Students In Intervention Group Research Articles

THE EFFECT OF PEER EDUCATION ON SLEEP HYGIENE ON SLEEP QUALITY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL RESILIENCE IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS LIVING IN DORMITORIES

This study was conducted to examine the effect of peer education on sleep hygiene sleep quality and psychological resilience in university students living in dormitories. In the study, a quasi-experimental method with a pretest-posttest control group was used. 240 university students staying at Akyazı Credit and Dormitories Institution in Akyazı district of Sakarya province participated in the study. Half of the students (n=120) formed the intervention group and the other half (n=120) formed the control group. Before the study, 20 students were given sleep hygiene training by the research team. The training group provided peer education to the intervention group on sleep hygiene. No intervention was made in the control group. Student diagnostic form, Sleep Hygiene Index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Brief Psychological Resilience Scale were used as data collection tools. There was no statistically significant difference between the Sleep Hygiene Index and Brief Psychological Resilience Scale score averages of the intervention and control group students included in the study at the beginning and the last interview (p>0.05). However, it was determined that there was an improvement in the sleep hygiene and psychological resilience levels of the students in the intervention group (p0.05). In addition, it was determined that the intervention group had a significant improvement in subjective sleep quality and sleep latency, which are sub-dimensions of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (p

The effect of web based and traditional self breast examination education on nursing students’ knowledge, skills and self-directed learning skills: A randomised controlled study

AimThe aim of this study is to examine the effect of web based self-breast examination education on nursing students’ knowledge, skills, and self-directed learning skills in self-breast examination. BackgroundBreast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer among women, mortality rates are still high today. It is critical to improve the knowledge and skills and raise the self-awareness and health consciousness of individuals and society about self-breast examination, which is important in the early diagnosis of breast cancer, in order to lower mortality rates. Accordingly, one of the basic nursing skills aimed to be acquired by nursing students future nursing professionals is a self-breast examination. DesignThis study was conducted with a randomised, controlled, and experimental trial. MethodsA total of 90 students were included in the study: the intervention group (n=43) and the control group (n=47). Intervention group students participated in web-based SBE Education.Control group students participated in SBE Education based on a traditional learning model.A Student Information Form, the Self-Breast Examination Knowledge Test, the Self-Breast Examination Skill Rubric, and the Self-Directed Learning Skills Scale were used in the study. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon test were run to analyse the data. ResultsIt was observed that the control group had a higher score in self-breast examination knowledge than the intervention group during the intervention period and the follow-up period after 15 days. No difference was noticed between the groups after the intervention for self-breast examination skill score, but the intervention group had a higher score than the control group for self-breast examination skill during the follow-up period after 15 days. No significant difference was noted between the groups for self-directed learning scores. This result validated hypothesis H4. This result refuted hypothesis H1, H2, H3, H5. ConclusionsWeb based education on self-breast examination improves students’ breast self-examination skills and self-directed learning skills, but not their knowledge level of self-breast examination.

The effect of blended learning on mathematics cognitive demand and cognitive load in learning calculus of several variables at universities in Tigray, Ethiopia

The overall objective of this study was to examine the effect of blended learning on improving students’ mathematical cognitive demand and their extraneous and germane cognitive load in learning calculus of several variables. Guided by constructivist and cognitive load theories, a quasi-experimental design was conducted in three public universities. A total of 67 second-year undergraduate mathematics students participated for 4 months. The study used a mixed research method with social constructivism augmented by pragmatism. Data were analysed using analysis of co-variance procedure and thematic analysis and discussed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The findings revealed that the treatment group students’ mathematical cognitive demand (treatment (TG1) (M = 70.9, SD = 10.8) and treatment (TG2) (M = 69.3, SD = 20.5) were significantly higher than the posttest scores of students in the comparison group in CG (M = 58.8, SD = 13.5), (p = 0.00)) with effect size of 0.25. Moreover, their germane cognitive load had improved and extraneous cognitive load reduced significantly compared to the comparison group. To conclude, mathematics cognitive demand can be improved with blended learning. These findings imply that blending mathematics instruction in higher education institutions is useful to policymakers. The finding also revealed that cognitive load was found a negative and significant predictor of mathematics cognitive demand.

The effect of education provided with the escape room game on nursing students' learning of parenteral drug administration

AimThe present study was conducted to determine the effect of education provided to first-year nursing students with the escape room game on their learning of parenteral drug administration. BackgroundThe use of escape room games in education supports formal education in providing students with professional knowledge and skills. DesignA randomized controlled study design was used in this study. MethodThe current study was conducted with 72 first-year nursing students. Data were collected with the Descriptive Characteristics Questionnaire (DCQ), Parenteral Drug Administration Information Test (PDAIT), Parenteral Drug Administration Sub-Checklists (PDASC) and Game Evaluation Form (GEF) between May and June 2022. The initial knowledge and skills of all students participating in the study were measured after completing the parenteral drug administration theoretical course and laboratory skills course. Students were assigned to the intervention (n=36) and control (n=36) groups by the stratified block randomization method according to their initial knowledge and skill measurements. Unlike the control group, the intervention group played the escape room game once in groups of four. The control group was allowed to work freely in the laboratory during this period. The final knowledge and skills of the intervention and control groups were measured immediately after the intervention. Students' skills were measured with an objective structured clinical examination. ResultsIt was determined that the post-test knowledge level of the students in the intervention group and their post-test skill mean scores for drug withdrawal from an ampoule, subcutaneous injection administration, intradermal injection administration and intravenous push drug administration were higher than those of the students in the control group (p<0.05). Additionally, Intervention group students evaluated the escape room game positively. ConclusionThis study concluded that the escape room game supported formal education and could be used in teaching parenteral drug administration.

Argumentative Writing for Students With Disabilities in Inclusive Science Classes: A Pilot Study

As larger numbers of students with disabilities (SWDs) are being included in general education or inclusive science classes, many of them experience difficulties with scientific reasoning and argumentation. In inclusive science classes, there are greater demands to learn more complex concepts and use scientific practices, such as argumentative writing with evidence. In addition, SWDs struggle with writing tasks, compounding their difficulties, particularly when asked to incorporate science content into their writing. To address these writing difficulties, an argumentative intervention was developed that was comprised of an argumentative strategy and graphic organizer that assessed students’ writing performance on an argumentative essay. The results of this pilot study found that experimental students improved their argumentative writing from pre to post writing tasks and experimental students in the argumentative intervention group outperformed control students. In addition, SWDs who used the intervention outperformed control group students that included both SWDs and students without disabilities. Limitations of the study are discussed, as well as implications for teachers

“It actually helped”: students’ perceptions of feedback helpfulness prior to and following a teacher professional learning intervention

This study investigated the effects of a teacher professional learning intervention, underpinned by a student-centred model of feedback, on student perceptions of feedback helpfulness. The study was conducted in the context of primary education English writing in Queensland, Australia. No overall differences in feedback perceptions of students in 13 intervention and 9 comparison schools were identified following the intervention. However, more detailed analyses revealed significantly greater increases in perceived helpfulness among intervention group students for six feedback strategies. This suggests the intervention changed teachers’ feedback practices, enhancing student perceptions of feedback helpfulness. Student focus group data provided valuable qualitative insights into student feedback perceptions. Overall findings highlight the interrelatedness between feedback strategies across the feedback cycle for enhancing student learning.

A randomized controlled study of a second grade numeracy intervention with Swedish students at-risk of mathematics difficulties.

Early numeracy interventions including basic arithmetic are crucial for young students at risk for early mathematics difficulties (MDs), yet few studies have evaluated numeracy interventions in second grade with a randomized controlled design. This pre- and post-test randomized controlled study evaluated the effects of an intensive 9-week numeracy and arithmetic programme for second-grade students at risk for early MDs. The focus of the programme was students' foundational understanding of numbers and mathematical concepts and procedural fluency with arithmetic tasks. A total of 753 first-grade students from 21 schools in Sweden were screened for low achievement in number knowledge and arithmetic. Students considered at risk for MDs (≤25 percentile on two consecutive first-grade mathematics screenings) were individually randomized to an intervention group (n = 32) or control group (n = 30) at the beginning of second grade (7-8 years old). Trained teachers administered the one-to-one, explicit programme to intervention group students in elementary school settings. The intervention group received numeracy instruction emphasizing foundational mathematics concepts and procedures. Controls received teaching as usual with potential special education support provided by their schools. The intervention group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in conceptual knowledge, arithmetic calculations and problem-solving compared to the control group, with medium size effects observed. A supplemental and intensive programme, with explicit instruction emphasizing numeracy, substantially improved knowledge and skills essential for arithmetic learning. Instruction in conceptual number knowledge and procedures also shows a significant impact on basic arithmetic problem-solving.

New method for autonomous learning of BLS psychomotor skills: Pillow mannequin: Randomized controlled study

BackgroundEvidence supporting the benefits of autonomous learning of basic life support, such as rapid outcomes and cost-effectiveness, is increasing. Reports supporting the autonomous learning of cognitive skills in basic life support exist. However, there is currently no report supporting the autonomous learning of psychomotor skills in basic life support. AimThis study aimed to assess how using a research-developed pillow-made mannequin affects autonomous learning of psychomotor skills in basic life support training. DesignRandomized controlled trial. SettingThis study was conducted in a nursing school in Turkey. ParticipantsSixty-one (n = 61) third-year formal science undergraduate students. MethodsAt XXX University, 61 nursing students were divided into Intervention (n = 31) and Control Groups (n = 30). Students in both groups received basic life support training, including live demonstrations. Intervention Group students practiced with the mannequin for 15 days. Skill assessments were conducted by two independent evaluators using a real mannequin 15 days later and six months later. Researchers used a checklist to assess psychomotor skills. ResultsThe sociodemographic characteristics of both student groups were similar. There was no significant difference in cognitive knowledge levels after the blended training (p > 0.05). However, at both post-intervention assessments, after 15 days and after 6 months, significant skill differences emerged in “placing the index finger on the ends of the sternum,” “combining the thumbs in the middle,” “defining the lower sternum as a massage point,” “placing the base of the chest” “placing the weaker hand at the massage point,” “placing the body perpendicular to the ribcage,” and “performing 30 compressions.” Cohen's kappa value was calculated as 0.932. ConclusionUse of the mannequin facilitates autonomous learning of psychomotor skills and promotes accurate application. Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05346003, 08/02/2022.

Flipped Learning with Gamification and Secondary School Students' Interest in Physics in Nigeria

This study investigated the effect of flipped learning with gamification on the interest of students in senior secondary schools in Ondo State, Nigeria. It also examined the moderating effect of gender on interest. The study was a two-group pretest-post-test quasi-experimental design of a 2x2 factorial matrix in which data was collected with the aid of a Questionnaire on Students' Interest in Physics (QSIP) which was found reliable at Cronbach’s alpha coefficient r = 0.91, and administered on 64 participants. The data collected were analysed with inferential statistics of t-test and ANCOVA at 0.05 level of significance. The results show that there was a significant difference in the interest of students in treatment groups, t = 5.49, p &lt; 0.05; and that there was no significant interaction effect of students’ gender on their interest in Physics, F (1,62) = 1.40; p &gt; 0.05. It was concluded that flipped learning with gamification significantly enhanced students’ interest in learning Physics, and that gender does not affect interest. Hence, gender should not be used to divide a Physics class. It was advised that teachers should teach Physics with a flipped learning strategy and curriculum planners should recommend the strategy for teachers.

Paper-based geriatric interprofessional education for enhancing students’ interest in treating older people

Interprofessional education is one of the interventions used to increase health care students’ motivation for working with older patients. Previous research about such interventions has been conducted without the use of control groups and has given inconclusive results. The objective of the present curricular resource was: Does geriatric paper-based interprofessional education influence students’ interest in treating older people? During a one-year period, undergraduate fourth-year medical and third-year nursing students wrote four health care plans for four different paper-based older patient cases. In the intervention group students were paired up in interprofessional couples. In the control group students made the assignment alone. Interest for working with older patients was measured on a 5-point Likert scale before and one year after the intervention. In both groups, no significant change was found. Before-interest score of the interprofessional group was relatively high (3.8) so the non-significant results may be due to a ceiling effect. Nursing students’ interest in treating older people at the start of the research was higher than medical students’ interest.

Teaching information literacy in online psychology courses: Effects on student performance and self-reported confidence

Using the Framework for Information Literacy published by the Association of College &amp; Research Libraries, we developed an online intervention to increase information literacy. Specifically, we hypothesized that undergraduate students in an information literacy intervention group would increase in information literacy performance and confidence compared to a control group which did not receive asynchronous online information literacy instruction. We used a non-equivalent groups pretest-posttest design and measured students’ ( N = 101) information literacy performance and self-reported confidence before and after asynchronous information literacy instruction. We compared the intervention with a non-intervention control condition using two existing undergraduate psychology courses offered online across two semesters. Partially confirming our hypotheses, we found that providing asynchronous information literacy instruction not only increased students’ information literacy performance but also helped students to evaluate their own information literacy skills more accurately. In contrast, our intervention did not selectively increase confidence in information literacy as both information literacy intervention and control groups similarly increased in information literacy confidence over time. Nevertheless, these findings show that we managed to develop an online, theory-based intervention to increase information literacy. This intervention has the potential to build the foundations for students to engage in scientific conversations by elevating their understanding of how scientific information is produced and how science affects their daily lives.

A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Effect of Communication Skill Training on Nursing Students' Skills and Self-Efficacy in Caring for Patients with Cancer: Part II

Abstract Background Health care professionals working in the field of oncology have reported difficulty communicating with patients and their families throughout diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. As it comes to the care and treatment of the patient as well as their feelings of uncertainty about the future, nurses on the treatment team are crucial in offering patients and their families both practical and emotional support. By offering specialized training in communication skills, health care providers—including undergraduate health care students and interns—can strengthen their relationship with patients. Objectives The main objectives of the study were to assess the effect of communication skill training on the skills and self-efficacy of undergraduate nursing students in providing care to patients with cancer. Materials and Methods A quasi-experimental research design was adopted to evaluate the effect of skill training on the skills and self-efficacy of students. A total of 32 students from selected nursing colleges were chosen using a purposive sampling technique, and the lottery method was employed to assign students to the intervention and control groups. A baseline pro forma, basic communication skills checklist, and self-efficacy questionnaire (SE-12) were the instruments used for data collection. Using SPSS version 26, descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the data. Results The majority of the students in both the intervention group (81.25%) and the control group (75%) were between the ages of 20 and 21. Scores on communication skills pretest, posttest 1, and posttest 2 within and between groups all showed highly significant differences (p = 0.000). The self-efficacy scores of the intervention group students significantly improved (p = 0.000). Conclusion The skill training program has enhanced the students' competency to communicate and their sense of self-efficacy in offering care for cancer patients. Health care professionals will help patients and their families take an informed and involved role in their own cancer care if they devote the resources to training, particularly prospective students, in this basic clinical competence.

The impact of mentorship program on the level of anxiety and pre-internship exam scores among Iranian senior nursing students

BackgroundMentorship involves a voluntary, collaborative, and non-hierarchical relationship where an experienced individual shares knowledge with a less-experienced individual. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a mentorship program on anxiety levels and pre-internship exam scores among senior nursing students.MethodsThis quasi-experimental research was conducted on 37 nursing students in the sixth semester of the School of Medical Sciences in Saveh in the year 2023. Participants were selected based on initial criteria using a census method and were then randomly assigned to two groups: the control group (19 participants) and the intervention group (17 participants). The mentoring program for the intervention group was implemented one month before the pre-internship exam and consisted of six sessions, each lasting two hours, over two weeks (three sessions per week). Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, the Sarason Anxiety Questionnaire, and pre-internship exam scores. SPSS software version 23 was utilized for data analysis.ResultsThe mean anxiety exam scores in the two control and intervention groups did not exhibit a statistically significant difference before the intervention (P = 0.34). However, the mean anxiety exam score of the intervention group students after the intervention (5.89 ± 15.11) was significantly lower than that of the control group students (7.04 ± 21.42) (P = 0.007). Additionally, the results showed that the mean anxiety exam scores of the intervention group students before (5.77 ± 17.53) and after the intervention (5.89 ± 15.11) had a statistically significant difference (P = 0.013). Furthermore, the mean pre-internship exam scores of the intervention group students (1.71 ± 17.72) were significantly higher than those of the control group students (1.15 ± 16.46) (P = 0.014).ConclusionThe mentorship program resulted in a reduction of exam anxiety in nursing students and improved their performance in the pre-internship exam to the extent that the exam scores of the participating students were higher than those of other students.

Motivational interviewing skills practice enhanced with artificial intelligence: ReadMI

BackgroundFinding time in the medical curriculum to focus on motivational interviewing (MI) training is a challenge in many medical schools. We developed a software-based training tool, “Real-time Assessment of Dialogue in Motivational Interviewing” (ReadMI), that aims to advance the skill acquisition of medical students as they learn the MI approach. This human-artificial intelligence teaming may help reduce the cognitive load on a training facilitator.MethodsDuring their Family Medicine clerkship, 125 third-year medical students were scheduled in pairs to participate in a 90-minute MI training session, with each student doing two role-plays as the physician. Intervention group students received both facilitator feedback and ReadMI metrics after their first role-play, while control group students received only facilitator feedback.ResultsWhile students in both conditions improved their MI approach from the first to the second role-play, those in the intervention condition used significantly more open-ended questions, fewer closed-ended questions, and had a higher ratio of open to closed questions.ConclusionMI skills practice can be gained with a relatively small investment of student time, and artificial intelligence can be utilized both for the measurement of MI skill acquisition and as an instructional aid.

The effects of web-based progressive muscle relaxation exercise on perceived stress and anxiety levels of nursing students who were in clinical practice for the first time: A randomized controlled trial

Introduction/Objective. It is reported that during the education process, uncontrollable long-term stress affects professional identity development and health of nursing students negatively. The effects of web-based progressive muscle relaxation exercises on perceived stress and anxiety levels of nursing students who were in clinical practice for the first time were analyzed in the present study. Methods. The present study used a randomized controlled design. The study was carried out at a state university in Turkey. A total of volunteering 66 nursing students (36 in the control and 30 in the intervention group) in clinical practice for the first time who were studying during the 2021-2022 academic year were included in the sample. Intervention group students performed 36 sessions of progressive muscle relaxation exercise three days a week for 12 weeks. The data were collected by using the ?Sociodemographic Characteristics Form?, ?State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)? and ?Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)?. Results: In comparing post-test mean scores of intervention and control group, PSS and STAI total mean scores of the intervention group were found to be statistically significantly lower than those of the control group (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Progressive muscle relaxation exercise was found to reduce perceived stress and anxiety in nursing students who were in clinical practice for the first time.

Collaborative Learning: An Assessment of the Students’ Essay Writing Skills

The present experimental study aimed to assess the students’ essay-writing skills at the graduate level. Writing is highly pertinent among all four English language skills related to communication. The results of the students who were taught in the classroom through collaborative learning techniques were compared with the results of the students who were taught through traditional methodology. Female students at the graduation level from a government college in the Chakwal district of Punjab province were considered the population of the present study. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 30 students. The sample of 30 students was divided into experimental and control groups by dividing 15 students in each group. The traditional methodology was used to teach the students of the control group, whereas the collaborative learning technique was used to teach the treatment group students. Both groups were observed twice. The results were analyzed using the independent sample t-test. The findings revealed that the students of both groups performed almost the same in the pretest, whereas a significant difference was observed in the mean score of both groups in the post-test. It was recommended that the traditional teaching methodologies be replaced with collaborative learning techniques.

Effect of the case-based learning method combined with virtual reality simulation technology on midwifery laboratory courses: A quasi-experimental study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of case-based learning (CBL) method with virtual reality (VR) simulation technology (CBL-VR) on midwifery laboratory courses. MethodsA quasi-experimental design was employed. A total of 135 midwifery students were recruited from Nursing College of Guilin Medical University in China from September 2020 to January 2022. Intervention group recruited students from the Class of 2019 (n = 59) and control group recruited students from the Class of 2018 (n = 76). The intervention group students received the CBL-VR method based on traditional laboratory teaching, the contents of course included four sections: eutocia (6 class hours), dystocia (6 class hours), umbilical cord prolapse (2 class hours), and neonatal asphyxia and resuscitation (4 class hours), 40 min per class hour. The control group students received the traditional laboratory teaching. Students’ academic performance, Self-Directed Learning (SDL) Ability Questionnaire, and the education satisfaction questionnaire were used to evaluate the teaching efficacy between two groups. ResultsAfter intervention, the intervention group students achieved higher scores than the control group in individual operation ability (90.88 ± 2.14 vs. 89.24 ± 3.15), team operation ability (90.97 ± 2.33 vs. 81.28 ± 5.45), and midwifery case analysis ability (88.64 ± 3.19 vs. 86.70 ± 2.56) (P ＜0.01). Prior to the implementation of the course, there was no difference in the SDL ability scores between the two groups of students (P ＞ 0.05). However, following the course intervention, the SDL ability scores of the intervention group were higher than those of the control group (94.78 ± 6.59 vs. 88.12 ± 8.36), and the scores in all dimensions of the intervention group were also higher (P < 0.05). Additionally, more than 94% of the students indicated that CBL-VR method developed comprehensive abilities, including independent-study enthusiasm, independent thinking, collaboration, and communication. ConclusionUsing the CBL-VR method in midwifery lab courses improved students’ course performance, SDL ability, and comprehensive ability. Students highly recognized the effectiveness of this approach.

Time for Dementia: innovation in dementia education

Background:The future healthcare workforce needs the skills, attitudes, and empathy to better meet the needs of those with dementia. Time for Dementia is an educational programme in which healthcare students from a range of professional groups visit a person with dementia and their family carer over a two-year period. The first phase of research demonstrated positive outcomes for students (Banerjee et al., 2021; Daley et al., 2020). Here we discuss the most recent findings from the second phase.Objectives:to evaluate the impact of Time for Dementia on student attitudes, knowledge and empathy towards dementia, and satisfaction of students and families.Methods:A mixed methods longitudinal cohort study was conducted between 2014- 2021. Measures of dementia knowledge, attitudes and empathy were administered to healthcare students at five universities in the south of England before and after (24 months) they completed the Time for Dementia programme. Data were also collected at equivalent time points for a control group of students who had not taken part in the programme. Outcomes were modelled using multilevel linear regression models. Satisfaction surveys were completed by students and families at the end of the programme.Results:2,700 intervention group students, 562 control group students and 803 families consented to participate in the research. Students undertaking the Time for Dementia programme had higher levels of knowledge and positive attitudes at follow-up compared to equivalent students who did not undertake the programme. Satisfaction was high for both students and families, with both perceiving benefits of taking part.Conclusions:The results suggest the Time for Dementia programme is effective in improving the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare students across different professional groups and universities. It also demonstrates that dementia education that meaningfully involves people with dementia and their carers can be delivered at scale for healthcare professionals.

Psychology-based cohesion education &amp; drug effects on depressed college students

BackgroundThe prevalence of depression is increasing among students in higher education due to academic stress and interpersonal relationships. Although medication is the main form of intervention, medication alone may not achieve the desired results. Recently, cohesion education based on educational psychology has received attention and is considered as a possible effective non-pharmacological treatment.Subjects and MethodsThree hundred college and university students who had been diagnosed with depression were selected for the study. They were randomly divided into three groups: a medication group, a cohesion education combined with medication group, and a control group. Among them, cohesion education covered teamwork, group activity organisation, and interactive communication skills, which lasted for six months, once a week for two hours. All groups received conventional medication for depression. Students were assessed for depressive symptoms before, during and after the intervention using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS).ResultsHDRS scores in the cohesive education combined medication group were significantly lower than those in the medication and control groups at the end of the study. In addition, students in the combined treatment group generally reported that their interpersonal relationships improved and their teamwork skills increased.ConclusionsCohesive education based on educational psychology combined with medication has significant efficacy for students with depression in colleges and universities. This combined treatment not only helps to reduce students’ depressive symptoms, but also improves their interpersonal relationships and teamwork skills.Acknowledgement 2016 Middle-aged and Youth Research Project of Fujian Provincial Department of Education (No. JAS160604).

Use of a project-based aquaponics curriculum in rural Kentucky school districts increases secondary students’ understanding of ecosystems

There is a need for secondary schools to provide more authentic, hands-on experiences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and, specifically, project-based investigation environments in the classroom that manifest the next generation science standards (NGSS) following practices they prescribe. This study investigated how, and to what extent, a contextualized aquaponics project-based investigation (APBI) 10-week model unit affected high school students’ understanding of standard-based ecological relationships and concepts concerning interactions in ecosystems and, specifically, the phenomena carrying capacity and bacterial nitrification process. Using a quantitative method, quasi-experimental research design, three different student groups who participated in the authentic, hands-on APBI curriculum (i.e., treatment groups) and a control group were given a pre- and post-content-aligned test (&lt;i&gt;n&lt;/i&gt;=88), which measured changes in students’ ecological knowledge. The results in this study revealed that the curriculum was an effective method to provide meaningful learning and content understanding of standard-based ecological concepts and relationships. The evidence from this study suggests that authentic instructional experiences can facilitate students’ understanding of standard-based ecological concepts and knowledge of ecosystems, as the three treatment group students showed statistically significantly higher mean difference (improvement) sum scores after taking the pre- and post-content-aligned assessment when compared to the control group. Overall, the gain in understanding can be attributed to the project-enhanced unit implemented in this study. The implications of this study suggest APBI models may create authentic science learning environments that promote student learning of scientific concepts. In addition, APBI can offer engaging curricula that articulates NGSS.