Undergraduate Degree Programs Research Articles

Causes of Failure of University Students in Computer Programming Courses : The Case of Wachemo University

Computer programming courses are among the important components of the curriculum to be studied, not only in the school of Computing and Informatics, but also in most of the field including Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering Science departments. In this research, a study was conducted to investigate and explore the views of students for the failure and difficulties they faced in learning fundamental programming courses. There are many factors that influence the high rate of failure of students in computer programming courses. This paper focuses on the teaching and learning methodologies and strategies that are implemented in teaching of programming courses. This is a major factor for consideration; hence an investigation into the causes of failure of students in computer programming courses from the learner perspective with regard to the teaching methodology used by teachers to teach these courses is relevant and very important concept. Computer programming courses form part of the core concentration areas for students especially studying in school of computing and informatics as an undergraduate degree program. Computer programming students are expected to prove capabilities in the principles of programming and logic that are being taught in the course; even though some of these concepts are highly intellectual and multifaceted. Their opinions to the usefulness of the teaching methods being implemented in computer programming courses were required for. The needs and concerns about the teaching and learning methods are highlighted in the survey and discussed thereby leading to the making of suggestions about the ways to improve the teaching and learning methods that are used in computer programming courses in order to advance understanding of computer programming, when studied by students thereby minimizing failure rates of those students.

Developing Student Process Skills in a General Chemistry Laboratory

Laboratory coursework is widely considered to be an integral part of chemistry undergraduate degree programs, although its impact on students’ chemistry knowledge is largely unsubstantiated. Labora...

Online learning in Australian higher education: Opportunities, challenges and transformations

Higher education is being rapidly transformed by the growth in online learning, with an increasing number of universities worldwide offering degree programs in online, distance modes of study. Australian education has a long history of 'distance education', primarily offered by regional universities. With the digital communication advances of the 21st century, traditional 'correspondence' study has transformed into online learning, with many more universities, both metropolitan and regional, offering undergraduate degree programs that can be completed entirely online. While this can provide a significant opportunity for further widening of participation in higher education, Australian and international research indicates that much needs to be done to improve the higher attrition rates currently associated with online learning. This paper draws on the findings of three separate yet related Australian research projects, to compare student and staff perspectives on ways to improve outcomes in online learning.

Análisis de la implementación institucional de la modalidad b-learning en carreras de pregrado de tres universidades chilenas

How are higher educational institutions implementing the blended learning, b-learning modality in their undergraduate degree programs? This inquiry guides the present study and looks to be answered through a content analysis of nine interviews applied to those who oversee this process in three Chilean Universities. For the purpose of this study, the concept of "hybrid systems" (the focus of the European research project, Hy-Sup) (Deschryver & Charlier, 2012) is used instead of b-learning, in order to answer the study's main objective from an anthropocentrist perspective, which focuses on the institution, professors and students, rather than on the technical object. In turn, this conceptual framework allows for the comparison of the results of this study with those obtained by the Hy-Sup research, in the European context. The study's results show that differences between the institutional vision and the actions taken might determine the type of hybrid systems developed. This research aims to contribute to future studies by characterizing and conceptualizing these types of "systems", allowing for an analysis of their impact on student learning, as well as on professors' pedagogical practices.

A Cross-Sectional Study on Visual Art Students’ Perceptions of the Assessment Experience in a Public Higher Education in Ghana

This study explores visual arts students’ perceptions of their assessment experience in a public university in Ghana which offers undergraduate degree programmes across the disciplines in Visual Art. A convenient sampling technique was used to pool 600 volunteered respondents out of a student’s population of 2,618 from the Faculty of Art, Kwame Nkrumah University Science & Technology, Kumasi. Data was collected during the second semester of 2015/2016 academic year using a face validated 20 item five-point Likert scale Students’ Assessment Experience Questionnaire with reliability estimate of .744. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way MANOVA analysis. The findings of the study pointed to the significant difference between the various visual art departments in their satisfaction with the assessment delivery and experience. The results did not show significant gap between student`s perceptions of assessment experience across the disciplines (departmental) level. There was no significant difference between students in their total satisfaction with the assessment delivery and assessment experience. However there were significant difference along receiving of feedback and assessment of artworks. Based on the findings, it is recommended that innovative assessment practices should be encouraged across the disciplines to foster creativity and deepen life-long skills among the students.

Preparedness of Instrumental Music Majors Teaching Elementary General Music

The purpose of this multiple-case study was to examine the career development, choices, and goals of elementary general music teachers who identified as instrumental majors during their undergraduate degree programs. Data collection included a questionnaire, interviews, participant journals, and observation field notes; data were organized using the theoretical framework of social cognitive career theory. Themes are presented in two categories: internal influences (self-efficacy and perceived differences between elementary music and instrumental music) and external influences (economy, undergraduate preparation, and working in elementary general music). Implications regarding the development of self-efficacy and preparation for teaching outside of one’s specialization are discussed.

Putting Proverbs to the Test: An Engaging Approach for Developing Students’ Hypothesis Testing Skills

Integral to most undergraduate psychology degree programs are research methods courses. Students learn about theory, study design and hypothesis testing, and gain knowledge that is assessed by laboratory reports. We describe a problem-based learning approach with an emphasis on acquisition of study design skills. Working in small groups, students took well-known falsifiable proverbs, developed hypotheses to test them, recruited and assessed participants, analyzed the data, and presented their findings in a poster format. This approach allowed students to develop key skills to systematically experiment with an idea using proverbs as a proxy for theory. We suggest proverb testing as a useful technique to engage student-centered active learning in psychology and in the behavioral sciences more broadly.

Serving up graduates

Serving up graduates

Interdisciplinary project-based learning as a means of developing employability skills in undergraduate science degree programs

Project-based learning units are often used for large scale work integrated learning (WIL) experiences in Liberal Studies Degrees as they offer scalability and sustainability of delivery to large cohorts. This systematic search and review evaluates the effectiveness of interdisciplinary project-based learning in Science Degree programs for developing discipline knowledge and employability skills. Education literature databases were searched for peer-reviewed journal articles that discussed undergraduate science-based degree programs with project-based learning units involving students from multiple disciplines. Data were analysed for evidence of a skill gain in 6 areas (Discipline knowledge, Communication, Teamwork, Interdisciplinary effectiveness, Critical thinking and problem solving, and Self-management). Projects were assigned to categories based on interdisciplinary breadth and depth. Data was analysed by cross-tabulations, Fisher’s Exact test and by calculating odds ratios (OR), which indicate the effect size. Perception of a skill gain was significantly more likely to be reported than an objectively measured skill gain (p<0.001). Real discipline skill gains were 6.6 times more likely in projects narrow in discipline mix (OR 6.6), however perceived discipline skill gains were high irrespective of project type. Projects with wide interdisciplinarity were significantly associated with perceived gains in interdisciplinary effectiveness (OR 32, p<0.05) and more likely to have perceived gains in communication (OR 2.5) and teamwork (OR 3.4) skills. When projects have greater interdisciplinary breadth or depth, perceived student employability skill gains increase, perceived discipline skill gains are unaffected, however actual discipline skill gains are less reported. Further research and evidence that project-based learning is meeting the desired WIL learning objectives of the curriculum is needed.

The Process, Challenges and Opportunities of Developing a Curriculum in a Creative and Therapeutic Arts Undergraduate Degree Programme

AbstractThis article reflects upon the process, the challenges and the opportunities realised in the recent revalidation activity of an undergraduate degree programme in Creative and Therapeutic Arts (CTA) in the UK. The premise of the revalidation activity and the historical context of the course are briefly encapsulated, before engaging with theoretical frameworks at the forefront of contemporary Participatory Arts practice. This includes an initial focus on the relevance of Critical Disability Studies to Participatory Arts education, followed by exploration of the contrasting approaches of Socially Engaged Art practice, Inclusive Arts practice, Participatory Arts practice, Arts in Health and Arts Therapies. The challenge of defining a diverse practice which draws from such contrasting perspectives is further explored in relation to the challenge of working on the boundary between artistic and therapeutic practice. Geographical context is considered, drawing from the Welsh evidence base to inform culturally relevant provision. Curriculum design is reviewed in relation to experiential learning and inclusive practice literature, as well as relevant higher education policies. Upon briefly summarising the revalidated curriculum, a critical discussion around the future of the training and the discipline more broadly is developed, considering the contribution of the critical review and focus groups facilitated as part of this revalidation activity. It is hoped that this discussion will further nurture and challenge educators, students and practitioners in this exciting area of evolving, contemporary practice.

Conceptions of design by transdisciplinary educators: disciplinary background and pedagogical engagement

In this study, we describe similarities and differences in how faculty members from across disciplinary backgrounds conceptualize design. The study is situated in an innovative transdisciplinary undergraduate degree program centered on a studio-based learning experience co-taught by multi-disciplinary faculty. While faculty celebrated the opportunity to integrate multiple disciplinary perspectives, they showed a lack of awareness about differences in how they conceptualized design and design pedagogy, especially early on. In-depth interviews and sketches of eight faculty members provided insights on alignment around core concepts of design, design process, and design instruction. Common themes in design definitions included creation of something new, human-centered design, and focus on problem framing over solution development. There was disagreement on the relationship between design and other ways of knowing, such as problem solving and scientific reasoning. Most used process models incorporating non-linearity, iteration, prototyping, and balance between research and design ideation. While there were many similarities in teaching approach, the rationale given for decisions varied, highlighting underlying differences in how participants thought about teaching design. Instructional alignment is an important consideration in designing a transdisciplinary learning experience, but may be hard to achieve due to cultural and institutional disciplinary boundaries. Collaborative teaching efforts benefit when faculty engage in self-reflection, discussion, and engagement in meaningful synthesis work related to understanding what design is and how it can be taught. Such work will enable a team to create purposeful learning experiences which leverages the benefits of exposure to a range of design problems, contexts, users, and design “flavors.”

A French Teacher Training Model: A Case of Macedonia

Bu çalışmada Türkiye’deki ve Makedonya’daki Fransızca öğretmeni yetiştirme modellerinin karşılaştırılması ve bu karşılaştırma sonucunda modellerin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Birbirinden oldukça farklı iki öğretmen yetiştirme modeli olan Hacettepe Üniversitesi Fransız Dili Eğitimi Anabilim Dalı lisans programı ile Aziz Kiril ve Metodiy Üniversitesi Fransızca Öğretmenliği lisans programları nicelik ve nitelik açısından karşılaştırılmış, elde edilen veriler yorumlanmıştır. Her iki ülkede Fransızcanın yabancı dil olarak yeri, öğretmen yetiştirme sistemi ve öğretim programlarının içeriği konularına odaklanan bu karşılaştırmalı çalışmanın sonucunda ulaşılan verilere göre, Türkiye modelinde Fransızca öğretmeni özellikle meslek bilgisi ve genel kültür açısından daha donanımlı olarak mezun olmaktadır. Meslek bilgisi derslerinin nicelik ve nitelik olarak çok sınırlı kaldığı Makedonya örneğinde, Fransızca öğretmeni adaylarının ağırlıklı olarak dil ve edebiyat içeriğine sahip alan derslerini aldıkları ve meslek bilgisi açısından Türkiye’deki meslektaş adaylarından geride kaldıkları gözlenmiştir. Buna karşılık Fransızca dil düzeyi olarak genelde Türk öğrencilerin ilerisinde başladıkları eğitimlerini meslek bilgisi açısından geride tamamlayan Makedon öğrenciler, ülkedeki Fransızca derslerinin Türkiye ile karşılaştırıldığında yüksek kabul edilebilecek oranıyla devlet okullarında daha fazla istihdam şansı elde edebilmektedirler.

Sustainability Subjects in University Education - Development of a Comprehensive Indicator System and Quantitative Analysis of Degree Programs at German Universities

A new comprehensive evaluation system presented here allows to compare and to quantify education for a sustainable development (ESD) in degree programs. The evaluation is based on a criteria system working with three hierarchic levels. The highest level considers a list of 35 indicator terms. Primarily, the two most popular undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree programs in Germany (mechanical engineering, ME, and business administration, BA) have been reviewed for ESD contents based on the new evaluation scheme. Additionally we reviewed and quantified ESD subjects and their temporal changes in the entire bandwidth of degree programs of a university (Umwelt-Campus Birkenfeld, University of Applied Sciences Trier), back to 1999. Moreover, a spot check on international ME and BA bachelor’s degree programs was performed. Through our reviews, we found a high number of elective classes dedicated to ESD particularly in BA bachelor programs. However, the percentage of compulsory classes related to ESD is relatively low with 5-6 % in both ME and BA programs, respectively. The spot check on degree programs outside Germany revealed similar results. Analysing the time trend at Umwelt-Campus Birkenfeld, a considerable share of ESD that was part of the original diploma degrees was moved to what are now master’s degrees.

External examiners, supervisors and academicians for the international postgraduate (MSc and PhD) programmes

Abstract Several International Universities are appointing International Academicians as External Examiners, Lecturers and Supervisors for all programs including undergraduate (BA’s and BSc) and Post-graduate (MSc and PhD) degree programs. University of Zimbabwe (UZ) in Harare and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy are appointing external examiners for their under-graduate and post-graduate programs. In this manuscript, I would like to give you some information about both universities as one of their external examiners and supervisors.

Exploring the Preparedness of Student Paramedics for the Mental Health Challenges of the Paramedic Profession

Introduction:The mental health challenges encountered by paramedics have received much attention in recent years. This attention has particularly focused on high rates of stress, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. This heightened awareness of the high incidence of mental illness, which has at times tragically resulted in the suicide of serving and former paramedics, is stimulating the address of mental health within the paramedic profession. It is now time to call on paramedic educators to prepare student paramedics for the mental health challenges associated with a career in the emergency medical services.Aim:To explore the preparedness of student paramedics for the mental health challenges of the paramedic profession and identify the coping strategies used by veteran paramedics to successfully meet these challenges.Methods:Twenty semi-structured interviews with veteran paramedics from Australia and New Zealand were conducted.Results:Advice from veteran paramedics was comprised of three key themes: support, health, and the profession.Discussion:The findings of the study indicate that the preparation of student paramedics for the mental health challenges of the paramedic profession throughout the undergraduate curriculum could be advantageous. The advice offered by veteran paramedics can be included within undergraduate paramedic curricula and delivered by sharing the personal experiences of the veteran paramedics. These experiences are highly credible and sharing them offers an opportunity for veterans to contribute positively to the future of paramedicine. Guidelines for their inclusion in the undergraduate paramedic curriculum should be prepared to facilitate knowledge translation and to encourage the development of conscious coping strategies by student paramedics during their learning phase. Further research is needed to raise awareness in this area, with a specific focus on preparing paramedic students to cope with mental health challenges related to undergraduate degree programs, and how they feel about commencing their career as a paramedic.

Integrative Approaches to the Undergraduate Public Health Major Curriculum: Strengths, Challenges, and Examples.

Many “first generation” undergraduate public health degree programs were designed based on “siloed” course structures centered around subunits in the discipline (e.g., Introduction to Epidemiology, Introduction to Environmental Health) that may be meaningful primarily to experts in the field. An alternative to the siloed approach is an integrative curricular design, in which courses are designed around meaningful thematic units (e.g., explaining public health problems, asking and answering scientific questions in public health), with an emphasis on drawing connections between knowledge from different but complementary disciplinary areas as a means to improve student learning and retention. The integrative approach shifts the curriculum conversation to capitalize on the interdisciplinary roots of the public health profession. This approach is consistent with the learning outcome recommendations in the Framing the Future Task Force report and in the CEPH requirements for the undergraduate public health major. We explore integrative approaches to developing curricular models for undergraduate public health programs and discuss both pedagogical and career preparation arguments supporting an integrative curriculum approach. These include facilitating the often-challenging task for students of seeing how concepts interrelate, making transparent how “basic” knowledge in the discipline relates to “real world” applications of the content, and better mirroring how professionals in the discipline actually use knowledge in practice. Finally, we review examples of core concepts and features in an integrative curriculum approach to the undergraduate public health major as an effective educational program with high-quality, learner-centered educational experiences.

Maximising the impact: using REF Case Studies to enhance first-year undergraduates’ appreciation of research integration in their degree

ABSTRACT Integration of research into undergraduate degree programmes has been shown to have a beneficial effect on student learning, however, integrating activities which help first-year students to feel engage with research activity within their discipline has proved challenging. This study describes the use of Impact Case Studies created for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) assessment in the UK to develop a module for first-year students allowing them to engage with research undertaken at their own institution which has achieved significant impact. Using a mixed methods approach, the module was evaluated using the validated Student Perceptions of Research Integration Questionnaire, together with additional items relating to the design and delivery of the module, and open responses. It was shown that undertaking the module improved students’ perception of research integration, and had raised their awareness of the value of research carried out at their university. They also agreed that they had developed the intended skills and recognised the value of these for both further study and future employment. The value of this approach to increasing student awareness of research, and the transferability of the use of REF Case Studies to other levels of university study are discussed.

Promoting and strengthening public health through undergraduate education.

There are widely divergent views as to what constitutes "public health" and "public health research". But regardless of these views, readers of this journal would likely agree that public health matters; we assert that so does the educational programming that prepares its workforce. Our voiced perspectives as authors are influenced by our respective training, occupations, and academic locales, and we believe that undergraduate public and population health education (UGPPHE) across many disciplines is crucial to strengthening public health in Canada. Existing literature and discourse related to UGPPHE in Canada tends to be concentrated around its ancillary positioning within clinical health disciplines such as medicine, nursing, and dentistry, rather than on the evolution of undergraduate degree programs. While UGPPHE programming has the important function of preparing undergraduates to enter into practice as public health professionals, it has added virtue in its capacity to improve public health literacy and produce a more robust body of informed and engaged citizens. The intent of this commentary is to draw increased attention towards the other disciplines less well known for bringing awareness to UGPPHE in Canada and to commence what will hopefully be a cascade of dialogue from stakeholders across the nation.

Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) as a Driver of Curriculum: A Staged Approach

Inquiry-based learning provides students with an opportunity to take ownership of their learning while developing important higher order skills necessary for designing innovative solutions to complex modern health problems. In our undergraduate health sciences program, critical thinking, creativity, research skills and innovative thinking are core program learning outcomes, and thus inquiry-based learning is an important pillar of our curriculum. We have taken a staged approach, integrating inquiry-based learning (IBL) into each year of a four-year undergraduate degree program that scaffolds structure and independence to suit undergraduate student needs from the first to third years and culminating in an independent, student-driven honours thesis in the fourth year. In this paper, we share practical IBL strategies that pair with student needs throughout the four-year continuum and highlight strategies to address challenges at each stage of learning.

Students’ views on the need for hostile environment awareness training for South African emergency medical care students

Background. South Africans experience high levels of contact crime, including assault, robbery and hijacking. Emergency medical services (EMS) are frequently called to the scene of such incidents. Their presence in these potentially hostile environments increases the risk of South African (SA) paramedics and paramedic students becoming victims of crime and violence. A 2015 study showed that ~66% of SA EMS staff reported being assaulted while on duty. During a 10-month period in 2016, Western Cape Province recorded >40 incidents of physical violence against their EMS personnel. Questions are being asked about how well prepared EMS staff are to operate in potentially hostile environments. Objectives. To explore emergency medical care (EMC) students’ experiences of violence and crime and their views on the need for hostile environment awareness training (HEAT) as part of their undergraduate degree programmes. Methods. A self-designed, non-validated, cross-sectional online survey questionnaire was used to document the experiences, views and opinions of 113 undergraduate EMC students from 4 SA universities. The questionnaire consisted of 24 closed-ended questions with pre-set Likert scale options focusing on documenting participants’ experiences, views and opinions regarding hostile environments and the need for HEAT. Results. A high percentage of participants (92%) indicated feeling unsafe while engaging in clinical learning shifts; 63% specified that they had personally witnessed violence against EMS crews, and 32% indicated that they had been assaulted while on duty. Unsurprisingly, 81% of the respondents felt that there is a need for inclusion of HEAT in the undergraduate curriculum. Conclusions. Participation in clinical learning shifts in the current SA prehospital EMS environment increases the risk of exposure to potentially hostile environments. Consequently, students feel unsafe and support the inclusion of HEAT as part of their undergraduate degree programmes.