Self-Efficacy Versus Gender: Project-Based Active Learning Techniques in Biomedical Engineering Introductory Computer Programming Courses

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Cyrus Rezvanifar ◽  
Rouzbeh Amini

Abstract Engineering education has increasingly embraced active learning techniques within a variety of curricula. In particular, project-based active learning techniques have a significant potential to enhance students' learning experience. In this study, we implemented project-based techniques in biomedical engineering (BME) classes, and we investigated the effects of active learning on students' self-efficacy as an effective predictor of students' academic persistence and their career decision-making. Differences in self-efficacy were compared across genders. A high level of internal consistency was observed for both academic and career-oriented scales, as determined by Cronbach's alpha values of 0.908 and 0.862, respectively. While average scores of all survey questions indicated improvement in students' academic and career-oriented self-efficacy measures, significant improvements were observed in “clearer vision of programming application in engineering” and “BME careers,” as well as in “expectation of success in a future BME career that involves developing medical devices” after the completion of the project-based activity (p = 0.002, 0.023, and 0.034, respectively). For two of the survey questions, female students reflected a significantly lower “self-confidence about understanding the most complex course material” as well as a significantly lower “willingness to have a future career in BME that involves intensive computer programing” as compared to male students (p = 0.035 and 0.024, respectively). We have further discussed possible explanations for the observed differences and multiple potential ways to enhance gender equality in STEM fields from a self-efficacy standpoint.

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 195-204
Author(s):  
Nuha Abdullah ◽  
Norasmah Othman

This study discusses the level of leadership self-efficacy (LSE) among female public servants who hold positions of Grade 48 and above. Within the context of Malaysia's norms, studies related to LSE among female public servants are still lacking and limited. Therefore, quantitative research was conducted to distribute questionnaires as research instruments to 456 respondents among female public servants Grade 48 and above who were randomly selected. Leadership self-efficacy is measured through four dimensions, namely i) motivating group members, (ii) creating synergy, (iii) showing awareness and self-confidence, and (iv) creating change. The study results show that the level of LSE for the dimension of motivating group members and creating synergy is high. However, the extent of LSE for the dimension shows self-awareness and self-confidence, and creating change is moderately high. Thus, to confirm that female public servants have the chance to be selected as decision-makers at the superior level of the organization, then all four aspects of self-efficacy leadership must be at a high level. Therefore, it is hoped that this study's results can provide input to stakeholders on the necessity to carry out such as mentoring programs or modules to enhance the LSE among female public servants and ensure that Policy of 30 percent women as decision-makers is achieved by 2030. Keywords: Women's Leadership Self-efficacy, women as decision-maker, female public officer, women   Abstrak: Kajian ini membincangkan tentang tahap efikasi kendiri kepimpinan dalam kalangan penjawat awam wanita yang menjawat jawatan Gred 48 dan ke atas. Dalam konteks norma di Malaysia, kajian berkaitan efikasi kendiri kepimpinan dalam kalangan penjawat awam masih kurang dan terhad. Maka sebuah kajian berbentuk kuantitatif telah dijalankan dengan menggunakan borang soal selidik dan ditadbir kepada 456 responden yang terdiri daripada penjawat awam wanita Gred 48 dan ke atas melalui kaedah rawak mudah. Efikasi kendiri kepimpinan diukur melalui empat dimensi iaitu i) memotivasikan ahli kumpulan, (ii) mencipta sinergi, (iii) menunjukkan kesedaran dan keyakinan diri dan (iv) mencipta perubahan. Hasil kajian menunjukkan tahap efikasi kendiri kepimpinan bagi dimensi memotivasikan ahli kumpulan dan mencipta sinergi adalah tinggi. Namun begitu, tahap efikasi kendiri kepimpinan bagi dimensi kesedaran dan keyakinan diri serta mencipta perubahan hanya berada pada tahap sederhana tinggi. Justeru, bagi memastikan penjawat awam wanita memperoleh peluang untuk dipilih sebagai pembuat keputusan di peringkat tertinggi organisasi maka keempat-empat aspek efikasi kendiri kepimpinan perlu berada di tahap tinggi. Oleh itu, diharapkan hasil kajian ini dapat memberikan input kepada pihak pemegang taruh tentang keperluan mengadakan program pementoran atau modul bagi membantu meningkatkan efikasi kendiri kepimpinan dalam kalangan pekerja awam wanita agar Dasar 30 peratus wanita sebagai pembuat keputusan tercapai menjelang tahun 2030. Kata kunci: Efikasi-kendiri Kepimpinan Wanita, pembuat keputusan, penjawat awam wanita, wanita


Abstract As a consequence of the unprecedented labor market circumstances that the prolonged Covid-19 pandemic brought about, organizations have faced challenges never seen before. One such challenge was the sudden ubiquity of working from home, which resulted in an intensive learning experience for employees and employers alike. While there is an increasing body of research on working from home in general, the perceived effectiveness of this mode of working is still under-researched. This niche provided the inspiration for us to investigate what factors might influence employees' self-efficacy in working from home arrangements. We conducted a mixed-methods case study by collecting both qualitative and quantitative data from 24 employees of a division of the Hungarian subsidiary of a chemical and consumer goods multinational. The purpose of our investigation was to gain a deeper understanding of perceived self-efficacy and self-regulation during the learning processes that the participants experienced under the new circumstances. Results suggest that the perceived high level of work-efficiency among the employees of the examined division was based on the firmly controlled work-division, trusting managers, as well as supportive and clear communication, which created space for autonomy in the adaptation process. The findings also revealed that self-reflection acted as a predictor of perceived work self-efficacy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Dewa Ayu Ari Wiryadi Joni ◽  
I Gusti Agung Putri Wirastuti

This study aims to reveal the effect of self-efficacy on the elementary level students and factors causing the high level of self-efficacy and its influence on students' English speaking ability. The population of this study were all students of grade VIII SMPN 3 Gianyar, while the sample of this study was taken by random sampling technique with lottery system. For research and data collection methods, the researcher uses some valid and reliable instruments, namely (1) speaking performance appraisal to know students' ability to speak English consisting of 3 criteria ie smoothness, pronunciation and improvisation, (2) self-efficacy questionnaire for knowing the high level of self-efficacy and its influence on students' speaking ability consisting of 4 components ie learning experience, field experience, social invitation, and psychological and emotional condition and analyzed with SPSS 16.0, (3) FGD guide (Focus Group Discussion) to know the factors causing the high low self-efficacy consisting of these 8 interview questions. A total of 33 students with details of 12 male and 21 female students were grouped into 3 large groups (high, medium, low) to be interviewed through FGD. The results of this study is self-efficacy gives a significant effect on students' speaking ability at the basic level of contribution of 91%. It was also found that the four criteria in self-efficacy have significant influence on students 'speaking ability, the most dominant is the criteria of students' psychic and emotional state when learning to speak English. This study contributes empirically that teachers can update their teaching techniques by observing self-efficacy in students by using creativity in teaching. In addition students can find out what happens to them during English learning so that together can create a comfortable and conducive learning atmosphere.


Author(s):  
Prithwish Parial

Abstract: Python is the finest, easily adoptable object-oriented programming language developed by Guido van Rossum, and first released on February 20, 1991 It is a powerful high-level language in the recent software world. In this paper, our discussion will be an introduction to the various Python tools applicable for Machine learning techniques, Data Science and IoT. Then describe the packages that are in demand of Data science and Machine learning communities, for example- Pandas, SciPy, TensorFlow, Theano, Matplotlib, etc. After that, we will move to show the significance of python for building IoT applications. We will share different codes throughout an example. To assistance, the learning experience, execute the following examples contained in this paper interactively using the Jupiter notebooks. Keywords: Machine learning, Real world programming, Data Science, IOT, Tools, Different packages, Languages- Python.


Author(s):  
Michelle Allendoerfer

For decades, international studies instructors have adopted active learning techniques to engage students in a wide range of classes. The literature on active learning suggests many benefits of integrating these methods into courses as a complement to traditional teaching modes such as lectures. These benefits include motivating and engaging students, enhancing learning of content, and supporting skill building. Although the empirical literature on active learning is mixed, the general consensus from the literature is that active learning is a valuable supplement to other teaching methods. Students and faculty find active learning enjoyable and engaging. Human rights courses, specifically, can benefit from engaging students. Active learning can help students unpack their preconceived ideas about human rights, identify the challenges that face international efforts to cooperate, and better understand the world around them. At the same time, human rights courses often cover sensitive topics that can present challenges for instructors wanting to engage in active learning techniques. It is important to be mindful of how to approach these topics, regardless of teaching method and especially when using active learning techniques that give students more agency in the classroom. Focusing on best practices for active learning provides a useful guide to managing the challenges that using active learning poses in human rights courses. In particular, instructors should align activities with course learning objectives, give careful consideration to the selection of topics and questions, create a classroom environment that is conductive to respectful engagement, and use debriefing techniques at the conclusion of an activity. Active learning, when designed and implemented carefully, can help create a transformational learning experience for students in a human rights course.


Author(s):  
Nadarajan Thambu

Nilai berkaitan dengan alam sekitar merupakan salah satu bidang pembelajaran dalam Sukatan Pelajaran Pendidikan Moral di Malaysia. Pendidikan dan pengetahuan berkaitan alam sekitar diberi perhatian dalam mata pelajaran Pendidikan Moral untuk melahirkan murid yang peka, sensitif, berfikiran positif dan yang mampu melestarikan alam. Kajian ini membincangkan penggunaan teknik drama sebagai pedagogi dalam menerapkan nilai berkaitan alam sekitar di dalam sebuah kelas Pendidikan Moral. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan, drama yang berfungsi sebagai teknik pembelajaran aktif mampu memberikan pengalaman pembelajaran yang bermakna kepada pemahaman nilai berkaitan alam sekitar. Elemen-elemen drama seperti, penulisan skrip, latihan dan hafalan dialog mempunyai kelebihan dan kesesuaian yang tersendiri dalam mengembangkan amalan nilai berkaitan alam sekitar dalam kalangan murid sekolah menengah. (Values related to the environment is one of the areas of learning in the Moral Education syllabus in Malaysia. Education and knowledge of environment is a concern in the Moral Education to produce students who are aware, sensitive, positive and capable of preserving nature. This study discusses the use of drama as a pedagogical technique in inculcate environmental values in a Moral Education classroom. The findings show, the drama that serves as an active learning techniques able to provide a meaningful learning experience to understand the environment better. Elements in drama such as, script writing, training and memorization of dialogue has its own advantages and suitability in developing the environmental practices among secondary school students.)


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (07) ◽  
pp. 730-746
Author(s):  
Sheku Kakay

Since this line of inquiry is underrepresented in the literature on technology adoption, this study investigates the effect of inertia on technology usage and acceptance in Higher Education institutions. The paper considers the benefits and drawbacks of using technology, especially studynet/canvas and its effect on teaching and learning, as well as why some people embrace technology more slowly than others. The researcher used open-ended questions to assess the views of UH academics and students on a variety of topics, including self-efficacy, for example, self-confidence and self-belief in ones ability to master new technology compatibility instructor effectiveness and facilitating conditions and then analysed their overall influence on teaching and learning, especially in relation to technology use, adoption and acceptance in HEIs. The researcher discovered that users have a high level of self-efficacy, and compatibility has also been suggested to play a significant role in user adoption of the platform.


Author(s):  
Negar M. Harandi ◽  
Carol P. Jaeger ◽  
Philip D. Loewen

In this paper the planning, implementation, and analysis of active learning techniques introduced into a new integrated course designed for second-year Biomedical Engineering students at the University of British Columbia are presented. The course included foundation material on circuit analysis, electromagnetics, and vector calculus. The course was delivered using a blended learning format, incorporating video content, traditional lecture time, and team based in-class problem solving. In general the problem solving activities were well received, but several adjustments were necessary during the term to optimize the effectiveness of the team-based activities. Student feedback and course outcomes are presented and discussed in the paper.  


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