Subgroups Of Students Research Articles

Findings From a Two-Year Effectiveness Trial of the Science Notebook in a Universal Design for Learning Environment

This cluster randomized control trial examines the effects of the Science Notebook in a Universal Design for Learning Environment (SNUDLE) on elementary school student science academic achievement and motivation outcomes. Multilevel analyses examined the impact of SNUDLE for all students and important student subgroups. Overall, students who received the SNUDLE intervention had similar motivation and academic achievement in science to their peers who did not receive the SNUDLE intervention. However, relative to students with disabilities in the comparison group, students with disabilities who used SNUDLE scored significantly higher on motivation in science and science academic achievement, with effect sizes (ES) ranging from 0.82 to 1.01. Furthermore, SNUDLE appeared to have a small but statistically significant positive impact on science academic performance among students whose home language is other than English or Spanish with an ES of 0.35. Fidelity of implementation analysis shows sufficient teacher training but fidelity of teacher and student usage of SNUDLE needs to be improved. The qualitative analysis of teacher interviews suggests that teachers perceived benefits of SNUDLE in support language acquisition and science writing skills. Both quantitative and qualitative findings suggest that SNUDLE holds promise for improving academic performance in science and confidence and motivation among some of the most vulnerable student populations.

Salad Bar Use among Middle School Children in a Socio-economically Disadvantaged Rural County

Objective: Our objective in this study was to inform policymakers if including a salad bar in school cafeterias in the district would serve all subgroups of students equally. Methods: A salad bar was implemented during the 2016-2017 academic year in a rural low-income county middle-school. Halfway through, a “healthy lifestyle” educational campaign was presented. Students’ gender, race, and body mass index (BMI) were recorded along with their choice of daily lunch item. Results: Overall, 528 middle schoolers participated in this program. Students opted to consume salad for approximately 5.73 days out of the 123 days that salad was served. The educational campaign had no effect on salad bar use. There was no gender difference in frequency of salad bar use. African- American students consumed significantly more salad than Hispanic students, and marginally more salad than white students. Students classified as normal weight (by BMI percentile) chose the salad bar option more frequently than obese students. Conclusions: Salad bar was the least popular food choice, and popularity of the salad bar decreased over time. The educational campaign designed to increase salad bar use had no effect. These results can help guide future interventions in low-income rural communities.

Perceptions, Knowledge, and Attitudes about Human Trafficking Questionnaire: Extending Its Utility with Social Work Students

AbstractThis study, a two-site, cross-sectional survey of university students (n = 321 at site 1; n = 201 at site 2), extends the development and utility of the Perceptions, Knowledge, and Attitudes about Human Trafficking Questionnaire by generating factor-based scales and scores to represent values for its three factors (Self-Appraisal of Knowledge/Skills, Worldview of Human Trafficking, and Help-Seeking Behavior/Personal Beliefs) in order to examine their relationship to background criterion variables and assess differences between social work and non–social work students and between subgroups of social work students. Across both samples, the background variables of human trafficking training and professional responsibilities related to addressing human trafficking were predictive of self-appraisal of knowledge/skills. Additionally, social work students had higher scores than non–social work students on the worldview of human trafficking and help-seeking behavior/personal beliefs factor-based scales, suggesting that social work students perceived human trafficking to be more of a social problem and held fewer misperceptions of the help-seeking behavior of and a greater willingness to provide social services to persons who are trafficked than non–social work students. Implications for social work education, practice, and research are presented.

Gender and STEM background as predictors of college students’ competencies in forming research questions and designing experiments in inquiry activities

ABSTRACT This study examined the roles of gender and STEM major status as predictors of performance in formulating a research question and designing experiment among 70 undergraduate Taiwanese college students participating in inquiry-based learning (IBL). Student participants in this study were involved in discrepant demonstrations of scientific events and hands-on activities to introduce conceptual knowledge with the goal of motivating their learning interest in explaining phenomena scientifically. In addition, historical cases of scientific inquiry were utilised to scaffold and support inquiry procedures. At three time points during the semester, learning sheets were used to assess student performance in scientific inquiry practices (generating research questions and designing experiment). Results revealed that female students showed greater ability to form a research question than males. Additionally, while female science majors showed greater ability to generate a research design than female non-science majors, the opposite was true for males. Finally, the challenges and difficulties encountered by students in formulating research question and designing experiments are addressed. The findings of students’ significant and positive progress on formulating research question in the three consecutive assessments reveal the potential benefits of pedagogical approaches used in this study. On the other hand, the variety of students’ learning outcomes provide insight into potential ways that specific student subgroups may respond to pedagogies within an inquiry-based context. The initial findings also provide a starting point for instructors to begin debating the most productive ways of planning and delivering scientific inquiry instruction.

From the "what" to the "how": Teaching integrative medicine-related skills to medical students during COVID-19

ObjectiveTo examine the impact of an integrative medicine (IM) course on self-perceived IM-related communication and research skills. MethodsA 3-day mandatory "hybrid" (online and in-person) IM course was held within COVID-19 restrictions for 161 pre-clerkship medical students, with workshops facilitated by mentor healthcare professionals (IM and non-IM) and student-directed tasks. Self-perceived levels of 6 IM-related skills were scored (from 1 to 5) for history-taking; communicating with patients with "alternative" health-beliefs; referral to IM consultations; assessing risks/benefits; and working with non-medical IM practitioners. Results137 students (85.1%) completed pre-/post-course questionnaires, with overall scores improving from pre-course (1.98 ± 0.92) to post-course (3.31 ± 0.63; p < 0.0001), for the entire group and student subgroups (with vs. without prior IM experience). Multivariate analysis found no association between age, gender, primary language or prior experience with IM and improvement in skill scores. ConclusionsThe IM course increased self-perceived skill levels, reflecting the course curriculum and workshops. Further research needs to explore the application of these skills during clinical training. Practice implicationsTeaching medical students about IM in a course comprising communication and research skills was shown to be feasible and effective. The application of IM-related skills needs to be evaluated during the clinical clerkship.

Resilience and Higher Education Support as Protective Factors for Student Academic Stress and Depression During Covid-19 in the Netherlands.

Background: The corona pandemic has forced higher education (HE) institutes to transition to online learning, with subsequent implications for student wellbeing.Aims: This study explored influences on student wellbeing throughout the first wave of the corona crisis in the Netherlands by testing serial mediation models of the relationships between perceived academic stress, depression, resilience, and HE support.Methods: The Covid-19 International Student Wellbeing Study (C19 ISWS) was used, with a total sample of 2,480 higher education students studying at InHolland Universities of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. Student subgroups were created, so that students with low and high perceived academic stress could be assessed, in addition to depressed and non-depressed students. Predictive model fit was tested using Macro PROCESS.Results: A significant serial mediation model for the total student sample was revealed, including protective mediating effects of resilience and HE support on the positive direct effect of perceived academic stress on depression. At subgroup level, significant (partial) predictive effects of resilience on depression scores were noted. A partial serial effect between resilience and HE support was found for students with low perceived stress levels, whereas a parallel partial mediation model was present among highly academically stressed students. Regarding non-depressed students, a full parallel mediation model was found, whereas the model for depressed students inadequately explained the data.Conclusions: Overall, resilience and HE support mediate the predictive effect of academic stress on depressive symptoms among students. In addition, substantial differences in model fit arise when inspecting the students on a subgroup level. These findings contribute to the gap in knowledge regarding student wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic in the Netherlands, in addition to providing novel insights on student subgroup dynamics. While Covid-19 restrictions continue to demand online learning, student wellbeing may be enhanced overall by targeting resilience and increasing awareness and availability of HE support services. The current study also highlights the need for differential approaches when examining wellbeing for specific student groups.

Comparison of transfer shock and graduation rates across engineering transfer student populations

AbstractBackgroundIncreasing the persistence of engineering transfer students can help meet the US national priority of increasing the number of engineering graduates. Many transfer students experience a decrease in their grade point average (GPA) at their receiving institution, known as transfer shock, which can lead to them leaving the institution. This GPA decrease is found to be more prevalent in engineering transfer students.Purpose/HypothesisThe purpose of this study is to analyze a single institutional dataset to determine when transfer shock occurs, how it differs among engineering transfer student subgroups, and if transfer shock is a predictor of graduation within 4 years in engineering.Design/MethodA 10‐year dataset with 789 engineering transfer students was used in this study, and the engineering transfer students were split into four subgroups. Multiple statistical analyses were conducted, including Welch's F‐test, chi‐square, and logistic regression, to understand differences in transfer shock during the first three terms of enrollment as well as 4‐year graduation rates among each subgroup.ResultsTransfer shock extends through the first three post‐transfer terms, resulting in transfer norming. The engineering transfer student subgroups experience different levels of transfer norming; however, the subgroups were not predictors of graduation. The predictors were the transfer GPA and the transfer norming in the first three post‐transfer terms of enrollment.ConclusionsEngineering transfer students are not a homogeneous population; there are key differences between lateral and vertical transfer students. More strategic, longitudinal programming and decision‐making should be considered by institutions.

Latent class analysis of depression and anxiety among medical students during COVID-19 epidemic

ObjectiveThe novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global public health emergency that has caused worldwide concern. The mental health of medical students under the COVID-19 epidemic has attracted much attention. This study aims to identify subgroups of medical students based on depression and anxiety and explore the influencing factors during the COVID-19 epidemic in China.MethodsA total of 29,663 medical students were recruited during the epidemic of COVID-19 in China. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD7) respectively. Latent class analysis was performed based on depression and anxiety symptoms in medical students. The latent class subtypes were compared using the chi-square test. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine associations between identified classes and related factors.ResultsIn this study, three distinct subgroups were identified, namely, the poor mental health group, the mild mental health group and the low symptoms group. The number of medical students in each class is 4325, 9321 and 16,017 respectively. The multinomial logistic regression results showed that compared with the low symptoms group, the factors influencing depression and anxiety in the poor mental health group and mild mental health group were sex, educational level, drinking, individual psychiatric disorders, family psychiatric disorders, knowledge of COVID-19, fear of being infected, and participate in mental health education on COVID-19.ConclusionsOur findings suggested that latent class analysis can be used to categorize different medical students according to their depression and anxiety symptoms during the outbreak of COVID-19. The main factors influencing the poor mental health group and the mild mental health group are basic demographic characteristics, disease history, COVID-19 related factors and behavioural lifestyle. School administrative departments can carry out targeted psychological counseling according to different subgroups to promote the physical and mental health of medical students.

Classroom Engagement Scale: Validation of a Teacher-Report Assessment Used to Scale in the Kindergarten Report Card of a Large Urban School District

ABSTRACT Research Findings: This study provides psychometric validation of the Classroom Engagement Scale (CES), a 14-item, teacher-report, formative assessment of behavioral engagement. It is currently used for all kindergarten children in a large, urban school district where it is embedded in the report card. Multi-level factor analysis revealed two distinct dimensions of the measure – academic engagement and social engagement – that comport with the educational research literature. Measurement invariance investigations provided initial support for the applicability of the CES across student subgroups and time. Finally, the two dimensions of the CES were found to be differentially predictive of important kindergarten and third-grade outcomes, providing evidence of concurrent and predictive validity. Practice or Policy: This study was designed in response to both the national call for routine monitoring of critical engagement competencies and the lack of validated teacher-report measures of these skills that can be used to inform ongoing instruction. This initial validation is an important step in institutionalizing practical, quality measurement within schools. Because of its strategic placement on the kindergarten report card, the CES provides an opportunity for teachers and families to share information about students’ engagement skills and coordinate confluent supports to foster these critical competencies.

Elementary School Teachers' Referral Decision Making – A Biopsychosocial Approach

Over the past years, the biopsychosocial model has had a significant impact on the field of Special Education. More specifically, the Children and Youth version of the International Classification of Functioning (ICF-CY, WHO, 2007) emerged as a useful screening tool. Within this framework, the aim of the present study was to explore the understanding of student referral to a pre-diagnosis support program or to a final diagnosis. Teachers' referral decision-making was examined in a structural equation model, which incorporated four latent variables, namely, students' Personal Factors, Activity Performance and Educational Support, as well as teachers' Referral Intentions. To test the capacity of this model, 62 teachers of elementary school classes documented all the needed information for each of their 1092 students. All variables were based on the ICF-CY and they were evaluated accordingly. The verified path structure was to a large extent consistent with the biopsychosocial model. Teachers relied primarily on students' prior educational support when they formed their opinion about student referral. Educational support received by students functioned as a mediator factor between activity performance and referral intention. Overall, results revealed a complex structure with regard to the teachers' decision making processes. The subgroups of students that emerged were discussed, and refinements for future studies were suggested. This study delivered useful implications for educational interventions, referral policy and teacher education.

Student Subgroups

Student Subgroups

Analysis of a Mathematical Problem-Solving Test on Speed and Students' Strategies: A Mixed Item Response Theory Approach

The present study used the mixed item response theory (IRT) model to identify qualitatively distinct subgroups of sixth-grade students with respect to their performance on word problems on speed. A total of 345 Singaporean students and 361 Chinese students took a problem-solving test on speed. The mixed IRT analysis revealed two latent classes — the algebra proficient group and the algebra novice group. The algebra proficient group was more likely to use traditional algebraic and arithmetic strategies to solve the problems, whereas the algebra novice group was more likely to use model drawing, unitary, and guess-and-check strategies, in addition to using traditional arithmetic and algebraic strategies. Findings of the study indicate that a greater variety of problem-solving strategies could be encouraged in upper primary schools to help students make connections among these strategies, in particular, between these strategies and the abstract algebraic strategies, and finally to achieve a successful transition from arithmetic to algebra learning.

The subsystem of exercises for differentiated development of prospective teachers’ english-speaking interaction

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; In the article, the problem of differentiated development of prospective teachers’ English-interaction is investigated. In particular, the subsystem of exercises is presented according to three models: exercises for teaching English dialogue by the method of receptive-cognitive differentiation of learning; exercises for teaching English dialogue by the method of reproductive-cognitive differentiation of learning; exercises for teaching English dialogue by the method of emotional and motivational differentiation of learning. By the three models, the formation of skills and abilities in English dialogic speech includes the following stages: combining cues into dialogic units (with prior or subsequent listening to a sample dialogue), making a mini-dialogue, making the dialogue of a certain functional type. Within each stage, the example of the exercise for the formation of skills and / or abilities in English dialogic speech is given; the purpose of an exercise and its type are singled out; the example of teacher's instruction is attached to each exercise. The focus is in particular on the stages of the implementation of differentiated learning by three types. Thus, receptive-cognitive differentiation is realized at the stage of combining cues into dialogic units with prior and / or subsequent listening to the sample dialogue; reproductive-cognitive differentiation – at the stage of mini-dialogue making; emotional and motivational differentiation – at the stage of making the dialogue of a certain functional type. Teaching aids for the implementation of differentiated teaching of English dialogue for different typological subgroups of students have been developed. In particular, two types of the educational comic strip have been developed (by the dominant type of students' thinking) as a means of implementing reproductive-cognitive differentiation; two types of communicative situations (by the dominant cognitive motives of students) for the implementation of emotional and motivational differentiation of learning are proposed. Examples of educational supports have been introduced.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Dear student, what should I write on my wall? A case study on academic uses of Facebook and Instagram during the pandemic

Prior to the COVID 19 pandemic, discussions about online learning referred to the use of e-learning platforms and social networks as auxiliary tools in the educational process. Due to the pandemic, universities were forced to adopt an exclusive online teaching process and most universities today use platforms dedicated to online learning such as Moodle platforms. In this context, we were interested in analyzing the attitude of students regarding the way social networks could be integrated into the educational process, and if the positive attitude of students towards social networks and their use for academic purposes, proven in previous studies, remains positive under the conditions generated by the pandemic. In this regard, the present study aimed at identifying the attitude of Romanian students towards the use of Facebook and Instagram as educational tools and the circumstances in which students believe these platforms could be used by them and their teachers. An online survey was conducted on 872 students from public higher education institutions in Romania. Based on the exploratory factor analysis and the parametric test, the empirical results show that students have a slightly positive attitude towards using Facebook in the educational process, but they have a more reticent, less positive attitude towards using Instagram. Thus, the most appropriate contexts in which these platforms could be used are represented by extracurricular activities. A higher preference for the use of Facebook rather than Instagram, was identified among master and PhD students. No major differences were revealed in student subgroups sorted by gender or study domain.

Screening plans for SARS-CoV-2 based on sampling and rotation: An example in a European school setting.

Screening plans for prevention and containment of SARS-CoV-2 infection should take into account the epidemic context, the fact that undetected infected individuals may transmit the disease and that the infection spreads through outbreaks, creating clusters in the population. In this paper, we compare through simulations the performance of six screening plans based on poorly sensitive individual tests, in detecting infection outbreaks at the level of single classes in a typical European school context. The performance evaluation is done by simulating different epidemic dynamics within the class during the four weeks following the day of the initial infection. The plans have different costs in terms of number of individual tests required for the screening and are based on recurrent evaluations on all students or subgroups of students in rotation. Especially in scenarios where the rate of contagion is high, at an equal cost, testing half of the class in rotation every week appears to be better in terms of sensitivity than testing all students every two weeks. Similarly, testing one-fourth of the students every week is comparable with testing all students every two weeks, despite the first one is a much cheaper strategy. In conclusion, we show that in the presence of natural clusters in the population, testing subgroups of individuals belonging to the same cluster in rotation may have a better performance than testing all the individuals less frequently. The proposed simulations approach can be extended to evaluate more complex screening plans than those presented in the paper.

Usability and value of a digital learning resource in nursing education across European countries: a cross-sectional exploration

BackgroundHigher education is responsible for providing education that meets international benchmarks relevant to the needs of the international community. Due to the increase of digital tools in higher education, the possibility of sharing learning resources across nations has expanded. In the current project, a Norwegian university invited universities in Spain and the United Kingdom to adapt and translate e-learning resources originally developed for Norwegian nursing students for use within their respective Bachelor in Nursing programmes.AimThe aim of the current study was to gain insights into the usability and value for learning of e-compendiums shared and implemented across three European universities.MethodsThe study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design and included nursing students from the University of Nottingham, Valencia Catholic University, and the University of Stavanger. Data were collected in Autumn 2017 through a questionnaire adapted from the validated “Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Reusable Learning Object evaluation questionnaire” The questionnaire consisted of 19 items that included two aspects: e-compendiums’ value for learning and e-compendiums’ usability. The different study sites were compared using a binary logistic regression analysis. Subgroups of students were compared based on their gender and age.ResultsA total of 480 nursing students participated in the study. The e -compendiums were overall positively rated, especially for reinforcing and retaining knowledge. Compared to the students from the University of Stavanger, students from Valencia Catholic University rated the e-compendiums more positively in most aspects of learning. Students from University of Nottingham found the e-compendiums to be more important for learning engagement compared to students at the Norwegian study site, and no differences were found in any other aspects of learning. Younger students rated the interactivity and visual components as more important compared to older students.ConclusionsStudents from the University of Nottingham and Valencia Catholic University seem to accept the e-compendiums despite the fact that they were originally developed for use in another country. We argue that, when sharing e-learning resources across countries, an adaptation and translation process that includes a multicultural and multidisciplinary perspective should be carried out.

Positive Self-Compassion, Self-Coldness, and Psychological Outcomes in College Students: a Person-Centered Approach

ObjectivesSelf-compassion is related to psychological outcomes. By examining wholistic concept of self-compassion, previous research has overlooked the possibility that people may differ in combination of positive self-compassion and self-coldness. This study, using a person-centered approach, aimed to identify subgroups of college students based on different profiles of positive self-compassion and self-coldness. We also examined how these profiles related to socio-demographic variables as well as psychological outcomes.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 1029 Chinese college students. Self-reported questionnaires were used to collect levels of positive self-compassion and self-coldness (including six facets) and psychological outcomes (depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, negative affect, and positive affect). A latent profile analysis was performed to identify different profiles based on the six facets. The Bolck-Croon-Hagenaars approach was used to examine how profiles related to socio-demographic variables and psychological outcomes.ResultsFive distinct profiles were identified: high self-coldness, low self-compassion (16.2%), high self-compassion, low self-coldness (17.2%), average self-compassion, average self-coldness (38.9%), low self-compassion, low self-coldness (17.5%), and high self-compassion, high self-coldness (10.2%). Older people tended to report high self-compassion, high self-coldness profile, and females tended to have high self-coldness, low self-compassion profile. People with high self-compassion, low self-coldness profile reported the best psychological outcomes, whereas those in high self-coldness, low self-compassion and high self-compassion, high self-coldness profiles experienced the worst outcomes.ConclusionsWe identified five subgroups with different combinations of the six facets of self-compassion and self-coldness. People with distinct profiles differed on psychological outcomes. Future research is needed to adopt longitudinal design and replicate our findings in different groups.

Contrasting undergraduate mathematics students’ approaches to learning and their interactions within two student-centred learning environments

The Students’ Approaches to Learning (SAL) tradition comprehends an approach to learning as a combination of students’ aims for learning and the processes used to achieve them. The tradition values a deep approach to learning; this is the case also in the context of university mathematics, where a deep approach is seen as a requirement for learning proof-based mathematics. However, supporting a deep approach through learning environments has turned out to be a complex endeavour. The present study addresses this complexity by qualitatively contrasting the same students’ approaches learning in two pedagogically different undergraduate mathematics learning environments. The study is a follow-up on a quantitative study and reports on 16 student interviews aiming to connect the students’ quantitatively determined approaches to learning with their aims for learning and the actualized learning processes within the learning environments. The results suggest that student subgroups with different approaches to learning are distinguished by their aims for learning, and based on the students’ own reporting, by the ability to reflect on learning and utilize student collaboration. We discuss the results and conclude that a sequence of courses with well-aligned instructional practices is needed to support the development of a deep approach to learning.

Psychological resources, dropout risk and academic performance in university students – pattern-oriented analysis and prospective study of Hungarian freshmen

AbstractA growing number of studies support the idea that academic performance is based on specific psychological resources and cognitive abilities. As early university dropout is a widespread problem, it is increasingly important to explore which psychological resources can enhance learning, academic motivation, and achievement during the transition from high school to university. The goal of our study was to explore the psychological resources at the start of the studies linked to subsequent academic achievement. Coping mechanisms, time perspective, self-esteem, mindset, motivation, and test anxiety were measured using questionnaires in a voluntary online study among first-year university students (N = 1113, 53.0 % female). Using exploratory factor analysis, we identified three different factors of psychological resources: ‘Academic achievement focus’, ‘Self-confidence’, and 'Search for interests’. Based on the factor scores, hierarchical cluster analysis identified five subgroups of students. These subgroups showed differential association with first semester GPA and the number of attained credits. The combination of a focus on high academic achievement but low self-confidence could be traced as characteristics predicting the highest risk of decreased achievement and loss of credits. These results indicate that training in psychological resources could support academic achievement and prevent university dropout.

A Latent Profile Analysis of Undocumented College Students’ Protection-Oriented Family Communication and Strengths-Based Psychological Coping

AbstractDrawing from resilience theory, this study explored subgroups of undocumented college students (UCS) based on their patterns of protection-oriented family communication and strengths-based psychological coping. Using survey data from 237 UCS, latent profile analyses revealed three subgroups. Safe optimistic copers reported occasional documentation-seeking and know-your-rights communication, but higher means in prevention and right path communication, as well as optimistic coping. Comprehensive copers scored moderately high in all types of protection-oriented communication and psychological coping. Strengths-based psychological copers infrequently engaged in protection-oriented communication, yet they scored moderately to moderately high in positive psychological coping. Compared to the other two profiles, safe optimistic copers reported the worst wellbeing (highest mean anxiety, depressive symptoms, and sleep disturbances; lowest mean perceived health and wellbeing). Comprehensive copers fared worse in anxiety, depressive symptoms, and sleep disturbances compared to strengths-based psychological copers; however, comprehensive copers reported greater wellbeing, perceived health, and academic motivation.