Students Practical Experience Research Articles

Civic Engagement from UC to JC

First, this paper develops what I call a pedagogy of practice from the republican tradition of political thought. This pedagogy of practice is based on an analogy with sport, and views politics and political theory as activities first and foremost. Second, this paper details the successes and failures of three assignments inspired from this pedagogy. Using a Civic Education Internship, a Historical Research Project, and a Policy Paper, I attempt to give students personal and practical experience with the practices of politics and political theory.

Insights From Implementing a System for Peer Review

Courses at the Master's level in automatic control and signal processing cover mathematical theories and algorithms for control, estimation, and filtering. However, giving students practical experience in how to use these algorithms is also an important part of these courses. A goal is that the students should not only be able to understand and derive these algorithms, but also be able to apply them to real-life technical problems. The latter is achieved by assigning more time to the laboratory tutorials and designing them in such a way that the exercises are open for interpretation; an example of this would be giving the students more freedom to decide how to acquire the data needed to solve the given exercises. The students are asked to hand in a laboratory report in which they describe how they solved the exercises. This paper presents a double-blind peer-review process for laboratory reports, introduced at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Linköping University, Sweden. A survey was administered to students, and the results are summarized in this paper. Also discussed are the teachers' experiences of peer review and of how students perform later in their education in writing their Master's theses.

Applying the theory: public health partnership in practice

BackgroundAlthough unintentional injury is an issue for Health Ministries around the world, the place of safety promotion is largely silent in the health sector. In New Zealand, a significant number...

An Innovative Teaching Strategy to Understand High-Performance Systems through Performance Evaluation

Nowadays, the study of high-performance computing (HPC) is one of the essential aspects of postgraduate pro-grammes in Computational Science. However, university education in HPC often suffers from a significant gap between theoretical concepts and the practical experience of students. To face this challenge, we have implemented an innovative teaching strategy to provide students appropriate resources to ease the assimilation of theoretical con-cepts, while improving their practical experience through the use of teaching tools and resources specifically designed to promote active learning. We have used the proposed strategy to organize the module of Parallel Computers and Architectures of the Master's in High-Performance Computing, at the Universitat Aut‘onoma de Barcelona, obtaining very promising results. In particular, we have observed improvements of both the academic marks of students and the perception about their own expertise and skills in HPC, regarding the previous teaching approach.

The Evaluation of Success in Raising Environmental Awareness Through the Musical Instruments Produced Within the Scope of ECO Schools Program Implemented in Eskisehir

Substantial research which is related to raising awareness about environment has recently been conducted in Turkey as well as other countries. However, those studies which involved students practical experiences, conducted in educational context with a participatory approach can be subject to argument. One of the processes which is involved raising, particularly primary school pupils environmental sensitiveness is raising students environmental. Bringing out students’ creative thinking abilities as well as raising their awareness concerning the recycling of the waste material is vital. The main purpose of the present study is, to evaluate the contribution of the musical instrument to raising students’ environmental awareness as part of the ECO Schools Project. This study is a qualitative study and a semi structured interview form was used to gather data. The form was developed by the researcher. Content analysis method was used to analyze research data. The samples of this study consisted 20 students. The results o the study revealed students’ development in terms of environmental awareness and how students produced and played instruments with other waste materials.

Students' views on their education and the future

Today's students are tomorrow's civil engineers. If today's pace of change continues then they will face many new challenges. How do they prepare for an uncertain future? Along with industry, the professional bodies and academia, students are important stakeholders in the provision of civil engineering degree courses. It is right that their views should be known. Research was undertaken with civil engineering students from the final and penultimate years of the University of Bolton BSc(Hons) degree course using small discussion groups and mini focus groups. The results of this small-scale research are interesting and raise questions about, firstly, the immense benefits of practical experience for students undertaking degree courses and, secondly, the direction and management of the lifelong learning of all professional engineers (particularly in support of younger engineers). The key benefit of this work is the chance for policy makers to briefly see the world of civil engineering education through the eyes of undergraduate students from a modern university in a northern working town.

TEACHING TEACHERS: COULD I DESIGN AND BUILD A TINY SMART ROBOT?

This paper describes a sample project that involves the construction and testing of a small robot. The projecthas been developed in the form of a workshop for both students and the teachers. The objectives of the workshop were to (i) attract new students to the electrical and computer engineering programs by exciting their imagination and fostering their innate curiosity, (ii) provide students with the background to build and test mechatronics devices, (iii) give students practical experience with sensors, electronics, soldering, mechanical construction, and test equipment, (iv) teach students how to work in small groups, and disseminate the experience to other students, as well as their teachers and parents. This workshop has been delivered directly to high-school students at both the Science and Engineering Symposium for the Peguis First Nation in Manitoba, and to grade 9 to 11 students at the Space Adventure Camp at the University of Manitoba. The events were developed to encourage senior highschool students to consider science, engineering and technology at the university and college levels.

Student́S Possibilities on Development A Key Competences - Academic Preparations of Social Pedagogy Study Program on Czech Republic

Problem StatementEducation on academically board and development of key competences for praxis, in country of East Europe, is a serious problem on a process of designed study programs of social pedagogy (Chudy, 2009). In an educational field on academically board and in a development the competencies there are a great gap on a process of the solutions the open social situations. The psychosomatic preparation is one of these competencies. The second one is an exploration of a situation as a key determination of competences during university studies. The results of this research process are new study disciplines of a psychosomatic preparation, personal and social competencies (decision) development. Purpose of StudyThe present study examined how student“s were associated a statements on questionnaire. After evaluations results we construct or re-construct the valid concepts of a new disciplines on psychosomatic preparations.The subjects in the study were a 150 regular student“s on TBU University (in the present time we are a second group – 150 students of Palacky University). Participants were tested by non standard questionnaire. The questionnaire is processed as a 4 subtests for using a part of competencies, practice, qualifications and personal aims on a process of development key competences. Evaluations are processed by statistics software Statistica 9 and Chic. Research MethodsThe subject in the study was a 150 regular student“s on TBU University (in the present time we are a second group – 150 students of Palacky University). Participants were tested by non standard questionnaire. The questionnaire is processed as a 4 subtests for using a part of competencies, practice, qualifications and personal aims on a process of development key competences. Evaluations are processed by statistics software Statistica 9 and Chic. FindingsResults show a great impact of study preparation, creativity, personal aims and partially of a qualifications and practice experiences of students. ConclusionsThe impact of our research activities we show on preparations of Psychosomatic preparation for a practice social pedagogy on society. It also includes a comparison of two approaches concerning personal and social development of social pedagogy students.

Cultura enfermera alrededor de las prácticas profesionales efectuadas por estudiantes de enfermería

Course 2010/2011 ten students of nursing at the University of Alicante were sent to nursing EU countries to conduct their professional practices. This raises the concern to understand the nurse culture in the context of the European Union from the experience of nursing students Erasmus. Material and Methods. Ethnography. Strategy of data collection: observation. Role of non-participant observer researcher. Informant: Erasmus student nurses 2010/2011 academic year. Sources: Written (field notes). Ethical issues. Consent is sought for teachers and students to attend coordination meeting and informative. Descriptive analysis by Boyle (1994). Results: The data reported characteristics of the context of learning, esenario practices, practical experience of students and caregivers practices in the various scenarios. Subcategories are identified as a mentor, teaching methods, range, type of practical work, learning, practice carers. Conclusion: The professional culture in the context of the Union remains diverse in terms of the level of training and practice carers. As components of culture emerge the importance of mentor figure for its proximity to the student and identifies contextual features that promote student learning.

Undergraduate nursing students' experiences in a rural clinical placement

This paper draws on questionnaire findings and analysis of students' comments to demonstrate the aspects of rural placements that were effective in engaging students in the learning process. It also examined how a primary health care clinical placement in Aboriginal communities can provide nursing students with a rich and varied learning experience and an insight into the complex aspects of rural life including Aboriginal health. A cohort of eight second-year nursing students from the Australian Catholic University, North Sydney, in partnership with the Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health (BHUDRH), participated in a 4 weeks' rural placement in far western New South Wales. A pre-test/post-test questionnaire was used to capture their experiences with the students completing the questionnaires before and after their clinical placements. Such placements offer students opportunities to deepen their understanding of issues related to rural health in clinical, professional, social and community contexts. The results suggest that clinical experience in rural areas can positively influence attitudes, preparedness for practice and engage students on many levels, deepened their understanding of rural communities and issues related to rural health. This group of undergraduate nursing students indicated they all had a positive learning experience in their rural clinical placement. The value of rural placements as a method for increasing nursing student's practical experience should be promoted.

Retail Product Development and Brand Management Collaboration between Industry and University Student Teams

Abstract This paper describes a collaborative project between academia and industry which focused on improving the marketing and product development strategies for two private label apparel brands of a large regional department store chain in the southeastern United States. The goal of the project was to revitalize product lines of the two brands by incorporating student ideas for new solutions, thereby giving the students practical experience with a real-life industry situation. There were a number of key players involved in the project. A privately-owned department store chain based in the southeastern United States which was seeking an academic partner had recognized a need to update two existing private label brands. They targeted middle-aged consumers looking for casual, moderately priced merchandise. The company was seeking to change direction with both packaging and presentation, and possibly product design. The branding and product development divisions of the company contacted professors in an ac...

A student practice experience focusing on the intellectually disabled

Objective To provide the foundation for unique psychiatric-based experiential rotations to fourth-year pharmacy students that focus on optimizing health care for intellectually disabled persons. Design The University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy faculty, Clinical Pharmacology Services unit (three faculty and one administrative support) provides an externally funded pharmacist-based consulting service that specializes in serving intellectually disabled persons. A variety of services is provided to community- and institutionally-based persons and is overseen by the Department of Human Services–Developmentally Disabled Services Division. Assessment Development of an increased knowledge base for the unique needs of this population and their medication use, as well as the development of enhanced oral and written communication skills are stressed. Students demonstrate their increased grasp of a variety of concerns related to this population through written and oral communications, including presentations, discussions, and participation in treatment activities. Conclusion The scope and nature of pharmacy practice continues to evolve and expand beyond traditional practice experiences. A number of nontraditional practice areas exist that provide unique practice opportunities for pharmacists. Exposure of pharmacy students to these opportunities is critical to their professional development, as well as for mentoring future practitioners for these specialty practices.

Italian Clinical Guides' Perceptions of Their Role in Student Nurses' Clinical Practicum

The focus of this article is an examination of the clinical guides' views and their role in student nurses' learning. The descriptive survey was conducted in July-September 2006. The sample was composed of 120 clinical guides who answered a questionnaire regarding the last student nurses' clinical practice experience during 2006. Clinical guides are nurses working in the wards who are available to supervise the clinical practice of nursing students, similar to preceptors in the United States. Clinical guides used different teaching strategies to stimulate students in various activities. The study revealed that the role of clinical guide is very important for the students as they develop into professional nurses.

When Do Journalists Learn about Ethics? An Examination of Introductory and Graduating Students' Ethical Perceptions

A survey (n = 212) of broadcast and print journalism students at a large Midwestern university compared ethical perceptions of introductory journalism students to graduating students. Results generally indicate that introductory students appear more ethically grounded than graduating students, who through practical newsroom experience were able to move from ethical theory to practice. It appears the more student journalists gain practical experience the less absolute their ethical perceptions, which is consistent with moral and ethical development theory. Practical experiences of internships and course lab work provide graduating students a more complex approach to ethical decision making and generate alternative viewpoints that go beyond ethical codes.

MakingTaqDNA polymerase in the undergraduate biology laboratory

Abstract The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an important technique for biology students to learn. PCR utilizes DNA polymerases isolated from archaea or bacteria, like Thermus aquaticus (Taq), to amplify target DNA sequences. In this paper we describe lab activities where students clone the gene for, express, and purify Taq DNA polymerase and assay for its activity. These lab activities employ plasmids containing multiple components of the lac operon thereby giving students practical experience with a genetic regulatory system they learn about in the classroom. Taq DNA polymerase purification simply involves cell lysis, a heat incubation step, and centrifugation, with the resulting supernatant containing highly pure and active Taq DNA polymerase.

An On-Campus Well Field for Hydrogeophysics Education and Undergraduate Research

The emerging subdiscipline of hydrogeophysics is underdeveloped in undergraduate curricula relative to its importance in professional engineering/environmental practice. In 2001, the Bucknell Department of Geology initiated efforts to refocus an undergraduate geophysics course on near-surface geophysical methods for hydrologic, environmental, and engineering problems. In addition to offering students practical experience, treatment of hydrogeophysics provides important pedagogical opportunities. Field-based hydrogeophysics labs challenge students to integrate concepts from other geology courses, as well as from physics, math, and chemistry.We faced two challenges in revising our geophysics course: (1) access to wells for field exercises on borehole geophysics; and (2) the costs of acquiring and maintaining equipment. We pursued two strategies to solve these problems. First, we established an on-campus well field, which serves as a field laboratory for downhole and cross-hole experiments. Second, we incorporated field demonstrations and lectures by professional geoscientists, including alumni, into our courses. By adding field exercises to our syllabi and promoting undergraduate research, we are building a cutting-edge dataset that includes televiewer and standard wellbore logging, cross-hole tomography, and hydraulic-test data. Student-led analysis of these data has already provided valuable insights into the control of fractures on aquifer properties, and these observations are being combined with outcrop studies to place our results in a more regional context.

COMPETENCE BASED LEARNING

Society requires skilled people and therefore education plays a key role in society. The content of education depends on the demand of society. First of all, the national government defines the requirements for education and the national government is responsible for monitoring the system to assess if schools and universities meet the demands and requirements. Secondly, Higher (tertiary) education will have preliminary requirements to enrol students of secondary education. Finally, the labour market has its wishes for all levels of vocational or professional education: it needs competent employees for all levels. Because of the worldwide dynamic development, education should continuously consider the content and methodology of its courses. Teachers become entrepreneurs and mediators in information and achievement of competencies. The learner is the centre of the teaching and coaching activities. Stoas Professional University developed a new and unique approach based on the Stoas tradition of learner centred education, integration of Practice &Theory and the integration of ‘head’, ‘heart’ and ‘hands’. The new approach is called ‘Competence Based Learning. Last year we did a project at your University about project-approached learning. A step forwards to competence based learning. Using practical experience for students to create a challenging study situation. Both developments are interesting to mention. That is the content of my lecture.

Applying new science leadership theory in planning an international nursing student practice experience in Nepal.

Planning an international practice experience for nursing students is a challenging, but rewarding, opportunity. Kwantlen University College faculty members' experience of planning for 8 Bachelor of Science in Nursing students to study abroad was no exception. Faculty members' and students' interest prompted a request for a placement in Nepal. The faculty members involved in the planning were dedicated to using a process that would enable them to remain true to the program philosophy and theoretical underpinnings throughout the entire experience, from the planning phase to the follow-up presentation. Using Wheatley's theory, the students and faculty members reexamined their personal leadership styles to ensure they remained relationship focused, rather than task focused. Wheatley maintained that because the potentiality lies in building strong relationships, it is important to support the creative power that lies in those involved in a project. This article describes new science leadership and relates it to the planning phase for the practice experience in Nepal. Then, reflections on how the philosophy of the program may have influenced the experience are shared. Finally, critical reflection on using this theory in nursing education is presented.

Teaching system and network administration in a small college environment

A course covering system and network administration is a good way to give computer science students practical and hands-on experiences with the applications of many computer science core topic areas including operating systems, programming, and networking. Although there is still concern that system and network administration may not hold sufficient academic merit, the topic can be taught with the necessary breadth and depth to make it worthwhile. Students typically find this kind of course to be fun, and their involvement often validates their interest in computing after numerous programming and theory courses.

図書館員と教員が連携した課題解決型学習における情報検索指導

Aichi Medical University has developed a unique new lecture course to teach informatics, the science of collecting, managing, and using information. Library personnel began taking a more active role in teaching the science of information retrieval three years ago. For the first two years, they gave lectures about search skills. However, in order to give students practical experience in using search skills, library personnel and a faculty member created a new course in 2002 that emphasizes a Problem-Based Learning.Students work in groups, and each group selects a medically-related topic to study. After studying the chosen-topic, students prepare a Powerpoint presentation. Their study must satisfy each of about 20 guidelines that have been set out by the supervising instructor. The ability to use computer and library resources is essential. In addition, students are taught to use good judgment in choosing the most relevant information from among the large amount available and to appreciate the value of EBM.