scholarly journals Assessment of Female University Students’ Digital Competence: Potential Implications for Higher Education in Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
Ayodele Abosede Ogegbo ◽  
Fatimah Yetunde Tijani ◽  
Oyebimpe Adegoke ◽  
Kelechi Ifekoya ◽  
Jane Namusoke
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
University Students ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Digital Competence ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Chi Square Analysis ◽  
Education In Africa

This study assessed the digital skills of female university students and the implications for higher education in Africa. A descriptive survey was used to sample 100 female university students from four African countries (Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda). The instrument used was the digital competence survey. Two research questions and two hypotheses were postulated and tested. According to the study's findings, most female university students in Nigeria and South Africa have expert and advanced levels of information and digital literacy, communication and collaboration, digital content creation, and safety.On the other hand, Uganda was mainly found at the basic or no levels, whereas Rwanda was mostly found at the intermediate levels. The chi-square analysis reveals a significant difference between the ages of female university students and their DC levels (χ2 =.000; p < 0.05). A significant difference exists between female university students’ program of study and their levels of DC (χ2 = .000; p < 0.05). Students also faced challenges such as a lack of ICT tools, insufficient knowledge and skills, data issues, and poor internet connectivity. The implications of these findings for African higher education institutions suggest that female students, particularly in Rwanda and Uganda, require training to be digitally competent and compete globally with their peers. As a result, we recommend that students from different programs of study with less demand in technology be allowed to take compulsory electives in technology courses while older female students are given adequate support.

scholarly journals Gender differences related to the health and lifestyle patterns of university students

2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Janse van Rensburg ◽  
Jhalukpreya Surujlal
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
University Students ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Health Factors ◽  
Chi Square Analysis ◽  
Lifestyle Patterns

One of the transitions from adolescence to adulthood is the admission of students to a university setting. Accompanying this transition is a new-found independence which results in university students having more autonomy over their lifestyles and behaviours. The assumption in this setting is that many students are likely to engage in unhealthy and risky lifestyle behaviours which include alcohol abuse, tobacco use, physical inactivity and unhealthy dietary practices which may adversely affect their health in the long-term. In South Africa, research with regard to health and lifestyle patterns amongst both male and female young adults remains limited. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to investigate whether male and female students differed in relation to their health and lifestyles, as well as the related consequences thereof. A convenience sampling technique was used, where questionnaires were administered to 400 students at three university campuses in the Gauteng province of South Africa. An exploratory data analysis for health factors was used in order to retrieve relevant factors from a factor and regression analysis. Differences in gender were tested by using cross-tabulation for descriptive statistics and Chi-square analysis. The study found no statistically-significant differences between genders relating to the three emerging health factors, namely Gastrointestinal, Upper Respiratory Infections and Total Health Problems. However, descriptive statistics of lifestyle habits revealed that more female students exercised, smoked and binged on food than their male counterparts. It was also found that female students reported a higher incidence of stress than male students. It was concluded that university students do indeed engage in behaviours and lifestyles that place them at risk for serious health problems.In die oorgang van adolessensie na jong volwassene, bevind studente hulself binne ’n universiteitsomgewing. Gepaartgaande met hierdie oorgang word nuutgevonde vryheid verkry, wat veroorsaak dat universiteitstudente meer beheer oor hul lewenstyl en gedrag uitoefen. Die waarskynlikheid bestaan dat baie studente in hierdie omgewing betrokke sal raak by ’n ongesonde en gewaagde lewenstyl, wat alkohol misbruik, tabak gebruik, fisieke onaktiwiteit en ongesonde eetgewoontes insluit. Bogenoemde is faktore wat student se gesondheid oor die langtermyn nadelig sal beïnvloed. Navorsing in Suid-Afrika oor gesondheid en lewenstylpatrone van verskillende geslagsgroepe onder jong volwassenes is skaars. Die doel van hierdie studie was dus om ondersoek in te stel aangaande geslagsverskille in gesondheid en lewenstyl van studente, asook die betrokke nagevolge daarvan. ’n Gerieflikheids-steekproeftegniek is gebruik waartydens 400 vraelyste aan studente by drie verskillende universiteitskampusse in die Gauteng provinsie in Suid-Afrika versprei is. ’n Ondersoekende data analiese vir gesondheidsfakore is gebruik om toepaslike faktore te verkry vanuit ’n faktor- en regressie analiese. Geslagsverskille is getoets deur gebruik te maak van kruis-tabulering vir beskrywende statistiek asook ’n ‘Chi-square’ analiese. Die studie het geen statisties-betekenisvolle verskille tussen geslagte getoon ten opsigte van die drie gesondheidsfaktore naamlik Gastro-intestinale, Boonste Asemhalingstelsel en Totale Gesondheid Probleme nie. Nietemin het beskrywende statistiek ten opsigte van lewenstyl gewoontes egter onthul dat meer vroulike studente aan fisieke aktiwiteit delneem, rook en hul vergryp aan kos. Daar is ook gevind dat vroulike studente meer gevalle van spanning gerapporteer het as manlike studente. Die gevolgtrekking is dus dat universiteitstudente wel betrokke raak by gedrag en lewenstyle wat hul in gevaar stel vir ernstige gesondheidsprobleme.

Effect of a-Week Summer Camp on the Hopelessness and Self-Esteem of the University Students Attending Sport Sciences Faculty

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 42-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Korkmaz YİĞİTER ◽  
Hakan TOSUN
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Summer Camp ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Female Students ◽  
T Test ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Test ◽  
The University

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of participation in a 1-week summer camp on thehopelessness and self-esteem of the university students attending Sport Sciences Faculty. Participants were 36university students assigned to experiment group using a random procedure. Coopersmith Self-esteem and Beck Hopelessness Scales were completed at the beginning and end of the summer camp by designed the university. The obtained data were analysed in the SPSS 18.0 program and the significance level was taken as 0.05. The descriptive statistics, independent simple t test, paired simple t test and Pearson correlation were used for analyse the data in the study. According to the results of the research, no significant difference was observed in the comparison of the hopelessness and self-esteem levels between pre and post-test. In addition, there was a significant difference in the hopelessness level of male and female students but any significant difference was not observed in terms of self-esteem. There was a significant relationship between hopelessness and self-esteem pre and post-test. These result shows that a 1-week summer camp cannot change the hopelessness or self-esteem level. However, as the self-esteem rises, the rate of despair decreases whereas as the despair rises, the selfesteem decreases.

ДЕЯКІ АСПЕКТИ РОЗВИТКУ ЦИФРОВОЇ КОМПЕТЕНТНОСТІ ФАХІВЦІВ З НЕФОРМАЛЬНОЇ ОСВІТИ ПРИ ПЕРЕХОДІ В ОНЛАЙН-ФОРМАТ

2020 ◽  
pp. 5-15
Author(s):  
Зоя Гаркавенко
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Vocational Education And Training ◽  
Research Review ◽  
Review Journal ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Digital Competence ◽  
Information Technology Education

У статті презентовані результати емпіричного вивчення проблеми адаптації професійної освіти до онлайн-режиму в ситуації вимушеного карантину. Мета дослідження полягала в створенні моделі компетенцій викладача / тренера для забезпечення освітньої діяльності онлайн. Обставини гостро актуалізували нагальну потребу забезпечення безперервності освітньої діяльності в нових умовах, показали реальний стан психологічної готовності фахівців освітянської галузі до діяльності в умовах невизначеності. Ключовими ознаками цього стану можна вважати певну фахову та психологічну дезорієнтацію, яка поставила під загрозу якість і сталість результатів освітньої діяльності. Фахівці формальної й неформальної освіти були змушені швидко адаптуватися до нових умов, в основі яких – цифрова трансформація. Фокус уваги нашого дослідження зосереджено на фахівцях, які працюють у сфері післядипломної освіти. Важливим аспектом досліджуваного питання є певна плутанина щодо сутності онлайн-навчання. Це стосується різнотлумачення у середовищі фахівців поняття «дистанційне навчання», зокрема розрізнення синхронного (в режимі реального часу) і асинхронного (у відкладеному часі) режимів освітнього процесу. Принципові відмінності у підходах до методів та психологічних технологій їх застосування вимагають особливої підготовки відповідних фахівців. Результати презентованого дослідження розкривають ряд психологічних труднощів, з якими зіткнулись фахівці післядипломної освіти в ситуації необхідності переведення діяльності в онлайн-режим. В першу чергу, це навчальна діяльність із питань підвищення кваліфікації, проведення навчальних курсів для дорослої аудиторії. Важливим завданням для викладачів / тренерів постало збереження сутнісних ознак і результатів такого навчання: інформація, інструментарій і досвід, які наявні в офлайн-режимі навчання. Основним результатом дослідження можна вважати визначення ключових напрямів психологічної підготовки фахівців до роботи в онлайн: психологічна готовність до управління груповою динамікою та обмеженими комунікаційними інструментами, цифрова компетентність – володіння специфічними цифровими навичками (платформи, програми, окремі інструменти роботи в онлайн), методична компетентність – здатність добирати та поєднувати прийоми й техніки роботи з інформацією, адаптовані до онлайн-середовища. Література Василенко, О.В. (2014). Розвиток системи неформальної освіти дорослих в умовах соціально-економічної кризи. Актуальні проблеми професійної орієнтації та професійного навчання в умовах соціально-економічної нестабільності, 2(2), 138– Ващенко, Л.І. (2019). Підготовка фахівців для роботи з дорослими у сфері неформальної освіти. Імідж сучасного педагога, 4(187), 24– Корбут, О.Г. (2017). Дистанційне навчання: моделі, технології, перспективи. Режим доступу: http://confesp. fl. kpi. ua/ru/node/1123. Плинокос, Д.Д., & Коваленко, М.О. (2016). Неформальна освіта: теоретичні аспекти і наукові підходи. Наукові праці Кіровоградського національного технічного університету. Економічні науки, 29, 53–60. Сисоєва, С.О., & Осадча, К.П. (2019). Стан, технології та перспективи дистанційного навчання у вищій освіті України. Інформаційні технології і засоби навчання: електронне наукове фахове видання, 70(2), 271– Harasim, L. (2000). Shift happens: Online education as a new paradigm in learning. The Internet and higher education, 3(1-2), 41– Iordache, C., Mariën, I., & Baelden, D. (2017). Developing digital skills and competences: A quick-scan analysis of 13 digital literacy models. Italian Journal of Sociology of Education, 9(1), 6– Kebritchi, M., Lipschuetz, A., & Santiague, L. (2017). Issues and challenges for teaching successful online courses in higher education: A literature review. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 46(1), 4– Latchem, C. (2014). Informal learning and non-formal education for development. Journal of Learning for Development, 1(1). Sun, A., & Chen, X. (2016). Online education and its effective practice: A research review. Journal of Information Technology Education, 15, 157– Lischewski, J., Seeber, S., Wuttke, E., & Rosemann, T. (2020). What influences participation in non-formal and informal modes of Continuous Vocational Education and Training? An analysis of individual and institutional influencing factors. Frontiers in psychology, 11, 2821. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.534485 Rodríguez, M.U., Cantabrana, J.L.L., & Cervera, M.G. (2020). Validation of a tool for self-evaluating teacher digital competence. Educación XX1, 24(1), 353–373. doi: 10.5944/educXX1.27080 Perez-Lopez, E., Atochero, A.V., & Rivero, S.C. (2020). Distance Education in COVID-19: An Analysis from the perspective of university students. Ried-revista iberoamericana de educacion a distancia, 24(1), 331–350. doi: 10.5944/ried.24.1.27855

scholarly journals Digital competence and digital literacy in higher education research: Systematic review of concept use

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1519143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Spante ◽  
Sylvana Sofkova Hashemi ◽  
Mona Lundin ◽  
Anne Algers ◽  
Shuyan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Education Research ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Higher Education Research ◽  
Digital Competence

scholarly journals Influence of BMI on foot posture alignment in resting gait of secondary school children in Lagos metropolis aged 10 to 18 years

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Godwin O. Mbaka ◽  
Mario Adelaja
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
School Children ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Age Cohorts ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Foot Posture ◽  
Chi Square Analysis ◽  
Foot Alignment

The study was to determine the influence of BMI on foot posture alignment in the resting gait of secondary school children. A localized, two-stage, stratified, cross-sectional, and descriptive survey was carried out in 10 secondary schools involving a sample secondary student population of 518 students, 235 males, and 283 females. The result shows that there was a statistically significant association (X2=32.4345, p=0.000) between the BMI of student’s cohort and their age. There was also a statistically significant association between different age groups and gender at p<0.046. Using the statistics of Pearson chi-square analysis, age-dependent variability of BMI (X2=32.4345, p=0.000) was established amongst the study population. The BMI of students for the varying foot alignment was not normally distributed, instead, it was skewed to the right. According to the Kruskal-Wallis H test, there was no statistically significant difference in BMI between the three age cohorts of student’s foot alignment in resting gait; Pearson chisquare, X2 (2) = 4.575, p=0.1015. The distribution of the left foot posture alignment according to the FPI scale indicates that overall, 82.13% of males and 84.40% of females showed normal foot alignment whereas 10.64% and 9.22% of male and female students respectively confirmed slight foot pronation while 7.23% of male students and 6.38% of female students showed slightly supinated feet. This study shows that BMI has no influence on FPI in resting gait. The high incidence of underweight amongst the students’ population could be a reflection of the low socioeconomic status of many families.

scholarly journals Exploring leadership factors creating employee engagement or disengagement across job grade categories at a public higher education institution in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 317-327
Author(s):  
Anrusha Bhana ◽  
Sachin Suknunan
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Middle Manager ◽  
Employee Productivity ◽  
Institutional Goals ◽  
Significant Difference

Ongoing difficulties in promoting employee commitment confront the domain of higher education, hence, the importance of staff to help achieve institutional goals grows. For this to happen, employee engagement is key. This paper examined the issues of engagement or disengagement amongst employees, including job grades and the factors influencing this, at Durban University of Technology, South Africa. It adopted a quantitative and qualitative method of inquiry. The quantitative data collection targeted 420 employees utilizing questionnaires and obtained a response rate of 312 (74%). The qualitative aspect involved interviewing 12 out of 18 leadership personnel, giving a response rate of 67%. Also, descriptive and inferential analysis was used. Internal employee engagement demonstrated a significant difference across job level categories, F (4, 307) = 4.012, p = 0.003. There is also a significant difference in agreement mean score, which is lower for lecturer grade level (M = 2.5257, SD = 1.08359) than middle manager grade level (M = 3.2909, SD = 0.82396), showing that lecturer grade level is more engaged as compared to the middle manager level reflecting that the this level is not as engaged as it should be. Obtained qualitative results showed that there was minimal employee engagement. Overall, there was more employee disengagement than engagement at the institution, leading to employee stress, increased employee turnover, and minimal employee productivity. This can, in turn, affect institutional productivity. However, leadership viewed employee engagement as important and something to be further developed.

scholarly journals The Effect of a Training Program in a Reading Course in Developing English Language Learning Strategies among University Students

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 300
Author(s):  
Ahmad M. Mahasneh ◽  
Ahmad F. Al-Alwan
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
English Language ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Language Learning Strategies ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Experimental Group

This study aimed at identifying the effect of a training program in developing the use of learning English language strategies among a sample of the Hashemite University students, and the differences in using these strategies due to gender and the type of group (experimental and control groups). The study sample consisted of 76 male and female students from the Department of English Language, divided into two groups (an experimental group of 34 male and female students and a control group of 42 male and female students). To achieve the aims of the study, Oxford's language learning strategies scale was used. The study used a quasi-experimental research design with pre-test and post-tests. ANCOVA and T-tests were used to analyze the data. The results of the study revealed that there is a statistical significant difference between the two groups in developing language learning strategies in favor of the experimental group. Also, results showed that there is no statistically significant difference in using language learning strategies attributed to gender.

Analysis of the relationship between the personality traits of university students and their grit levels

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 606-612
Author(s):  
Nezir Ekinci ◽  
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Openness To Experience ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Male Students ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Age Range

This research aims to examine the relationships between personality traits and the grit levels of university students. Participants of the study are 379 students (304 females, 75 males). The age range of the study group is 18-25. Five-Factor Personality Scale, Short Grit Scale, and Personal Information Form were used as data collection tools in the study. Analysis of the data was performed using the Pearson product moments correlation with the SPSS program and t-test techniques for independent groups. According to the findings obtained from the study, a positive significant relationship was found between liability, openness to experience, extraversion and adaptation personality traits, and grit levels. It’s also found that a negative relationship between neuroticism and grit levels. In terms of gender, there was no significant difference between male students and female students in grit levels. However, in terms of gender, it was observed that there was a significant difference between male students and female students in terms of adaptation and openness to experience. The research findings were discussed within the scope of the literature and recommendations were made according to the results.

A Ranking Framework for Higher Education Institutions

2021 ◽  
pp. 40-61
Author(s):  
Andre Paul Calitz ◽  
Margaret Diane Cullen ◽  
Teresia Watiri Kanyutu
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
University Students ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Research Output ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
University Ranking ◽  
International Orientation ◽  
League Tables ◽  
Ranking Criteria

The use of league tables and rankings (LTRs) as a tool to rank or measure the performance of higher education institutions (HEIs) has grown in popularity. Research indicates that these ranking criteria are often discussed from the standpoint of governments, the HEI management, and the ranking institutions producing these LTR publications. The opinions of the students on the suitable ranking criteria used by ranking institutions are generally omitted. This chapter investigates the applicable criteria for ranking HEIs in South Africa, from the perspective of students. A survey was conducted to determine the most relevant university ranking criteria considered by university students. The results indicate that the students perceive resources and infrastructure, accreditation, international orientation, research output, faculty quality, and teaching and learning as the most relevant criteria for ranking HEIs. Managerial recommendations are provided for HEIs to address the ranking criteria rated important by students.

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