Senior Undergraduate Students Research Articles

Ergonomic Evaluation of Senior Undergraduate Students and Effect of Instruction Regarding Ergonomic Principles on It

Background and objective: Musculoskeletal disorders in dentists due to abnormal postures may result in economic and health problems. To prevent these problems, the working posture of dental students should be assessed and corrected in dental procedures. This study was undertaken to assess the effect of instruction regarding ergonomic principles on them by using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method. Material and methods: The posture of 117 students was assessed by REBA before and after of the "Ergonomic principles in dentistry" course. The sample size was selected based on previous studies on this issue. REBA scores were assessed by SPSS software using Friedman-test. Results: The statistical analysis of data gathered from this study showed that the ergonomic structure had a significant effect only in the group of right-handed females (P=0.046). In other groups, no significant change was observed (P>0.05). There was no significant change before and after instruction in REBA classifications (negligible, low risk, medium risk, high risk, very high risk) (P>0.05). There was no relation between the types of positions and REBA score (P>0.05). Conclusion: Ergonomic instruction can significantly decrease musculoskeletal disorders in female dentists who use their right-hand to work. In the other groups, however, the absolute amount of danger became better, but this change was not statistically significant.

Exploring the perceptions of Kurdish EFL university students towards culture as the fifth language skill

Culture has been defined and viewed in different ways. These differences are due to its involvement with various facets of human life. Some of these definitions and viewpoints are related to the process of teaching/learning a language and understanding the habits of the native speakers of the language. In this regard, many linguists consider it the fifth language skill alongside the other four traditional skills that help language learners to master the language better. This paper addresses this issue by exploring the perceptions of Kurdish EFL university students concerning the role of English culture in learning the language. The researcher attempts to achieve this aim by providing a theoretical background about culture and culture as the fifth language skill and utilizing a questionnaire to a sample of senior undergraduate students selected for this purpose. The findings of the study show that cultural awareness has an essential role in the process of English language learning. Hence, culture should always be integrated with the process because it is an inseparable part of language teaching/learning. Teaching culture is as crucial as teaching other aspects and skills of the language.

Undergraduate biological sciences and biotechnology students' reflective essays focus on descriptive details of experiential learning experiences.

Experiential learning experiences (ELEs), opportunities for students to apply knowledge and skills critically in a hands-on environment, are fundamental to the apprenticeship model of biological and biotechnological sciences. ELEs enhance student-learning gains, increase career readiness, and provide important networking opportunities. However, students do not often recognize the benefits of ELEs. Reflection is a highly effective tool to articulate learning gains and connect new content with established knowledge. Therefore, senior undergraduate students (n = 23), majoring in biological sciences or biotechnology, wrote required reflective essays about their ELE, in response to an intentionally vague prompt. Qualitative assessment of the reflective essays identified themes present in the reflective essays that typically included descriptions of what students did, with whom they worked, and what they learned during their ELE, but lacked critical analysis or deep reflection about their experience. Differences were also present between different types of ELEs. These results provide a foundation for guiding students to deeper reflection, ultimately resulting in greater benefits from their ELEs. To promote more robust reflection, and, therefore, theoretically enhance learning gains from ELEs, we suggest multiple iterations of reflection, instructor feedback and coaching, and ELE-specific prompts that focus on the placement of ELEs within students' personal and professional trajectory.

Integrating augmented reality for learning: working with pre-service teachers

The purpose of this manuscript is to describe a scaffolded learning project for Pre-Service Teachers (PSTs) to develop and integrate Augmented Reality (AR) technology into their classroom instruction. The project was an assignment in a course, Applications of Educational Technologies, primarily for junior and senior undergraduate students in a state university in the Midwest. The ADDIE instructional design model - Analyse, Design, Develop, Implement and Evaluate - was used as a theoretical framework to guide the project. The paper takes a reflective approach to share instructor experience of working with PSTs through the project to develop an AR-integrated lesson. The paper introduces AR as a classroom learning tool and provides detailed descriptions regarding how the instructor worked with PSTs through this project. Finally, the paper concludes with instructor's reflections including lessons learned, suggestions for integrating AR assignments into PST training, and recommended strategies to enhance similar projects working with PSTs.

Most versus least used social media: undergraduate students' preferences, participation, lurking, and motivational factors

This investigation aimed to survey undergraduate students on their social media preference, active participation, lurking behaviours, and motivational factors. This investigation focused on participation patterns and outcomes between the students' most used social media (MUSM) and least used social media (LUSM). A total of 769 participants consented to complete the electronic survey. The investigation results indicated that as undergraduate students change their class standings, so does their use of social media. Sophomores are more active in their MUSM compared to freshman undergraduate students. Sophomores were also more likely to lurk compared to junior and senior undergraduate students. The results also indicate that both commitment and individual motivational factors encourage undergraduate students to log in and use their LUSM. Lastly, results showed that undergraduate students use and participate in social media for traditional as well as a range of alternative activities. The main alternative activity performed by undergraduate students in their MUSM and LUSM was private and direct messaging to share content and chat with others.

Integrating augmented reality for learning: working with pre-service teachers

The purpose of this manuscript is to describe a scaffolded learning project for Pre-Service Teachers (PSTs) to develop and integrate Augmented Reality (AR) technology into their classroom instruction. The project was an assignment in a course, Applications of Educational Technologies, primarily for junior and senior undergraduate students in a state university in the Midwest. The ADDIE instructional design model - Analyse, Design, Develop, Implement and Evaluate - was used as a theoretical framework to guide the project. The paper takes a reflective approach to share instructor experience of working with PSTs through the project to develop an AR-integrated lesson. The paper introduces AR as a classroom learning tool and provides detailed descriptions regarding how the instructor worked with PSTs through this project. Finally, the paper concludes with instructor's reflections including lessons learned, suggestions for integrating AR assignments into PST training, and recommended strategies to enhance similar projects working with PSTs.

Attitudes towards ageing of Speech-language Pathology students in a Chilean University.

Describe the attitudes towards ageing of senior undergraduate Speech-language Pathology students in a Chilean University. This is a cross-sectional study in which the validated Spanish version of the Kogan's Attitudes Toward Old People Scale (KAOP) was applied to 43 students in the aforementioned course. The average scores were compared for the variables gender and interaction with the elderly. A trend towards a positive attitude was observed. No differences were found for the variables described. An analysis was carried out with the items in which trends towards negative attitude were reported, and the implications were discussed. Although a positive attitude was reported, aspects of student academic training should be more comprehensively studied with a view to improving the quality of assistance provided to the elderly.

Secondary Employment and Self-Employment of Higher Education Students: The Scale, Structure and Functions (the Case Study of the Republic of Mordovia)

Introduction. Studying the issues of secondary employment of higher education students, which is a factor in the youth integration into the social and professional structure of society and in the extended reproduction of its human capital, is of particular relevance in the context of the prospects for transformation of the social space of the modern labor market. The processes of differentiation, flexibilization, and expansion of non-standard forms of employment focus on studying the features of the structure of secondary employment of students in terms of identifying self-employment practices as a way of implementing creative and entrepreneurial activities of the youth. Materials and Methods. The materials of the author pilot focus group study and the data from a sociological survey conducted among final-year students of institutions of higher education in the Republic of Mordovia were used. To carry out an analysis, the methods of calculating the indicators of descriptive statistics, of assessing connections between variables, as well as that of multivariate statistical analysis were employed. Results. It has been shown that secondary employment of senior undergraduate students of institutions of higher education in the Republic of Mordovia is a common practice. The employment of students is mainly localized in the private sector and is not predominantly related to the profession the institution of higher education trains students for. Self-employment makes up a significant proportion (nearly 25 % of secondary employment. The segment of student self-employment is associated with the provision of a wide range of services, freelance and tutoring being the most popular ones. Self-employment practices are structured by type of activity, depending on gender, as well as on the novelty (or traditional nature) of the work done. Discussion and Conclusion. Self-employment contributes to students’ adaptation to and integration into the labor market and is a factor in stimulating the migration attitudes of young people and instability of vocational orientations. The practical significance of the research consists in the possibility of using its results by the authorities of the Republic of Mordovia when developing the regional youth policy and state programs in labor and employment, and when optimizing the human resources policies of organizations and agencies.

Social Presence Techniques and Strategies in a Blended Course: Student Satisfaction and Suggestions

The purpose of this study was to determine student satisfaction and suggestions for social presence techniques and strategies in a blended course. Phenomenological research design was used in the study. Participants of this study were 22 senior undergraduate students at a public university in Turkey. A blended course was offered to students, including both face-to-face and online elements. An online course, including techniques for establishing social presence, was designed and developed in the Moodle learning management system (LMS). Adobe Connect was used for online live lessons. Techniques and strategies used in the study included course orientation videos, audio-visual meetings, providing frequent and detailed feedback, limiting class size, using sense of humor, using emoticons, addressing students by name, sharing personal stories and experiences, expressing agreement or disagreement, asking questions and inviting responses, and giving greetings. Students attended the course, which lasted a term. After the course, a form with open-ended questions was administered to the 22 students. A focus group interview was then performed with seven student volunteers. In the analysis of this qualitative data, descriptive and content analysis techniques were used. According to the findings, students were highly satisfied with the course. Students had positive opinions for each online course design technique and participant strategy. They thought that “providing frequent and detailed feedback” and “asking questions and inviting responses” were the strategies that contributed most to establish social presence. Although knowing other students and the instructor from face-to-face class brought some disadvantages, it contributed to social presence in general and facilitated it in online class. Students offered new techniques and strategies to establish social presence. These were “presentation in online live class”, “using teaching methods and techniques that enable group work”, “conducting individual live meetings with students (guidance)”, “rewarding”, and “using 3D virtual environments in online live class”.

Professional competencies in engineering: examining validity and measurement invariance of a scale

ABSTRACT This study aimed to validate the factor structure of professional competencies in engineering and test the measurement invariance of these competencies across gender. Through a cross-sectional survey, 552 senior undergraduate students (287 males) responded to a 24-item professional competencies scale. The professional competencies included five dimensions, namely knowledge and reasoning of technical and engineering; personal skills and attitudes; professional and ethical skills and attitudes; interpersonal skills and attitudes; and skills of developing system, product, or process. Confirmatory factor analysis yielded that five-factor structure of professional competencies fitted to the data more suitably than the one-factor structure. Results supported the reliability and validity of all the subscales assessing professional competencies. Tests for measurement invariance of the five factors provided support for configural, metric, and scalar invariance across gender. Overall, the obtained factor structure provided evidence in support of the comparability of the model between male and female students.

The perception of the educational environment in multinational students from a dental medicine faculty in Romania.

Dental education comes with important challenges for the faculties as well as for the students. Its evolving nature leads to the constant adoption of new practices and techniques. Thus, the learning environment is in continuous development. This study aimed to describe a sample of senior undergraduate student's perceptions of their learning environment. Students (both Romanian and international) enrolled in the 6th year at the Faculty of Dental Medicine from a Romanian University completed the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM). The scale measures students' perceptions of the education environment using five domains: Learning, Teaching, Academic self-perception, Atmosphere and Social self-perception. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, non-parametric and univariate statistics for group comparison. Participants (N=259, Romanian=111, International=148) had a good perception of their learning environment, with a total DREEM score of 117.82 out of 200. Still, they had a lower score in the areas of Academic and Social self-perception. The international students had more negative perceptions of the learning environment compared to the Romanian ones. The French-speaking students had the lowest scores on most of the areas. Although the perception of medical dentistry education is generally good, international students are not as satisfied with the learning environment. The students' experiences could be improved by providing them with more social support. Also, it is important to address the needs of international students in order to create a more satisfying environment for them.

“That background knowledge”: What junior and senior undergraduate transfer students need from their libraries

Undergraduate students who transfer from one institution to another do so at wildly variant points in their college careers. The range of stages at which students transfer raises questions for librarians who support these students. This article presents the findings from the second phase of a two-phase, multi-campus research project, examining incoming transfer students' experiences related to research and information literacy (IL) instruction. Grounded in the dual theories of transfer deficit and transfer student capital, this article uses the results of follow-up interviews with junior and senior transfer students to identify the difficulties these newly arrived students experience with using library resources to conduct research, as well as the research strategies and other strengths these students bring with them from their previous institutions.

Undergraduate Students’ Perceptions Regarding the Environment: Discuss, Draw, and Write Down

Bu çalışma lisans öğrencilerinin yaşamak istedikleri çevre algılarını belirlemek amacı ile yapılmıştır. Araştırmada katılımcılara, “nasıl bir çevrede ve neden yaşamak istedikleri” sorulmuştur. Çalışma, nitel araştırma modeline dayalı olup “tartış, çiz ve yaz” tekniği kullanılmıştır. Katılım gönüllük ilkesine bağlı olarak sağlanmıştır. Araştırma, Karadeniz bölgesinde bir üniversitede seçmeli ders kapsamında yürütülmüş olup, veriler içerik analiz tekniği kullanılarak teorik çerçeve dahilinde analiz edilmiştir. Katılımcıların çizimleri analiz edilirken aynı zamanda yazdıkları dokümanlardan da yararlanılmıştır. Kodlar ve temalar çizimler bittikten sonra oluşturulmuştur. Bulgulara dayanarak katılımcıların zengin ve daha yoksul semtler arasındaki keskin sınır kabul ettikleri; AVM’leri güvenlik ve sosyalleşme adına tercih ederken, canlı figürlerine çok da yer vermedikleri tespit edilmiştir.

Integrating multiple state‐of‐the‐art computer‐aided design tools in microelectronics circuit design classes

AbstractDemand for microelectronics products has seen a recent explosion due to their increased adaption in high‐performance data storage, networking, and Internet of Things applications. Not only such products need to provide high performance, they are often integrated in mixed signal environments that include both analog and digital circuits. This has posed a challenge to faculty who teach microelectronics design in senior undergraduate and graduate electrical engineering courses. It is becoming increasingly difficult to upgrade microelectronics curricula, so students are enabled with the proper skills to utilize design tools presently common in the industry. This study provides a mechanism to integrate five state of the art design tools in one single design project. The tools are Custom Compiler, Hewlett Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit, verilog compiler simulator, IC Validator, and Design Complier. Students, through a design project, conduct the design, layout, and simulations of an static random‐access memory array. The project utilizes both the full‐custom and the semi‐custom flows. One full design is created and integrated where students do the design and layout of transistors in specific circuits and generate synthesized circuits automatically from a high‐level description language. This study can serve as a resource for senior undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and practicing engineers. Finally, it can help electrical engineering programs meet Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology students’ outcome (k) which is an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

Design by taking perspectives: How engineers explore problems

AbstractBackgroundProblem exploration includes identifying, framing, and defining design problems and bounding problem spaces. Intentional and unintentional changes in problem understanding naturally occur as designers explore design problems to create solutions. Through problem exploration, new perspectives on the problem can emerge along with new and diverse ideas for solutions. By considering multiple problem perspectives varying in scope and focus, designers position themselves to increase their understandings of the “real” problem and engage in more diverse idea generation processes leading to an increasing variety of potential solutions.Purpose/HypothesisThe purpose of this study was to investigate systematic patterns in problem exploration in the early design phases of mechanical engineers.Design/MethodThirty‐five senior undergraduate students and experienced designers with mechanical engineering backgrounds worked individually following a think‐aloud protocol. They explored problems and generated solutions for two of four randomly assigned design problems. After generating solutions, participants framed and rewrote problem statements to reflect their perspectives on the design problem their solutions addressed. Thematic analysis and a priori codes guided the identification of problem exploration patterns within and across problems.ResultsThe set of patterns in engineers' problem exploration that emerged from the analysis documents alternative strategies in exploring problems to arrive at solutions. The results provide evidence that engineering designers, working individually, apply both problem‐specific and more general strategies to explore design problems.ConclusionsOur study identified common patterns in the explorations of presented problems by individual engineering designers. The observed patterns, described as Problem Exploration Perspectives, capture alternative approaches to discovering problems and taking multiple problem perspectives during design. Learning about Problem Exploration Perspectives may be helpful in creating alternative perspectives on a design problem, potentially leading to more varied and innovative solutions. This paper concludes with an extended example illustrating the process of applying Problem Exploration Perspectives to move between problem perspectives to generate varied design outcomes.

A hybrid form of agricultural organization: the case of the Beizhijiang vegetable cooperative in China

Farmer cooperatives in China have been developing a hybrid form of governance with features that are seldom observed in other countries. The Beizhijiang vegetable cooperative (hereafter BZJ cooperative), which was founded in 2009, is a case in point. The chairperson of the BZJ cooperative has dominant control over the decision-making and income rights of the cooperative and is also president of the Pangu corporation, a downstream buyer of BZJ products. The purpose of this case study is to allow students to understand the special form of the cooperative in a Chinese context and to compare it to the International Cooperative Association principles regarding cooperatives. This article is aimed at senior undergraduate and graduate students in agribusiness management and agricultural economics and has practical value for agricultural enterprises and related governmental departments.

Students' perceptions of health informatics learning: a survey of Jordanian and Palestinian students in health-related disciplines

BackgroundTraining for health students is essential to equip them with health informatics competencies and skills. This study used a tailored version of the technology acceptance model (TAM) to assess Jordanian and Palestinian students' attitudes and thoughts regarding learning of health informatics, to determine their intention to learn, to assess the required skills for health informatics, and to determine reasons that could motivate students to study health informatics. MethodsA descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among senior undergraduate students in health-related disciplines in four universities in Jordan and Palestine. A stratified random sample of 1000 students was emailed the link to the web-based questionnaire and requested to complete the questionnaire on a voluntary basis. According to the recommendation by Comrey and Lee (1992), the sample size should be more than 500 to be able to perform factor analysis. The questionnaire included questions on the TAM construct. A five-point Likert-type scale was used to record responses to the questions. FindingsA total of 891 students responded to the study questionnaire; a response rate of 89%. The majority (83%; 737 of 891) of students were interested in learning health informatics. Approximately 63% (560 out of 891) of students reported that they would take a set of health informatics courses during their undergraduate degree if given such an opportunity. Approximately 70% (624 of 891) of students perceived health informatics learning as useful. Only a third of students (36%; 322 of 891) believed that their university provides a supportive environment for health informatics programmes. Approximately 75% (668 of 891) of students had the intention to enter the health informatics programme, and reported that they were enthusiastic about the use of health information technology in patient care in future medical practice. InterpretationUnderstanding students' perception and acceptance of health informatics learning is very important to predict the adoption and implementation of these applications during practice. Students perceived health informatics learning as useful and easy, had a positive attitude towards health informatics, and a strong intention to learn health informatics. The results of this study provide directions for the implementation of health informatics education. FundingThis study, part of the HiCure project, has been funded with support from the European Commission and the European Union's Erasmus+ programme.

An undergraduate laboratory on RNA sequencing analysis of bacterial gene expression.

Next generation sequencing has revolutionized molecular biology and has provided a mechanism for rapid DNA and RNA sequence analysis. Yet, there are few resources to introduce next generation sequencing into the undergraduate biochemistry and molecular biology curriculum. Herein, we describe the design, execution, and assessment of a four-week laboratory for junior and senior undergraduate students that focuses on bacterial gene expression changes detected by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). In the laboratory, students analyze a bacterial RNA-seq dataset in detail and answer questions relating to the impact of DNA methylation on bacterial gene expression. In addition, students confirm key results from the RNA-seq dataset using qRT-PCR and compare their results to similar experiments in the literature. A major strength of the laboratory is the ability of students to analyze raw RNA-seq data. In addition, another strength of the laboratory is the utilization of both dry approaches (informatics and statistics) and wet approaches (RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, and qRT-PCR) to answer bacterial gene expression questions. Assessment of the laboratory indicates that significant learning gains were achieved with respect to next generation sequencing and RNA-seq. We expect that the laboratory will be a valuable resource as is, or via modification with other datasets and projects. © 2019 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 47(2): 161-167, 2019.

A Student Led Investigation of the Landscape Dynamics of Campus Recycling

Two senior undergraduate students within the environmental science division at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU) quantitatively diagnosed the environmental, ecological, and socioeconomic dynamics involved in plastic recycling. This study incorporated actively collecting recycled plastic bottles on campus to produce an enumerated analysis of recycling on campus; and to gain an understanding of the socioeconomics of recycling via an anonymous survey used to determine the recycling knowledgebase of natural resource students at SFASU. Undergraduate students, via their incorporation into a campus wide environmental site assessment of recycling plastic bottles, were able to apply their classroom knowledge to a real-world environmental concern thus making them more well-rounded and society-ready environmental scientists.

Book Reviews

This time, the Book Reviews section has a large portion of reviews on books devoted to applications---in particular medical and biological applications. The section starts with the featured review by Jessica M. Conway on the book Mathematics of Epidemics on Networks, by István Kiss, Joel C. Miller, and Péter L. Simon. As Jessica notes, it is a much needed book and provides a “good, comprehensive resource on the mathematics underlying the modeling of epidemics on networks.” Disease modeling is also the topic of the book Infectious Disease Modeling. A Hybrid System Approach, by Xinzhi Liu and Peter Stechlinski, which is reviewed by Odo Diekmann. Further biological topics in this section are biological systems and growth, modeling life, and the biomechanics of the human stomach. We have three more insightful reviews on different topics. Here, I would like to put emphasis on the review by Daniel Luft on A First Course in Computational Fluid Dynamics, by Hassan Aref and Sivaramakrishnan Balachandar. The target audience of the book is senior undergraduate students and beginning graduate students. Thus, this review is written by a current Ph.D. student.