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Over the past two decades, self-regulation has captured the attention of researchers in language learning. It is an acknowledged fact that self-regulated learners' performance surpasses those who are not self-regulated. In an educational context, assessment is one of the major factors which increase or decrease the level of self-regulation. The present study explores the role of three types of assessment, namely self-assessment (SA), peer-assessment (PA), and teacher-assessment (TA), in English language learning of Pakistani learners and to find out the attitude of the learners toward the most suitable type of assessment for the development of self-regulated learning (SRL) features among learners. Following a quantitative approach, the data for the study were collected from a sample of 99 bachelor-level students through pre and post-tests and questionnaires. The data were analyzed through SPSS version 16.0. The authors found that the PA proved to be the most suitable for English language learning. The learners' perception also showed that they found the PA quite useful in fostering self-regulation. This study brings more enlightenment to the effective use of assessment techniques to improve learners' SRL abilities.

This quantitative study assessed infographics' perceptions, preferences, and effectiveness as a learning tool among Pakistani undergraduate medical students. The research focused on understanding the impact of infographics on knowledge acquisition, comprehension of complex medical concepts, and bridging the gap between theoretical learning and clinical practice. The study utilised a self-evaluated questionnaire developed through a meticulous literature review, self-evaluation, and expert input. The questionnaire covered demographics, perceptions, preferences, effectiveness in knowledge acquisition, impact on understanding complex medical concepts, and linking theoretical learning to clinical practice. The research was conducted at Shahida Islam Medical College, Lodhran, Punjab, Pakistan, and involved undergraduate medical students across various academic years. Data collection occurred between November 10 and November 30, 2023, with 229 participants. Quantitative analysis was conducted using SPSS, involving one-sample t-test, paired samples t-test, independent samples t-test, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis to address specific hypotheses. Findings indicate a strong positive perception and preference for infographics among undergraduate medical students. Infographics were perceived as effective in enhancing knowledge acquisition, positively impacting the understanding of complex medical concepts, and bridging the gap between theoretical learning and clinical practice. Statistical analyses supported these perceptions, demonstrating significant relationships and explaining variance in students' perceptions and knowledge acquisition. This study highlights the substantial role of infographics as valuable tools in medical education, emphasising their positive impact on undergraduate medical students' learning experiences. The findings support the integration of infographics into medical curricula to enhance knowledge acquisition, comprehension, and application in real-life clinical settings.

While scholars have found that undergraduate involvement in research is beneficial, the lack of such experiences in the social sciences and humanities is glaring. This paper analyzes how an emphasis on community through cohort models impacts undergraduate student experience in research, taking from the Emerging Scholars Program, an interdisciplinary research program where cohorts of undergraduates are matched with faculty and attend meetings, workshops, and presentations together. We find that the cohort model created a robust community that fosters positive relationships that develop professional skills and emotional support, allowing students to collaborate and aim more toward their professional goals. The results from this study offer valuable insights into how universities can ensure that students have meaningful research experience beyond the classroom.

Advances in technology have significantly augmented the potential of online education, particularly during crises, such as COVID-19, earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods. This qualitative survey study ascertains 150 English-as-a-foreign language (EFL) learners' perceptions of the efficacy of online language education in a preparatory school of a state university after the Kahramanmaras earthquake in Türkiye in 2023. Data were gathered via an online survey with open-ended inquiries to elicit favourable and adverse experiences and recommendations from students. In order to ensure the thorough and systematic analysis of the collected data, a rigorous methodological approach was employed. Specifically, the data were analyzed through content analysis, facilitated by the MAXQDA. The research outcomes revealed that the participants appreciated online language education for its time-saving nature, comfort, ease of attendance, access to recorded sessions, teacher support, and cost-effectiveness. However, some students also considered online education ineffective and reported challenges, such as technical issues, diminished concentration, lack of motivation and discipline, limited interaction, and class participation. EFL learners also provided suggestions for improving the curriculum, assessment methods, and instructors' teaching approaches.

This research examines the reasons for school dropout occurring at varying education levels in the Turkish education system (TES). To this end, research on school dropouts pertaining to TES has been targeted. The systematic data analysis method was used in the research. 47 studies suitable for the purposes of the study were analyzed through content analysis. A total of 290 coding processes were carried out. The results suggest that the family factor emerges as the main factor for school dropout in primary education in TES. The inadequacy of families' financial situation and low interest in education are effective. At the high school level, students' academic failure, absenteeism, peer pressure, and indifference of families appear as the causes of school dropouts. In higher education, difficulties learners experience in adapting to novel social environments, academic failure, financial problems and the thought of being a misfit for the selected department seem to be among the causes of school dropout. In the other group, the reasons for dropping out are determined as academic failure, financial difficulties, early marriages, dislike of school, indifference of family, negative effects of friend groups, and indifference towards school.

Students who are parents are largely invisible within the Australian higher education sector. We know little about the particular views and experiences of this group at university. This article explores the Potivations perceived challenges to success and self-identified strengths of students who are parents. Our analysis is based on eighteen semi-structured interviews conducted with students who are parents at one multi-campus Australian university. The article contributes new insights to identify university strategies to better support under-represented groups to succeed at university.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among pre-service science teachers' global scientific literacy and various variables within the scope of the structural equation model. Since the relations among the variables were investigated in the structural model established for this study, correlational research methodology was applied. The application was carried out with 294 pre-service teachers studying in the departments of chemistry, physics, biology and elementary science education of a state university. The data of the study were obtained with the scales of global scientific literacy, the perception of science process skills, the inquiry skills, the self-directed learning readiness in laboratory, the attitude scale towards the laboratory and the personal information questionnaire. Within the framework of structural equation modeling, the causal and relational analyses of the data were examined. The results showed that the proposed model of the relationship among global scientific literacy and the variables predicting global scientific literacy was also found to be compatible with the data, and the entire model was confirmed except for the attitude towards the laboratory. In this context, it can be claimed that these variables play an essential role in pre-service teachers' being global scientifically literate.

This study investigated the contributions of flipped and blended teaching to EFL learners' pragmatic awareness. The participants were 90 Iranian intermediate female EFL learners in six intact classes divided into three 30-member groups each comprising two classes (i.e., two experimental and one control group). A Preliminary English Test (PET) was administered to assure language proficiency homogeneity. Next, the three groups received a discourse completion test (DCT) before instruction in flipped and blended modes for the experimental groups and conventional instruction for the control group. After treatment, the posttest of DCT was administered. Moreover, 20 students took part in semi-structured interviews. The results of One-way ANOVA revealed that flipped and blended instruction significantly improved participants' pragmatic awareness. The analysis of interview responses indicated that both groups held positive attitudes towards using flipped and blended instruction. EFL teachers may decide to implement flipped and blended instruction to enhance EFL learners' pragmatic awareness.

This study investigates the perceptions of Vietnamese English-majored students towards online learning courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. While online learning has been shown to have numerous benefits, few studies have focused on exploring perceptions of Vietnamese learners of English (EFL) towards online learning course at university level in the Vietnamese context. To address this gap, the present study surveyed 60 Vietnamese EFL learners who have experience with online courses offered by a university in southern Vietnam, using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) developed (Davis, Bagozzi, & Warshaw, 1989). The findings reveal various challenges and benefits of the online learning mode, which are reported by learners through their perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use when taking online courses. The learners' own experiences during online courses were also revealed. The outcomes of this study provide insights into the unique experiences of Vietnamese EFL learners with e-learning and offer suggestions for optimizing online education for this population in university settings.

The study aimed to investigate the Effect of Academic Stress on Students' Academic Achievements and Its Implications for Their Future Lives. A correlational research design was employed through stratified random sampling (n[subscript i] = 270, where female = 80 and male =190) to collect pertinent data through a questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed. Firstly, academic stress highly affects students' academic achievement, with females being more stressed (65.20%) than males (59.60%), which leads to a high dropout rate and low graduation rate. Secondly, about 69% were accustomed to drinking alcohol, chewing Khat, absenteeism, and smoking whereas about 31% were regularly engaging in unsafe sex, physical fights, smoking shisha, and poor personal sanitation. Thirdly, there were significant positive relationships among sex, age, academic batch, and student's cumulative grade point average. To conclude, academic stress hinders good academic achievement, increases college dropout rates, low graduation rates, and lack of self-confidence. It leads to drinking alcohol, absenteeism, chewing khat, reduced academic morale of students, and failure in completing assignments on time. Therefore, university authorities should ensure a good academic environment for the students and minimize academic stress through appropriate course load, appropriate lecture hours, proper lecture schedules, and non-congested lecture halls.

This action research aimed to study the use the Gamification-Incentive-Feedback (GIF) Model in enhancing the classroom learning experience of Grade 9 students in a private school in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. The research used convenience sampling and used a combination of Likert scale pre-intervention and post-intervention survey questionnaires as well as focus group discussion (FGD) to gather data and responses. The results were analyzed through the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test and interview responses from the FGD through thematic analysis. Results reveal a significant difference in students' classroom learning experience in terms of motivation. Further, the participants' responses to the FGD revealed that the GIF Model encourages participation and teamwork; that it promotes competition; that it is motivating, fun, exciting, and interesting; that it encourages learning retention; and that the GIF Model should be implemented face to face; among others. It is concluded that the use of GIF Model is a promising approach for the students in the classroom to create an engaging, motivating, and rewarding experience. Educators are encouraged to adapt the GIF Model in their teaching practice but should make sure that it is properly and fairly organized to avoid student frustration.

This analysis dissects a piece of information into its parts and determines how they interact in constructing a concept. This study focuses on enhancing the analytical thinking skills of grade 6 students in science and technology courses by implementing inquiry-based learning management. The aim is to meet the minimum requirement of 70 percent and assess student satisfaction with the approach. This work follows a classroom action research approach involving planning, action, observation, and reflection steps. The target group comprises 25 grade 6 students studying in the first semester of the 2022 academic year at an elementary school in Northeast Thailand, selected through purposive sampling. The research tools include six 5E inquiry-based learning plans, an analytical thinking skills test, and a satisfaction questionnaire. Data collection involves implementing the learning plan in two operational cycles, conducting analytical thinking tests, and administering satisfaction questionnaires. The collected data are analyzed to determine achievement levels and satisfaction ratings. The statistics used are mean, standard deviation, and percentage. The findings from the first operational cycle indicate that 76.0% of students did not meet the evaluation criteria. After the second operational cycle, the mean score improved, and all students met the assessment criteria of 70.0%. Overall, the inquiry based learning approach has the potential to enhance analytical thinking skills, and student satisfaction levels were generally positive. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating effective learning management strategies, such as analytical thinking, to improve students' higher-order thinking skills.

Technological advances and the COVID-19 pandemic have led to a significant paradigm shift in the field of education, especially in the field of distance education. In this period, although distance education offers a number of advantages to its users, it has also brought some difficulties. This sudden transition has had a profound impact on students, teachers, and institutions, leading to changes in teaching methods, assessment practices, and student engagement strategies. This study aims to investigate the problems that arise in the distance education process and to examine the effects of these problems on students in detail. A qualitative approach is considered ideal since it enables deeper understanding of experiences of university students during distance education. Convenience sampling was chosen because it provided easy access for the researchers and allowed the inclusion of participants who met the required criteria. The participants consisted of 37 people, 28 girls and 9 boys, who had experienced the distance education and were studying in the Psychological Counselling and Guidance programme in the second year of a state university located in the Aegean region of Türkiye. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using content analysis and thematic analysis methods. According to the findings of the study, the problems encountered by the students in the distance education process were listed under the following main themes: technological problems, problems related to the monitoring and evaluation of the course, motivation problems, emotional and physical problems, communication problems, problems related to domestic and environmental factors, feeling of professional inadequacy. In addition, students' suggestions for solutions to these problems and their opinions about whether they prefer face-to-face or online education were also discussed. As a result, the study offers suggestions for educational institutions and educators to overcome the difficulties encountered in distance education and to make the experience a positive one.

During the preschool period, children's interest in reading increases, and their attitudes toward books develop with the means and opportunities provided by their teachers. Teachers' attitudes develop during their undergraduate education as pre-service teachers. This study aims to reveal preschool pre-service teachers' attitudes toward children's literature and reading habits and the relationship between these attitudes. The relational screening model was used, and the study was conducted with 343 preschool pre-service teachers. The data were collected through the "Preservice Teacher's Attitude toward Children's Literature Scale (ACLS)" and "Pre-service Teacher's Attitudes toward Reading Habit Scale (ARHS)." The descriptive, difference and correlation analyses were used to analyze the collected data. As a result of the study, the attitudes of preschool pre-service teachers toward children's literature were found to be high, and their attitudes toward reading habits were moderate. Regarding the differences in the attitudes according to the variables, the following results were obtained: female pre-service teachers' attitudes toward children's literature and reading habits were significantly higher than males; attitudes of 4th-grade pre-service teachers' toward children's literature were significantly higher than others; regarding the attitudes toward reading habits, the only significant difference is in the "attitude toward the development of reading habit" sub-dimension, in favor 1st-grade pre-service teachers; attitudes toward children's literature showed a statistically significant difference in favor of pre-service teachers who took children's literature course, but taking this course did not affect their attitudes toward reading habits. A positive and weak relationship was found between preschool pre-service teachers' attitudes toward children's literature and reading habits.

This study aimed to investigate students' reflections on using smartphones to enhance vocabulary learning. The sample consisted of 64 college students enrolled in required English as a Foreign Language (EFL) reading course. A twenty-two-item questionnaire was developed to elicit students' reflections on their experiences in terms of three aspects; engagement, vocabulary learning strategies, and attitudes towards smartphone use. The study also explored the effect of previous experiences of smartphones use on the students' reflections. Results showed that students' engagement was generally high, their vocabulary learning strategies had changed, and that their attitudes towards using smartphones to develop their vocabulary were positive. The study also found that there were differences between those who have experience in using smartphones and those who did not, in favour of those with experience. It is recommended that teachers encourage their students to use smartphones to enhance their English language abilities, especially their vocabulary.

Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) provide opportunities for undergraduate students to engage in authentic research and generally increase the participation rate of students in research. Students' participation in research has a positive impact on their science identity and self-efficacy, both of which can predict integration of students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), especially for underrepresented students. The main goal of this study was to investigate instructor-initiated CUREs implemented as upper-level elective courses in the Biomedical Sciences major. We hypothesized that these CUREs would (i) have a positive impact on students' scientific identity and self-efficacy and (ii) result in gains in students' self-assessed skills in laboratory science, research, and science communication. We used Likert-type surveys developed by Estrada et al. (14) under the Tripartite Integration Model of Social Influence to measure scientific identity, self-efficacy, and scientific value orientation. When data from all CUREs were combined, our results indicate that students' self-efficacy and science identity significantly increased after completion. Students' self-assessment of research and lab-related skills was significantly higher after completion of the CUREs. We also observed that prior to participation in the CUREs, students' self-assessment of molecular and bioinformatic skills was low, when compared with microbiological skills. This may indicate strengths and gaps in our curriculum that could be explored further.

Laboratory courses offer a unique opportunity, and sometimes challenge, to engage students in projects where they can experience ownership and authentic science practices. An important science practice is writing, which can lead to increased learning about concepts and science communication. Experiencing a sense of ownership in research can lead to various student outcomes, such as increased motivation, greater interest in research, and higher retention in STEM fields. Although previous work has extracted aspects of ownership from students' descriptions of research experiences, studies have not examined directly how students define and perceive ownership. In addition, we do not have a clear idea of whether a sense of ownership is related to student attitudes toward scientific writing in a lab course setting. To better understand the relationship between ownership and writing directly from students' perspectives, we used analysis of student responses to surveys and interviews in an upper-division laboratory course. Using a grounded theory approach for the analysis of 167 survey responses and 9 interviews, we found that students have varying perceptions of project ownership, with the most frequent being opportunities to contribute ideas and shape the project (autonomy), doing the work, and leadership. Students largely perceived that increased ownership had positive influences on their writing, such as increased understanding and thinking, freedom in writing, and increased motivation. Learning about how students perceive ownership in the context of a lab course is useful for considering how lab course structure may support the development of a sense of ownership and may influence how we can engage students in meaningful writing practices.

Students' scientific literacy may be improved by the integration of social issues into biology courses, enabling them to make informed decisions on social issues in the context of their scientific knowledge. Additionally, this may allow students to recognize the connection between science and society. Although there are a number of benefits with having students learn about social issues in biology courses, most undergraduate courses may follow a traditional curriculum, which emphasizes the scientific content without framing it in a social context. Here, we investigated whether undergraduate students have been exposed to social issues in previous biology courses and examined how their perceptions changed before and after taking a biology course that incorporated social issues. In surveys, most students reported having no exposure to social issues in biology courses. Most students, especially females and persons excluded because of their ethnicity or race (PEERs), agreed with the integration of social issues in biology courses before taking the course. Students found reflection essays to be a useful tool in allowing them to think and share their thoughts on social issues as well as relate the course content to their personal lives. These results highlight students' interest in learning about social issues from a scientific perspective and how reflection essays may be used to practice applying their knowledge to real-world issues.

Psychological distance (PD) can be a barrier to how students perceive climate change impacts and severity. Localizing climate change using place-based approaches is one way instructors can structure their curricula to help combat students' PD, especially from a spatial and social viewpoint. We created a novel classroom intervention that incorporated elements of place-based education and the Teaching for Transformative Experiences in Science model that was designed to lower undergraduate biology students' spatial and social distance of climate change. Our research questions sought to determine whether students' PD changed following our intervention and whether variables beyond our intervention might have contributed to changes we identified. To measure the efficacy of our intervention, we administered a survey that contained several instruments to measure students' recognition and psychological distance of climate change pre- and post-intervention. We found that students' psychological distance to climate change decreased after participating in our classroom intervention. Additionally, course level was the only outside variable we identified as a predictor of students' post-activity scores. Participation in our activity lowered our students' spatial and social psychological distance, which could have impacts beyond the classroom as these students become the next generation of scientists and voters.

With a primary objective to engage students in the process of science online, we transformed a long-standing laboratory course for first-year science students into a more accessible, immersive experience of current biological research using a narrow and focused set of primary literature and the Consider, Read, Elucidate a hypothesis, Analyze and interpret data, Think of the next Experiment (CREATE) pedagogy. The efficacy of the CREATE approach has been demonstrated in a diversity of higher education settings and courses. It is, however, not yet known if CREATE can be success fully implemented online with a large, diverse team of faculty untrained in the CREATE pedagogy. Here, we present the transformation of a large-enrollment, multi-section, multi-instructor course for first-year students in which the instructors follow different biological research questions but work together to reach shared goals and outcomes. We assessed students' (i) science self-efficacy and (ii) epistemological beliefs about science throughout an academic year of instruction fully administered online as a result of ongoing threats posed by COVID-19. Our findings demonstrate that novice CREATE instructors with varying levels of teaching experience and ranks can achieve comparable outcomes and improvements in students' science efficacy in the virtual classroom as a teaching team. This study extends the use of the CREATE pedagogy to large, team-taught, multi-section courses and shows its utility in the online teaching and learning environment.

Distance education and e-learning have become pivotal during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering a solution to maintain education continuity amidst restrictions. This study delves into the application of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to assess the acceptance and utilization of e-learning among university students, with a particular focus on Turkey. This geographical context presents an opportunity to investigate the multifaceted factors influencing the effectiveness of e-learning, which have received limited exploration thus far. A surveybased quantitative approach employs Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to understand student attitudes toward distance education and investigate the relationships among various dimensions such as learning, usage, and barriers. The study, conducted among 1040 undergraduate students enrolled in Turkish distance education programs, reveals significant positive relationships between learning and usage dimensions, while negative relationships exist between learning and barriers and usage and barriers. The findings underscore the importance of enhancing the ease of use of distance education platforms and addressing encountered barriers to foster effective utilization. Recommendations include establishing robust support mechanisms, improving training programs, and facilitating better communication channels between students and educators. The study contributes to the understanding of e-learning acceptance and usage among university students, providing insights for designing more effective educational interventions and enhancing higher education systems, especially in the case of Turkey.

This study tried to design a WhatsApp bot to be implemented in English language vocabulary learning context in Oman. 150 Omani English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students from three different proficiency levels were selected based on random sampling. To measure the effectiveness of the treatment, pretests, posttests, and delayed posttests were conducted, respectively. The TAM 2 extended questionnaire was also used to understand learners' perceptions regarding the use of the WhatsApp bot in the learning process. The results of the study revealed that the WhatsApp bot, on all three levels, works nicely and practically. Although experimental groups, who used WhatsApp bot, at elementary and intermediate levels showed significant differences from the traditional face-to-face classes, pre-intermediate students showed no significant difference between the two mentioned terms. It was also understood that chatbots could be the best supplementary materials assisting teaching in delivering materials.

During the pandemic period, there have been such upheavals from production methods to distribution strategies, and from supply methods to corporate functioning. Accordingly, it would not be wrong to say that all companies and sectors, regardless of national or international, are part of this fundamental transformation. When the education sector was evaluated from the same perspective, it is possible to say that it is one of the sectors most affected by the differences created by this pandemic. For instance, very soon after the pandemic, almost all higher education institutions switched to distance education activities instead of face-to-face education. This study aims to examine the effects of the devastation caused by the pandemic on students at the higher education level in the context of efficiency. In this research, the criteria has been set as which university students' efficiency was achieved during the distance education process, and the research included 1604 participants from 15 universities, who formed the study's sample. The data obtained was subjected to reliability and validity analysis, and it was by using the SPSS program, and the results were examined with different dimensions.

The article examines the current situation of language instruction in higher educational institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Higher educational institutions play a crucial role in providing professional training in the country. The official language strategy focuses on developing the Kazakh language as the language of science. The researchers performed a survey among educators and students from both national and regional universities in the country. They then analysed the findings to identify the issues within this domain. The survey included 122 participants from 16 different universities. An investigation was conducted to analyse respondents' answers using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The results of the study were used to identify the critical problems. The concerns were identified based on the viewpoints and stances of both native and foreign scientists, and implications were provided.

Higher education students need help and support to enable them to cope with the challenges of their studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the perspectives of first-year undergraduate students on predictors of psychosocial support in challenging situations. A creative art-based descriptive research design was employed utilising an individual One-Page Profile form to gather data from 240 first-year students from two different universities in Slovakia. Data was collected and analysed using a content-thematic and visual approach. Four significant individual predictors of psychosocial support were identified: emotional, instrumental, informational and appraisal. Emotional support consists of desirable mental health, defined by the students as experiencing happiness, self-satisfaction, self-development, relationships which are satisfying, loving and safe, trust, empathic acceptance, and care from others. Instrumental support varies from personnel up to material resources e.g., people, animals, and assistance such as financial services. The preferred informational support is peer-to-peer counselling, followed by professional counselling. When students describe appraisal support their needs are primarily in the areas of well-being and self-efficacy. The study makes various suggestions on how University staff can provide first-year students with support and counselling in their everyday challenges.

Perceived life satisfaction during the period of childhood and adolescence can be considered a reliable measure of psychological and emotional growth of children and adolescents. The current study aimed to investigate age differences related to social support provided to students (by teachers, classmates, parents and close friends), and its relationship with school and life satisfaction. The study also examined the significance of social support in explaining students' school and life satisfaction. Data were collected from a sample comprising 390 primary school students in grades 3-8 in Croatia. The findings indicate that students perceive a lower level of support received from parents, teachers, classmates and close friends, and lower school and life satisfaction, as they age. Statistically significant differences were found in perceived teacher support and school and life satisfaction between younger and older students. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that age and support from teachers and classmates are significant predictors of school satisfaction. The most significant predictors of students' life satisfaction are support from parents and classmates, and school satisfaction. Finally, the implications of the findings and guidelines for future research are discussed.

This study approaches the issue of autism in a case study. Specifically, it investigates how three key points in the daily life of a child on the autism spectrum change in the presence of a pet: social behavior, empathy and irritability. The aim is to study how the pet affects the child's daily life in the above points. The questions that are asked concern the close environment of the child, in order to be able to compare the situation before and after the presence of the pet. Teachers from the child's school and family environment participate in the survey. Questionnaires and personal interviews are used to collect information. The interviews are based on Goodman's S.D.Q (2005). The bibliography will refer to the method of Animal Assisted therapy- pet therapy, which concerns the treatment of syndromes, diseases, anxiety, disorders, through animals. The research questions that arise refer to improving the socialization of people with autism, increasing their social interaction and creating relationships and expressing their emotions. Then the data collected is analyzed and the conclusions of the research are drawn.

This study examines the entrepreneurial intentions of Austrian secondary school students, specifically comparing students from commercial schools with those from general education schools. We analyzed 2,329 data sets and found that subjective beliefs, primarily behavioral and control beliefs, significantly influence entrepreneurial intentions. In addition, demographic factors such as gender, language, acquaintance with entrepreneurs, and school type play a significant role in explaining the variance in entrepreneurial intentions. Our detailed analysis shows that students from commercial schools have stronger entrepreneurial intentions and subjective beliefs. Particularly notable are the differences in behavioral beliefs, where students from commercial schools find all aspects of entrepreneurship more attractive, especially job creation, taking calculated risks, and being one's own boss. The differences in control beliefs suggest that commercial school students also feel better prepared for entrepreneurial tasks, especially in identifying market opportunities, securing financial resources, and maintaining relationships. These findings are consistent with the business and entrepreneurial focus of commercial schools, suggesting that they are effectively nurturing the entrepreneurial potential of their students. In considering instructional improvements for commercial schools, whether they should further increase their focus on aspects where students from both types of schools show minimal or no significant differences.

In Spring 2020, there was a sudden shift from face-to-face (F2F) to distance learning (DL) due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. A study by Al-Jarf (2020) showed that 55% of the students and instructors preferred F2F instruction and were not satisfied with DL due to unfamiliarity, lack of training, interaction, technical problems and others. In the Fall Semester 2021, Saudi universities resumed F2F instruction in combination with some online classes. In some emergencies such as weather conditions, all students study online rather than cancelling classes. This status quo has continued until now. This study explores students' preferences for DL vs F2F learning, their attitudes towards each and reasons for their preferences. Responses to a survey showed that 36% of the students in the sample prefer DL because it has become a necessity during emergencies such as pandemics and wars. They can check the lecture recording any time. They save commuting time. In addition, 40% of the respondents prefer F2F instruction because they get better grades. It is more suitable for science classes (labs, experiments, anatomy). Participation, interaction, and questions make a difference. In DL, students can leave Blackboard or Zoom, walk around, and take a nap, whereas in F2F, they focus better. Some health sciences, engineering, law, and/or business instructors talk about their experiences and views of the job market which is enriching and enjoyable for the students. Moreover, 17% have no preference and believe that the mode of learning depends on the instructors' competence, teaching techniques used, integration of technologies, and online resources, interaction, engagement, and students' participation. Participants' views and recommendations are given in detail.

The purpose of this research was to identify the need for gender equality education. For this purpose, the views of mathematics, science, and information technology teachers on the current situation of gender equality in schools were determined. In addition, the awareness of sixth, seventh and eighth grade middle school students on gender equality was examined. This study was a descriptive research conducted in a qualitative context. In data collection, an interview form on teachers' views and a written view form on students' awareness about gender equality were used. Research data were collected in the spring semester of the 2017-2018 academic year. As a result of the research, it is thought that an interdisciplinary gender equality education will be beneficial to improve students' awareness.

The study aimed to assess the effects of year in college on students' perceptions of the cooperative learning process. Ninety-six college students completed 5 open-ended questions that asked students about their preferences for cooperative learning activities. Forty-nine first-year students and 47 second-year students participated in the study. A qualitative research design was used. Qualitative analyses compared---by year in college---the 5 open-ended questions. The principal investigator qualitatively analyzed the data for themes and subthemes, high-frequency responses, and percentage of response. Some findings were that first- and second-year students preferred the same types of group work and both groups had overlapping ideas on ways to make group work more enjoyable.

The violence of incarceration creates greater responsibility for higher education administrators in supporting students who are in prison. Using focus group data with incarcerated students and formerly incarcerated alumni who participated in or are actively participating in Second Chance Pell, we explore their perceptions and understandings of the Pell Grant and eligibility for the Pell Grant, including lifetime eligibility used limits. Through a lens of Witnessing, we argue that deprivation and censorship of information negatively influence students' access to accurate and timely information about federal student aid and their ability to fully participate in the process. Accordingly, college and university staff have a fiduciary duty to incarcerated applicants and students who are subjected to the information deprivation and censorship that characterizes imprisonment in the U.S.

This research aims to produce integrated biology teaching materials with the values of the Al-Qur'an and As-Sunnah that are valid and effective in improving cognitive, psychomotor, and strengthening students' faith and devotion. This development research (R&D) uses the ADDIE model which consists of five stages, i.e. analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. The data collection techniques used were literature studies, observations, interviews, questionnaires, and tests. Data collection instruments used include interview sheets, validation sheets, questionnaire sheets, pre-test and post-test question sheets, observation sheets, and checklists. The teaching materials were validated by three validators (material experts, learning experts, Al-Qur'an/Hadist experts), and practitioners from several biology teachers from different schools. The data was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively (triangulation). The research results showed that the teaching materials developed met the very valid category based on the assessment of material experts, learning experts, Al-Qur'an/Hadist experts, and practitioners. Moreover, the products received excellent responses from the students. The teaching materials could improve students' cognitive and psychomotor and also increase students' values of faith and piety. Further action will be extended to schools, especially schools with Islamic nuances so that they can be used both as self-taught materials for students and as teaching materials for teachers to use in the learning process.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, students faced increased risk of contracting the virus due to the relaxation of health protocols by the Philippine government and the authorization of face-to-face instruction in schools by the Department of Education. There is little data on basic education school students' awareness of COVID-19 in the Philippines, particularly in Cebu City. A cross-sectional descriptive-correlational research design was utilized to determine junior and senior high school students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding COVID-19. In this study, a survey questionnaire was used to compare and attempt to identify relationships between the demographic profile of students and their KAPs regarding COVID-19. This study also investigated the relationships between students' KAPs. JHS and SHS students exhibited outstanding KAPs for COVID-19. Students' demographic characteristics, including grade level and family income, were significantly associated with their KAPs toward the disease. However, their gender was not significantly associated with their KAPs. There was a significant relationship between students' COVID-19 KAPs. It is imperative that the DepEd develop strategies and programs to combat the situation due to pandemic and prepare for similar situations in future. With the aid of curriculum designers, science educators must adapt the science education curriculum to address current and future health concerns.

Education abroad is considered a high-impact practice with short-term benefits such as intellectual development and higher retention and university graduation rates, along with more long-term benefits such as personal and professional development. Thus, it is important to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to study abroad; however, research shows that this is not the case. For example, in the United States, the majority of study abroad participants are white (68% according to Institute of International Education [IIE], 2022), and the racial and ethnic diversity of study abroad participants is well below the percentage of undergraduate students of color overall. First-generation college students also make up a small proportion of the students who study abroad, with some coming from racial and ethnic minoritized backgrounds as well. This lack of diversity in study abroad should be a major concern for institutions of higher education. To address this issue at our own university, we surveyed 137 first-generation and students of color to gather data on their interests, opinions, and reservations about study abroad. Results demonstrate that they are overwhelmingly positive about study abroad but are concerned about cost, fitting it into their degree plan, and not knowing languages other than English. Additionally, 81% reported that they did not know where to start or how to get involved in study abroad. These results suggest that a more equity-minded approach with targeted interventions is needed to increase study abroad participation among first-generation and students of color.

Our principal objective is to explore if interculturality is relevant for the success of a bilateral student mobility program, Mexico-Japan Technical and Academic Exchange Program (MJTAEP). First, the authors explain their methodology and objectives of field work. Second, they situate their analysis within a framework of growing academic cooperation, common ends, and variability, depending on national objectives. Third, they consider the motivations/aspirations of Mexican fellowship holders, as stated by respondents to an electronic survey (106), as well as in-depth interviews (21). The authors look specifically at the quality of courses aimed at providing linguistic, cultural, and technical tools to the Mexican grantees. Two topics are evaluated in detail: (1) the drivers and obstacles of academic integration of Mexicans in Japanese universities, and (2) the acquisition of hard and soft skills (relationships with sensei, alumni or administrative officers and knowledge/proficiency requirements) to facilitate student incorporation in the host society and institutions.

The escalation in online learning post-COVID has created a pressing need to consider faculty-student interactions in a virtual environment. A sequential explanatory, mixed-method design was used to investigate university students' perceptions of faculty caring online following the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were 46 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in one of four programs offered either fully online or with a significant number of required courses offered in an asynchronous online format at the same university in a single semester. Results from the Student Perspectives of Caring Online Survey indicated participants' feeling strongly about effective communication, specifically a detailed class calendar with a schedule and due dates as well as clear instructions regarding expectations for online communications, as a faculty behavior that conveyed caring. Qualitative data supported this finding and indicated that empathy and support from faculty were also highly valued. Implications of findings for online teaching practices are presented.

The probability of changing preferences for study modalities was evaluated based on the experience of distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic among students of Marketing at a university in the Ecuadorian Andes. The analysis was based on the application of a questionnaire concerning factors associated with institutional conditions, as well as personal factors. Based on the data, the probability of changing the mode of study was estimated using a discrete choice model (logit-probit). The selection of the most appropriate model was based on the correct classification of the data (confusion matrix). The results show that certain aspects of personal satisfaction (physical space, dedication, time, commitment, content assimilation), Internet connection and flexibility of study plans are statistically significant. Student satisfaction with pedagogical planning, virtual platform, communication with teacher, virtual tutoring process, autonomous learning, teaching methodology, virtual classroom materials, complementary materials, evaluation process, variety of evaluation instruments and resolution of doubts do not generate changes in preferences. Therefore, the institution could promote this modality of studies by offering scheduling facilities and greater flexibility in the curriculum.

Inclusive education is the process of integrating individuals with disabilities into a regular classroom, and it helps reflect the world's commitment to equal educational opportunities as outlined in UNCRPD. It emphasizes the importance of embracing diversity and promoting acceptance among students who are impaired. This paper examines why it is important to include learners with impairments into mainstream classes and the favorable attitudes towards inclusive education among teachers, administrators and students. Many barriers hinder its implementation such as lack of professional development for teachers, insufficient facilities for learning, difficulty in creating relationships between classmates, inadequate parent participation, and absence of legislations and policies that are aligned towards its practice. The role of several educational theories like social constructivism, humanistic approach and universal design for learning (UDL) have been discussed to show their relevance in addressing challenges found in inclusive learning. Social Constructivism shows how collaborative work can be used inside the classrooms so that peer rejection will be lessened. The approach that is humanistic stresses about the comprehensive growth all individuals while addressing the needs of learners with disabilities. UDL focuses on promoting an accessible learning environment and eliminating physical barriers to foster successful growth for all students. Moreover, this article underlines relevance of awareness on how children with impairments can be incorporated into conventional classrooms and benefits which inclusive education has for both disabled and non disabled students. In conclusion, this paper emphasized the transformative nature of inclusive education in fostering a learning atmosphere that promotes diversity, empathy, and acceptance, contributing to students' overall development.

This article presents findings from a research project that aimed to replace physical books with an adaptive learning platform, Area9 Rhapsode™, for nursing students' class preparation. As the project expanded, it became evident that students employed diverse preparation practices, prompting an investigation into their preparation habits. This is done through the following research questions: (1) how do students feel about class preparation? (2) what learning resources do students choose? (3) when and where do they prepare for class? This is conducted through a mixed methods design that draws on empirical data from interviews, mobile ethnography, surveys, and log data. The results highlight the wide range of resources students utilise, including digital and analogue tools, the various temporal patterns of preparation, and students' spectrum of feelings in their preparation. The findings suggest the importance of understanding individual students' preparation habits to facilitate targeted teaching approaches that cater to diverse learning needs. The article contributes to the existing literature on study habits and strategies, emphasising the need for educators to recognise and adapt to students' unique preparation behaviours in order to enhance their academic success.

Students attracted to quantitative disciplines of study can be reluctant to devote much attention to the critical task of communicating, and previous research (Hostager, 2018) has identified statistically significant differences in learning approaches by major among undergraduate business students. This paper presents results of learning assurance for writing skills (direct measures) even when the course content relates to the highly quantitative topics of data analytics and finance. The approach combines various pedagogical methods in an undergraduate, writing-intensive setting: traditional testing in an iterative framework, "flipped classroom" intensive work using spreadsheet software, repeated submission of brief papers incorporating analytical finance work, and student research presentations (including at an undergraduate research conference). We present quantitative and qualitative data demonstrating assurance of learning for evaluation purposes, including the recently announced (2020) competency-based Assurance of Learning standards from the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). To assess the robustness of our findings, we also report results using alternate learning resources (old and new) and delivery methods (in-person, hybrid, fully online), taking advantage of the pandemic natural experiment. We found that learning progress was assured in each context for hybrid and fully online delivery; however, learning was not as monotonic as for fully in-person implementation.

Open Distance e-Learning (ODeL) is on the rise to cater to non-traditional students. However, the surge in master's and doctoral students opting for ODeL raises concerns about the quality and timely completion of degrees. Existing literature on student attrition in higher education indicates that both student-related factors and institutional variables significantly impact completion rates. Factors such as students' sense of connection or isolation, as well as institutional aspects like supervisor responsiveness to feedback and feedforward, contribute to student persistence. To address this early attrition and extended stays in postgraduate studies, a community of practice (CoP), comprising lecturers and master's and doctoral students was formed. The CoP employed the Social Learning Theory (SLT) approach to initiate collaborative partnerships designed to promote a research culture and explore alternative approaches to curb master's and doctoral late completion and attrition. This paper reports on a study undertaken to explore the experiences, perceptions and insights of master's and doctoral candidates regarding the implementation of innovative multimodal Open Distance e-Learning supervision practices. Grounded in SLT, the exploratory case study employed an open-ended questionnaire to gather data from the students participating in the support programme. The findings revealed the positive impact of innovative practices on candidates' academic development and overall research experience. The findings further demonstrated that virtual communication tools have significantly enhanced collaboration between candidates and supervisors, breaking down geographical barriers and facilitating real-time feedback and guidance. The innovative multimodal OdeL supervision practices gave master's and doctoral candidates flexibility and increased their learning engagement.

This study explores university students' perceptions of how the classroom learning environment and Economics teachers' instructional practices promote learning in higher education (HE). The purpose of the study was to develop and empirically test a framework that characterises quality Economics instruction. Based on a literature review, a conceptual framework was built consisting of 75 attributes related to quality teaching and learning of Economics. To test the validity of the framework, a cross-sectional survey design was adopted to collect the data on students' evaluation of teachers' effectiveness in promoting students learning. The study respondents comprise 403 students sampled from four public universities in Ghana. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis suggests that the conceptual framework is valid and reliable and can effectively be used to evaluate quality Economics instruction in higher education. The results indicate key areas that are beneficial concerning student perceptions of teacher effectiveness in promoting student learning. These include planning and preparation, scaffolding of instruction, classroom communication, classroom management, classroom learning environment, and teacher characteristics. We argue that these factors are significant predictors of quality Economics instruction in HE and suggest a model that can be used as an effective evaluation tool or training toolkit for ensuring high-quality teaching involving Economics. HE authorities need to constantly evaluate Economics teaching in the key domain areas based on students' feedback to improve upon quality teaching and learning.