Student Reflections Research Articles

Blended Realities - Higher Education Student Reflections on Acquiring Skills for Game Creation in a Project-Based- and Blended Learning Environments

This study delves into higher education students' active participation in an Erasmus+ blended intensive program (BIP) that focuses on teaching game creation. Three universities facilitated the BIP, which had 22 international students. The program, designed around project-based learning and on-site/online collaboration, empowered students to better prepare them for careers the game industry. Two student focus groups were analyzed using thematic analysis to understand the students' perceptions of the educational approach. The investigation findings emphasize that aligning game creation teaching with conditions and technologies in the game industry is challenging in practice despite its apparent simplicity on paper. It also underscores the crucial role of soft skills and transversal competencies in game creation education. These skills, often overlooked, play a vital role in the success of game creation projects. With this study, we wish to contribute to the discourse on game education by offering insights into the enablers and barriers to teaching game creation within higher education. It provides ten useful considerations for game scholars and educators to deliberate in their profession.

Storytelling: A learning tool to enhance medical students' empathy, attentive listening, clinical curiosity and reflection.

Listening to stories of sickness lies at the heart of the patient-doctor relationship. Storytelling serves as a powerful learning tool fostering empathy, attentive listening, clinical curiosity and reflection, key elements of narrative competence. The patient's story, their history, forms the fundamental core of diagnosis, and their emotions are central to crafting appropriate treatment plans that address their true concerns. This study reviews the benefits of storytelling as a learning tool, particularly in enhancing empathy, attentive listening, clinical curiosity and reflection within medical education. It also describes a practical workshop that demonstrates how storytelling can be utilised to inspire students to develop narrative competence in a supportive learning environment. Since the stories draw on participants' clinical experience, in both primary and secondary care, the article aims to engage clinicians involved in medical education and the teaching of communication skills.

A Mixed-Methods Investigation of First-Year Medical Students’ Professionalism Competency Development over the Gross Anatomy Course

Abstract Background While competency-based medical education (CBME) and competency assessment in clinical training are well documented, they are less commonly included in preclinical medical education. The gross anatomy laboratory is an opportune setting to incorporate competency assessment and reflection during preclinical medical education. This mixed-methods study determined how first-year medical student assessments of professionalism skills in the gross anatomy lab change over time and analyzed student reflections to contextualize the experiences they had developing the Professionalism competency. Methods First-year medical students at the University of Louisville completed self- and peer-assessments using the Professionalism Assessment Scale (PAS) at the beginning and end of their gross anatomy course (n = 83). The students also completed three competency development portfolio (CDP) entries throughout the course (n = 83). Qualitative thematic analysis with grounded theory was used to analyze comments related to professionalism skill development in the CDP reflections during the course. Results There was no statistical difference in PAS self-assessment scores from Time 1 (M = 4.81, SD = .209) to Time 2 (M = 4.85, SD = .217), p = .108. There was a statistically significant increase in PAS-peer-assessment scores from Time 1 (M = 4.89, SD = .165) to Time 2 (M = 4.93, SD = .127), p = .005. Thematic analysis of CDPs revealed that students believed they developed interpersonal relations/social skills, responsibility skills, and gross anatomy lab-specific skills over the gross anatomy course. Conclusions The Professionalism competency is inherently present and able to be assessed in the gross anatomy lab context for first-year medical students.

Unlocking Insights: Harnessing Primary School Children's Experiences and Reflections on Emergency Remote Learning to Shape K-12 e-Learning in the Post-Pandemic Era

The study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on primary education in Cyprus and to discern the implications for the post-pandemic era, specifically focusing on the Emergency Remote Learning (ERL) experiences and reflections of upper primary students (ages 9-12). Grounded in socio-constructivist learning theory, which emphasizes the importance of active student engagement and social interaction in the learning process, the research explored the challenges students faced during the rapid shift to remote education. A mixed-methods design was employed, using an in-depth online survey that incorporated both quantitative and qualitative questions. Data were collected from a sample of 204 students selected through non-probability, convenience sampling. The analysis revealed that students experienced several challenges, including technology constraints, lack of interaction, and difficulty maintaining concentration, which are consistent with global findings on K-12 ERL. Among demographic factors, the type of school attended (public vs. private) had a significant influence on most aspects of students' ERL experience. Private school students reported more favourable conditions than their public school counterparts, which facilitated a smoother shift to both asynchronous and synchronous ERL, resulting in a more positive overall ERL experience. Regardless of the type of school attended, students overwhelmingly expressed a strong preference for face-to-face learning. Comparisons with other studies conducted in Cyprus during the same period involving older student age cohorts suggest significant age-related differences. The young students in our study encountered greater challenges during the transition to ERL, which can be attributed to their heightened need for scaffolding and external regulation to learn in the virtual space, as well as the higher importance they attached to the social aspects of school life taken away by ERL. Despite their largely negative experiences with ERL, a high proportion of the children advocated integrating the e-learning tools and technologies they got acquainted with during ERL into the normal context of schooling. These findings underscore the importance of further research into effective instructional strategies tailored to young learners in both online and blended learning settings. They also highlight the potential benefits of incorporating e-learning tools into conventional classrooms to enhance the teaching and learning process.

Extending access for all chemistry students with extended reality

Equal access to instructor’s time and attention in chemistry classes and laboratories can be a barrier experienced by students from historically excluded groups. An instructor’s own biases will determine the nature of their interaction with students, and even well-meaning instructors can interact with students in slightly different ways, which might prevent certain students from having access to all the available instructional resources for the class. This is an additive problem, which may or may not be recognized in peer and student evaluations, and an issue that might escape self-reflection even in educators that are committed to diversity, inclusion, and justice. This issue conflates both actual and perceived biases, introducing a complex dynamic between instructor and student. Extended reality (XR) provides an avenue to generate materials that can be used to enhance or replace classroom instruction with a great degree of realism. In this paper we will discuss the implementation of a set of virtual reality (VR) organic chemistry labs. We will show that XR learning tools are by their very nature accessible and inclusive of a wide variety of students and will provide evidence from student reflections that shows that students from historically excluded groups find the XR content offered in our virtual reality labs more personal than in-person activities covering the same material.

Enhancing reflective practices in higher education with AI-supported anthropomorphic coaches

This paper reports on a pilot study exploring the use of generative AI and anthropomorphic coaches to enhance students’ reflective practices. Reflective practice is crucial for critical thinking and self-awareness. AI-driven feedback systems and lifelike avatars may create interactive, engaging environments for deeper student reflection. Drawing on observations from an ongoing project using Soul Machines Studio at the University of Auckland Business School, this inquiry considers anthropomorphic AI coaches’ ability to provide timely feedback and support reflective work in postgraduate courses. As a work-in-progress, we describe two use cases: (a) Refining team collaboration through AI-guided reflection and (b) providing feedback on reflective journal writing. We also outline future work on scalability, longitudinal studies, learning management system integration, cross-cultural adaptation, and ethical frameworks. We highlight AI's potential to develop students’ reflective practices and contribute to integrating advanced technologies in education.

The Effect of Teaching Strategies on English Language Learning in Libya

This study examines the impact of teaching strategies on English language learning in Libya, focusing on the challenges Libyan teachers face in secondary schools. The research investigates the effectiveness of different teaching methods and explores innovative strategies, including interactive technologies, in the classroom. The primary aim is to assess how these strategies influence student engagement, language proficiency, and overall learning outcomes. A mixed-method approach was employed, incorporating a quantitative analysis of survey data from ten high school English instructors in Hoon. The results indicate that educators frequently employ supportive techniques, including offering comments and encouraging task completion. The study reveals substantial deficiencies in self-assessment and contemporary evaluation techniques, suggesting a dependence on conventional pedagogical methods. The absence of modern methodologies, such as student reflection and peer assessment, may restrict students' active engagement and impede their linguistic advancement. This research paper also identifies differences in teaching practices based on teacher demographics, including gender and years of experience. More experienced teachers were found to employ a broader range of strategies, suggesting the need for mentorship and professional development for newer educators. The study emphasizes integrating technology-enhanced tools and reflective assessment techniques to foster a more effective and engaging learning environment. The conclusions drawn from this research paper recommend that targeted professional development programs be implemented to support teachers in adopting more reflective and modern teaching methods. These programs should focus on enhancing teachers' skills in self-assessment techniques, peer evaluation, and technology integration in the classroom. By doing so, English language instruction in Libya can be significantly improved, contributing to better student outcomes and excellent English proficiency. Overall, the study underscores the need for a dynamic and adaptable approach to teaching English, where traditional methods are supplemented by innovative strategies that actively engage students and equip them with the necessary skills to succeed in a globalized world.

Level up

This study explores the impact of gamification on student engagement in a first-year Managerial Communication unit at a large Australian university. Gamified elements such as points and leaderboards were integrated into online and classroom activities, aiming to enhance academic, cognitive, social, and affective engagement. Using a quasi-experimental design, the study employed pre- and post- gamification surveys and thematic analysis of student reflections. Results indicated significant improvements in cognitive engagement and social engagement with teachers, with students reporting increased motivation and satisfaction. While academic and social engagement with peers showed no significant differences, qualitative data revealed that competition and rewards fostered a sense of achievement and collaboration. These findings align with existing literature, suggesting that gamification can create a more interactive and supportive learning environment. This study contributes to the growing evidence on the efficacy of gamification in education.

FATE in MMLA: A Student-Centred Exploration of Fairness, Accountability, Transparency, and Ethics in Multimodal Learning Analytics

Multimodal learning analytics (MMLA) integrates novel sensing technologies and artificial intelligence algorithms, providing opportunities to enhance student reflection during complex, collaborative learning experiences. Although recent advancements in MMLA have shown its capability to generate insights into diverse learning behaviours across various learning settings, little research has been conducted to evaluate these systems in authentic learning contexts, particularly regarding students' perceived fairness, accountability, transparency, and ethics (FATE). Understanding these perceptions is essential to using MMLA effectively without introducing ethical complications or negatively affecting how students learn. This study aimed to address this gap by assessing the FATE of MMLA in an authentic, collaborative learning context. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 undergraduate students who used MMLA visualizations for post-activity reflection. The findings highlighted the significance of accurate and comprehensive data representation to ensure visualization fairness, the need for different levels of data access to foster accountability, the imperative of measuring and cultivating transparency with students, and the necessity of transforming informed consent from dichotomous to continuous and measurable scales. While students value the benefits of MMLA, they also emphasize the importance of ethical considerations, highlighting a pressing need for the LA and MMLA communities to investigate and address FATE issues actively.

STEM, STEAM OR STREAM-EDUCATION: IT IS YOUR CHOICE!

The article deals with an actual problem of the improvement of pedagogical education system, namely a new direction – STEM-STEAM-STREAM-education. The objective of the study is to outline the origins of the problem genesis, to analyze the essence and content of STEM-education, to identify the main problems and contradictions, to identify the main means of its implementation. Synergistic, systemic, competence-oriented and activity-oriented approaches have become theoretical and methodological foundation of the study. The conclusion about the expediency of STEM-STEAM- STREAM-education combining has been made on the basis of theoretical analysis of the problem and the students of higher pedagogical institutions questionnaires. It will allow to develop left and right hemispheres of a brain simultaneously, which will contribute to its holistic functioning. With the aim of formation of future natural sciences teachers’ key and subject competences the means of STEM- STEAM-STREAM-education have been determined. That is the implementation of environmental projects in the process of education. The essence and methodology of the following projects implementation have been characterized: «Plastic bottle – a valuable thing from the past or a useless thing of nowadays? », «Let’s save the Christmas tree together», «Destruction of nature», «Eco-feeder for our feathered friends», «Clean gullies – clear conscience». Enumeration of competences based on the reflection of students’ own activities, the formation of which is mostly facilitated by the mentioned project activity has been determined. Fulfilment of eco-projects has a positive effect on the development of components of innovative competence of the students of higher pedagogical institutions (the ability to apply scientific methods of cognition in the educational process, the ability to use innovations in professional activities, the ability to apply various approaches to solving problems in pedagogical activities). The prospects for further study consist in the research of the following problem: preparation of future natural sciences teachers for modeling of educational activity using STEAM-technologies and their significance in the methodology of forming a model of bioethical behaviour of school students on the basis of the concept of sustainable development.

Student reflections on emotional engagement reveal science fatigue during the COVID-19 online learning transition.

Numerous quantitative studies in science education found that student engagement declined after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but analyses to identify the factors that drove emotional engagement down are lacking. Emotional engagement is a multidimensional construct composed of interest in an academic discipline, value in an academic course, and anxiety. Here, we use qualitative analysis to examine how and why the emergency shift from face-to-face to online classes during and after the pandemic-induced emergency remote transition impacted student emotional engagement. We coded student responses to open-ended questions using an emotional engagement framework and compared them between March and May 2020. Students' survey responses indicate that their positive attitudes toward science and value in the course declined. In contrast, more students expressed negative values of the course in the post-survey, with students mainly critiquing instructors and learning. This qualitative analysis offers a deeper understanding of students' emotional challenges during this educational upheaval and suggests effective teaching strategies for future crises.

Pathways to motivation and learning in English language education: a case of two youths engaging in multiliteracies

Purpose This study investigates the effect of digital multimodal composing (DMC) on student motivation and literacy in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) contexts. It explores how students engaged in creating digital animations to respond to literary texts and the implications for integrating DMC into traditional literacy practices. Grounded in social semiotic theory and Self-Determination Theory, this study aims to understand how digital composing influences student engagement, motivation and literacy development. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative data were gathered over a six-month period using a combination of student surveys, semi-structured interviews, reflection logs and student-produced scripts/animations. This study focused on two university students who engaged in multimodal projects as part of their extracurricular EFL activities, examining their processes and reflections. Findings Students demonstrated strong intrinsic motivation during DMC processes, largely due to the social affordances provided by digital multimodal composing. By combining traditional literacy skills with digital practices, students experienced enhanced creative expression, enhanced meaning-making and a deeper understanding of literary texts through the production and sharing of animated videos. This process promoted both emotional and cognitive engagement, emphasizing the importance of teacher guidance and digital tools in creating a more dynamic and supportive learning environment. Practical implications This study outlines a practical approach to DMC through a structured process: selecting and reading a book, proposing a change as if requesting it from the author, creating and sharing a video on YouTube to explain the change and reflecting on the experience. This approach can guide educators in designing activities that deepen student engagement, enhance critical thinking and integrate digital tools with traditional learning methods. Originality/value This study contributes to the understanding of how digital technologies can transform traditional literacy practices, offering insights into the benefits of multimodal composition for language learning and motivation in EFL contexts. It provides practical examples of how students and teachers can leverage digital tools to enhance literacy education and prepare students for 21st-century challenges.

An Exploratory Study of Student Perceptions of Ungrading in Upper-Level Psychology Courses

Background Ungrading is an innovative approach to assessment that relies on feedback rather than numerical grades to deprioritize (or remove) grades, but that has gone relatively unexplored in the psychology classroom. Objective The current study examined student perceptions of ungrading in three psychology courses. Method Using an inductive approach, we examined patterns and themes in student reflections across two time points (start and end of the semester) in three upper-division psychology courses. Results Students generally had positive impressions of ungrading, but stress around grade uncertainty was an area of concern. Conclusion Implementation of alternative grading methods has the potential for many benefits in the psychology classroom, but careful consideration is needed to overcome negative student perceptions. Teaching Implications Going gradeless is an intriguing option that may potentially impact student learning, engagement, motivation, mental health, and equity. This exploratory study offers insight into student perceptions of ungrading, which can help instructors who are considering this method.

Towards a New Era of Flexibility: Student and Staff Reflections on Online Learning

Higher Education is in the midst of a digital revolution, with institutions bidding to harness the potential of technology. Periods of online learning experienced during recent times have accelerated the move towards widespread adoption, affording institutions the opportunity to evaluate and reflect on digitally mediated approaches. This report focuses on student (n = 584) and staff (n = 54) experiences of online teaching and learning in a large UKHEI Psychology department. Findings from mixed methods surveys suggest that while staff and students were largely satisfied with the online teaching and learning experience, differences were evident in undergraduate and postgraduate perceptions. Further, a thematic analysis identified emergent themes from staff (teaching and working online, student engagement with online learning and looking to the future) and student (experiences of emergency provision, accessing support, and teaching methods) qualitative responses. This paper reflects on how the perceptions and experience of online learning will influence the future success of flexible online learning in a post-pandemic era of Higher Education.

Investigating students’ arguments with real-life functional situations throughout a sequence of collaborative activities

Recent years have seen increasing interest in providing students with opportunities for developing important argumentation skills in the mathematics classroom. Social interactions with peers to critique alternative ideas, justify arguments, and build consensus, have been found to promote deep thinking and meaningful development of concepts. In this study we explored 9<sup>th</sup>-grade students’ interactions during a sequence of specifically designed argumentation tasks on real-life functional situations to investigate the appropriateness of their arguments. Data were collected from the students’ written task responses, student reflections, small-group observations, individual interviews with the group members, and teacher interviews. Analysis of the level of appropriateness of the students’ individual and group written responses in each activity focused on three aspects: identifying variables, forming relations between them, and noticing contextual features of the real-life situation. We found evidence of students grappling with selecting two suitable variables and with conceptualizing the nature of their relation. It also appeared that aspects of the students’ social interactions played a role in students ignoring correct arguments and accepting incorrect arguments. We discuss implications for small-group argumentation and suggest avenues for future research.

Uncovering Reflections of Preclinical Medical Students from Clinical Shadowing: A Thematic Analysis

Purpose Clinical shadowing(CS) offers preclinical medical students the opportunity to observe certified physicians in practice. Analyzing the content of students’ reflective writings(RWs) to understand core competencies they perceived during CS, as well as stages of their reflections, can offer valuable insights for course design and instructor guidance. This study aimed to address this matter by employing a thematic analysis of students’ RWs to explore the learning outcomes derived from CS. Materials and methods The dataset of the thematic analysis comprised de-identified RWs from preclinical medical students who participated in the clinical shadowing program during the first semester of the 2019 academic year at National Taiwan University College of Medicine. Two researchers independently extracted and categorized pertinent content from the texts of RWs, aligning them with the six core competencies of ACGME and mapping them to the stages of Kolb’s learning cycle. Additionally, correlation with shadowing specialties and fields was investigated. Results In total, 155 RWs were analyzed. Patient care emerged as the most frequently reflected competency(30%), followed by systems-based practice(23%), and medical knowledge(21%). The shadowing specialties and fields had an impact on the core competencies students perceived. In terms of Kolb’s learning stages, concrete experience(66%) predominated in RWs, while abstract conceptualization(19%) and reflective observation(14%) were less prevalent. For each competency, concrete experience was the prevailing stage, with active experimentation being the least dominant one. Students exhibited varying proportions of reflections at different stages for each core competency. Conclusions Clinical shadowing experiences enable preclinical medical students to explore required clinical core competencies, with emphases depending on the shadowing specialties and fields. Currently, most reflections are concentrated at Kolb’s concrete experience stage. This study offers valuable insights for designing future CS programs and improving faculty development, aimed at helping students achieve deeper and more comprehensive reflective learning in relation to core competencies, and even professional identity.

Nursing student reflections on a research internship: A reflective discussion following the Gibbs' reflective cycle

BackgroundEvidence-based practice underscores the importance of utilising research-based skills in the delivery of care. However, entry-to-practice nursing curriculums in Australia currently do not provide students with practical research opportunities. Acknowledging this gap, an Australian university initiated a two-month summer research internship that aim to expose undergraduate nursing students to clinical research under the mentorship of a nursing academic. AimTo understand the opportunities and challenges of a research internship and its contribution to developing research knowledge and skills for future nursing practice and leadership. DesignA reflective discussion following the six stages of the Gibbs' Reflective Cycle. SettingsA two-month research internship at an Australian University was held over the summer. ParticipantsTwo successful nursing students (FO and BM) who were both students in the Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) program. MethodsFollowing the Gibbs' Reflective Cycle, a description of the internship experience was outlined, alongside feelings encountered. The opportunities and challenges of the internship are explored, evaluated, and analysed with related literature to inform an overall conclusion. To support other nursing students pursuing similar research endeavours during their professional transition, an action plan was developed. ResultsThe optional summer research internship proved to be a valuable experience for participating nursing students. FO and BM were granted co-authorship on their respective research projects, providing opportunities at international nursing and midwifery conferences and several avenues for career advancement. ConclusionsNursing research internships contribute to students' personal and professional development. This paper highlights the need for universities to provide innovative educational opportunities to students that enrich evidence-based nursing practice and inspire further opportunities.

Development of a Virtual Pediatric Holistic Comfort Care Clinic.

Guided by the tenets of Kolcaba's holistic comfort theory, we developed, implemented, and evaluated a simulated online pediatric advanced practice health center. The Pediatric Comfy Care Clinic (PCCC) was created to enhance person-centered diagnostic reasoning and holistic advanced management skills for family nurse practitioner students. Our interprofessional team used a standardized approach to online design and development while integrating essential holistic comfort theory concepts for student engagement and assessment of learning. We explored outcomes of pre- and postclinic quizzes and student reflection data using mixed methods. Significant differences (P<.001) were noted in all postpractice quizzes in each affiliated PCCC module with variable student outcomes on graded clinic encounters. Important student perspectives on teaching and learning in the virtual clinic were noted. A comfort theory-driven, simulated, and digitally enhanced virtual clinic is feasible and valuable with important implications for holistic advanced practice.

Implementation of Active Learning Methods in Islamic Religious Education to Improve Students' Critical Thinking Skills in Schools

This research aims to examine the effectiveness of implementing active learning methods in Islamic Religious Education (PAI) as an effort to improve students' critical thinking skills at school. This research uses a quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental design, involving students from several secondary schools as samples. Data was collected through critical thinking skills tests before and after implementing active learning methods. The research results show that the application of active learning methods significantly improves students' critical thinking skills in the PAI context. These findings indicate that this method is effective in creating a learning environment that supports the development of students' analytical, evaluation and reflection skills on religious values, as well as their relevance in everyday life.

Bridging external and attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopies through computational simulations

Abstract This work provides an integrated view of Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) and External Reflection (ER) for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students beginning their study of infrared spectroscopy. The theoretical framework of reflectance is reviewed, and a computational tool developed using GNU Octave is presented to model ER and ATR spectra. Simulating spectra demonstrates how ER spectra evolve to ATR spectra by modifying relevant parameters. This unified approach offers advanced students a deeper understanding of infrared spectroscopy, enhancing their ability to correctly interpret ATR spectra and avoid common pitfalls. The computational exercises and provided code serve as valuable educational resources for exploring reflectance behaviour under different conditions.&amp;#xD;