COMPUTER SIMULATION OF INTRODUCTORY NEUROPHYSIOLOGY

2003 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 120-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul McGrath ◽  
Robert Kucera ◽  
Wayne Smith
Keyword(s):  
Learning Experience ◽  
Membrane Potentials ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
First Year ◽  
Potassium Ions ◽  
Professional Programs ◽  
Refractory Periods ◽  
Neuron Function ◽  
First Year University ◽  
Sodium And Potassium

A computer-assisted learning (CAL) package, NeuroLab, developed for use by first-year university students undertaking professional programs in the health area, is described and evaluated. NeuroLab is a simulation of a laboratory, in which students are able to impale neurons to measure resting membrane potentials and subsequently undertake experiments including measuring resting membrane potentials, determining threshold potentials, measuring refractory periods, and examining effects on membrane potential through altering the membrane permeability to sodium and potassium ions. Students find the package to be a worthwhile learning experience, with 81 ± 2.2% reporting the package increased their understanding of neuron function, and 78 ± 2.5% expressing a desire for more CAL packages. Exposure to the package resulted in significantly higher mean scores in a multiple-choice question test on measuring neuron membrane potentials compared with those who were not exposed (mean scores out of 4 of 2.42 and 2.02, respectively, P < 0.001).

scholarly journals The ‘unforgettable’ experience of foreign language anxiety

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-128
Author(s):  
Morana Drakulić
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Language Anxiety ◽  
Foreign Language Anxiety ◽  
First Year ◽  
Learning Context ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
First Year University

Foreign language anxiety (FLA) has long been recognized as a factor that hinders the process of foreign language learning at all levels. Among numerous FLA sources identified in the literature, language classroom seems to be of particular interest and significance, especially in the formal language learning context, where the course and the teacher are often the only representatives of language. The main purpose of the study is to determine the presence and potential sources of foreign language anxiety among first year university students and to explore how high anxiety levels shape and affect students’ foreign language learning experience. In the study both the questionnaire and the interviews were used as the data collection methods. Thematic analysis of the interviews and descriptive statistics suggest that most anxiety-provoking situations stem from the language classroom itself.

scholarly journals Addressing Cross-Linguistic Influence and Related Cultural Factors Using Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL)

2011 ◽  
pp. 582-598
Author(s):  
Danièle Allard ◽  
Jacqueline Bourdeau ◽  
Riichiro Mizoguchi
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
First Year ◽  
Computer Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Ontological Engineering ◽  
Learning Scenarios ◽  
First Year University

The goal of this research, a work in progress, is to address areas in second/foreign language acquisition prone to cross-linguistic influence, and to examine related cultural factors. More specifically, the authors aim to identify such areas, map available knowledge in this respect using ontological engineering methodology, and devise appropriate teaching strategies and learning scenarios to help overcome cross-linguistic influence with the help of computer-assisted language learning systems. The authors have been working mainly with Japanese-speaking students of English and first-year university English-speaking students of French. In this chapter, the authors describe culture in relation to foreign language learning, cross-linguistic influence, their cultural framework as well as ontological engineering methodology. They demonstrate their work with examples of the use of modals by Japanese students/speakers of English. They further provide an illustration of ontological modeling in addition to a basic simulation of how a CALL system based on an ontology could potentially work.

scholarly journals Levels of motivation and confidence among first year university learners

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 45-57
Author(s):  
Annette Simon
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
First Year ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
First Semester ◽  
Confidence Levels ◽  
Grammar Learning ◽  
First Year University ◽  
Motivation And Confidence

This paper explores some motivational aspects of foreign language grammar learning. Subjects are Irish first-year university students of German with five years’ previous language learning experience. Findings are presented with regard to learners’ reaction to a dedicated grammar class which was designed in order to assist students in the transition from a primarily memory-based approach to language learning to a cognitive-analytical approach. Two cross-sectional sets of investigations were conducted, one at the beginning of the first semester and the other at the end of the second semester, in which both qualitative and quantitative elicitation instruments (interviews and questionnaires) were used. Results for the questionnaires and the follow-up interviews conducted at the end of semester two of year one reveal that learners reacted positively to the grammar programme and that confidence levels with regard to German grammar learning and usage had increased.

The Effectiveness of Computer-Assisted Learning in the Teaching of Quantitative Volumetric Analysis Skills in a First-Year University Course

1995 ◽  
Vol 72 (11) ◽  
pp. 1003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmel McNaught ◽  
Heather Grant ◽  
Paul Fritze ◽  
Janet Barton ◽  
Peter McTigue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Volumetric Analysis ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
First Year ◽  
Computer Assisted Learning ◽  
University Course ◽  
First Year University

The Need to Belong and the Relationship Between Loneliness and Health

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 194-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Freda-Marie Hartung ◽  
Britta Renner
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Situation ◽  
First Year ◽  
Health State ◽  
Need To Belong ◽  
First Year University ◽  
Perceived Social Isolation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Humans are social animals; consequently, a lack of social ties affects individuals’ health negatively. However, the desire to belong differs between individuals, raising the question of whether individual differences in the need to belong moderate the impact of perceived social isolation on health. In the present study, 77 first-year university students rated their loneliness and health every 6 weeks for 18 weeks. Individual differences in the need to belong were found to moderate the relationship between loneliness and current health state. Specifically, lonely students with a high need to belong reported more days of illness than those with a low need to belong. In contrast, the strength of the need to belong had no effect on students who did not feel lonely. Thus, people who have a strong need to belong appear to suffer from loneliness and become ill more often, whereas people with a weak need to belong appear to stand loneliness better and are comparatively healthy. The study implies that social isolation does not impact all individuals identically; instead, the fit between the social situation and an individual’s need appears to be crucial for an individual’s functioning.

Correlating entrance data and first year academic performance of students enrolled in the Integrated Master in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Porto

2021 ◽  
pp. 030641902110156
Author(s):  
TMGP Duarte ◽  
AM Lopes ◽  
LFM da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Institutional Factors ◽  
First Year ◽  
Female Type ◽  
The University ◽  
First Year University ◽  
Over Time

Understanding how the academic performance of first year undergraduate students is influenced by home, personal and institutional factors is fundamental to delineate policies able to mitigate failure. This paper investigates possible correlations between the academic performance of students at the end of high school with their achievements at the end of first year university. Data for students in the Integrated Master in Mechanical Engineering (MIEM) program within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Porto are analysed for the period 2016/2017 to 2019/2020. The students’ performance is measured by two metrics and the students are structured as a whole and by groups, according to their gender (Male/Female), type of secondary school (Public/Private), living place (Away/Home) and the rank of MIEM in their application list of options (Option 1/Option 2–6). The information is organized statistically and possible correlations between the data are investigated. The analysis reveals limited correlation between the two metrics, meaning that all students may exhibit good or poor results at the end of first year in MIEM, independent of their status at entrance. An unanticipated pattern is exhibited for the group Option 2–6, since it shows that, despite entering into MIEM without top application marks, the students in this group can perform as well as the others. This behavior is consistent over time.

scholarly journals Application of Cannabis Use Intention Questionnaire (CUIQ) to First Year University Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Inês Teodoro ◽  
Hugo Torres ◽  
Nuno Venâncio ◽  
Guilhermina Moutinho ◽  
Maria Deolinda Auxtero
Keyword(s):  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Self Control ◽  
First Year ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Intent To Use ◽  
First Year University

Cannabis is the illegal drug most used worldwide. Its long-term use increases the risk of depression and schizophrenia, causing a major public health problem. A validated questionnaire was applied to first year students of Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz to assess their intention regarding cannabis use. They do not consider cannabis to be much associated with well-being, they slightly consider the opinion of relatives, and they show a low intent to use the drug, believing themselves to have strong self-control. Scores are above average for 18-y.o. Portuguese students, except for belief in self-control.

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