Student Workload Research Articles

Student machine translation use in a transnational English-medium instruction university

Abstract Research on machine translation in language courses has proliferated over the last decade, yet few studies have considered use in English medium-instruction programs that aim to simultaneously develop student language ability and knowledge of content. This study therefore investigates student use and beliefs about machine translation at a transnational Chinese university. Interviews with twenty-one undergraduate students and fourteen instructors found that student use of machine translation is widespread, though variable. Students report using machine translation to increase reading comprehension, vocabulary, and speed; translate first language writing to raise target language writing quality and complexity; and decrease the amount of copied (though cited) content. Instructors report student use of simultaneous speech translation in class, mistranslations in student writing indicating a lack of engagement with English language texts, and cross-language plagiarism. Both students and instructors view machine translation as a tool: a potentially beneficial one that, if used uncritically and constantly, can stunt language development. Students are thus faced with a choice between developing their English and the expediency of quickly reading and writing in Chinese, a choice heavily affected by student workload, performance pressures, and, arguably, lack of machine translation literacy.

The Promotion and Obstacles of the Double Reduction Policy for Educational Equity

China’s Double Reduction policy advances educational equity by reducing student workload and regulating extracurricular tutoring. The policy’s original intent is laudable, and some progress has been made in balancing educational resources and reducing the financial burden on families. Furthermore, this policy seeks to achieve a better study-life balance by reducing the academic burden so that students will have more time to develop their all-around qualities. However, its implementation has faced several challenges, including inconsistent policy implementation, regional disparities in education resources, chronic parental anxiety about education, and social pressure. These issues undermine the effectiveness of the policy. In this context, this essay comprehensively analyses the present state of the Double Reduction policy, identifies the primary challenges, and proposes corresponding recommendations for improvement. These recommendations include establishing a sound long-term evaluation mechanism, increasing investment in rural education, guiding parents to manage educational expectations, and strengthening the vocational training system. Continuously optimizing and improving the implementation of the policy, will ultimately promote balanced education in China and help students grow more holistically.

European credit transfer and accumulation system as a time-based predictor of student workload

ABSTRACT Delivering an appropriate student workload is important for quality higher education, especially for curriculum design, student well-being and success in studies. Academic credit systems are being increasingly used to determine workload for higher education studies. However, they rely on presumptions about workload, which educational theory and research do not always substantiate. A key example is the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), which awards credits to students for their academic achievements and the related workload that is measured in study time. This article examines the ECTS from the perspective of its conceptualisation of workload and compares it to earlier research on student workload. Based on a literature review and conceptual analysis, a student workload model is presented and compared to the operating principles of ECTS. In conclusion, ECTS relies on a misleading conceptualisation of student workload with far-reaching implications for higher education research, policy and practice. Recommendations for informed applications and further development of ECTS are presented.

Redefining faculty workload metrics: A data-driven approach

BackgroundBenchmarking faculty workload is key for equity, but a standard model like the Carnegie Unit, originally designed for student workload, does not fit all scenarios. MethodsA novel Faculty Effort Data Collection Tool assessed whether the Carnegie Unit accurately reflected faculty effort in a graduate nursing program. Workload was evaluated course-by-course based on faculty self-reported hours. ResultsAnalysis of 62 APRN courses showed faculty spent nearly twice the Carnegie Units expected (84 h of faculty effort per student credit hour vs the 45 projected). Half of courses exceeded 90 h per credit; 21 % were under the anticipated 45. In some courses, faculty effort was up to sevenfold higher than expected for a 3-credit course (996 h vs 135 h). A single, universally applicable “per credit hour” formula for all courses could not be identified. Using faculty reported hours, the taskforce designed a new course workload credit plan. Revised workload credits increased from 1 to 8 (mean 3.7) to 2 to 15 (mean 4.92), appropriately crediting faculty for their work. ConclusionsThe Carnegie Unit did not accurately reflect faculty effort in our program. A tailored approach was necessary to ensure fairness, and promote a more equitable distribution of effort.

Flipping Veterinary Biochemistry, Anatomy, and Physiology: Students' Engagement and Perception.

Flipped classroom (FC) is a teaching method where traditional learning roles are inverted. Students are provided with material in advance and are expected to study the content prior to in-class sessions. These sessions are subsequently utilized to clarify doubts and examine in greater depth the previously acquired knowledge. Despite the widespread nature of its approach in health education, its application in basic veterinary subjects remains poorly described. This study explores the implementation of the FC approach in veterinary physiology, biochemistry, anatomy, and embryology. Pre-class material was mainly provided in video format, and class sessions facilitated quizzes and interactive activities aimed to reinforce understanding. The findings indicate a high level of student involvement and effective class preparation, as evidenced by over 84% of students participating in FC in-class sessions and generally achieving satisfactory scores on quizzes. A survey conducted at the end of the first semester shows that a high proportion of students positively valued pre-class material (>90%), quizzes (82%), and the FC approach (66%). However, by the end of the second semester, traditional lectures were preferred by more students than FC (45% and 25%, respectively), while 30% of the students mentioned having no preference between the two methods. Analysis of open-ended responses underscored positive facets of the FC approach, including self-organization, enhanced understanding, and availability of pre-class material. However, it also emphasized challenges associated with FC, such as the significant time and effort required. In conclusion, this study suggests that the FC approach can be well received in integrated basic veterinary subjects if it does not imply an excessive student workload, underscoring the potential benefits of a blended teaching approach that combines elements of both traditional and FC methods.

Comparing Student Performance in Multiple Enrollments and Single Enrollments: Possible Target Groups for University Management

Austria's university system has no tuition fees and allows students to enroll in an unlimited program number. Public university funding and students’ enrollment validity are dependent on workload per program. This study aimed to compare the workload of students in multiple programs and their status (dropout, graduation) as basis for further research. The European Credit Transfer System credits and contact hours from course appointments were the major workload measures. Outcome status and enrollment type (one vs. multiple programs) were grouping variables. The sample consisted of 58,282 students in 93,705 programs with 23,526,625 single-course appointments between 2010/11 and 2022/23. Analysis of variance models showed that workload becomes higher as more programs are finished, with graduation as the outcome. On every degree level, students in multiple programs have higher workload measures than students in one program. Both dropouts and graduates accomplish higher workloads compared to single-enrollment students. Future research can build upon this study.

Student and teacher impact on the use of telepresence classrooms

AbstractHybrid learning environments saw significant growth due to the COVID-19 pandemic but persist beyond it, one example is the telepresence classroom. This classroom allows the connection of two classrooms in distance locations into a singular one. The technology in a telepresence classroom includes a camera, multiple projectors, microphones, and speakers to emulate a single learning space despite the distance, potentially overcoming some of the challenges presented by hybrid settings. However, the telepresence classroom presents technological and logistical complexities for the teachers. Thus, it is essential to understand the impact on the teacher agency, as well as on the workload of both students and teachers. Therefore, two collaborative learning sessions were conducted, utilising the collaborative learning flow pattern (jigsaw) in the telepresence classroom. From these experiments, the teacher and students workload was measured using the NASA-TXL questionnaire and supplemented with the Epistemic Network Analysis model to pinpoint key actions impacting the workload. The teacher agency was also assessed with another questionnaire. Finally, an interview was conducted with the teacher to gather more insights regarding the workload and agency. Results revealed a teacher workload score of 65.33 and 67.33, while student averages stood at 49.03 and 58.65 on a 0-100 scale. The data collected also served to identify potential factors influencing the workload, such as available time or the need for increased effort. Potential factors affecting teacher agency, such as decision-making challenges and tool limitations, were also identified.

중국 쌍감(双減)정책 집행과정의 패러독스 분석

Building on Stone’s (2012) identification of policy paradoxes, this study examines the unintended outcomes of China’s 2021 “double reduction” policy, designed to lessen both academic and extracurricular burdens on students.
 A review of policy documents, news articles, and case studies from 2021 to 2022 reveals three significant paradoxes. Firstly, attempts to reduce student workloads inadvertently increase teachers’ burdens. Secondly, efforts to decrease parental spending on private education paradoxically heighten educational anxieties due to increased regulations. Lastly, initiatives aimed at reducing student workload unintentionally intensify entrance examination pressures.
 This research highlights the importance of policymakers understanding the complex dynamics at play and the necessity for continuous policy evaluation and adjustment to address these paradoxes effectively.

Harmonizing Pedagogy and Technology: Insights into Teaching Approaches That Foster Sustainable Motivation and Efficiency in Blended Learning

This study aims to investigate the impact of blended learning strategies on various student outcomes in Vocational Education and Training (VET) contexts, addressing gaps in the existing literature and informing the refinement of blended learning approaches to enhance educational experiences. The main goal of the study was to explore the impact of teaching approaches used on student attitudes, satisfaction, motivation, and the workload of VET students. Data were collected from 106 students across seven VET programs through an online survey. The findings reveal that collaborative learning significantly enhances student engagement and satisfaction, while the integration of technology in blended learning environments improves educational experiences. However, challenges such as perceived overload are acknowledged. The study also highlights the critical role of assessment and feedback in fostering student satisfaction and competence. Based on these results, the study recommends enhancing collaborative learning through strategic support for diversity and technology integration and optimizing assessment and feedback mechanisms to improve engagement and reduce stress. These recommendations aim to refine blended learning strategies in VET, contributing to better educational outcomes and addressing the identified gaps in the literature.

Учет специфических особенностей преподавания иностранных языков в практике общеобразовательной школы

The main purpose of the study is to consider the specific features of teaching foreign languages in the practice of secondary schools. We are talking about three main components of language communication. When mastering many sign-forming means of a foreign language (not only written, but also sound), their description may be useful; as a result of mastering a group of structures, it is sometimes advisable to give a descriptive summary of what has been mastered. The unavoidable problems may include: a relatively small number of weekly hours and the total time allocated to learning a foreign language in the school curriculum; the workload of students in many other academic disciplines; a relatively large number of students in the classroom. An obvious and unavoidable difficulty is also the lack of an oral language environment for students. Although when using the digital environment and the capabilities of the Internet, the latter circumstance is quite easily eliminated. Successful overcoming of all these difficulties and obstacles (and the available experience suggests that they can be overcome) requires the fulfillment of two conditions:
 1) the general training task should be very limited and possibly more specific;
 2) only the most effective (in school conditions) teaching methods and techniques should be used.

The Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Mental Workload and Fatigue of Students during Online and Offline Practicum

Learning activities underwent policy changes during the Covid-19 pandemic were carried out online and offline. During the Covid-19 pandemic, there were many ways that universities did to keep learning going, such as implementing online learning and online learning. Practical learning experiences changes in the teaching and learning process system due to university policies. This study aims to measure the level of mental workload and the level of student fatigue during online and offline practicums and to determine the relationship between mental workload and fatigue level. The methods used in this research are the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) and Subjective Self Rating Test (SSRT) methods. The results showed that the level of mental workload of students was in the high classification with the NASA-TLX dimensions of effort, mental needs, and performance. The level of student fatigue is in the moderate classification with part of the SSRT, namely the weakening of activities. The results of the correlation test show that there is a relationship between mental workload and student fatigue levels with a positive direction of relationship.

Methods in Study Programme of Nursing According to the European Union

Introduction: Nursing is a specific field of study in the system of study programs. The profile of studies is harmonized with the criteria of EU directives, enhanced by the adoption of the Declaration of Munich. Nurse have applied and used authonomy in practice, decision-making and planning of nursing interventions. Aim: The aim of article is to present of methods the study program of nursing. Methods: Methods for theoretical and practical education in study program of nursing include research papers, projects, case study, seminar presentation, posters, essays, laboratory practice, practical training, continuous clinical practice, summer clinical practice and others. Results: The main topics of core knowledge of the first degree of university studies are based primarily on the theory and practice of nursing. The study program is divided into academic subjects. The standard student workload for one academic year is the sum of 60 credits in full-time study, for three years of standard study it is 180 ECTS. Conclusion: Competence of nurse is the state of having the knowledge, skills, energy, experience and motivation required to respond adequately to the demands of one´s professional responsibility

The Correlation Of Excessive Assignment Between Student’s Mental Health

This research investigated the correlation of excessive assignments on the mental health of fifth-year English language students at State Islamic Religious Institution in Central Kalimantan. The research hypothesized a strong positive correlation between perceived assignment load and mental health problems. The method of this research used quantitative approach using a questionnaire. The Data was collected from 20 participants. The researchers, analyzed the data using pearson's correlation coefficient JASP to examine the relationship between excessive assignment and mental health condition. Based on the findings, the result showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.900, p <.001) between excessive assignment and mental health condition, indicating that 81.0% of the variance in students' mental health could be attributed to their perceived workload. Educational institutions should take proactive steps to manage student workloads and provide mental health support services, such as counseling, time management training, and flexible deadlines. Promoting a balanced approach to academic assessment that prioritizes both academic excellence and student well-being is crucial for fostering the success and well-being of English language students. This research limited due to the small sample size and focus on a specific student population. Future research with larger and more diverse samples is needed to further explore the complex relationship between academic demands and student mental health. The findings highlight the urgent need for universities and educators to prioritize student mental health alongside academic achievement. Implementing practical strategies to manage workloads and provide mental health support can promote a more holistic and student-centered educational environment.

Experimental study of wastewater micropollutant removal by solar photo‐Fenton using a virtual lab

AbstractNew technologies are providing opportunities for the design of novel educational methodologies. Virtual laboratories can simulate real conditions, thus reducing the workload of teachers and students, and removing the costs associated with laboratory or pilot plant tests. The present work describes the creation of a virtual and interactive lab using the Easy JavaScript Simulation (EJsS) 6.0 tool. The solar photo‐Fenton process for the degradation of the Acetamiprid pesticide (ACTM) as a micropollutant model in wastewater was implemented in discontinuous mode in a stirred tank reactor (STR) and in continuous mode in a raceway pond reactor (RPR). The objective was to achieve a virtual tool that would allow easy, intuitive connection to different devices (laptops, tablets, and smartphones), simplifying the difficulties related to teaching technology. This contribution details the design and implementation process of the model for its use as support material for theoretical classes. The virtual tool presented in this article is an example of how the EJsS platform can be used to teach dynamics systems in chemical engineering.

Ways of making online teaching more successful: An autoethnographic study

This article is the author’s professional reflectivity as a TESOL lecturer at an Australian University over the past sixteen years. Observing and responding to students’ interests, concerns, and challenges has allowed this work to take shape. It signifies a range of issues that shape student learning with a strong focus on problematic features of online education practices. These issues include the absence of non-verbal cues, responsive latency, the pressure of teacher multiple-roles, and digital learning boredom. Thanks to collected data from student feedback, conversation with colleagues, and field notes, the author has put together a set of principles and strategies for making teaching and learning in the virtual space a more rewarding experience for both teachers and students. The strategies inclkude making learning content interesting and useful, personalised communication, clear participation protocols, mediation of student workload and participation, scaffolding online learning, organising choices, diversifying approaches to tasks, encouraging student voices, and collaboration with non-teaching staff.

Managing the Free-Rider Effect in a Top-Down Security Analysis Course

As an example of managing the free-rider problem, we report our experiences related to integrating group work associated with the top-down approach to fundamental analysis. Using group projects and sharing information with other groups and students is an effective method to reduce the work load for each individual student, while maintaining the scope of the top-down approach.By changing the composition of the groups at each level of the top-down approach, we are able to reduce the free-rider effect inherent in group projects. Overall, our methodology accomplishes the following three objectives: (1) reducing student workload, (2) sharing information, information sources, and analysis, and (3) reducing the free-rider problem. We find that 88% of the students agreed or strongly agreed that the top-down approach “had more educational value as a group project than as an individual project.” We also find that 82% of the students agreed or strongly agreed that changing the group composition helped reduce the free-rider problem.

Hemşirelik Eğitimcilerinin COVID-19 Pandemisinde Uzaktan Eğitim Algıları ve Etkileyen Faktörlerin Değerlendirilmesi

Objective: To evaluate perceptions of distance education in nursing educators and affecting factors during COVID-19. 
 Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional research was conducted with 374 educators from different schools of nursing in Turkey. The data were collected using a Personal Information Form and the Perception of Distance Education Questionnaire and were analyzed by descriptive analysis, independent samples t-test and ANOVA, linear regression analysis, and thematic analysis. 
 Results: Four factors related to educators’ perceptions of distance education were found: a high level of satisfaction with distance education (DE), incorporating brainstorming and video-viewing techniques, and the realization that course learning outcomes could be achieved. Seven themes regarding advantages of DE emerged: provided better time management, flexibility, and ease of access, video recordings of lessons made learning easier, physical environment issues were solved, DE is a suitable method for theoretical courses, DE made assessment and evaluation easier, DE ensured the continuation of education, and DE improved the educators’ technology skills. In addition, six themes regarding disadvantages of DE emerged: inadequate technological infrastructure, DE caused health problems, deterioration of the learning and teaching process, challenges in applied education, difficulties in assessment and evaluation, and an increase in educator and student workloads.
 Conclusion: To increase positive perceptions of nursing educators towards DE, active teaching techniques should be encouraged to increase satisfaction with DE. The perceptions of nursing educators should be taken into consideration to better structure the course curricula and to eliminate the distance education infrastructure deficiencies of the institutions.

Teacher, Think Twice: About the Importance and Pedagogical Value of Blended Learning Design in VET

The integration of technology into educational institutions is transforming education and fostering innovative approaches to learning. Blended learning, an increasingly popular approach, integrates technology with traditional teaching approaches. Blended learning can overcome the limitations associated with using technology purely as a tool, facilitating its full integration into the educational process. The present study involved 106 students enrolled in a vocational education program (VET) in Slovenia. The students were subjected to a pilot implementation of blended learning, and their experiences were subsequently analyzed and evaluated. The results showed that the use of different teaching approaches led to different outcomes in terms of student workload, learning outcomes, and motivation. The different teaching approaches were found to present different levels of difficulty for students. For example, live sessions and the integration of virtual reality/augmented reality (VR /AR) technology presented greater challenges. Conversely, collaborative group work and online courses focused on developing professional skills were found to be beneficial. The study also highlighted the importance of feedback and instructor support in online learning environments. In general, the results of our study suggest that the adoption of blended learning in education can lead to positive outcomes. However, it is important to emphasize the importance of careful planning and thoughtful consideration of optimal pedagogical strategies.

An adaptive methodology for curriculum redesign based on performance indicators of the student progression

ABSTRACT We propose an adaptive methodology for the curricular redesign based on the performance indicators of the student progression observed after a follow-up period. The feasibility of adopting the same approach should be thoroughly studied to assess its compatibility with institutions and countries that employ an academic credit system based on student workload, such as the European Credit Transfer System. This approach was applied here for the Chilean system, which is highly consistent with the European case. The resulting methods can be automated and integrated into institutional databases for the management of teaching-learning processes to enhance decision-making. Special attention is devoted to the methods for estimating the credit points and the relative position of each course in the curriculum sequence chart of a university degree. As an example of application, we discuss the curriculum redesign of the B.Sc. degree in Physics offered by the Universidad Católica del Norte. The analysis is based on the statistical report of performance indicators of this undergraduate program during the follow-up period 2015–2019 (five years). We report a certain correspondence between the problem of credit allocation and the behavior in the student progression, which represents an empirical evidence of the effectiveness of the associated credit points estimation.

Mediating role of educational environment in the relationship between workload and generic skills of nursing students in Vietnam

Students’ learning experiences are considered useful indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching in tertiary education. With limited theory-driven research, this study aimed to examine whether the educational environment is able to mediate the relationship between student workload and generic skills. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1347 nursing students in ten nursing schools across Vietnam from November 2021 to January 2022. The results showed that the total score of the students’ workload and the generic skills were 3.25 ± 0.59 and 3.84 ± 0.56 (possible score: 1-5), respectively. Students were at an “agree” level with statements like “the sheer volume of work to be got through in this course means you can’t comprehend it” and “as results of doing this course, I feel more confident about tackling unfamiliar problem”. Most nursing students rated the educational environment at levels of “more positive educational environment” (N=1018, 75.58%), with a total score of 120.75 ± 20.78 (possible score: 0-200). The educational environment was identified as a mediator in the relationships between the workload and the generic skills. The direct effect on workload was -0.00035 which was not significant (p=0.987) with the generic skills. The indirect effect of workload that passes through the educational environment was -0.07 and is also statistically significant, at p= 0.002. As such, the study suggests that, to enhance students’ generic skills, it is necessary to instruct students in efficient learning strategies to help them manage their academic workload, particularly during unexpected situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, despite the occurrence of a high level of student workload, nursing schools could focus on efficient tactics and interventions to improve the educational environment, which subsequently helps to improve students’ outcomes.