Semi-structured Student Interviews Research Articles

Impact of an experiential learning curriculum on youth developmental assets in alternative high schools

ABSTRACT Adventure-based learning is used by behavioral health providers to connect clients to therapeutic activities outside traditional settings. These approaches often aim to build internal and external assets that support positive youth development. Here we evaluate the impact of an experiential learning curriculum on youth development and identify program characteristics that support development of positive assets. The evaluation included classroom field observations, a pre/post survey of developmental assets, semi-structured student interviews, and focus groups with school employees. Program staff were successful creating a supportive environment, but there was no significant difference in average student asset scores before and after each course. Students described the program as an opportunity to explore their own backyard while stepping outside their comfort zone through teamwork and leadership activities. Evaluation of individual programs can build a suite of best practices for adventure-based education. In particular, emphasis on “challenge by choice” and youth-led activities resonated with students.

Lagging Behind Others?: An Exploration of Muslims’ Educational Outlook in Modern Times

In this paper I explore how modern Muslims’ educational outlook has been affected by colonial disruptions of the past and coloniality of the present. Focusing on the case of colonial India and modern-day Pakistan, I explore how the colonial intrusion in India dichotomized local Muslim education into two separate, divergent domains: religious and secular, a division that remains intact to date. When a contemporary Pakistani Muslim contemplates the purpose of education, he/she confronts two dominant discourses: 1) secular education discourses that advocate economic growth and catching up with the West as the ultimate purpose of education, and 2) dominant religious discourses that advocate salvation in the hereafter as the ultimate goal of education. Through semi-structured interviews of university students in Pakistan, I explored how students make sense of these divergent discourses. I found that students (with a mainstream secular educational background) tend to make a distinction between the purpose of life (which they associate with religion) and the purpose of education (which they associate with worldly pursuits). I argue that this outlook of a difference between the purpose of life and that of education undermines the cultivation of the self that can make a meaningful contribution to knowledge and society. Furthermore, I explore contemporary ideas and practices of knowledge contribution and question the rampant epistemic hegemony of the West in the academic publication enterprise. I point out that the prevailing coloniality of knowledge amplifies the disorientation of Muslims’ educational outlook and hence injury to the modern Muslim self.

Qualities of a Good English Language Teacher from the Perspectives of Textbook Authors in the Field of Language Teaching, Teachers, and Learners

Researchers in the field of language teaching have long been fascinated by the qualities of good teachers. Such qualities have rarely been approached qualitatively from different angles in a single study. Thus, this research aimed to unearth the qualities in question by employing a qualitative multimethod approach. To this end, 23 randomly selected standard language teaching textbooks were analyzed by two coders using qualitative content analysis. The judiciously adopted codes from the analysis were employed to design and carry out semi-structured interviews with nine effective language teachers as well as ten good learners nominated via purposeful sampling. The data gleaned from the semi-interviews were once again analyzed through qualitative content analysis. The collective initial coding of the three datasets resulted in thirteen themes: knowledge of pedagogy, rapport, critical thinking, empathy, rhetoric, knowledge of subject matter, enthusiasm, respect, humor, consciousness, fairness, authenticity, and physical attributes. Conducting a second-level coding, we uncovered two broad themes, namely personality and professionalism with the former being significantly weightier collectively. The application of Chi-Square at this point showed that the associations between the three datasets were meaningful. The findings of the semi-structured interviews of participant teachers and students corroborated those of authors in the field of language teaching. Also, rapport and pedagogy were respectively viewed as the most salient attributes associated with good language teachers by the interviewed informants. The study holds clear implications for interested researchers, language teachers, and teacher educators.

A collaborative two-stage examination in biomedical sciences: Positive impact on feedback and peer collaboration.

Examinations present an intensely focused opportunity for student learning yet opportunities for collaboration, communication, and feedbacks are often wasted. Two-stage examinations where students first take examinations individually and then repeat the examination in small groups hold promise to address this issue. Here, we pilot and evaluate a two-stage examination within an advanced undergraduate biomedical sciences course. We evaluated this innovation by triangulation of data from a questionnaire, semi-structured student interviews, as well as, comparison of student grades between stages of examination across higher- and lower-performing student groups. Quantitative data from the structured questionnaire showed that a majority of students perceived the collaborative stage of two-stage examinations successful in promoting peer collaboration and communication. Furthermore, there was deepened conceptual understanding and provision of immediate feedback. The two-stage examination did not, however, ameliorate students' test anxiety. Qualitative data from semi-structured student interviews were consistent with quantitative data to show that a two-stage examination provides positive impact particularly on immediate feedback, peer collaboration and communication but contributed to sustained test anxiety possibly due to negative experiences during group interactions. Both lower- and higher-performing students showed improvement in the collaborative stage as compared to the preceding individual stage of two-stage examination. This would suggest possible benefits of two-stage examination for learning for all student abilities. This study discusses the advantages and pitfalls of two-stage examinations for biomedical sciences and will guide informed recommendations for subsequent implementation elsewhere.

Enacting a body-focused curriculum with young girls through an activist approach: Leveraging the after-school space

ABSTRACT Background: Many girls do not want to engage in physical activity (PA) in places that do not provide feelings of safety, comfort, or protection. Nor will they engage in PA if it might compromise gender norms and place them at risk of being teased by peers. Media influences (e.g. social media, advertisements) target young girls and circulate gender norms and stereotypes. Many girls may compare themselves to an ideal female body, portrayed in media as slender, fit, pretty, fashionable, and White. This comparison can lead to negative perceptions about their bodies, which may lead to body image dissatisfaction and low body-esteem. To align with the ideal socially-constructed female body, girls may seek to embody normative feminine characteristics. Researchers have implemented body-focused curricula as interventions to help young girls navigate perceived barriers to PA and engage girls in critical analysis of media’s representation of women. Purpose: By creating the GIRL (Gaining Insight through Reflective Learning) sessions, the purpose of this study was to explore how coaches in one after-school program implemented a body-focused curriculum for girls through an activist approach. Method: Nine fifth and sixth grade girls from one low-income elementary school in an urban California school district participated in this year-long after-school program. Data sources included: a researcher journal, field notes, participants’ journals, semi-structured student interviews, researcher and school district personnel correspondences, and participant artifacts. The researchers used an activist approach to create and implement the GIRL sessions to provide: (a) a place where girls could practice high levels of confidence and satisfaction with their bodies and; (b) a safe place in which girls could discuss various concerns regarding the body. Activities were developed to align with these goals and tailored to individual and group interests. Data were analyzed using constant comparative method. Findings: Keeping girls at the center of decision-making was essential for streamlining curricular initiatives and implementation. This was possible through a responsive curricular approach that facilitated a flexible space for girls to engage with the curriculum. Cultivating trust and safety was a key aspect of implementing the curriculum. This involved rethinking traditional coach-student roles. Coaches engaged in reflexive practices which helped determine real-time changes to consider each week, and sense short-comings in critical perspectives they wanted to engage in with participants. Conclusion: If research on activist approaches is significant for transformation and creating new possibilities for girls, these findings are important for detailing what this looked like in practice, how it might work moving forward, and how it could work for others. Ultimately, an activist approach is about teaming with girls to realize transformational change (Oliver and Kirk 2016, ‘Towards an activist approach to research and advocacy for girls and physical education.’ Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy 21 (3): 313–327.). Our findings and discussion speak to the depth of trust needed to enact an activist approach. While GIRL coaches may have lacked critical perspectives to mitigate change, they demonstrated a dimension of cultivating trust through responsive pedagogy that may have been enhanced by the after-school space.

In Our Own Time: Medical Students’ Informal Social Studying and Learning

Phenomenon: Social studying and learning (SSL) is any independent, elective, self-directed and self-organized approach to learning that involves students working with their peers for the purposes of study, learning, or revision. While in-class collaborative learning has been relatively well-explored, very little is known about how medical students engage in informal SSL or about the impacts it can have. The purpose of this study was to explore medical students’ practices and perceptions regarding SSL, and the ways in which this shaped their overall learning experiences. Approach: A constructivist grounded theory study was conducted at the University of Calgary. Data were collected from 23 semi-structured student interviews, which were audio recorded and transcribed. Data were analyzed using iterative data collection, memo-ing, and focused coding. Findings: Despite SSL being a common part of students’ medical school experience and something that was promoted by academic advisors, how students actually engaged with SSL varied substantially, including who made use of SSL, how they made use of it, the size and focus of SSL groups, how these groups functioned, and what individuals sought to get out of them. Some students found SSL helped them to be more efficient and focused in their studying, while others benefited from comparing their knowledge and skills with those of their peers. Not everyone benefited, as some students found SSL stressful, unproductive, or socially uncomfortable. While student engagement in SSL was an enabler of academic success for some it could also be an indicator of social isolation and low self-esteem for others. Insights: Understanding how SSL can influence student experiences has the potential to inform students how and why they might engage in SSL, and it can help educators better support their students, particularly in those schools that actively encourage SSL.

Students' Views on the Ethnobotany-Based Nature Education Program and Their Attitudes towards the Plant

The aim of this research is to determine Students' Views on the ethnobotany-Based Nature Education Program and the impact this program makes on their attitudes towards the plant. The research was conducted on 7th-grade students in a state school in Istanbul. 15 ethnobotany based activities were performed throughout Nature Education. The data collection tools were: an activity evaluation form composed of open-ended questions and conducted at the end of each activity, a Plant Attitude Questionnaire conducted both before and after the implementation and semi-structured student interviews (n=5) performed at the end of the implementation. The answers students gave on the evaluation form and in interviews were analyzed qualitatively in order to determine their views on the activities. The themes formed as a result of data analysis were demonstrated within the tables. The data collected through the Plant Attitude Questionnaire were analyzed quantitatively. At the end of the research, it was found out that most of the students have positive views on ethnobotanic based activities. Moreover, it was revealed that students’ scores of the attitudes towards the plant demonstrated a meaningful change throughout the study. The data collected with the help of the research were discussed and some suggestions were presented.

Teaching Style Differences between Male and Female Science Teachers in Qatari Schools: Possible Impact on Student Achievement

In Qatar’s gender-segregated public schools, female students outperform male students in international science tests such as PISA and TIMMS. In contrast to the international trend for top performing countries, however, female students report lower levels of interest in science-based careers than males. One possible factor that may contribute to this discrepancy is the difference in teaching styles between female teachers and their male counterparts. In this paper we focus on results obtained from 105 classroom observations (39 males and 66 females) selected from 50 different public schools as part of two independent research projects to study the motivation factors and attitudes toward and interest in science among Qatari students. In addition, 40 semi-structured interviews of students, teachers and administrators were conducted. The observations were guided using an adopted Reformed Teaching Observation Protocol (RTOP) evaluation rubric consisting of 13 teaching traits which provides a standardized mean for detecting the degree to which science classroom instruction is reformed through a focus on Lesson Design, Content, Pedagogic Knowledge and classroom culture. Female teachers provided better delivery during theory classes, whereas male teachers demonstrated better performance in laboratory-based classes.

The lasting effects of growing up in a military-connected home: a qualitative study of college-aged American military kids

ABSTRACT Being reared as a military kid is a unique experience shared by millions of children all over the world. This study seeks to understand the experiences shared by military kids and how those experiences change their perspectives, behaviours, and relationships. In the present phenomenological study, we conducted 21 in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews of college students who were reared as United States military kids (MKs). Using criterion sampling, the participants all met specific criteria, including experiencing deployment of their military parent as well as a minimum of 10 years of parental service during the MK’s lifetime. Interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed, and coded for analysis. Researchers reviewed the transcriptions to find common themes and meta-themes present in a majority of the interviews. Common themes centred around relationships with family, changes during childhood, and military presence in everyday life. Particular findings reported in the present article include demonstrated respect, military pride, military community commonality, anticipation of change, childhood instability, family dynamics, military terminology, adaptability, and an overall positive experience. These common themes are relevant for all involved in the care of military kids and their families, as they underline the unique perspective that MKs have about their childhood and their future.

PENGGUNAAN MODEL 3 DIMENSI FASA-FASA BULAN UNTUK MENINGKATKAN PENGUASAAN MURID BAGI KONSEP FASA-FASA BULAN

This action research was conducted to overcome the problem of students’mastery in the Moon phases concept for year 5 students. The 3 dimensional Moon phases model was used to improve the mastery of the students in the concept of the Moon phases. This study is also carried out to see if the students' motivation increases to study the concept of Moon phases by using 3 dimensional Moon phases model. In addition, this study was also carried out to improve the teaching practice of the Moon Phase concept through the application of 3 dimensional Moon phases model. This study was conducted on qualitatively and quantitatively. The sample of the study comprised of 5-year students. A total of 37 students with the moderate achievement of a total of 236 years 5 students in a school in Cheras were selected as sample studies. This study uses the 3D Moon phases model as independent variables and the achievement of post-test as dependent variables. This study uses two sets of objective tests for pre and post-test, questionnaire form to see the acceptance level of students on the use of Moon phases model, an analysis of the number of questions that can be answered on reinforcement training sheets and semi-structured student interviews. Analysis data is done using statistical inference and descriptive statistic. The results showed that there were significant differences in the mean of student performance in pre and post-test. While the level of acceptance of the students to the Moon phases model is at a moderate positive level. In general, the use of 3 dimensional Moon phases model contributes to improving students’ mastery for the Moon phases concept.

Factors affecting students’ engagement with online content in blended learning

PurposeIncreasing use of information and communication technology (ICT) in education has, along with other consequences, shifted the context from teacher-centric to student-centric. These changes pose fresh challenges to the prevalent education systems all over the world, which already have fallen short of the expectations. The purpose of this study is to show that e-learning is not only about ICT following a holistic approach to learning which embeds systemic approach and learning loops but also about students and teacher’s actions in ICT-enabled learning environment. This study investigates the importance of engagement of students and teachers in blended learning with a focus on factors which affect this engagement.Design/methodology/approachBased on systems theory and socio-technological approach to e-learning, the paper documents an experiment which was carried out in a higher education institution. Postgraduate students of one course were divided into two groups. Instructor of the first group was not required to engage with the online content and had to deliver his course in a traditional face-to-face format. Instructor of the second group continuously spent time on the learning management system (LMS), developing more content, participating in online discussions and responding to students. LMS tracked the online activity of both the instructors, and semi-structured interviews of students were conducted.FindingsBased on behaviour of 152 students of a postgraduate programme, students’ time spent online is directly proportional to the instructor’s online time, promptness of instructor’s response to online activities queries of students increased student engagement, the students’ engagement increases if the online content is related to the syllabus but engagement is not the same as the face-to-face lectures in the class.Research limitations/implicationsThe research was conducted in India and is based on the behaviour of instructors and students in India. It was focussed on engagement issues of blended learning, while other issues of blended learning have not been in the focus of the research.Practical implicationsThe research is important for the practice of higher education, and the result of the study can be taken into consideration while developing online courses for students enrolled in higher education.Social implicationsIf higher education institutions take a strategic decision to use ICT in e-learning, engagements of participants and factors affecting engagement are crucial for the better quality of education. In such a way, blended learning fulfils requirements of a holistic approach to learning.Originality/valueDespite the fact that e-learning as a way to deliver academic content has been extensively researched, there are not many studies focussed on engagement issues in blended learning, and even fewer studies have been conducted in an experimental way which allow in-depth research.

Preservice teachers implementing a nonlinear physical education pedagogy

ABSTRACTBackgroundIn recent years, there has been considerable interest in the evolution of physical education teaching practice from a traditional teacher-centred approach to a student-centred approach. Consequently, research has focused on questions about the changing conceptions of the teaching and learning process, that is, from how ‘we’ teach to how ‘they’ learn. A contemporary theoretical model of the teaching and learning process could underpin learning design and delivery adopted in physical education. The constraints-led approach (CLA) is a viable alternative as its practice design and delivery is grounded in the contemporary motor learning theory of ecological dynamics within a nonlinear pedagogy framework. However, its implementation is thought to present unique challenges to physical education practitioners due to the dynamic individual learner-environment interactions from which learning occurs. For this reason, it has been suggested that researchers work symbiotically with practitioners to help facilitate the adoption of nonlinear pedagogies and provide valuable information regarding the application of theory into practice.PurposeThis study sought to explore two PETE students’ experiences learning to implement a nonlinear informed pedagogical approach, specifically the CLA, with physical education students in a school practicum setting. The two PETE students were provided with support from the primary researcher during the experience.Participants and settingA purposive sample of two second-year PETE students from an Australian university were recruited for the study. Participant selection was based on meeting the pre-specified selection criteria of a demonstrated receptiveness to the CLA and a demonstrated confidence, ability and enthusiasm to implement the approach within a school setting. The two study participants were given the opportunity to implement the CLA within a supportive school culture while on their first physical education teaching practicum.Data collection and analysisThe data collection methods utilised were documentary evidence, in the form of PETE students’ post lesson written reflections, primary researcher observations with written reflections and semi-structured student interviews undertaken within 1 week of the culmination of the practicum. These data sources were analysed collectively using thematic analysis to identify repeated patterns of meaning within the data.FindingsAs expected, implementing the CLA presented significant challenges to novice practitioners, due to the complex nature of student learning within a nonlinear informed approach. Specifically, the PETE students rarely detected any of the multiple pupil responses that ‘unexpectedly’ emerged from their modified learning environments. They also had difficulty manipulating the learning environment to facilitate the emergence of learners’ tactical problem-solving behaviour through the natural learning processes underpinning the CLA.ConclusionFor an evolution of physical education teaching practice to progress, it is important that PETE educators work together with the physical education department of a local school to support PETE students to effectively implement nonlinear informed approaches in a school environment. Opportunities need to be provided to allow PETE students to progressively develop their experiential knowledge and conceptual understanding of the exploratory learning processes underpinning a nonlinear approach.

EFL Engineering Students’ Research Article Genre Knowledge Development through Concept Mapping Tasks: A Qualitative Interview-based Study

This qualitative study explores how the use of concept mapping can function as a genre knowledge scaffold within an experimental course that aimed to teach EFL undergraduate students how to read primary research articles in their discipline. Using semi-structured student interviews, the study explored the development of the rhetorical, formal, process and content research article genre facets of three second-year Electrical and Computer Engineering students after working collaboratively on three specially designed concept mapping tasks underpinned by the theories of genre analysis and metacognition. Our data suggest that the process of visual conceptualization encouraged students to engage in deeper forms of genre analysis and explore the different dimensions of the multifaced research article genre construct.

An information literacy teaching model for Vietnam’s schools

PurposeThis study aims to identify the ways in which information literacy (IL) in-practice initiatives are framed for Vietnam’s upper secondary students and to suggest an appropriate IL teaching model for schools in the country.Design/methodology/approachThe research used a qualitative multiple case study approach, including two phases of data collection. The first phase gathered data from semi-structured student interviews. The second phase included semi-structured professional interviews and an analysis of documents.FindingsThe research found that time pressure, teaching method, resource issues, students’ awareness of IL and support from family are challenges for the development of IL programmes. These factors impinge upon the development of an IL teaching model for Vietnam’s upper secondary schools.Research limitations/implicationsThe focus of this study was limited to two schools to gain the depth of data needed to provide a holistic picture of the practice of IL teaching in Vietnam’s upper secondary schools.Practical implicationsThis study could provide some guidance to the Ministry of Education and Training in the development of educational policies and initiatives through identifying the possible contributions of IL to Vietnam’s education system.Originality/valueThe study provides an understanding of the development of IL in the education system in transition, from a didactic to a constructivist approach.

Undisciplined Performativity: A Sociological Approach to Anonymity

Anonymous social media platforms comprise sprawling publics where users, untethered from their legal identity, interact with other anonymous users to share and read user-generated content. The emergence of mobile applications that promise anonymity as a primary feature has led to novel social configurations that have so far been understudied. This article is an empirical and theoretical attempt to understand the ways in which anonymous social media have altered the social through performative, digital acts mediated through a community of anonymous users. I do this through two main propositions: first, that practices of anonymity mediated through a social media platform comprise discrete performative acts of identity due to a process of dissociability, and second, that those dissociated performative acts become undisciplined. To address these propositions, I have drawn from 12 semi-structured interviews of undergraduate and graduate students at Queen’s University who were avid users of Yik Yak to explore the sociology of anonymity, surveillance, and identity. The findings are discussed in relation to theories of performativity and discipline that have been commonly deployed in media and surveillance studies.

Productivity benefits of employer-sponsored training

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of employer-sponsored workforce training on employee productivity in the Australian transport and logistics industry. It challenges the quantitative notion of the ratio of input–output per labour hour as the single most important measure of productivity.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilised a mixed-method approach, involving online and on-site survey questionnaires and on-site semi-structured interviews of employers, employees and students within the industry. Survey questionnaires were administered to Vocational Education and Training (VET) learners to determine the dimensions of productivity gains, while qualitative interviews were conducted specifically to capture employers’ perceptions and expectations of the benefits of training.FindingsResults show that the relationship between employer-sponsored training and workforce productivity is multi-dimensional where, ideally, all essential dimensions must be fulfilled to effectively achieve sustainable productivity level. One dimension is the quantitative measure of increased performance as an outcome of enhanced knowledge, skills and competencies. Another relates to the increased self-confidence, job satisfaction and pride. The third dimension is the cost savings that come with increasing employees’ overall awareness and appreciation of occupational health and safety. The results show that, aside from the dominant theories on training and labour productivity, the perception of the benefits of training on workplace productivity is not merely limited to the conventional understanding of productivity as a simplistic relationship between resource inputs and tangible outputs.Practical implicationsFirms should consider redefining the benefits of training to include employee well-being and individual contribution to common team and organisational goals. Organisations therefore should broaden the notion of productivity to incorporate intangible benefits.Originality/valueThe use of multi-method approach to investigate the views and perceptions of employees, employers and trainers about the productivity benefits of training and key concerns and challenges for the industry.

A High Achieving Inner-City School: An Ecological Analysis

Holy Angels, a high achieving, African American, urban, elementary school in Chicago, Illinois offers a model for successful education of ethnic minority children. Despite coming from predominantly welfare supported, single-mother homes, located in crime ridden inner-city Chicago, during the period bounded by this study, 1969 to 1979, Holy Angels’ students produced test scores among the highest in the nation. The results of semistructured interviews of administrators, teachers, and former students and archival document analysis suggest that three major elements, namely, a high expectation–high help environment, emphasis on life preparation, and iconic leadership—uniquely interwoven, were distinguishing features of Holy Angels School.

From sex objects to bumbling idiots: tracing advertising students’ perceptions of gender and advertising

ABSTRACTWhile much attention has been given to critiquing sexism and stereotyping in advertising texts, less weight is afforded to examining the gendered opinions and worldviews of the practitioners who create such texts and even less focus on such attitudes as held by advertising students—the next generation of advertisers. This paper is concerned with exploring advertising students’ attitudes towards representations of the sexes in adverts, and how this may reflect their gendered opinions more generally. Analysing individual, semi-structured student interviews (n = 12) reveals that, while there was widespread acknowledgement that sexual objectification of women in advertising remains prevalent, there was a discursive turn towards a concern for men and boys, and assertions that misandry has emerged as a concerning and unwelcome trend in advertising imagery and texts. This was bolstered by a less prevalent theme; one which lauds the figure of the “tomboy” and thereby serves to privilege the male experience.

Expectation as a key determinant of international students’ satisfaction

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore international postgraduate students’ expectations of UK university education, covering various aspects of student expectation at a leading business school in Scotland. The authors present in this paper the findings from the qualitative stage of this study, offering a fresh insight into the factors that influence students’ expectations of postgraduate university education and the impact this has on the students’ satisfaction with their courses.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative inquiry was adopted, collecting primary data by means of semi-structured interviews of business school international students enroled in different taught 12-month MSc courses.FindingsInternational students are found to have high expectations of improved job prospects after graduating from their chosen UK university, underlined mainly by the university’s reputation for improving student employability. The most significant a priori factors that form students’ expectations are word of mouth, recommendations and the students’ belief in the calibre of lecturers and the quality of the facilities.Research limitations/implicationsThe students are universities’ most important customers in an increasingly competitive and financially constrained UK higher education environment. Theoretically, the study contributes to the growing literature in this challenging environment not only by identifying the components of international postgraduate students’ expectations but also by exploring how the expectations can be met or exceeded to improve students’ satisfaction. Future research can also replicate this study to other subject areas and draw the similarities and differences that may exist in the expectations of non-business international MSc students.Practical implicationsPractically, this study’s findings should help university students’ recruitment and engagement services develop tailored marketing strategies to better manage international students’ expectations, for example, by being more proactive in embedding employability into postgraduate education provision. Moreover, the findings can also be drawn upon to improve the design and delivery of taught MSc courses in order to meet and exceed the expectations of prospective international postgraduate students.Originality/valueThis research offers a fresh insight and contributes to the understanding of international students’ expectations and their satisfaction of university education services.

Determining the educational value of a technical and nontechnical skills medical student curriculum

BackgroundResidency application rates to general surgery remain low. The purpose of this study is to describe the educational value of a curriculum designed to increase preclinical medical student interest in surgical careers to better understand the process by which medical students decide to pursue a career in surgery. Materials and methodsWe used qualitative methodology to describe the educational value of a technical and nontechnical skills curriculum offered to preclinical medical students at our institution. We conducted semistructured interviews of students and instructors who completed the curriculum in 2016. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and inductively coded. The data were analyzed for emergent themes. ResultsA total of eight students and five instructors were interviewed. After analysis of 13 transcripts, four themes emerged: (1) The course provides a safe environment for learning, (2) acquisition and synthesis of basic technical skills increases preclinical student comfort in the operating room, (3) developing relationships with surgeons creates opportunities for extracurricular learning and scholarship, and (4) operative experiences can inspire students to explore a future career in surgery. ConclusionsThese factors can help inform the design of future interventions to increase student interest, with the ultimate goal of increasing the number of students who apply to surgical residency programs.