scholarly journals Seeing the Forest from the Trees: A Novel Deep Learning-Driven Aggregate Embedding for Group-Level Analysis of Public Health Data

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Alexander MacLean ◽  
Yang Yang ◽  
Helen Chen ◽  
Alexander Wong

In the years since the COMPASS dataset initiative was begun, many important research questions have been investigated using its large amount of health information pertaining to high school students across Canada, with findings guiding many decisions made by policy makers [1]. However, to use traditional statistical methods, specific data points must be selected by researchers to include in the analysis, leading to possible unexpected relationships and connections across the study's 280 data points being missed. As well, most analysis is done on a per-student basis, while policies are often implemented at the school level, so understanding behaviours across a school's population can make it easier for school decision makers to interpret findings. Motivated by these goals, this study introduces a novel deep learning-driven aggregate embedding method to determine group-level representations for individual schools from student-level survey responses based on architecture introduced in Variational Autoencoders [2]. This study aims to produce a method which allows for new patterns to be identified in the COMPASS data and for the resulting embedded representations to be applied in future analysis.

Author(s):  
Hanifah Nurus Sopiany

Penalaran matematis menggunakan pola pikir logis dalam menganalisa suatu masalah yang nanti pada akhirnya akan ditandai dengan aktivitas menyimpulkan atas masalah tersebut. Seseorang yang memiliki penalaran yang baik, tentunya akan berhati-hati dalam bertindak dan memutuskan sesuatu. Materi-materi pada kalkulus merupakan materi yang ada pada tingkat sekolah menengah yang nantinya menjadi lahan mengajar mahasiswa calon guru matematika S-1. Kemampuan penalaran yang dikaji mempengaruhi pembelajaran mahasiswa kedepannya karena berlaku pada matakuliah lanjut, contohnya pada kemampuan pembuktian akan selalu digunakan pada matakuliah persamaan diferensial, struktur aljabar, analisis  vektor, analisis real, dll. Sedangkan sebagai calon guru yang nantinya mengajar pada tingkat sekolah menengah, maka kemampuan penalaran ini menjadi salah satu capaian pembelajaran matematika bagi siswa sekolah menengah, maka oleh karena itu guru yang mengajarnya haruslah memiliki kemampuan penalaran yang baik. Analisis kesalahan sangat penting untuk melakukan evaluasi dan refleksi pada struktur soal maupun pada perlakuan dalam pembelajaran dalam upaya memperbaiki kemampuan penalarannya.   Mathematical reasoning uses a logical mindset in analyzing a problem that will eventually be marked by concluding activity on the problem. Someone who has good reason, will certainly be careful in acting and deciding something. The material content on the calculus is the material that exists at the secondary school level which will become the field of teaching the prospective master of math teacher bachelor. The reasoning ability studied influences student learning in the future as it applies to advanced courses, for example in the ability of proof will always be used in the course of differential equations, algebraic structure, vector analysis, real analysis, etc. While as a teacher candidate who will teach at the secondary school level, then this reasoning ability becomes one of the achievements of mathematics learning for high school students, therefore teachers who teach it must have good reasoning ability. Error analysis is very important to evaluate and reflect on the problem structure as well as on the treatment in learning in order to improve the reasoning ability.


Author(s):  
Nicola A. Kiernan ◽  
Andrew Manches ◽  
Michael K. Seery

Visuospatial thinking is considered crucial for understanding of three-dimensional spatial concepts in STEM disciplines. Despite their importance, little is known about the underlying cognitive processing required to spatially reason and the varied strategies students may employ to solve visuospatial problems. This study seeks to identify and describe how and when students use imagistic or analytical reasoning when making pen-on-paper predictions about molecular geometry and if particular reasoning strategies are linked to greater accuracy of responses. Student reasoning was evidenced through pen-on-paper responses generated by high attaining, high school students (N = 10) studying Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory in their final year of chemistry. Through analysis and coding of students’ open-ended paper-based responses to an introductory task, results revealed that students employed multiple reasoning strategies, including analytical heuristics and the spontaneous construction of external diagrammatic representations to predict molecular geometry. Importantly, it was observed that despite being instructed on the use of VSEPR theory to find analytical solutions, some students exhibited preference for alternative reasoning strategies drawing on prior knowledge and imagistic reasoning; showing greater accuracy with 3D diagrammatic representations than students who used the algorithmic method of instruction. This has implications for both research and practice as use of specific reasoning strategies are not readily promoted as a pedagogical approach nor are they given credit for in national examinations at school level.


Author(s):  
Selamawit Hirpa ◽  
Andrew Fogarty ◽  
Adamu Addissie ◽  
Linda Bauld ◽  
Thomas Frese ◽  
...  

Shisha smoking is also known as hookah, water pipe, goza, and nargile. Shisha use among the young is increasing globally. Shisha smoke results in a high concentration of carbon monoxide, tar, nicotine, and heavy metals which can be toxic to humans, especially with chronic exposure. This study aims to determine the prevalence and risk factors of shisha smoking among in-school adolescents in Ethiopia. Four regional states in Ethiopia (Oromia, Amhara, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region, Tigray) and the capital city (Addis Ababa) were the study areas. A two-stage cluster sampling approach was employed to produce a representative sample. From the sampling frames in the study areas, 36 high schools were selected randomly. A multi-level logistic regression analysis was used to account for cluster-specific random effects, the effect of individuals’, and school-level variables for ever-use of shisha. A total of 3355 secondary school grade 9 and 10 students aged between 13 and 22 years took part in this study. A total of 86 (2.6%) and 20 (0.6%) of the study participants, reported that they had ever smoked or were current smokers of shisha, respectively. Of all study participants, 38.6% perceived shisha as less harmful than cigarettes and 48.5% reported that they do not know which was more harmful to health. Students were more likely to ever use shisha if they had friend/s who smoke shisha (AOR = 16.8, 95% CI: 6.4–44.3), ever smoked cigarettes (AOR = 8.2, 95% CI: 3.4–19.8), ever used khat (AOR = 4.2, 95% CI: 1.9–10.4), ever used marijuana (AOR = 3.9, 95% CI: 1.4–11.1), ever used smokeless tobacco (AOR = 3.1 95% CI: 1.1–8.4), and students had received income from their parents (AOR = 3.1 CI: 1.1–8.8). Prevalence of ever and current use of shisha among high school students is low in Ethiopia compared to many countries in Africa. The majority of adolescents perceived shisha as less harmful to health than cigarette smoking. Health education about the harmful effects of shisha should be delivered to adolescents, along with information on other substances like khat, cigarettes, marijuana, and smokeless tobacco to prevent initiation of substance use.


2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Campbell ◽  
Rachael Goodman-Williams ◽  
Hannah Feeney ◽  
Giannina Fehler-Cabral

The purpose of this study was to develop triangulation coding methods for a large-scale action research and evaluation project and to examine how practitioners and policy makers interpreted both convergent and divergent data. We created a color-coded system that evaluated the extent of triangulation across methodologies (qualitative and quantitative), data collection methods (observations, interviews, and archival records), and stakeholder groups (five distinct disciplines/organizations). Triangulation was assessed for both specific data points (e.g., a piece of historical/contextual information or qualitative theme) and substantive findings that emanated from further analysis of those data points (e.g., a statistical model or a mechanistic qualitative assertion that links themes). We present five case study examples that explore the complexities of interpreting triangulation data and determining whether data are deemed credible and actionable if not convergent.


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Talida M. State ◽  
Judith R. Harrison ◽  
Lee Kern ◽  
Timothy J. Lewis

Little is known about the feasibility and acceptability of interventions designed to address the needs of high school students with emotional and behavioral challenges and adopted by their teachers. In this study, 336 general and special education teachers rated classwide interventions (e.g., expectations, routines, positive student–teacher interactions [PSTI]) and individual student interventions (e.g., study skills, organizational skills) in terms of priority, feasibility, and acceptability before implementation. Teachers who implemented the interventions rated their acceptability post-implementation. Results indicated that acceptability ratings varied across interventions, and it appeared that teachers rated interventions that required the least amount of time to implement (e.g., PSTI) most acceptable and those that required the most time for implementation (e.g., study skills) least acceptable. Lack of time, perceived lack of effectiveness, and poor environmental fit were often cited as reasons for lack of feasibility. Regression analyses revealed that teacher characteristics (e.g., years of experience) and type of intervention (e.g., classwide vs. individualized) contributed to teacher ratings of intervention acceptability. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 87 (9) ◽  
pp. 696-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth M. Parker ◽  
Sarah Lindstrom Johnson ◽  
Katrina J. Debnam ◽  
Adam J. Milam ◽  
Catherine P. Bradshaw

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 468-477
Author(s):  
Siti Hariyanti ◽  
Elis Irmayanti ◽  
Eunike Rose Mita Lukiani

This research was conducted based on the results of researchers' observations about the role of parents in increasing children's economic learning motivation during the pandemic for senior high school level students in Bajulan Village, Loceret District, Nganjuk Regency. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of parents in increasing motivation to learn economics during the pandemic for senior high school education level students. The researcher used a qualitative approach with field research methods, especially descriptive types with the research subjects were parents and high school students who took economics subjects. The research was carried out using observation, interview and documentation techniques. The results showed that the role of parents in increasing children's learning motivation were 1) parents as children's facilitators, the form of facilities provided by parents to students were providing Wi-Fi, cellphones, study tables and money allocated for internet quotas, 2) parents as motivators for students, the form of motivation given by parents to students in the form of advice and warnings, and 3) parents as guide, the form of guidance given by parents to students was role model. Based on data analysis, it can be concluded that the role of parents in increasing motivation to learn economics is quite good. It can be seen from observations and interviews that the role of parents has been well realized by parents. Keywords: The Role of Parents, Motivation, Learning Economics, Pandemic Period.


Author(s):  
Muhamad Taufik Hidayat

Teacher’s personal trait is critical because it may ominously affect students’ motivation in learning. However, some teachers remain unaware of its significance. It was evident in the students’ statements stating that they often had to learn with moody teachers who, as a result, ruined their learning motivation. The present study aims to explore the students’ perspectives on the EFL teacher’s personalities that influence the students’ motivation. To achieve the objective, the study utilized case study design in which the data were collected through semi-structured interview conducted to six senior high school students. The data were then analyzed by following Miles and Huberman’s (1994) framework. The results showed that all respondents shared agreement on the teacher’s personalities that they prefered. They felt happy and motivated when they learned with humble, friendly, kind, caring, patient, and humorous teachers. The results of this study may help the EFL teachers consider their personality as one of the vital aspects that could affect the students’ learning motivation. EFL teachers should pay more attention to their attitudes towards the students. In addition, the results suggest that policy makers should formulate rules that encourage teachers to not only focus on their hard skills but also their soft skills such as good personalities.  


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reviandari Widyatiningtyas ◽  
Yaya S. Kusumah ◽  
Utari Sumarmo ◽  
Jozua Sabandar

The study was report the findings of an only post-test control group research design and aims to analyze the influence of problem-based learning approach, school level, and students' prior mathematical ability to student's mathematics critical thinking ability. The research subjects were 140 grade ten senior high school students coming from excellent and moderate school level. The research instruments a set of mathematical critical thinking ability test, and the data were analyzed by using two ways ANOVA and t-test. The research found that the problem-based learning approach has significant impact to the ability of students' mathematics critical thinking in terms of school level and students' prior mathematical abilities. Furthermore. This research also found that there is no interaction between learning approach and school level, and learning approach and students' prior mathematics ability to students' mathematics critical thinking ability.Keywords: problem-based learning, mathematical critical thinking ability


2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Lynne Lane ◽  
Wendy Peia Oakes ◽  
Emily D. Cantwell ◽  
David J. Royer ◽  
Melinda M. Leko ◽  
...  

In this article, we examined predictive validity of Student Risk Screening Scale for Internalizing and Externalizing (SRSS-IE) scores for use at the middle ( N = 2,313 from four middle schools) and high ( N = 2,727 from two high schools) school level. Results indicated middle and high school students with high levels of risk according to fall SRSS-IE scores (particularly those with externalizing behaviors) were likely to have lower grade point averages, fail more courses, have more nurse visits, and spend more time in in-school suspensions compared with students at low risk for externalizing and internalizing behaviors. Education implications, limitations, and future directions are presented.


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