Diverse Students Research Articles

Strategies and Challenges in Teaching English in English Courses

English courses are part of non-formal education conducted outside formal education, and the curriculum and methodology can be adjusted. This research investigates what strategies teachers use and what challenges teachers face when teaching English in English courses. This qualitative research involved two teachers from two different English courses. This research uses in-depth interviews and thematic analysis to collect data. The research found that the challenges faced when teaching English in non-formal education were student diversity, student mood, and accommodating students' needs. Then, the strategies teachers use during the learning process are observation, personal approaches to students, simplifying teaching materials, establishing prior agreements, and creating lesson plans. This research contributes to the existing literature by providing insights into effective teaching strategies and identifying key challenges in English course settings.

Teacher Challenges in Teaching Writing Skills through Merdeka Curriculum in SMAN 1 Pabedilan

Merdeka curriculum is a curriculum approach intoduced in Indonesia to provide more flexibility to schools and teachers who design and implement the education curriculum. This research aims to find out the challenges faced by teachers in teaching writing skills through merdeka curriculum. This study explores the various challenges teachers face. This research article uses a qualitative descriptive method. The data in this study were obtained by conducting an interview with an English teacher at SMAN 1 Pabedilan. The findings show that the biggest challenge in implementing merdeka curriculum, especially in teaching writing is adjusting the diversity of students’ ability levels and teacher lacks undertanding in using technology. Based on the findings, teachers need to take a more in-depth approach to determine students’ abilities and schools are advised to organize training for teachers on effective strategies and methods of teaching writing. This training should include the use of technology, creative appproaches and assessment methods in accordance with merdeka curriculum.

Analysis of Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Teachers' Understanding of Differentiated Learning Training for Merdeka Curriculum

Differentiated learning is crucial for addressing student diversity and ensuring all students have equal opportunities to achieve their learning objectives. Therefore, it is essential that teachers understand and implement these strategies in the classroom. This study analyzes Islamic primary school (Madrasah Ibtidaiyah/MI) teachers' understanding of differentiated learning. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research involved 54 MI teachers (10 male and 44 female) from 34 MI schools in Babat Lamongan, East Java. Instruments included written tests and interviews. The written test featured a pre-test and post-test via the Quizizz application, while interviews followed the differentiated learning training. Data analysis combined quantitative and qualitative techniques. Quantitative results showed that the MI teachers' conceptual understanding, measured by the N-gain score, was 0.078, categorizing it as low. However, qualitative findings revealed that, post-training, MI teachers demonstrated a solid understanding of all indicators: explaining concepts, identifying characteristics, providing examples and non-examples, and applying differentiated learning strategies. The study concludes that training in differentiated learning significantly enhances teachers' understanding. Regular and consistent training is recommended to sustain and further develop teachers' expertise in this area.

International students' perceived quality of university health centre services: an exploratory sequential mixed methods study.

This study aims to investigate international students' perspectives on service quality and analyse factors contributing to the perceived service quality of the university health centre. International students are at increased risk of experiencing poor mental health, isolation from families and cultures, language barriers, financial stress and academic pressures. It is important that universities support international students to enable them to complete their degrees and reach their desired level of achievement and performance. One of the supports required by international students is the availability of healthcare services. Therefore, improving the quality of services to meet international students' requirements, including healthcare services, is essential. A three-phase exploratory sequential mixed methods design was used. Phase 1 aims to explore international students' perceptions of primary healthcare quality by conducting in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Phase 2 is to form questionnaire items based on the results of the qualitative study. The questionnaire is subject to pilot testing to measure validity and reliability. Phase 3 analyses factors influencing international students' perceived primary healthcare service quality. Multiple regression was used to analyse factors contributing to the perceived service quality of international students. The qualitative strand revealed five major themes representing the study participants' thoughts about the quality of services in the university healthcare context. Perceived quality attributes identified in this study were primarily empathy, equity, effectiveness, efficiency and safety. The quantitative strand found that 35.57% of participants consider the perceived quality of the centre as good. The highest and lowest service quality attributes were related to safety and efficiency, with a score of 21.12 ± 3.58 and 19.57 ± 4.34, respectively. The multiple linear regression analyses showed that PhD students from Health Faculty and Scholarship awardees were significantly associated with the perceived quality of healthcare services. Thus, the university management needs to improve service quality considering the diversity of international students' socio-demographic characteristics.

Closing the Gap? The Ability of Adaptive Learning Courseware to Close Outcome Gaps in Principles of Microeconomics

Research shows that students who identify as low-income, first-generation, and/or racially diverse disproportionately underperform in college and earn fewer degrees than other students. This study explores the integration of adaptive learning courseware assignments as a tool to help close these outcome gaps and to ensure more equitable learning across diverse student groups. Adaptive learning courseware is an educational technology that requires students to master the same learning objectives but, for each student, the courseware determines the order and timing of content based on how that student interacts with the courseware, thus enabling an individualized learning path for each student. Adaptive learning assignments were implemented in five sections of a highly-enrolled Principles of Microeconomics course at a medium-sized state university in the United States. This study draws from student data (n=581), which includes adaptive learning assignment completion data, detailed exam and final grade data, and institutional demographic data. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses are used to explore if the completion of adaptive learning assignments disproportionately benefited low-income, first-generation, or racially diverse students, thus helping close the gap between students from different backgrounds. Findings include significant evidence that adaptive learning assignment completion was correlated with more exam questions answered correctly by all students, with this correlation being disproportionately stronger for students who identify as being from a minority background and for foundational (easy) exam questions.

Non-inclusive teaching of students with special educational needs in a socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhood

ABSTRACT Despite inclusive educational policies, inclusive teaching of diverse students with special educational needs (SEN) presents a professional challenge for many teachers and schools. To better understand how and why educators sometimes teach students with SEN non-inclusively, this study mapped non-inclusive teaching along with justifications for these practices in a primary school in a socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhood. Within this qualitative study, a one-month ethnographic observation of teacher-student and student-student interactions in a single second-grade classroom (with 22 students) was conducted. Additionally, eight teachers from the school and the principal were interviewed on teaching students with SEN. A stepwise-deductive inductive analysis of observations and a thematic analysis of interviews documented how some teachers excluded students with SEN from learning activities and groups by inappropriate space arrangements, reduced teacher-student interactions, and negative expectations. Paradoxically, teachers justified these non-inclusive teaching practices by efforts to address the special educational needs. The findings also documented that the socioeconomically disadvantaged context increased demands on teachers in the school, which possibly contributed to the limited inclusive teaching. The findings underscore the need to increase structural support for socioeconomically disadvantaged schools and show the necessity to systematically foster inclusive attitudes and teaching skills in teacher education.

Learning on a Limb: An outreach module to engage high school students in orthopaedics.

Orthopaedic researchers need new strategies for engaging diverse students. Our field has demonstrated noticeable gaps in racial, ethnic, and gender diversity, which inhibit our ability to innovate and combat the severe socioeconomic burden of musculoskeletal disorders. Towards this goal, we designed, implemented, and evaluated Learning on a Limb, an orthopaedic research outreach module to teach diverse high school students about orthopaedic research. During the 4-hr module, students completed hands-on activities to learn how biomechanical testing, microcomputed tomography, cell culture, and histology are used in orthopaedic research. Over three years, we recruited 32 high school students from the Greater Philadelphia Area to participate in Learning on a Limb. Most participants identified as racial/ethnic or gender minorities in orthopaedic research. Using pre/post-tests, we found that students experienced significant learning gains of 51 percentage points from completing Learning on a Limb. In addition to teaching students about orthopaedic research, post-survey data demonstrated that participating in Learning on a Limb strongly influenced students' interest in orthopaedic research. Several students acted on this interest by completing summer research experiences in the McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania. Learning on a Limb instructors also benefited by having the opportunity to "pay it forward" to the next generation of students and build community within their department. Empowering institutions to host modules like Learning on a Limb would synergistically inspire diverse high school students and strengthen community within orthopaedic departments to ultimately enhance orthopaedic research innovations.

Exploring mathematical wellbeing across cultures: insights from diverse students

AbstractAcross many countries, including New Zealand, diverse groups including indigenous, migrant, and marginalised communities, are under-represented in mathematics, as evidenced by achievement disparities and disengagement from higher-level mathematics. Both research and policy have focused on developing equitable education outcomes for all students. A key aspect of this is wellbeing, including within mathematics classrooms, which includes identifying classroom environments that enable wellbeing. This study examines mathematical wellbeing (MWB) across different ethnicities and genders, with a case study focus on students from Pacific heritages. Analysing qualitative responses from over 12,000 diverse students revealed that positive relationships in the mathematics classroom were most commonly associated with students’ MWB. Accomplishment and cognitive factors, including mathematical accuracy, learning new things, and understanding, were also identified as important. Minor gender differences emerged, with female students emphasising mathematical understanding, accuracy, and relationships more than male students. The Pacific student case study highlighted the importance of both cognitive aspects (learning new things and understanding) and relationships (peer and teacher support), uncovering an alignment between cultural values and MWB. This study empirically confirms seven universal values supporting student MWB, previously identified in Australian and Chinese contexts, suggesting that teachers internationally may align pedagogical practices with these values to support most students’ MWB. However, the instrumental values serving these universal values appear culturally unique. This research contributes novel insights to the field by examining wellbeing with a subject-specific focus through student-generated responses, offering implications for developing more equitable and culturally inclusive mathematics classrooms.

Explaining heterogeneity in student diversity across economics departments

While the field of economics lacks diversity, there is little consensus on the underlying causes of or most effective solutions to this problem. The authors of this article combine data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) with data from their own survey of U.S. economics departments to identify institution and department characteristics associated with observed variation in gender and racial diversity of undergraduate students across departments. They focus their attention on student support, role modeling, course content, and the use of active learning pedagogy. While they find no significant associations between course content or student support with student diversity, they find that gender diversity in departmental faculty is a strong predictor and that active learning is positively associated with gender diversity.

Sports talent identification and development in Tanzanian secondary schools: what are the constraints and negotiation strategies?

ABSTRACT Secondary schools are regarded as vehicles for spotting and developing students’ sports talent. Some constraints often prevent students from developing their sports talent. Since there is hardly any study conducted to establish negotiation strategies toward alleviating the constraints for developing students’ sports talent, this study therefore, based on qualitative research conducted in seven public secondary schools in Tanzania, determined the constraints and negotiation strategies toward identifying and developing sports talent. The study identified several constraints including inappropriate considerations of diversity for students in sports programmes, inappropriate sequence and supervision of sports programmes, limited sports facilities and equipment, competitive atmosphere as well as inadequate human resources and time allotted for sports talent programmes. Similarly, increasing the supply of human, physical and time resources, ensuring practices with consideration of training hours and strategic planning with adherence to sports policy were identified as the negotiation strategies toward alleviating the constraints toward sports talent identification and development.

Obstáculos de implementación del diseño instruccional e impacto en el aprendizaje en la educación a distancia: una revisión sistemática

The study examines the challenges of implementing instructional design in higher distance education and its impact on student learning, highlighting obstacles such as teacher resistance to change, the need for adequate technological resources, and adaptation to student diversity. Through a systematic literature review following the PRISMA protocol and using qualitative analysis, these obstacles are identified, and their effects on learning are examined, such as the development of essential 21st-century skills and knowledge retention. The findings emphasize the importance of a continuous culture of innovation, support for teachers, inclusive and personalized strategies to improve accessibility, and the need for a robust technological infrastructure. It concludes that overcoming these challenges requires a holistic and integrated approach, focused on the needs of both students and educators, to transform distance education into an inclusive, accessible, and conducive modality for educational innovation and transformation, thus preparing students to face the challenges of the modern world with adequate skills and knowledge.

“Differentiation is Sometimes a Hit and Miss”. Educator Perceptions of Differentiated Instruction in the Higher Education Sector

AbstractDifferentiated instruction is an effective means of addressing student diversity, and is increasingly being adopted by educators within the higher education sector. However, the global pandemic and changes to content delivery have altered the educational landscape. Hybridised delivery has resulted in the need for more innovative and contemporary means of accommodating student diversity, to suit both in-situ and remote learning platforms. Additionally, increasing student diversity in higher education has prompted a rethinking of how to accommodate student variance. This qualitative study sought to gauge the views of four educators, who were faced with hybridisation of content delivery during the global pandemic. Led by an overarching objective of ascertaining educator perceptions, responses and attitudes toward differentiated instruction, the study utilised four in-depth case studies to reflect on the implementation of differentiated instruction in the higher education sector. Results from this qualitative analysis yielded the view that time constraints, the coverage of prescribed content and increasing student diversity continue to act as barriers to authentic differentiation. While all showcased educators embraced the underlying philosophy of differentiating instruction to suit student needs, many were hampered by administrative duties which compromised their time and effort with regard to differentiation.

“ChatGPT seems too good to be true”: College students’ use and perceptions of generative AI

This study investigates how U.S. college students (N = 1001) perceive and use ChatGPT, exploring its relationship with societal structures and student characteristics. Regression results show that gender, age, major, institution type, and institutional policy significantly influenced ChatGPT use for general, writing, and programming tasks. Students in their 30s–40s were more likely to use ChatGPT frequently than younger students. Non-native English speakers were more likely than native speakers to use ChatGPT frequently for writing, suggesting its potential as a support tool for language learners. Institutional policies allowing ChatGPT use predicted higher use of ChatGPT. Thematic analysis and natural language processing of open-ended responses revealed varied attitudes towards ChatGPT, with some fearing institutional punishment for using ChatGPT and others confident in their appropriate use of ChatGPT. Computer science majors expressed concerns about job displacement due to the advent of generative AI. Higher-income students generally viewed ChatGPT more positively than their lower-income counterparts. Our research underscores how technology can both empower and marginalize within educational settings; we advocate for equitable integration of AI in academic environments for diverse students.

Keepin' It Real With Relationships: Cultural Humility and Therapeutic Relationships With Culturally/Linguistically Diverse Students

Keepin' It Real With Relationships: Cultural Humility and Therapeutic Relationships With Culturally/Linguistically Diverse Students

Tanggungjawab Terhadap Kurikulum Merdeka Belajar di Madrasah

This research aims to examine the responsibility for implementing the independent learning curriculum in educational units in madrasah. This research is research that uses a qualitative approach with data collection techniques in this research using literature studies originating from books, articles and journals that discuss the independent learning curriculum theory. The results of this research show that the Independent Curriculum is an educational concept that provides teachers with greater freedom and autonomy in designing and implementing learning. The Merdeka Curriculum frees teachers from a curriculum that is too rigid and provides flexibility in determining teaching methods, lesson materials and assessments. Learning is carried out in accordance with the diversity of students, the development of talents and interests, and the needs of students. The role and responsibilities of the madrasa head is the main supporter in making policies within the smallest scope, namely the madrasa. Teachers play an important role in implementing the Independent Curriculum in achieving madrasah goals. Teachers are a key factor in implementing the curriculum and providing meaningful learning experiences for students, therefore, there is a need for continuous professional training and development so that teachers have a deep understanding of the curriculum, effective learning methods, and the ability to manage the classroom well.

A mixed methods analysis of a yearlong intercultural competence curriculum strand

ABSTRACT Background: In a published 2016 report, it was estimated that approximately 80% of public-school teachers identified as White (United States Department of Education 2016). The duality of the issue is that the diversity of the teacher workforce has improved since 1990 but lags in comparison to the increasing diversity of the student population [Gumber, C., and J. Beckhusen. 2022. “U.S. Teachers More Diverse but Still Lag Student Racial, Ethnic Makeup”. United States Census Bureau, January 5. Accessed August 12, 2022. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2022/01/nations-teachers-more-diverse-but-still-lag-racial-ethnic-makeup-of-students.html.]. The discrepancy that exists in racial or ethnic diversity between teachers and students has been termed a cultural gap [Muschell, L. H., and H. M. Roberts. 2011. “Bridging the Cultural Gap: One Teacher Education Program’s Response to Preparing Culturally Responsive Teachers.” Childhood Education 87 (5): 337–340. https://doi.org/10.1080/00094056.2011.10523209]. The value proposition for a teacher workforce that mirrors society is hard to dispute. In the broadest sense, members of the education sector must coordinate efforts to recruit and retain culturally diverse teachers. While these efforts are critical, progress will likely be carried out over a longer period of time. Thus, adequately preparing current and future teachers to bridge the cultural gap is essential. Purpose: Intercultural competence (ICC) is an increasingly relevant topic for teacher preparation programs. To date, there remains a relative dearth of research on strategies that physical education teacher education (PETE) programs can use to promote ICC among teacher candidates (TCs). This study aimed to explore a yearlong curriculum strand’s impact on promoting ICC development in TCs. Methods: A mixed methods research design involving quantitative and qualitative data collection was employed. The quantitative measure was the Intercultural Development Inventory®. Qualitative measures consisted of journal entries and semi-structured interviews. Datasets were then merged to generate mixed-data narratives. Participants included 29 TCs enrolled at a mid-Atlantic University. Findings: Analyses revealed that the curriculum strand did not promote significant change in teacher candidates’ ICC levels quantitatively. Researchers used the constant comparison method to interpret the mixed data narratives. Analyses of the mixed data narratives revealed four emergent themes: (a) experience with cultural diversity; (b) confidence to teach culturally diverse students; (c) making sense of ICC; and (d) reflection on action. Conclusions: Participant data suggests that ICC is a topic that TCs value but may be lacking in their practical, applied understanding of working across cultural differences. Implications and future research on promoting ICC among physical education TCs are discussed. To our knowledge, this study will be the first application of the IDI® to explore change following physical education TCs’ participation in a yearlong curriculum strand focused on promoting ICC.

Trends in incidence of self-harm, neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions among university students compared to the general population: a nationwide electronic data linkage study in Wales.

Objective and ApproachThey are growing concerns that self-harm and mental health conditions are increasing in university students. This may reflect widening access to higher education, existing population trends or stressors associated with this setting. We linked real-world data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency between 2012-2018 with primary and secondary healthcare records. Students were undergraduates aged 18 to 24 years at university entry. Non-students were pseudo-randomly selected based on an equivalent age distribution. We used regression approach to examine characteristics of students and non-students and their risks of self-harm and mental health conditions before and during university. ResultsThis e-cohort study included 96,760 students and 151,795 non-students. Being male, self-harm and mental-health conditions recorded before university entry, and higher deprivation levels resulted in lower odds of entering university and higher odds of dropout. Risks of self-harm, Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), depression, anxiety, drug misuse, and schizophrenia were lower for students. Risks of self-harm, ASD, ADHD, depression, alcohol misuse and schizophrenia were increasing more in students over time. Older students experienced higher risk of self-harm and mental-health conditions. Younger students were more at risk of alcohol misuse than non-students. ConclusionsMental health conditions in students are common, diverse and they influence their academic outcomes. University students have mental health needs and trajectories that differ from those of the general population. ImplicationsThe diversity and complexity of students’ needs require integrated person-centred stepped care approach within universities including triage, access to well-being support, counselling, and referral pathways to mental health services.

Understanding student motivations to attend and experience an optional geoscience field trip at a Hispanic-Serving Institution

This study aimed to use self-determination theory to examine the motivations of a sample of diverse undergraduate students attending a Hispanic-Serving Institution and the benefits they experienced on a field trip to southeastern New Mexico, USA, in the winter of 2023. We used a qualitative, single case study. The case comprised a field trip for undergraduate students—geology majors and non-majors. The field trip was a low-stakes opportunity for students interested in STEM and geoscience to experience fieldwork and explore new terrain at little to no cost to students. We recruited 17 undergraduate students attending the trip to participate in the study. We collected data via one-on-one online interviews prior to and after the field trip, and daily journaling during the trip. We used iterative cycles of coding to analyze the data as a team. We found that students had a mix of motivations to attend the field trip, including enjoyment, prior experiences, a desire to make new and deepen existing relationships, and an interest in learning more about geoscience and camping. We also found that their experiences mirrored their motivations—they benefited from the new knowledge about camping and geoscience, the new relationships they forged, and the enjoyment they derived from being outdoors with friends, looking at and for rocks. Our findings suggest that programs capitalize on students’ curiosity to motivate them to attend field trips, universities offer K-12 programming, and field trip organizers prepare students for the conditions they will encounter on field trips.

Creating the E-Buzz around Collaborative and Collective DEI Efforts

Like many academic libraries, the Leatherby Libraries at Chapman University (USA) is committed to supporting and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for students, faculty, researchers, and staff and has increased its efforts in the last several years to reflect that commitment through its resources, services, and outreach activities. However, in the wider literature, the efforts of scholarly communication librarians in DEI initiatives outside of open-access advocacy are less discussed. Nevertheless, precisely because scholarly communication librarians are concerned with advancing the dissemination of knowledge, they fit naturally into DEI efforts that seek to elevate new or historically marginalized voices and can and should work with library marketing teams to increase the reach and impact of those efforts. This paper focuses on several collaborations between the DEI and marketing librarian and the scholarly communication librarian and invites all library workers to imagine new and unique collaborative opportunities to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within their institutions.

Hakikat Manajemen Pendidikan Agama Islam Multikultural di Pesantren Multidimensi Al-Fakhriyah Makassar

This research was conducted at the Multidimensi Islamic boarding school of Al-Fakhriyah Makassar. This pesantren is a modern pesantren but does not leave the culture of Salafi style, which has diverse students from various tribes, races, ethnicities, social classes, different skin colors, and regional origins. As a result of this diversity, this pesantren must have good management. The purpose of this study is to explore and analyze the form of multicultural Islamic religious education management in the Multidimensi Islamic boarding school of Al-Fakhriyah Makassar. Researchers use qualitative research methods with a case study approach, data collection using participatory observation, structured and unstructured interviews, and documentation, and then the data is processed by analyzing it through an interactive model proposed by Miles and Huberman. The result of this study is that the management of multicultural Islamic religious education in the Multidimensi Islamic boarding school of Al-Fakhriyah Makassar runs quite effectively and efficiently; all activities are carried out well, and multicultural values have been seen, although there are still a handful of perpetrators of discrimination. According to researchers, this problem can be overcome by adding more supervision and attention and updating the management related to the organizing system. Keywords: Management, Pesantrent, Multicultural.