Question-answer Session Research Articles

Speaking Skill Assessment Instrument Validity: An Investigation into Instructors’ Perceptions

To EFL learners, speaking the target language with satisfactory fluency is a highly significant aspect of learning the language. Assessment of learners’ progress and achievement in speaking skills is equally significant to identify the course of further action, whether it is for feedback, placement, or grading. At the English Language Institute (ELI), King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia, learners’ proficiency in spoken English is assessed for end-of-the-term grading using Interview and Speaking Project as test instruments. The Interview questions are random, while the Speaking Project involves collection of materials on a chosen topic and report writing, followed by presentation and question-answer session. An empirical research study was conducted to examine ELI teachers’ perceptions on the reliability and validity of the two assessment instruments to accurately measure learners’ proficiency in speaking skill and meeting the requirements to reflect the learning outcomes designed for the speaking English course. The data were collected through a survey questionnaire and a structured interview. The surveyed instructors were also encouraged to express their opinions on the role of formative assessment in determining learners’ final grades in English speaking skill.

Ahmed Deedat’s Methodology in Comparative Theological Discourse and Zakir Naik’s Integration

Ahmed Deedat has a distinctive approach and unique way of formulating his da’wah materials and their organisation. Similarly, he presented his evidence and arguments to prove his point in the debates he engaged in, the talks he delivered, and the books he authored. Hence, this paper aims to exhibit Deedat’s methodology in studying religions, focusing on his preparation for a debate, delivering it followed by a question-answer session and the extent to which Zakir Naik incorporated it. Besides that, Deedat’s short biography and contributions to the comparative theological study are explored. An analytical and comparative method is employed in this study. The most significant finding of this research is Naik’s realisation in his fifties as a dāᶜin in all situations must be versatile in his preaching and propagation.

Preface: 2nd International Conference on Financial Market and Enterprises Management Engineering (FMEME 2023)

2023 2nd International Conference on Financial Market and Enterprises Management Engineering (FMEME 2023) was held during 06-07 May, 2023 in Qingdao, China. This conference is an important forum for researchers to exchange information regarding advancements in the state of art and practice of financial market, economic policy, investment, corporate finance, consumer behavior, enterprises management engineering, and its application services, as well as to identify emerging research topics and define the future directions.
 The conference program includes keynote presentations, workshops, invited speakers, and parallel presentation sessions. FMEME 2023 aims to increase collaboration between researchers from various universities and countries. FMEME 2023 had 4 invited speakers and 55 presenters. The time spent delivering the talks by each invited speaker was 25-30 minutes following by a question answer session for 20 minutes and 8-10 minutes for each contribution talk. Around 70 participants attended the conference.
 On behalf of the committee, we would like to deliver our highest appreciation to the keynote speakers, and all invited speakers who have been willing to spend their time to share their knowledge to all the participants of FMEME 2023. We would like to thank the sponsors and all the organizing committees for their hard work and effort in the accomplishment of this event. Finally, we would like also to thank the reviewers for their valuable advice and support.
 Warm Regards,
 FMEME Organizing Committees
 Qingdao, China

A pilot study to see the suitable Unani Kit medicines in the patients of drug-induced insomnia

Insomnia is a common disorder nowadays in the population with high rates of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, heart attack and stroke that turned the patients to take medications such as Alpha-blockers, Antidepressants, Corticosteroids, hypolipidemic, Anti-inflammatory, weight-reducing agents, and many more medicines prescribes them by the experts. The study aims to fix a suitable kit of medicines from Mujarrabat or Mamulat Matab (Trended Unani prescriptions) as mentioned in Qrabadeen/Biyadh of the Unani classics. In a view of new disease treatment, an observational study has been conducted to see the efficacy of the selected kit of medicines in the drug induced-insomnia patients. A total of 70 participants were registered in general OPD at the Co-location Research Centre J.J. Hospital Byculla Mumbai, they were categorized into three groups with conduction of question-answer session interpreted according to the ‘insomnia severity index’. All included patients have assigned scores as per the answers. Data were analyzed on the version of patients to see a relationship between the medicated and non-medicated patients and found statistically significant at P<0.05. Analysis of per cent distribution of the patients’ consequences and improvement observed in a lay term (Indian-currency unit) as about 20 paise, 40 paise, 60 paise, 75 paise and 80 paise of a rupee. This paisa has considered the percentage of calculation. 71.43% of patients reported the remarkable effects of the given kit medicines. The study concluded that insomnia is significantly high in medicated patients, and a result of Unani kit medicine is also satisfactory it required a clinical trial with full scientific criteria for clear and significant results

Enhancing Investment Acumen through Web-Based Capital Market Seminars: A Case Study in Probolinggo

This study aimed to enhance the understanding of stock investment principles, specifically technical and fundamental analysis, among beginners in the capital market. Using a web seminar format, the research incorporated socialization methods, engaging investment managers as speakers and a diverse audience of students and lecturers from Probolinggo. An interactive question-answer session was employed to gauge the participants' comprehension. The learning outcomes were evaluated via pre- and post-tests, revealing significant improvements in participants' understanding of technical and fundamental analysis for stock investment. The study underscores the effectiveness of web seminars in fostering informed decision-making in the capital market, thereby minimizing the selection of risky stocks. Consequently, this approach could serve as a valuable tool in global financial education and investment literacy efforts.Highlights:
 
 The web seminar effectively fostered investment literacy, highlighting the importance of digital platforms in financial education.
 Participants showed significant improvement in understanding technical and fundamental analysis, underscoring the seminar's impact on investment decision-making skills.
 The study's results imply a minimized selection of risky stocks, hinting at the potential of such educational efforts in enhancing global financial stability.
 
 Keywords: Web Seminar, Stock Investment, Capital Market, Fundamental Analysis, Technical Analysis.
 

Preface: 2022 International Conference on Financial Market and Enterprises Management Engineering (FMEME 2022)

2022 International Conference on Financial Market and Enterprises Management Engineering (FMEME 2022) was held during 13-14 August, 2022 in Qingdao, China. This conference is an important forum for researchers to exchange information regarding advancements in the state of art and practice of financial market, economic policy, investment, corporate finance, consumer behavior and enterprises management engineering and its application services, as well as to identify emerging research topics and define the future directions in these fields.
 The conference program includes keynote presentations, workshops, invited speakers, and parallel presentation sessions. Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, this conference has been successfully held virtual and non-virtual for presenters or participants with health protocol of Covid-19. FMEME 2022 aims to increase collaboration between researchers from various universities and countries in the fields of financial market, investment, corporate finance, consumer behavior and management engineering as well as to increase the number of researcher publications in journals or proceedings.
 FMEME 2022 had 6 invited speakers and 85 presenters both from local and international presenters. The time spent delivering the talks by each invited speaker was 25-30 minutes following by a question answer session for 20 minutes and 8-10 minutes for each contribution talk. Around 130 participants attended the conference via online meeting.
 On behalf of the committee, we would like to deliver our highest appreciation to the keynote speakers, and all invited speakers who have been willing to spend their time to share their knowledge to all the participants of FMEME 2022. We would like to thank the sponsors and all the organizing committees for their hard work and effort in the accomplishment of this event. Finally, we would like also to thank the reviewers for their valuable advice and support.
 Warm Regards,
 FMEME Organizing Committees
 Qingdao, China

Edukasi Literasi Baca Al-Qur’an Terhadap Warga Binaan Lapas Kelas II B Panyabungan, Kabupaten Mandailing Natal

Literacy on reading Al-Qur’an means individual’s ability to read well, to understand the meaning, to understand a myriad of virtues, to notice positive effect and be conscious on consequence from reading Al-Qur’an. Al-Qur’an becomes the holy and guiding book for muslims. The virtue of reading Al-Qur’an is not restrictedly on getting bounty, but it also affects to change an individual’s character positively. Reading Al-Qur’an is important for prison inmates at Lapas Class II B Panyabungan, Mandailing Natal, Sumatera Utara. The problem to be solved in this community service is how the virtue of reading Al—Qur’an can improve character, increase good awareness, relieve soul and change mindset positively on prison inmates at Lapas Class II B Panyabungan, Kabupaten Mandailing Natal. This program was conducted by using lecturing or sharing talk method and it was strengthened by question-answer session. The expected result is that prison inmates at Lapas Kelas II B Panyabungan can maximize time positively to read Al-Qur’an with the goal to be a better person.

What Was the President’s Standpoint and When Did He Take It? A Normative Pragmatic Study of Standpoint Emergence in a Presidential Press Conference

In contrast to views that treat positions and standpoints as defining the scope of argumentation, our normative pragmatic approach sees positions and standpoints as interactionally emergent products of argumentative work. Here, this is shown in a detailed case study of a question-answer session in which former US President Donald J. Trump was pressed by journalists to express and defend his standpoint on the Charlottesville protests by neo-Nazis and White nationalists. Trump repeatedly evaded efforts to pin down his standpoint; however, with each of his answers to the questions, his built-up position circumscribed the range of possible standpoints he could take. To the end, he avoided backing down from any prior statement expressing his standpoint, while also preserving a degree of maneuverability regarding what his standpoint amounted to.

Edukasi Perilaku Seks pada Komunitas Remaja untuk Mencegah HIV/AIDS

Introduction: Adolescents are a group that has a high risk of transmitting HIV/AIDS. Teenagers' associations are not effective in triggering an increase in the spread of HIV/AIDS, so teenagers have a great risk of transmitting HIV/AIDS. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are an important factor causing an increase in the transmission of HIV/AIDS. Objective: The purpose of this activity is to increase knowledge, apply healthy living in order to know the dangers of HIV/AIDS to avoid the spread of bacteria and viruses in adolescents by following the rules set by health, so that adolescents are able to avoid risky behavior of HIV/AIDS. Method: Community service activities with the theme of Sexual Behavior Education in Adolescents use educational methods with the target of PMR Children. The procedure for the activity is carried out by distributing power points and then explaining about sex education for HIV/AIDS prevention. After explaining the material, evaluate the knowledge of adolescents about sexual behavior education with a question-answer session. Result: The results and discussion of this community service activity are the enthusiasm of the students in this activity with their enthusiasm and presence in participating in this health counseling activity. This activity aims as a medium in applying knowledge from students to teenagers at SMA Negeri 2 Ciamis. It is important for teenagers to increase their knowledge regarding sex education which causes sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Conclussion: The conclusion of community service activities regarding Sex Education that was carried out to PMR Members of SMA Negeri 2 Ciamis could increase knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases, sex education to prevent HIV/AIDS this event took place smoothly without any obstacles.

A hierarchical reasoning graph neural network for the automatic scoring of answer transcriptions in video job interviews

We address the task of automatically scoring the competency of candidates based on textual features, from the automatic speech recognition transcriptions in the asynchronous video job interviews. The key challenge is to construct the dependency relations and semantic level interaction over each question–answer (QA) pair. However, most recent studies focus on the representation of questions and answers, but ignore the dependency information and interaction between them, which is critical for QA evaluation. In this work, we propose a hierarchical reasoning graph neural network for the automatic assessment of question–answer pairs. Specifically, we construct a sentence-level relational graph neural network to capture the dependency information of sentences in or between the question and the answer. Based on these graphs, we employ a semantic-level reasoning graph attention network to model the interaction states of the current QA session. Finally, we propose a gated recurrent unit encoder to represent the temporal question–answer pairs for the final prediction. Empirical results on CHNAT (a real-world dataset) validate that our proposed model significantly outperforms matching-based benchmark models. Ablation studies and experimental results with 10 random seeds also show the effectiveness and stability of our models.

Role of Training Sessions on Cervical Cancer Preventive Strategies in Improving Knowledge and Attitude of Accredited Social Health Activists

Background: India has the world’s largest load of cervical malignancy. A lot of it can be attributed to lack of cervical cancer screening awareness among the general population. The Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) are grass root workers who have good reach in the remote areas, where health care facilities are lacking. Training these ASHAs may increase the general awareness about cervical cancer screening. The aim of the study was to train ASHA workers via lectures and question answer sessions and assess the training with pre and post tests.
 Methods: We organized two training programs of 500 ASHA workers in two tertiary care hospitals with aim of improving their knowledge and attitude about cervical cancer screening which will eventually improve their practice of training women in general population. It comprised of five lectures in language they understand, slogans, posters, question answer session etc. A test comprising of 17 questions was conducted before and after session to check their knowledge and attitude. 
 Results: There was an overall improvement of 35% in knowledge of the ASHAs i.e. 48% answers were correct in pre-test and 78% were correct in post-test. Questions were pertaining to symptomatology, risk factors, screening methods, their utility and prerequisites of performing the screening tests, when and how often to repeat. Improvement was seen in all the areas. There was improvement in attitude too and most of them wanted themselves (98%), their relatives (100%) and the woman within their area (98%) to be screened for cancer cervix.
 Conclusion: It was a small initiative and successful result was obtained after the training session of ASHAs. These grass root workers may act as key link of awareness for cervical cancer prevention. They live in same community as the client and therefore, have better repo and communication as compared to medical personnel. Though, this study showed improved knowledge and motivation in ASHAs yet the impact on general population needs further evaluation.

Presenting a Seminar: Factors Influencing Student's Performance in Higher Education Institutes

Modern day Universities/ Degree Colleges/ Higher Education Institutes have made SC as mandatory curriculum for those pursuing UG/ PG degrees. SCR necessitates presentation for course credit. Seminar is evaluated by jury of experts. Clinical formulations of CDC Zoology (PG) students were studied in context with factors influencing student's performance in SCR presentation. Parameters like behavior, presentation, communication skills and viva-voce were monitored. Clinical psychology of 193 CDC students were studied over a period of 10 years in batches. The excellent performance in presentation of 50% students of 2014 batch was due to guide's involvement. SCR of 2 students of 2018 is referred as benchmark documents in CDC. Overall 44% shew good communication skills and 25% students shew excellent communication skills during seminar presentation. Study found semi forward correlation between poor performance in presentation and viva-voce. Overall 19 students gave poor presentation and 11 students performed poorly in question-answer session. Guides were suggested to arrange mock SCR presentation to counter EP disorder. Test period witnessed 8 students suffering from exams phobic disorder. Few students complained about forgetfulness after the presentation. Performance of all the students of 2020 batch who presented online webinar was VG on Fruition scale. Demography analysis was not done due to insignificant strength of male students. Male to Female ratio of CDC in Zoology (PG) is below 1:10. Present study found that performance of HEI student in presentation of SCR is directly proportional to guidance, presentation, communication skill, viva-voce, hard work and confidence, interest and grasping, and time management. Whereas the same has inversely proportional functional relationship with EP, forgetfulness, temporary hearing, attention loss disorders and family woes. A new concept of HEI - Community Engagement is introduced with an objective to make the research understandable to the remotest individual entity of community. Instead of focusing on complex available techniques of analyzing students performance in presentation of seminar, a simplified basic clinical formulation for CDC students involving psychological factors is studied without the help of statistical tools

Socializing Halal Certification Guidelines for MSMEs in Pucangan Village, Kartasura District, Sukoharjo Regency

The halal certification is important to ensure the public and business owners regarding halal products. However, the implementation of the halal certification program has faced some problems, such as the lack of facilitation for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the high cost of halal certification. This activity is to socialize the importance of halal certification and provide assistance regarding the procedures and documents required in obtaining the halal certification. This activity targets the MSMEs actors who have their businesses around the IAIN Surakarta College and was carried out by socializing halal certification to the participants. During the preparation phase, we examine the participants’ understanding of halal product assurance and looked for information about the procedures of obtaining halal certification from LPPOM MUI and BPJPH. Th socialization activity was carried out in one day at Gedung Pusat Pengembangan Bahasa IAIN Surakarta. The certification guidelines socialization was attended by MSMEs owners around the IAIN Surakarta College. Based on the pretest and posttest results and the enthusiasm of the participants during the question-answer session, we could conclude that the activity has met our goals. This activity will benefit the MSMEs owners around IAIN Surakarta College in developing halalan toyyiban products’ assurance.

Preface

The 2nd International Conference of Bio-Based Economy for Application and Utilization (ICBEAU) 2020 has been successfully performed on December 16th, 2020. This event was run virtually via the Zoom Meeting platform with The Institution of Research and Community Services (LPPM) of Andalas University, Padang West Sumatera, Indonesia acted as the organizer.The important reason why the 2nd ICBEAU 2020 was held in the virtual meeting instead of the offline meeting is due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation where travel restriction, social distancing were strictly implemented across the globe. The event was scheduled for September 2020, a similar time to the 1st ICBEAU 2019. However, the pandemic issue has continued until the end of the year 2020, and even nowadays in 2021. Therefore, the organizer has discussed with the steering committee, keynote speakers, representative of Bio-Based Communities and finally agree to delay the conference until December 2020. One of the important considerations of delaying the schedule instead of postponing was due to the significant interest in the event as an information exchange forum especially in using bio-based material for immune system improvement to face some actual pathogen like the Coronavirus SAR2. Therefore, in this event two speakers: dr, Rauza Sukma Rita, Ph.D. from Medical Faculty of Andalas University and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pasupuleti Visweswara Rao from The University Malaysia Sabah was invited.To assure the quality and success of speech delivery during the conference; a Business Zoom Meeting Platform that can facilitate up to 150 participants for the plenary session was specially ordered from the vendor. The plenary sessions involved 5 keynote speakers connected virtually from their own country namely: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and India. All 5 keynote speakers were distributed into two sessions in which every keynote speaker presented their speech including discussion in 60 minutes so in total 240 minutes (5 hours) were allocated for all 5 speakers. Since the virtual meeting application platform is also facilitated with the “breakout rooms menu”, it was possible to run 8 virtual parallel sessions (each 15-20 speakers per parallel session) connecting at least 25 different countries simultaneously. Every speaker in the parallel session should use 7-10 minutes to deliver their speech and use the rest of their 5 minutes for the discussion (Question-Answer session).On behalf of the committee, let us express our great thanks to all parties involving and contributing to the implementation of the 2nd ICBEAU seminar. Special thanks to our respected keynote speakers; Prof. Dr. Inez H. Slamet Loedin. from The International Rice Research Institute, Philippines; dr, Rauza Sukma Rita, Ph.D. from Andalas University; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pasupuleti Visweswara Rao from The Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia; Asst Prof Saowakon Wattanachant Ph.D., from The Prince of Songkla University Thailand and Dr. Rosewine Joy, from The Presidency University India-for their collaboration and their kindness to share their valuable experiences and their expertise in the seminar event. Many thanks also we have to address to the Rector of Andalas University which is represented by Dr. Uyung Gatot S Dinata, MT. as Head of the Institution of Research and Community Service of Andalas University, and also to all parties and valuable participants. Finally, we would like also to thanks the IOP Publisher, which kindly helps us to publish this proceeding.March, 16th 2021Chairman of the Committee, 2nd International Conference of Bio-Based Economy for Application and Utilization (ICBEAU 2020) list of titles are available in the pdf

Remote Flipped Teaching during the COVID‐19 Pandemic

Flipped teaching (FT) is known to foster active learning and increase student engagement. The flipped classroom design organizes learning in such a way that the lower‐order thinking such as memorization is expected at the individual student level in the form of homework and the higher‐order thinking including application and analysis occurs in the classroom in the presence of the instructor. With the sudden onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic, instructors and students were given no time to adjust to the remote educational set up. Flipped teaching, like most other instructional modalities, had to be transformed into an online platform. The present study assessed the effectiveness of FT in a remote setting in a graduate‐level physiology course (n=33). The course content included lecture videos, slides, and reading assignments which were made available on BlackBoard, the Learning Management System. Students were expected to have reviewed the assigned content prior to the virtual synchronous sessions. During the synchronous meeting, a question‐answer (Q&A) session allowed students to review the content yet again. Followed by the Q&A session, an individual quiz, containing lower‐order questions, was given to assess student preparation. Soon after the review of the quiz, students in small groups (4‐5 students per group) were allowed to use breakout rooms to complete a set of questions which were designed at the higher order of Bloom's taxonomy and expected students to apply knowledge, analyze or synthesize their collaborative responses. The answers to these questions were reviewed during the first part of the following synchronous session where students were selected randomly to answer these questions which prompted them to come prepared. Student surveys were administered at the beginning and the end of the course to assess their knowledge gain, perception of the remote FT format, and confidence in completing the course. Based on the survey results, it was found that the students adjusted well to the remote course setting (p<0.001) and their confidence in completing the course successfully increased from the beginning to the end of the semester (p<0.05). Students also found that the collaborative activities (93.55%) and the in‐class discussions (96.77%) were effective and were well adjusted to the synchronous computerized exams (90.32%) and the individual in‐class assessments (80.65%). Overall, the remote FT method was successful and therefore, the principles behind FT could be employed in virtual teaching.

Applying visual mapping techniques to promote learning in community-based medical education activities

BackgroundTeaching and learning Community-Based Medical Education (CBME) requires the active engagement of students in various activities to cover planned curricular content. CBME being multifaceted involves careful application and formation of links when attending to community health problems and public health issues. Students often depend on factual recall rather than ‘engaging in’, to counteract the broad and comprehensive nature of CBME. This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of Visual mapping techniques as a learning tool in a CBME program for the subject Community Medicine and thereby assist medical undergraduate students in overcoming identified learning challenges.MethodologyAn interventional study was conducted where medical undergraduates were randomly assigned to two different groups (each group = 30). After sensitization, a broad theme was taught to both the groups as a part of community-based teaching (CBT), each week for a month. The students in the intervention group were given the assignment to draw visual maps using the mind mapping & concept mapping techniques, after each CBT session, while the control group had Question-Answer session with built-in discussion (Conventional method) by an equally qualified, experienced faculty with no mapping assignments. A surprise written examination was conducted on the topics taught, and scores of both the groups were compared. Feedback was obtained from the intervention group.ResultsMean score of the examination by the intervention group (29.85 ± 3.22) was significantly higher than and that of the control group (23.06 ± 4.09) (t = 7.14 and p < 0.05). The students shared that the assignment of drawing mind and concept maps for topics taught helped in attempting questions of the written examination by facilitating easy recall of the information learned. It aided to frame the answers to descriptive questions in a structured way with the use of keywords. However, identifying the concepts and establishing relationship between them was slightly challenging.Conclusion‘Visual mapping’ in the form of Mind and Concept mapping was found to be an effective learning tool for multifaceted CBME especially in promoting meaningful learning and facilitating rational thinking by the medical undergraduates.

Learning by Gamification: An Effective Active Learning Tool in Engineering Education

One of the latest buzzwords in engineering education is �active learning� and �Outcome Based Education�. Active learning refers to the idea that students are actively engaged in the learning process, rather than passively absorbing content. The COVID-19 pandemic has raised significant challenges for the higher education community worldwide. A particular challenge has been the urgent and unexpected request for previously face-to-face university courses to be taught online by using different online tools such as Microsoft Team, Zoom etc.This paper describes the application of one of the gamification tools known as �Kahoot� used for online teaching a course namely �Irrigation and Hydraulic Structures� which is the core course of B.Tech. Civil Engineering Program. This course is related to the storage, transmission and use of water for irrigation purposes. Previously, the course was used to be taught by conventional methods in which the students were found to be unable to visualize various hydraulic structures such as dam, canal, cross drainage work etc. that are used for irrigation purposes and hence the expected course outcomes could not be attained. In the COVID-19 pandemic situation the same course was taught by online mode with the help of Microsoft Teams platform. However, it was difficult to engage all the 76 students and assess their performance. Hence, use of one of the gamification tools namely �Kahoot� was done to assess and evaluate the performance of students. The entire class was divided into two groups namely �Control Group�, and �Experimental Group�. The �Control Group� was assessed using conventional teaching involving �question answer session�, while the �Experimental Group� was assessed by using the �Kahoot� tool of gamification. The results of the study shows that the performance of �Experimental Group� in the Unit Test Examination (i.e. average marks) improved by over 18% compared to the performance of �Control Group�. Thus, it can be concluded that use of �gamification� as an active learning tool helps in enhancing the students understanding and hence attaining the expected outcomes.

Strategi Guru dalam Menghadapi Siswa Lamban Belajar (Slow Learner) Pada Proses Pembelajaran Tematik

Strategy is one of the series of activity, which is made and implemented to reach particular goal. Slow learners are students who are slower in underastanding a concept than other fellow students of the same age. The strategies used by teacher in the learning process is a very crucial part to help slow learners who have a low ability.The results of the study indicate that: (1) the teachers of SDN Ketawanggede Malang create a planning before starting the thematic learning process by preparing RPP (lesson plan). They add a modification such as material and learning objective for the slow learners. (2) Both school conduct introductory activities in the thematic learning implementation process, which are given by the teachers, by giving apperception delivering the learning objectives, and giving motivation to all student including slow learners. The slow learners do the same activities as what other students do. In the closing activities, the teachers usually perfom a question-answer session to conclude the lesson given and give assignments for the slow learners based on their abilities. (3) The evaluation and assesment of the of the thematic learning process for slow learners are not different with what are given to the non-slow learners .(4) There are some different strategies given by the teachers in treating slow learners in both schools, namely: the modified lesson plan including the material and learning objectives as performed by SDN Ketawanggede Malang, special ways implemented by the homeroom teachers to improve the slow learners’ ability in class, and the treatment given by special shadow teachers that really helps the slow learners to improve. The similarities found in both schools are the facts that the teachers in both schools are the facts that the teachers in both schools do not have special strategy, method, and learning media to help slow learners to be able to understand the materials conveyed by the teachers easily.

ASSIMILATING AND REPRODUCING CONCEPTS AFTER PHARMACOLOGY LECTURE - A QUESTIONNAIRE-BASED STUDY

Objective: Medical undergraduates learn pharmacology during the second phase of MBBS. Considering the expanding list of drugs and volatility associated with its learning, the objective of this study was to describe the factors that interfere with the assimilation and reproduction of the concepts in pharmacology.&#x0D; Methods: This was a descriptive study done in the Department of Pharmacology of a Government Medical College in Central Kerala for a period of 2 months. Five short answer questions were chosen to elicit responses from the participants in the form of a surprise test. A Google fill out form elicited the perception of the participants about learning during the pharmacology lecture. The data were sorted and entered into Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 16 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, USA). Descriptive data were expressed using frequencies and percentages.&#x0D; Results: Of the 148 students, 84 (56.75%) participated in the study. For the surprise test, the mean marks scored were 2.24±0.77 (maximum marks 5). Forty-seven (56%) participants claimed that they were attentive in pharmacology lectures only “sometimes.” The majority of the participants 82 (97.6%) “sometimes” found it difficult to imbibe the concepts in pharmacology. Seventy (83.3%) agreed that definitions are difficult to learn as such. Only 10 (11.9%) disagreed with the statement that a drug’s action cannot be interpreted as its use because sometimes actions can aggravate some diseases. Sixty-one (72.6%) participants had difficulty in understanding the word “rationale.” Five minutes break, continuity of topics, separate question-answer session at the end of class, summarization, a video demonstration of the mechanism of action, providing printed lecture notes, simple explanation, mnemonics to learn, clinical correlation, lectures during morning hours, and team-based quizzes were some suggestions to increase the assimilation of the subject.&#x0D; Conclusion: Participants had a mean score which was &lt;50% of the total score. While the scores for definitions varied the question on uses of drugs fetched similar marks; however, the students had poor performance on the question related to rationale. Ignorance about the meaning of the word “rationale” shows the importance of regular feedback and the use of simple language in understanding the problems faced by the participants in learning the concepts in pharmacology.

Preface

SVKM's NMIMS, Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management and Engineering, Shirpur Campus proudly hosted the second "International Conference on Emerging trends in Manufacturing, Engines and Modelling" from 23rd -24th December, 2019. It was jointly organized by the Department of Mechanical Engineering, MPSTME Shirpur Campus and Mumbai. The inaugural function of the conference was enlightened by the august presence of Mr. Ashutosh Pandey - MD and CEO, Mahindra First Choice Wheels as the Chief Guest, Dr. K.B. Patil - Director of SVKM's NMIMS, Dhule Campus as the Guest of Honour, Dr. R S Gaud- Director MPTP Shirpur Campus, Dr. Nikhlesh Kumar Sharma- Director (Engineering) & Chairman ICEMEM 2019, Dr. K. K. Gupta Co-Chairman ICEMEM 2019, Dr. Gowri Sankara Rao- Dean(SAST), Dr Narayan Chandak- Associate Dean, Dr Basant Kumar Mohanty Associate Dean (Research), Dr Ashwini Deshpande - Associate Dean (SPTM), Shri Rahul Dande- Chief Accountant and Administration, Dr Rakesh Choudhari- Head (Mechanical), Shri Rajeev Dalal- Deputy Registrar, All HOD's, Faculty members and more than 100 participants. The inaugural function commenced with the customary felicitation of the guests followed by the Saraswati Vandana. Dr. Nikhlesh Kumar Sharma, Director (Engineering Programs), MPSTME presented the welcome note to the guests, invited speakers, delegates and the participants. Dr. K.K. Gupta - Co-Chairman of the Conference briefed about the theme of the conference and presented the salient features of the event and expectations from them. Dr. R.S Gaud, Director, MPTP, Shirpur Campus introduced the audience about the legacy of SVKM's NMIMS and the laurels brought by the campus at various levels. His speech was followed by the address of Dr. K.B. Patil. He had been the Vice-Chancellor of North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon. The audience were fortunate to gain his insights on engineering education and employability in general which represented his vast experience in the field of education and academic administration. The last but the most awaited address was delivered by Mr. Ashutosh Pandey who had graciously accepted the invitation of the organizing committee to be the Chief Guest of the inaugural function. A civil engineering graduate with an MBA from FMS, Delhi, Mr. Pandey pointed out the need for developing multiple skills. He highlighted the current trends in the job market and discussed about the capabilities sought after by the employers. An important take-away from his address is the fact that technology environment is constantly getting disrupted and therefore everyone has to be on their toes to withstand the corresponding challenges. The address was truly captivating and thought provoking. The ceremony culminated with the vote of thanks proposed by Prof. M. Ramachandran, Convenor ICEMEM 2019 followed by the tea break. The keynote sessions on the first day were divided into two segments.