Student Aid Research Articles

PROJECT SAYON (STUDENT AID FOR YIELDING OUTSTANDING NUMERACY): ENHANCING STUDENTS’ MATHEMATICAL PROFICIENCY

This study evaluated the effectiveness of Project SAYON (Student Aid for Yielding Outstanding Numeracy) as an intervention to enhance mathematical proficiency among Grade 10 students at Luna National High School. Using a pre-experimental design, the study compared pre-test and post-test results to assess the impact of the project. The pre-test indicated a moderate level of proficiency, with a mean score of 10.09. After implementing Project SAYON, the post-test results revealed a significant improvement, with a mean score of 13.52. The hypothesis was tested at a 0.05 level of significance, showing a meaningful difference between the pre-test and post-test scores. This demonstrates that Project SAYON effectively improved students’ mathematical skills by offering targeted tutoring and resources. The study highlights the importance of structured, innovative interventions in enhancing academic performance, particularly in mathematics. KEYWORDS: mathematical proficiency, intervention, pre-experimental

The Impact of Using YouTube on EFL Learners at University of Bisha

English language has been used for centuries as a Lingua Franca. Students who speak English as a foreign language are exposed to it through different techniques, and YouTube is one of them. By using this application, EFL learners will be able to experience the language helpfully. Therefore, students will be exposed to the culture of the native speakers, practice all language skills, and develop new vocabulary in different contexts. As a result, students will improve their language skills, especially listening skill, and use different vocabulary in different situations. In addition, YouTube provides a reliable aid for students to learn the language meaningfully.

ChatGPT-4 Omni Performance in USMLE Disciplines and Clinical Skills: Comparative Analysis.

Recent studies, including those by the National Board of Medical Examiners, have highlighted the remarkable capabilities of recent large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT in passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). However, there is a gap in detailed analysis of LLM performance in specific medical content areas, thus limiting an assessment of their potential utility in medical education. This study aimed to assess and compare the accuracy of successive ChatGPT versions (GPT-3.5, GPT-4, and GPT-4 Omni) in USMLE disciplines, clinical clerkships, and the clinical skills of diagnostics and management. This study used 750 clinical vignette-based multiple-choice questions to characterize the performance of successive ChatGPT versions (ChatGPT 3.5 [GPT-3.5], ChatGPT 4 [GPT-4], and ChatGPT 4 Omni [GPT-4o]) across USMLE disciplines, clinical clerkships, and in clinical skills (diagnostics and management). Accuracy was assessed using a standardized protocol, with statistical analyses conducted to compare the models' performances. GPT-4o achieved the highest accuracy across 750 multiple-choice questions at 90.4%, outperforming GPT-4 and GPT-3.5, which scored 81.1% and 60.0%, respectively. GPT-4o's highest performances were in social sciences (95.5%), behavioral and neuroscience (94.2%), and pharmacology (93.2%). In clinical skills, GPT-4o's diagnostic accuracy was 92.7% and management accuracy was 88.8%, significantly higher than its predecessors. Notably, both GPT-4o and GPT-4 significantly outperformed the medical student average accuracy of 59.3% (95% CI 58.3-60.3). GPT-4o's performance in USMLE disciplines, clinical clerkships, and clinical skills indicates substantial improvements over its predecessors, suggesting significant potential for the use of this technology as an educational aid for medical students. These findings underscore the need for careful consideration when integrating LLMs into medical education, emphasizing the importance of structured curricula to guide their appropriate use and the need for ongoing critical analyses to ensure their reliability and effectiveness.

Real Customization or Just Marketing: Are Customized Versions of Generative AI Useful?

Abstract Background Large Language Models (LLMs), as in the case of OpenAITM ChatGPT-4TM Turbo, are revolutionizing several industries, including higher education. In this context, LLMs can be personalised through customization process to meet the student demands on every particular subject, like statistics. Recently, OpenAI launched the possibility of customizing their model with a natural language web interface, enabling the creation of customised GPT versions deliberately conditioned to meet the demands of a specific task. Methods This preliminary research aims to assess the potential of the customised GPTs. After developing a Business Statistics Virtual Professor (BSVP), tailored for students at the Universidad Pontificia Comillas, its behaviour was evaluated and compared with that of ChatGPT-4 Turbo. Firstly, each professor collected 15-30 genuine student questions from “Statistics and Probability” and “Business Statistics” courses across seven degrees, primarily from second-year courses. These questions, often ambiguous and imprecise, were posed to ChatGPT-4 Turbo and BSVP, with their initial responses recorded without follow-ups. In the third stage, professors blindly evaluated the responses on a 0-10 scale, considering quality, depth, and personalization. Finally, a statistical comparison of the systems’ performance was conducted. Results The results lead to several conclusions. Firstly, a substantial modification in the style of communication was observed. Following the instructions it was trained with, BSVP responded in a more relatable and friendly tone, even incorporating a few minor jokes. Secondly, when explicitly asked for something like, “I would like to practice a programming exercise similar to those in R practice 4,” BSVP could provide a far superior response. Lastly, regarding overall performance, quality, depth, and alignment with the specific content of the course, no statistically significant differences were observed in the responses between BSVP and ChatGPT-4 Turbo. Conclusions It appears that customised assistants trained with prompts present advantages as virtual aids for students, yet they do not constitute a substantial improvement over ChatGPT-4 Turbo.

Association of Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity With College Student Success and Retention.

This study examined the relationship between physical activity (PA) and academic performance and retention among college students using accelerometer data while controlling for sex and socioeconomic background. Data were collected from 4643 first-year college students at a private university in the south-central United States who began their studies in the Fall semesters between 2015 and 2022. Daily step counts were collected using accelerometers worn as part of the institutions PA requirements. The expected family contribution was calculated based on information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Grade point average (GPA) and retention data were collected directly from official university databases. Female students generally had lower median age and steps count and a higher median GPA than males. The retention rates from fall to spring and fall to fall were 95.9% and 83.8%, respectively, with no significant difference in retention rates between males and females. GPA was significantly positively correlated with steps, expected family contribution, and age, and negatively correlated with being male and having an expected family contribution of zero. The fall to spring retention rate was significantly positively correlated with steps and GPA. The study's findings suggest that increasing levels of PA, as measured by daily step counts, may be effective in promoting academic performance and retention, even when controlling for sex and socioeconomic background. The use of device-based measures of PA in this study contributes to the literature on this topic, and policymakers and educational institutions should consider interventions focused on academic performance and physical activity to help students persist.

Real Customization or Just Marketing: Are Customized Versions of Generative AI Useful?

Large Language Models (LLMs), as in the case of OpenAI TM ChatGPT-4 TM Turbo, are revolutionizing several industries, including higher education. In this context, LLMs can be personalised through customization process to meet the student demands on every particular subject, like statistics. Recently, OpenAI launched the possibility of customizing their model with a natural language web interface, enabling the creation of customised GPT versions deliberately conditioned to meet the demands of a specific task. This preliminary research aims to assess the potential of the customised GPTs. After developing a Business Statistics Virtual Professor (BSVP), tailored for students at the Universidad Pontificia Comillas, its behaviour was evaluated and compared with that of ChatGPT-4 Turbo. Firstly, each professor collected 15-30 genuine student questions from "Statistics and Probability" and "Business Statistics" courses across seven degrees, primarily from second-year courses. These questions, often ambiguous and imprecise, were posed to ChatGPT-4 Turbo and BSVP, with their initial responses recorded without follow-ups. In the third stage, professors blindly evaluated the responses on a 0-10 scale, considering quality, depth, and personalization. Finally, a statistical comparison of the systems' performance was conducted. The results lead to several conclusions. Firstly, a substantial modification in the style of communication was observed. Following the instructions it was trained with, BSVP responded in a more relatable and friendly tone, even incorporating a few minor jokes. Secondly, when explicitly asked for something like, "I would like to practice a programming exercise similar to those in R practice 4," BSVP could provide a far superior response. Lastly, regarding overall performance, quality, depth, and alignment with the specific content of the course, no statistically significant differences were observed in the responses between BSVP and ChatGPT-4 Turbo. It appears that customised assistants trained with prompts present advantages as virtual aids for students, yet they do not constitute a substantial improvement over ChatGPT-4 Turbo.

Miguel Cardona addresses FAFSA, students’ civil rights

LAS VEGAS — When U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona came to the national Education Writer's Association conference in June, it was expected that his interview was going to touch on some of the hottest topics in higher education today, namely the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and campus protests.

Challenges and Barriers in Accessing Financial Aid for Low-Income Minority Students in the United States

This paper presents a critical analysis of some of the major barriers that low income minority students in the United States encounter in their quest for scholarships. Higher education has emerged as a critical factor for social and economic mobility and stability in the last few decades. Financial aid has really played a crucial role in enabling low-income and minority students to study at institutions of higher learning. But there are so many factors that may limit such kinds of students from accessing such help. Some of the concerns highlighted are; the process of applying for a grant is complex, there is inadequate guidance and support, and the grant system is impartial. This is especially a problem for students who do not understand the financial terms or those who have language issues. While some schools provide financial aid workshops and counseling services, there is a lack of their availability and the quality of the services provided, thus making students desperate for the assistance they require. Hence, using data from online self-completed questionnaires and interviews and conducting a review of secondary data, this research work mainly aims to identify these challenges and then propose solutions.

Environmental information required by individuals with visual impairments who use orientation and mobility aids to navigate indoor places

The objective of the study is to investigate the requirements of individuals with blindness regarding the information to be included in audio-tactile maps and other orientation and mobility aids of indoor places. The research was conducted with the participation of 115 adults with blindness aged from 18 to 64 years. The participants were asked to evaluate each one of the 136 listed environmental information, regarding their usefulness for safety, location of services, and orientation/wayfinding during movement. The study defines the most useful environmental information that should be included in the orientation and mobility aids of indoor places for individuals with blindness. The older the participants, and the more often they move independently without the support of a sighted guide, the less useful they find the inclusion of some environmental information in orientation and mobility aids for indoor places. Although the research focuses on audio-tactile maps, the recorded participants’ preferences on the significant/useful indoor environmental information could be applied in orientation and mobility aids in general. Participants considered more useful the information necessary for safe and independent navigation within indoor places, as well as information relevant to their daily needs coverage and information referring to support provision through auditory or haptic cues. This study holds particular significance for developers of orientation and mobility aids for individuals with blindness. The findings will serve as a valuable point of reference for professionals such as orientation and mobility specialists, rehabilitation experts, and teachers involved in producing aids for students with blindness. While the research concentrates on audio-tactile maps, the preferences of participants recorded in the study regarding crucial indoor environmental information can apply to orientation and mobility aids in a broader context.

Evaluation of radiation protection effectivity in a cardiac angiography room using visualized scattered radiation distribution

In this study, we devised a radiation protection tool specifically designed for healthcare professionals and students engaged in cardiac catheterization to easily monitor and evaluate scattered radiation distribution across diverse C-arm angles and arbitrary physician associated staff positions—scrub nurse and technologist positions. In this study, scattered radiation distributions in an angiography room were calculated using the Monte Carlo simulation of particle and heavy ion transport code system (PHITS) code. Four visualizations were performed under different C-arm angles with and without radiation protection: (1) a dose profile, (2) a 2D cross-section, (3) a 3D scattered radiation distribution, and (4) a 4D scattered radiation distribution. The simulation results detailing the scattered radiation distribution in PHITS were exported in Visualization Toolkit format and visualized through the open-source visualization application ParaView for analysis. Visualization of the scattered dose showed that dose distribution depends on the C-arm angle and the x-ray machine output parameters (kV, mAs s−1, beam filtration) which depend upon beam angulation to the patient body. When irradiating in the posterior–anterior direction, the protective curtain decreased the dose by 62% at a point 80 cm from the floor, where the physician’s gonads are positioned. Placing the protection board close to the x-ray tube reduced the dose by 24% at a location 160 cm from the floor, where the lens of the eye is situated. Notably, positioning the protection board adjacent to the physician resulted in a 95.4% reduction in incident air kerma. These visualization displays can be combined to understand the spread and direction of the scattered radiation distribution and to determine where and how to operate and place radiation protection devices, accounting for the different beam angulations encountered in interventional cases. This study showed that scatter visualization could be a radiation protection teaching aid for students and medical staff in angiography rooms.

The Internet – Support or Threat to Learning Habits of the Younger Generation?

I've often heard young students say, "Let me check on the internet," when they're unsure of an answer. It's also evident that traditional paper dictionaries are rarely used nowadays, with foreign language words being automatically translated online. While the internet provides quick access to information, the accuracy of these answers needs research on sources and may require deep reading of different materials. This raises questions about the internet's role as a learning tool and how it's shaping our learning habits. Conducted in February 2024, a survey among 35 Romanian high school students aged 15-19 serves as the basis for this paper, which seeks to delve into students' internet usage for learning, their platform preferences, and their perceptions of how internet usage affects their learning styles. In conclusion, the paper will underscore the evolving learning needs identified and suggest ways educators can adapt to maintain students' interest in learning, guiding them towards focused research topics that align with their passions and future career aspirations.

IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES OF CHATGPT IN ENHANCING STUDENTS’ COMMUNICATION SKILLS IN THE GLOBAL BUSINESS CONTEXT

Effective communication skills are crucial in an increasingly interconnected global business environment. The ability to communicate clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing, is key to fostering successful business relationships and overcoming cross-cultural challenges. This research aims to explore the implementation strategies of ChatGPT in enhancing students' communication skills, particularly within the global business context. The study adopts a qualitative literature review approach. Data for this research were sourced from scholarly articles available on Google Scholar, published between 2015 and 2024. The study findings indicate that implementing ChatGPT in education as an innovative strategy to enhance students' communication skills in the global business context holds significant potential in preparing the next generation for challenges in an increasingly interconnected and multicultural workplace. With its ability to provide real-time natural language interactions, ChatGPT not only aids in training students' communication skills but also prepares them to navigate various international business scenarios.

To be a Certified Public Accountant: What Students Say

This study aims to analyze the interest of accounting students in choosing a career to become a certified public accountant in Indonesia. The public accountant profession could be one of the professions considered by accounting students. Data shows that the number of public accountants in Indonesia is still very small compared to other countries. This could be caused, in part, by the lack of interest in accounting students in Indonesia to become public accountants. However, there is no published research yet on the actual career interests of accounting students in Indonesia. Most of research on accounting students career interest in Indonesia, focused on the factors influence the students’ interest or desire to choose a career in accounting profession. This research will fill this gap by exploring the desire of Indonesian accounting students in becoming public accountants. The population of this study were accounting students in some of state universities in eastern part of Indonesia. The samples in this research were taken using simple random sampling technique. The data analysis technique used was descriptive statistical analysis. The results of this study indicated that Indonesian accounting students' interest in choosing a career as a public accountant is high. These results can be used as a reference for policy makers in deciding the career path of an accounting student to become a certified public accountant.

Flower or leaf characteristics, coloured or black and white illustrations – what helps student teachers to identify plants?

ABSTRACT For a sound understanding of biological diversity, it is not only important to identify species and recall their names, but to be able to distinguish between organisms based on a range of characteristic traits. However, whether flower or leaf characteristics are more important in identifying plant species and whether colour illustrations in identification books are more helpful than black and white ones is largely unexplored. With the help of a mobile eye-tracking device and pictures from two plant identification books, this study aimed to contribute to filling this knowledge gap. Thirty student teachers, all undergraduates in biology, were shown two freshly picked wildflowers (Medicago sativa and Echium vulgare) and asked to select the corresponding illustration from each of four plants on an identification sheet, which was either in colour or in black and white. For both plants, the number of fixations, and positively correlated fixation duration, were significantly higher for the flower than the leaf part. Although flowers and leaves were fixated longer and more frequently in the black-and-white illustrations, correct identifications were more likely with the coloured identification sheets. The results indicate that colour illustrations and sorting by flower characteristics are particularly helpful in identification aids for undergraduate students.

PENERAPAN KONSELING COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KONSENTRASI BELAJAR SISWA SMA N 1 GEBOG KUDUS

The aim of this research is to determine the factors that cause students' low learning concentration and the application of individual counseling with a Cognitive Behavior Therapy approach to increase students' learning concentration. The type of research used is a qualitative case study. Data collection techniques use observation, interviews, home visits and documentation. The research results prove that the application of cognitive behavior therapy counseling can help increase students' learning concentration at AY and AMI. Before the counseling was carried out, AY and AMI students experienced low learning concentration because they were unable to divide their time between studying, playing and resting. Therefore, AY and AMI counselees have low learning concentration. After individual counseling for three meetings, students AY and AMI Sudha were able to concentrate during the learning process.

Increasing student access through aid: Differences in difference-in-differences estimates

Causal identification of a student aid program’s impact can be difficult as the best control group is often a small number of out-of-province students who likely differ from locals in unobservable ways. This paper evaluates the impacts of the 30% Off Ontario Tuition Grant using administrative data from the Ontario–Quebec border, where a large number of local students are subject to a different province’s unchanged aid program. The Grant improved access to education; cohorts enrolled after the Grant was announced come from poorer areas, but also achieved lower graduation rates than comparable local yet out-of-province students. I present estimates using three different control groups: a local-student comparison offers the largest results, with more traditional comparisons finding similar but smaller effects.

Improving mental arithmetic ability of primary school students with schema teaching method: An experimental study.

Skillful utilization of mental arithmetic can significantly improve students' mathematical computation ability. However, it was observed that primary school students often resort to reiterating the process of written arithmetic in their minds during mental arithmetic, which is not conducive to their numerical ability improvement. This paper devises a set of graphic teaching aids for primary school students' mental arithmetic improvement based on mental arithmetic strategies, schema theory, and working memory. To validate the effectiveness of schema teaching in enhancing mental arithmetic ability among primary school students, a controlled experiment was conducted with two groups of third-grade students randomly selected from a primary school in Jingshan City. The results, obtained through descriptive statistical analysis and the multitrait-multimethod approach (MTMM), indicated that the experimental group (n = 52) demonstrated significant improvements in speed, accuracy, and stability in mental addition and subtraction after a 14-day instruction period in schema teaching. This study offers a potent mental arithmetic teaching strategy for elementary mathematics education, which can lead to a comprehensive enhancement of students' mental calculation abilities. It also holds promise for inspiring innovative teaching methodologies in primary and secondary mathematics education in the future.

Mock court: a valuable tool to teach legal procedures to undergraduate medical students.

Teaching through role-plays is a preferred modality when certain behaviours or skills need to be taught. They provide a risk-free environment that simulates a real-life scenario. For a clinician, appearance in a Court of Law as an expert witness is a part of his/her legal obligation. To explore the utility of Mock Court as an additional teaching tool for undergraduate medical students, in understanding and familiarizing with legal procedures, specifically the courtroom procedures. We conducted Mock Court sessions with the students playing various roles, following which feedback was collected from the students, teachers and guest assessors. The data was statistically analysed by comparison of frequencies and paired t-test (pre- and post-session comparison). The study revealed a positive effect of the Mock Court sessions on the students, based on their increased confidence, motivation and a better grasp of legal procedures. There was a statistically significant (p < 0.001) improvement in the understanding of specific aspects of courtroom procedures after the session. The authors recommend the active implementation of Mock Court as a teaching aid for undergraduate medical students, and the use of PDSA (Deming) cycle as a tool for quality-checks and self-improvement in subsequent sessions.

The Influence of 'WEBTOON' as a Digital Reading Aid for High School EFL Students

After the pandemic, classrooms experienced a noticeable decline in learning outcomes, coinciding with the emergence of a more tech-savvy cohort of learners and educators. This shift prompted a quest for digital solutions to enhance student engagement, with Webtoon emerging as a prominent option. Particularly popular among Generation Z, Webtoon's straightforward yet entertaining interface, diverse themes, and captivating artwork entice users to delve into its panels during leisure time. In the following qualitative study, the perspectives of high school students from UEPSMA (Unidad Educativa Particular Salesianas María Auxiliadora) in Cuenca were examined. Through three cycles of action research employing qualitative methods, participants underwent three spontaneous quizzes and concluded with a final survey via Google Forms. Findings indicated that students found Webtoon's visuals and language usage gratifying, attributing their continued engagement to compelling storylines and vivid illustrations. Additionally, their responses underscored a sense of satisfaction with integrating a digital reading tool into the classroom, which notably bolstered their motivation for English reading.

Penggunaan Alat Peraga Untuk Meningkatkan Motivasi dan Hasil Belajar Siswa Kelas IV SD Riyadlul Muta’allimin

This research is aimed to increase student motivation and learning outcomes by using teaching aids for fourth grade students of SD Riyadlul Muta'allimin Tenajar, Kertasemaya District, Indramayu Regency for the 2020/2021 academic year on flat-building material. This is motivated by a problem of motivation in students as evidenced by students' lack of focus in learning, such as joking, daydreaming and playing when learning takes place. lack of encouragement from the surrounding environment and not diligent in learning and low student learning outcomes. This research was conducted using a classroom action research method, it can be explained that the results of increasing pre-cycle motivation are not good with a monotonous learning process without using teaching aids and student learning outcomes from pre-cycle are still low or have not reached the KKM. Only 7 students reached the KKM. In cycle 1, the use of teaching aids has been applied in the learning process to increase motivation by 67.7% with good criteria and in cycle 2 it reaches 87.9% with very good criteria. Meanwhile, student learning outcomes after the use of teaching aids were applied to the learning process in cycle 1 achieved completeness of 64.3% or as many as 18 students. In cycle 2 it increased to 89.3% as many as 25 students who completed exceeding the success indicator by 80%. Based on these results, it can be said that classroom action research with use of teaching aids can increase the motivation and learning outcomes of fourth grade students of SD Riyadlul Muta'allimin.