First-semester Students Research Articles

Hand hygiene knowledge among nurses and nursing students–a descriptive cross-sectional comparative survey using the WHO's “Hand Hygiene Knowledge Questionnaire”

To determine the level of knowledge and explore the difference of hand hygiene between nursing students and nurses. Annually, 3.8 million people in Europe acquire healthcare-associated infections, highlighting the importance of hand hygiene. Despite WHO's emphasis on the fact that greater hand hygiene knowledge correlates with improved hand hygiene compliance, several studies have shown knowledge gaps among nurses and nursing students regarding hand hygiene. Descriptive cross-sectional comparative survey. A version of the WHO "Hand Hygiene Knowledge Questionnaire", translated into Swedish, was used for data collection among nursing students in the first and last semester, and registered nurses from a university and associated hospital. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, and comparison between groups with Fisher's exact test, one-way ANOVA, and post-hoc tests (Pairwise Z-Tests, Tukey HSD). The survey, conducted between December 2020 and January 2021, received responses from 201 participants, including 71 first semester students, 46 last semester students and 84 registered nurses, showing moderate (55.7% [50-74% correct answers]) to good (43.8% [75-100% correct answers]) knowledge levels. First-semester students scored lower (17.0 ± 2.1) than last-semester students (18.8 ± 1.8) and registered nurses (18.3 ± 2.1) out of 25 questions. It is necessary for all groups to receive proper education on hand hygiene knowledge and to have an educational program that does not separate the groups but combines them with continuing education, since the students will someday be influencing future hand hygiene knowledge as a peer, together with the nurse.

The Role of Jordanian Teachers in Promoting an Islamic Culture of Tolerance from First-Semester Students’ Point of View

This study aims to identify the role of Jordanian teachers in promoting an Islamic culture of tolerance from the perspective of basic-stage students in Jordan. It also aimed to determine the difference between the students’ opinions regarding their views and the role of the Jordanian teacher in promoting the Islamic culture of tolerance according to the gender and geographical location of the school. This study used quantitative and descriptive approaches, in which the data were collected using a questionnaire consisting of 28 items. The questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 1,000 male and female students in the first semester of the year 2023/2024. After conducting the necessary statistical treatments, 19 items in the questionnaire received a high score and nine items received a moderate score. Furthermore, the questionnaire showed a high score for the scale, with a mean of 2.76 and a standard deviation of 0.62. The results of the study showed no statistically significant differences depending on the gender variable, while the results of the study showed that existence differences function statistically be consoled for the variable of the geographical location of the school and in favor of the school in the village.

The Profile of Undergraduate Students' Ability in Writing Exposition Text

This study was aimed to identify the ability of first-semester students' class of 2023/2024 in writing analytical exposition texts according to CEFR level at UNK Semarang and identify the problems faced as well as solutions to these problems. The data were taken from 35 students' writing products and the results of interviews with several students. Data analysis for assessment writing will use Ratnaningsih' theory and CEFR. This research uses mixed methods, in the first stage the researchers will carry out a quantitative method first (calculating writing test scores) and then the researchers will carry out a qualitative method (interviews). The results of this study showed that the writing skill level of participants is at level C1, where the highest aspect obtained by most students is content and the lowest aspect is mechanics. Apart from that, the main problems in writing analytical exposition text are grammar, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. Lastly, researchers can propose for the problems in this study is to increase or diligently practice writing in English, note down a new vocabulary that has never been known before and increase knowledge with various kinds of references found, for example from YouTube.

Der Einsatz von Online Self-Assessments zur Eignungsabklärung in der Lehrkräftebildung und wie Studierende sie wahrnehmen: Eine Mixed-Methods-Programmevaluation

This article examines the genesis (in terms of education policy) of the use of online self-assessments for aptitude assessment in teacher education, which have been recommended by the Kultusministerkonferenz (KMK) since 2013. Even though numerous publications on the different test procedures exist, a (programme) evaluation has not yet been carried out. The data in this study was obtained in a mixed-methods design which consists of expert interviews with contact persons at teacher education universities (n = 14) and a cross-sectional survey of first-semester students of various teaching professions (n = 3 888). A controversial picture emerges: the space given by the KMK in the design leads to only very limited comparability of the OSAs used. On the other hand, it can be stated that OSAs might have a positive desired effect when students complete them voluntarily. If they are instead required to participate, the consequence is that OSAs tend to be forgotten or remembered as a "chore" with possibly no self-esteem-supporting feedback.

Impact of the implementation of unconventional digital graphic organizers on the generation of meaningful learning

Introduction: in higher education, the integration of graphic organizers in teaching can enhance the understanding and retention of content, thereby contributing to the academic development of students. Objective: analyze the impact of the implementation of unconventional digital graphic organizers on the generation of meaningful learning in first-semester students at the Central University of Ecuador. Methods: 156 first-semester students participated in the "Leadership" course in the Civil Engineering program at Central University of Ecuador. The research was longitudinal and observational with a pre-experimental design. Pre and post-tests were conducted addressing the impact of digital graphic organizers on meaningful learning. Results: an increase in the usage of less common digital graphic organizers is revealed, showing a strong correlation with meaningful learning analyzed through the correlation coefficient. The Chi-square test supports that graphic organizers positively influence meaningful learning. Conclusions: the importance of adapting methodological strategies to university students is emphasized, acknowledging that success depends not only on these strategies but also on the creativity and flexibility of teaching. The inclusion of unconventional digital graphic organizers in teaching significantly benefits the generation of meaningful learning, suggesting that these structured visual tools are valuable for enhancing understanding. This knowledge will drive educators to design interventions that maximize learning

Profile of Problem-Solving Abilities on Elementary School Teacher Education Students in The Basic Mathematics Course

This research aims to describe the mathematical problem-solving abilities of first-semester students in the Elementary School Teacher Education Program at STKIP Taman Siswa Bima. It employs a quantitative descriptive research design. The subjects consist of Class IE students selected through purposive sampling, comprising 29 female students and 13 male students. Data collection involves a test method utilizing a Mathematical Problem-Solving Ability Test consisting of three essay questions. Data analysis techniques include data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The research results indicate that based on the analysis of the mathematical problem-solving ability test results, using the four-step Polya approach (understanding the problem, devising a solution plan, executing the solution plan, and reviewing the answer), students' ability to understand the problem falls into the "High" category with an average score of 82,10. Meanwhile, the ability to formulate problem-solving plans is categorized as "Medium" with an average score of 65,40. Furthermore, students' ability to execute formulated plans falls into the "Low" category with an average score of 58,80. The same holds for students' ability to review their answers, which also falls into the "Low" category with an average score of 50,48.

English Game Website-Based Development for Fifth Grade Elementary School Students in First Semester

Human life has entered the era of the Industrial Revolution 4.0, where technology plays an important role in human life. Likewise, teaching and learning activities are currently being collaborated with technology. However, in practice, many schools still tend to use conventional methods in teaching. Conventional methods This makes students tend to feel bored in participating in learning. Many learning methods have been developed which are considered effective in increasing student enthusiasm for learning. One of the effective, interactive, innovative, and attractive methods for students that can be used is the gamification method. This study aims to develop learning media in digital games for elementary school students learning English. The Design and Development (D&D) methodology and the ADDIE development model were used in this study. The subjects in this study were five fifth-grade elementary school students. Data collection methods in research are observation, interviews, and questionnaires. Furthermore, data analysis was carried out using descriptive qualitative and quantitative descriptive methods. The data obtained are (1) the results of the design and development of learning media using the ADDIE model (analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation). (2) results of product effectiveness and validity data from expert judgment, teachers, and users (students). Based on the results of expert judges, website game-based learning English media products are considered very valid as English learning media. Likewise, the English teacher and five fifth-grade students considered games very effective as learning media to increase learning motivation.

The Effect of Using Elsa Speak App for First-Semester Students’ English Speaking Proficiency

In English language learning, achieving adequate and accurate spoken proficiency is crucial. As one of the applications responding to this speaking needs, the ELSA Speak App has become a central tool for language learners. Despite the broader studies on the effectiveness of the ELSA Speak App for secondary school in the literature, less attention has been given to the higher education level study. Considering this condition, the principal objective of this research was to investigate the efficacy of the ELSA Speak App in enhancing English speaking proficiency for students in the Department of English Education UIN Jakarta. Employing a quantitative method, the study selected the pre-experimental design with a nonequivalent pretest-posttest configuration where the performance of one group of 31 students was measured. The study’s findings show that the ELSA Speak App effectively fosters fluency and accuracy enhancements in acquiring EFL students' Speaking skills. Notably, the app stimulates autonomous learning through its key feature, AI instant feedback

Development of an interactive e-module based on a case method to improve higher-order thinking skills

The objective of this study is to create a case-method-based interactive e-module that will enhance the higher-level thinking skills (HOTs) of students. Research and Development (R&D) utilizing the ten-step Borg & Gall model development constitutes this research method. This investigation is restricted to the seventh stage. This study's participants were FKIP UNIPA first-semester students enrolled in instructional mathematics courses. The sample for the study was determined by cluster random sampling. The participants in this research were partitioned into two groups: the experimental group consisted of students majoring in English education, while the control group comprised students majoring in Indonesian language education. In this study, questionnaires, interviews, validator assessment forms, and HOTs tests were utilized to collect data. Three data analysis techniques were utilized in this study: validity, practicability, and effectiveness. The outcomes demonstrate the e-module's validity. The practicality assessment yielded an 81.44% response rate from students in the very practical category. The HOTs of the pupils in the experimental class were superior to those of the control class. The mean HOTs of students in the control group were 67.67, whereas those in the experimental group have an average HOTs of 75.50.

Journaling your challenges: mechanisms of resilience journals to support German first-semester business students during their transition to university

Transition to university can be challenging, but writing interventions can be a helpful way of supporting first-semester students. Why these interventions are effective is still not fully understood, however. To explore the underlying mechanisms, two versions of a resilience journal were used in this study. They were designed to either broaden attention toward all challenges or to prime students’ attention to successfully mastered challenges. It was hypothesized that priming toward mastery is more effective but that both versions would increase students’ resilience and satisfaction. Hypotheses were tested in a pre-post design with 62 first-semester students randomly filling out one of the two versions for 6 weeks. The outcomes were compared to students without an intervention, and journal entries were analyzed for challenges and coping strategies. A content analysis of the journal entries revealed that most challenges were directly related to university. Problem-focused coping strategies were most often used to address challenges. Both intervention groups showed a decrease in life satisfaction during the first 6 weeks of university, but the intervention designed to broaden attention was more effective in mitigating this decrease. The same intervention was also more advantageous in promoting students’ resilience. The results highlight the vulnerability of students during their transition to university and the potential of writing interventions that include reflection on all challenges.

The Impact of CLILL Approach to Enhancing University Students’ Speaking and Creative Thinking Skills

In addition to being proficient in verbal communication, students must also acquire 21st-century competencies, which encompass creative thinking abilities. Content and Integrated Language Learning (CLIL) is a communication methodology that can be employed to concurrently enhance students' language proficiency and foster their creative cognition. This study investigates the influence of the Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) strategy on the speaking and creative thinking abilities of students at IAIN Palopo, located in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. This study employed a quantitative methodology with a quasi-experimental design, encompassing 51 first-semester students enrolled in Indonesian language classes. The collection of data involved the utilisation of speaking tests, speaking assessment rubrics, and creative thinking skills examinations. Following data collection, the researchers conducted quantitative analysis using SPSS 25.00. They employed the one-way MANOVA and one-way MANCOVA tests for this purpose. The results showed that the CLIL approach had a significant effect on improving student's speaking skills and creative thinking skills. These results indicate that the CLIL approach can be used as a choice for teachers to develop students' speaking and creative thinking skills.

Development of Teaching Materials for Tahsin Al-Qur'an to Improve Students' Al-Qur'an Reading Ability

Teaching materials are an important component of learning. Without teaching materials, successful learning will be hampered. In teaching tahsin al-Qur'an at IAIN Takengon there are still no teaching materials available that are appropriate to the learning objectives, thus encouraging the author to develop teaching materials for tahsin al-Qur'an. This research and development aim to produce Al-Qur'an tahsin teaching material products that meet feasibility based on expert assessments. This type of research is Sugiono's Level 1 development model development research. The research was conducted for 6 months at IAIN Takengon. The research subjects consisted of needs analysis subjects, namely first-semester students of the Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Teacher Education study program and lecturers in the Al-Qur'an tahsin course. Data collection techniques use observation, interviews, and questionnaires. Data analysis in this research includes qualitative data analysis and quantitative data analysis. Qualitative data analysis is used to analyze data at the potential and problem stages, as well as literature studies and gathering information. Meanwhile, quantitative data analysis is used at the expert validation stage. The results of the research show that the developed Al-Qur'an tahsin teaching materials meet the feasibility criteria based on expert assessments. the feasibility of teaching materials from material experts got an average score of 4.3 with very valid criteria, from teaching materials experts got an average score of 4.08 with valid criteria, from language, experts got an average score of 4.0 with valid criteria, and design/media experts got an average score of 4.9 with very valid criteria.

Virtual Programming Laboratory in Collaborative Inquiry Learning to Improve Higher Order Thinking Skills for Work Readiness in the Industrial World

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of using Virtual programming Lab software as a practicum tool in inquiry learning, collaboration, and increasing the ability of higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) students who take programming courses. Pseudo-experimental studies are designed with experimental and control groups. This research was attended by 35 first-semester students from the Pelita Indonesia Informatics Engineering Study Program. Quantitative methods are used to determine students' HOTS levels and their acceptance of the use of virtual programming labs as computer practicum tools. The data analysis technique used is the Kolmogrof Smirnov technique. For inquiry-based collaborative learning using 7 stages of learning. The effectiveness of virtual programming with collaborative inquiry learning through HOTS questions is tested with the N-gain test. Based on the findings, it is stated that virtual programming applications with collaborative inquiry learning in programming courses are quite effective in improving students' higher-order thinking skills with an average N Gain of 60%. The ability of students to do HOTS questions in C4, C5, and C6 has increased after post-tests in experimental classes.

Factors Influencing Students’ Decisions to Pursue Agricultural Degrees at Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture

Recently, enrollments at numerous American universities have been trending downward. Such occurrences have led to an increasingly competitive atmosphere for attracting new students, thus creating the need to better understand why students ultimately attend their chosen institution. Prior research has explored factors that influence students to pursue agricultural degree programs at Land-Grant Universities with limited research addressing why students opt to study agriculture at Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture (NLGCAs). The purpose of our study was to describe the factors influencing students’ decisions to pursue agricultural degrees at our NLGCAs. We distributed a valid and reliable instrument to all first-semester students enrolled at our NLGCAs. Regarding enrollment factors, we found that: (1) students most frequently used degree program information on a university website to help make their enrollment decision; (2) cost of attendance was most frequently cited as an Influential or Very influential university-related factor; (3) career opportunities available for graduates was most frequently cited as an Influential or Very influential major selection-related factor; (4) a parent or guardian was most frequently cited as an Influential or Very influential individual-related factor; and the (5) availability of student organizations was most frequently cited as an Influential or Very influential social interaction-related factor.

A Need Analysis on English for Civic Education from the Students’ Perspectives

This study aims at analyzing the needs of students of Civic Education study program towards English. It is conducted to provide a basis for ESP lecturers or practitioners in developing handout or teaching learning materials and activities which are suitable for the Civic Education study program students This is a descriptive study. the participants were 39 first-semester students of Civic Education study program. The tool of data collection was questionnaire consisting of 7 items asking about the students’ needs. The data were analyzed using percentages, and presented in charts. Most students (79.5%) said English is important, indicating they require it. They lack English knowledge (79.5%) and consider their English skills moderate (63.2%). Their English abilities, activities, exercises, and subject subjects focused on speaking (79.5%) and group work (74.4%), with citizenship and human rights (66.7%) being the most requested topic. This study investigates Civic Education students'' language learning demands and English’s impact on academic and career success. Most pupils regarded English’s global importance and academic and professional potential. The survey concluded that Civic Education students need linguistic support and courses because they are lack of knowledge of English terms. Different self-assessed English levels require different instructional techniques and language support to master.

Exploring the Student Perspective: Assessing Technology Readiness and Acceptance for Adopting Large Language Models in Higher Education

Digital technologies are changing and will continue to change how we learn and teach today and in the future. With the latest developments in the field of generative artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large language models (LLMs), the question of using AI-based tools in academic education is ruling the current discussions about the transformative impact of AI in higher education (HE).
 These discussions range from banning these technologies for learning and teaching in HE to guided study support. This study avoids taking up these multifarious and partly controversial debates. Instead, we show how students perceive using AI-based tools for automated text generation for their studies. Drawing on a synthesis of two theories: the 'Technology Readiness Index' (TRI) and 'Technology Acceptance Model' (TAM). The model is validated based on survey data collected among undergraduate first-semester students (N=111) of a computer science-related study programme in Germany in winter 2022/23. The students had to evaluate their relationship to that new technology focusing on their readiness for technology adoption and acceptance. By analysing the collected data with a partial least squares model, we find that the optimism toward the new technology positively influences technology acceptance, while discomfort with the technology negatively influences perceived ease of use. The paper concludes with recommendations for action for adopting LLMs in HE. A proper investment in building AI skills in academic teaching plays a valuable role in fostering the students' positive attitude and innovativeness towards this new technology. Additionally, there is a need for more education about the risks and challenges of using this technology to reduce the impact of factors such as discomfort on ease of use. This requires a factual discourse, away from the current hype-induced exaggerated and hyperbolic statements, for instance, in developing formal guidance for universities.

Helicopter parenting and first-semester students’ adjustment to college: A self-determination theory perspective

In this study, we examined the relationship between helicopter parenting and first-semester students’ ( N = 211) adjustment to college. It was hypothesized that first-semester students who report higher amounts of helicopter parenting would also report higher levels of basic psychological need frustration and lower levels of educational, relational, and psychological functioning. Results of a structural regression model suggested that helicopter parenting had negative indirect associations with educational, relational, and psychological functioning through competence frustration. Helicopter parenting also had a negative indirect association with psychological functioning through autonomy frustration. No significant indirect associations were found through relatedness frustration. Findings from our study highlight the particular importance of both autonomy and competence needs as potential mechanisms through which helicopter parenting might negatively impact students’ optimal functioning and well-being during their transition to college.

Blended Inquiry Learning with Ethno-STEM Approach for First-Semester Students' Chemical Literacy

Chemical literacy, one of the most important aspects of chemistry teaching and learning, has been paid more attention. However, chemistry learning has not focused much on providing students with learning experiences that could improve chemical literacy. Ethno-STEM approach-integrated inquiry-based learning has been reported as an effective learning model in the chemistry learning. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of blended inquiry learning with an ethno-STEM approach in improving students’ chemical literacy. This study used a quantitative descriptive approach with a one-shot case study design. Ninety-four first-semester students participating in the General Chemistry course (3 credits) in the teacher education program were involved in the study. During the study, blended inquiry learning with an ethno-STEM approach was applied to the participating students for one semester. Questionnaires, descriptive questions, and interviews were used to collect the research data. A descriptive statistic was used to analyze the data. This study showed that the blended inquiry learning with the ethno-STEM approach was effective to improve the students’ nominal and functional chemical literacy but ineffective to increase conceptual and multidimensional literacy. The students’ prior knowledge in chemistry played an important role in the growth of chemical literacy. A continuing BIL-ethno-STEM in chemistry teaching and learning would allow a significant improvement in the conceptual and multidimensional literacy.

One Day One Article One Week One Chapter Program in Fostering Students’ Literacy: Implementation and Perception

Literacy has been a big concern for the English Education Department. As an effort to prepare the freshmen to be literate and get ready for academic life during their study in undergraduate program, the department enacted a literacy program namely, “One Day One Article One Week One Chapter”. The present research aims to portray the implementation and investigate the students’ perception of the program. This research is qualitative by using observation and questionnaire distribution. The observation was carried out during the implementation of the program. A closed-ended questionnaire, which was developed to determine the students’ perception, was administered at the end of the program to the thirty first-semester students. Based on the observation, it was revealed that the program’s implementation is seen to be applicable as a regular program in the department. Based on the questionnaire, the students’ reading frequency was in the sometimes category; the topic preference was mostly social; the reading source was from online and printed sources; no significant number of students did post-reading activities; and the students read anywhere. The students’ perception of the program was positive in terms of reading importance and reading advantage.

Achievement Goals, Student Engagement, and the Mediatory Role of Autonomy Support in Lecture-Based Courses

What makes first-semester students stay engaged in non-mandatory lecture-based courses? This study aims to answer this question by analyzing the relationship between student engagement with autonomy support and achievement goals. Data gathered through self-reports from 340 students attending four introductory lecture-based courses at four German universities were used to test the following hypotheses: (1) students who pursue goals for self-improvement display emotional, behavioral, and cognitive engagement, (2) emotional engagement is predicted by students’ perceptions of autonomy support, and (3) students who aim to outperform their peers display higher emotional engagement compared to cognitive engagement. After confirming the hypotheses with multiple regression analyses, additional results indicated a statistically significant relationship between both emotional engagement and achievement goals with autonomy. Further, results indicate a moderate positive association between emotional engagement and both behavioral and cognitive engagements. These findings confirm the presence of both mastery and performance goals in courses with a lecture-based teaching. This study highlights some limitations for statistical analyses with agentic engagement as well as the need to analyze study participants’ school culture for further research on student engagement.