Boosting Students’ Attitudes & Knowledge about Evolution Sets Them Up for College Success

2015 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Elijah Carter ◽  
Lynn M. Infanti ◽  
Jason R. Wiles
Keyword(s):  
College Success ◽  
College Level ◽  
Student Knowledge ◽  
University Teachers ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Evolutionary Science ◽  
Course Achievement ◽  
Knowledge Of Evolution ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Introductory Biology Course

Students who enter college with a solid grounding in, and positive attitudes toward, evolutionary science are better prepared for and achieve at higher levels in university-level biology courses. We found highly significant, positive relationships between student knowledge of evolution and attitudes toward evolution, as well as between introductory biology course achievement and both precourse acceptance of evolution and precourse knowledge of evolution, among students at a medium-sized private northeastern university. Teachers who scant the teaching of evolution or who do not foster good attitudes toward evolution are compromising their students’ potential for success in science at the college level.

scholarly journals Integrating Extensive Reading in a College Preparatory Year Program: Perceptions, Challenges, and Possibilities

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 50
Author(s):  
Joel C. Meniado
Keyword(s):  
Reading Proficiency ◽  
Cultural Barriers ◽  
College Level ◽  
Extensive Reading ◽  
Language Abilities ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Preparatory Year ◽  
Teachers Perspectives

Many studies in different EFL contexts have shown positive impacts of extensive reading (ER) on learners’ language abilities, reading proficiency, motivation, and attitude toward reading. With the aim of investigating the appropriateness and effectiveness of ER in a context where there is no strong culture for reading, this study surveyed students’ attitudes towards ER, their perceptions on the benefits they gain from ER, and the challenges they encountered during its implementation. Utilizing interview, it also examined teachers’ perspectives on the possibilities and trajectories of ER within the institution after its first implementation. The study sample consisted of 365 randomly selected male Saudi college-level EFL students who answered the questionnaire and 5 teachers who separately responded to the unstructured interview. Results revealed that students have positive attitudes towards ER. They believe that ER is very useful, interesting, enriching, and empowering that it can make them better readers and learners. Results also revealed that ER provides various linguistic benefits. However, there can be challenges such as time constraints, lack of resources, and linguistic and cultural barriers. Analysis of the interview with teachers revealed that there can be many possibilities to improve ER implementation. The study concluded with its limitations and important recommendations.

The Attitudes of University Students of Batubara in Medan Towards Batubara Malay Language

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julisah Izar ◽  
Siti Aisah Ginting
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Depth Interview ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
The University ◽  
Key Words Attitudes ◽  
Bahasa Indonesia

This study dealt with the attitudes of university students of Batubara towards Batubara Malay language. The data were collected from 20 university students of Batubara in Medan. The instruments used for collecting the data were observation sheet, questionnaire sheet and depth interview. The data were analyzed by Moleong’s theory. The findings showed that the respondents’ attitudes were: 12 (60%) negative and 8 (40%) positive. The attitudes levels of university students included in negative and positive attitudes namely in: receiving 11 (55%) negative and 9 (45%) positive, responding 12 (60%) negative and 8 positive, valuing 10 (50%) negative and 10 (50%)  positive,  organizing 12 (60%) positive and 8 (40%) negative, and internalizing values 12 (60%) negative and 8 (40%) positive. The factors influenced the university students’ attitudes were language disloyalty 12 (60%) negative and 8 (40%) positive, language pride lack 14 (70%) negative and 7 (30%) positive, in the unawareness of the norms 11 (55%) negative and 9 (45%) positive. Bahasa Indonesia is dominantly spoken by the university students of Batubara in Medan which caused they have less frequency in using their Batubara Malay language with their friends who are from same region in Medan. Key words: Attitudes, University Students of Batubara, Batubara Malay Language

Gender and Attitudes toward Computers and Calculators: Their Relationship to Math Performance

1989 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gail F. Munger ◽  
Brenda H. Loyd
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Attitude Scale ◽  
Mathematics Performance ◽  
Attitudes Toward Computers ◽  
School Students ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Attitudes Toward Calculators ◽  
The Relationship

In education, computers and calculators historically have been associated with mathematics and the sciences, and are frequently incorporated into these areas of the curriculum. This may have serious implications for females because of the long history of reported sex differences in achievement and attitudes in mathematics and related disciplines. This study of sixty high school students examines the relationship between mathematics performance and students' attitudes toward technology (computers and calculators), and whether the relationship is similar for males and females. A practice form of the General Educational Development (GED) test was used to measure mathematics performance. Students' attitudes toward computers were assessed by the Computer Attitude Scale, and attitudes toward calculators were assessed by a 4-item measure developed by the authors. In general, students with more positive attitudes toward computers and calculators were found to perform better than students with more negative attitudes.

scholarly journals Visualizing molecular structures and shapes: a comparison of virtual reality, computer simulation, and traditional modeling

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Corina E. Brown ◽  
Ben Whaley ◽  
Richard M. Hyslop
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Chemistry Education ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Molecular Geometry ◽  
Molecular Structures ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Chemistry Students ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Students Attitudes

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of three methods used to assist in teaching molecular geometry to college chemistry students. A pre- and post-test quasi-experiment was used to collect data about students’ performance in a given chemistry exercise. One research question was intended to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of the three methods in assisting students to understand the topic and carry out the exercise correctly, and a second research question addressed students’ attitudes towards the use of Virtual Reality (VR) in chemistry education. Results show a positive attitude towards the use of VR as an assisting tool to aid in understanding chemistry concepts. While the difference among the three methods was not significant, the results show that the VR brought more enthusiasm and positive attitudes toward the topic of molecular geometry among the students. Educational implications and recommendations for future research are presented as well.

Teamwork attitudes, interest and self-efficacy between online and face-to-face information technology students

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 253-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah Konak ◽  
Sadan Kulturel-Konak ◽  
Gordon W. Cheung
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Academic Program ◽  
Sample Population ◽  
Online Classes ◽  
Online Students ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Teamwork Skills ◽  
Students Attitudes

PurposeChallenges of teamwork in online classes may adversely affect students’ future attitudes toward teamwork. Further, there is a concern about whether online programs foster students’ teamwork skills. To answer these questions, the purpose of this paper is to compare online and face-to-face students’ attitudes toward teamwork, interest in learning teamwork skills and teamwork self-efficacy.Design/methodology/approachThe authors developed a conceptual model explaining how students’ background, engagement in learning teamwork, teamwork self-efficacy and interest in learning teamwork affect attitudes toward teamwork and rigorously tested the model for a meaningful comparison between online and face-to-face students. Attitudes toward teamwork, teamwork interest and teamwork self-efficacy of 582 online and face-to-face students who attend the same academic program were compared.FindingsThe results suggest that online students have less positive attitudes towards teamwork compared to face-to-face students although online students have a higher level of teamwork self-efficacy. Therefore, online students’ relative less positive attitudes toward teamwork cannot be explained by the lack of engagement, teamwork skills or interest.Research limitations/implicationsThe homogeneity of the sample population is one of the limitations of the paper although it provides the opportunity for a comparative study of online and face-to-face students by controlling the majors.Practical implicationsInstructors should evaluate the appropriateness of team assignments while incorporating teamwork in online classes.Originality/valueConcerns about online teamwork are discussed but have not been rigorously investigated in the literature. The authors conducted a comprehensive study involving 582 undergraduate students. The findings of this paper suggest that new approaches are needed to incorporate teamwork in online classes. The results also show that importance of building teamwork self-efficacy.

scholarly journals English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Learners’ Perceptions on the Effectiveness of the Internet to Enhance their Learning

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Ziad Abdulrahman Al-Muwallad
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
English Language ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
The Internet ◽  
King Saud University ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Preparatory Year

This study attempted to investigate the vital role of the internet in enhancing the learning of reading. In addition, the study aimed to measure the students’ attitudes towards the internet and to identify to what extent the internet was employed in their reading classes. Moreover, the study aimed to explore the challenges that they encountered while using the internet in their learning of reading. In order to achieve these goals, the researcher used the descriptive analytical approach and used the questionnaire as the main data collection tool. The study sample comprised 50 Saudi EFL male students in the preparatory year at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia. The findings of the study showed that students perceived that the internet is important in the process of reading comprehension learning and teaching with positive attitudes towards the internet. Results showed that the top challenges of using of the internet for reading learning/teaching are lack of students’ knowledge to know what to read on the internet, the short time of the class, and the students’ lack of the skills and knowledge to use the internet for academic purposes. Furthermore, the results showed that the students mostly used the internet for playing games, social networking, and learning vocabulary. It is recommended that English language teachers should be encouraged to use the internet in their language classes as it is valuable for their students to enhance their reading comprehension skills.

scholarly journals The Effect of Using Flipped Classroom Model on Libyan University Students' English Learning

2018 ◽  
pp. 64-84
Author(s):  
Mustafa Braiek ◽  
Abdulhamid Onaiba ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Flipped Classroom ◽  
Teaching Method ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Traditional Teaching ◽  
Language Test ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Learning English

This study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of using flipped classroom model on learning English as a foreign language and students’ attitudes towards flipped classroom. The sample of study consisted of 31 students at Faculty of Arts, Misurata University. The participants were divided into two groups: 16 students for the experimental group and 15 students for the control group. The data collection tools used in this study were an EFL (English as a Foreign Language) test and a questionnaire to explore students’ attitudes towards flipped classroom. Participants in both groups were pre-tested using the EFL test before the experiment. Then, the experimental group was taught using flipped classroom strategy while the control group was taught using the traditional teaching method. After the experiment, students in both groups were post-tested using the EFL test while the questionnaire was administered to the students of the experimental group only. The results of the study showed that applying the strategy of the flipped classroom had a significant effect in increasing the students’ performances in learning English. The questionnaire responses showed positive attitudes regarding the use of flipped teaching.

scholarly journals Breaking the Binary

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy Mercer-Mapstone ◽  
Sarah Bajan ◽  
Kasia Banas ◽  
Arthur Morphett ◽  
Kristine McGrath
Keyword(s):  
Minority Group ◽  
First Year ◽  
Sex And Gender ◽  
Biological Sex ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Student Cohorts ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Partnership Approach

The need to make higher education curricula gender-inclusive is increasingly pressing as student cohorts diversify. We adopted a student-staff partnership approach to design, integrate, and evaluate a module that taught first-year science students the difference between biological sex, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation in the context of genetics concepts at an Australian university. This module aimed to break the binary in misconceptions of both sex and gender, emphasising that both exist on separate spectra. Data triangulation was used to evaluate students’ attitudes towards the module and their learning of module concepts. Students’ attitudes were positive overall, and evaluation of students’ learning indicated that the majority of students understood and retained key concepts, while also identifying common misconceptions. Perhaps the most important finding was that students who identified as belonging to a minority group had significantly more positive attitudes towards the module than non-minority students. This finding supports previous research that has found inclusive curricula have greater benefit for students from minority backgrounds, indicating the importance of making such curriculum enhancements. Our results speak to both the co-creation process and students’ learning outcomes, providing valuable insights for practitioners both within science and beyond.

scholarly journals GRADUATE STUDENTS’ ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS MOBILE LEARNING AT KING KHALID UNIVERSITY (SAUDI ARABIA)

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Mobile Learning ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Education Data ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Attitudes And Perceptions ◽  
Technological Developments ◽  
Students Attitudes

Mobile Learning (mLearning) has become an influential educational technology in higher education. With the internet and other technological developments, mLearning makes it possible for students to learn, collaborate, and share ideas with each other. However, mLearning student acceptance is critical to its effectiveness. Attitudes toward learning is a vital factor in deciding whether or not students are ready to use mLearning for academic purpose. Student attitudes may identify strengths and weaknesses of mLearning and facilitate development of the technology. This qualitative study aims to investigate graduate students’ attitudes and perceptions toward using mLearning in education. Data were collected by conducting interviews with fourteen graduate students enrolled in masters and doctoral programs in the College of Education at King Khalid University (KKU), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Generally, graduate students in education disciplines had positive attitudes toward mLearning and expressed a desire to use it in their future educational settings. Students perceived mLearning to be valuable for academic purposes, noting the convenience of being able to access course materials, the ease of communicating with other students and professors at their own pace, and the flexibility mobile devices offer over desktop or laptop computers. However, students identified a few usability issues like small screen size and keyboards, and additional cost of mobile devices and the corresponding cost of Internet access as constraints for using mobile devices for learning.

Development of a Writing Attitude Survey for Grades 9 to 12: Effects of Gender, Grade, and Ethnicity

1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 587-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth E. Knudson
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Senior High School ◽  
School Students ◽  
Attitude Survey ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Attitudes Toward Writing ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Senior High School Students

In this study was developed an instrument for reliably and quickly assessing senior high school students' attitudes toward writing, primarily through modifying an instrument developed for Grades 4 to 8, and for examining the effects of gender, grade, and ethnicity on these students' attitudes toward writing. A 19-item survey instrument was administered to 870 students. There was no significant main effect for ethnicity, but effects for gender (girls had more positive attitudes toward writing than boys) and for grade. Students in Grade 12 had significantly more positive attitudes toward writing than students in Grades 9, 10, or 11.

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