Majority Of First-year Students Research Articles

CHARACTERISTICS OF MOTIVATION AND EMOTIONAL SPHERE OF THE PERSONALITY OF 1ST YEAR STUDENTS DURING THE PREPARATION FOR THE SESSION

The subject of the study are features of an emotional and personal sphere of 1st-year students of technical training profiles with different leading motives for learning during the preparation for the session. The authors present the results of an empirical study in which 81 first-year students of NSTU technical training profiles took part, 62 of them male, 19 female students; age from 17-20 years. The study was conducted in person 2-3 weeks before the start of the session using the STAI test, the Human Resilience Test by A.V. Makhnach, CERQ, and the test of Learning Motivation by T.I. Ilyina. As a result of the study, the predominance of students with a high level of situational anxiety (64%) was revealed. It means that the majority of students surveyed experience pronounced discomfort, tension, concern and physiological manifestations of anxiety caused by being in a stressful situation, which is also the first session at the university. The leading motivation for learning among the majority of first-year students was the motivation to gain knowledge (70% of respondents). A comparative analysis using the Mann-Whitney U-test showed that first-year students with a leading motivation for obtaining a diploma or mastering a profession, compared with students motivated by obtaining knowledge, are more characterized by self-confidence, more developed ability to overcome obstacles and demonstrate sufficient effectiveness in the event of difficulties, emotional and behavioral self-control, understanding of one’s own emotional experiences are more developed.

Students’ perceptions of the user education programmes at a South African university

First-time university students lack the practical and complex skills to harness, evaluate, use and create information to achieve their educational, occupational, social and personal information goals. The purpose of this study was to explore students’ perceptions of user education programmes at the North-West University, South Africa. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 320 students across two faculties. The study’s findings reveal that the majority of first-year students had participated in different user education programmes, with 80.7% of the students indicating that they were satisfied with the content and quality of the programmes. Over 90% of the students who participated in the programmes affirmed that they had enhanced their capacity to make effective searches for information and improved their skills in correctly citating and referencing information sources for their assignments. The majority of the students searched for information and resources independently of librarians. This article draws several conclusions and makes recommendations based on the findings.

Teaching the Use of Micropipettes through Direct Visualization of Data: An Experiment Focusing on Technique, Skill, and Accuracy

The correct use of micropipettes has been investigated in an undergraduate, introductory lab experiment intended for chemistry and biology majors. This lab experiment involves the use of micropipettes for accurately mixing, transferring, and applying a specific amount of dye to a cotton bandana. The data resulting from this experiment is a color wheel that displays the amount of dye transferred based on the volume of the micropipette set by the student. Student learning outcomes for this experiment include the ability to choose the correct micropipette for the volume needed, set the correct volume on a micropipette, properly draw up solutions, and use proper dispensing technique. The development of experimental foresight and improvement in students’ planning was an unintentional learning outcome. A prelab survey assessing students’ confidence in accurately using micropipettes shows that a majority of first-year students had not used micropipettes in high school (85%) but did in their first-semester science course (60%) before taking this course. The majority of those students have confidence in their ability to choose the correct micropipette, draw up the liquid, and dispense it properly. There was less confidence in setting the correct volume on the micropipette. The postlab results show that some students still had issues in setting volumes on micropipettes correctly and in dispensing the liquid. Additionally, the postsurvey suggests that setting the correct volume on the micropipette was the most learned skill from performing the lab. Overall, after performing the lab exercise, 92% of the students were confident in their ability to choose the correct micropipette and load and dispense liquid properly compared to 62% before performing the exercise.

Importance of Ultrasound Education in Undergraduate Medical Curriculum: A Survey Study Based on First-Year Medical Students' Perception of the 6-Year Doctor of Medicine Program of the University of Nicosia Medical School in Cyprus.

Ultrasound imaging modality is a tool used in clinical practice and is being introduced gradually in the undergraduate curriculum of several medical schools worldwide. This study aims to assess medical students' perception regarding the integration of ultrasound training as part of undergraduate education. A questionnaire was given to first-year medical students after a 2-hour-long session, which was developed to introduce them in the fundamental physics theory and function of ultrasound equipment in the clinical practice. Analysis of the results indicated that students acknowledged that ultrasound training would improve their knowledge of internal medicine (P = 0.027) and of different diagnostic modalities (P = 0.019), and enhance their medical decision making (P = 0.0004). Moreover, students found beneficial the ultrasound education regarding correlating clinical knowledge with basic sciences (P = 0.0004). The study pointed out that the majority of first-year students have the opinion that the integration of ultrasound training in the medical program is valuable in medical education and patient care. However, work is needed to determine how to provide an optimal learning environment and to assess the competency of the training sessions.

PENGARUH PENDIDIKAN KESEHATAN DENGAN MEDIA AUDIOVISUAL TESTIMONI ODHA DALAM MENURUNKAN STIGMA TERHADAP ODHA PADA MAHASISWA TINGKAT I AKPER PANTI KOSALA SURAKARTA

Giving stigma toward people who live with HIV/AIDS is not only can be found on common people lives in society but also among health workers. It is unbelievable if health workers whose education background is health will do the same thing toward people living with HIV/AIDS. Thus, it is necessary to have some strategies to prepare nursing students in order to reduce the discrimination which happen in health services facilities by health workers. Hence, the prevention efforts of HIV/AIDS cases in Indonesia can optimally be implemented. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of health education through testimonial method in reducing stigma toward people living with HIV/AIDS on first year students in Panti Kosala Surakarta Nursing Academy. This research used quasy experiment with pre post experimental design. The total population involved in this research were 106 first year students of Panti Kosala Nursing Academy. Total sampling was used as a sampling technique. Data was collected by using questionnaire. The data was then analyzed using Wilcoxon aided by SPSS serial 18. There were three main results of this study : 1) The vast majority of first year students has high level of education about HIV/AIDS (98.11%) and low level of stigma toward people living with HIV/AIDS (55.66%) before had been given intervention. 2) The majority of first year students has high level of education about HIV/AIDS (99.05%) and low level of stigma toward people living with HIV/AIDS (95.28%) after had been given intervention. 3)The analysis Wilcoxon shows significancy number p<0,000. It can be concluded that health education through testimonial video has given significant effect in reducing stigma toward people living with HIV/AIDS on first year students in Panti Kosala Surakarta Nursing Academy. Keywords: health education, audiovisual, stigma, people living with HIV/AIDS

The effects of prior informal science and math experiences on undergraduate STEM identity

ABSTRACT Background Recent reports have noted a need for increasing both the recruitment and retention of young people into the STEM disciplines. While many studies have reported on the benefits of classroom reform in formal education environments, less is known about the role of informal education programs in young people’s academic aspirations, interest and competence in science and math domains. Purpose We examine the relationship between previous involvement in programs in informal science and math environments (ISMEs) and academic aspirations, competence and self-reported interest/engagement in science and math domains for college-aged young adults. Sample Participants included students (N = 750) at a major university in the southeast United States who were enrolled in an introductory biology course. The course was taught across five sections with separate instructors with similar training and teaching style and was populated by a majority of first year students majoring in STEM fields. Design and Methods Participants were asked to complete a survey during the first week of the semester to assess their participation in ISME programs during their pre-college years and to measure their academic aspirations, and expectations as well as their science and math perceived competence, interest and engagement. Results Young people who report participation in ISME programs prior to college report higher academic aspirations, feel more competent in science and math domains, and report increased interest and a greater engagement with science and math topics. Conclusions Outcomes posit the importance of participation in ISME programs as a possible means of promoting prolonged interest and involvement in the fields of science and math into students’ early university careers.

STUDI KOMPARATIF STIGMA TERHADAP ODHA PADA MAHASISWA TINGKAT I DAN TINGKAT III AKADEMI KEPERAWATAN PANTI KOSALA SURAKARTA

Background : Giving stigma toward people who live with HIV/AIDS is not only can befound on common people who live in society but also among health workers. It isunbelievable if health workers whose education background is health will do the samething toward people living with HIV/AIDS. Thus, it is necessary to have some strategies toprepare nursing students in order to reduce the discrimination which happen in healthservices facilities by health workers. Hence, the prevention efforts of HIV/AIDS cases inIndonesia can optimally be implemented.The purpose of this study : was to analyze the diversity of stigma level toward peopleliving with HIV/AIDS between the first year students and the third year students in PantiKosala Nursing Academy.This research used analytic with comparative design. The total population involved in thisresearch were 150 students of Panti Kosala Nursing Academy which was then dividedinto two groups. Group number one was consisted of 75 students from grade one andgroup number two was consisted of 75 students from grade three. Random sampling wasused as a sampling technic. Data was collected by using questionnaire. The data wasthen analyzed using Mann-Whitney aided by SPSS serial 16.There were three main results of this study : 1) The majority of first year students havehigh level of stigma toward people living with HIV/AIDS accounted for 57,33%. 2)Themajority of third year students have high level of stigma toward people living wthHIV/AIDS accounted for 53,33%. 3)The analysis of Mann-Whitney shows significancynumber p>0,721. It can be concluded that the stigma toward people living with HIV/AIDSof first year students as same as with the one of third year students.Keywords: stigma, people living with HIV/AIDS, nursing students

Hostos Online Learning Assessment (HOLA) Follow-Up: Student Perceptions in Two Cohorts


 
 
 Student perceptions of online learning are integral to building upon current bestpractices and also gauging the preparedness of the students for the online learning environment, particularly in an urban, Hispanic-serving community college (Wolfe et al., 2016). Hostos Community College (HCC) was founded 50 years ago as part of the City University of New York (CUNY), and is located in the South Bronx, the poorest congressional district in the country. HCC enrolls approximately 7,200 students, and more than half (5,070) are enrolled full time. Sixty- three percent of students reside in the Bronx, and many come from families who reside below the poverty line. Almost 67 percent of students identify as female, and the vast majority of students (81 percent) are 29 years old or younger, with 47 percent 21 years of age or younger. Students at Hostos are ethnically diverse. Nearly 60 percent identify as Hispanic, 21 percent as Black, and 18 percent as Other/Unknown. Three percent identify as Asian and less than two percent as White. The majority of first-year students are enrolled in developmental or remedial courses (Hostos Community College, Office of the President & Office of Institutional Research and Student Assessment, 2018). Hostos is categorized under the Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) program authorized by Title V of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and has received grants as a Hispanic- serving institution under the Department’s Office of Postsecondary Education (Minority Institutions, n. d.).
 
 

Peer-Facilitated Learning: Students’ Experiences

ABSTRACTThis article explores first-year students’ motivation for attending peer-facilitated learning (PFL) sessions at a University of Technology, and how they benefit from it. Studies have shown better academic performance for students attending PFL sessions; however, little attention has been dedicated to questioning what else outside of subject knowledge is being disseminated during these sessions; what motivates students to attend these sessions; and what students benefit from attending these sessions. Research has revealed that the majority of first-year students experience challenges with the transition between high school and university. Consequently, first-year experience has become the focus of higher education institutions worldwide. This situation calls for an effective intervention programme such as PFL to assist first-year students with the challenges of transition. The findings of this study contrary to popular literature that highlights academic success as the focus of PFL, revealed that students demonstrate a strong inclination to soft skills and social interactions as the main motivation for attending PFL sessions. This calls for a re-evaluation on how PFL support should be organised especially for first-year students.

Protecting the Next Generation

This study guides social marketing campaigns to increase human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among young women by elaborating the health belief model (HBM). A self-administered, anonymous, web-based questionnaire was e-mailed to all entering female college students at a large, public university in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Findings elaborate the HBM constructs of perceived threat, benefits, barriers, and cues to action. Almost all participants had heard about the HPV vaccine and the majority of first-year students had received at least one shot in the vaccination series. Results expand understandings of perceived threat in relation to the HPV vaccine by explicating misinformation and knowledge gaps. Participants indicated that parents and physicians were their most trusted sources of vaccine information. Television and Internet cues to action were negatively associated with HPV vaccination among these women. Structural equation modeling results affirmed the HBM’s fit (comparative fit index = 0.935, normative fit index = 0.921, and root mean square error of approximation = 0.077). This finding suggests the importance of multimodal sources of information, expanding the dichotomous internal and external cues to action. Perceptions of vaccine safety remained a significant barrier to the uptake of HPV vaccination among participants. Racial disparities between White and non-White students could have a considerable impact on the established inequality in HPV vaccination rates in the United States. Results inform future social marketing campaign messages and strategies based on the HBM.

Survey of attitude towards and understanding of the elderly amongst Chinese undergraduate medical students

Abstract Background: Gerontology has an increasing role in medicine and public health. The provision of better medical services to the elderly closely correlates with the attitude towards and understanding of the elderly by medical personnel. Objectives: We investigated factors affecting a medical student’s choice of gerontology as a career. This included a survey of attitude towards the elderly and understanding of aging among first and third year Chinese undergraduates. Data between students in different streams, at different levels, and between sexes were compared. Methods: Convenience sampling was used to recruit 335 undergraduate medical students in Sichuan for a survey using Kogan’s Attitudes toward Older People Scale (KAOP) and Palmore’s Facts on Aging Quiz (FAQ1) as tools. Results: Among undergraduates, 71.3% did not acquire significant knowledge about the elderly (mean KAOP score 139.5 ± 16.0); and had a mean score of knowledge of aging (12.2 ± 2.7). The majority of first year students (98.7%) and third year students (98.8%) had a positive attitudes (KAOP > 102). The KAOP score among first year students was higher than that among third years (P < 0.01). Students with an interest in problems of the elderly had significantly higher scores and were more willing to consider careers in gerontology than students without an interest in the elderly (P < 0.01). Conclusions: The majority of Chinese undergraduate medical students surveyed had positive attitudes towards elderly. We recommend greater accessibility of courses in gerontology to meet the increasing need for personnel in this health care sector.

Teaching Marginal Analysis: On the Importance of Emphasising the Second-Order Condition

Students employ marginal analysis in investigating various problems regarding resource allocation. The majority of first-year students, however, seem to struggle in applying it to a firm′s profit maximisation problem. Their confusion appears to stem from textbooks for introductory microeconomics courses oversimplifying some subtle points regarding the profit maximisation problem. This paper (1) points out how oversimplification may impede students′ understanding, contrary to the instructors′ pedagogical intent, and (2) suggests a complementary method to enhance their understanding of marginal analysis in the course of teaching a firm′s profit maximisation problem.