Science Courses Research Articles

Impact of the Usage of Cell Phones and Social Media Among the Rural College Girl Students

The main problems of the study deal with prevalent in Government Colleges, every year 25% of college girls drop out of their higher education, and 10% of the girls are coerced into marriage by parents and continuing education. The study was conducted at the Government Arts and Science College for Women, Alangulam of Tenkasi District. It was purely an empirical study. This College offers 5 Degree Courses in Arts and Science, comprising 896 girls. One-eighth of the samples were taken for the present study. The main objectives of the study include studying how many hours cell phones are spent per day by female students on social media. ii, to examine whether it has been used for either academic purpose or personal purpose. iii.To provide effective supportive mechanisms to solve socialmedia addiction. The present study covers 100 college girlsstudents in art science. 80% of students have said that daily onehour using 2GP (Rs.250/- per month) for online courses incollege and more than one and a half hours using houses forpersonal uses. 60% of the of girl's students have reported thatapart from studying, they cell phones for chatting with friends,WhatsApp status, and reels. 25% of the girls students haveescaped from college education and eloped with lovers throughcell phone chatting.15% of the cell phones were snatched byparents and stopped their education.

Exploring Open Science practices at a national and research library in Central Europe

The paradigm of Open Science (OS) is increasingly pivotal in contemporary scholarly research, promoting transparency, accessibility, and collaboration. This study, conducted as part of an Erasmus+ internship by a trainee at the National Széchényi Library of Hungary (OSZK) assesses the level of Open Science awareness among its researchers and contributes to the formulation of an Open Science-compliant Data Management Plan policy. By examining researchers' perspectives and current practices, the survey identifies some gaps and areas for improvement in data management and sharing. These insights are instrumental in developing strategic initiatives to enhance Open Science practices within the OSZK researchers. Furthermore, the findings have prompted the Office for GLAM Standards at NSL to develop a specialized Open Science course for OSZK researchers. This study not only supports the advancement of a more open and collaborative research culture within Hungary but also aligns with global efforts to democratize scientific knowledge.

The Effect of Historical Places Through Virtual Museums on Students' Academic Achievement And Attitudes Towards The Course In Social Sciences Course Concept Teaching

This research, 7. the classroom social studies course was conducted in order to determine the effect of historical sites on students' academic achievements and attitudes towards the course through virtual museums in concept teaching. In line with the aim, 20 concepts included in the social studies curriculum were selected. A 20-question academic achievement test was prepared and applied to be applied to students in relation to these concepts. In addition, a 35-item attitude scale was applied to determine the students' attitudes towards the Social studies course. The study group of the research consists of 40 7th grade students (20 experimental, 20 control). The study was carried out over a total period of 3 weeks. The experimental group was taught concepts through virtual museums in historical places, and the control group was taught according to the Social Studies curriculum. SPSS, which is a statistical analysis program, was used for the analysis of quantitative data. In the measurements related to the research, dependent and independent variable t test, mean, standard deviation values were calculated. According to the results of the analysis, it has been determined that the use of virtual museums with historical sites in social studies course concept teaching enables more effective learning compared to traditional methods and creates significant differences in students' attitudes towards social studies course.

Teaching Statistics for the Social Sciences Using Active Learning: A Case Study

US college students are typically required to take at least one mathematics or statistics course, either as part their major area of study, or as a general education requirement. College mathematics requirements are an obstacle for many college students. Active learning, a pedagogical approach that places emphasis on students’ collaborative work, has been shown to increase student learning and course success in STEM fields of study and in mathematics courses. Active learning has also been shown to be adaptable to courses involving computer software and programming, such as introductory statistics. This case study is based on the author’s experience implementing an active learning model in an introductory statistics course for students majoring in sociology and related social sciences. Results indicate that the active learning approach was adaptable to the structure and particular learning goals of the course. Students perceived greater learning relative to other courses despite doing less work outside of class, and attributed this to the active learning structure of the course. These findings align with more systematic studies on the impacts of active learning in science and mathematics courses.

Research on the Application of New Media Technology in College Physics Teaching

Physics is a basic subject with a high degree of abstraction, and it is an indispensable and important course for science and engineering majors in universities. College physics teaching is mainly concentrated in the classroom, yet, in the limited teaching time, students find it difficult to fully understand the relevant teaching content, which not only affects their follow-up study but also greatly hits the student’s confidence in physics learning, thus, college physics teaching reform is imperative. This paper will briefly explain the relevant concepts of new media technology, then analyze the advantages of its application in college physics teaching, and finally explore the application strategies of new media technology in college physics teaching. This aims to improve the effect and quality of classroom teaching, improve students’ physics learning ability and level, and enhance the core literacy of disciplines by integrating new media technology into college physics teaching, as well as to lay a solid foundation for the study of professional knowledge.

The development of an environmental educational game based on the ASSURE instructional design model: a case study in Turkey

ABSTRACT This study aims to develop an educational game on the environment based on the ASSURE instructional design model. Educational games are an excellent method for learning, letting students have fun and ensuring that students are physically, emotionally, and psychologically at the highest level. The phenomenology design, a qualitative research method, was used in the study. The participants of this study were 16 6th-grade students in Turkey. The selected games were prepared taking into account the Turkish game tradition. Purposive sampling was chosen to determine the participants. The observation form and interview form were used as data collection tools. The data were analysed by content analysis. The study findings were given in codes and categories, including direct quotations. As a result of the study, it was discovered that the students found educational games entertaining, that educational games could be adapted to Science courses the best, and that playing educational games was useful regarding ease of learning and learning by having fun. In line with these results, suggestions were made, such as giving more space to educational games in the lessons.

The effectiveness of Gen AI in assisting students’ knowledge construction in humanities and social sciences courses: learning behaviour analysis

ABSTRACT Currently, generative AI has undergone rapid development. Numerous studies have attested to the benefits of Gen AI in programming, mathematics and other disciplines. However, since Gen AI mostly uses English as the intrinsic training parameter, it is more effective in facilitating the teaching of courses that use international common notation, but few scholars have researched the fitness of Gen AI-assisted teaching of humanities courses in Chinese-language environments. To address these gaps, this study examined the learning behaviours of 30 students using Gen AI to help them answer questions on economic law tests using the Lag Sequential Analysis. The results show that the following: (1) The use of Gen AI to aid learning in an economic law course did not significantly improve the cognitive level of academics from the perspective of knowledge construction. (2) According to the characteristics of students’ behavioural paths via Gen AI-assisted learning, their behavioural patterns can be classified into autonomous and innovative, moderate, and lacking innovation. (3) Different learning modes when Gen AI-assisted teaching was used affected the final results, which were as follows: High-performing students favoured the autonomous and innovative pattern, medium-performing students favoured the moderate pattern, and low-performing students favoured the lacking innovation pattern.

From outdated to outstanding: an institution’s journey in reforming the dental materials science curriculum and lessons learned

BackgroundThe Dental Materials Science (DMS) course within Malaysian undergraduate dental education has traditionally been taught in isolation, with a relatively stagnant delivery mode. Recent shifts in national dental competency standards have necessitated substantial reform in the DMS curriculum. This study aims to outline the journey of a local dental institute in developing and implementing a competency-based DMS curriculum.MethodsA faculty curriculum task force was established to oversee the curriculum reform process. The reform was guided by a “bottom-up” approach using the five-step curriculum reform model: (1). Curriculum mapping, (2). Comprehensive needs assessment, (3). Clear learning objectives and outcomes, (4). Curriculum development and implementation, and (5). Continuous evaluation and improvement.ResultsStep 1 revealed the need to reduce content repetition and improve alignment with the new competency standards. Step 2 identified the need to include advanced materials, integrate theoretical and clinical aspects, and enhance teaching methods. The new curriculum included 25 relevant topics. Step 3 established three course learning outcomes, while Step 4 integrated DMS content horizontally and vertically across the curriculum, introduced innovative teaching methods, and diversified assessment methods. Step 5 ensured ongoing curriculum monitoring, with both short-term and long-term evaluations planned.ConclusionThe curriculum reform process represents a significant advancement in dental materials science while addressing challenges and aligning the curriculum with national standards. Ongoing evaluation, adaptability, interdisciplinary collaboration, and international engagement are essential for further improvements. This journey serves as a valuable reference for educators seeking to update their DMS curricula.

Perceived Convenience, Social Influence and Household Waste Sorting Behavior of Young Residents: An Empirical Study From a Developing Country

Waste management remains a challenge, especially for developing countries and effective waste separation plays a critical role of reduction in the amount of waste to ensure sustainable development goals. Aiming to investigate the waste sorting behavior of young residents in the second most populous city such as Hanoi, hosting numerous universities and colleges in Vietnam, we conducted an online survey with students from 10 universities in Hanoi via online platform and a sample size of 331 valid responses have been collected. Since we wish to provide insights into young residents’ awareness, knowledge, and behavior about environmental protection and waste separation, the convenience sampling method is employed. The result suggests that five influential factors positively affect young residents’ sorting behavior among which environmental attitude and perceived convenience have a greater impact on young residents’ sorting behavior. The underlying reasons are then discussed to provide policy implications which include environmental science courses as well as regulations on waste sorting at source.

Anisotropic Laser Performance in an Optically Isotropic Crystal by Phonon Engineering

Symmetry is an eternal motif in understanding the characteristics of nearly all the laws and courses of science. The symmetry‐breaking in the optical crystal will generate a rich variety of unprecedented physical phenomena and create new functional properties. Herein, the symmetry‐breaking in a photon–phonon collaboratively pumped laser, dominated by the anisotropic lattice vibrations is investigated. Using an optically isotropic Nd:YAG crystal as an example, the phonon‐assisted electronic transitions accompanied by anisotropic fluorescence emission are observed, beyond the intrinsic structural symmetry ruled by Neumann's principle. For the first time, the phonon‐assisted new‐wavelength lasers at 1151 and 1166 nm are achieved in Nd:YAG with divergent light polarization, determined by the vibrational direction of involved phonons. These results provide a flexible degree of freedom for photonics by phonon engineering and pave the way to new frontiers in the field of laser generation and manipulation.

Special Issue on Informatics Education: Vanderbilt Clinical Informatics Center Education Strategy: To Infinity and Beyond!

The Vanderbilt Clinical Informatics Center (VCLIC) is based in the Department of Biomedical Informatics (DBMI) and operates across Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and Vanderbilt University (VU) with a goal of enabling and supporting clinical informatics research and practice. VCLIC supports several types of applied clinical informatics teaching, including teaching of students in courses, professional education for staff and faculty throughout VUMC, and workshops and conferences that are open to the public. In this paper, we provide a detailed accounting of our center and institution's methods of educating and training faculty, staff, students, and trainees from across the academic institution and health system on clinical informatics topics, including formal training programs and informal applied learning sessions. Through a host of informal learning events, such as workshops, seminars, conference-style events, bite-size instructive videos, and hackathons, as well as several formal education programs, such as the Clinical Informatics Graduate Course, Master's in Applied Clinical Informatics, Medical Student Integrated Science Course, Graduate Medical Education Elective, and Fellowship in Clinical Informatics, VCLIC and VUMC provide opportunities for faculty, students, trainees, and even staff to engage with Clinical Informatics topics and learn related skills. The described programs have trained hundreds of participants from across the academic and clinical enterprises. Of the VCLIC-held events, the majority of attendees indicated through surveys that they were satisfied, with the average satisfaction score being 4.63/5, and all events averaging a satisfaction score of greater than 4. Across the 20 events VCLIC has held, our largest audiences are DBMI, HealthIT operational staff, and students from the medical and nursing schools. VCLIC has created and delivered a successful suite of formal and informal educational events and programs to disseminate clinical informatics knowledge and skills to learners across the academic institution and healthcare system.

A Tribute to Jaume Porta Casanellas and His Influence on Soil Science

This article provides personal and professional assessments from disciples, colleagues and friends of Jaume Porta Casanellas (Barcelona, 1944; Lleida, 2023), a prominent soil scientist. He began his agricultural engineering studies at the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) where he met Marta López-Acevedo, his wife and outstanding collaborator. At UPM, he started his early work in soil science under the guidance of Professor Carlos Roquero who became his mentor and friend. Jaume Porta was a dedicated, passionate soil scientist who engaged extensively in teaching and research in Soil Science, while also excelling as a manager. He emerged as a leader due to his initiatives in promoting Soil Science in Catalonia and Spain, and for his forward-thinking vision, evident in his decisions as Rector of the University of Lleida, which have significantly contributed to the city’s development. From the beginning, he advocated for detailed (1:25,000) soil mapping of Catalonia to enhance territorial planning and agricultural progress. His primary research focus was on salt-affected soils and soils with gypsum, alongside soil erosion and conservation. Porta devoted a lot of effort to improve soil field descriptions with his Agenda de campo. He played a key role in standardizing soil analytical methods, establishing large series laboratories in Spain, notably the LAF in Sidamon (Lleida), and aligning Spanish soil labs with the international GLOSOLAN network. As president of the SECS, he energized activities and encouraged member participation. His educational publications, mainly his comprehensive textbook Edafología, are considered fundamental in Soil Science across Spanish-speaking countries, as is the Multilingual Dictionary of Soil Science, representing the pinnacle of his efforts to rigorously disseminate soil science concepts and terms in Spanish, Catalan, Galician, and Portuguese. He contributed significantly to international Soil Science courses in Mexico and played a key role in establishing the JADE postgraduate training program. He facilitated the creation and international visibility of the Spanish Journal of Soil Science. Additionally, he advocated for the establishment of the Soil Sciences Documentation Centre (Ce.SECS) to preserve historical publications and the legacy of soil scientists. Jaume Porta’s enduring impact, both professionally and personally, will be felt for years to come.

Exploring Perspectives on Data Science Competency: Insights from Students, Professionals, and Employers

Graduate-level data science programs at iSchools have increased in recent years in response to growing needs in the field and demand for professionals with data-related skills due to technology advancements and the ubiquity of information and data. However, a perception gap still exists regarding skills taught in classrooms and those needed in the workplace. Hence, we systematically analyzed graduate-level data science programs and courses and conducted a survey of relevant stakeholders (current students, data professionals, and employers) on their perceptions of the skills and knowledge necessary for an effective data science professional or data librarian. In the questionnaire, 116 participants rated the importance of data science competencies and topics using a seven-point Likert scale. The survey participants rated most data competency areas as important, very important, or extremely important, indicating a strong consensus among respondents regarding the significance of technical skills like data analysis, foundational skills like problem-solving, and soft skills like communication. Overall, students rated the importance of most technical skills higher than employers and professionals did. However, employers rated the importance of soft skills, such as communication, higher than students. A Kruskal-Wallis H test confirmed significant differences in the rating of multiple data competency importance among the three groups. When asked about the importance of data topics, participants rated topics like data ethics, privacy, and access as important. These findings could inform and assist administrators and faculty at LIS and iSchools with curricula design for graduate programs while working to prepare students for careers in the information professions.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access Coverage in Technology-focused Courses

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) is a controversial topic. Technological improvements help to incorporate DEIA to everyday life, but it also comes with its own problems like algorithmic bias, and legal issues. Computing technology is not neutral; adversely affecting marginalized groups through policy decisions and their creators’ unconscious biases; the limitations of the programs and equipment. The American Library Association Core Competences (ALACCs) require basic knowledge on social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion gained through LIS education. This study will analyze technology-focused Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) courses to assess how DEIA principles are addressed in the light of ALACCs in technology requirement. Syllabi from select ALA accredited MLIS programs on the Eastern United States are collected. Preliminary results will be presented at the Conference. Efforts to collect the remaining syllabuses are continuing. Study hopes to fill a major gap by providing a concrete data about technological biases that inversely affect specific populations as well as possible remedies to it.

Artificial intelligence literacy in primary education: An arts-based approach to overcoming age and gender barriers

Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy education was previously taught primarily at the university and secondary school levels but has recently started to be expanded to primary school settings. When available at the primary school level, AI literacy is often taught within computer science courses, which may potentially reinforce gender stereotypes and discourage female students' engagement. In AI literacy education, the predominant teaching methods are constructivist approaches, which, while effective in fostering active learning, heavily emphasize technical skills and are therefore limited in their pedagogical scope, as they underplay other important questions, such as disinformation, data justice, and AI's ethical and societal implications. The lack of a clear definition of AI literacy for primary education also raises questions about what to teach and how to teach it. Additionally, little attention has been devoted to understanding gender differences in learning outcomes within AI literacy primary education.This study advocates the use of an arts-based transdisciplinary approach for teaching AI literacy to 25 primary school students. A pilot study utilizing mixed methods was conducted to assess the effectiveness of this arts-based approach. Quantitative analysis through a paired t-test revealed a statistically significant improvement in AI literacy among students participating in knowledge tests. Moreover, the results of the Mann‒Whitney and Kruskal‒Wallis tests indicated that gender and age did not impact pre- and post-knowledge test scores. Qualitative analyses further revealed the pedagogical benefits of the arts-based approach, demonstrating that students enhance their conceptual understanding of AI literacy by reflecting on their artifacts. This study contributes to the literature by providing evidence with a small sample size that the arts-based approach can overcome age and gender barriers to accessing AI literacy education and can serve as a means to teach AI thinking.

The Effect of Steam Approach to Economics Media Based on Bima Local Wisdom in Elementary Schools

The purpose of this article is to contribute new learning concepts about critical thinking in social sciences, especially economics, as well as the belief that social character is not developed in Indonesian schools. We investigated how primary school teachers self-reported applying what they had learned about economics to their daily social views. With the aid of educational media, this experimental study aimed to ascertain the extent to which the STEAM method influences the meaning of studying economics from early in life. According to the findings, very few pupils comprehend how economics affects both the environment and them in day-to-day living. Not only did we discover that the STEAM technique had a significant effect on pupils' thinking processes. However, they also discover the impact of their characters. There are significant differences in the level of understanding of learning, one of which is influenced by local wisdom. The implications of these findings for sharpening primary school pupils' comprehension of social science courses are explored. We suggest that social science learning be implemented using many of the latest approaches. Focusing on improving character based on local culture is not enough to use the traditional approach that has been implemented so far.

The challenges of mainstreaming local government

ABSTRACT Although local government has faced huge challenges – even challenges to its existence and its rationale – since Local Government Studies was established, the journal has survived and flourished. From an external perspective, however, the discipline of local government studies seems to remain the Cinderella of political science in the UK. Only a few specialist study centres exist; modules within political science courses are few and far between; the flow of new textbooks has almost entirely halted. This marginal status reflects the status of local government within UK political culture. The UK’s political system tacitly conceives of local government through the ‘benefit model’ – a multi-purpose service deliverer, funded by fee and subsidy. It lacks the dimension, more visible in many other European countries, of local government as an expression of citizenship and democratic choice. In turn, ‘local government policy’ typically comprises a collation of second-order concerns, hemmed in by central accountability mechanisms. Can the discipline provide the intellectual foundation for a shift in this culture, to complement any jump in status for local government within UK politics?

Integrated Curriculum Model: Reformulation and Actualization in the Basics of Islamic Science Course

Reformulation and actualization of the integrated curriculum has become one of the characteristics of every State Islamic University. However, conceptually the terminology for integrating science and curriculum has not yet reached an agreement among experts. Even now, it is still a discourse that has not ended. This research tries to reveal two main problems: first, how the integrated curriculum is applied in the learning process of the basics of Islamic science in the chemistry education study program. Second, the extent to which the application of the integrative curriculum is appropriate in relation to learning the basics of Islamic science in the chemistry education study program. This research uses a qualitative descriptive-analysis approach with purposive sampling consisting of head of the study program, 2 lecturers, 5 students from unit 01 and 5 students from unit 02 in semester 2 (two) who took the basics of Islamic science course in the Chemistry Education Study Program. Data were collected using direct observation techniques, in-depth interviews, and document studies and questionnaires. The data analysis technique goes through the stages of data reduction, data presentation, data processing and interpretation and drawing conclusions (verification). The research results show that the implementation of the integrated curriculum in the basics of Islamic science courses has been realized at the planning and presentation stage of integrated content in line with CPL and the material taught in class is in sync with CPMK and RPS. Meanwhile, the model used is an integration model based on monotheism and fiqh. At the implementation stage in unit 01 the lecturer did not carry out apperception. Meanwhile, in unit 02 the lecturer begins learning by praying together, and after that the lecturer conducts an apperception and explores the students' learning experiences. The suitability of the curriculum implemented in the Chemistry Education Study Program with the integrated curriculum in the Basics of Islamic Science course has been realized adequately although it still needs improvement. It is hoped that the results of this research will become an initial reference for lecturers, observers and educational policy makers.

Health data science course for clinicians: Time to bridge the skills gap?

Data science skills are highly relevant for clinicians working in an era of big data in healthcare. However, these skills are not routinely taught, representing a growing unmet educational need. This education report presents a structured short course that was run to teach clinicians data science and the lessons learnt. A 1-day introductory course was conducted within a tertiary hospital in London. It consisted of lectures followed by facilitated pair programming exercises in R, an object-oriented programming language. Feedback was collated and participant responses were graded using a Likert scale. The course was attended by 20 participants. The majority of participants (69%) were in higher speciality cardiology training. While more than half of the participants (56%) received prior training in statistics either through formal taught programmes (e.g., a Master's degree) or online courses, the participants reported several barriers to expanding their skills in data science due to limited programming skills, lack of dedicated time, training opportunities and awareness. After the short course, there was a significant increase in participants' self-rated confidence in using R for data analysis (mean response; before the course: 1.69 ± 1.0, after the course: 3.2 ± 0.9, p = .0005) and awareness of the capabilities of R (mean response; before the course: 2.1 ± 0.9, after the course: 3.6 ± 0.7, p = .0001, on a 5-point Likert scale). This proof-of-concept study demonstrates that a structured short course can effectively introduce data science skills to clinicians and supports future educational initiatives to integrate data science teaching into medical education.

Actividades Experimentais de Física de Baixo Custo: Um exemplo particular na 10ª Classe do curso de Ciências Físicas e Biológicas

The research focused on experimental activities, in the form of low-cost laboratory practice, with the aim of analyzing the reality of teachers in the teaching-learning process of physics in the 10th grade of the Physical and Biological Sciences course. An experimental study was carried out at the Secondary School Liceu 26 de Abril no. 1677 in the Municipality of Lubango, Huíla Province, Republic of Angola. Questionnaires were used as research tool, allowing a quantitative approach to be reported, using the statistical method in laboratory practice. There was a 100% sample of 6 teachers who teach physics and a 25% sample of 367 students. Once the diagnosis had been made, it was found that the institution in question does not have a laboratory equipped to carry out experimental activities, either with low-cost materials or with recycled materials and, of the few laboratory practices observed, there was no example of a calculation that included analysis of the theory of error for direct or indirect measurement.