Academic Purposes Students Research Articles

Translanguaging: Moving away from monolingual ESL classrooms and institutions

Translanguaging, defined as “the deployment of a speaker’s full linguistic repertoire without regard for watchful adherence to the socially and politically defined boundaries of named (and usually national and state) languages” (Otheguy et al., 2015, p. 281), has great potential to play a key role in English as a Second Language (ESL) classrooms and institutions. This article first explores the origins and historical development of the concept of translanguaging before examining more general recent developments and applications of this concept internationally and in Australia. The final section provides suggestions for how to apply some of the principles of translanguaging in the adult ESL classroom, with a particular focus on specific translanguaging practices that have been used with Direct Entry English for Academic Purposes students.

Is There a Correlation Between Internet Use and Sleep and Cognitive Function Among Medical Students?

Background: Currently, the Internet is widely used by students for academic purposes; however, excessive Internet use might have negative consequences on students’ academic performance, sleep quality, and cognitive abilities. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Internet usage, sleep quality, and cognitive function among medical students. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 525 pre-internship medical students, including 304 first- and second-year students, 113 third-year students, and 108 externs, within 2019 and 2021 at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. The participants were selected using a stratified sampling method. All participants completed the Cognitive Ability Questionnaire (CAQ), Internet Addiction Questionnaire (IAQ), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 22). Results: According to the IAQ, 430 participants (81.9%) were categorized as average Internet users, 94 participants (17.9%) had occasional or frequent problems, and 1 participant had significant problems with Internet use. Mean PSQI and CAQ scores were significantly higher among participants with occasional or frequent problems/significant problems than the average Internet users (P < 0.001 each). The total IAQ score showed a positive correlation with total CAQ (r = 0.439, P < 0.001) and total PSQI (r = 0.264, P < 0.001) scores. Among the PSQI subscales, sleep latency (P = 0.032), daytime dysfunction due to sleepiness (P < 0.001), sleep efficiency (P = 0.001), and overall sleep quality (P < 0.001) were worse in participants with occasional or frequent problems/significant problems than in average Internet users. Conclusions: Excessive Internet use negatively affects the sleep quality and cognitive performance of medical students.

Interactive methods used in collaborative writing in the online ESL classroom

The last few years have amplified the use of digital technology in the second language (L2) classroom due to the emergence of COVID-19.Students were forced to study online, and, as a result, changing the interaction among students became crucial. While most English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) classrooms have since returned to face-to-face delivery, many providers are now considering the potential benefits of online learning and the strategies that make the platform and classroom interaction effective. One method of facilitating online interaction is collaborative writing (i.e.co-writing). Co-writing refers to two or more individuals producing work and contributing to a task together. While not a new phenomenon in face-to-face settings, this research project closely investigates the methods that students use to interact while completing co-writing tasks in an online environment and the impact these may have on L2 learning.The data, taken over five weeks, was collected from 15 adult English for Academic Purposes students in an online ELICOS classroom. Results showed areas of improvement in co-writing and a perception among students that co-writing was helpful. The paper aims to contribute to greater understanding and improved co-writing delivery and practice for ESL students and practitioners.

Interactive methods used in collaborative writing in the online ESL classroom

The last few years have amplified the use of digital technology in the second language (L2) classroom due to the emergence of COVID-19. Students were forced to study online, and, as a result, changing the interaction among students became crucial. While most English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) classrooms have since returned to face-to-face delivery, many providers are now considering the potential benefits of online learning and the strategies that make the platform and classroom interaction effective. One method of facilitating online interaction is collaborative writing (i.e., co-writing). Co-writing refers to two or more individuals producing work and contributing to a task together. While not a new phenomenon in face-to-face settings, this research project closely investigates the methods that students use to interact while completing co-writing tasks in an online environment and the impact these may have on L2 learning. The data, taken over five weeks, was collected from 15 adult English for Academic Purposes students in an online ELICOS classroom. Results showed areas of improvement in co-writing and a perception among students that co-writing was helpful. The paper aims to contribute to greater understanding and improved co-writing delivery and practice for ESL students and practitioners.

Perceived Usefulness of Smartphone Medical Apps As Theoretical and Clinical Learning Aids Among Medical Students in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Smartphone applications have become popular tools in clinical educational environments, particularly because they enhance learning in any setting through their accessibility.Despite students utilizing these apps in their daily learning, Pakistan's medical education system has yet to strongly endorse them. Given the rising usage of medical applications among clinical year medical students and the wide range of apps accessible on contemporary devices aimed specifically at the student population, there is a lack of literature addressing the use of these apps on clinical learning in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) such as Pakistan. Objectives Our study aims to (1) assess the level of awareness among clinical-year medical students in Pakistan, of smartphone applications for academic purposes, (2) determine the usefulness of medical apps as educational tools for clinical-year medical students, in terms of enhancing overall patient-care skills and (3) identify barriers to the usage of apps amongstudents who do not have them installed. Methods This online questionnaire-based study includes clinical year medical students across four medical colleges (two private and two public sectors) in Pakistan. Participant identity was kept anonymous and informed consent was required to participate. A sample size of 360 was used based on previous studies in the UK and student estimates from chosen medical colleges. The questionnaire tool used consists of three sections; demographics and medical school information, perceived usefulness of medical smartphone apps on a Likert Scaleand barriers to usage among students who do not have them installed. Results 97.9% of the total study population chose to participate in the study. There was roughly an equal percentage of responses from each clinical year and 72% of students reported active use of medical apps of which the vast majority (48%) have one to two apps on their phones. Only 39% of students felt that their medical colleges encourage the use of smartphone apps for academic purposes. 54% of students use apps to look up medical criteria for disease processes and almost 42% use them to search medications. On a Likert scale of 1-5, improvement of clinical performance received highest average score amongusers (3.92, SD 1.1), followed by quick access to medical guidelines (3.83, SD 1.0). The most common reasons for nonuse of medical apps were medical colleges not offering subscriptions and not knowing how to utilize apps. Conclusion Smartphone apps are widely used by clinical year medical students for academic purposes in our study. Despite lack of endorsement from their respective medical colleges, these apps are still popularly utilized for revision and research on disease criteria during clinics and rounds. Encouragement from the university has been identified as a significant barrier, however. Students who use smartphone apps reported an improvement in clinical performance overall; they were able to retrieve information quicker during rounds and noticed enhancements in formulating diagnoses and reading radiological images. In contrast, those not using these apps faced challenges with interpreting imaging results, recalling pharmacological properties of medicationsand developing differential diagnoses. Through these findings, we highlight the benefits of incorporating technological media into the undergraduate curriculum and hope medical universities from Pakistan can take inspiration.

A Qualitative Study on Academic Experiences of Foreign Students for Academic Purposes - Focusing on Self-Determination Motivation -

이 연구는 학문 목적 외국인 유학생을 대상으로 유학 경험에서 대부분을 차지하는 학업 수행과 관련하여 자기결정(Self-Determination) 정도를 심층적으로 파악하는 데 목적에 따라, 자기결정성 동기 설문지(SQR-A)를 질적연구 방법인 개별 심층 면접법(in-depth-interviewing)을 사용하여 외국인 유학생의 학업 경험을 보다 총체적으로이해하려고 하였다. 이를 통해 외국인 유학생의 학업 경험에서 특정 동기의 높고 낮음이 유발된 구체적인 맥락을보다 심층적이고 다각도로 분석하여, 외국인 유학생의 성공적인 학업 수행을 위한 교육과정을 제안하고자 하였다. 연구 결과, 학문 목적 외국인 유학생의 자기결정성 동기 양상은 대부분의 연구 결과와 마찬가지로 ‘확인된 조절’ 유형이 가장 높게 나타났다. 이는 어학연수와 다르게 교양 및 전공필수 과목과 같은 다양한 교과목을 수행해야하기에 학습자 스스로 최대한 내면화된 동기에서 발현된 것으로 보인다. 또한 한국어 학업 자체에 대한 기쁨이나만족보다는 한국어 학업을 통한 한국 유학생활의 목적 달성에 더 관심이 많다는 것으로 해석할 수 있다. 또한 학업 경험에 따른 동기 유발 원인은 학습자 개인별 목적이 다양해지고, 학업 수행에서 겪는 경험에 따라 다르게 작용되었다. 대부분의 외국인 유학생들이 20대 초반이라는 점을 고려하였을 때 학업 내용과 체계보다도 학습자 개인의 내재적인 요인이 학업에 미칠 가능성이 큰 것으로 파악되었다. 이에 따라 외국인 유학생의 개별적 역량을 강화하고 초국가주의 관점에서 ‘유학-취업-이주’라는 총체적 유학 경험에 기반한 석 박사 유학생을 위한 교육과정을 제안하였는데, 이 교육과정에는 ‘언어 역량 과정’, ‘전공 역량 과정’, ‘공동체 역량 과정’, ‘개별화 역량 과정’으로 학습자 개인의 특성에 따라 학업을 수행할 수 있도록 구성하였다.

Development of Indonesian Language Teaching materials in Universities

This study aims to develop a valid and relevant teaching materials with Indonesian language course material. This study uses a Research and Development (R&D) approach. The research subjects are lecturers and students. Data collection techniques in this study used observation, literature study, documentation, interviews, and assessment questionnaires. The stages in this research start from assessing potential and problems, collecting data, making product designs, validating product designs, revising products, and testing products. As a result, the textbooks developed were to support lectures and become a handbook for lecturers and students for academic purposes. The results and conclusions in this study, Indonesian language textbooks are good for college students to use. This teaching materials can also be used as a guide for lecturers in carrying out teaching and learning activities in universities.

STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS REGARDING THE TABLET PERSONAL COMPUTER (PC) AS A MOBILE LEARNING DEVICE AT A GRADUATE INSTITUTE IN TSHWANE: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

The unfolding Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR) has necessitated immense technological innovations in the educational sphere. To date, countable educational institutions in South Africa have introduced the Tablet Personal Computer (PC) to their students for academic purposes. However, perceptions regarding the Tablet PC as a mobile learning device has not been delved into in South Africa. This study has done such an exploration. The study explores the perceptions that graduate students in Tshwane hold of the Tablet Personal Computer (PC) as a mobile learning and management device[MC1] . Data was collected from full-time undergraduate students using a web based online survey with a semi-structured questionnaire. A population sample of 277 respondents was selected using non-probability method in the form of convenience sampling. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics methods. The results of the study indicated that the majority of the surveyed students had a positive perception regarding the Tablet PC. Based on the research findings, limitations, recommendations and future research opportunities were suggested. [MC1]Sentence added

AN EXPLORATORY RESEARCH: ELT AND ELL STUDENTS’ TENDENCIES TOWARDS WEB 2.0 TOOLS

<p>The research aims to reveal ELT and ELL students’ tendencies towards the application of Web 2.0 tools in language learning process and to reveal whether the department and gender had a significant effect on the attitudes towards Web 2.0 tools for academic purposes. The research also investigated the sorts of Web 2.0 tools ELT and ELL learners use for academic purposes. The participants were 94 students from English Language Teaching (ELT) and English Language and Literature (ELL) departments at Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University. The overall results of the research have shown that majority of learners use Web 2.0 tools to enhance vocabulary, listening comprehension, reading, speaking skills and finally their writing skills. The findings also illustrate that participants are conscious of the existence of these tools and they generally have a positive tendency towards the implementation of these tools in their language learning process. Furthermore, social networking sites were the most favored tools by students for academic purposes.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0980/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS REGARDING THE TABLET PERSONAL COMPUTER (PC) AS A MOBILE LEARNING DEVICE AT A GRADUATE INSTITUTE IN TSHWANE: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

The unfolding Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR) has necessitated immense technological innovations in the educational sphere. To date, countable educational institutions in South Africa have introduced the Tablet Personal Computer (PC) to their students for academic purposes. However, perceptions regarding the Tablet PC as a mobile learning device has not been delved into in South Africa. This study has done such an exploration. The study explores the perceptions that graduate students in Tshwane hold of the Tablet Personal Computer (PC) as a mobile learning and management device. Data was collected from full-time undergraduate students using a web based online survey with a semi-structured questionnaire. A population sample of 277 respondents was selected using non-probability method in the form of convenience sampling. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics methods. The results of the study indicated that the majority of the surveyed students had a positive perception regarding the Tablet PC. Based on the research findings, limitations, recommendations and future research opportunities were suggested.

An empirical study of student action from ipsative design of feedback processes

Feedback is justified when it has a positive influence on students’ subsequent performance. Opportunities for student action need therefore to be consciously designed if feedback is to influence learning. In this paper, we discuss how ipsative design of feedback processes, i.e. involving comparison of a student’s current performance with a previous similar task, can promote action from feedback. This design-based research was conducted with English for Academic Purposes students. A formative e-portfolio was implemented to facilitate students’ access to their past work and feedback comments. Its aim was to explore how students exploit the ipsative design of feedback to build on both their own and teacher’s actions. Analysis of student artefacts and interviews indicated that ipsative design prompts student comparison processes. Students were motivated to revisit their goals, make comparisons with previous work, and review peers’ work. The effects of the design included motivation to engage with feedback beyond the immediate task and the revisiting of past work and action to improve it. Implications for teachers and curriculum designers are discussed including the need to create conditions for student action from feedback by including interconnected tasks and explicit comparison activities in the courses.

The Need to Motivate Writing Education for International Students for Academic Purposes

본 연구는 다문화 이 연구는 학문 목적 유학생의 성공적인 대학 글쓰기 실현을 위해 학습자의 동기와 자기 효능감을 중점적으로 살핀 것이다. 글쓰기는 복잡하고 사고와 표현이 필요한 활동이다. 이는 국내 한국 대학생조차도 쓰기에 대한 불안 및 장애요소들을 유발하는 것이기 때문에 외국어로 한국 대학 글쓰기를 하는 외국인 유학생에게는 이미 그 자체가 어려운 수행 과정이다. 본고에서는 학습 동기와 관련된 논의들을 통하여 학문 목적 유학생들이 높은 동기와 자기 효능감을 가질 수 있는 방안을 제언하였다. 이러한 결과는 글쓰기에 대한 긍정적인 동기를 형성하도록 하여 대학 글쓰기의 목표가 지속 가능한 장기적 목표를 실현하려는 과정이 될 수 있다.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and College Libraries in Bhutan for Educational Achievement: A Comparative Study

Information is a vital and indispensable component of any education system. College libraries and internet facilities are the two information retrieval sources for academic works. This study aims to identify the preferable option (internet facilities vs library) for students for academic purposes. This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study recruited faculties, non-faculty staff, and students of Gedu College of Business Studies. The questionnaire was self-administered and responses were collected. Descriptive test was used for statistical analysis. The responses of 181 participants (male 53.6%; female 46.4%) were used for analysis (response rate 95.2%). Participants responded that internet was more easily accessible (74.1% vs 24.9%), more frequently used (78.5% vs 21.5%), for academic purpose (74.1% vs 24.9%), and holds more value in life of learners (60.7% vs 39.3%). Participants remain divided on the reliability of the source of information (internet 53.6 % vs library 46.4). However, the library was considered the cheaper (72.9% vs 27.1%) source of information. While 96.1 % of respondentsuse both sources, most (71.3%) participants feel that college should focus on developing internet facilities.Both libraries and the internet are used for academic purposes in college. However, there is a greater need to prioritize and invest in internet facilities for future educational needs.

Factors Influencing Usage of Social Media Students for Academic Purposes- A Case Study in Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, Bangladesh

Factors Influencing Usage of Social Media Students for Academic Purposes- A Case Study in Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, Bangladesh

Using Mobile Technologies Among Undergraduate Nursing Students for Academic Purposes in Tertiary Education: A Quantitative Survey.

Mobile devices are increasingly part of daily life, with the benefits of using the technology in nursing education widely recognized. This study explored the use of mobile devices among undergraduate nursing students for academic purposes in South Africa, using a quantitative survey. The majority of participants owned smartphones (87.6%), followed by laptops (76%) and tablets (47.1%). Mobile devices were used to perform academic tasks and communicate and collaborate with peers and teachers, as well as search and access electronic resources. Few of the first year nursing students owned laptops and tablets and used them less frequently than the students from other levels of the study. Equipping nursing students with mobile devices, such as laptops and tablets, particularly first year students, and ensuring that they have adequate skills to use them, is essential to training future nurses who are expected to work in a technology-mediated health environment.

Fostering Independent Learning amongst English for Academic Purposes Students through Exploration of Digital Tools

Interest in using digital tools (DTs) to facilitate self-directed learning has continued to increase alongside the power and complexity of the Web. However, English language instructors cannot always be certain of the appropriateness of particular DTs for their students’ unique linguistic needs, learning preferences, and cultural sensitivities. This study seeks to determine if a pedagogical approach making English language learners (ELLs) at a university in Qatar responsible for finding, trialing, vetting, and perhaps endorsing DTs results in significant changes in opinions and behaviours regarding such self-directed learning resource use. The analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data suggests that students in this context are already using DTs for English language learning, without prior teacher instructions, and are comfortable doing so. However, the findings suggest that students of lower English ability might benefit from more initial instructor guidance in selecting and using new DTs. While participants did not increase their use of DTs as a result of the intervention, they noted having become more efficient in using them. All participants said that the intervention had been beneficial. Many noted they had discovered at least one new tool that they would continue to use.

The usage of, and confidence in, social media as study sources among undergraduate students: A cross-sectional survey comparing it with traditional study sources

The main purposes of this study were: to profile the usage of, and confidence in, social media as study sources among undergraduate students for academic purposes and to compare the level of usage of, and confidence in, social media with other study sources. A cross-sectional survey about educational sources and social media usage and confidence, composed of eight items with closed-end-type Likert scale responses (1 to 5 points), was answered by 406 Brazilian physical education undergraduate students (236 men and 170 women) recruited from two public universities. Of these students, 98.3% used social media. Social media (median: 3), books (median: 4), scientific articles in Portuguese (median: 4) and blogs/websites (median: 4) obtained similar usage scores (p > 0.05) but higher (p 0.05) but higher (p < 0.05) than social media. Social media presented widespread usage as study sources despite the lower level of confidence attributed to them.

Perceptions and use of cloud services: an empirical study on the students of a public university in Bangladesh

Purpose The purpose of this study is to measure the perceptions and use of cloud services by the students of the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The specific objective of this study is to know what perceptions students have about cloud services, why and how they use cloud for academic activities. Design/methodology/approach For understanding the use of cloud services among the students of Dhaka University, a quantitative survey was carried out to collect data. Printed questionnaires were distributed among the students in different departments and university library. Both open- and close-ended questions were included in the questionnaire. A total of 329 students responded in this survey and the response rate was 85.5%. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Findings Findings revealed that students are generally aware of cloud services and majority of the respondents use cloud for different purposes. Students used cloud for storage, back up and collaboration purposes and some of Google features are widely used by majority of the students for academic purposes. Originality/value To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first time an effort has been made to measure the use of cloud services among the students of University of Dhaka. This study will help to raise cloud service awareness among the students and encourage the authorities to adopt appropriate strategies and policies to resolve cloud adoption in university setting. Specially, Center of Excellence in Teaching and Learning of Dhaka University can take some initiatives in this case.

Use Pattern of Online Information Resources by Students for Academic Purpose in Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India: A Study

The present study uses a pattern of online information resources by students for academic purposes in Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. The study covered basic areas like information regarding the use of online resources, frequency of use of online information resources, purpose of online information resources, usefulness of online information resources, and satisfaction level of online information resources. In this study I distributed 330 questionnaires to library users and received 268 responses, the response rate is 89%. The study found that majority of users are aware of online resources, majority of users using Google search engine for searching information. The study also highlighted the majority of users use online information for study purpose and improving knowledge. They also found that most of the respondents were satisfied with online resources. The researcher suggested that the university library should provide online video lectures, online institutional repositories and online reference sources.

Study of Social Networking Sites in Academic Advancement of Undergraduate Degree Students in Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Adarsha Mahavidyalaya, Eraligool

This study is aimed to investigate the usage pattern, utility and effectiveness of various social networking sites in overall academic advancement of the students studying in undergraduate level in a single stream degree college, which was selected as the universe of the study, in the district of Karimganj, in the state of Assam. The study was conducted following the research methodology of descriptive survey, wherein data was collected through structured questionnaire, served on all the undergraduate students of the college. This college lies in a very remote rural area, which had no such institution even a couple of years back and it’s still the only of its kind in an area covering approximately 500 sq.kms. The study reveals an extensive use of various social networking sites by the students for academic purposes as well as for inter-personal communication and enlarging their friends’ group. The frequency of use and the level of user satisfaction are considerably high. Most of the students in the study area come from a humble back ground and do not have their personal computers. Many of them have been introduced to the use of computer in the College Library and Computer Lab and have learnt using social sites for academic purposes from the library people in the college and can now use these sites with reasonable efficiency.