An investigation into student perceptions towards mathematics and their performance in first year chemistry: introduction of online maths skills support

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 1203-1214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter R. Johnston ◽  
Dianne J. Watters ◽  
Christopher L. Brown ◽  
Wendy A. Loughlin
Keyword(s):  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
First Year ◽  
Multiple Choice Questions ◽  
Chemistry Students ◽  
Support Programme ◽  
Usage Patterns ◽  
And Performance ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Significant Figures

An online Maths Skills Site was developed as an integrated support programme for first year Chemistry students, the content of which, was based on an analysis of their high-school mathematical backgrounds. This study examined the students’ perceptions of Maths, their patterns of usage of the Maths Skills Site and whether there was a relationship between usage of the site and performance in first year chemistry. A questionnaire and surveys were administered to obtain data on student perceptions, confidence and anxiety. Hit-count tracking was enabled for the Maths Skills Site items (notes, questions, answers, online multiple choice questions), to establish usage patterns for the cohort and individuals, over time and against topic (significant figures, algebra,etc.). Student perceptions changed over the semester. Increased confidence with chemistry and mathematics was observed, however, a significant proportion were still anxious when having to answers questions requiring calculations. Students who were already confident did not use the Maths Skills Site, whereas the students who did use the site displayed improved achievements in the credit grade category, as compared to non-users and employed a self-directed approach, tailoring their individual learning around topics important to them.

scholarly journals From Drug Literature Evaluation to Evidence-Based Medicine: Transforming the Focus of a First Year Pharmacy Curriculum

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Reidt ◽  
Keri Hager ◽  
James Beattie ◽  
Amy Pittenger ◽  
Maureen Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Student Performance ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Evidence Based Medicine ◽  
Integrated Design ◽  
First Year ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Pharmacy Curriculum ◽  
Based Medicine

This case study describes a longitudinal curricular sequence implemented to teach evidence-based medicine (EBM) skills. The longitudinal sequence is innovative in its approach, design, and assessment of EBM. This approach moves away from the conventional strategy of teaching drug information and drug literature evaluation as stand-alone courses and instead embraces the EBM Framework and its use in the context of authentic problem solving. The EBM Framework—Ask, Acquire, Appraise, and Apply—was used as the basis for defining seven EBM skills. These skills were targeted in the evidence-based, integrated design of 17 learning episodes delivered with eight faculty members through six courses in the first year. Student perceptions of relevance of EBM and performance on assessments and learning activities throughout the sequence suggest that integrating EBM across the first year of the curriculum is an effective strategy for teaching EBM skills. Three themes emerged from analysis of the data and experience, including the need for: a strong teaching team, a whole task approach with a focus on solving authentic problems, and care in interpreting the progression of assessments and patterns of student performance. Through instructor observations and peer review, the longitudinal sequence has been refined and has had an impact on the rest of the curriculum.   Type: Case Study

The Effect of ‘box-and-bead’ Analogy versus Retrieval-based Learning on Retention in Chemical Kinetics among First-Year Chemistry Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 300-315
Author(s):  
Taurayi Willard Chinaka
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Kinetics ◽  
Conceptual Knowledge ◽  
Statistical Difference ◽  
Procedural Knowledge ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
First Year ◽  
Chemistry Students ◽  
Moment Coefficient ◽  
Post Test ◽  
And Performance

The study examined the effects of the box-and-bead analogy versus retrieval-based learning on students’ retention and performance in chemical kinetics among first-year chemistry students. A purposive sampling technique was used to sample participants from the accessible population. The sample was made of two hundred and forty-five (n = 245) first-year chemistry students, at a public university, in South Africa. The study adopted a sequential explanatory research design. A chemical kinetics retention test (CKRT) was used for data collection as pre-, post-test and delayed post-test. A reliability coefficient of 0.73 was established using the Kuderson and Richardson correlation moment coefficient. Participants in the two groups were taught using an advanced retrieval instruction approach and the box-and-bead analogy. The results of the study showed no statistical difference in the retention of procedural knowledge and a statistical difference in conceptual knowledge. Overall, students taught using advanced retrieval performed better than the other group. The study underlines the fact that analogy-based instruction can be effective in improving conceptual knowledge using concrete analogues that aid in the retention of chemical kinetics. The findings of this study are diagnostic and they assist module designers in determining the procedural and conceptual knowledge in chemical kinetics retained by students, even after years have passed.

scholarly journals Further Mathematics, student choice and transition to university: part 1 - Mathematics degrees

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 167-190
Author(s):  
Sofya Lyakhova ◽  
Andrew Neate
Keyword(s):  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Mathematics Curriculum ◽  
School Mathematics ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
University Mathematics ◽  
Support Programme ◽  
Mathematics Student ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
The Uk

Abstract The transition from studying mathematics at school to university is known to be challenging for students. Given the desire to increase participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects at degree level, it is important to ensure that the school mathematics curriculum is providing suitable preparation for the challenges ahead, and yet remains both accessible and popular. This two-part study investigates student choices of studying the post-16 A-level Mathematics and Further Mathematics qualifications in the UK and their impact on the transition from school to university mathematics. Student opinions were accessed via a survey of undergraduate students and also individual interviews. This first part of the study considers the responses of mathematics undergraduate students and finds that both those who studied Further Mathematics and those who did not perceive studying Further Mathematics as advantageous for their degree courses. However, the advantages identified mostly relate to the familiarity with topics, while students still feel unprepared for studying more abstract and proof-based mathematics. The study found that some factors which may be beneficial for transition currently lie outside the mainstream school mathematics syllabus and include studying through blended learning provided by the Further Mathematics Support Programme, practicing more advanced extension exam papers and attending university outreach events. The choice of Further Mathematics is found to be influenced by the attitudes of the students, their teachers and their parents, to both mathematics as a subject and to Further Mathematics as a qualification as well as student perceptions of Further Mathematics and their plans in terms of degree and university choice.

scholarly journals A controlled intervention to improve freshman retention in a STEM-based physiology major

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 334-343
Author(s):  
Miriam Leary ◽  
Aimee Morewood ◽  
Randy Bryner
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
At Risk Students ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
Control Group ◽  
First Year ◽  
Freshman Retention ◽  
Retention Group ◽  
And Mathematics

Using a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning lens, this study systematically examined if a targeted intervention in at-risk students within a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-based physiology program would elicit positive student perceptions and higher retention rates into the second year. Those students who were considered at risk for attrition (retention; n = 82) were compared against a control group (non-retention; n = 165), and outcomes were evaluated with an End-of-Semester Survey and university enrollment data. Students in the retention group reported more favorable responses to questions pertaining to a first-year seminar course and academic advising. By the start of the following (spring 2019) semester, 48 students transferred out of the program (20%) with little difference between groups (non-retention 19%; retention 22%). At the start of fall 2019 term, 55% of the 2018 freshman class were retained within the program (non-retention 66%; retention 39%), and 85% were retained within the university (non-retention 91%, retention 74%). The intervention was successful in eliciting positive student perceptions of the major, but did not improve retention of at-risk students within the physiology major.

Relationship of stress and performance among first-year dental students

1986 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 264-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
GH Westerman ◽  
TG Grandy ◽  
JV Lupo ◽  
RE Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Dental Students ◽  
First Year ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Relationship Of

Work Engagement and Research Output Among Female and Male Scientists

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lonneke Dubbelt ◽  
Sonja Rispens ◽  
Evangelia Demerouti
Keyword(s):  
Work Engagement ◽  
Research Output ◽  
Research Performance ◽  
Daily Work ◽  
Time Control ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
And Performance ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Number Of Publications ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. Women have a minority position within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and, consequently, are likely to face more adversities at work. This diary study takes a look at a facilitating factor for women’s research performance within academia: daily work engagement. We examined the moderating effect of gender on the relationship between two behaviors (i.e., daily networking and time control) and daily work engagement, as well as its effect on the relationship between daily work engagement and performance measures (i.e., number of publications). Results suggest that daily networking and time control cultivate men’s work engagement, but daily work engagement is beneficial for the number of publications of women. The findings highlight the importance of work engagement in facilitating the performance of women in minority positions.

scholarly journals Bridging the gap: blending spatial skills instruction into a technology teacher preparation programme

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diarmaid Lane ◽  
Sheryl Sorby
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Gender Gap ◽  
Future Research ◽  
First Year ◽  
Spatial Skills ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Base Level ◽  
Technology Teacher ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
The Impact

AbstractIn recent years, there has been a surge in research in spatial thinking across the international community. We now know that spatial skills are malleable and that they are linked to success across multiple disciplines, most notably Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). While spatial skills have been examined by cognitive scientists in laboratory environments for decades, current research is examining how these skills can be developed in field-based environments. In this paper, we present findings from a study within a Technology Teacher preparation programme where we examined first-year students’ spatial skills on entry to university. We explain why it was necessary to embed a spatial skills intervention into Year 1 of the programme and we describe the impact that this had on students’ spatial scores and on academic performance. The findings from our study highlight a consistent gender gap in spatial scores at the start of the first-year with female students entering the Technology Teacher preparation programme at a lower base level than male students. We describe how we integrated spatial development activities into an existing course and how an improvement in spatial scores and overall course performance was observed. The paper concludes by discussing the long-term sustainability of integrating spatial interventions within teacher preparation programmes while also highlighting the importance of future research to examine spatial skills as a fundamental component of technological capability.

scholarly journals Study of Live Lecture Attendance, Student Perceptions and Expectations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johnathan Emahiser ◽  
John Nguyen ◽  
Cheryl Vanier ◽  
Amina Sadik
Keyword(s):  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Teaching Practices ◽  
First Year ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Study Materials ◽  
Class B ◽  
Second Year ◽  
To Come ◽  
Perceptions And Expectations ◽  
Insight Into

AbstractDeclining lecture attendance has been an ongoing concern for educators involved in undergraduate medical education. A survey was developed (a) to gain insight into the reasons students skipped class, (b) to identify the type of study materials they were using, and (c) to determine what they thought would motivate them to come to class. The survey was sent to 317 first-year and second-year medical students, and 145 (45%) responded. Only 63% of first-year students and 53% of second-year students attended any lectures that were not mandatory. The attendance was higher for students who aspired to less competitive specialties such as pediatrics and family medicine. The most popular reasons for not coming to class were related to the efficiency of information intake and instructor or class style. The most heavily used resources (> 60%) were materials or recorded lectures provided by the instructor. The second-year students also heavily used outside study materials for Board exams, such as Pathoma (50%). Students’ ideas for what might increase their attendance suggest that they perceive that the lectures may not prepare them for Board exams, and they would like faculty to address Board related content more often in class and on assessments. Respondents also suggested that teaching practices might be improved through faculty development. Faculty awareness of and references to Board exam content, embedded in strong teaching practices, may help students find more value in live lectures. Carefully designed active learning sessions may change students’ minds regarding the relevance and value of these sessions.

scholarly journals Student Perceived Value of Anatomy Pedagogy, Part I: Prosection or Dissection?

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. JMECD.S17496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan J. Wisco ◽  
Stephanie Young ◽  
Paul Rabedeaux ◽  
Seth D. Lerner ◽  
Paul F. Wimmers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Medical Curriculum ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
School Experience ◽  
First Year ◽  
Biomedical Sciences ◽  
Medical Specialties ◽  
Preclinical Medical Education

A series of three annual surveys of David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA students and UCR/UCLA Thomas Haider Program in Biomedical Sciences students were administered from 2010 to 2012 to ascertain student perceptions of which anatomy pedagogy—prosection or dissection—was most valuable to them during the first year of preclinical medical education and for the entire medical school experience in general. Students were asked, “What value does gross anatomy education have in preclinical medical education?” We further asked the students who participated in both prosection and dissection pedagogies, “Would you have preferred an anatomy curriculum like the Summer Anatomy Dissection during your first year in medical school instead of prosection?” All students who responded to the survey viewed anatomy as a highly valued part of the medical curriculum, specifically referring to four major themes: Anatomy is (1) the basis for medical understanding, (2) part of the overall medical school experience, (3) a bridge to understanding pathology and physiology, and (4) the foundation for clinical skills. Students who participated in both prosection and dissection pedagogies surprisingly and overwhelmingly advocated for a prosection curriculum for the first year of medical school, not a dissection curriculum. Time efficiency was the dominant theme in survey responses from students who learned anatomy through prosection and then dissection. Students, regardless of whether interested in surgery/radiology or not, appreciated both pedagogies but commented that prosection was sufficient for learning basic anatomy, while dissection was a necessary experience in preparation for the anatomical medical specialties. This suggests that anatomy instruction should be integrated into the clinical years of medical education.

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