a deeper understanding of the Palestine-Israel conflict, and a commitment to global peace and justice. In conclusion, this research endeavors to contribute valuable insights into the realm of civic education, addressing the gaps in understanding of the Palestine-Israel conflict among Pakistani students. The findings may have broader implications for global citizenship education and similar initiatives in comparable contexts.

Sexual Health Education Experiences and Recommendations from the Perspective of LGBTQ+ Youth.

Despite the well-known benefits of comprehensive sexual health education, the majority of school sexual health education curricula in the United States (U.S.) is non-comprehensive and excludes LGBTQ+ students. This exclusion may contribute to poor health outcomes in LGBTQ+ youth, with some research beginning to document these experiences and provide recommendations for curricula changes. Using a sample of LGBTQ+ youth across the U.S. (ages 13-17; N = 809), this study characterizes youths' sexual health education experiences and provides curricula recommendations using a mixed methods approach. Quantitative analyses revealed that LGBTQ+ content is often excluded from sexual health education, particularly topics surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity, which youth wanted to learn more about. Furthermore, participants identified several extracurricular sources of sexual health education, including online spaces, friends, and personal experiences, which were often preferred. Qualitative analyses suggested that LGBTQ+ youth described their sexual health education as exclusive of LGBTQ+ content, often being based in abstinence, religious principles, or described as oppressive (e.g. hearing LGBTQ+ negative remarks) or suppressive (e.g. skipping required LGBTQ+ content). LGBTQ+ youth also provided recommendations for future curricula. Findings can inform curricula development and implementation, as well as policy change, to ascertain that all youth have access to inclusive and comprehensive sexual health education.

IDENTIFYING AND VALIDATING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS-RELATED KEY COMPETENCIES IN UNDERGRADUATE GRAPHIC DESIGN EDUCATION

In contemporary higher education, aligning student competencies with sustainable development goals (SDGs) is crucial for enhancing their employability. This necessity extends to graphic design undergraduate programs, pivotal in nurturing designers capable of addressing global sustainability challenges. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study aims to outline essential competencies for graphic design undergraduates pertinent to the SDGs. The research commenced with a systematic review of fourteen seminal articles, leading to the initial identification of fifty-eight key competencies. Subsequently, a Delphi study involving 44 graphic design experts validated these competencies. This iterative process refined the list, excluding twenty-seven competencies and affirming thirty one as critical. These validated competencies were categorized into four groups: Systemic, Performance, Contextual, and Global. The study's findings provide valuable insights for graphic design educators and industry employers, illuminating competencies essential for addressing sustainability challenges. Furthermore, this research contributes to academic discourse by offering a structured framework for integrating SDG-related competencies into graphic design education. This facilitates the development of designers proficient not only in their craft but also in sustainability imperatives. Our aim is to enhance pedagogical strategies and inform curriculum development in graphic design education, aligning them with evolving professional demands and sustainable development objectives. Keywords: key competencies, SDG, design education, sustainability, Delphi method, systematic review, graphic design

Keeping the lamp lit: A program profile of a community-based social-emotional training for caregivers and educators

Developing social-emotional training opportunities for caregivers and professionals can promote higher quality care for children and families in the home and in early years services. Community-based efforts that integrate developmental-relational research into practice using a participatory approach are a growing area of interest and focus. The current paper provides a program profile of RAISE (Research and Practice Partnership: Building Awareness and Increasing Social-Emotional Capacity in the Early Years), a social-emotional training model that uses a bottom-up community-based approach to design and implement a developmental-relational training to strengthen caregivers’ and educators’ capacities to support children’s social-emotional development and mental health. We describe our training development approach, which integrates community engagement efforts with developmental-relational and clinical research, including examples of how participatory approaches may inform curricula development. Finally, we highlight several lessons learned from this training model, with the aim of informing future social-emotional development and practice initiatives.

Initial Development and Validation of a Questionnaire for Students’ Artificial Intelligence Knowledge in Education

This research investigates students' knowledge in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education through the administration of a formulated questionnaire. Drawing upon insights from thematic analysis of qualitative responses and computation of Cronbach's alpha coefficients, the study aims to produce a tool to assess tertiary level students' understanding regarding AI integration in academic settings. Results reveal varying degrees of awareness, knowledge, and confidence among students, highlighting thematic areas such as perceived benefits, ethical considerations, and disciplinary perspectives. While the questionnaire demonstrates validity, reliability, and scalability as a measurement tool, limitations including response bias and generalizability are acknowledged. Implications for educational practice and research are discussed, emphasizing the utility of the questionnaire in informing curriculum development, professional development initiatives, policy decisions, and future research directions. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into students' perspectives on AI in education, offering a foundation for enhancing AI literacy, fostering ethical awareness, and shaping the future of AI integration in educational settings.

Fostering Global Citizenship: A Qualitative Study on Civic Education for Pakistani Students on the Palestine-Israel Conflict through Innovative Pedagogical Approaches

This research endeavors to delve into the effectiveness of civic education in shaping Pakistani students' understanding of the Palestine-Israel conflict, recognizing the imperative role of global citizenship in today's interconnected world. The study aims to go beyond traditional approaches, focusing on innovative pedagogical methods to enhance critical thinking and empathy among students. The complexity of the Palestine-Israel conflict and its global implications underline the necessity of informed perspectives. Pakistani students, like many others globally, often lack a comprehensive understanding of the conflict's historical, political, and cultural dimensions. The qualitative study focuses specifically on the Palestine-Israel conflict, aiming to uncover insights that enhance the educational experience and contribute to the broader dialogue on global citizenship. The research methodology involves a diverse sample, qualitative research methods, and thematic analysis of data. Expected contributions extend to informing curriculum development and teacher training programs, fostering a generation of Pakistani students with a deeper understanding of the Palestine-Israel conflict, and a commitment to global peace and justice. In conclusion, this research endeavors to contribute valuable insights into the realm of civic education, addressing the gaps in understanding of the Palestine-Israel conflict among Pakistani students. The findings may have broader implications for global citizenship education and similar initiatives in comparable contexts.

Assessing the Impact of Remote Learning on Learning Competencies of Senior High School Students in the Health Optimizing Physical Education (HOPE) Program

This study examined the impact of remote learning on the competencies of learning objectives within the HOPE program for Grades 11 and 12 students in Mabalacat City. Using a quantitative-descriptive survey design with 12 PE teachers and coordinators, the study employed the Context-Input-Process-Product (CIPP) model to evaluate the program’s effectiveness, focusing on the “product” aspect. Findings revealed positive outcomes, with students exceeding their learning objectives in key areas aligned with the K-12 curriculum. Students successfully demonstrated an understanding of physical activity’s role in stress management and engagement in moderate-to-vigorous activities. They also displayed an advanced grasp of personal safety protocols, suggesting readiness for potential careers in health and fitness. These findings contribute to the understanding of remote learning’s potential in achieving physical education goals. Further research could explore the long-term impact of these approaches and their applicability to wider contexts, informing curriculum development and educational policy decisions.