Diversity at a dual-medium university: factors affecting first year students' attitudes

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.

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Hapticity in Digital Education Atmosphere

Journal of Design Studio ◽

10.46474/jds.982811 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 141-157

Author(s):

Esen Gokce Ozdamar ◽

◽

Gokcen Firdevs Yucel Caymaz ◽

Hulya Yavas ◽

Keyword(s):

Architectural Design ◽

Haptic Perception ◽

Digital Design ◽

First Year ◽

First Year Students ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Face To Face ◽

Digital Education ◽

Close Relationship ◽

Depth Interviews

This article focuses on the effects of the decreased ability to perceive touch in distance learning for all of the actors in architectural design studios during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. As part of face-to-face architectural pedagogy, the tactile experience of architectural materials, models, and corporeality in the studio environment assumes great importance. However, in contrast, these aspects are diminished when it comes to digital education, generating new topics for discussion. This article asks how and to what extent distance education models can affect the process of learning, understanding, discussing, and designing architecture, amidst the prospect of continuous digital education in the post-pandemic period. Hence, it examines the awareness and experiences of haptic perception of first-year students at the Istanbul Aydın University Department of Architecture through in-depth interviews recorded on Zoom. Between 2020 and 2021, the interviews investigated haptic perception, observed construction techniques, factors affecting design materials, the way and place in which materials were perceived, the methods of sharing and transferring designs with studio instructors, questions about the obstacles encountered, and expectations for the post-pandemic period. The outcomes of these in-depth interviews showed that there is a close relationship between the students’ bodily interests and their awareness with regards to perceiving materials and that the former indicated a tendency towards making models. It was observed that students had preferred digital design tools in the pre-pandemic period, and in addition to the digital tools that students often use as a design approach, they negotiated as designing through hand-drawing in order to gain the “thinking with one’s hands” experience in this study. This emphasizes the need for haptic experiences in an architectural educational environment.

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The Impact of Learning Environment on EFL Students’ Academic Achievement: A study of Socio-Cultural Factors Affecting Academic Achievement

10.31235/osf.io/crnkq ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Elmakki AMIRI ◽

Abderrahim El KARFA

Keyword(s):

Academic Achievement ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Learning Environment ◽

Foreign Language ◽

First Year ◽

First Year Students ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Academic Achievements ◽

Efl Students ◽

The Impact

It is worth pointing out that learning a foreign language in a multicultural context is a long and complex undertaking. Several factors influence whether or not English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students can accurately perceive and produce the foreign language. These variables can potentially contribute to the success and, or failure in learning and acquiring a foreign language. Given the Moroccan educational system, the research provided minimal insight into the relationship between those factors and language achievement. The present study’s aim, therefore, was to investigate the environmental factors that affect students’ academic performance. It also aimed to find out how these variables affect students’ academic achievements. To achieve this aim, data have been collected via open-ended questionnaires, and interviews addressed mainly to First Year Students of Master Programs, Department of English, FLDM, USMBA-Fez. The findings have shown that students’ academic achievements were significantly positively/negatively linked with the environmental factors, namely societal, home/family and school/classroom variables. The findings also revealed that the more highly sophisticated the social environment is, the more likely it is to foster EFL students’ academic achievements. In addition, the more similarity exists between the students’ cultures, the more successful the learning is. This study also showed that the development of EFL proficiency is a product of contextual factors influence. As such, the study concludes with several implications that brought up for possible effective change in the future to enhance the learning environment atmosphere, boost students’ academic achievements, and, therefore, achieve better results.

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Factors Affecting Programming Performance of First Year Students at a University in Botswana

African Journal of Research in Mathematics Science and Technology Education ◽

10.1080/18117295.2018.1540169 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 363-373 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Yirsaw Ayalew ◽

Ethel Tshukudu ◽

Moemedi Lefoane

Keyword(s):

First Year ◽

First Year Students ◽

Factors Affecting

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The trends in health behaviour of the first-year students from Kaunas universities, 2000 - 2017

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz187.056 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

J Petkeviciene ◽

V Kriaucioniene

Keyword(s):

Health Behaviour ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Health Behaviours ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Male Students ◽

First Year ◽

First Year Students ◽

Positive Direction ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

First Year University

Abstract Background First-year university students are exposed to different factors affecting their lifestyle. The aim of the study was to evaluate the trends in health behaviour of first-year students from four Kaunas universities over 17 years. Methods The study was carried out in 2000, 2010 and 2017. In total, 689, 739 and 1062 randomly selected first-year students participated (response rates >90%). During the lectures, participants filled in the anonymous questionnaire that included information on nutrition, physical activity, harmful habits, height, and weight. Results The reduction in daily smoking was observed: from 30.2% in 2000 to 18.4% in 2017 among males and from 21.1% to 15.9% among females, respectively. The proportion of male students drinking alcohol at least once a week declined from 62.7% in 2000 to 31.6% in 2017 and the proportion of females - from 41.5% to 27.3%, respectively. There was an increase in the proportion of students who have tried or are taking drugs: from 15.9% in 2000 to 27.8% in 2017 among males and from 4.8% to 18.8% among females, respectively. The changes in the nutrition habits of the students were observed: the proportion of students who consumed red meat every day decreased (up to 35.6% in 2017). In 2017, more students consumed cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables every day and fewer sweets, confectionery and soft drinks at least once a week than in 2000. There was a decline in meantime students spent sitting as well as in the average duration of the sleep. The proportion of students who take part in sports activities has increased by 17.1%. However, the prevalence of overweight and obesity increased from 11.7% in 2000 to 23.7% in 2017 among males, and from 4.2% to 9.0% among females, respectively. Conclusions Over 17 years, most health behaviours of the first-year students have changed in a positive direction; however, some unhealthy habits are still common and the prevalence of overweight has increased. Key messages This study highlights the importance of implementing preventive programmes among students after starting university. Monitoring of changes in health behaviour of students helps timely respond to the challenges.

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Russian students: life priorities and social sustainability

10.12737/monography_5c0a17c3a354f0.90572513 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Семен Резник ◽

Semen Reznik ◽

Марина Черниковская ◽

Marina Chernikovskaya

Keyword(s):

First Year ◽

Social Stability ◽

University Graduates ◽

First Year Students ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Professional Activities ◽

Theoretical Approaches ◽

And Performance ◽

Adaptation Processes ◽

The University

The article presents the results of the study of life priorities and social stability of Russian students, the theoretical approaches to the assessment of the current state of students in Russia and the strategic guidelines of its changes. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the readiness of students to study at the University, the specifics of the adaptation processes of first-year students, the economic independence of students and their readiness for future professional activities, the use of self-organization technologies in their studies, professional practice and personal life. The factors affecting the competitiveness of University graduates, the culture of behavior in society, health and performance of the student, as well as the readiness of modern youth to create a family and housekeeping. Special educational technologies to improve students ' social stability are proposed. The book is recommended for students and teachers of Russian universities, for the management of institutions of higher education, as well as for scientists who study the problems of formation and development of students.

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Engaging Students in Error Analysis and Correction: A learner-Centered Approach to Improving Linguistic Accuracy

European Journal of Teaching and Education ◽

10.33422/ejte.v2i3.361 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 35-49

Author(s):

Evariste Manirakiza ◽

Innocent Hakizimana

Keyword(s):

Error Analysis ◽

Language Learning ◽

First Year ◽

College Of Agriculture ◽

First Year Students ◽

New Words ◽

Writing Class ◽

Students Attitudes ◽

The University ◽

Animal Sciences

Students frequently commit errors despite spending huge amount of time studying language. This paper discusses a classroom-based teaching inquiry about error analysis and correction. The study focused on the use of simple past in paragraphs. The objectives of the investigation were to understand the extent to which dealing with students’ errors in a leaner-centered classroom improves accuracy in English and to assess students’ attitudes to the approach in language learning. The inquiry involved 62 first-year students from the College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Rwanda. Individual and group work, a questionnaire and class observations were data collection tools. Findings revealed that the majority of students significantly improved their writing as a result of analyzing their errors in written work. In addition, students reported that correcting errors together gave them confidence and freedom to explore their language use more freely, to discuss their errors, to learn new words in their field of study, and to avoid repeating error while writing. Class observations showed that students were discussing and listening to each other’s opinions attentively and critically. The researchers concluded that students acquire more language accuracy when they are deeply involved in error analysis as they feel motivated and responsible for their own learning.

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The use of MS Teams in ESP instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic: students’ attitudes towards the e-learning environment

10.14705/rpnet.2021.54.1331 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 189-193

Author(s):

Ivana M. Krsmanović ◽

Vesna M. Petrović

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Learning Environment ◽

Online Survey ◽

Well Being ◽

First Year ◽

First Year Students ◽

Positive Attitudes ◽

Online Lectures ◽

E Learning ◽

Students Attitudes

With the outbreak of COVID-19, universities worldwide were forced to quickly transition to online emergency teaching in order to secure the well-being of students and teachers. The paper analyses students’ attitudes towards the use of the Microsoft Teams platform in the instruction of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) at the Faculty of Technical Sciences Čačak during the winter semester 2020. The study focuses on students’ engagement with e-learning, their motivation, and overall satisfaction with ESP instruction during pandemic conditions. The study was conducted with first-year students of engineering (N=79) using an online survey as an exploratory, qualitative research instrument. The findings of the research revealed that students have positive attitudes towards the use of Microsoft Teams in ESP instruction as the e-learning environment. The results suggest that all the available features of the tool are perceived as beneficial and easy to adapt to, with the recorded sessions of online lectures and online testing rated the most useful segments of the online ESP instruction.

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ANALYZING THE EDUCATIONAL MARKET ENVIRONMENT AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL

Services in Russia and abroad ◽

10.22412/1995-042x-11-4-15 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 181-191 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Алексей ДОЛГОВ ◽

Aleksey DOLGOV ◽

Владислав ЩЕКОЛДИН ◽

Vladislav SHCHEKOLDIN

Keyword(s):

Vocational Guidance ◽

Learning System ◽

Educational Services ◽

First Year ◽

First Year Students ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Novosibirsk Region ◽

Higher Educational ◽

Educational Market ◽

The University

The article analyses the higher educational market in the sphere of socio-economic training in Novosibirsk region. The authors identify and analyze the factors affecting the enrollment of the first year students on a contract basis, and determine the market share of the leading universities in Novosibirsk region in socio-economic areas of training for full-time studies in bachelor's programs. The authors have analyzed the information of admission commissions of the leading universities in Novosibirsk region, obtained from their sites. Based on this information they determine the factors affecting the figures of enrolling on the commercial form of training: the minimum score of USE determined by each university for entry, the availability of state-funded place, the training cost, the availability of a hostel and the development of the social infrastructure of the university, the university marketing strategy effectiveness. It is noted that the existing market of educational services is characterized by a transition from quantitative indicators of recruitment of students to financial ones that affect the stability of the educational organization. The authors define the market shares, which are occupied by the largest higher educational institutions of the region. It is established that the reduction in the number of budget places and the increase in the number of places on a contract basis is one of the features of the educational services market. The work establishes and analyzes the statistical dependence between the number applicants and the number of first year students. The modern educational market forces the universities to develop the system of vocational guidance activities: open days, Olympiads for schoolchildren on the site of the university, vocational guidance meetings in schools, excursions to the university, sports competitions between schoolchildren and students, the preparation of schoolchildren for Olympiads by the teachers of the university, the e-learning system for schoolchildren, the answers the questions of entrants in social networks. Without such vocational guidance activities the enrollment of students on a contract basis becomes extremely difficult. The article examines the market of educational services in socio-economic areas of training under bachelor's programs, and allocates the factors influencing its formation.

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Exploring factors affecting first-year students’ learning experiences: A case study of a private university in Taiwan

Student Success ◽

10.5204/ssj.v9i4.651 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 25-39 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Supaporn Chalapati ◽

Rosanna Leung ◽

Nakarin Chalapati

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

High School ◽

International Student ◽

Learning Experiences ◽

Private University ◽

First Year ◽

University Management ◽

First Year Students ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Declining Demand

Taiwan’s low birth rate and declining demand for higher education among the country’s high school graduates has led to vigorous competition between Taiwanese universities to attract and retain students. Increasing international student enrolment can help alleviate these existing pressures. However, the transition from high school to university life and the need to study in a degree program with English as the primary medium of instruction, can present challenges for first-year students. We aimed to investigate First Year (FY) Taiwanese and non-Taiwanese students’ learning experiences and the barriers they face at a private university. The key research findings are based on factors affecting FY students’ learning experiences such as interactive teaching techniques, peer support, program attributes, social integration, and the international learning environment. We argue that for higher education institutions (HEIs) to stand out in a highly competitive environment, university management should optimise their resources and services to meet local and international students’ needs.

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