Student Success Research Articles

Self-Esteem, Academic Engagement and Fatigue among Undergraduates: Assessing the Role of School Support

The academic success or failure of students is influenced by various factors, including psychological elements like self-esteem, academic engagement, and academic fatigue. There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that the support from schools plays a crucial role in shaping these psychological aspects in students. The proposed study examined this contention through quantitative survey research using 314 university students selected using purposive and simple random sampling techniques from two Nigerian public universities. Google Forms were used to survey the sampled respondents' views on the role of school support in self-esteem, academic engagement, and academic fatigue using the "School Support and Undergraduates' Self-esteem, Academic Engagement, and Fatigue Questionnaire." The data obtained for the study were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency counts and percentages), correlation, and regression analysis at a 5% significance level. The results indicate that high school support for undergraduates positively predicts their self-esteem, academic engagement, and academic fatigue. These findings underscore the effectiveness of diverse school support mechanisms, particularly within the university context, in fostering a positive and productive academic environment for undergraduates. Such support enhances students' self-esteem and academic engagement while significantly reducing academic fatigue. Consequently, expanding the availability and accessibility of university support services would promote self-esteem and academic engagement while alleviating levels of fatigue among undergraduates. This study holds practical importance for the Nigerian university system and other institutions across Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the critical role of school support in improving students’ academic outcomes. Recommendations are provided.

Assessment of the Relationship Between Music Students' Self‐Efficacy, Academic Performance and Their Artificial Intelligence Readiness

ABSTRACTIn recent years, the intersection of self‐efficacy and technological readiness has become increasingly relevant in educational research, particularly within specialised fields like music education. Understanding how these factors interplay can offer valuable insights into enhancing educational practices and fostering academic achievement among music students. This study investigates the relationship between music students' self‐efficacy, academic performance and artificial intelligence (AI) readiness within the context of Chinese Music education. Adopting a random sampling method, the researchers distributed questionnaires to 1082 Chinese music students to assess their self‐efficacy, academic performance and AI readiness. Utilising SPSS (version 27) and AMOS (version 24) for data analysis, the researchers explored the statistical relationships among these variables. The findings indicate that a significant 63% of variations in students' academic performance can be explained by the combined influence of self‐efficacy and AI readiness. This highlights a strong relationship between these factors and students' overall success in their professional pursuits. Specifically, students' self‐efficacy uniquely predicts 52% of changes in academic performance, emphasising the importance of self‐belief in academic achievement, whereas their AI readiness uniquely predicts 60% of changes in academic performance, showcasing the critical role of technological fluency in driving academic success. These results provide valuable insights into the interconnected dynamics of self‐efficacy, academic performance and AI readiness among Chinese music students. The study underscores the significance of confidence, technological proficiency and their impact on students' educational trajectories, offering implications for enhancing educational practices and fostering student success in the context of music education.

Prize‐Based Learning in an Introductory Computer Course—A Case Study

ABSTRACTIntroduction to Computer Science is traditionally the first course that all computer science and software engineering majors take. The course introduces many problem‐solving techniques which can be challenging for many freshman students. In order to mitigate some of the issues of this course, we, at the Higher Education Institute, introduced a new prerequisite course, Introduction to Programming Logic, which is a required course for all students who have not taken any previous computer science course. In the Summer Session of 2022, we included prize‐based learning in one of the sections of the course. Prize‐based learning is similar to both problem‐based learning and project‐based learning in many aspects, including the principle of student‐centred learning. However, it differs with respect to the motivation for student success. This approach utilises the students' ambition to win, to encourage students to work harder and learn more both inside as well as outside the classroom.

Mind matters: decoding mental health in medical students

This review synthesises current research on the prevalence and determinants of depressive and anxiety symptoms among medical students. It highlights significant mental health challenges faced by this group, emphasising the influence of various factors such as academic pressures, personality traits, and reluctance to seek professional help. The analysis also delves into the roles of gender and geographical variation, revealing how these factors contribute to differing rates of mental health issues among medical students globally. The findings reveal a concerning prevalence of depression and anxiety, with variation observed across different regions and genders, indicating the influence of cultural and societal norms on mental health. This review underscores the urgent need for enhanced mental health support and intervention strategies within medical education systems. The importance of incorporating psychological support programmes and mental health education into curricula is highlighted. By addressing these issues, there is a potential to significantly improve the well-being and academic success of medical students, ultimately contributing to their overall mental health and resilience in their future professional lives. The paper advocates for a multifaceted approach in tackling these challenges, suggesting that medical institutions should not only focus on academic excellence but also prioritise the mental health of their students, ensuring a more supportive and nurturing educational environment.

Quantitative Reasoning Competencies for Student Success in Introductory Biology

Quantitative Reasoning Competencies for Student Success in Introductory Biology

Thriving, not just surviving: Using positive psychology to build psychological wellbeing in pre-tertiary students

The significance of psychological wellbeing for student success is under-investigated, particularly for pre-tertiary Enabling students (those traditionally under-represented in higher education). Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs) have proven effective in enhancing wellbeing but are rarely integrated into university courses. This study explored a PPI, Be Positive, a 12-week program, designed to teach students strategies and techniques to help them re-frame their thinking about themselves and their academic pursuits. The program was evaluated with 37 Enabling students who completed weekly wellbeing questionnaires alongside self-reports about their study-related wellbeing. Results indicated fluctuating but generally positive levels of wellbeing throughout the program, with the highest levels recorded in the final weeks. A significant number of participants (79%) reported positive wellbeing by the program end, contrasting typical declines in student wellbeing during university terms. Thematic analysis of student reflections on how the program supported their wellbeing identified four key areas: affective balance, adaptive psychological resources, self-regulation, and positive implications for both academic and personal life. The findings suggest that PPIs like Be Positive can offer a proactive approach to mental health, equipping students with tools for resilience and emotional regulation, thereby enhancing wellbeing and potentially subsequent academic performance.

Uncovering the impacts of technology literacies and acceptance on emotion regulation, resilience, willingness to communicate, and enjoyment in Intelligent Computer-Assisted Language Assessment (ICALA): an experimental study

Acquiring technological literacy and acceptance has a significant influence on academic emotion regulation (AER), academic resilience (AR), willingness to communicate (WTC), and academic enjoyment (AE), which are crucial for the success of university students. However, this area has not been adequately explored in research, particularly in the context of Intelligent Computer-Assisted Language Assessment (ICALA). This study aimed to bridge the existing information gap by examining the impact of technology literacies and acceptance on the AER, AR, WTC, and AE levels among Uzbek university students enrolled in virtual English as a foreign language (EFL) programs with online evaluation. Quasi-experimental research was carried out with 67 university students pursuing a degree in Applied linguistics to assess the potential underlying connections. Throughout the semester, students in the experimental group were provided with instructional feedback to foster technology literacies and acceptance through a private group on Telegram. This feedback assisted them in acquiring pertinent information to improve the application of technology in language learning and assessment. Based on the results, students in EG fared better than their counterparts in the control group in terms of AER, AR, WTC, and AE in ICALA. The data indicates that in the ICALA setting, EFL learners experience unpleasant emotions, a lack of resilience, unenjoyment, and an unwillingness to communicate due to a lack of knowledge in the application of technology. The implications of the study are examined in further detail.

Gameful learning investigating the impact of game elements, interactivity, and learning style on student success

This study explores the effects of the aspects of game components, interactivity and learning-styles towards the main goal of providing an understanding of the factors that contribute towards the improvement of learning. Structured questionnaires were used to gather quantitative data from participants ranging from college going students to post graduate level students. The outcome of the quantitative organized queries also painted the picture consistent with all the quantitative hypotheses where regression models had been applied. The next level of credibility came from the quantitative results that ranged from mildly to strongly positive and supported by an expert indicating that the latter had improved due to the effects of gamification. Gathering the qualitative data was carried out by semi-structured interviews with six experienced educators. These educators provided deep descriptions and complex opinion on the personal experiences in the learning context that involve gamification. Unlike the quantitative analysis that focused on the overall results of gamification, the thematic analysis unfolded into the qualitative aspects regarding motivation, engagement, and the learner’s journey. Combining these quantitative and more especially qualitative data sets offers an alternating view of the gamification environment in education. The findings of the study do not only contribute to the theoretical body of knowledge in gamification but also offer real-life recommendations for the educators and institutions who are eager to bring changes to the traditional learning processes. Therefore, the study shows that there are no hard-liner advantages of gamification and that it can have positive impacts in various perspectives. It shows how game elements can improve the learning application and motivation and their capacity in dealing with different learning types and achieving better academic results. Additionally, the qualitative element strengthens the role of teachers, when describing the conditions and possibilities of using the gamification concept for actual educational teaching context.

Testing the Construct Validity and Reliability of the Student Learning Interest Scale Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA)

Learning interest is one of the determining factors of student learning success. The low interest of students in learning process is caused by several problems that occur. Thus, learning interest is very important in learning progress, namely to bring out students' interest and activeness in learning. To support learning and increase students' interest in learning, teachers should not only master the material but also create interesting learning to help arouse curiosity, enjoyment and interest in learning in them. This study aims to test the validity and reliability of the construct of the developed learning interest scale. A researcher needs 250 to 500 respondents. This study involved 300 random samples of fifth grade elementary school students in Berbah District, Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Data were analyzed with second-order confirmatory factors assisted by IBM SPSS version 26 software. This study measures the validity and reliability of elementary school students' interest in learning science. So the data analysis in this study measures validity and reliability. So this study uses second order confirmatory factor analysis (nd order CFA). The results showed that the developed learning interest scale had met the criteria of suitability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, construct reliability. Therefore, the developed scale is feasible to use.

Are students with high creativity skills successful writers? A parallel mediation model

The relationship between creativity and writing success is a matter of curiosity for many researchers, educators, and people in general. Many would likely expect that creative individuals would have higher writing success. This study aimed to determine the mediating roles of writing self-efficacy, writing motivation, and writing disposition in the relationship between creativity and writing success of primary school students. A relational research model was used in the study conducted with 300 primary school students. Correlational analysis and mediating variable analysis were performed with the data obtained with five data collection tools. The analysis results showed significant relationships between the variables: Creativity, writing self-efficacy, writing motivation, and writing disposition were found to significantly predict writing success. In addition, the findings revealed that writing self-efficacy, motivation, and disposition each have a parallel mediating role between creativity and writing success. The study's results are discussed in connection to the pertinent research literature, and recommendations are made.

The Impact of a Metacognitive Intervention on Student Experiences and Success in an Academic Probation Program for First-year Students

First-year students often struggle with self-regulated learning, particularly in monitoring and accurately assessing their level of understanding and translating that into appropriate preparation for rigorous post-secondary coursework. When their academic struggles become extreme, they can be placed in probationary programs. An intervention involving weekly reflective surveys focused on study strategies and metacognitive skill development was integrated into one such probationary program for first-year students. During the intervention, a slightly higher rate of successful completion of the program was observed compared to previous years. The self-reported experiences and patterns of engagement of the students suggested that the intervention positively impacted metacognitive skill development and additionally provided evidence of the importance of motivation at various points throughout the process. Identifying appropriate timepoints for intervention can better prepare stakeholders to support those students who may not be retained.

The Relationship Between Course Structure and Intensity, and Student Success in Developmental Education

Texas legislation mandated that colleges offer developmental education using a corequisite model, where students concurrently enroll in introductory college-level courses with supplemental developmental support. Using data from the population of Texas students in developmental education, we estimated regression models to investigate differential relationships between corequisite characteristics and outcomes, both overall and by student characteristics. Our findings suggest there is no single “magic bullet” course structure that is universally more effective, as relationships between the reform and student success vary by subject and student subgroup. Additionally, even a single credit of corequisite developmental support can be beneficial for some students, potentially more so than traditional three-credit courses.

Effects of Foreign Language Learning Mobile Applications on the Success of Fourth-Grade Students

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of mobile applications on fourth grade English language learners' academic achievement. This explanatory sequential mixed methods research includes quantitative and qualitative research methods. Quantitative data were collected from 208 students and qualitative data were collected from 24 teachers, students, and parents. The results of this research show a significant positive relationship between the frequency of app use and academic performance in English class. Findings from qualitative interviews with students, parents, and teachers shed light on the ways in which these applications facilitate vocabulary acquisition, pronunciation improvement, exam preparation, and exposure to illustrative cases. The findings underscore the importance of incorporating technology into language learning to enhance skills and achieve better outcomes, and encourage further research into the effectiveness of language learning applications in different settings.

Period Poverty: How School Nurses Can Support Menstrual Health and Hygiene

Lack of access to menstrual products, menstrual hygiene, and education, also known as period poverty, is a widespread issue and disproportionately impacts low-income, rural, Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and People of Color. Period poverty along with period symptoms, such as heavy and painful periods, contribute to school absenteeism impacting school connectedness and student success. The purpose of this article is to bring awareness to period poverty and encourage school nurses to intervene in individual schools, communities, and far-reaching policy spaces utilizing their expertise to secure resources. School nurses can assist in implementing interventions throughout the school year to increase student engagement, success, and overall menstrual health wellness. Through added engagement of stakeholders such as student groups, school staff and administrators, and community organizations, school nurses can help shift the narrative from a position of oppression around menstrual health to a position of empowerment.

Virtual pharmacy as a component of the electronic educational environment at the Department of Pharmacology in order to increase the clarity and efficiency of assimilation of educational material (the role of increasing the clarity of educational material in the electronic information educational environment to improve the education resultat the Department of Pharmacology of the First Pavlov State Medical University of

Aim. To study the effectiveness of a virtual pharmacy as an element of an electronic information educational environment at the Department of Pharmacology.Material and methods. A total of 250 3rd year students of the Faculty of General Medicine and 196 2nd year students of the Faculty of Dentistry of the First Pavlov State Medical University of St. Petersburg. To achieve these goals, structured interviews, focus groups, and subsequent analysis were used. The performance of third-year students at the Faculty of General Medicine was assessed before and after the introduction of digital tools for visualizing material using elements of a virtual pharmacy.Results. A survey of students found high interest in using visual methods and, in particular, a virtual pharmacy. Clinical and pharmacological tasks using a virtual pharmacy significantly facilitated the acquisition of pharmacological knowledge and were rated positively by the majority of students. An analysis of the academic success of students who with a virtual pharmacy resource found that the average score increased and they began to pass the tests on the first try. When collecting data, Google forms were used, which, due to anonymity, made it possible to receive detailed proposals from students for improving the virtual pharmacy and teaching methods using the electronic information educational environment.Conclusion. The study showed that the virtual pharmacy method has established itself as an effective pedagogical tool that has made it possible to increase the visibility of difficult educational material and the efficiency of learning new knowledge.

Experiences of Program Heads in Supervising Teachers: A Phenomenological Study

The supervision of teachers is essential for ensuring effective teaching methods, ongoing professional growth, and student success. This study explored the experiences of program heads in supervising teachers. It was conducted in a local college in Tangub City, Misamis Occidental. The phenomenological design was used in the study. Eleven program heads served as the participants selected through the purposive sampling technique. The Interview Guide was used as the research instrument. Moustakas’ transcendental phenomenology of data analysis was utilized to analyze the data gathered. Results revealed the following main themes: the critical role of supervision in advancing teacher development and educational excellence, mutual learning and growth, the role of program heads in teacher supervision, overcoming challenges in teacher supervision, and effective communication strategies. Supervision improves teaching and learning quality, which supports professional development. The complex nature of supervisory roles requires adaptive strategies and strong support networks. It is recommended for program heads and teachers to establish open communication to help address the challenges encountered during supervision.

Exploring Academic Identity, Degree Commitment, and Life Purpose in First-Time Full-Time College Students: A Six-Year Degree Attainment Study (2017–2023)

This study examined the role of academic identity, degree commitment, and sense of purpose, self-reported at the start of university, in students’ progress toward obtaining a degree over 6 years. First-time, full-time freshman students ( N = 421, response rate of 21.1%) at a public university in the southwestern United States, designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution, completed self-reported measures in Fall 2017. Their degree attainment, retention, and grade point average (GPA) were tracked until Spring 2023. Findings showed that academic identity significantly predicted 4-year degree attainment and cumulative GPA in the first 3 years. Degree commitment significantly predicted degree attainment within 4 and 5 years, retention into the third through sixth years, and cumulative GPA in the first 3 years. Altruistic purpose significantly predicted second-year retention and cumulative GPA at the end of the first year. These findings highlight the need for programs that support college student retention and success by strengthening their academic identity, degree commitment, and sense of purpose, especially altruistic purpose.

Enhancing the Introductory Statistics Course: Comparing Student Learning and Performance in Traditional and Web-Enhanced Traditional Courses

A redesign of a traditional introductory statistics course was performed with the intent of increasing student success in the course without the extreme burden of implementing a flipped course. A study was then conducted to compare the new format (web-enhanced traditional) to the traditional format taught by the same professor with the same assignments, quizzes, and exams during the same semester. Students selected their own sections of the course to take but were not aware of the different class formats when they enrolled. Students in both course formats were similar demographically, with similar math ACT scores. It was found that students who participated in the web-enhanced traditional course were more successful in completing the course and performed better on course assessments than those students who participated in the traditional introductory statistics course. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.

The Role of Participatory Management in Improving Teacher Performance and Student Achievement

This study explores the role of participatory management in fostering collaborative school cultures and its impact on improving teacher performance and student achievement. Collaborative school cultures, characterized by shared decision-making and collective responsibility, are essential for creating environments conducive to professional growth and enhanced learning outcomes. Participatory management, which emphasizes the involvement of teachers and staff in decision-making processes, is a key mechanism for cultivating such cultures. This research examines how participatory management practices influence teacher motivation, job satisfaction, and professional development, ultimately contributing to improved performance in the classroom. Furthermore, it investigates the connection between collaborative cultures and student achievement, exploring how teacher collaboration, professional learning communities, and joint problem-solving enhance instructional quality and student outcomes. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected through surveys, interviews, and classroom observations in a sample of schools implementing participatory management strategies. The findings reveal that schools with strong collaborative cultures experience higher levels of teacher engagement, professional commitment, and instructional innovation, which positively impact student academic performance. This study underscores the importance of participatory management as a strategic approach to building collaborative school cultures that support both teacher and student success. The implications of these findings suggest that educational leaders should prioritize inclusive decision-making practices and foster environments where teachers can collaborate, share expertise, and work towards common educational goals. The study concludes with recommendations for policymakers and school administrators to adopt participatory management frameworks as a means to improve overall school performance and create sustainable, high-achieving learning communities.

The Crucial Role of Teacher Support in Enhancing Willingness to Communicate, Professional, Communicative and Lexical Competences

Effective communication skills are essential in education as they significantly enhance student learning experiences and outcomes. This article explores the role of Willingness to Communicate (WTC) and communicative competence in language learning, emphasizing the importance of teacher support in fostering these competencies. Key factors influencing WTC, such as self-communicative competence, communication apprehension, and individual psychological traits, are discussed. The article highlights the pivotal role of teacher involvement, immediacy, and autonomy support in promoting student engagement, self-efficacy, and language proficiency. Furthermore, the development of lexical competence and the use of innovative teaching approaches, such as flipped classrooms and collaborative learning activities, are examined as effective strategies for improving communication skills. The article underscores the importance of creating supportive classroom environments that reduce communication anxiety and promote active participation. Ultimately, the integration of robust teacher support practices and ongoing professional development is critical for enhancing communicative competence and ensuring long-term academic and professional success for students.