Undergraduate Course Research Articles

Budget planning for an undergraduate course at a higher education institution

Planning is crucial in the organizational context, especially budget planning, which aims to direct efforts to achieve objectives effectively. This study investigates the budget planning of undergraduate course coordinators in IES, considering the complexities involved. The research uses a qualitative approach, interviewing nine coordinators to understand their perspectives, difficulties, and financial strategies. The results show that, despite economic and institutional limitations, coordinators recognize the importance of budget planning for the growth of courses. They face challenges in budget execution, acquiring supplies, and adapting to the market. It is concluded that budget planning is fundamental to guide the growth of courses, and coordinators demonstrate skills and commitment to dealing with financial demands, seeking partnerships and innovative strategies. The research highlights the need for further studies for continuous improvements in IES.

Linking self-regulated learning to community of inquiry in online undergraduate courses: A person-centered approach

AbstractThe Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework has gained widespread recognition as a theoretical model for understanding student learning in online environments. Despite its prevalence, CoI has been critiqued for its limited emphasis on learners’ proactive roles in self-regulating their own learning. To address this, researchers have suggested integrating self-regulated learning (SRL) into the CoI framework. This integration calls for empirical research to explore the relationship between SRL and the three established CoI presences: teaching, social, and cognitive. Using a person-centered approach, this study examines how varying SRL skills among 750 undergraduate students in an online introductory mathematics course are related to the three CoI components. Latent profile analyses identified five distinct SRL profiles: minimal regulators, low regulators with limited social skills, low regulators, moderate regulators, and competent regulators. We found that students in higher SRL profiles demonstrated higher perception of CoI, whereas those in relatively lower SRL profiles showed lower levels of perceived CoI. Our findings underscore the importance of incorporating self-regulation in the CoI framework for a more comprehensive understanding of online learning.

The CDC’s “Solve the Outbreak” game: a preliminary debriefing study with students enrolled in an undergraduate epidemiology course

PurposeThis study explored undergraduate college students' opinions of the CDC’s online “Solve the Outbreak” (StO) game, a recommended aid in higher education for teaching concepts epidemiological outbreak investigations.MethodsThe study was conducted as a game debriefing, in which 16 students enrolled in an undergraduate-level epidemiology course were interviewed to receive feedback about their experiences of StO after completing the game.ResultsA total of four common themes emerged from the interveiews as framed by the Persuasive Game Design model: (1) Enjoying the Game World, (2) Cheating the Game’s Elements, (3) Suggesting Improvements to the Game’s Elements, and (4) Inverted Transfer Effect.ConclusionsStudents reported that they enjoyed playing StO, and that it was effective for applying their knowledge of epidemiology course content on the process of investigating outbreaks. However, students found ways to cheat the game’s answers, and they recommended ways that the game’s elements could be improved. Instructors should consider using StO as a tool for teaching their students about investigating infectious outbreaks. Designers of the game should consider adapting the game based on students’ constructive feedback.

Creating an Assignment to Incorporate Antiracist Pedagogy Into an Undergraduate Introductory Nursing Course.

Antiracist pedagogy was incorporated into an undergraduate introductory nursing course using National League for Nursing diversity and inclusion initiatives and academic nurse educator competencies as a framework. This article describes the reflective process and steps taken to select Taylor's memoir, Reminiscences of My Life in Camp, as a required text for an introductory nursing course. By incorporating antiracism into an introductory nursing course, educators can assist novice nursing students from diverse groups to envision themselves as nurses, role model allyship for White students, and create a more inclusive teaching environment.

Student-generated multimedia for supporting learning in an undergraduate physiotherapy course

Outside the university, rapid authoring tools and ubiquitous technologies have fuelled a rise in usergenerated multimedia and participatory culture. The educational equivalent, digital student-generated content, has been heralded as one approach for supporting active and student-centered learning. This is especially relevant in tertiary education, where multimedia is mainly used as a method for transmission of content. Though student-generated multimedia may seem pedagogically ideal, especially for applied areas such as Health Sciences, the diversity of adoptions and limited evidence in the area make broad claims to its efficacy difficult to support. This study uses mixed methods to assess the outcomes of a student-generated multimedia assignment within a third-year university physiotherapy subject. This study found that all students were able to complete the assessment task in a way that demonstrated key disciplinary learning and professional communication skills despite many not having prior experience of this kind of assessment. Student survey data demonstrated that students were able to navigate between new tools and methods to achieve a complex task. While multimedia gave students new and creative ways through which to engage with practitioners, patients and the profession, attitudes varied in accordance with student self-efficacy and confidence. The self-directed nature of the task appears to be both an opportunity and a challenge. These findings further contribute to our understanding of implementing student-generated multimedia projects and extend this knowledge to the health sciences’ discipline.

Employment Pathology in Undergraduate Counseling Graduates: A Qualitative StudyEmployment Pathology in Undergraduate Counseling Graduates: A Qualitative Study

Aim: The present study was conducted with the aim of employment pathology in undergraduate counseling graduates. Methods: The present study is qualitative and has been done by content analysis method. The study population was undergraduate counseling graduates in which 15 people were selected as a sample by targeted and snowball methods. Sampling continued until the data reached saturation. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. After the initial coding, the topics were analyzed and the categories were categorized. Findings: The analysis of the findings of the semi-structured interview led to the extraction of 2 main themes, 6 sub-themes and 23 sub-themes on employment challenges from 88 codes. The main themes are intrapersonal challenges and extrapersonal challenges; Intrapersonal challenges include two sub-themes: personality issues and cognitive issues, and interpersonal challenges include four sub-themes: economic issues, educational issues, socio-cultural issues, and professional issues. Conclusion: Findings obtained from the sub-themes of cognitive and personality issues show that it is important to know the different dimensions of the field of study at the time of choosing it and personality traits in choosing and finding a suitable job appropriate to their field of study. The results obtained from the sub-topics of external challenges also show that the unhealthy economic situation and livelihood problems on the failure to achieve a job commensurate with education, poor quality and non-practical education in the undergraduate course, lack of diversity in related jobs, the difficulty of the counseling profession and the time consumption are obstacles that make it difficult for graduates of this field at the undergraduate level to be employed in more suitable jobs.

Breaking the WAVE and shattering stereotypes: addressing organizational change and team dynamics with female leaders

Research methodology The research consisted of a questionnaire and in-depth interview with the CEO. Secondary research was conducted to read through various articles and literature available on the organization. Relevant courses are organizational behavior/organization development/strategic management. Case overview/synopsis In a landscape traditionally dominated by male leadership, this case study highlights the compelling narrative of a new leader with an unconventional leadership style. This purpose of this case study aims to explore the change management challenges faced by Molade, CEO of WAVE, a leading vocational education social enterprise based in Lagos, Nigeria, as she grapples with the issue of organizational culture and gender bias and their impact on team dynamics while implementing a new strategy. Her leadership journey reflects not only personal triumphs but also the broader impact of diverse perspectives at the helm of organizational decision-making. Despite having over a decade of industry experience and being well-respected in her field, Molade is met with resistance and patronizing behavior from some of the existing team members who question her authority and decision-making abilities. The case discusses leadership challenges faced by Molade, a female leader, its negative implications on her performance and her ability to implement change within the organization. Ultimately, Molade’s perseverance and strategic thinking enabled her to successfully navigate her dilemma. Complexity academic level Undergraduate business course(s) which include organizational behavior, organization development and strategic management.

Marketing odyssey for a digitally native brand: a case study of Sunbird Straws

Research methodology The case study incorporated a combination of primary and secondary data collection approach. The authors interviewed Dr Varghese, the co-founder of Sunbird Straws and the protagonist in this case study. In addition, secondary data was obtained from various sources such as newspaper articles, journal publications and company reports. Case overview/synopsis On a rosy and vibrant morning in 2017, Dr Saji Varghese, a professor at Christ University in Bangalore, stumbled upon a curved coconut leaf on the campus resembling a straw. This sparked his motivation to transform coconut leaves into a natural straw, prompting him to initiate experiments with coconut leaves in his kitchen. The process of boiling and straining leaves became his method for crafting an eco-friendly straw. After numerous attempts, he successfully produced straws from coconut leaves, introducing a distinctive and creative concept incubated at IIM Bangalore. These unique straws, crafted by Varghese, prioritised environmental friendliness and were also crafted entirely from biodegradable materials, free from harmful chemicals. These straws demonstrated durability in hot and cold beverages for up to 3 h, maintaining their integrity without becoming soggy or leaking. As the business flourished, it reached a critical juncture. The primary challenge centred around product marketing, mainly due to consumer unfamiliarity with such sustainable straws. This was a product that also fell under the category of low involvement for consumers. Raising awareness about the product and persuading consumers to purchase presented a significant hurdle. In response, Varghese assigned his team to develop cost-effective marketing strategies. Given the start-up nature of the business, advertising budgets were constrained, and the objective was to achieve a positive return on advertising spend for every investment in advertising the product. In addition, the focus was on increasing the likelihood of selling the straws on both business-to-business and business-to-consumer levels. In this case study, Varghese’s role and predicament exemplify the delicate equilibrium that entrepreneurs frequently grapple with, striking a balance between marketing strategy and return on ad spent to steer the trajectory of their businesses. It offered a valuable examination of the nuanced decisions marketers encounter as they strive for both profitability and customer-centric products. Complexity academic level The case study is relevant to the marketing discipline. All undergraduate and postgraduate-level marketing courses in higher education institutions can use this case study. It can also be used in integrated marketing communication or digital marketing classes. It can be used further in the hospitality and management fields. Also, online courses in marketing can include this case study.

Examination of the psychological well-being of students during the coronavirus pandemic: The case of Hungarian economic universities

A long, familiar stage of life ends with graduation from secondary school. The closure of this phase can also be seen as a loss or mourning: saying goodbye to high school, parting with old friends, teachers, environment, etc. After entering the university, young people will be not only new students of higher education, but also new participants in the labor market, which means that they will have to satisfy both needs at the same time. The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic complicates this situation. With this in mind, the purpose of this study is to understand the mental health status and problems of first-year students currently enrolled for three undergraduate business courses in Budapest. This research paper investigates whether the pressures, isolation, uncertainty, financial worries, loss of control, and moving back in with parents caused by the pandemic have had an impact on students’ mental health. This study used the EPOCH model. The EPOCH-H questionnaire was filled in by 1,719 first-year full-time students. Based on the results, a total of 8 main groups and its subgroups of factors were affected by the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic. These students will be workers in the future carrying these effects with them. According to the results, students’ mental health needs to be strengthened in typical educational processes, and maintaining and improving students’ mental health should be the focus of all higher education institutions in the future.

Capacitor connected to an alternating voltage: Maxwell’s equations, Poynting’s theorem and oscillating L-C circuits

Abstract The behaviour of a parallel-plate capacitor connected to a sinusoidal alternating voltage is analysed and the electric and magnetic fields, as well as the electric and magnetic energies inside the capacitor are obtained. Aspects related to Maxwell’s equations, the Poynting vector and the conservation of electromagnetic energy are also discussed. Under certain conditions the electromagnetic energy stored in the capacitor remains constant and the behaviour of the capacitor at high frequencies is like that of an oscillating L-C circuit consisting of an inductor and a capacitor. The general situation is considered, valid for both low and high frequencies, and what is discussed here is of interest to students of an undergraduate electrodynamics course.

Undergraduate Translation Courses: Students' Perceptions at Prince Sattam Universities

The primary goal of this research was to investigate students' perceptions of translation classes in the English language department at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University. The obtained data underwent fundamental analysis to determine students' concerns and identify components needing alteration to align with their learning objectives. According to the study, students developed an intellectual inclination, focused on recent discoveries, and were motivated to learn more about translation. They comprehended the course's learning objectives, believed it enhanced their professional development, and found it to meet their expectations. Students gained knowledge of translation concerns and key concepts, along with proficiency in translation processes and problem-solving techniques. According to students, the course was thorough, with an appropriate workload, fair evaluation, clear test requirements, and valuable feedback. They appreciated open communication, interaction with tutors, and collaborative problem-solving in translation challenges. The study suggests investigating students' impressions of web-based distance learning courses and how these attitudes evolve during translation courses. Recommendations include faculty training and incentives to participate. This training would assist instructors in becoming more familiar with the material and building effective teaching strategies. It would also guide academics in applying their own research and/or clinical practice, serving as a model for students' reflective practice. It is recommended that students hear from graduates currently applying this knowledge. Finally, future research may focus on translation programs at other universities in Saudi Arabia.

Evaluation of Elnady preserved tissues as a teaching aid for undergraduate animal science courses

Abstract The use of tissue specimens for undergraduate instruction is a very valuable tool. However, fresh tissue specimens are not always available and many common preservation techniques can result in discoloration, offensive odors, and/or dangerous chemical residues. The Elnady Technique was developed as a means to produce tissue specimens that “are realistic, durable, have no offensive odor, and are dry, soft and flexible” (Elnady, F.A. 2016 The Elnady Technique: An innovative, new method for tissue preservation. Altex. 33:237-242. doi:10.14573/altex.1511091). Briefly for soft tissue, specimens were preserved by fixing in formalin. The tissue specimen was then dehydrated with a series of acetone baths. Once the tissue was fully dehydrated, the specimen was impregnated in glycerin. Excess glycerin was then removed by draining followed by immersion in cornstarch. Cornstarch residue was removed with a soft brush, and the specimen was stored in a plastic bag. Multiple specimens (including female reproductive tract of the cat, goat, horse, and sow; digestive tract of cat, chicken, and dog; one day old lamb stomach; goat rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum; and sheep heart and kidney) have been preserved and used in various animal science course laboratories (126 laboratory sections and 1696 students at Berry College). Some of the specimens have been in use for seven years and are still in usable condition. Anonymously surveyed Berry College Animal Science Faculty strongly agreed or agreed Elnady preserved tissues are a useful teaching aid (n = 5). The Elnady Technique has proven to be a useful means of preserving tissue samples used in undergraduate animal science courses.

The Influence of Extended Reality on Climate Change Education

AbstractClimate change is a nuanced global issue with a scope that is often difficult to fully appreciate. This study examined an undergraduate course focused on the impacts and responses to climate change on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, USA. The course utilized a socioscientific issues (SSI) approach to examine global climate change in a local context that allowed for a deeper understanding of the inequitable impacts on humans and the environment. As part of the class, students were immersed in a 6-day field experience in the Outer Banks to investigate the challenges facing the barrier islands where they visited five sites and used augmented reality (AR) to learn about the impact of climate change at those respected locations. After each experience, the course instructors debriefed with the students to help make sense of the experiences and promote deeper understanding of the issue. Four weeks later, the class immersed in virtual reality (VR) to revisit the same five sites using the same information provided in the AR. Using a constant comparative and inductive analyzes using keywords in context, results suggest both AR and VR enhanced learning experiences. Findings indicated that the students generally felt that the VR experience was a suitable alternative, with the caveat that it cannot replace being immersed in the location, that both technologies increased their engagement, and increased their learning. Conversely, some students reported that the technology impeded their learning.

Richard Nagel and the challenge of employee retention

Research methodology Information was obtained in interviews with Richard Nagel in Winter/Spring 2022. This information was supplemented by material from secondary sources. The only information that was disguised were the real names for Bob Crater, Tim Landy, Jane Tolley and Mary Nagel. The case was classroom tested in Summer 2022. The responses from students helped to shape the writing of the case. Case overview/synopsis Richard Nagel, the owner of the RE/MAX Elite real estate agency in Monmouth Beach, New Jersey, has just learned that one of his agents, Tim Landy, quit and left the industry. Tim was a young real estate agent and Richard had spent considerable time training him. Tim was motivated and he worked hard to prospect for business, but he showed that he was experiencing difficulty closing on his sales. Richard decided to recommend that Tim work with another agent, Bob Crater, as Bob was an experienced salesman but was not doing the up-front prospecting that Tim was doing. Richard suggested two different strategies to the two agents – a pairing up arrangement and peer-to-peer learning. The outcome that Richard envisioned was that both of the struggling salesmen would benefit from either of these strategies, but Bob refused to collaborate. Tim’s quitting was characteristic of an ongoing problem with employee retention that Richard had been experiencing as a manager in recent years. This problem caused Richard to think about how he recruited his real estate agents, how he developed them through coaching and how he motivated them so that they would stay happy in their job and not leave. He recognized the importance of thoroughly examining his retention strategy within the next 12 months so that he could better manage the problem and strengthen the productivity of his real estate agency. Complexity academic level The case is intended for an undergraduate course in human resources management, as it deals directly with recruiting, coaching and retaining employees.

Teaching Tips -IFAT!! Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique in Undergraduate Course Review Settings

Teaching Tips -IFAT!! Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique in Undergraduate Course Review Settings

Blooming social impact: Growing Appalachian Botanical Company’s resource partnerships in a rural ecosystem

Research methodology This case is based on primary and secondary data collection. ABCo’s Founder, Jocelyn Sheppard, sat down with the author for a 75-min recorded interview in July 2022, and she provided follow-up information via email. Interview data was supplemented with secondary data from publicly available sources to fill in portions on the founder, the company’s history and its location; and triangulate the collected interview data (Creswell and Poth, 2018). There are no conflicts of interest that the author needs to disclose related to the founder or company. The case was piloted at one institution in the Fall 2022, Spring 2023 and Fall 2023 semesters, with 59 undergraduates in an in-person social entrepreneurship course and 165 undergraduates and 33 graduate students in an online asynchronous social entrepreneurship course. All students worked through the case in groups, and as a requirement of their corresponding assignment submission, they provided feedback that was de-identified. In total, 60 groups reported their feedback, which was considered during the subsequent drafts of the case and instructors’ manual IM. According to the anonymized feedback, the protagonist, product line, desired social impact and experienced challenges of ABCo were all said to be interesting, approachable and relatable for students, and the case piqued the interest of students coming from different majors (e.g. business, environmental issues, human services and criminal justice). Students from rural areas, or those who have family in rural areas, felt the case was particularly interesting; a handful of the students in the asynchronous online class who were unfamiliar with such settings suggested providing students with some additional contextualization of rural environments, either through class discussion with other students who had experience in those environments or additional media or text-based supports. Further adjustments also included removing a reading and a corresponding question and revising elements within the Teaching Approaches section of the IM to support the additions they suggested within the feedback (i.e. spending time to define and walk through the provided model and highlight the differences of rural entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship in the rural as a class before engaging in the related write-ups for that question). Case overview/synopsis Jocelyn Sheppard, Founder of Appalachian Botanical Company (“ABCo”), had built her company not just on a vision of revitalizing reclaimed coal mine land through planting and producing products with lavender, but also to have a social impact on the rural town of Ashford and its greater region of Boone County in West Virginia, USA. While she understood that hiring workers in need of a second chance would present its challenges, she was shocked by the depth of social need her new employees presented, which contributed to many employees’ disruptive behaviors and turnover. To approach the problem at hand, Sheppard needed to reflect on the resources around her, namely, other entities and organizations who might be able to support her efforts to improve how ABCo delivers on its social mission and, thus, helps to improve the local community and its economy. The case draws upon literature and models within rural entrepreneurship and community development to have students advise Sheppard on what she should do next to improve the social outcomes for ABCo and its employees. Complexity academic level This case is geared for both upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in entrepreneurship, including in social, environmental and rural entrepreneurship courses and course modules. The case introduces students to a social enterprise struggling to get its footing in a rural context. The case would be suitable for both introductory and advanced courses, especially when placemaking/place-based entrepreneurship or ecosystem building are discussed.

“Yes, I Am More Confident with My Avatars”: Integrating EFL Students’ Speaking Practice into Metaverse

This article presents an innovative practice that demonstrates the use of the metaverse to enhance English speaking skills in an undergraduate English drama course in South Korea. The innovation stemmed from the common situation that English-language learners feel self-conscious when speaking in front of their peers. To overcome this problem, the metaverse was used to provide a virtual space for students to practice dialogues and speeches using avatars. The two-phase implementation involved practicing dialogues from the American sitcom Friends and celebrity speeches in the metaverse space. Surveys and reflections showed that this approach significantly improved students’ confidence, motivation and English speaking skills by reducing the anxiety associated with physical presence. Nevertheless, some technical limitations, such as connectivity issues and constraints on virtual expression, were observed. Based on the findings, this study suggests the metaverse as a powerful tool for overcoming affective barriers in language learning, providing a safe and engaging platform for students to practice speaking skills. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of selecting appropriate metaverse platforms and considering technical factors such as device compatibility and internet stability.

Virtual pair programming and online oral exams: effects on social interaction, performance, and academic integrity in a remote computer programming course

ABSTRACT Background and context Pair programming and oral exams were deployed in tandem in a remote undergraduate computer programming course to promote social interaction and enhance learning. Objectives We investigate their impact on social interactions, sense of connection, academic performance, and academic integrity within a virtual learning environment, and explore the dynamics of student collaboration in the context of voluntary pair programming. Method Students’ coding activities, pairing preferences, and performance were survey responses were recorded and analyized. Findings First and second year students were more likely to participate in virtual pair programming than their more senior classmates. Willingness to pair program strongly correlated with GPA. Partner changes were infrequent. 20–40% of students pair programmed per assignment. Oral exam scores positively correlated with other course scores. Surveys indicated that virtual pair programming and oral exams positively impacted learning, sense of community, and academic integrity. Implications The study offers perspectives on how these practices can be leveraged to foster inclusive learning, meaningful discourse, peer collaboration, and student-faculty relationships, with a positive effect on student motivation and academic integrity.

PSII-10 Development of an interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate course in precision livestock farming systems

Abstract The modern livestock industry is increasingly adopting data, technologies, and automation into daily husbandry and management routines and decisions. These advances in precision livestock farming (PLF) enable improved financial margins, sustainability, efficiency, and animal productivity and welfare. However, there is currently a gap between the engineers and data scientists designing the technologies and the animal scientists and caretakers using them. At North Carolina State University a novel course on PLF Systems for undergraduate and graduate students was developed in the Department of Animal Science. Through lecture delivery, livestock production scenarios, scientific literature, and data-based homework assignments students explored data collection, management, analysis, and data-based decision making. Students gained hands-on experience with a variety of sensor types and signal processing through lab-based activities. Basic hardware and software development concepts were explored during an Arduino-based microcontroller activity. The course was developed and refined using student feedback to include additional sensor and lab-based days and additional in-class supported activities utilizing Excel for data manipulation, processing, and presentation. Self-reported student learning results were collected across two semesters (19 students; 18 Animal Science, 1 Biological Engineering) with84% of students indicated the course was effective in increasing their ability to evaluate and implement technology in livestock production systems and 74% of students reported increased knowledge of coding and software, as well as their ability to clean, analyze, and make sense of raw data. The topics and delivery methods implemented in this course could inform the basis for development of similar interdisciplinary PLF courses at other academic institutions.

Some Reflections On The History And Current Status of Education in the Field of Death, Dying, and Bereavement at the College and University Level In North America.

This article is a contribution to recording one dimension of the field of death, dying, and bereavement. It offers some personal reflections on the history and current status of formal education in this field at the college and university level in North America. The scope of this reflection looks back on the earliest known examples of formal education in this field that took place in the 1960s and 1970s, provides examples of some of the early pedagogical resources that were created to support and foster those initiatives, and sketches more recent developments as regards introductory or undergraduate survey courses in this field, other death-related courses, programs in thanatology, and efforts to offer certificates or certification for educators and other professionals in this field. The article concludes with some thoughts about what we have learned from and about education in the field of death, dying, and bereavement.