scholarly journals Assessing the Effectiveness of Innovative Pedagogy and Lecture Method on Students Academic Achievement and Retention in Computer Programming

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Christian Basil Omeh ◽  
Chijioke Jonathan Olelewe

Education prepares one for the world of work; hence, the adoption of the innovative instructional approach employed in the process of teaching and learning is key to the attainment of this goal. To mitigate students’ poor achievement in computer programming (CP), innovative pedagogy (IP) was adopted to make students become active learners in classroom learning. In this study, a quasi-experimental design was used and nonrandomized the subject with pretest and posttest. Students (N = 145) were nonrandomized to the treatment and control groups. The researchers conducted a repeated measure of analysis of variance to determine the change between the experimental and control groups. Students’ attributes were tested for differences by comparing categorical data with chi-square statistics. The interaction effect was determined using an analysis of covariance. The results revealed that the experimental group’s CP achievement test results outperformed those of the control group at posttest and retention tests. Furthermore, the findings of the study show that there is no significant difference in students’ academic achievement across ability levels and gender. Also, there is no interaction between the pretest and the IP. The study, therefore, recommends that computer educators should adopt innovative teaching practices in their day-to-day teaching since it is more creative, learner-centered, and improved student engagement.

Author(s):  
Jallal Iranizadeh ◽  
Hassan Zarei Mahmoodabadi ◽  
Saeed Vaziri ◽  
Seyed Alireza Afshani

Introduction: Recently, consolidation of family functioning is considered as one of the most important solutions for elevating and strengthening marital life. Therefore, benefiting from family strengthening approaches is so truly significant. This research aims at investigating the effectiveness of the native model based on Lazarus theory and behavioral planning theory on the consolidation of family functioning. Method: This research is a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design and control group. The population includes all the couples referring to counseling and psychotherapy centers of Yazd Province, in Iran, 2019. Purposive sampling was used to select 34 couples who have the inclusion criteria, and they were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The couples answered the family consolidation questionnaire designed by Movahed et al. The experimental group received 11 sessions of interventions extracted from the localized Lazarus model and behavioral planning theory. Finally, data analysis was done by SPSS version 16 and an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The significance level of research was considered to be α=0.05 Findings: The results showed that there is a significant difference between the estimated mean score of the family consolidation in the experimental and control groups. Also, the findings suggest that compared with the control group, the posttest scores of the performance, problem-solving, relationship, emotional involvement, emotional support, role play, behavioral control, media, and superstition have been improved in the experimental group. This significant difference results from the training intervention. However, the variable of religious beliefs has not changed significantly. Conclusion: The training intervention done by the model has developed based on Lazarus theory and behavioral planning theory which can consolidate the family functioning.


2022 ◽  
pp. 003022282110659
Author(s):  
Anahita Khodabakhshi-Koolaee ◽  
Mohammad Reza Falsafinejad ◽  
Tina Zoljalali ◽  
Cobra Ghazizadeh

This study examined the effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy intervention on emotion regulation and death anxiety in old women. This quasi-experimental study was conducted using a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The research population included elderly women aged 60–75 years who were members of the Tehran Municipality Retirees Association in 2020. A total of 30 women were assigned to intervention and control groups (15 persons in each group). The participants in the intervention group received the dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) intervention for 10 sessions while the participants in the control group did not receive any intervention. The results of the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed that there was a significant difference between the women in the intervention and control groups in terms of cognitive emotion regulation and death anxiety on the posttest. This therapy can be used for the elderly living in nursing homes and aging associations and institutions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 339-348
Author(s):  
Reza Aliyar Najafabadi ◽  
◽  
Zohreh Meshkati ◽  
Rokhsareh Badami ◽  
◽  
...  

The aim of this research was determined the effect of assertiveness training on bullying, competitive state anxiety and performance under pressure in futsal players. 32 futsal players teenage guys who scored from low to moderate were scored in assertiveness questionnaire and were purposefully placed into two experimental and control groups. The experimental group was given eight session training, and no training was given to the control group. The data collection tools were assertiveness, bullying, competitive state anxiety questionnaires and athletes' performance checklist. Analysis of covariance results in bullying, competitive state anxiety and performance under pressure showed a significant difference between the two groups. In general, the results indicate the effect of assertiveness training on the bullying skills, competitive state anxiety, and performance under pressure of futsal teenage players, and suggested that assertiveness training be used to improve the performance under pressure in futsal players.


Author(s):  
Snežana Ružić

Flexibility is a basic motor ability that significantly improves overall motor efficiency and reduces the possibility of muscle and joint injuries. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Pilates exercise with a Swiss ball on flexibility development among female students. The sample of 45 participants, aged 19 to 22 years, was divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group took part in a 12-week Pilates exercise with a Swiss ball, with a frequency of three training sessions with one hour of exercise per week. The control group was not involved in the training process. For flexibility assessment, four tests were applied (Sit and Reach, Straddle in Supine Position, Leg Lift from Supine Position and Backward Leg Lift from a Prone Position).  The results of the multivariate analysis of covariance showed that there is a significant difference between the experimental and control groups. Univariate results showed significant differences in all flexibility variables. The authors conclude that the Pilates program with a ball has significantly improved the flexibility of the female students.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Emrah Ateş ◽  
Muhammet Özdemir

This research aims to analyze the effects of argumentation-based teaching (ABT) on the 4th-grade students’ academic achievement, argumentative tendencies and attitude towards science. The universe of the research was 4th-grade students studying in Yığılca district of Düzce province in the 2017-2018 academic year, in Turkey. The sample of the research consists of 37 4th grade students studying in two different classes. The pretest-posttest matched control group design was used which is one of semi-experimental design techniques. While activities related to ABT were administered to the experimental group, the existing curriculum was applied for the control group. The data of the research were collected using three tools: science achievement test (AT), science attitude scale (SAS), and argumentativeness scale (AS). All data collection tools were administered to experiment and control groups as pre-test and post-test to determine if there was a difference after the application. The findings revealed that the academic achievement of the students was significantly influenced by the activities related to ABT. However, there was no significant difference between experimental and control groups in terms of argumentative tendencies and their attitude towards science.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Nazli Zainuddin ◽  
Nurul Azira Mohd Shah ◽  
Rosdan Salim

Introduction: The role of virgin coconut oil in the treatment of allergic rhinitis is controversial. Thus, the aim of the present study is to determine the effects of virgin coconut oil ingestion, in addition to standard medications, on allergic rhinitis. We also studied the side effects of consumption of virgin coconut oil. Methods: Fifty two subjects were equally divided into test and control groups. All subjects received a daily dose of 10mg of loratadine for 28 days. The test group was given 10ml of virgin coconut oil three times a day in addition to loratadine. The symptoms of allergic rhinitis were scored at the beginning and end of the study. Results:, the symptom score were divided into nasal and non-nasal symptom scores. Sneezing score showed a significant difference, however the score was more in control group than test group, indicating that improvement in symptom was more in control group. The rest of the nasal symptom and non-nasal symptom score showed no significant difference between test and control groups. Approximately 58% of the test subjects developed side effects from consumption of virgin coconut oil, mainly gastrointestinal side effects. Conclusion: In the present study, ingestion of virgin coconut oil does not improve the overall and individual symptoms of allergic rhinitis, furthermore it has side effects.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Hiroki Ushirozako ◽  
Tomohiko Hasegawa ◽  
Yu Yamato ◽  
Go Yoshida ◽  
Tatsuya Yasuda ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVESurgical site infection (SSI) after posterior spinal surgery is one of the severe complications that may occur despite administration of prophylactic antibiotics and the use of intraoperative aseptic precautions. The use of intrawound vancomycin powder for SSI prevention is still controversial, with a lack of high-quality and large-scale studies. The purpose of this retrospective study using a propensity score–matched analysis was to clarify whether intrawound vancomycin powder prevents SSI occurrence after spinal surgery.METHODSThe authors analyzed 1261 adult patients who underwent posterior spinal surgery between 2010 and 2018 (mean age 62.3 years; 506 men, 755 women; follow-up period at least 1 year). Baseline and surgical data were assessed. After a preliminary analysis, a propensity score model was established with adjustments for age, sex, type of disease, and previously reported risk factors for SSI. The SSI rates were compared between patients with intrawound vancomycin powder treatment (vancomycin group) and those without (control group).RESULTSIn a preliminary analysis of 1261 unmatched patients (623 patients in the vancomycin group and 638 patients in the control group), there were significant differences between the groups in age (p = 0.041), body mass index (p = 0.013), American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (p < 0.001), malnutrition (p = 0.001), revision status (p < 0.001), use of steroids (p = 0.019), use of anticoagulation (p = 0.033), length of surgery (p = 0.003), estimated blood loss (p < 0.001), and use of instrumentation (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in SSI rates between the vancomycin and control groups (21 SSIs [3.4%] vs 33 SSIs [5.2%]; OR 0.640, 95% CI 0.368–1.111; p = 0.114). Using a one-to-one propensity score–matched analysis, 444 pairs of patients from the vancomycin and control groups were selected. There was no significant difference in the baseline and surgical data, except for height (p = 0.046), between both groups. The C-statistic for the propensity score model was 0.702. In the score-matched analysis, 12 (2.7%) and 24 (5.4%) patients in the vancomycin and control groups, respectively, developed SSIs (OR 0.486, 95% CI 0.243–0.972; p = 0.041). There were no systemic complications related to the use of vancomycin.CONCLUSIONSThe current study showed that intrawound vancomycin powder was useful in reducing the risk of SSI after posterior spinal surgery by half, without adverse events. Intrawound vancomycin powder use is a safe and effective procedure for SSI prevention.


Author(s):  
Elif Karatoprak ◽  
Samet Paksoy

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the thyroid functions in children receiving levetiracetam or valproate monotherapy. We retrospectively reviewed the records of children with controlled epilepsy receiving valproic acid (VPA group) or levetiracetam monotherapy (LEV group) for at least 6 months. Free thyroxine 4 levels (fT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were compared between VPA group, LEV group, and age- and gender-matched healthy children (control group). A total of 190 children were included in the study: 63 were in the VPA, 60 in the LEV, and 67 in the control group. Although there was no significant difference regarding average fT4 levels, higher TSH levels were found in the VPA group when compared with the LEV and control groups (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in terms of fT4 and TSH values in the LEV group when compared with the control group (p = 0.56 and p = 0.61, respectively). Subclinical hypothyroidism (defined as a TSH level above 5 uIU/mL with a normal fT4 level was detected in 16% of patients in the VPA group, none in the LEV and control groups. Our study found that VPA therapy is associated with an increased risk of subclinical hypothyroidism while LEV had no effect on thyroid function tests.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 2604
Author(s):  
Jin-Young Park ◽  
Kyung-A Ko ◽  
Ji-Yeong Lee ◽  
Jae-Woon Oh ◽  
Hyun-Chang Lim ◽  
...  

Background: Mangosteen and propolis extracts (MAEC) have been potential therapeutic agents known to exhibit powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the clinical and immunological efficacy of MAEC as well as safety and patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) on gingivitis and incipient periodontitis. Methods: This study was performed on 104 patients diagnosed with gingivitis or incipient periodontitis. At baseline, the participants were randomly allocated to either the test group, with daily intake of a single capsule containing 194 mg of MAEC for eight weeks, or control group, with placebo. Clinical periodontal evaluation and immunological parameters from saliva and gingival sulcular fluid were assessed at baseline, four, and eight weeks. Individual PROMs were assessed by OHIP-14 questionnaires. Results: There was a significant difference of modified gingival index at four and eight weeks between the test and control groups. In the test group, crevicular interleukin (IL)-6 was reduced, and the salivary matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 was increased after eight weeks. PROMs were improved up to four weeks compared to placebo. Conclusion: Oral administration of MAEC would have a potential to reduce gingival inflammation clinically and immunologically in the patients with gingivitis and incipient periodontitis.


2020 ◽  
pp. bmjstel-2020-000657
Author(s):  
Rebecca Singer ◽  
Grace Leo ◽  
Tessa Davis ◽  
Ben Lawton ◽  
Henry Goldstein ◽  
...  

Previous research has examined the utilisation of musical cues to improve the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) delivered in training environments. We postulated a musical cue that is both contemporary and transcends cultures may improve CPR performance. Our aim was to establish whether chest compressions are performed with improved rate and depth if a song of a fixed beat (PinkFong’s ‘Baby Shark’ with a tempo of 115 beats per minute (bpm) and 15 beats in each verse) is played to a healthcare professional immediately before undertaking CPR compared to whale noises (a non-metronomic rhythm). 58 Participants of a paediatric conference (majority doctors) were randomly assigned to listen to a minute of Baby Shark (28) or whale song (30) and then undertake a minute of CPR. There was no significant difference in the mean compression rate between the Baby Shark and control groups, with the groups achieving 121 and 125 bpm, respectively (p=0.18). In relation to compression depth within the target zone, the Baby Shark group had more compressions completed within the target zone (55%) than the control group (39%) although this difference was not significant (p=0.08). Listening to Baby Shark prior to undertaking simulated CPR does not improve overall performance, but there is a potential tendency to improve adequate compression depth which may be beneficial in training exercises.


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