Vocational Students Research Articles

Examining the mediating effect of real and cyber self-control on cyberbullying and health risk behaviors among secondary vocational students in China: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundCyberbullying and health risk behaviors are pervasive issues for secondary vocational students that not only detrimentally impact their academic achievement but also pose a significant threat to overall health. The purpose of this study was to understand the current situation of cyberbullying and health risk behaviors among secondary vocational students in China and to explore the relationships among cyberbullying, self-control, self-control over internet usage, and health risk behaviors through a mediation model.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study. From March to April 2023, a self-administered questionnaire was completed by a cluster sample of 1184 students from grades 1 to 3 at three secondary vocational schools in Jilin Province. The researchers utilized a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Cyberbullying and Cybervictimization Scale (CAV), the Adolescent Health Related Risky Behavior Inventory (AHRBI), the Self-Control Scale (SCS), and the Internet Usage Self-Control Scale (IUSCS-CS) to assess the prevalence and impact of cyberbullying and health risk behaviors. Descriptive statistics, spearman correlation analyses. Finally, the Process plug-in V2.16.3 was used to analyze a mediation model for the data.ResultsAmong secondary vocational students, 839 individuals (70.86%) experienced cyberbullying and 1036 individuals (87.50%) had one or more health risk behaviors. A chi-square test showed that the differences in cyberbullying incidence were statistically significant (P < 0.05) for being children, type of accommodation, residence, ethnicity, purpose of using the internet, and family composition. Statistically significant differences in health risk behaviors were observed based on gender, type of accommodation, residence, ethnicity, academic achievement, classmate relationships, purpose of using the internet, and family composition (P < 0.05). Health risk behaviors and cyberbullying were correlated (r = 0.60), health risk behaviors and self-control and internet usage self-control were negatively correlated (r = -0.42, -0.50). Mediation analysis indicated that self-control (0.02, 0.08) and internet usage self-control (0.08, 0.17) partially mediated the association between cyberbullying and health risk behaviors.ConclusionsSecondary vocational students exhibit a high prevalence of cyberbullying and health risk behaviors. The study confirmed that self-control and internet usage self-control has an important role in mediating cybeibullying and health risk behaviors. Adolescent health promoters should develop targeted strategies to enhance the self-control of secondary vocational school students to mitigate their engagement in health risk behaviors.

Pengembangan buku ajar pembuatan kemeja pria dan efektivitasnya bagi siswa kelas XI Tata Busana SMK di Kabupaten Gunungkidul

Background: Textbooks are essential in facilitating independent and structured learning for students, supporting teachers in delivering curriculum-aligned material, and ensuring vocational high school students gain relevant industry skills for effective knowledge transfer and achievement of learning objectives. Purpose: This study aims to produce textbooks for making men's shirts that are worthy of being used as instructional materials and to know the effectiveness of using textbooks for students of class XI at SMK Negeri Gunungkidul District. Method: This study is research and development (R&amp;D) with reference to the Borg and Gall development model, namely:1) Conducting product analysis, 2) Developing initial products, 3) Expert validation and revision, 4) Small-scale field trials and product revisions, 5) large scale field trials and final products. The product trial design consists of media experts and material experts, as well as field trials. Data collection techniques are, observation, questionnaires and tests. The feasibility test of teaching books was analyzed using descriptive analysis. Whereas to test the effectiveness of textbooks, data were analyzed using the t-test with a significance level of 0.05. Findings: The results showed that textbooks for making men's shirts were categorized as feasible, with the assessment of media experts getting an average score of 4.6 and based on the assessment of material experts, they got an average score of 4.28. The resulting textbook is effective to be used for students of Class XI Fashion Design at SMK N 1 Saptosari, as evidenced by the average pretest value of 64.12 increasing in the posttest of 83.21, the result of tcount ≥ t table (22.028≥ 1.696).

Digital Literacy Education: A New Approach to Cultivating 21st Century Key Competencies

This study delves into the theoretical foundations, practical explorations, strategic methods, and evaluation improvements of digital literacy education aimed specifically at vocational institutions and their stakeholders. It begins with a detailed analysis of the definitions and connotations of "digital literacy" and "digital literacy education," clarifying their distinctions and importance within the context of vocational training. Through an examination of typical case studies both domestically and internationally, the research identifies the problems and challenges in the implementation of digital literacy education, exploring their underlying causes. Subsequently, the paper proposes principles for curriculum design, content selection, and implementation strategies tailored to the needs of vocational students. It also analyzes the characteristics, application scenarios, and practical effects of various teaching models. Finally, an assessment system for digital literacy education is constructed, alongside targeted improvement strategies and future development trends. This research aims to provide valuable references for educators, policymakers, and practitioners in the field of vocational education, thereby continuously enhancing the effectiveness and relevance of digital literacy education.

The Research on Cultivating Pathways for Vocational High School Students' Professional Qualities

The demand structure for talent in today's society is undergoing significant changes. To meet regional economic development needs and achieve the goals of socialist modernization, there is an urgent need to transform the national industrial structure, which in turn drives the enhancement of technical skills among practitioners. Consequently, the vigorous development of vocational education has become a new focal point and endpoint in the current education system, with the cultivation of vocational skills in vocational high school students emerging as a critical issue. This paper, based on an in-depth analysis of the current status of vocational high school education and students' vocational skills in China, explores the existing problems within the current vocational education training system and proposes several improvement paths. The study highlights that despite progress in curriculum design, practical teaching, and teacher development, challenges remain, including an incomplete curriculum system, insufficient practical teaching, and inadequate evaluation mechanisms. To address these issues, the paper suggests strategies such as optimizing the curriculum system, reforming practical teaching, developing a high-quality teaching staff, and establishing a scientific evaluation and feedback mechanism to enhance students' vocational skills and improve the quality of vocational education. The research indicates that systematic reforms and innovations targeting vocational skills can significantly improve the comprehensive abilities of vocational high school students, laying a solid foundation for their career development.

Current Situation and Enhancement Strategies for Core Competency Development of Vocational High School Students

With the increasing demand for versatile talents in society, the development of core competencies in vocational high school students has become increasingly important. This paper aims to analyze the current state of core competencies development among vocational high school students, identify existing issues, and propose corresponding enhancement strategies. Through methods such as literature analysis, questionnaires, and interviews, this study examines the development of academic, vocational, and social competencies in vocational high school students, highlighting the current shortcomings. Based on the research findings, the paper suggests strategies for comprehensively improving students' core competencies through educational policy support, curriculum reform and innovation, professional development of teachers, school-enterprise collaboration, and support from families and society.

Exploration of Integrating English Courses with Professional Courses in Higher Vocational Colleges

With the acceleration of globalization and the increasing demand for high-quality technical and skilled personnel, the integration of English courses with professional courses in vocational colleges has become an important direction in educational reform. This paper explores the current state and challenges of vocational education, elucidates the importance of English courses in higher vocational education, and emphasizes the significance of curriculum integration in cultivating versatile talents. In the theoretical foundation section, the paper reviews language learning theories and vocational education theories, presents the basic concepts and framework of curriculum integration, and analyzes the theoretical basis for the collaborative development of language and professional education. In terms of practical pathways, the paper proposes specific implementation strategies such as curriculum design and content optimization, innovative teaching methods and approaches, teacher professional development and interdisciplinary collaboration, and student evaluation and feedback mechanisms. The research indicates that systematic curriculum integration can significantly enhance the language skills and professional competencies of vocational students, promoting their overall development.

The prevalence, course, and risk factors of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among students in vocational education

BackgroundWorldwide, suicide is one of the leading causes of death among adolescents and young adults. Given that suicide in this age group is common within vocational students, this study aims to provide insights into the prevalence, course, and risk factors of suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SA) among students in vocational education over the past 10 years.MethodsThis study has a repeated cross-sectional design, utilizing data from 2013 to 2023 provided by the ‘Testjeleefstijl’ foundation in the Netherlands (‘Test Your Lifestyle’). In total, 101,182 students in vocational education completed a web-based standardized questionnaire. Univariate logistic regression was used to test the predictive value of risk factors separately (anxiety and depression, gender, age and school year) on SI and SA. In addition, a machine learning model (Berkelmans et al., 2023) ​was used for high-risk identification of combined risk factors (multivariate models).ResultsWithin vocational students, 12-month SI and SA prevalence increased from respectively 17.7% and 2.3% in schoolyear 2013–2014 to 23% and 3.2% in 2022–2023. Although female gender significantly predicted SI and SA in the univariate analyses, the multivariate models revealed that female gender decreased the likelihood of both SI (OR 0.9) and SA (OR 0.7). A high risk for anxiety and depression was the strongest predictor in the multivariate models for SI (OR 42.8) and SA (OR 19.0).ConclusionOver the past decade, the prevalence of SI and SA increased in students in vocational education, with the risk of anxiety and depression being the strongest contributing factor. While females had a higher prevalence of anxiety and depression, the results suggest these conditions tend to lead to SI and SA more quickly among male students. Early intervention in suicide prevention is crucial, highlighting the need to identify and address anxiety and depression. Vocational education schools have a critical role in this, emphasizing early screening and intervention, with specific attention to gender-specific factors.

Development of a Guided Inquiry-Scientific Laboratory (GISL) Based Health Chemistry Practicum Module

Chemistry practicum learning requires a comprehensive approach, which improves understanding of concepts and develops various essential skills needed in the professional and academic world. This research aims to develop a Guided Inquiry-Scientific Laboratory-based Health Chemistry module and conduct empirical feasibility tests. This module is designed with a guided inquiry approach integrated with scientific methods in laboratory activities. The practicum module was developed for second-grade vocational school students in health expertise with material covering colloids, hydrocarbons, polymers, biomolecules, and chemical separation. This development research uses the Borg and Gall model, which consists of planning, organizing, implementing, assessing, and analyzing data. This research was only carried out to the validation stage by material experts, media experts, peer reviewers, and reviewers (five Health Vocational School teachers). The assessment carried out by the reviewer includes eight assessment aspects with 30 assessment indicators. Data was collected through questionnaires, observations, and interviews. Data analysis was carried out descriptively, quantitatively, and qualitatively, guided by ideal assessment criteria to determine the quality of the practicum module. The research results show that the Guided Inquiry-Scientific Laboratory (GISL) based Health Chemistry practicum module that has been developed has a score of 132.52 with an ideal percentage of 88.3467% in the very good (SB) category. This indicates that this module is suitable for use in health chemistry practicum learning, and it is hoped that this research can be continued at the next stage.

Teachers’ Beliefs in Education for Sustainable Development and Senior Students’ Green Entrepreneurial Intentions in Xinjiang Autonomous Region, China: The Moderating Effect of Teachers’ Legacy Motivation and Digital Competence

Teachers’ beliefs are the main factors that promote students’ growth, and are related to students’ green entrepreneurship. Therefore, using 283 paired samples of teachers and senior students from 12 higher vocational schools in Xinjiang Autonomous Region, China, the relationship between teachers’ beliefs in education for sustainable development and vocational students’ green entrepreneurial intentions, as well as the facilitating effects of teachers’ legacy motivation and digital competence, were investigated. The results confirm for the first time that teachers’ sustainability beliefs are positively related to senior students’ green entrepreneurial intentions in Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China, that there is no facilitating effect of teachers’ legacy motivation, and that there is a facilitating effect of teachers’ digital competence. This suggests that senior students in Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China need not only teachers’ sustainability beliefs but also the combination with teachers’ overall competence to adequately facilitate the development of their green entrepreneurial intentions.

Strategies for Improving the Employment Ability of Vocational and Technical College College Students under the Background of School Enterprise Cooperation

School enterprise cooperation has a significant positive impact on students' knowledge application ability, skill mastery level and professional quality, which can indirectly promote the improvement of students' employment ability. This paper puts forward the strategies for improving the employability of Vocational and Technical College College Students under the school enterprise cooperation mode, including four aspects: the design of customized courses, the strengthening of practical teaching links, the optimization of the structure of teachers and the construction of continuous feedback and adjustment mechanism, so as to improve the employability of Vocational and technical college college students.

Motivational differences for physical activity and gaming: Do the perceived motives of parents differ from those of their children?

The time children spend playing digital games has seen a notable increase. The suggested motives for children to engage in gaming are predominantly competition, social interaction, and achievement (Martucci et al., 2023). Concurrently, there has been a concerning decline in physical activity (PA) among children. This shift suggests a potential conflict in leisure-time activities for children (Salmensalo et al., 2024). The motivations driving children towards PA include well-being, enjoyment, social interaction, and seeking social support (Pedersen et al., 2021). Interestingly, studies have identified a positive relationship between parent and child PA levels. Similarly, parental involvement in gaming seems to have a beneficial impact on children’s gaming habits. However, to date, no study has directly compared the actual motives for gaming and PA of children. Moreover, the perceived motives of their parents are under-researched. The aim of the study was to compare the motives for gaming and PA of children. Additionally, the parents’ perceptions of what motivates their children to engage in both activities were considered. Children (N = 73; 15.5 ± 5.9 y; 26% female) and parents (N = 50; 45.1 ± 7.1 y; 56% female) were asked to answer a questionnaire during the Frühjahrsmesse in Innsbruck. Questions were based on the “Videogaming Motives Questionnaire” (López-Fernández et al., 2020) and were adapted in terms of PA and the perceived motives of the parents. Motives recreation, social interaction, coping, competition and skill were considered. Order of the questions as well as of the sub-items was randomized. Item reliability was tested using Cronbach’s alpha and scales were calculated using the mean of the sub-items based on a 5-point Likert Scale. Since the data were not normally distributed, the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare the motives of the children with the perceived motives of the parents. Differences within the groups between gaming and PA were tested using Friedman. Motive comparison between groups showed significant differences regarding recreation in Gaming H = 6,443, p = 0.011, r = 0.61, with children (4.28 ± 0.69) identifying this motive more strongly than parents (4.03 ± 0.67). Skill H = 4.704, p = 0.030, r = 0.44, presented significant differences, showing children (3.51 ± 0.99) to find this motive more relevant than parents (3.17 ± 0.78). A trend was observed in social interaction in PA H = 3.673, p = 0.055, r = 0.34. Parents (3.72 ± 0.92) perceived this motive to be more relevant than children (3.39 ± 0.97). When analysing differences between the motives within the groups, no significant results were observed. Children perceive gaming as more recreational and skill-educating than their parents, potentially due to changing everyday life. This shift towards educational gaming might have positive cognitive benefits. Additionally, gaming skills may better align with today’s digital requirements (Nordlund et al., 2019). However, no significant motive variances between gaming and PA exist. This disparity underscores potential conflicts in children’s leisure activities. References López-Fernández, F. J., Mezquita, L., Griffiths, M. D., Ortet, G., &amp; Ibáñez, M. I. (2020). The development and validation of the Videogaming Motives Questionnaire (VMQ). PLoS ONE, 15(10), Article e0240726. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0240726 Martucci, A., Gursesli, M. C., Duradoni, M., &amp; Guazzini, A. (2023). Overviewing gaming motivation and its associated psychological and sociodemographic variables: A PRISMA systematic review. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 2023, Article 5640258. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/5640258 Nordlund, A., Sekki, S., Korvela, P., &amp; Silvonen, J. (2019). The changing everyday life of families and young people. In M. Toivonen &amp; E. Saari (Eds.), Human-centered digitalization and services (pp. 79–100). Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-7725-9_5 Pedersen, M. R. L., Hansen, A. F., &amp; Elmose-Østerlund, K. (2021). Motives and barriers related to physical activity and sport across social backgrounds: Implications for health promotion. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(11), Article 5810. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18115810 Salmensalo, M., Ruotsalainen, H., Hylkilä, K., Kääriäinen, M., Konttila, J., Männistö, M., &amp; Männikkö, N. (2024). Associations between digital gaming behavior and physical activity among Finnish vocational students. Journal of Public Health, 32, 53–63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-022-01788-y

Grensekryssing i yrkesfaglærerutdanningen: Betydningen av studentenes utviklingsprosjekter

This article aims to explore how vocational teacher students’ work with development projects can create coherence between learning in the university and learning in teaching practice. Previous research indicates that students often perceive a lack of coherence between the academic knowledge culture in the university and the experiential knowledge they encounter in teaching practice. The study uses boundary crossing as a theoretical approach, and the results are based on interviews with vocational teacher students. The results reveal that their work with development projects strenghten programme coherence by linking the learning arenas university and teaching practice. The development projects also acted as boundary objects, facilitating the integration of the different knowledge cultures and practices. This study contributes to understanding the potential of development projects to create coherence between university and teaching practice in vocational teacher education. The results suggest the need for closer collaboration between universities and schools in supporting vocational teacher students’ work on development projects to enhance boundary learning.

Development and effectiveness of short video tutorials in basic turning learning to enhance students' cognitive ability

This study aims to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of short tutorial videos in teaching the essential operation of lathe machines in mechanical engineering. Utilizing the ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation), the research was conducted at SMK N 1 Sumatera Barat, involving 65 vocational school students. The short tutorial videos were designed to enhance students' comprehension and cognitive ability in lathe machine operations, addressing the challenges posed by traditional teaching methods. Data were collected through questionnaires and practical tests to assess students' understanding and skills. The findings revealed that the short tutorial videos significantly improved students' comprehension and cognitive ability, although variations in understanding levels were observed. Normality tests confirmed a normal data distribution, allowing for the use of paired sample t-tests, which indicated no significant difference between the Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Mechanical Engineering groups after using the tutorials. Validation by media and content experts demonstrated the high quality and relevance of the instructional material. This study underscores the importance of developing more interactive and adaptive learning media and highlights the need to explore further other factors influencing cognitive ability.

Co-creation as open innovation and its impact on environmental performance: Comparative insights from university and vocational students

This study addresses the urgent need for innovative solutions to environmental issues by focusing on youth development within educational institutions, which play a crucial role in fostering environmentally conscious behaviors. Despite increasing awareness, there is a gap in understanding how educational settings can effectively promote sustainability through collaborative approaches, such as co-creation as an open innovation model and user engagement strategies. This research investigates the mediating role of co-creation between environmental knowledge and environmental performance, comparing university and vocational students. Data were collected from 678 respondents in Thailand and analyzed using structural equation modeling and multigroup analysis. The findings reveal that environmental knowledge positively influences environmental performance and co-creation activities for both groups, with a more significant mediating effect of co-creation among vocational students. This suggests that vocational students respond more effectively to practical, collaborative approaches to digital innovation in the environmental context. The study also highlights the relevance of the Information Deficit Model, which posits that individuals often do not engage in sustainable behaviors due to insufficient knowledge or information. These results demonstrate the critical role of educational institutions in enhancing sustainability practices by leveraging co-creation and environmental knowledge. The insights from this study are valuable for educators and policymakers seeking to develop user engagement strategies tailored to different student groups, ultimately improving environmental performance and fostering innovation in sustainability practices.

The relationship between childhood trauma and mental health status among Chinese vocational high school adolescents: the mediating effect of poor self-control and internet addiction

BackgroundMental health problems among adolescents are a common concern globally. However, its relationship with childhood trauma is not clearly understood from the existing studies. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationships among childhood trauma, mental health, self-control, and internet addiction in Chinese vocational high school students.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among vocational high school students in China from October 2020 to December 2020. Standardized questionnaires were used to collect basic information regarding childhood trauma, self-control, psychological state, and social demographics. A structural equation model was used to study the relationships among internet addiction, self-control, childhood trauma, and mental health.ResultsA total of 3368 individuals participated in the study. The results revealed the mediating effects of poor self-control and internet addiction on the association between childhood trauma and mental health.ConclusionsInternet addiction and low self-control play mediating roles in childhood trauma and mental health. Clarifying these relationships will help formulate better-targeted interventions to improve the mental health of Chinese vocational high school students and aid in interventions to treat and prevent mental health problems.

Hubungan Kematangan Emosi dengan Perilaku Agresif pada Siswa SMK

This study aims to determine the relationship between emotional maturity and aggressive behavior in vocational students. This research was conducted on SMK class X students. The sample in this study amounted to 135 students with probability sampling techniques. The type of research used in this study is quantitative research. The measurement tool used for data collection uses the emotional maturity scale and the aggressive behavior scale. Statistical data analysis using Pearson product moment analysis test with the help of SPSS statistics version 26. The correlation coefficient obtained is -0.426 with a significance value of 0.000 (p&lt;0.05). These results show that the hypothesis proposed by the researcher is accepted. And the value of the negative correlation coefficient shows that the direction of the relationship between the two variables is negative, meaning that the higher the emotional maturity, the lower the aggressive behavior.

Positive psychological traits in the association between family functioning and problematic behavior among secondary vocational students: a parallel mediation model

ABSTRACT The present study explored the effect of family functioning on secondary vocational students’ problematic behavior, and the mediating roles of positive psychological traits (hope, gratitude and grit). A total of 3049 secondary vocational students (15.87 ± 1.00 years old) participated in the current research by completing measures of family functioning, problematic behavior, hope, gratitude and grit. The results indicated that family functioning was negatively correlated with problematic behavior. Secondary vocational students from families with better functioning exhibited less problematic behavior. Furthermore, structural equation analysis revealed that hope, gratitude and grit played parallel mediating roles in the association between family functioning and problematic behavior. Pairwise contrasts suggested grit exerted strongest indirect effect among the three mediators. The current research highlighted the role of positive psychological traits in the comprehension of how family environment affects behavioral development among adolescents from secondary vocational school.

The Implementation of Geogebra-Assisted Discovery Learning Approach Towards Mathematical Communication Ability of Vocational Students

Mathematicals communication ability is one of essential mathematical abilities that every person, who learns mathematics, needs to have. However, many facts found in many studies has shown us that students’ achievements on this ability are still low. Factors that may cause it spread from teacher factors, tools, approaches, learning media to students themselves. To overcome these issues, many efforts are made to select and implement learning approaches that can improve students' mathematical communication ability as well as their activities in instructional process. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine whether the implementation of GeoGebra-assisted discovery learning approach is effective in improving vocational school students' mathematicals communication ability or not. This quasi experimental research design involved 60 students of Gema Karya Bahana Vocational School as samples. The samples were divided into two groups in which 30 students of Accounting-1 class as the experimental group and 30 students of Accounting-2 as the control group. The data collected through a description test consisted of 3 questions on a linear program. The data collected through the test, both in pre-test and post-test, then analyzed using inferential statistics. The results of this analysis showed that the implementation of the discovery Learning approach assisted by GeoGebra was effective in improving vocational school students' mathematicals communication ability. Thus, the discovery learning approach assisted by GeoGebra can be implemented on instructional processes as one of instructional approach alternatives.

Basketball-Based Physical Education on Students’ Physical Fitness in a Selected Technical Vocational College, Fujian, China

The role of basketball-based physical education in enhancing students' physical fitness has been extensively documented, with numerous studies highlighting its benefits. In China, where sports and physical education are integral components of the educational curriculum, the importance of understanding the specific impacts of basketball-based physical education cannot be overstated. This study focuses on the technical vocational college setting in Fujian, China, aiming to fill a crucial research gap and address the need for tailored physical education programs. Basketball has been widely promoted and accepted in major universities across China, garnering broad support from both students and faculty. Wang (2024) emphasizes that with its increasing incorporation into university physical education programs, basketball significantly impacts students' physical fitness and athletic abilities. The current educational reforms in China necessitate the continual optimization of teaching methods and approaches to establish a solid foundation for the physical and mental development of students. Sui (2024) explores the impact of community basketball programs on high school students' physical and mental health in Guangzhou, highlighting improvements in physical fitness, social skills, and mental well-being. This study underscores the broader benefits of basketball beyond mere physical health, emphasizing its role in fostering social interaction and emotional resilience. Additionally, Shao et al. (2022) examine the individual characteristics of physical and mental development and their connection with regular physical exercises when playing basketball. Their findings suggest that basketball enhances motor fitness, moral, volitional, and mental qualities, as well as creativity and decision-making skills in rapidly changing circumstances. This holistic development is crucial for students, particularly in a competitive and fast-paced society like China. Butenko (2023) presents the effectiveness of a comprehensive use of sports games, including basketball, during extracurricular activities for high school students. The study found significant improvements in physical performance, physical qualities, and health indicators, demonstrating the high potential of integrating sports games into physical education programs to enhance students' overall fitness and health. As a teacher and coach in a technical vocational college in Fujian, China, the researcher has observed the transformative impact of sports, particularly basketball, on students' lives. Professional experience has shown that students engaged in basketball not only develop better physical fitness but also exhibit improved teamwork, leadership skills, and emotional resilience. These observations have fueled the researcher's passion for integrating basketball into the physical education curriculum and inspired a systematic exploration of its broader impacts. The researcher's personal motivation stems from a deep-seated belief in the power of sports to shape character and foster holistic development. Having been a basketball player, the researcher has experienced the discipline, dedication, and camaraderie that the sport instills. These values are essential for students, especially those in technical vocational education, as they prepare for their future careers and personal lives. Despite the known benefits of basketball-based physical education, there is a significant gap in research specifically targeting technical vocational colleges in China. Most existing studies focus on general high school or university settings, leaving a void in understanding how basketball impacts students in technical vocational education, who may have different needs and challenges. This study addresses this gap by focusing on a technical vocational college in Fujian, China. It aims to provide evidence-based insights into how basketball-based physical education influences various aspects of students' physical fitness, including physical attributes development, motor skills enhancement, cardiovascular fitness, strength and power development, flexibility and agility, coordination and balance, mental and emotional benefits, social interaction and teamwork, skill development and performance, and health and fitness awareness. By filling this research gap, the study seeks to inform policy and practice in physical education, providing valuable recommendations for optimizing physical education programs to enhance the health and fitness outcomes of vocational students.

Enhancing mathematical problem-solving ability through project-based learning: A study of vocational high school student

This study aims to improve the mathematical problem-solving ability of students at Vocational High School (VHS) through implementing Project Based Learning (PjBL). The research method used was a quasi-experiment with a matching-only pretest-posttest control group design, with a sample of 64 students divided into two classes, namely experimental and control classes, each consisting of 32 students. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling, where the sample was selected based on specific criteria relevant to the research objectives. Data were collected using tests of mathematical problem-solving ability administered before (pre-test) and after (post-test) the treatment. Data were analyzed using an independent sample t-test and a two-way ANOVA test with univariate general linear model (GLM) analysis. The results showed a difference between the experimental and control groups before the treatment. However, after the treatment, the experimental group had higher mathematical problem-solving ability than the control group, including the improvement and interaction between PjBL implementation and the Early Mathematics Skills (EMS) category.