scholarly journals ‘It Has a Lot of Potential!’: Use of Blockchain Technology for Education Records

Author(s):  
Justyna Kaletka ◽  
◽  
Andreas Raoul Herkommer ◽  
Niki Chatzipanagiotou ◽  
◽  
...  

The paper explores the perceptions of university students and their desired features on the use of blockchain technology for the management of education records. A literature review forms the theoretical basis of the research allowing to explore how education records are managed nowadays and the potential for the use of blockchain technology in this area. The theoretical framework is then used to discuss the research findings. The research adopts the interpretive qualitative approach and collects data through a focus group interview with university students. Computer assisted thematic data analysis yields five key themes: current usage of university education records, understanding how blockchain works, sustainability of blockchain, security of blockchain and implementation of blockchain for education records. Participants were generally positive towards the use of blockchain for the management of education records and saw it as one of the potential future solutions. Nevertheless, they voiced some reservations regarding the high energy consumption, costs and security towards a possible use of the blockchain technology. Therefore, careful implementation would be needed, with increased focus on usability, solving some security and sustainability issues and ensuring a fair and transparent access model.This research contributes to the current body of knowledge within informatics by empowering students to share their perception of possible development of student record systems based on blockchain technology. It also provides insights which can be used in the future to achieve a more user focused design of education records management systems.

Author(s):  
Yuanxin Zhang ◽  
Liujun Xu ◽  
Wei Wu ◽  
Zaijing Gong ◽  
Hashem Izadi Moud ◽  
...  

University students in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) are the main force and future leaders of the construction industry, and their values shape the model and direction of the industry’s future development. The construction industry is the largest contributor of waste and greenhouse gas emissions. However, there is an inconsistency between AEC university students’ perceptions and behaviors regarding sustainability, which has received little attention. This study attempts to shed light on the root causes of the inconsistency from the psychological perspective, incorporating construal level (CL) theory and psychological distance (PD) theory into situational settings of the experiment. We recruited 556 AEC students from 20 different universities to participate in data collection. Research findings revealed that PD has a significant influence on AEC students’ recycling behavior with variance in the effect of different dimensions, even though CL has no significant impact. Furthermore, findings show that spatial distance poses the greatest impact on AEC student recycling behavior, followed by information distance, temporal distance, experience distance, hypothetical distance, and social distance. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by introducing CL and PD into sustainability perception and behavior research in construction and has practical implications for universities with sustainability curricula in AEC.


No teaching method has evolved as much as distance education, in the state of Amazonas this would not be different, especially in higher education. Distance Education is a modality where the student is separated from the teacher and uses several communication technologies around all his learning. The methods used were bibliographic, documentary and quantitative. The researched environment was the capital city of Manaus and the municipality of Maués, with the application of the closed questionnaire aimed at higher education students. Our objective was to question certain nuances as their benefits and challenges for those who study Distance Education in the different locations of the State of Amazonas. The result was the realization that among its many advantages in the execution of education, time is considered the main one, and the loss of deadlines its greatest disadvantage, besides the concept of distance education is already well known by university students. Thus, it is well known that with the passing of time and with the progress of the state's modernization, distance education is gradually becoming the most practical means of teaching.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1326-1349
Author(s):  
Siti Nurul Akmal Yusof ◽  
Nor Azwadi Che Sidik ◽  
Yutaka Asako ◽  
Wan Mohd. Arif Aziz Japar ◽  
Saiful Bahri Mohamed ◽  
...  

Abstract Nanofluid is a colloidal mixture consisting of nano-sized particles dispersed in a liquid medium. It improves heat transfer properties and promotes high energy efficiency in a wide spectrum of engineering applications. In recent years, particularly in the automotive industry, the addition of nanofluid in diesel/biodiesel as an additive for ICE has become an attractive approach to promote enhanced combustion efficiency and emission reduction due to their superior thermophysical properties. Many researchers have previously demonstrated that the addition of nanoparticles in diesel/biodiesel fuel improved the overall engine combustion characteristics. As a whole, this study aims to summarize the recent research findings related to the effect of nanoparticles on the fuel properties and engine combustion efficiency. Furthermore, different types of additive blended with varying fuel properties are also compared and discussed. Lastly, the advantages and prospects of using nanofluid as an additive fuel are summarized for future research opportunities.


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Dilshad Manzar ◽  
Wassilatul Zannat ◽  
Manpreet Kaur ◽  
M. Ejaz Hussain

Abstract Purpose: Assessment of the influence of gender and increasing years at university on sleep health of students. Methods: Four hundred and eighteen students from different streams across years of undergraduate to postgraduate courses participated. Descriptive statistics, test of differences, and correlation were used. The sleep health data comprised of subjective evaluation using a questionnaire and personal interviews. Results: Overall, 43.1% had sleep problems, females were more affected (51.67% vs. 48.33% in males) but were early bed goers. The prevalence of circadian rhythm sleep disorder (11.6% vs. 9.5%) and delayed sleep phase syndrome (4.5% vs. 2.7%) was slightly higher in males. The daytime dysfunction and hypnotic use significantly differed in students of the same class among gender. Bedtime got significantly delayed along years [H(2)=29.769, p<0.001], and hypnotic use [H(2)=8.807, p=0.012] differed significantly among them. The moderate-very strong correlational statistics among sleep health elements was very similar across gender and years of university education. However, more pronounced influence of years of university education than gender was seen in the significant differences for correlated correlation among sleep health parameters. Conclusion: Gender and years of university education influence sleep among university students both separately and concomitantly.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 23-34
Author(s):  
Petra Trávníčková

Abstract Introduction: In recent years, teaching is no longer perceived only as a job, but as a profession. The study focuses on student’s view on the teacher’s profession, which is important in the context of becoming a teacher. During their university studies, student teachers are at the beginning of their professional careers. Their attitudes, values and principles are still evolving. Methods: Building on previous studies, qualitative methodology was applied. The main goals of the research were to describe the changing views of student teachers on the teacher’s profession, and to compare their views in the first and third years of study. Therefore, thematic writing was chosen. Results: The results show that the student teacher’s views change significantly during their university studies. While in the first year, student teachers focus more on the importance of childhood, their own practical experience and the teacher’s influence on a child’s life; in the last year of bachelor´s study, the emphasis is on the teacher’s personality, teaching professionalism and on the teacher as a learner can be observed. This paper can provide evidence that university education for kindergarten teachers is important and it most likely influences their future work. Discussion: The research findings show that it is appropriate to pay attention to how views about the teacher’s profession change. This could broaden the view of the development of the teacher profession concept and could also be a useful tool for modifying the content of future teachers’ education. Limitations: A certain limit of research can be sen in using one method. It would certainly be appropriate to supplement the research with interviews with participants. In my future research I will focus on this issue. Conclusion: 1. The student teachers’ views change significantly during their university studies, 2. The focus moves from their practical experience to the didactic theory. 3. There is a shift from focusing on personality of teachers to their abilities.


1970 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Akhmad Soleh

This study discusses the accessibility of university education in the four public universities in Yogyakarta; Indonesian Arts Institute (ISI), University of Gajah Mada (UGM),Yogyakarta State University (UNY), and State Islamic University (UIN) Sunan Kalijaga. Upto now, the disability groups have not got an equal access and the opportunity in a higher education. There are only a few students with disabilities that are accepted in Universities in Indonesia, because of physical limitations that would interfere the teaching-learning process in their classrooms. The research findings showed that the education systems in the UGM, Yogyakarta State University, and the ISI have a system of “integration”, while at UIN has led to the inclusion system, that is “accommodative” and has the ability to service for persons with disabilities.Penelitian ini membahas tentang aksesibilitas pendidikan di perguruan tinggi di empat perguruan tinggi negeri di Yogyakarta; yaitu Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI), Universitas Gajah Mada (UGM), Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), an Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Sunan Kalijaga. Sampai saat, kelompok masyarakat yang menyandang disabilitas masih belum memperoleh persamaan dan kesempatan dalam mengakses pada pendidikan tinggi. Hanya sedikit mahasiswa penyandang disabilitas yang diterima pada Perguruan tinggi di Indonesia, karena keterbatasan fisik yang akan mengganggu proses belajar-mengajar di kelasnya. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan baha pendidikan di UGM, UNY, dan ISI memiliki sistem “integrasi”,sedangkan di UIN telah memiliki sistem inklusi, yang “akomodatif”, dan mampu memberi layanan mahasiswa penyandang disabilitas.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 580-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Onur Mutlu Yasar ◽  
Murat Turgut

The aim of this study is to examine the career stress levels of university students in different faculties according to age, gender, faculty, class and financial status variables. The research was conducted using a quantitative research design. The sample of this study consisted of 1,189 university students from Kastamonu University Education Faculty, School of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Engineering and Architecture. Career Stress Scale consisting of 20 items and three sub-dimensions was used. Data were normally distributed and parametric analysis was used. According to the findings of this study, it was determined that the average score of the participants was 2.43 from the total score of the career stress scale. In this context, it was found that the career stress levels of the participants were moderate at the lower limit. According to the average scores of the participants, the lowest subscale was found to be an external conflict with 2.13 average and the highest subscale was found to be job anxiety with an average score of 2.82. A significant difference was found almost between all different groups in different ways (p > 0.05). As a result, it was found that the career stress levels of the university students participating in the research were moderate, as well as differences according to variables such as gender, class, age, faculty and income status. Among these differences, the most striking ones appear to be the variables of age and income. In this context, it was determined that university students who have lower age and lower-income status level have higher career stress level than age and income status variables. Keywords: Career, collage, stress, sport, students, university.


Author(s):  
Bibi Eshrat Zamani ◽  
Azam Esfijani ◽  
Sayed Majid Abdellahi Damaneh

Although higher education systems in developing countries such as Iran have embraced the online education approach, they are confronted with significant challenges in this transition, one of which is lack of instructors' participation in online teaching. Therefore, this research is aimed at exploring barriers and influential factors for this lack of participation. The researchers developed their theoretical framework based on a thorough review of the existing body of knowledge while considering the cultural features of Iran as a developing country. A tailored questionnaire asking about the existence of three groups of barriers, namely personal, attitudinal and contextual inhibitors, was distributed among all faculty members who were candidates for delivering online courses in one of the top universities in the country. Data was analysed using the descriptive and inferential tests of Friedman, <em>t</em>-Test and ANOVA. The results were in line with research findings in other developing countries in which the contextual barriers had the most inhibition effect against faculty members’ participation in online teaching. Certain cultural barriers also are highlighted by participants, pertaining to the context of Iranian online education systems.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
Hooi Sin Soo ◽  
Yenwan Chong

Abstract: The COVID-19 crisis has dramatically impacted university education as well as created new challenges for tertiary learning institutions. The pandemic has exacerbated graduate unemployment and increased student dropout rates. In response to these unprecedented challenges, universities are formulating more student development initiatives to support new students to transition into university and produce holistic graduates with essential soft skills. Student engagement evaluation can help inform and enhance the implementation of student development programs. In this study, seven domains of first year university students’ engagement were evaluated namely Academic Engagement (AE), Beyond-class Engagement (BE), Intellectual Engagement (IE), Online Engagement (OE), Peer Engagement (PE), Student-staff Engagement (SE) and Transition Engagement (TE). This study found that university freshmen’s Online Engagement (OE) was the strongest while their Academic Engagement (AE) was the weakest. This study also discovered that first year university students’ engagement were weakest with regard to reading of textbooks before attending class, asking questions in class and borrowing books from the university library. Future student development programs targeted at first year university students could be enhanced by increasing the use of ICT in teaching and learning as well as increasing efforts in assisting new students to transition from school to university learning environments by inculcating good reading habits and encouraging active class participation. Keywords: Academic engagement, First year undergraduates, Student development, Student engagement, Transition to university


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. pp95-103
Author(s):  
Noel Pearse

Qualitative research has been criticised for not building a distinctive body of knowledge, leading to fewer publications and citations. In the light of this critique, this paper offers guidance on how qualitative researchers can contribute to developing a distinctive and cumulative body of knowledge, thereby attracting more attention to their research. In pursuit of this aim, there are four objectives addressed in this paper. The first objective is to explain the relevance and value of deductive qualitative approaches to theory building. Secondly, to illustrate how examining the maturation of a concept can help decide the appropriateness of a particular research approach. This paper explains how in their planning, researchers need to confirm their intention to contribute to theory development and to ensure that this is appropriate, given the stage of maturation of the concept to be investigated. The third objective is to offer guidance on the philosophical assumptions of the researcher and how to test research propositions. Therefore, it is advised that data collection and analysis should take place within a post-positivist paradigm, and that the field work should be designed and carried out with research propositions as a point of departure. The final research objective is to explain how the findings of a deductive qualitative study should be handled to demonstrate the contribution of the study to the body of knowledge. Here guidance is offered on the contextualisation and generalisation of research findings.


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