Student Understanding Research Articles

The Influence of Developing an Understanding of Basic Programming Concepts Through Educational Games as A Learning Method For Elementary School Students.

Integrating engaging learning methods into the educational landscape has become increasingly crucial for enhancing student understanding and engagement. This study investigates the impact of educational games as a learning method for improving elementary school students' comprehension of basic programming concepts. The research hypothesizes that educational games can significantly enhance the understanding of programming concepts by making abstract ideas more tangible and engaging through interactive and enjoyable learning environments. Using a quasi-experimental design, the study involved two groups of elementary school students: the experimental group, which utilized an educational game designed for teaching introductory programming concepts, and the control group, which received traditional instruction. Both groups underwent assessments of their understanding of basic programming concepts before and after the intervention through standardized tests. The results demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the scores of students in the experimental group compared to those in the control group. This suggests that educational games not only aid in better understanding complex subjects such as programming and increase students' motivation and engagement levels. The findings of this study contribute to educational practices by illustrating how educational games can effectively support the introduction and teaching of programming at an early age within the elementary educational system. Furthermore, the study highlights the potential of integrating such tools into standard curricula to enhance student learning across various subjects. The study urges future research to explore the long-term impacts of educational games on learning outcomes and how these tools can be further integrated into the educational system

Pengaruh Model Pembelajaran Discovery Learning Terhadap Hasil Belajar Siswa

The problem in this research is the lack of variation in learning carried out by teachers in the classroom, due to the inappropriate selection of learning models, so that learning is less than optimal. The aim is to evaluate how effective the Discovery Learning learning model is in increasing student understanding compared to conventional learning methods. The method used is an experiment with a quasi-experimental design, namely Nonequivalent Control Group Design. In this study, there were two groups: an experimental group that was taught using Discovery Learning and a control group that was not given this treatment. The population of this study were all 5th grade students at MIN 1 Soppeng. The research hypothesis analyzed using the T test is the statement that the Discovery Learning learning model influences student learning outcomes. The sample in this study was determined by a saturated population, namely 5th grade students consisting of 45 people. The data collection techniques used in this research were multiple choice tests and observation sheets, with pre-tests and post-tests to measure students' cognitive learning outcomes. The instruments used in this research were tests and non-tests. The average pretest score in the experimental class and control class was almost the same, 71.78 and 71 respectively, but in the posttest, the experimental class increased to 88.65, while the control class only reached 77.55. Thus, the experimental class experienced a more significant increase in the average posttest score compared to the control class, indicating that the intervention or treatment applied in the experimental class was more effective in improving student learning outcomes. Hypothesis testing based on t-test analysis shows significant differences between the two groups, where the calculated t value (11.22771) is greater than the t table (2.016692), so the null hypothesis (H_0) is rejected and the alternative hypothesis (H_1) is accepted. These findings show that the Discovery Learning learning model has a greater positive impact on improving student learning outcomes compared to conventional methods, so it can be concluded that this method is effectively used in science learning at MIN 1 Soppeng.

KoHMT: A Multimodal Emotion Recognition Model Integrating KoELECTRA, HuBERT with Multimodal Transformer

With the advancement of human-computer interaction, the role of emotion recognition has become increasingly significant. Emotion recognition technology provides practical benefits across various industries, including user experience enhancement, education, and organizational productivity. For instance, in educational settings, it enables real-time understanding of students’ emotional states, facilitating tailored feedback. In workplaces, monitoring employees’ emotions can contribute to improved job performance and satisfaction. Recently, emotion recognition has also gained attention in media applications such as automated movie dubbing, where it enhances the naturalness of dubbed performances by synchronizing emotional expression in both audio and visuals. Consequently, multimodal emotion recognition research, which integrates text, speech, and video data, has gained momentum in diverse fields. In this study, we propose an emotion recognition approach that combines text and speech data, specifically incorporating the characteristics of the Korean language. For text data, we utilize KoELECTRA to generate embeddings, and for speech data, we extract features using HuBERT embeddings. The proposed multimodal transformer model processes text and speech data independently, subsequently learning interactions between the two modalities through a Cross-Modal Attention mechanism. This approach effectively combines complementary information from text and speech, enhancing the accuracy of emotion recognition. Our experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model surpasses single-modality models, achieving a high accuracy of 77.01% and an F1-Score of 0.7703 in emotion classification. This study contributes to the advancement of emotion recognition technology by integrating diverse language and modality data, suggesting the potential for further improvements through the inclusion of additional modalities in future work.

STUDENTS’ UNDERSTANDING OF WORKPLACE DIVERSITY: THE CASE OF REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA

The importance of the research on workplace diversity has significantly increased in the past few decades. Namely, as a result of the increased possibilities for working from distance and the changes in the regulations that protect the rights of the individuals and groups with different background and physical and psychological characteristics, the workplace diversity and inclusion issues become a prominent research topic in the human resource management and management literature. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate students’ understanding of diversity in our country, on a sample of students from the Faculty of Economics – Skopje. The need for conducting such a study in our country emanated from the fact that we live in a society where diversity issues are perceived and acknowledged. For investigating students’ understanding of diversity, we used two instruments (Reaction-to-Diversity Inventory and Workplace Diversity Survey) developed by De Meuse and Hostager (2001). The first one was used for investigating students understanding of the term workplace diversity and the second one for researching the determinants of the students’ understanding of diversity. The questionnaire was distributed electronically among students from the Faculty of Economics – Skopje, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje. The analysis of the responses on Reaction-to-Diversity Inventory has shown that most of the students relate diversity with the term unity (47), which refers to the organizational outcomes as one of the dimensions of diversity. Besides referring to the organizational outcomes, it is important to note that unity is a term that has positive connotation. The results from the multiple regression analysis on the sample of 184 respondents, indicate that besides teachers’/professors’ engagement in educating on diversity and students’ gender, students’ academic success should be considered as a predictor of their understanding of diversity (although the statistical association of students’ grade and their understanding of diversity is statistically weaker and negative).

Analysis Of Student Positioning In Group Discussions On The Material Of Functional Relations To Students Activeness

Group discussions are an effective teaching method for enhancing collaboration and student understanding through social interaction. In this process, each group member not only contributes ideas but also actively positions themselves within the group's social structure. Positioning theory explains that the position one adopts during interactions, whether consciously or unconsciously, influences roles, power, and the dynamics of the discussion, ultimately affecting the outcomes and contributions of each member. This research aims to describe the patterns of student positioning in group discussions on the topic of function relations. The research method employed is qualitative descriptive. Data were collected by recording group discussion-based learning over four sessions, then two groups were selected for further analysis of the interactions during the discussions. Positioning theory demonstrates how students position themselves based on the interactions during group discussions. The research reveals that novice students tend to participate passively, facilitator students play a role in providing for the needs of the discussion, while expert students often make statements to provide information. There is a change in student positioning from expert to beginner, beginner to expert, facilitator to beginner, and beginner to facilitator. Additionally, some expert students and facilitator students consistently maintain their respective positions.

Interactive E-Book Colligative Properties of Solutions: Connecting Science and Society in Chemistry Learning

This study presents the development of an interactive e-book on the colligative properties of solutions in chemistry. The primary objective of this e-book is to enhance student engagement and understanding by integrating socio-scientific issues (SSI) to connect the material with everyday topics. The development methodology followed Borg and Gall's research and development approach, limited to the fifth stage, which is the main product revision. Validation instruments included both content validation and media validation. Interactive aspects of the e-book feature links in the table of contents, video displays, and a comprehensive presentation of questions complete with scores and solutions in the practice and competency test sections. Content validation results indicated that the e-book is valid, while media validation results placed it in the highly valid category. The incorporation of SSI aims to provide a relevant and engaging learning experience for students.

Kajian Pemahaman Mahasiswa tentang Pengumpulan dan Analisis Data melalui Evaluasi Hasil Penelitian Skripsi

A deep understanding of data collection and analysis techniques is an essential competence for students to produce valid and high-quality research. This study employed a quantitative descriptive approach with 22 students as subjects who had studied these techniques. Each student was tasked with evaluating two quantitative theses relevant to the learning model, published within the last five years. The evaluation used a rubric covering seven key components: Data Identification and Classification, Frequency Distribution, Measures of Central Tendency and Data Variation, Coefficient of Variation, Standard Values, Inferential Statistical Procedures, and Data Integration and Synthesis. The study results revealed varying levels of student understanding across the components. Most students achieved high competence in Data Identification and Classification (95.45%) and Inferential Statistical Procedures (95.45%). However, comprehension of more complex components, such as Coefficient of Variation and Standard Values, remained weak, with only 54.55% of students fully competent. This study highlights the need for more structured teaching methods and intensive practical exercises, particularly in advanced statistical analysis and data visualization. The implications suggest that improving these areas can strengthen students' research skills, supporting better mastery of data analysis techniques in the future.

Analysis of the Implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum Teaching Module Based on Problem-Based Learning in Physics Education at SMA Negeri 1 Kota Jambi

This study analyzes the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum using the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) model and its impact on student learning outcomes at SMA Negeri 1 Jambi. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected through direct observation and analysis of learning outcomes from class XII F7 students. The results indicate a significant increase in student engagement and learning outcomes through the PBL approach, with an average score improvement of 15% compared to conventional teaching. The PBL model successfully created a collaborative learning environment that encouraged problem-solving skills development. Despite initial challenges in teacher adaptation and resource availability, the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum with the PBL model showed positive effects on student motivation and conceptual understanding. This study provides empirical evidence of the effectiveness of integrating PBL into the Merdeka Curriculum to enhance the quality of learning at the senior high school level.

Mental Health Literacy of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Team Members

ABSTRACT Background School-based mental health services, particularly when integrated into multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), offer an evidence-based strategy for primary and secondary prevention and targeted intervention for students’ mental health challenges. Team-based decision-making is at the center of successful MTSS, but the mental health literacy of school staff on these teams is unknown. Purpose The current study aims to describe the state of MTSS team members’ mental health literacy and evaluate how mental health literacy components are related to one another. Methods We measured the mental health literacy of MTSS team members (N = 58; 59% White; 92% female) from nine elementary schools, including their understanding of students’ mental health in the school context and their willingness to promote it. Results MTSS team members reported more positive than negative mental health literacy, and mental health literacy constructs were predictably and positively interrelated. Discussion Overall, the group appeared to favor approaches aligned with school-based mental health and social, emotional, and behavioral MTSS. Future research should replicate study results with a larger sample in order to increase the precision of the estimates and confirm the pattern of findings. Translation to Health Education Practice MTSS team members typically demonstrate an understanding of students’ underlying mental health needs in the context of school and a personal and organizational willingness to address those needs. Staff training and system-level changes would likely further improve mental health literacy, with anticipated positive impacts on school-based mental health and MTSS outcomes.

Analisis Kebutuhan Media Pembelajaran Word Search Puzzle pada Materi AlKhabir Kelas VII MTs Hidayatul Muhajirin Palangkaraya

This research is to analyze the need for using Word Search Puzzle learning media in Al-Khabir material in class VII MTs Hidayatul Muhajirin Palangka Raya. The research uses a mixed method, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, with data collected through questionnaires and interviews. The research results show that 79% of students have high interest in using Word Search Puzzle, while 21% are less interested. This media is effective in increasing students' motivation, involvement and understanding of the material being taught. Apart from that, Word Search Puzzle also stimulates critical thinking skills, accuracy and concentration. And as many as 59% of teachers only use media in the form of modules such as textbooks or worksheets, while the other 41% do not use technology-based media in learning. Thus, this research recommends the development of innovative learning media to increase student involvement in the teaching and learning process in accordance with educational needs in the digital era.

Social Justice in Higher Education

This research explores the deep-rooted social injustices within higher education, focusing on marginalized groups such as backward classes and marginalized classes. Conducted as part of a social justice course, the study aimed to highlight the inequities these communities face in educational institutions. Through interviews with students and teachers, we sought to understand how systemic discrimination, lack of resources, and social hierarchies affect their access to education. Our goal was to uncover the ongoing struggles for equality and justice that the historically and socially marginalized community face in these academic environments. The findings revealed significant gaps between policies like reservations and their real-world impact. Students from marginalized communities reported experiencing stigmatization and a lack of institutional support, which hindered their academic progress. Educators also faced challenges in effectively teaching social justice concepts, with many citing a lack of student maturity and understanding. The curriculum, though evolving, was noted to inadequately address the specific needs of marginalized underprivileged groups, and the influence of media, both positive and negative, was identified as shaping social justice awareness. This study highlights the urgent need for educational reforms, particularly in the integration of social justice and human rights into the curriculum, especially for teacher training. It emphasizes that while policies like reservations are crucial, they must be accompanied by a broader, more empathetic approach to dismantle systemic barriers. The research calls for an inclusive educational environment where educators are empowered to address these issues and foster equity and awareness in their students. Themes identified include: Discrepancy Between Policy and Practice, Stigma Surrounding Reservations, Need for Enhanced Faculty Training, Social Exclusion and Discrimination, Collaborative Solutions for Improvement.

Analisis Pemahaman Mahasiswa Terhadap Penerapan Akad Wadiah di Bank Syariah Indonesia (Studi Pada Mahasiswa Prodi Perbankan Syariah Angkatan 2023 IAIN METRO)

Understanding is the ability a person has to be able to understand or interpret something,for example in everyday life a person can provide an explanation of information obtained from various sources in detail using his own words according to existing concepts.Understanding of Islamic banking study program students class of 2023 about products and contracts in Islamic banks, especially on wadiah contracts. The data used are primary data and secondary data, this research is descriptive qualitative using interviews as primary data. The results we obtained from this study indicate that the level of understanding in Islamic banking study program students of class 2023 is included in the percentage of understanding about the wadiah contract.The results we obtained from this study show that the level of understanding in the 2023 class of Islamic banking study program students is included in the percentage of 85.42% so that it can be categorized as very good.

The subjective nature of curriculum innovation: The case of computer science students in upper secondary education in Ireland

ABSTRACT Background and Context A subject’s curriculum is defined by more than just its content, as the way it is taught and assessed also constitutes what a curriculum is. Computer Science was introduced in upper secondary level curriculum in Ireland in 2018. Objective Exploring students’ experiences can help understand the uptake, engagement and the teaching and learning experiences related to Computer Science. Method This research employed a qualitative approach which consisted of one-to-one semi-structured interviews, and other data collection methods that helped gain a deeper understanding of students’ experiences. Findings Students had positive experiences of the curriculum, its teaching and learning approach and the peer learning. A perceived curriculum incoherence was reported in relation to the assessment and applied learning tasks. A demarcation of practical and theory content was reported. Implications The study highlights the importance of the wider context in the implementation and enactment of a new subject that challenges prevailing pedagogical and assessment practices.

Enhancing technological sustainability in academia: leveraging ChatGPT for teaching, learning and evaluation

Purpose This study aims to investigate the evolving role and impact of ChatGPT in higher education. It seeks to understand the applications, benefits and challenges associated with ChatGPT, focusing on its potential to enhance teaching, learning and assessment while addressing ethical considerations in the educational context. Design/methodology/approach Using a comprehensive literature review approach, this study systematically examined 29 existing studies and scholarly works related to ChatGPT in higher education. Synthesizing these findings offers a multifaceted view of the subject, encompassing applications, advantages, limitations and ethical implications. Findings The study indicates that ChatGPT can have a significant impact on personalized learning, lesson planning, providing feedback, creating study materials, generating quizzes and exam questions, supporting language learning, offering virtual teaching assistance, tutoring and fostering critical thinking. However, it also sheds light on the ethical issues and challenges associated with its use, including privacy and data protection, transparency and alignment with educational principles. Practical implications This study underscores the practical applications of ChatGPT in higher education, offering insights that can significantly enhance teaching, learning and assessment practices. By leveraging ChatGPT, institutions can personalize learning experiences and provide tailored feedback and streamlined assessment processes, thereby improving student engagement and understanding. In addition, the integration of ChatGPT as a virtual teaching assistant can enhance teaching effectiveness and efficiency by supporting classroom activities, providing additional resources and answering students’ questions in real-time. Originality/value The originality of this study lies in its comprehensive exploration of ChatGPT’s applications in higher education, offering a balanced perspective on opportunities and ethical considerations. By providing valuable insights, it equips educators and institutions with a deeper understanding of the ChatGPT’s potential and challenges in the educational landscape.

Adequacy of Copyright Information or Documentation, the Need for Training in, and Evaluation of Mechanisms for Delivering Copyright Education in Academic Libraries in Ghana

Abstract With academic libraries becoming increasingly involved in copyright issues, the ability to responsibly identify a copyright-protected material is becoming important in the administration of reprographic materials in academic libraries. A mixed methods approach was employed to evaluate the adequacy of copyright information or documentation, the need for training, and the mechanisms for educating library users on responsible use of reprographic materials that ensures a balance of stakeholder rights. Quantitative data was collected from 38 library staff and 530 postgraduate students, while qualitative data was collected from four head librarians (through one-on-one interview sessions), and two groups of six postgraduate students each from two public and two private universities in Ghana (through focus group discussion sessions). Only 21.4 % stated that copyright information or documentation on copyright policies on their university campuses was adequate. Copyright education for both staff and students was generally low in all the four institutions. Only “classroom training” had significant impact on users’ understanding of copyright laws and policies. “Professional associations,” “study visits,” and “consultant training” had little impact on the understanding of students about copyright laws despite most library staff being either “comfortable” or “very comfortable” with their level of knowledge on copyright issues. There is therefore the need to incorporate copyright issues in the school curriculum for students as well as institute CPD programs for professional librarians if academic librarians are to efficiently and adequately play their roles as agents of copyright education to the university community.

Development of video tutorials on building construction and utilities subjects assisted by Bandicam application for grade XI students at vocational high school

The implementation of Building Construction and Utilities learning for class XI in Vocational High School (VHS) has faced several challenges including student understanding, teachers’ competency, and learning media. This study aims to result in a product, including the feasibility test and effectiveness on the topic of door and window frame details drawing assisted by the Bandicam application. We employed the Research and Development (R&D) model of 4D Thiagarajan. The trial was conducted on 14 students of the Building Information and Modeling Design (DPIB) expertise program class XI with input from 2 experts and 1 teacher. The data was collected through interviews, observations, and questionnaires. The obtained data was analysed using quantitative and qualitative descriptive analysis and descriptive statistics. The results show that the 4 video products were feasible and effective as seen from the improvement of student learning outcomes in the subject of building construction and utilities.

Validasi Media Pembelajaran dengan Aplikasi Games Wordwall pada Materi Membiasakan Pola Hidup Sederhana dan Menyantuni Dhuafa Kelas XII

This article discusses the important role of learning media development through Wordwall game applications that aim to facilitate the learning process for students and teachers and make learning more interactive. In addition, this article also evaluates the feasibility of Wordwall-based learning media that will be used for material on simple lifestyles and supporting the poor. The research method used is Research and Development (R&D) with the 4D model (define, design, develop, and disseminate). However, this research only reached the develop stage and did not continue to the disseminate stage, because at develop only, the objectives of this research had been achieved. The method used in this research is validation conducted by media experts and material experts, which shows that this media can be applied properly. The validation results from material experts were 91% and 97%, while validation from media experts showed a percentage of 68% and 81%, which means that the developed product is feasible to be applied in the learning process. The use of interactive media such as Wordwall games is very important to improve student understanding and make learning more interesting. Suggestions for improvement from media experts related to aspects that can increase student attractiveness, such as the use of consistent colors and clear instructions or covers. It is hoped that this learning media can create learning that is more interactive, effective, and interesting and in accordance with student needs.

University-to-work transition and work placements: evidence of heterogeneous pay dynamics

ABSTRACT This study contributes theoretically and empirically to our understanding of students’ transition from work placement to the graduate labour market, by exploring earning differentials due to heterogeneous job transitions. We developed a theoretical framework that underpins the relationships between work placement, job transition and graduate earnings. Based on this framework, we established three hypotheses of pay dynamics: the gain of a pay premium for graduates who remained with their placement employer (‘foot-in-the-door’ effect); the persistence of low pay as students transition from work placement to graduate employment (low-pay persistence effect), and the pay progression as students transition from low-pay work placement to higher-paid graduate employment (low-pay stepping-stone effect). We tested these hypotheses by performing regression analysis on matched data from students’ records, work placements and graduate surveys, for a sample of economics graduates who completed a work placement. The results confirmed our hypotheses, providing evidence that graduates stand to benefit from remaining with their placement employer. In addition, our theoretical framework and empirical analysis can inspire further research into a largely unexplored area, the dynamics of transition from university to work.

Desain Media Pembelajaran Hyperlink Berbasis Canva pada Materi Asmaul Husna Kelas X

This research aims to develop hyperlink-based learning media using Canva application on Asmaul Husna material for grade X students. This learning media is designed as an innovative solution that utilizes interactive features to increase student interest, understanding, and involvement in the learning process. The method used is Research and Development (R&D) with the 4-D development model (Define, Design, Develop, and Disseminate), although in this study only until the development stage. The validation results show that this media is very feasible to use, with a material expert eligibility score of 89.5%, and a media expert of 78.5%. So that the validation results obtained from the hyperlink feature on Canva on class X asmaul husna material can be used as one of the learning media that makes it easier for students to access various additional content such as videos and articles, thus creating a more dynamic and interactive learning experience.

Assess the Knowledge on Breast Self Examination among 3rd Year B.Sc Nursing Students

Breast Self-Examination (BSE) is a critical, non-invasive method for early detection of breast abnormalities and plays a vital role in breast cancer awareness. This study aims to assess the knowledge and awareness of Breast Self Examination among third-year B.Sc nursing students. As future healthcare providers, nursing students are in a strategic position to promote BSE education and practices among the general public. The study utilizes a structured questionnaire covering essential aspects of BSE, including its importance, recommended techniques, and frequency. By evaluating the students understanding of BSE, and aims to identify knowledge gaps. Descriptive approach was used to collect the data from 30 subjects selected by convenient sampling technique through non probability sampling approach consisting 2 sections. The results of the study shows that the majority of respondents had adequate knowledge on breast self-examination and How-ever, continuous reinforcement of this knowledge through practical sessions and ongoing education can further enhance their proficiency. This above-average knowledge places them in a strong position to educate and for BSE awareness, contributing to early detection efforts and improved breast health outcomes. overall mean percentage of knowledge score is 10%.