Student-focused Approach Research Articles

Differentiated Instruction for an Enhanced Students’Academic Performance in Science 10 (PHYSICS)

The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Differentiated Instruction strategy using selected Multiple Intelligences activities on the students’ performance in Science 10 (Physics). The researcher employed quasi-experimental research and a descriptive method utilizing questionnaires as the principal tool to gather the data. The respondents involved in the study were the One Hundred Twenty (120) Grade 10 Junior High School students of Bagong Nayon II National High School, Antipolo City, during the school year 2022-2023. They were grouped according to their dominant Multiple Intelligence. The study revealed that among the first five dominant multiple intelligences of the students, the majority of the students are more on intrapersonal intelligence rather than the other. This implies that some of the respondents perform more in intrapersonal tasks and skills which would then indicate that teachers should assess each learner's multiple intelligence to know and enhance students' performance in academics. The use of Differentiated Instruction in teaching Science 10 (Physics) greatly improved the performance of the students in terms of their academics. This was shown on the pretest and posttest performance of the students in which their posttest performance increased greatly after the utilization of differentiated instruction in teaching Science 10. It can also be noted that the Intrapersonal Group of students got the highest increase in mean score. The average mean score in the pretest is 19.49 and 35.69 in the posttest with the mean increase of 16.20. This implies that although the students were given different activities, they all performed well. Based on the findings of the study, teachers can use differentiated instruction for the purpose of enhancing the academic performance of the students. This also implies that the prepared activities intended for these groups of students were effective. Therefore, a student-focused approach of teaching fosters an effective learning environment and excellent academic performance.

How do graduate students approach college teaching? Influences of professional development, teaching assistantships, and Big Five personality traits

IntroductionGraduate students engage in college teaching with varied attitudes and approaches. Their teaching practices may be influenced by professional development experiences related to pedagogy, and their personality traits.MethodsThrough an online survey of graduate students teaching undergraduate courses (N = 109, 69.7% women, M age = 30 years, 59% psychology), we examined whether self-reported participation in professional development related to pedagogy, teaching assistantship (TA) experience, academic discipline (psychology vs. other), and Big Five personality traits were associated with variation in teaching practices.ResultsParticipation in professional development correlated positively with years of undergraduate teaching experience and with the trait of openness. Hierarchical regressions indicated that professional development served to promote student-focused practices and discouraged lecturing, while TA experience (mostly restricted to psychology instructors) promoted lecturing and discouraged a student-focused approach. Regarding academic discipline, psychology instructors gave higher endorsements to an information transmission, teacher-focused approach to teaching, lectured more, and were less likely to provoke debate than instructors of other disciplines. Such differences may be attributed in part to larger enrollments of psychology courses. Regarding personality traits, both openness and agreeableness were associated with some student-focused practices, while conscientiousness was associated with an information transmission, teacher-focused approach and with practices aligned with backward course design.DiscussionIn light of previous evidence that personality traits are malleable, graduate training programs may want to cultivate traits like openness as a means of encouraging graduate students to reflect on their pedagogy and seek ways to improve their teaching through professional development. Relatedly, graduate programs should aim to support students’ participation in professional development related to pedagogy and, in doing so, communicate its value.

I do, I understand: engaging distance and campus students in sustainability through active learning

Distance online learning connects students to education opportunities without having to be present at the institution offering the learning module. This case study involved development of a dual on-campus and distance course into a fully online course. It required a student-focused approach and an innovative application of learning technologies, additional resources and learning frameworks to encourage student engagement, independent learning and growth of critical-thinking skills. Changes to the design of the teaching approach and the use of technology improved the quality and quantity of interaction and communication between staff–students and students–students and facilitated a hands-on learning experience for online students interacting asynchronously. Student engagement with the course material, other students and teachers increased compared to previous years. Additional resource videos, learning and assessment guides (written and video), and online field trips helped develop critical-thinking skills and connectedness of learning to real-world applications. Recommendations are provided of learning approaches that could be used by other educators in different subject courses.

A spaced-repetition approach to enhance medical student learning and engagement in medical pharmacology

BackgroundPharmacology is a cornerstone of medical education as it underlies safe prescribing practices. However, medical students have reported unease regarding their perceived proficiency in medical pharmacology. Despite the significant impetus to improve student outcomes, there is little analysis available of the techniques used by medical students to learn, retain and apply medical pharmacology knowledge.MethodsA mixed-methods, student-focused approach was conducted to design and evaluate specific resources developed to address gaps in pharmacology education. This methodology comprised an anonymised scoping survey, followed by semi-structured focus group interviews. We then developed a flashcard resource as an intervention to support long-term revision for academic and clinical success. This resource was released to a cohort of 100 graduate entry preclinical medical students who were invited at the end of year to evaluate the intervention via a subsequent anonymous survey.ResultsThe scoping survey received 103 complete responses. Surveys and focus group interviews revealed that only 50% of students engage in ongoing revision. Amongst our cohort, we identified that the evidence-based technique of spaced-repetition was particularly well regarded. Hence, we developed and evaluated a bespoke resource utilising Anki™, an open-source, spaced-repetition flashcard program. A total of 1208 flashcards spanning 156 distinct classes of drugs with supplementary summary tables, diagrams and explanatory video and summary guides were created. Designed as a strategic revision tool to reinforce learning, evaluation showed students greatly appreciated the “comprehensive” and “well formatted” Anki™ resource that supported existing teaching modalities, with a global rating of 3.8 out of 5.ConclusionsStrategic and personalised resources for medical pharmacology education that assist with in-semester revision and long-term retention are highly valued amongst students for examination preparation and preparedness for practice. Collectively, these results reflect a novel approach to identifying and addressing weaknesses in existing learning resources in a manner that is inclusive of, and acceptable to, medical students.

THE GROWTH OF PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION: AN OVERVIEW IN THE CONTEXT OF LIBERALISATION, PRIVATISATION AND MARKETISATION

<p>Economic policies encouraging private ownership (liberalisation, privatisation and marketisation) have allowed Private Higher Education Institutions (PrHEIs) to proliferate in most parts of the world, particularly since the 1990s. The number of private colleges and universities continues to grow in most countries at a remarkable rate, partly reflecting the demand for greater choice and more flexibility, which PrHEIs are able to offer. In some countries, PrHEIs even outnumber public higher education institutions (PuHEIs) or are at least expected to do so within the next decade. This is particularly the case in emerging and developing countries. The worldwide expansion of private higher education can be illustrated by the fact that one in three students globally is now enrolled in PrHEIs, and there are very few places in the world where public monopolies continue to prevent the emergence of alternative providers from the private sector. In the UK, the Government recognises that private, for-profit higher education institutions, the majority of which award degrees in conjunction with state universities, typically function more efficiently and work harder to improve the student experience. Their appeal among non-traditional students dovetails perfectly with Government rhetoric to make higher education more accessible and widen participation. A legal framework has been created that makes it easier for challenger institutions to enter the market and compete with the public higher education sector. A more streamlined, student-focused approach to the regulation of higher education in the UK is also designed to stimulate further growth and competition in the HE sector, ensuring that private colleges and universities remain a viable alternative to the public sector. </p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0886/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Examining Preservice Teachers’ Perceptions of Planning for Culturally Relevant Disciplinary Literacy

This qualitative multiple case study examined four preservice teachers’ planning and perceptions of planning for culturally and socially relevant disciplinary literacy instruction in secondary disciplines. Four disciplines were represented: art, English, history, and physical education (P.E.)/health. This research sought to understand how a secondary literacy course and its requirements, with a particular focus on culturally relevant disciplinary literacy (CRDL) instruction. Particularities of the four disciplines of study represented were also considered to inform crosscontent literacy coursework. Findings indicated preservice teachers (PSTs) recognized potential of CRDL to engage students in critical thought. However, core disciplines (English and history) had varying viewpoints of the reality of such instruction compared with noncore disciplines (art and P.E./health), and all PSTs struggled to perceive CRDL as a primarily student-focused approach to instruction.

Teacher educators’ approaches to teaching and connections with their perceptions of the closeness of their research and teaching

This study explores teacher educators’ perceptions of their approaches to teaching and the closeness of their research and teaching. A total of 115 participants completed a questionnaire. The results showed that these teacher educators perceived information transmission as an element of the student-focused approach to teaching. Three clusters were identified which mirrored different kinds of combinations of the teacher- and student-focused approaches to teaching. The results further revealed that these clusters were related to how closely teacher educators considered their teaching and research to be related to each other.

Use of mental models and cognitive maps to understand students’ learning challenges

Mental models and cognitive maps have been used in college business education as an instructional design technique, assessment tool, and learning strategy. The authors propose a novel use of mental models and cognitive maps as a device to elicit students’ challenges in learning the domain knowledge of a course. Such usage is illustrated in a management information systems course. This student-focused approach can help instructor to better understand students’ learning challenges and enhance teaching effectiveness.

Assessing student learning and improving instructional methods for a Kinesiology capstone course

Introduction. Many college instructors use a teacher-focused rather than student-focused method of teaching their courses. This may result in a surface approach to learning by students. This study examines student feedback of a college course with the intention of understanding how a more student-focused approach may result in a deeper approach to learning by students. Methods. Investigators used surveys and concept mapping in order to gain a better understanding of how students in the course retained and understood course material as well as how they perceived their ability to apply that material. Results. Survey and concept maps indicate a portion of students enrolled in the course were unsure of their ability to understand and apply some of the concepts required to pass the course. Additionally, many were unable to make logical connections between some key concepts covered in the course. Finally, we learned how students perceived the course and how we may need to transition from a more teacher-focused to a more student-focused approach to teaching. Discussion. Based on these results a course redesign born of SoTL literature and based on the concept of integrated course design may be in order.

Student evaluation of the impact of changes in teaching style on their learning: a mixed method longitudinal study

BackgroundMaternal and Child Health Aides are the largest nursing cadre in Sierra Leone providing maternal and child health care at primary level. Poor healthcare infrastructure and persistent shortage of suitably qualified health care workers have contributed to high maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. In 2012, 50% of the MCHAides cohort failed their final examination and the Government of Sierra Leone expressed concerns about the quality of teaching within the programmes. Lack of teaching resources and poor standards of teaching led to high failure rates in final examinations reducing the number of newly qualified nurses available for deployment.MethodsA mixed-methods approach using semi-structured observations of teaching sessions and completion of a questionnaire by students was used. Fourteen MCHAide Training Schools across all districts of Sierra Leone, 140 MCHAide tutors and 513 students were included in the study. In each school, teaching was observed by two researchers at baseline, 3 and 6 months after the tutor training programme. Students completed a questionnaire on the quality of teaching and learning in their school at the same time points.ResultsA total of 513 students completed the questionnaire, 120 tutors took part in the training and 66 lessons across all schools were observed. There was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvement in mean student evaluation of teaching and learning in 12/19 areas tested at follow-up compared to baseline. Observation of 66 teaching sessions demonstrated an increase in the number of student-focused, interactive teaching methods used.ConclusionPrior to the teaching and learning workshops there was little student-focused learning within the schools. Teaching was conducted predominantly using lectures even for practical sessions. Training tutors to move away from didactic teaching towards a more student-focused approach leads to increased student satisfaction with teaching and learning within the schools.

Adaptation of the Approaches to Teaching Inventory into Turkish and Analysis of Turkish Academics’ Approaches to Their Own Teaching

The aim of this research is to adapt the Approaches to Teaching Inventory into Turkish culture and analyze the teaching approaches of academics working at education faculties in terms of various variables. In the light of this aim, two subsequent sub studies were conducted. In the first phase of the study, the Approaches to Teaching Inventory (ATI) was adapted to Turkish culture. During the adaptation phase, language equivalence was analyzed both through interviews conducted with foreign language experts and through the correlation scores between the original and the Turkish forms. Results of the confirmatory factor analysis which was conducted on data gathered from 140 academics working at 35 different education faculties in Turkey confirmed the two-factor model of ATI as student centered and teacher centered. Reliability studies of ATI were carried out through Cronbach α, and McDonald ω coefficients and results revealed that ATI has the appropriate psychometric properties to be used in Turkish studies. In the second phase of the study, 185 academics working at 31 different education faculties were reached and their teaching approaches were analyzed based on the level of the course, number of students in their classes, their academic titles, and seniority variables. As a result of the analysis, it was found that academics adopted a more teacher-focused approach to teaching at undergraduate level courses whereas they adopted a more student-focused approach to teaching at graduate level courses. It was also found in terms of class size that academics adopted a more teacher-focused approach to teaching when the class size exceeded 20 students. In addition, in terms of academic titles, associate professors adopted a more student focused teaching approach compared to lecturer doctors and research assistant doctors. Moreover, a negative and weak relationship was found between seniority and teacher focused approach to teaching.

Teacher educators’ approaches to teaching and the nexus with self-efficacy and burnout: examples from two teachers’ universities in China

ABSTRACTTeacher educators’ approaches to teaching, and their experience of burnout and self-efficacy beliefs, are related to how they are able to facilitate student teachers’ learning. In this study, 115 Chinese teacher educators responded to a questionnaire in 2015. Based on the previous study investigating the teacher educators’ approaches to teaching, the present study explored how these approaches were related to their self-efficacy beliefs in teaching and burnout. Burnout was measured through inadequacy in teacher-student interaction and exhaustion subscales. The analyses revealed that a student-focused approach to teaching among teacher educators was positively related to their self-efficacy beliefs in teaching. Both student- and teacher-focused approaches to teaching were positively related to the educators’ experience of inadequacy in teacher-student interaction. However, the study revealed no relationship between teacher educators’ approaches to teaching and the experience of exhaustion. To prevent feelings of inadequate interaction with their students, pedagogical training should provide these teacher educators with efficient guidance on how to interact with student teachers. The present study provides new insights in the teacher educators’ adoption of the student- and teacher-focused approaches to teaching.

Coaching for Communicative Competence: A Student-Focused Approach

This paper focuses on instructor led, student-focused coaching sessions undertaken in the senior (capstone) design classes at the University of Manitoba. The team-based design approach used in capstone courses allows students to work in a manner more closely reflecting industry practice; however, team writing does not allow for individualized scaffolding which could ensure each graduate meets the standard for communicative competence. Rather than allow students to rely on the team’s collective communication skills, we developed an approach that incorporates individual coaching sessions at multiple stages in the writing process. These sessions require students to reflect upon their work, and allow them to discuss it in a meaningful way with the instructor. Doing so at various stages affords students the opportunity to engage in an iterative approach to developing communicative competence: applying what they learn, reflecting on their work, and discussing communicative gains and new methodologies.While integrating individual coaching and directed instruction into the curriculum can be challenging, this paper demonstrates how student-focused coaching sessions provide a platform from which senior design students can increase both communicative competence and their value to industry as future engineers

Exploring the relationship between goal orientations for teaching of tertiary teachers and their teaching approaches in China

This study addresses a paucity of research into teacher motivation in higher education by exploring the relationship between tertiary teachers’ goal orientations for teaching and their approaches to teaching in China. A questionnaire gathered responses from 262 Chinese tertiary teachers, and the results showed these teachers reporting higher levels of relational and mastery goals for teaching and greater student-focused approach to teaching. Male teachers reported lower levels of ability-approach and mastery goals than female teachers, and teachers with no more than 5 years of teaching experience scored higher on both ability-approach and ability-avoidance goals than those with more than 15 years of teaching experience. The study also revealed that teachers’ ability goals significantly predicted a teacher-focused approach to teaching, and mastery goals predicted a student-focused approach to teaching.

Tensions between knowledge transmission and student-focused teaching approaches to assessment purposes: helping students improve through transmission

This study surveyed 1064 Chinese school teachers’ approaches to teaching and conceptions of assessment, and examined their inter-relationship using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. Three approaches to teaching (i.e. Knowledge Transmission, Student-Focused, and Examination Preparation) and six conceptions of assessment (i.e. Student Development, Teaching Improvement, Examination, Control, School Accountability, and Irrelevance) were identified. Teachers indicated they used Student-Focused most frequently and this positively predicted the assessment purposes of Student Development and Teaching Improvement, while loading negatively on Control, School Accountability, and Irrelevance. The Knowledge Transmission teaching approach, in contrast, positively predicted the assessment purposes of Examination, School Accountability, Control, Student Development, and Teaching Improvement. Thus, despite a predominantly student-focused approach to teaching, knowledge transmission was seen as a teaching approach that contributed positively to student learning. Possible explanations for this anomalous result are discussed.

What affects the teaching style of German professors? Evidence from two nationwide surveys

The aim of this study is to reveal potential influences on two different teaching approaches, one that is student-focused and one that is teacher-focused. Five hypotheses were derived and tested with two representative surveys among German professors in the years 2009 and 2011. Regression analyses indicate that selective incentives for teaching have a very weak effect on the teaching approach, whereas the particular scientific disciplines seem to exert a considerable impact. In addition, the following influential factors that foster a student-focused teaching approach were identified: continuing pedagogical training (only for professors at research universities) and interaction among professors regarding teaching. In terms of gender differences, it was detected that female professors at research universities prefer a more student-focused approach to teaching.

Qualitative variation in approaches to university teaching and learning in large first-year classes

Research on teaching from a student learning perspective has identified two qualitatively different approaches to university teaching. They are an information transmission and teacher-focused approach, and a conceptual change and student-focused approach. The fundamental difference being in the former the intention is to transfer information to students, while in the latter the intention is to change and develop student understanding. Much of our research has been conducted in first-year classes of 100 or more students. The paper begins by outlining a model of teaching and learning based upon this research. It then reviews the quantitative research showing the relationship between teachers' approaches to teaching in large classes and their students' approaches to learning. Further analyses of previously collected data are used to identify the size of the relationship between teachers' approaches and their students' approaches. The paper concludes by discussing how a more conceptual change and student-focused approach can be manifested in large classes. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Evaluating the impact of professional development: the need for a student-focused approach

This article argues that evaluation of professional development (PD) requires a focus on student learning and an evidential baseline to enable practitioners and school leaders to determine the impact of the PD in which they are engaged. Several models of evaluating PD are briefly considered and it is suggested that most of these enable programme developers or commissioners to evaluate the impact of what they offer. However, many still struggle with evaluating the impact of PD and are looking for practical yet rigorous ways to achieve this. This paper suggests how this can be achieved, thus enabling schools to know and demonstrate that PD has had an impact, whilst also offering a powerful method to raise both the quality of learning – for adults and students – and student outcomes. In so doing, an approach to impact evaluation is presented. The main findings of the Effective Practices in Continuing Professional Development project are drawn upon to illustrate how this approach to impact evaluation can be deployed. The key lessons learned in relation to effective PD and impact evaluation are outlined. The model outlined gives importance to establishing an evidential baseline and impact picture that supports both adult and student learning.

Teacher and Student-Focused Approaches: Influence of Learning Approach and Self-Efficacy in a Psychology Postgraduate Sample

The current study examined approaches to teaching in a postgraduate psychology sample. This included considering teaching-focused (information transfer) and student-focused (conceptual changes in understanding) approaches to teaching. Postgraduate teachers of psychology ( N = 113) completed a questionnaire measuring their use of a teacher- or student-focused approach, deep and surface approaches to learning and teaching, and research self-efficacy. Standard multiple regressions revealed that the manner in which postgraduate students approached their own studies (i.e., deep or surface learning approach) predicted the use of a teacher- or student-focused approach in their teaching practice. Specifically, postgraduates adopting a deep approach to their own learning were more likely to adopt a teaching-focused approach to their teaching practice. Those adopting a surface approach to their own studies were most likely to adopt a student-focused approach. Furthermore, postgraduates with a high level of teaching self-efficacy were more likely to adopt a student-focused approach to teaching practice. Additionally, postgraduates who had received formal teaching training scored higher on teacher self-efficacy than those who had not received such training. Taken together, the findings suggest the key role of formal training in enhancing self-efficacy in teaching, and demonstrate an association between the learning styles adopted by postgraduate teachers and their approach to teaching.

An outsider's perspective on a provocative proposal: What would Flexner think?

This viewpoint commentary focuses on a proposal for integrated anatomy education in undergraduate college from Dr. Darda published in the Anatomical Sciences Education. Although the proposal is for college level education, the proposal echoes some ideas proposed a century ago by Abraham Flexner when he wrote his report titled "Medical Education in the United States and Canada." It begins with an acknowledgement of the author's status as an outsider. There have been numerous calls for change in basic science education, particularly in medical education. Interestingly, however, the monumental reforms of the "Flexner Report" were impelled largely from outside the specific discipline of medical education. The commentary discussion then moves to observations about the proposal for Integrative Anatomy and support for the proposal from both the Flexner Report and the 2009 report from the Association of American Medical Colleges and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, "Scientific Foundations for Future Physicians." The essay considers the benefits of the research on the learning sciences that now inform our work in education; the influence of competency-based education that frees education from a lock-step approach of course completion to a student-focused integrative approach to learning; and the availability of online resources for anatomy education through repositories, such as MedEdPORTAL. The final observation is that the changes underway in education and in the sciences basic to medicine, in particular, are substantial and will require the dialogue that Dr. Darda is promoting with his provocative proposal.