scholarly journals What Do Freshmen Know about Sustainability? Analysing the Skill Gap among University Business Administration Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 8813
Author(s):  
Alba Manresa ◽  
Jasmina Berbegal-Mirabent ◽  
Úrsula Faura-Martínez ◽  
Juan-Vicente Llinares-Ciscar

This study aims at creating and validating an instrument to assess the level of mastery in sustainability competencies of freshmen students in business-related studies. To reach this goal, a questionnaire that captures the level of acquisition of the competencies in sustainability is provided. A three-step process has been followed to analyse the results gathered among first-year students in two Spanish universities. First, eight confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to verify the grouping of the dimensions included in the questionnaire, resulting in 10 competency units in sustainability (CU). Next, we averaged the values of the items included in each CU to facilitate interpretation and then calculated the skill gap; that is, the difference between the level that CU students are expected to achieve on graduation compared to the current level. Third, a series of ANOVA tests were run to investigate potential differences in the level of acquisition due to gender, prior training and educational background, which according to the literature might influence current student knowledge of sustainability. Our results reveal that freshmen enter university with a heterogeneous level of development, both in terms of breadth (different CUs) and depth (the extent to which each CU is developed). The original value of this work stems from the creation of an instrument which is expected to be applicable in a variety of contexts. Additionally, the information it provides assists us in the identification of the CUs that should be further emphasized at university level, and therefore helps professors to prioritise those teaching strategies targeted at overcoming this deficit.

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 200
Author(s):  
Andi An-Nisaa Arfin ◽  
Kamaluddin Kamaluddin ◽  
Wa Ode Fatmawati

The purpose of conducting this research is to examine the difference NGain scores between students who learn vocabulary with Blindfold Game and students who learn vocabulary without Blindfold Game at the first year students of SMP Negeri 13 Kendari. The samples of this research are the first grade four (VII-4) and the first grade three (VII-3) which consists of 27 students for each class. This research is conducted in comparison research design that consists of experimental class (VII-4) and controll class (VII-3). The data of this research are collected by giving pre-test and post-test in two classes (VII-4 & VII-3). The result shows that there is an improvement of the students’ vocabulary achievement. Independent samples t-test shows that, there is a significant difference in the Ngain scores for experimental class ( M = 60.08,  SD = 9.36 ) and controll class ( M = 20.41, SD = 14.56 ), t (52) = 11.904, p (0.000) < 0.05. Therefore, it can be concluded that the value of Sig (2 tailed) is lower than the significance α value (0.000 < 0.05). In other words, alternative hypothesis (H1) is accepted and the null hypothesis (H0) is rejected. It means that the Blindfold game can enrich students’ vocabulary achievement for Junior High School Student.


1976 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 619-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Géry D'ydewalle

Subjects (100 first-year students of both sexes from the Law School at Leuven, Belgium) selected one of several nonsense words as a “translation” of a real word and were told whether their choice was “right” or “wrong.” Subjects who expected to have the whole series of items a number of times until the correct translation for each word was completely learned (multiple-trial condition) recalled more “right” responses than subjects who expected a single second trial (two-trial condition). A preliminary exposure to a similar but shorter task had a different influence according to the two conditions: there was a decrease in recall of response in the multiple-trial condition but an increase in the two-trial condition. The data suggest that conflicting conclusions about the difference in recall between “right” and “wrong” responses are related to differences in the instructions for intentional learning.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (23) ◽  
pp. 10203
Author(s):  
Ana-Inés Renta-Davids ◽  
Marta Camarero-Figuerola ◽  
Juana-María Tierno-García

For decades, higher education institutions have been incorporating sustainability principles. Spanish universities have considered it important that sustainability principles are integrated into the university curriculum, in order to contribute to the education of socially-responsible professionals. The present research aims to estimate pre-service educators’ awareness of selected challenges posed by Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), and it identifies the learning experiences that contribute the most to these students’ awareness of quality education. Moreover, the study aims to explore the potential of the use of the vignettes approach for the evaluation of students’ awareness. The study drew on a sample of n = 202 first year students pursuing education-related degrees at a Spanish university. The data was collected using a vignette survey, and the data analysis was conducted using quantitative and qualitative techniques. The results show a high degree of awareness within the context of most of the challenges posed by SDG 4 and, in the search for the factors that contributed to the degree of awareness in the students, personal interests and classes taken at the university stand out. In addition, the study provides the methodological implications of the use of the vignette approach in the assessment of students’ awareness. This paper discusses the practical implications for universities of the integration of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) competences into the curriculum.


2017 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 335-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birgül Cerit

The study examined the influence of training on first-year nursing department students’ attitudes on death and caring for dying patients. Utilizing the experimental model, the study sample consisted of 81 first-year students attending the nursing department of a university. Death Attitude Profile-Revised and Frommelt Attitude toward Care of the Dying Scale were used for data collection. Data analysis included means, standard deviation, and t test for related samples. Student attitudes toward death were measured as 146.43 (16.741) and 152.75 (15.132) for pre- and posttraining, respectively. Student attitudes toward caring for dying patients were established to be 103.02 (7.655) during pretraining period and 111.02 (10.359) at posttraining period. The difference between pre- and posttests for mean attitudes toward death and caring for the dying patient was statistically significant. Study results determined that training was effective in forming positive student attitudes toward death and caring for dying patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 384-405
Author(s):  
Zurina Khairuddin ◽  
Zulaikha Khairuddin ◽  
Nadia Ibrahim

Background and Purpose: Coming from different social and academic cultures, students may exhibit perceptions which are in contrast to the convention of the targeted culture. Hence, this study aims to explore how first-year Malaysian students perceive their interactions in UK seminars.   Methodology: Employing qualitative research method, nine Malaysian students were chosen based on two criteria: they have to be first-year students and registered in content modules in UK university. The data were collected from interview and focus group discussion, and the audio-recordings were transcribed and analysed utilising thematic analysis.   Findings: The participants of this study perceive their interactions differently. Semek, Enot, Fatin, Ammar, Ming and Izlin mentioned that they responded during seminar discussion if they were nominated by the tutor and most agreed that they did not ask questions because information was provided to them or they could ask the tutor or their friends after the seminar. Fatin however disagreed and asserted that students should ask questions if they did not understand the academic content well. Qaisara, Puspa and Semek also shared that their lack of English language proficiency influenced their lack of contribution which was not the case for Fatin and Ming. Being marginalised as an international student was one of the reasons Semek did not contribute to the seminar discussions in contrast to Qaisara who felt the need to contribute.   Contributions: The findings of this study suggest that academic institutions should be flexible in encouraging students to be engaged in seminars as coming from different educational background, these students may require additional help to socialise in academic setting and consequently become expert members.   Keywords: Malaysian students, students’ perceptions, students’ interactions, UK seminars, verbal interactions.   Cite as: Khairuddin, Z., Khairuddin, Z., & Ibrahim, N. (2020). Malaysian students’ perceptions of their interactions in UK seminars.  Journal of Nusantara Studies, 5(2), 384-405. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol5iss2pp384-405


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zsuzsanna Mikecz Munday

Purpose Despite the increasing number of transnational universities around the world, little attention has been paid to students who attend foreign universities in their own countries and their adjustment to the new learning environment. This study aims to examine some of the adaptations freshmen students have to undergo while studying at an American university in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Design/methodology/approach This study is conducted at an American university in the UAE and involved 152 freshmen students, investigating their challenges to adapting to the university academically and socially. The target respondents were first-year students, typically 18–19 years old men and women of various majors and nationalities who completed high school in the country. Questionnaires were emailed to students; a total of 184 surveys were completed (with prior permission), but only 152 of those fitted the criteria and were used in the study. Findings Findings indicate that although these students study at home, by attending a foreign university many of them rely heavily on the support of peers, especially co-nationals. They require similar academic and emotional support from teachers as many first-year students at university do. Research limitations/implications The findings have limitations as data were collected at a single point in time through surveys. Being a single researcher, the study did not opt for breadth to answer the research questions but aimed to find out freshmen students’ challenges in adapting to the university. Despite the limitations of the study, several issues were raised that can be investigated in future studies. Originality/value The study provided insights into the challenges first-year students face at a transnational university in the UAE. It identifies the support that could be provided by the university to facilitate students’ successful adjustment process to the educational and socio-cultural environment of the university. Although this was small-scale research and cannot be generalized to a larger population, the findings could be transferable to other, similar settings in transnational universities in the region. Findings might be compared and contrasted to other, related cases, as the structural aspects could be noticed in similar cases or situations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 108
Author(s):  
Abdulaziz Althewini ◽  
Abdulmohsen Alkushi

This study examines the relationship and correlation between initial admission criteria and  English performance of first year students at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences. The performance of 1,595 English language students was compared to the initial academic admission criteria to determine if a correlation exists between academic achievement pre and post admission.  Admission criteria include high school grades, General Aptitude Test score (GAT), and Scholastic Achievement Admission Test scores (SAAT). Deep statistical analyses, including independent t tests and multiple linear regression reveal a correlation between pre and post admission performance. For this student population, GAT score was more predictive of English performance than SAAT scores, while the high school grade had no significant relationship to performance on the course. Furthermore, GAT had a higher predictive weight of 7% when compared individually with other admission criteria. However, in a combined model, all of the admission tests cumulatively predicted 17.3% of  English performance. Such power is relatively low and requires additional variables to accurately predict a student’s final English score. This study provides unique analyses of performance within the Saudi higher education system and provides insight for those teaching or studying English as a second language. This study is therefore relevant for educators in universities using English for the instruction of non-English, native students and raises questions as to the value of current admission criteria.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1621
Author(s):  
Pablo A. Cantero-Garlito ◽  
Marta Rodríguez-Hernández ◽  
Esther Moraleda-Sepúlveda ◽  
Begoña Polonio-López ◽  
Félix Marcos-Tejedor

Background: After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, social restriction measures were implemented, among them, the adaptation of university teaching to online modality until the end of the 2019–2020 school year in order to stop the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. At the beginning of the 2020–2021 school year, the Spanish universities opted for face-to-face teaching. To that end, different special measures and adaptations were implemented in higher education facilities, aimed at minimizing the risk of infection and ensuring safe face-to-face learning. The objective was to explore and describe the level of fear of first-year students after the start of in-person classes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The sample was 185 first-year students who were evaluated on the first day of class. For that purpose, an ad-hoc questionnaire was administered to collect demographic information and to find the level of fear and concern. The Fear of COVID-19 Scale was used to assess the severity of the participants’ fear of the pandemic situation. Results: The results indicate that participating university population does not report fear of the virus, but they describe various psychosomatic characteristics, such as increased pulse rate and heart palpitations (p = 0.008) and insomnia (p = 0.05) when they think about infection with coronavirus. Nevertheless, when data are disaggregated by gender, we observe differences specifically in women (83.2%), such as fear (p = 0.006) and sweaty hands when they think of the virus (p = 0.023). Conclusions: Incoming university freshmen do not express concern or fear of potential infection with COVID-19, but they are concerned about family transmission after beginning face-to-face classes.


Author(s):  
Olena Muzуka

The article deals with the peculiarities of self-efficacy of freshmen students. The structure and possibilities of development of separate components of self-efficacy in educational-professional activity are analyzed. The results of empirical research are described and and assumptions made about inter- and intra-subjective conditions for the inclusion of self-efficacy in value-motivational regulatory processes that promote the professionalization of students. According to the results of the study, first-year students are generally determined by a rather high level of self-efficacy, which is an indicator of psychological readiness for profession. The formation of professional self-efficacy is largely influenced by the conditions of the social environment and educational and professional activities. Self-efficacy is based on value experience and internal standards of activity, defines the direction and motivation of a person. In this regard, self-efficacy is one of the most important factors for the successful professionalization of students.


Comunicar ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 19 (37) ◽  
pp. 109-116
Author(s):  
Javier Marzal-Felici ◽  
María Soler-Campillo

This paper presents the results of a research study exploring consumer behaviour and uses of photography among first-year students of the Degrees in Journalism, Audiovisual Communication, and Advertising and Public Relations in four Spanish universities (University of Malaga, University of Santiago de Compostela, University of the Basque Country and Universitat Jaume I in Castellón). As it is well known, the emergence of digital technologies has caused far-reaching transformations in the field of photography. These changes have affected production, distribution and circulation processes. However, digital technology has particularly changed the concept of photography itself as a means of expression and communication, above all among young people. Changes in how photography is perceived nowadays, brought about by the onset of digitalization, in turn raises a series of questions that merit reflection. To this end, a survey was designed and administered to a total of 467 communication sciences students in Spain. The results of this research reveal, on the one hand, how these communication students relate to the use of photography today; on the other hand, and more importantly, the results throw some light on how to approach the teaching of digital photography in a higher education context.Se presenta una investigación sobre los hábitos de consumo y usos de la fotografía entre estudiantes de primer curso de las licenciaturas en periodismo, comunicación audiovisual y publicidad y relaciones públicas, en cuatro universidades españolas (Universidad de Málaga, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Universidad del País Vasco y Universitat Jaume I de Castellón). Como es sabido, la aparición de las tecnologías digitales en el campo de la fotografía ha provocado profundas transformaciones en el panorama fotográfico. Estos cambios han afectado a los procesos de producción, a los modos de distribución y circulación de las imágenes. Pero, sobre todo, ha tenido notables consecuencias en la forma misma de conceptualizar la fotografía como forma de expresión y comunicación, y en los usos de la fotografía, en especial entre los más jóvenes. La digitalización ha contribuido a transformar, asimismo, la propia percepción del medio fotográfico, que merece una reflexión en estos momentos. A tal fin, se ha diseñado una encuesta que ha sido realizada a un total de 467 estudiantes de ciencias de la comunicación de nuestro país. En definitiva, el análisis de las respuestas que ofrece la presente investigación nos ha permitido, por un lado, tomar conciencia sobre cómo se relacionan estos estudiantes de comunicación con el medio fotográfico en la actualidad. Pero, sobre todo, se trata de una investigación que nos ofrece algunas pistas sobre cómo abordar, en plena era digital, la enseñanza de la fotografía en el contexto educativo universitario.


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