Undergraduate Programs Research Articles

On the Importance of Extracurricular Physical Education Activities in the Physical Education of Students of Higher Education Institutions

The article presents material on the organization of extracurricular activities in physical education at a higher educational institution. The relevance of this topic is due to structural and substantive changes in undergraduate educational programs and work programs in physical education, which have led to an increasing role of extracurricular activities in the formation of student's physical culture competence. This circumstance requires consideration of issues of planning, organization and methodological support of this type of pedagogical activity. The purpose of the study is to identify the organizational and educational aspects of student sports and wellness activities conducted in their free time from study at the university. As an example of the organization of extracurricular work carried out by teachers of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports, a number of physical culture and recreation and sports events held at the Omsk State Agrarian University named after P. A. Stolypin are proposed. The analysis and generalization of pedagogical experience in the higher education system, data from literary sources on the problems of physical education of students allowed us to make practical recommendations on the basics of planning, goal-setting and organizational features of extracurricular activities in physical culture. The possibility of increasing the effectiveness of this activity is emphasized due to the uniform distribution of activities throughout the academic year, attracting students with different levels of physical, sports and technical readiness and motivation in the field of physical culture and sports to participate. In addition to the calendar plan, the organizers for each event must define a goal, develop a program, create a festive atmosphere, ensure the safety of spectators and participants, and create conditions for informational coverage of the planned event.

Affirmative Action for Black, Indigenous and Quilombola Students at a Brazilian University

Multiculturalism and cultural diversity permeate various sectors of society, including higher education. The educational policies implemented in this sphere appear to promote social and educational equality. The aim of this study was to examine this subject by analysing the affirmative action policy implemented in a Brazilian university. It sought to understand whether this policy has contributed to the access and completion of undergraduate programmes of black and mixed-race, indigenous and quilombola students. The analysis was conducted based on data relating to the access and dropout of students who enrolled in the university through the quota and reservation systems. Data were collected from university administrative datasets and a questionnaire administered to undergraduate course coordinators and students who had benefited from the policy in question and dropped out of university. The findings reveal, on the one hand, an increase in the intake of black and mixed-race, indigenous and quilombola students. On the other hand, a high dropout rate was observed among these students, which may raise the possibility that the policy in question is not completely successful.

Analytics: What Do Business Majors Need and Where Do They Get It?

Analytical skills are important for all business majors. Because of the statistical underpinnings, statisticians are a natural fit for the delivery of these skills. Unfortunately, there is a lack of common understanding of what skills and competencies are needed. This article has two primary objectives: determine how business analytics course offerings delineate course content (i.e., where statistical and analytical topics are currently offered in business disciplines); and determine the industry analytical needs of various business domains. We performed two phases of analysis. First, we collected course listings and descriptions from the top thirty undergraduate and graduate business programs in the United States to determine what analytics courses are currently offered. Second, we collected industry data to determine what skills are needed across business disciplines based on job postings that identify analytics. Our results indicate there is some overlap of content between current courses. We also find that there are varying analytical skills and competencies needed in other business domains based on job postings. These results can help guide the structure of analytics offerings in business schools.

Introduction: Gender and (Auto)pathography from a Transnational Perspective

‘Medical Humanities’ (MH), the critical enclave of this cluster, is an interdisciplinary area of knowledge which examines human health and illness using the tools and insights of creative arts and humanities. MH endeavors to comprehend the diverse spectrum of physical and mental ailments by drawing from literature and various forms of artistic expression. The boom of MH both in the United States and Europe is manifested by the increase of this field of studies in undergraduate and graduate programs, professional training opportunities, career paths, conferences, and articles in prestigious academic journals, such as Medical Humanities, Intima: A Journal of Narrative Medicine, Journal of Medical Humanities, Literature and Medicine, or Arts and Health, among others. By consulting Scopus (http://www.scopus.com), the preeminent abstract and citation database for peer-reviewed research literature and conducting a search for 'Medical Humanities' spanning from 1970 to 2023, the findings in the 'Documents by Year' section (totaling 21,461 entries) reveal a consistent and steady upward trajectory. Commencing with a solitary document in 1971, the inaugural year recorded, the count surged to 54 in 1980, escalated to 498 in 2010, and surged to 1,581 in 2020, culminating in 2,417 entries by 2023. Furthermore, upon delving into the 'Documents by Subject Area', the analysis indicates that a significant majority of scholarly articles concerning MH originate from authors entrenched in the Health Sciences field (including Medicine, Nursing, Psychology, Neuroscience, Health professionals, Genetics), while only 15.9 percent stem from scholars within the Arts and Humanities domain. Hence, the authors of these articles, all affiliated with a research group located in Spain, envisioned the importance of enriching this field through their humanistic perspective, stemming from their roles as university professors and literature researchers.

Green Entrepreneurial Intention : The Role of Entrepreneurship Education and Entrepreneurial Self Efficacy

The purpose of this research is to examine how entrepreneurial self-efficacy functions as a mediator in the relationship between green entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurship education. This research used a survey method with a quantitative approach. A proportionate stratified random sampling method was utilized to calculate the sample for this study, resulting in 305 respondents from various undergraduate programs at Universitas Sebelas Maret and Universitas Negeri Semarang. This study uses data collection techniques using a closed questionnaire in the form of a Likert scale with five alternative answers. IBM SPSS Statistic 26 software was utilized in this work as a statistical analysis tool to examine the mediation effect using route analysis. The study's findings suggest that students' intentions to pursue green entrepreneurship can be influenced by entrepreneurship education, with entrepreneurial self-efficacy acting as a mediator. In order to boost students' entrepreneurial ambitions, university policymakers must incorporate entrepreneurship instruction within the curriculum. Universities should include material on green entrepreneurship in their programs to prepare students to face environmental challenges through business. In addition, it is important to develop training programs that focus on increasing confidence in entrepreneurship, such as through business simulation and mentoring. Policymakers also need to support entrepreneurship education programs that promote sustainable business by providing financial support and supportive policies.

The Use of research findings by undergraduate physics education programs in Angola

The Use of research findings by undergraduate physics education programs in Angola

Implementation of Equal Distribution of Education for Indonesia’s Disadvantaged, Frontier, and Outermost Regions

Two important dimensions of education in Indonesia which have often been a problem so far are the problem of widespread access to education and equality of education in Indonesia. These two problems are still a polemic in educational development in Indonesia. Many factors influence the implementation and distribution of education. Expansion is characterized by the ease with which society (citizens) can obtain education, while educational equality is a situation that is the same between the implementation of education carried out in both cities and villages. Through the literature, researchers looked at the implementation of educational equality in Indonesia, so it was found that the government was trying to provide rights based on UU No. 20 of 2003 through the educational equality program in the 3T area, so it was known that the initial explanation regarding this implementation was presented in the discourse on the importance of educational equality, then the basis The basis of the education equality policy was to look at the problems and also the quality of education itself. Afterwards, it was found that policies related to education equality had been implemented by the government through the 3T teaching undergraduate program and the realization of other programs which were considered to have an influence on the progress of education in Indonesia.

PM&R Connections: A pilot study evaluating the adoptability and impact of a serious educational game on trainees at a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation program.

To enhance engagement and educational outcomes, game-based learning has been introduced into undergraduate and graduate medical education programs. Using a free website, "PM&R Connections", a serious game, was created to provide trainees with an alternative method of reviewing content to identify knowledge gaps to direct studying. The game was used by 19/33 trainees and 92.3% of users required <10 minutes to complete a puzzle. 76.9% of users found the tool helpful, 69.2% recommended the game, and 92.3% desired more puzzles to be developed. Confusion on how to play and intimidation were the most reported barriers to play, and only 46% of users changed their study habits. The positive feedback and desire for more puzzles to be developed provide a foundation to further develop the game.

Computing Projects Framework for Undergraduate Research

This paper outlines the guidelines and requirements for students undertaking a computing project as part of their academic program. The project is a critical component of most undergraduate programs and is designed to provide students with the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, demonstrating their ability to plan, execute, and present a complex piece of work. Unfortunately, there is currently a lack of clear and helpful guidance on how to conduct elementary research at this level, differentiate a computing project from other types of projects, and report it effectively. This paper aims to assist both computing students and faculty in carrying out and reporting on final-year research projects. It documents the differences in research approaches across various computing disciplines and provides a guiding framework for faculty overseeing the undergraduate research process. The guidelines cover various aspects of the project process, including the development of a project proposal, conducting the research, and writing the final report. It emphasizes the importance of early planning, regular supervision, and adherence to academic standards, particularly in the presentation and documentation of the project work. Additionally, the document details the criteria for project assessment, highlighting the need for clarity, innovation, and rigor in both the practical and written components of the project. Instructions on the submission process and the responsibilities of students and supervisors throughout the project lifecycle are also included.

Critical Making-Focused Undergraduate Digital Humanities Programming: Digital Culture and Design at Coastal Carolina University

Critical Making-Focused Undergraduate Digital Humanities Programming: Digital Culture and Design at Coastal Carolina University

412 Awardee Talk: Implementing student-centered teaching and learning strategies in undergraduate animal science

Abstract Student-centered teaching and learning strategies enhance active engagement, foster critical thinking, and promote the practical application of knowledge gained from undergraduate animal science courses. The scholarship of teaching and learning (SOTL) has evolved within the animal science community, with a recent focus on adopting evidence-based teaching activities in college classrooms. We discuss documented SOTL approaches utilized in our program for the development of student-centered teaching and learning. In addition to traditional internships and student research projects, capstone projects utilizing a design thinking approach to solving animal industry problems have proven significantly effective. This problem-based learning program enables students to develop industry networks, understand problems within the industry, and develop creative ways to address the problems. Non-conventional and innovative designs of course assignments can foster student interest and enhance learning experiences. For example, by incorporating engaging and novel resources such as animal industry webinars and podcasts as classroom materials, instructors can reinforce course content and captivate students’ attention to the topic. Specifically, students have appreciated the opportunity to learn from experts not available locally at the university. Developing and utilizing real-world case studies exposes students to farm practices and related decision-making. Involving students in competitive team activities like the Dairy Challenge and Academic Quadrathlon contests develops marketable skills for students while training them to implement the knowledge acquired in the classrooms on a commercial farm. Field trips, short courses, and summer schools provide hands-on training opportunities, enhancing students’ exposure to the industry and opportunities after graduation. Students have identified that animal science topics are relevant beyond the classroom walls in everyday life including grocery store and kitchen, as demonstrated by a significant increase in enrollment of non-animal science major students in the animal science courses. The student-centered programs like Cross-training students in data-driven decision support tools help to develop strong day-one competency of graduates through training and networking within and outside the discipline. With the advent of new technologies and tools, training programs surrounding data management and interpretation should integrate systems knowledge across plant science, animal science, and computer science disciplines. These interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary training activities promote the exchange of ideas while developing systems-level understanding. Furthermore, initiatives like Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) provide students with exposure to diverse thoughts and situations, broadening their horizons and perspectives. For students not able to participate in study abroad and international programs due to time and financial constraints, COIL delivers cost-effective virtual opportunities to develop global understanding and cultural competency. By incorporating these student-centered teaching and learning strategies, undergraduate animal science programs can effectively prepare students for real-world challenges for the next generation of agriculture leaders.

Reflections on Small-Class Teaching in Veterinary Medicine Undergraduate Programs in China.

As a cornerstone of higher education in China, the quality of undergraduate teaching is crucial for nurturing high-caliber innovative talents that meet the needs of national and social development. Small-class teaching has emerged as a focal point in the reform of undergraduate education and represents an important approach to cultivating top-notch innovative talents. Veterinary medicine is a scientific discipline that encompasses the prevention, control, diagnosis, and treatment of animal diseases. It also involves efforts to prevent the transmission of animal diseases to humans. The training of professionals in this field should emphasize the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical skills. Therefore, small-class teaching facilitates open communication between educators and students, which is instrumental in fostering a new generation of veterinarians equipped with robust professional knowledge, excellent practical abilities, and strong scientific literacy. This paper provides a preliminary exploration into the strategy and direction of small-class teaching within China's veterinary medicine undergraduate programs by summarizing its characteristics, advantages, and existing challenges. The unique traits of veterinary medicine are also taken into consideration during this analysis.

How Service Learning Can Promote Soft-Skills Acquisition: Lessons Learned from a Project in LIS Education

This research explores the acquisition of soft skills in a service learning project in the Complutense University of Madrid's library and information science undergraduate program. Reaching its fifth edition in 2021–22, the project aimed to integrate older persons into the social fabric of a residential enclave of Madrid known as “Parque Móvil.” The research method was a case study based on a diverse set of data, including a survey, a focus group, and journal observations. In the analysis of the data, attention was paid to the context in which the project took place, the notion of “social roles,” and the differences between two groups of participating students. The results show that working in different locations and outside the classroom changed students’ agentic position, as they were required to take on different roles and negotiate them with community partners. Additionally, these roles varied in terms of associated tasks and functions and were emergent, not static. By having to negotiate social roles with community partners, students experienced intense emotions, which equipped them with additional non-cognitive tools for reflection and comprehension. They also needed to engage in community information practices to deal with information silence and information noise, which, together with the need to get along with uncertainty, may support recent claims to introduce more information behavior theories in LIS education.

MERIT (Manuscript Evaluation Reflecting Intrinsic Tenets): A Framework for Efficient and Equitable Academic Peer Review

Peer review is a cornerstone of academic integrity and rigor in research dissemination. This process, bridging knowledge creation and publication, demands considerable time and effort from content creators, reviewers, and editors. Peer review often entails multiple iterations across various journals, requiring hundreds of hours of commitment and often leading to frustration. However, this investment can be fruitful, enhancing manuscript quality, correcting errors, and ensuring appropriate audience targeting. Collectively, peer review consumes millions of hours and incurs billions in costs, largely borne by funding agencies and governments. This scenario raises critical questions about optimizing the process and the potential impact of reviewer education on efficiency and outcomes. Surprisingly, formal training for reviewers is scarce across undergraduate and graduate programs globally. Learning is predominantly informal, through mentorship or personal experience. Journals typically offer minimal guidance, relying on basic questions and rankings to assist editors. It is quite remarkable that such a loosely structured approach for peer review, with minimal guidance, is the norm for a process of great consequence. The outcomes of peer reviews can delay publications for years, significantly impact careers, and influence decisions on grants and promotions. This course introduces novel tools and concepts to refine the peer review process: 1) The “Main Result Justification Sheet,” created to make reviews more efficient and transparent for readers; 2) “Publicon,” a term inspired by the fundamental units of quantum physics such as the photon, representing the minimum quantum of information necessary to advance a field and merit publication in a peer-reviewed journal; and 3) A MERIT-based peer review model (Manuscript Evaluation Reflecting Intrinsic Tenets), outlining new guidelines that base acceptance solely on the intrinsic merits of the manuscript, with assessments of potential audience engagement and distribution determined subsequently. A key innovation of the MERIT-based model is the separation of the peer-review process from the distribution of the manuscript. Once a manuscript is validated through independent peer review, its distribution becomes a separate consideration. Authors or independent platforms can disseminate validated work efficiently, whether through evolving forms of what we currently call journals or social media. This separation ensures that the focus remains on the quality of the research itself, rather than on the prestige of the distributing entity. This course is designed to provide a structured framework to academic peer review with the goal of elevating quality, fostering equity, and minimizing bias. The course includes interactive sections with open-ended and multiple choice questions to stimulate thought and understanding. This course is designed for both novices and seasoned reviewers, aiming to refine their skills and adapt to specific academic fields.

Presage: First year music students’ experiences, understandings, expectations and aspirations on entering an undergraduate music program

For professional musicians, all aspects of music play an integrated role in music-making. However, for first year music students, who usually begin their studies identifying as performers, some may question the value of learning these other areas of music. This study investigates the responses of 80 first year undergraduate music students to questions about aspects of the music study they were about to begin, and their identity as a musician. The students were enrolled in two universities located in suburban and regional Australia. Questions were given to students in their first week of the Bachelor of Music course before classes began. In doing so, the study sought to capture what experiences, understandings, expectations and aspirations incoming students bring to, and have for, an undergraduate music course, and how they identify as musicians as they begin the course. As expected, findings noted experience with music performance and the possible influence of the location of the universities in relation to a low level of music theory knowledge. Yet understanding student interest in music technology, musicology and the music of Australian First Nations people reveals presage opinions which can help design authentic curriculum for the education of the 21st century musician.

Student involvement and innovative teaching methods in a biophilic design education pilot elective course in interior architecture

Biophilic design has gained popularity in interior design areas owing to its numerous advantages. Nevertheless, globally, Interior Architecture/Interior Architecture and Environmental Design departments lack adequate biophilic design courses in their curricula. This research investigates the impact of involving students in syllabus design and applying innovative teaching methods in a pilot elective course focused on biophilic design in interior spaces on student engagement and course sustainability. A new pilot elective course was introduced in the 2022–2023 Spring Semester at the Interior Architecture Department, Faculty of Architecture, Near East University, aiming to establish an enduring and captivating learning environment for students. Initially, a focus group study was conducted to measure students’ awareness of biophilic design and integrate their ideas regarding innovative learning methods into the syllabus for an engaging elective course. Strategies like interactive learning tools, group tasks, and peer assessments were incorporated throughout the course to enhance engagement. Analysis of end-of-course surveys and student observations revealed an augmented awareness of biophilic design among students and a positive influence of innovative learning methods on course sustainability. Thus, the study suggests that an elective course offers the potential to mitigate the deficiency of biophilic design integration in undergraduate programs, augmenting students’ awareness in this field. Moreover, new elective courses could deliver more sustainable and engaging learning experiences for enrolled students when structured through student involvement and innovative learning methods.

Gerontology and Geriatrics in Undergraduate Nursing Education in Portugal and Spain: An Integrative and Comparative Curriculum Review.

Nurses play a critical role in caring for elderly patients; however, the emphasis on aging care in undergraduate programs may be insufficient. The present study aims at identifying the relevance given to theoretical and/or practical gerontological and geriatric contents in undergraduate study plans in Portugal and Spain. Presenting a two-part investigation, an integrative review approach examines nursing education on a global scale and a comparative analysis, using Bereday's comparative method, to assess the nursing curricula between Portugal and Spain. The search found 117 documents, with 16 being included. Studies covered diverse educational practices in geriatric and gerontological nursing, emphasizing curriculum development, faculty expertise, practical training, attitudes towards elderly care, and future directions. The comparative analysis of nursing curricula revealed that Portugal places a priority on building foundational theoretical knowledge in the first year and then gradually integrating practical training. In contrast, Spain emphasizes an extensive and integrated approach with a strong focus on practical skills and comprehensive assessments. Our research emphasizes the need to incorporate aging-focused education into nursing curricula and update the curriculum, providing hands-on training with early exposure to these environments. Additionally, simulation classes can enhance critical thinking by allowing students to experience aging effects firsthand.

“Straight from the Horse’s Mouth”: Equine-Assisted Services Curriculum Development Using Industry-Based Survey Assessment of Horse Welfare and Healthcare Management Practices

Equine-assisted services (EAS) is a relatively new area of study within higher education requiring the development of a curriculum that best prepares the undergraduate student for the demands of the industry. Further, coursework targeting the specific management challenges for ensuring the welfare of horses utilized within EAS is limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to apply an industry-based survey assessment utilizing EAS professionals within the United States to document management practices associated with healthcare and pain management challenges in the EAS horse. Suggested curriculum for undergraduate students targeting a career in EAS is given, utilizing data collected from the survey. Participant responses (n = 30) indicated that all of the surveyed facilities cared for more than three geriatric horses within their program, with the majority (60% responding “definitely yes”) utilizing regularly functionally lame horses, although the prevalence of lameness was not correlated with number of geriatric horses within a program (0.20, p = 0.22). While lameness is a common healthcare challenge within EAS, gastrointestinal conditions (73%) were one of the other leading health concerns for these facilities. The most common equine pain detection method for EAS facilities was behavior assessment (93%), in which this method was positively correlated with years of horse experience (0.51, p = 0.01). Horse pain was primarily managed through annual alternative therapeutic interventions (76%), daily prescriptions (73%), and nutritional supplements (73%). As such, the curriculum for undergraduate EAS degree programs should cover healthcare practices targeting geriatric horse management and associated health issues such as gastrointestinal conditions and lameness, including early detection and pharmaceutical, nutritional, and alternative therapeutic treatments.

Using a Board Game to Learn a Physical Assessment Course in Nursing Education: A Randomized Controlled Study

Objective: Nursing students are expected to acquire the skills necessary to provide competent patient care in complex healthcare settings. This study aimed to explore the effect of a physical assessment board game on nursing students’ knowledge level and determine their opinions about the game. Methods: A randomized controlled study design was used. The study was conducted from December 2019 to January 2020 among 56 nursing students (game group= 28, control group= 28) enrolled in an undergraduate nursing program in Türkiye. The data were collected using the Kolb’s Learning Styles Inventory to determine students’ learning styles, the Knowledge Evaluation Form for physical assessment, and the Student Opinion Form for students’ opinions about the game. Mean scores for the pre-test and post-tests were compared using independent and paired sample t-tests. Results: A significant difference was found between the pre-test and post-test knowledge scores of the game group (P&amp;lt;.05). The mean post-test knowledge score of the students in the game group was higher than that of the students in the control group, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (P&amp;lt;.05). Conclusion: The game was beneficial for teaching physical assessment course. Future studies should incorporate different game samples, such as the development of a web-based game, as this study focused on a board game that supported physical assessment skills.

The association of senior nursing students' economic resources, work volition and career adaptability with their future decent work securement: A psychology of working perspective

AimTo determine the relationship between economic resources (household income), work volition and career adaptability and the perception of future decent work securement of senior nursing students based on the Psychology of Working Theory. BackgroundFuture decent work securement is essential for young people to successfully enter to working life after graduation. Therefore, identifying factors that affect future decent work can help make nursing a desirable career option. DesignCross-sectional and correlational design. MethodsThis study was performed between May and June 2022 in three public universities in Turkey. The sample consisted of the senior students in the nursing undergraduate programs (n = 255). The data were collected using the Student Information Form, the Work Volition Scale-Student Version, the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale-Short Form and the Perceived Future Decent Work Securement Scale. Descriptive tests and Pearson's correlation analysis were used to analyze the data. The hypothesis model was tested using path analysis. ResultsThis study found significant positive correlations between household income, work volition, career adaptability and future decent work securement. The direct effects of household income on work volition, work volition on career adaptability and future decent work securement were also significant. However, there was no significant effect of career adaptability on future decent work securement. In addition, work volition was found to have an indirect effect on the relationship between household income and career adaptability and future decent work securement. ConclusionsThis study, where the Psychology of Working Theory was tested on a sample of nursing students, drew attention to the importance of work volition in developing the perception of future decent work securement. Career adaptability and decent work perception can be improved through work volition of the students.