Examining predictive factors and effects of in-class multitasking with mobile phones

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liping Deng ◽  
Kelly Yee Lai Ku ◽  
Qiuyi Kong
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
University Students ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Predictive Factors ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Learning Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Class Time ◽  
The Individual

Purpose The study aims to give a descriptive account of university students’ engagement with non-learning-related activities during class time and explore the relationship between off-task multitasking and learning. The predictive factors for off-task multitasking from individual, social and class-related dimensions are also examined. Design/methodology/approach Contextualized in a comprehensive university in Hong Kong, the study adopts a survey design and involves 79 samples. Findings The data show that Hong Kong university students are avid users of mobile phones and heavily engage with digital devices. Off-task multitasking with mobile phones is a common phenomenon, yet not related to learning performance. Among the various media and apps on mobile phones, instant messenger stands out as the most frequently used app on a daily basis and inside the classroom. The individual device-use habit and classroom engagement are significant predictors for off-task multitasking during class time. Practical implications This paper will allow teachers and students to be more aware of the causes and effects of off-task multitasking behaviors during class time and derive practical guidance and strategies to pay heed to and resist the disruptive influence of technologies on learning. Originality/value The existing scholarly work show a mixed and incomplete picture regarding the effects and determining factors of students’ multitasking. This study includes three variables from individual, social and teaching/learning dimensions and seeks to evaluate their predictive strengths. The results of the study will deepen our understanding of the patterns of off-task multitasking.

Hong Kong’s institutional incongruities and its tourism policy

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 312-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiew Ping Yew
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Political System ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Institutional Arrangements ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Interests ◽  
Tourism Policy ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Policy And Planning

Purpose – With a focus on Hong Kong tourism policy, the purpose of this paper is to explain the Hong Kong government’s conundrum in addressing society’s concerns and controversies over the massive influx of mainland tourists in recent years. Design/methodology/approach – This paper adopts the approach of historical institutionalism, in which the notion of structural-power takes centre stage. It outlines some notable trends in Hong Kong’s tourist arrivals and highlights some of the controversies that have arisen before delving into how existing institutional arrangements and key actors have shaped Hong Kong’s tourism policy amid the city’s shifting social, political and economic contexts. Findings – The prevalence of business interests and the ideology of economism largely explain the Hong Kong government’s stasis in tackling the problems stemming from the large inflow of mainland visitors. Institutional arrangements in the post-handover period have further empowered the business class, giving it an edge over the unelected executive that lacks a popular mandate. Therefore, even if the central government has signaled its willingness to adjust the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) policy, the Hong Kong government is unlikely to propose significant cuts to the inflow of IVS arrivals. Without further political reforms to boost the executive’s legitimacy and accountability to the Hong Kong people, it is doubtful that the government may emerge from its predicament in the near future. Originality/value – Through the lens of tourism policy and planning pertaining to inbound mainland visitors, this paper aims to assess the current state of governance in Hong Kong. It not only offers a timely look into Hong Kong’s political system 17 years after handover but also explores the extent to which apparent dysfunctions in the city’s governance today are a consequence of institutional incongruities in its political system.

Exploring entrepreneurial orientation and intentions among technical university students

2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (6) ◽  
pp. 718-736
Author(s):  
Swagatika Sahoo ◽  
Rajeev Kumar Panda
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Entrepreneurial Orientation ◽  
Resource Planning ◽  
Entrepreneurial Intentions ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the impact of the contextual antecedents on the individual entrepreneurial orientation (IEO) of university graduates, which, in turn, affects their entrepreneurial intentions (EIs). Design/methodology/approach Primary data were collected in the form of 510 valid responses from engineering students across two technical universities in India, through a structured questionnaire consisting of scales adapted from the extant literature, and the data were empirically validated in this study. The reliability and validity measures of the constructs were validated through the confirmatory factor analysis, and the proposed hypotheses were validated using structural equation modelling. Findings The results of this empirical analysis validate that the contextual antecedents have a significant positive impact on students’ entrepreneurial orientation (EO), which, in turn, has a significant positive influence on EIs. Research limitations/implications This analysis depicts the significance of EO as a perceptual driver at the individual level and substantiates that the availability of resources such as startup capital, access to business information, social networks and supportive university context significantly affects the decision-making process of an individual to venture into an otherwise uncertain occupation of entrepreneurship. Practical implications The study has the likely potential to help university administrators and policymakers to allocate resources, develop strategies and provide effective entrepreneurial learning in entrepreneurship-oriented courses aimed at honing entrepreneurial skills and self-confidence of the university students. This holistic model can be used as a tool for resource planning and prioritising in order to provide the desired contextual support essential for fostering the IEO of the university students towards adopting entrepreneurial career, thereby assisting them to achieve their career goals and the broader objective of nation-building. Originality/value This study adopts an innovative approach to empirically validate the EO construct at the individual level, which has been studied at the organisation (firm) level till today. This research explores the relevant contextual antecedents and analyses their impact on IEO as well as the explanatory capacity of IEO to explain students’ EIs in the contextual backdrop of universities in a fast transitioning economy like India.

Examining the impact of case-based learning on student engagement, learning motivation and learning performance among university students

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 517-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Ali Raza ◽  
Wasim Qazi ◽  
Bushra Umer
Keyword(s):  
Student Engagement ◽  
University Students ◽  
Learning Motivation ◽  
Learning Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Case Based Learning ◽  
Motivation And Learning ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Case Based

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of case study-based learning on student’s engagement, learning motivation and learning performance among university students of Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach The research model is analyzed with structural equation modeling. The analysis is done with the application of the measurement model and the structural model. Findings The findings revealed that case study-based learning enhances student engagement, and a significant and positive relationship between case-based learning and all four aspects of engagement, i.e. behavioral, emotional, cognitive and agentic engagement, was observed statistically. According to the findings, case-based learning leads toward an understanding of concepts learned in class and the development of skills among students and results in the enhancement of learning motivation. Furthermore, it is suggested by the results that the impact of student engagement on learning performance varies with respect to its different aspects. As among all the four aspects, only agentic engagement was found to be statistically significant in establishing the link with the learning performance of the students. Research limitations/implications The mixed findings pertaining to the impact of student engagement’s aspects on learning performance of the students pave the way for future research. The future researchers should incorporate individual traits and the specific context to analyze the relationships between the proposed constructs because students vary in their responses to learning activities. Practical implications The present study holds significance for the field of educational research and emphasizes the importance of incorporating case-based teaching in the higher education curriculum in order to ensure the implementation of effective learning strategies. Also, this research will be beneficial for future researchers in understanding the phenomenon of student learning and engagement. Originality/value In view of the limited academic literature in the Asian context, the present study extends the findings and examined the impact of case-based learning on student’s engagement, student’s learning motivation and the role of such engagement in enhancing learning performance of university students.

Teaching and discussing mental health among university students: a pilot arts-based study

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Atayero ◽  
Kate Dunton ◽  
Sasha Mattock ◽  
Amanda Gore ◽  
Sarah Douglas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
University Students ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Holistic Learning ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approaches ◽  
The Individual

PurposeInterdisciplinary approaches to health education are becoming increasingly common. Here, the authors describe an arts-based approach designed by academics and artists to both supplement the study of mental illness and support the individual mental health of undergraduate and postgraduate university students, by raising the visibility of mental illness in an innovative way.Design/methodology/approachThrough workshops, university students were guided in a sensory and physical way to discuss psychological health and vulnerability. This was followed by the creation of physical representations of mental distress through art pieces.FindingsStudents were able to design their own art pieces and discuss mental health issues in an open and creative way. Students reported that the arts-based initiative was beneficial to their practice as future professionals and provided a holistic learning experience. At the same time, artists were able to generate powerful images which facilitated further discussions within the faculty.Practical implicationsThis project provides an innovative model for workshops which could be employed to raise the visibility of common mental health disorders among university students while providing a safe space to discuss and support wellbeing. Additionally, variations could be implemented to enhance the teaching of affective disorders within a university curriculum.Originality/valueThis paper presents the results of collaboration between academics and artists, who together generated an innovative way to both support students' mental health and provide an alternative way to supplement experiential learning about common mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

scholarly journals Stakeholders’ views on effective employment support strategies for autistic university students and graduates entering the world of work

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henri Pesonen ◽  
Mitzi Waltz ◽  
Marc Fabri ◽  
Elena Syurina ◽  
Sarah Krückels ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Work Processes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Support Strategies ◽  
Employment Support ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Right

Purpose This paper aims to examine effective support strategies for facilitating the employment of autistic students and graduates by answering the following research question: What constitutes effective employment support for autistic students and graduates? Design/methodology/approach Data were collected using the method of empathy-based stories (MEBS) as part of a multinational European project’s Web-based survey. The data consisted of 55 writings about effective strategies and 55 writings about strategies to ]avoid when working with autistic students and graduates. The material was analysed using qualitative inductive content analysis. Narratives were created to illustrate desirable and undesirable environments and processes as they would be experienced by students, supported by original excerpts from the stories. Findings The analysis revealed that effective employment support for autistic students and graduates comprised three dimensions of support activity: practices based on the form and environment of support, social interaction support and autism acceptance and awareness. These dimensions were present in both recommended and not recommended support strategy writings. Originality/value The results add to the literature on autism and employment with its focus on the novel context of autistic university students and graduates. Effective strategies will be based on person-centred planning, to include not only the individual impact of autism but also individual career goals, workplace characteristics in the chosen field, employer needs and allocation of the right support. There is no one-size-fits-all strategy, but rather an individualized process is needed, focused on the identification of strengths, the adaptation of employment and work processes and improved understanding and acceptance of autism by management, colleagues and administration in the workplace.

The evolution of the bitcoin economy

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Tasca ◽  
Adam Hayes ◽  
Shaowen Liu
Keyword(s):  
Growth Stage ◽  
Black Market ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Black Markets ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Holding Period ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Third Stage ◽  
Business Entities ◽  
The Individual

Purpose This paper aims to gather together the minimum units of users’ identity in the Bitcoin network (i.e. the individual Bitcoin addresses) and group them into representations of business entities, what we call “super clusters”. While these clusters can remain largely anonymous, the authors are able to ascribe many of them to particular business categories by analyzing some of their specific transaction patterns (TPs), as observed during the period from 2009 to 2015. The authors are then able to extract and create a map of the network of payment relationships among them, and analyze transaction behavior found in each business category. They conclude by identifying three marked regimes that have evolved as the Bitcoin economy has grown and matured: from an early prototype stage; to a second growth stage populated in large part with “sin” enterprise (i.e. gambling, black markets); to a third stage marked by a sharp progression away from “sin” and toward legitimate enterprises. Design/methodology/approach Data mining. Findings Four primary business categories are identified in the Bitcoin economy: miners, gambling services, black markets and exchanges. Common patterns of transaction behavior between the business categories and their users are a “one-day” holding period for bitcoin transactions is somewhat typical. That is, a one-day effect where traders, gamblers, black market participants and miners tend to cash out on a daily basis. There seems to be a strong preference to do business within the bitcoin economy in round lot amounts, whether it is more typical of traders exchanging for fiat money, gamblers placing bets or black market goods being bought and sold. Distinct patterns of transaction behavior among the business categories and their users are flows between traders and exchanges average just around 20 BTC, and traders buy or sell on average every 11 days. Meanwhile, gamblers wager just 0.5 BTC on average, but re-bet often within the same day. Three marked regimes have evolved, as the Bitcoin economy has grown and matured: from an early prototype stage, to a second growth stage populated in large part with “sin” enterprises (i.e. gambling, black markets), to a third stage marked by a sharp progression away from “sin” and toward legitimate enterprises. This evolution of the Bitcoin economy suggests a trend toward legitimate commerce. Originality/value The authors propose a new theoretical framework that allows investigating and exploring the network of payment relationships in the Bitcoin economy. This study starts by gathering together the minimum units of Bitcoin identities (the individual addresses), and it goes forward in grouping them into approximations of business entities, what is called “super clusters”, by using tested techniques from the literature. A super cluster can be thought of as an approximation of a business entity in that it describes a number of individual addresses that are owned or controlled collectively by the same beneficial owner for some special economic purposes. The majority of these important clusters are initially unknown and uncategorized. The novelty of this study is given by the pure user group and the TP analyses, by means of which the authors are able to ascribe the super clusters into specific business categories and outline a map of the network of payment relationships among them.

The impact of COVID-19 on student motivation, community of inquiry and learning performance

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Consilz Tan
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
University Students ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Community Of Inquiry ◽  
Learning Motivation ◽  
Learning Performance ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Learning Methods ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the students studying in higher education institutions pre and during Movement Control Order (MCO). MCO was introduced in March 2020, and the learning process must switch from face-to-face to online learning in schools and universities. This study particularly focuses on university students by analyzing the students' motivation, the community of inquiry and learning performance. In total, three factors are examined in the construct of the community of inquiry, namely social presence, cognitive presence and teaching presence.Design/methodology/approachThis paper provides quantitative analysis and paired sample t-tests on the students' learning motivation, the community of inquiry and learning performance. This paper presents the analysis of the online learning preference of 282 university students and examines whether there is significant difference in preference before and during MCO.FindingsThe findings indicated that the students lost motivation and learning performance using online learning methods during the MCO period. There is a lack of infrastructure to support the learning and social support from the lecturers and peers.Research limitations/implicationsThis research helps to explore improvements that are needed to manage such a pandemic to support teaching staff and students.Practical implicationsThe COVID-19 is a pandemic that has affected the learning process of the students, and it should not be neglected even when it is over. Policymakers shall consider providing more training and better infrastructures to cater to smooth Internet connection and platform for online learning. Students are not able to focus on learning using online learning methods and, they lack motivation during the pandemic. The teaching faculty also need to be well-trained in delivering online courses and to be more tech-savvy.Social implicationsWith the detailed analysis of the students' learning motivation, the community of inquiry and learning performance, it helps to promote a better education environment.Originality/valueThis is the first study to examine the learning motivation and performance model as well as the community of inquiry during the pandemic. It is evident that university students initially have a high level of motivation and community of inquiry before the pandemic but yield a significant drop during the MCO. The paper presented how COVID-19 seriously impacted on the learning experience.

Food habits and attitudes towards food quality among young students

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 456-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabetta Savelli ◽  
Federica Murmura ◽  
Lolita Liberatore ◽  
Nicola Casolani ◽  
Laura Bravi
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
University Students ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Sales Promotion ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Marketing Literature ◽  
The Individual

Purpose The food consumption has always received a lot of attention in the marketing literature, as it tends to reflect and determine the overall consumer behaviour, expression of the individual lifestyle. Nevertheless, less attention has been devoted to the young. This paper aims at analysing how university students, a segment of young people, perceive and evaluate the quality of food and which attributes most influence their food choice and consumption. Design/methodology/approach An online questionnaire was carried out from March to December 2015 among Italian university students. A sample of 1,138 people took part in the survey. Data were elaborated through SPSS 21.0 statistical software package. Findings Findings suggest a number of interesting points. First, a high attention of university students towards price and sales promotion was observed. Nevertheless, they are well informed in food products they buy and pay high attention to ingredients, origin and healthiness of food products. Finally, performing a principal component analysis three different components on food store selection were found, namely, “Price saving”, “Convenience” and “Food assortment and quality”. Practical implications A more comprehensive understanding of the food behaviour of the young could be useful for marketing researchers and practitioners to define marketing programs aimed at satisfying the food demand of a growing segment of the market. Originality/value The food behaviour of young people as a whole has been little addressed in the marketing literature. Existing studies have explored specific topics such as the consumption of organic food, fast-food buying habits or alcohol abuse.

Changing Hong Kong university students’ national identity through studying abroad

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie Cheng ◽  
Elson Szeto
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
National Identity ◽  
Study Abroad ◽  
University Students ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Term Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Studying Abroad ◽  
Short Term Study

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore whether there are any effects on Hong Kong university students’ national identity after short-term study abroad. If so, what sources of influence from the short-term study abroad programme contribute to the students’ change in national identity? Design/methodology/approach Using the case study approach, 85 students completed a questionnaire, and a small group of 12 students were invited to individual interviews for further investigation. Findings Results show that the students’ perceptions of national identity are multiple and complicated through the lens of four components of national identity. The responses of students’ perceptions of change in identity were pointed to three statements: “feeling prouder of being Chinese”, “Hongkongers are very different from mainland Chinese” and “no change in my views of national identity”. The influences of study abroad experiences on national identity varied, dependent on the students’ interaction with the local and non-local people, and reflection on their own identity, whether on the cultural or political differences or on national achievements. Research limitations/implications The findings of this study can inform educators and administrators to enhance profound short-term study abroad experience for the students. The limitation of this case study is that it is concerned with understanding how small numbers of students construct meaning from their individual experience. It is recommended that studies with larger sampling sizes be conducted to investigate students’ perceptions of their national identity before and after studying abroad. Originality/value Considering the increasing number of Hong Kong youths who have participated in these short-term study-abroad programmes in higher education, the findings of this study are significant in terms of awakening the students’ taken-for-granted national identity, if any. The programme serves as a means of triggering the students’ feelings and emotions regarding their identity in different national, social and cultural contexts. This can inform policy makers, educational administrators and teachers to formulate an appropriate national education curriculum for the youth.

The roles of internships in encouraging university students to join political parties

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-94
Author(s):  
Hoi-Yu Ng
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Political Parties ◽  
University Students ◽  
Political Party ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Democratic Regimes ◽  
Internship Programs ◽  
Western Democracies

Purpose Political parties in Hong Kong are eager to recruit university students and internship programs are a major recruitment channel for them. However, studies on the influences of political internship programs on university students are few and have mainly been conducted in Western democracies. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore the roles of political party internship programs in encouraging university and community college students to join political parties in Hong Kong, a semi-democratic autonomous region of China. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on the insights gained from semi-structured interviews with a small sample of former party interns. Findings This paper found that party internship programs can play three major roles in encouraging students at higher education institutions to join a political party. They are: exposing students to the recruitment efforts of the party, helping students who have no political aspirations to generate a desire to join, and providing an opportunity for those already considering joining to ascertain if the party is really suitable for them. Originality/value This paper shows that political internships in semi-democratic regimes like Hong Kong can play similar roles as those in Western democracies to stimulate some university students to pursue a career in politics and help those already considering a political career to ascertain their goals. This paper also shows that these stimulating and confirming effects could also apply to the application for party membership.

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