Experiences Of Undergraduate Students Research Articles

A Phenomenological Investigation of Student Leadership in College Marching Bands

Abstract The purpose of this phenomenological investigation was to examine the lived experiences of undergraduate students serving in leadership roles in college marching bands. Ten student leaders completed written responses to an open set of questions that were then discussed during two corresponding in-depth interviews. The following research questions were addressed: (1) How do student leaders describe their experiences in college marching band? (2) How do student leaders perceive their growth through these experiences? (3) How do students perceive these experiences in relation to their future careers? Our findings indicated that student leaders may gain invaluable experience by adapting and reacting to challenges and reflecting on those experiences in ways that inform future behaviors. These experiences, from students’ communications with directors to opportunities for mentorship between peers, affected their growth in leadership roles. Participants—particularly those who were music education majors—actively used their experiences to build a vision for themselves and their future careers.

Identifying and Overcoming Barriers to Study Away Courses At A Regional Public University

It is widely recognized that study away (i.e., off-campus) courses enrich the educational experience of undergraduate students. These courses have been shown to increase students’ personal growth and intercultural competency, while providing hands-on exploration of the natural and cultural history of other regions and countries. Study away courses are an excellent example of how Missouri Western State University fulfills its mission as the applied learning institution for the state of Missouri. Missouri Western State University is an open-enrollment regional university with a large proportion of economically challenged students, many of whom are also first-generation college students. This situation presents many potential barriers to student participation in, and faculty coordination of, these courses. These challenges include course fees, trip logistics, institutional support, and perceptions of study-away courses. In this paper, we discuss how we have approached these challenges in one domestic and three international study away courses focused on biology and geology.

Study Approaches and Course Experience of Undergraduate Students at a Central University of India

Study Approaches and Course Experience of Undergraduate Students at a Central University of India

Enhancing research on the undergraduate psychology curriculum through student-teacher partnership. Reflections from an undergraduate student co-researcher and academic lecturer co-researcher

This article draws on the perspectives of an undergraduate student co-researcher and a psychology lecturer who worked in partnership on a small qualitative research project. The project explored the experiences of undergraduate students on a second-year psychology research methods module at a university in the United Kingdom. Reflecting on our experience of working in partnership on this research we explore the meaning of student-teacher partnership, drawing on theory and literature around student-teacher partnerships in learning and teaching to contextualise our reflections. We reflect on the ethical and practical implications of staff-student partnership in the process and product of the research and explain how the student-teacher partnership enhanced the study design, interpretation of research findings and dissemination of the research. We explore what we perceived the benefits and challenges of the student-teacher dyad to be through reflective accounts of our own experiences during the project. We will explain how working in collaboration helped generate a more rounded perspective of student experience and provided concrete, meaningful practical implications for the curriculum and a reflective aid for future student co-researchers within the school of Psychology. The article will conclude with consideration of the broader implications of our experiences and how what we learned through this process can be applied in other contexts where educators are considering how to involve students in research which is for and about their learning.

Exploring Medical Students’ Perceptions of Peer-to-Peer Interactions Related to Applying to a Surgical Residency

The objectives were to (1) identify themes related to competitive peer-to-peer interactions elicited from the lived experiences of undergraduate medical students, and (2) understand how these experiences influenced medical students' choices related to surgical residency programs. A qualitative descriptive methodology, with purposive and maximal variation sampling (e.g., selection based on medical school location; gender), was adopted for this study. Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. Participants were 15 undergraduate medical students from 4 medical schools in Ontario, Canada, who agreed to an individual semi-structured interview by Zoom or telephone. Peer-to-peer interactions influence students' perception of self and identity formation related to surgical specialty decision-making and interest. These interactions were shown to hold greater value, specifically for information gathering. Identity formation, related to pursuing a surgical residency, was influenced by the attitudes and perceptions of competition with peers throughout medical school. Cultures of competition were seen to dictate peer-to-peer interactions and their associated value, with their perception and experience differing between medical schools. Peer-to-peer interactions and a culture of competition have inherent roles in the residency decision-making process. We observed that student background and pre-formed relationships influenced how students perceived and responded to competition. Addressing the culture of competitiveness associated with peer-to-peer interactions along with considering student background and pre-existing relationships may provide insight into how medical educators can tailor learning experiences that limit the detrimental effects of hidden curriculum influences.

Beyond Language and Culture: A Qualitative Exploration of Mental Health Barriers for Chinese International Students Seeking Therapy in the U.S.

This qualitative study explores the experiences and attitudes of Chinese international students in the U.S. towards psychotherapy, with an emphasis on identifying potential barriers and facilitators to their mental health treatment. Data were drawn from individual experiences of undergraduate and graduate Chinese international students who had engaged in therapy in the U.S. A grounded theory approach was employed to dissect these experiences and assess their attitudes towards psychotherapy. The grounded theory identified several themes from the students’ therapeutic experiences, such as: the inconsequential role of language barriers, the significant yet not prohibitive impact of cultural differences, the critical role of health insurance, the influence of therapists’ professional demeanor, and the correlation between mental health knowledge and attitudes towards therapy. Interestingly, the study also unveiled an emergent theme concerning professional boundaries within therapy. These findings suggest that while language and cultural differences might not be direct obstacles to therapy, factors such as therapists’ backgrounds and attitudes, insurance coverage, and accessibility can pose substantial challenges to Chinese international students seeking mental health treatment. Importantly, a heightened level of mental health knowledge was associated with more positive attitudes toward therapy. As a culmination of these findings, we formu- lated a triadic model emphasizing cultural understanding within the therapeutic setting, service accessibility, and mental health knowledge as key influences on the psychotherapy experiences of Chinese international students.

University students' perceptions of graduate employer selection tests

PurposeThe purpose of the current study was to examine university students' knowledge, confidence and experience of popular graduate employer selection tests.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional self-report survey was administered to gather a sufficient number of quantitative responses from undergraduate students. A total of 241 students completed the survey with most of them being psychology students from Swansea University. Four key variables were examined: (1) students' experience, (2) confidence and (3) knowledge of selection tests and (4) their desire for more information about selection tests as part of their degree. An audit of selection tests used by the Times Top 100 graduate employers was also conducted.FindingsStudents tended to misjudge how often selection tests were used by employers, and generally lacked experience with these tests. Students' confidence in completing each test varied as a function of the selection test; however, prior experience with these tests positively predicted confidence. Additionally, over 70% of students reported a desire for further information about selection tests as part of their degree.Practical implicationsThese novel findings suggest that students could benefit from further information about selection tests as part of their degree programme which would be of benefit to both students and universities.Originality/valueThese findings are, to the authors knowledge, the first to explicitly assess second- and third-year undergraduate students' knowledge, experience and confidence with popular graduate employer selection tests and demonstrate that students would like more information about these tests on their programme.

Determining Levels of Satisfaction with Online Learning at Private Higher Education in London

The purpose is to investigate and understand the satisfaction levels of mature undergraduate students engaging in online learning within the context of private higher education institutions in London. As the landscape of higher education evolves, with an increasing reliance on online platforms, it is crucial to explore how this mode of education aligns with the unique needs and expectations of mature learners pursuing undergraduate degrees. The study employs a structured survey instrument to collect data on various dimensions of satisfaction, aiming to provide valuable insights into the factors influencing mature undergraduate students' experiences in online learning. The research methodology involves a survey administered to a diverse sample of mature undergraduate students in private higher education institutions offering online programmes. The survey encompasses questions about overall satisfaction, determinants of satisfaction, interactivity engagement, support services, technical training and demographic variations. Data analysis involves applying statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics, to draw meaningful conclusions regarding the satisfaction levels of mature undergraduate students with online learning. The anticipated findings of this research have the potential to inform private higher education institutions, educators, and policymakers about the specific areas of online learning that contribute most significantly to mature undergraduate student satisfaction. Identifying strengths and areas for improvement will enable institutions to tailor their online learning environments to meet this demographic's needs better. Ultimately, the research aims to contribute valuable insights to the ongoing discourse surrounding enhancing online education experiences for mature undergraduate students in the private higher education sector. Keywords: Mature Undergraduate Students, Online Learning, Student Satisfaction, Private Higher Education

Experiences of academics and undergraduate students on research-based learning: A tale of two institutions

ABSTRACT This study aims to explore the experiences of academics and students at undergraduate programmes at two schools of business, one in Australia and the other in Finland, regarding the process of research-based learning (RBL) and the accompanying development of students’ skills. Employing an ethnographic case study method, data is collected through semi-structured interviews with seven students and four academics from the two institutions. Results suggest that RBL is challenging for undergraduate students but equally rewarding for developing their work readiness and professional identity skills. Moreover, findings also reveal that the supervisor has a central role in managing the complexities of the RBL process.

Learning While Black: Racial and Educational Challenges of Black Students

Learning while Black: racial and educational challenges of Black students, is based on a qualitative study focused on the educational experiences of high school seniors, undergraduate and graduate students. Focus groups with students from the three targeted groups revealed that Black students experience several challenges: (1) inadequate student, faculty and teacher representation, (2) inadequate mentoring, (3) isolation, (4) overt racism/microaggressions, (5) inadequate information regarding resources, and (6) mental health issues. This study operationalizes these barriers using students’ lived experiences and quotes. Students also provide insight on possible solutions for addressing racial and educational challenges including hiring Black faculty, and mental health counselors, increasing diversity, racial and cultural training for students, staff, and faculty, and providing mentoring, financial and other resources for Black students. Predominately White institutions can create safer, more inclusive environments for Black students by utilizing these strategies. Students’ resiliency and strengths can also play an important role in implementing these strategies to reduce educational disparities.

Influence of social inclusion and institutional culture on students’ interactions in clinical settings

Background: Decolonisation of the Speech-Language and Hearing (SLH) professions in South Africa to be Afrocentric is a current focus. These professions continue to hold white Eurocentric English and/or Afrikaans knowledges and practices, which are reflective of the minority. As diversity of students in higher education increases, the obvious incongruency between the language of learning and teaching (English) and institutional culture of the programmes and students who use English as an Additional Language (EAL) becomes heightened.Objectives: The study’s aim was to explore the learning and social experiences of EAL undergraduate students in a South African SLH training programme, with a specific focus on students’ experiences in patient, clinical supervisor and peer interactions in clinical situations.Method: A total of 24 participants recruited through purposive sampling were included in this cross-sectional mixed-method online survey design study. Data from the survey were analysed through descriptive and thematic analysis approaches.Results: Findings reveal a less than positive impression of EAL students in the current SLH training programme as far as their clinical experiences were concerned. The institutional culture of the SLH programme was reported to be disadvantageous to EAL students. These findings raise important implications for SLH training programmes, the regulator and the country’s SLH professions as a whole.Conclusion: This study sheds light on the significant incongruency between the existing institutional culture and the increasing diversity of students, particularly those who use EAL, in South African SLH training programmes.Contribution: Findings not only illuminate the challenges but also offer a path forward towards a more inclusive and representative SLH profession in South Africa, aligned with the principles of decolonization and Afrocentrism.

Perceptions and Experiences of Undergraduate Students Regarding Social Media as a Tool for Government COVID-19-Related Messages: A Qualitative Study in Nottingham, UK.

The rise of social media has given way to its use as a form of public health communication. Previous research has shown social media-based interventions to be effective, particularly for university students. Social media was used as a tool for public health messaging during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, there is a lack of information regarding the experiences and perceptions of such messaging and its effectiveness among UK university students. A qualitative study was conducted to explore the perceptions and experiences of public health messaging on social media during the pandemic, as well as the effects of such messaging. Fourteen semi-structured interviews with undergraduate students at the University of Nottingham, UK, were conducted. Five main themes were identified: effects of COVID-19 on university students, use of social media by university students, COVID-19 messaging on social media, effects of public health messaging on social media in compliance with COVID-19 guidelines, and improving public health messaging for the future. This study provides a novel insight into the experiences and perceptions of undergraduate students at a UK university regarding public health messaging on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Student nurses' experiences of remote learning during Covid-19 pandemic: A qualitative evidence synthesis.

To systematically synthesize undergraduate student nurses' experience of online, blended or distance learning during Covid-19 pandemic. A qualitative evidence synthesis (QES). A QES. Themes were organized using the 'best fit' framework approach. Methodological limitations and confidence in the review findings were informed by GRADE-CERQual (Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research). Qualitative literature from five databases including CINAHL, PubMed, Medline, Education Full Text (H.W. Wilson) and ERIC were searched from March 2020 to November 2021. Nine qualitative and two mixed method studies were included in this 'best fit' framework using Chickering and Gamson's Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education. Importance of the social presence of the teacher through effective communication and interpersonal relationships is highlighted. Clinical placement and in-person practical skills training are needed for effective nursing education. This review highlighted that online content can be developed into efficient and high-quality learner-centred education within blended undergraduate nursing programmes incorporating essential face-to-face and practical components. Various supporting measures are required for both students and faculty. We suggest an adaptation of a 'Blending with Purpose: The Multimodal Model' with key considerations for undergraduate nursing programmes where pedagogical objectives and activities drive the approaches to achieve intended learning outcomes and student satisfaction. Well-designed online programmes using digital tools that support interaction and teamwork are required for undergraduate nursing education. Blended learning approaches offer more flexibility than online learning alone which leads to improved student engagement. Clinical placement and in-person practical skills training are needed for effective nursing education. REPORTING METHOD: 'Enhancing transparency in reporting the synthesis of qualitative research' (ENTREQ) for QES. No Patient or Public Contribution.

Developing the Civically Engaged Student Through Interprofessional Education and Community-Placed Service Learning: Three Years at Cardinal Wellness

While studies have examined the outcomes of interprofessional service-learning activities, the use of interprofessional, community-based health programming as an opportunity for fostering civic engagement in today’s public health students is less studied. This article examines the benefits of a student-run exercise and nutrition program as an interprofessional education and service experience for undergraduate students participating in a service-learning course, degree-required practicum, capstone project, volunteer experience, or internship. An online survey with items from the Volunteer Functions Inventory, Civic Attitudes Scale, and Social Responsibility subscale of the Prosocial Behavior Battery was administered to 233 students from a diverse variety of majors. A significant increase in positive civic attitudes, volunteerism, and social responsibility scores was observed for students participating as part of one of two course-based service-learning projects, and scores on all three measures persisted at moderate-to-high levels for all students across six-semester cohorts and 3 years of program implementation. These results suggest that interprofessional service experiences are essential to the development of civic engagement competencies in today’s students, largely through the focus on collective action for social change.

Student Engagement in Virtual Learning: The Self-Determination Theory Perspective

The exploratory case study explored how the lecturers motivate the students to engage in team-based online learning and how technologies in e-learning and remote classrooms motivate student engagement. Engagement is a multidimensional construct that includes behaviour, emotions, and cognition, essential in learning outcomes. Involving 101 undergraduate students, questionnaires and virtual interviews were conducted with the participants to elicit their perceptions and experiences concerning student engagement. Following the Self-Determination Theory framework of Deci and Ryan (1985), this study proved that students’ engagement in the team-based online learning model is based on three perspectives: competence, sense of belonging, and autonomy. The theory highlights the importance of motivation and fulfilment of three basic human needs: autonomy, competence and relatedness. Data was collected through interviews and questionnaires focusing on the perceptions and experiences of undergraduate students who had participated in fully online learning for four semesters. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data divided into categories based on the Self-Determination Theory framework. The findings reveal that students’ engagement in team-based online learning is influenced by their need for competence, belonging, and autonomy. Overall, this research highlights the importance of addressing student engagement in online learning and provides insight into how lecturers and technology can motivate and enhance student engagement in team-based online learning. Lecturers must continually adapt their instructional strategies and leverage technology to maintain and increase student engagement during the online learning experience

Professional identity formation among undergraduate pre-medical students: a scoping review protocol

BackgroundProfessional Identity formation is the process by which learners internalize a profession’s values, behaviors, and perceptions. With respect to physicians, this occurs at multiple levels of medical education, including the undergraduate, graduate, and continuing medical education stages. Professional identity formation likely starts even earlier, during the undergraduate pre-medical years but, to date, no known scoping or systematic review has been conducted on this topic. The objective of this scoping review is to systematically map the literature on professional identity formation among undergraduate pre-medical students.MethodsThis review protocol has been designed following the Arksey and O’Malley framework. We will search MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, and Scopus, as well as relevant grey literature, conference proceedings, and citations of selected articles. Inclusion criteria are articles (1) written in the English language, (2) involving undergraduate pre-medical students in the USA and Canada, and (3) containing original data about professional identity formation. Two independent reviewers will evaluate the titles, abstracts, and full articles for eligibility. A third reviewer will help resolve any disputes. Once the full text of articles are obtained, data will be abstracted using a standardized form. A narrative summary of findings will then be conducted, as well as a consultation exercise with university pre-medical students, pre-med advisors, and first-year medical students.DiscussionBy conducting this scoping review, we expect to gain a better understanding of how the experiences of undergraduate pre-medical students impact their professional identity formation. These findings will help to identify gaps in the literature, to better characterize professional identity formation in the specific context of the undergraduate pre-medical track, and to outline potential approaches to facilitate professional identity formation among undergraduate pre-medical students.Systematic review registrationThe protocol is registered with the Open Science Framework (htps://osf.io/nfzxc).

Clinical experience of omani undergraduate nursing students: Qualitative study

BackgroundCommencing clinical practice is a main milestone in the educational journey of undergraduate nursing students as it indicates the beginning of their professional life. The clinical training experience is frequently described as stressful and challenging for nursing students. Objectives: This study was conducted mainly to examine, explore and interpret nursing students' perceptions of the challenges they faced as nursing students during their clinical experience. SettingCollege of Nursing at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. ParticipantsA total of 32 undergraduates nursing students who were enrolled in the nursing program and had finished at least one clinical course from their study plan. MethodData were collected using focus group discussions. A total of 32 participants were recruited and six focus groups were conducted. Data was transcribed and it was analyzed using thematic analysis. ResultTwo main themes were identified, and under each theme, several subthemes were merged. The two main themes are: challenges that hindered self-directed learning, which included instructor approach and nurse approach, and challenges that hindered experiential learning, which included theory-practice gap, insufficient practice, lack of confidence and evaluation methods. Conclusion: This study provided insights into the challenges that hindered the effectiveness of clinical nursing education. Several recommendations were proposed to maximize the benefits of clinical practice and to create less stressful environments.

Inclusive education: pedagogical approach to online versus face-to-face teaching

In today’s educational landscape, active learning is often overlooked during lectures, seminars, and tutorials. The aim of this study was to investigate perceptions of online and face-to-face lecture formats and their impact on the learning experiences of undergraduate dental students in Years 3–5. This qualitative study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of different lecture formats at the Institute of Dentistry for undergraduate dental students in Years 3–5. There were two specific questions asked to dental undergraduate students with additional free-text questions. In total, 120 of 221 undergraduate students participated in this study between October 2019 and February 2020, and only 42 participants included the free-text comments. Three core themes related to the blended learning approach were identified: (1) scheduled versus recorded lectures, (2) duration of academic lectures, and (3) neurodiversity and learning experiences. The results showed that the learners perceived the traditional didactic lectures as the least effective format. There is not a “one fits all” lecture format that would accommodate a neurodiversity-based approach that focuses on the strengths, abilities, and interests of students. Hybrid lecture formats in combination with online teaching coupled with small group tutorials could be suggested. There is a unique challenge in the post-COVID-19 era for both educators and learners due to the lack of clinical practice and heavy reliance on online methods of teaching in Dentistry. Therefore, the implication of these results on the planning and financing of programmes could be discussed in Higher Education.

Experiences of Undergraduate Male Students in Nursing: On the Outside Looking in.

Measures to improve gender diversity of the profession have yielded only a modicum of progress. To investigate the relationship between marginalization and gender minorities in baccalaureate nursing programs in the United States. A descriptive cross-sectional study compared self-reported marginalization in male and female baccalaureate nursing students. The sample was drawn from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing database of US baccalaureate nursing programs, and the Englund Marginality Index (EMI) was used to measure marginalization, along with a demographic survey. In the study, 6480 full-time baccalaureate students from a traditional face-to-face nursing program in the United States participated. The results show that male participants had higher EMI scores (mean = 40.0, SD = 9.1) compared with female nursing students (mean = 35.1, SD = 9.0); t(6478) = 14.9, P < .001. Marginalizing behaviors must not be tolerated or promulgated. More needs to be done to better support and integrate men into nursing programs as they bring forth a unique perspective and skill set to the profession.

상담전공 학부생의 진로멘토링 경험에 관한 현상학적 연구

This study was carried out to explore the thoughts and emotions towards the experience and meaning of career mentoring activity, the experience of career mentoring activity and the changes after the career mentoring activity for the undergraduate student who were major in counseling and participated in a career mentoring program. The participant group consisted of eight students. This interview utilized the Colaizzi analysis method, which is one of the phenomenological methods, to analyze the content of the interviews. The analysis resulted in 23 subjects and three categories. Qualitative analysis revealed ten subjects and three categories, with ten subjects being categorized into ‘expectations of the activity/ tension towards the activity/ education related to the activity/ effort in the interaction/ responsibility in the activity/ resources and environments of career mentoring/ ability in managing the program/ self-confrontation and introspection/ career clarification/ and sense of achievement and growth. The three categories identified were ‘original intention’, ‘procedure’ and ‘meaning.’ This research results are expected to assist a better understanding of the experience of participating career mentoring and serve as a fundamental basis for invigoration of career mentoring program for undergraduate students.