Using an Implementation Trial of an ePortfolio System to Promote Student Learning through Self-Reflection: Leveraging the Success

This paper reports on a pilot study that was conducted during a technical trial of a new ePortfolio system at a large Australian university. Students from a large (n = 325) first-year educational technology course were given the opportunity to use the new ePortfolio system weekly as part of their reflective practice at the end of the hands-on tutorial classes and also through a blogging assignment that required six posts throughout the semester. Although the students reflecting on their work and ePortfolios themselves are not new concepts, this paper reports how assessment practices can be improved using ePortfolios and how students can improve their reflective practice through simple and regular use throughout the 12-week semester that the study was conducted. From the class, 208 students responded to the survey with the results being positive. The students were able to use the system easily and did not report many problems with crashing or freezing. The lessons learnt form an important part of this study for future iterations with these reported in the paper.

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Jigsaw puzzle to teach anatomy to first year MBBS students

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences ◽

10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20194985 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (11) ◽

pp. 4161

Author(s):

Seema Gupta ◽

Anshu Soni ◽

Sonia Singh ◽

Hitant Vohra

Keyword(s):

Deep Learning ◽

First Year ◽

Jigsaw Puzzle ◽

Rote Learning ◽

Innovative Method ◽

New Concepts ◽

Hands On ◽

Teaching Anatomy ◽

Self Learning ◽

The Brain

Background: Anatomy provides a platform of knowledge indispensable to all the branches of medicine. Students have to learn many new concepts and tongue-twisting terminologies, making this subject difficult to comprehend. It has been seen that a range of innovative, proactive, simple, hands-on approach strategies can achieve maximum student engagement and help them learn. Aim is to take students from the traditional view of anatomy as a subject that require surface learning (rote learning, memorization) to one that can lead to deep learning through understanding. Keeping all this in mind a study was planned to develop an innovative method of teaching anatomy to 1st year MBBS students.Methods: The diagrams of sagittal and horizontal sections of the brain were selected, marked and cut into jigsaw pieces. Students were given an incomplete jigsaw puzzle and a set of questions. The answer to these questions helped them complete the puzzle. Perception of students who consented to participate in the study was noted.Results: Out of 98 students who participated in the study 61.2% wanted to participate in similar activities in future in anatomy and 57.1% felt that it helped them in understanding the topic. For 52.1% it was a useful self-learning tool and for another 48.9% students solving the puzzle was a challenging experience.Conclusions: Jigsaw puzzle is an efficient way for students to become engaged in their learning. It maximizes interaction and establishes an atmosphere of co-operation and respect for other students and improves learning.

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Reflective assessment: opportunities and challenges

Reference Services Review ◽

10.1108/rsr-06-2015-0027 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 38-47 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anne Jumonville Graf ◽

Benjamin R. Harris

Keyword(s):

Reflective Practice ◽

Teaching And Learning ◽

Assessment Practices ◽

Content Type ◽

Reflective Assessment ◽

Self Reflection ◽

Library Programming ◽

Assessment Techniques ◽

Reflective Strategies ◽

Instructional Services

Purpose – Librarians engage in assessment for several purposes, such as to improve teaching and learning, or to report institutional value. In turn, these assessments shape our perspectives and priorities. How can we participate critically in the assessment of information literacy instruction and library programming while broadening our view and making room for questions about what we do? This paper aims to explore self-reflection as a method for building on existing assessment practices with a critical consciousness. Design/methodology/approach – In tracing the trajectory of assessment and reflective practice in library literature, the authors conducted a selective literature review and analyzed the potential impact of incorporating librarian self-reflection into assessment practices, particularly for instructional services. The authors’ experiences with strategies informed by these conversations were also described. Findings – Self-reflection has typically been used to improve teaching or as a method of assessing student learning. However, it can also be used to develop a critical awareness of what one accomplishes through the act of assessing. The authors develop and present self-reflective strategies and discuss their benefits and limitations. Practical implications – An extensive list of strategies was developed to illustrate practical examples of a reflective approach to assessment. Originality/value – Although librarians have used reflection as a type of assessment strategy, self-reflection has not been viewed as a method for evaluating other assessment techniques. Librarians interested in exploring reflective practice and thinking critically about assessment will find strategies and suggestions for doing so.

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Is Pre-College Interpersonal Trauma Associated with Cannabis Use?

10.31234/osf.io/qhufj ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Terrell A Hicks ◽

Daniel Bustamante ◽

Kaitlin E Bountress ◽

Amy Adkins ◽

Dace S Svikis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Interpersonal Trauma ◽

Demographic Variables ◽

Cannabis Use ◽

First Year ◽

Southeastern Part ◽

First Year College ◽

Large N ◽

First Year College Students ◽

Experimental Use

Objective: To examine the prevalence and correlates of lifetime cannabis use (i.e., experimental [use 1-5 times] and non-experimental [use ≥ 6 times]) in relation to demographics, interpersonal trauma (IPT), and alcohol and nicotine use.Participants: A large (n = 9,889) representative sample of college students at an urban college campus in the southeastern part of the United States.Methods: Participants were 4 cohorts of first-year college students who completed measures of demographic variables, cannabis, alcohol, nicotine, and IPT. Associations were estimated using multinomial logistic regressions.Results: The prevalence of lifetime cannabis use was 45.5%. Specifically, 28.1% reported non-experimental cannabis use and 17.4% reported experimental cannabis use. Race, cohort, nicotine, and IPT were associated with experimental and non-experimental cannabis use. Additionally, alcohol and sex were associated with non-experimental cannabis use.Conclusions: Results show that cannabis use is prevalent among college students and is associated with race, IPT, and other substance use.

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The Application of American Models to the Experiences and Outcomes of Canadian and International Students Studying in Canada

Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad ◽

10.36366/frontiers.v11i1.152 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 71-97 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

J. Paul Grayson

Keyword(s):

Academic Achievement ◽

International Students ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Student Outcomes ◽

First Year ◽

Program Satisfaction ◽

Canadian Universities ◽

General Utility ◽

American Students ◽

The Us

In order to test the general utility of models developed in the US for explaining university outcomes of Canadian and international students, a three year study is currently underway at four Canadian universities. As a first step in this research, a pilot study with two objectives was conducted at York University in Toronto. The first objective is to compare the experiences and outcomes of domestic and international students in their first year of study. The second objective is to test the applicability of a parsimonious general model of student outcomes derived from examinations of American students to Canadian and international students studying in Canada. The specific outcomes examined are academic achievement, credit completion, and program satisfaction in the first year of study.

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