Attrition, mental health and student support in engineering education: the Engineering Futures Project

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 8-29
Author(s):  
Jane Andrews ◽  
Robin Clark ◽  
Sukhvinder Phull
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Engineering Education ◽  
Student Attrition ◽  
Attrition Rate ◽  
Individual Student ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The University

This paper deals with issues surrounding student attrition in engineering education. Looking beyond the traditional markers associated with student attainment, and adopting an action research approach, the “Engineering Futures Project” aimed to tackle an attrition rate in a faculty of engineering that was twice the university average. An algorithm was developed and students ‘at risk’ of not progressing identified. Such students were then contacted individually and offered intensive support and guidance from a member of the project team.Working with academics on a one-to-one basis, students were encouraged to reflect on why they felt they were at risk of not progressing on to the next level of their course. One of the surprising outcomes was that the majority of students indicated they had experienced considerable difficulties with their mental health in the previous 12 months. This, together with a number of other individual issues, impacted their studies. Taking account of the students' perspectives, the project team developed and put in place two distinctive support pathways; one focusing on ‘wellbeing’, the other on “academic support’. Each individual student was given time and assistance to develop their own pathways. Although resource intensive, the Engineering Futures Project was a marked success, drastically reducing attrition and making a notable difference at both the individual and faculty level.

Relational capital and knowledge transfer in universities

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 185-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Paoloni ◽  
Francesca Maria Cesaroni ◽  
Paola Demartini
Keyword(s):  
Research Approach ◽  
Relational Capital ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Relevant Topic ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Individual ◽  
New Research ◽  
The University

PurposeThe importance of relational capital for the university has grown enormously in recent years. In fact, relational capital allows universities to promote and emphasize the effectiveness of the third mission. The purpose of this paper is to propose a case study involving an Italian university that recently set up a new research observatory, and, thanks to its success, succeeded in enhancing its relational capital.Design/methodology/approachThe authors adopted an action research approach to analyze the case study. Consistently, the authors followed the analysis, diagnosis, and intervention phases. First, the authors focused on the identification of the strengths and weaknesses of the process through which the university created relational capital, and finally, the authors proposed solutions to improve the process.FindingsThis case study shows that the creation of relation capital for the host university was the result of a process of transfer and transformation of the individual relationships of the observatory’s promoters.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to filling a significant gap in the literature on relational capital and universities and provides useful insights into how these organizations can encourage its creation. It also allows scholars, managers, and politicians involved in higher education to gain a greater understanding of this relevant topic.

scholarly journals Strengthening the Voice of Those with Mental Health Issues: A Community Approach to Developing a Mental Health Identification System

Social Work ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 216-223
Author(s):  
Andrew Quinn ◽  
Mary Otteson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Credit Card ◽  
Identification System ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Community Approach ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Voice

Abstract This article describes how an action research approach was used to involve a community of individuals with mental health issues and their support systems in the development and adoption of a mental health identification (ID) card. The intent of the card was to provide individuals with mental health issues a way to communicate and manage the idiosyncratic nature of their behaviors. A credit card–size ID card was developed that has the individual’s picture, address, diagnosis, idiosyncratic behaviors, best approach with the individual when those behaviors are present, medications, allergies, and emergency contact information. Benefits and concerns about the ID system in regard to the cardholder, card recipients, the provision of consent, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliance, and the balancing of reducing and increasing stigmas and stereotypes emerged throughout the process. In the end, the ID card has come to be seen as a social justice mechanism that allows for communication and awareness for those with mental health issues.

IMAGERY AND EMOTIONS IN THE PIANO PIECE „THE SICK DOLL“ FROM CHILDREN’S ALBUM OF P . I TCHAIKOVSKY

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-113
Author(s):  
Smilena Smilkova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Short Story ◽  
Special Educational Needs ◽  
Social Pedagogy ◽  
Sound Image ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Right ◽  
The University ◽  
Art Pedagogy

The proposed material examines the creative task of students majoring in Social Pedagogy at the University „Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov“ in Burgas, and studying the discipline Art Pedagogy – Part 1 – Music. In the course of the lecture course students get acquainted with the elements of musical expression, as a means of figurative representations and impact of music, with different techniques concerning individual musical activities, with the endless and diverse opportunities that music provides in the use of art pedagogy for social work teachers.Verbal interpretation of music is a necessary component when working with children with special educational needs, at risk and in the norm. Looking at Tchaikovsky’s short and extremely figurative piano piece „The Sick Doll“ from his charming „Children’s Album“, in the form of a short story, tale or essay, students express their personal vision, feeling and transformation of the musical image. The aim of the task is to transcribe the sound image into a verbal one. This requires speed, flexibility and logic in thinking, through imagination and creativity in its manifestation. Children love to listen, especially when they are involved. In search of the right way to solve problems and situations, future social educators could successfully benefit from the conversion of sound into words, according to the needs and deficits of the individual or group.

Professionals harnessing experiential knowledge in Dutch mental health settings

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simona Karbouniaris ◽  
Alie Weerman ◽  
Bea Dunnewind ◽  
Jean Pierre Wilken ◽  
Tineke A. Abma
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Experiential Knowledge ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Mental Health Settings ◽  
Four Levels

Purpose This study aims to explore the perspectives of mental health professionals who are in a process of integrating their own experiential knowledge in their professional role. This study considers implications for identity, dilemmas and challenges within the broader organization, when bringing experiential knowledge to practice. Design/methodology/approach As part of a participatory action research approach, qualitative methods have been used, such as in-depth interviews, discussions and observations during training and project team. Findings The actual use of experiential knowledge by mental health care professionals in their work affected four levels: their personal–professional development; the relation with service users; the relation with colleagues; and their position in the organization. Research limitations/implications Because of its limited context, this study may lack generalisability and further research with regard to psychologists and psychiatrists, as well as perceptions from users, is desirable. Social implications According to this study, social change starts from a bottom-up movement and synchronously should be facilitated by top-down policy. A dialogue with academic mental health professionals seems crucial to integrate this source of knowledge. Active collaboration with peer workers and supervisors is desired as well. Originality/value Professionals with lived experiences play an important role in working recovery-oriented, demonstrating bravery and resilience. Having dealt with mental health distress, they risked stigma and rejections when introducing this as a type of knowledge in current mental health service culture. Next to trainings to facilitate the personal–professional process, investments in the entire organization are needed to transform governance, policy and ethics.

E-Portfolios as a Quantitative and Qualitative Means of Demonstrating Learning Outcomes and Competencies in Engineering

2012 ◽  
pp. 124-154
Author(s):  
Juliana Kaya Prpic ◽  
Graham Moore
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Education ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Individual Student ◽  
Tertiary Sector ◽  
Professional Body ◽  
The Government ◽  
Government Body ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Engineering Career

An outcomes-based approach to engineering education within the tertiary sector is now mandatory in Australia, with the government body responsible for the quality of tertiary education (TEQSA) and the professional body responsible both for accrediting engineering degrees and for registering professional engineers (Engineers Australia) couching their expectations and requirements in terms of outcomes expressed as competencies. In response, the institutions providing engineering qualifications have expressed the outcomes anticipated from successful completion of their courses in terms of graduate attributes. The net effect is that the outcomes attached to engineering education relate to a wide variety of domains, ranging from the spatial (what points on the engineering landscape must be covered) through the agentic (what actions an engineer should be able to undertake) to the temporal (when in an engineering career particular competencies should be evident), but how these translate to practical competencies at the level of the individual student or practicing engineer is not explicit.

scholarly journals Enhancing graduate employability in product design

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Alan Watkins ◽  
Martin Higginson ◽  
Philip Richard Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Student Feedback ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Graduate Employability ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Internal Student ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a case study to discuss approaches taken within a traditional undergraduate degree course to embed employability skills, encourage student uptake of sandwich placement and increase graduate prospects. A number of new initiatives are presented, including working with live industrial clients, formally preparing students for placement applications and the introduction of an externally facing student run design consortium. Alongside these new initiatives, details of the existing sandwich year provision are also considered and their effectiveness. Design/methodology/approach A case study-based action research approach presents changes to a specific undergraduate course, measuring the effectiveness over a four-year period using externally collected national Destination of Leavers in Higher Education (DLHE) data and internal student feedback to assess the long-term effects on employability. Findings The paper considers improvements in the graduate employability over the four year period covered, in particular, an increase in the graduate employability from 81 to 100 per cent and graduate prospects from 62.5 to 95.2 per cent for sandwich students. Data presented also considers additional student feedback correlating with an increase in their preparedness for employment. Practical implications The implications of undertaking the changes highlighted within this paper have been relatively straightforward, due to the small incremental nature of the changes and the opportunities available through the agencies within the university, and should be replicable at least in part at other HE institutions. Originality/value This paper considers the impact of employability initiatives undertaken on a single undergraduate course and how these have affected the employability of graduates over a four-year period, supported by student feedback both internally and externally through national feedback mechanisms. It is anticipated that this research would be beneficial for informing and guiding the development of employability on other undergraduate programmes.

scholarly journals KECURANGAN AKADEMIK: FRAUD DIAMOND, PERILAKU TIDAK JUJUR, DAN PERSEPSI MAHASISWA

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Anggun Putri Ramadhan ◽  
Endang Ruhiyat
Keyword(s):  
Data Processing ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Student Perception ◽  
Individual Student ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Study Program ◽  
Academic Cheating ◽  
Academic Fraud ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Right

Academic cheating, especially those committed by students, is a worrying phenomenon that should not occur. Dishonest behavior is one of the factors causing the fraud. Pressure, opportunity and rationalization are other factors that cause students to cheat. The purpose of this study was to determine the analysis of diamond fraud p, dishonest behavior, and student perceptions influence academic cheating, the control variables used were religiosity and technological progress. This research approach is a mix method (mix methods). The object of research is Pamulang University S1 Accounting Study Program in odd semester 2018/2019 with a sample of 142 people. All questions are submitted via Google Drive. For data processing using SPSS version 22. The result of data processing requires diamond fraud to have a significant positive effect on academic fraud. There are 1.5% of students stating academic cheating related to the absence and collusion during exams, this is due to the pressure and ability of more than the individual student. And 3.9% of students are proven to have plagiarism when e-learning and writing papers, this is done because of the often wrong rationalization of unscrupulous students. Person of the student usually justifies what he usually does not accustom the right. Student perceptions and dishonest behavior did not have a significant effect on academic fraud. Keywords:   Fraud diamond; dishonest behavior; student perception; academic cheating

The role of the teacher in the education of university students

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (9) ◽  
pp. 81-83
Author(s):  
Sabir Nurgalam Amiraliev ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Professional Socialization ◽  
Young Person ◽  
Cultural Development ◽  
Individual Student ◽  
Quality Level ◽  
Level Culture ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The University

Today, studying at a university is the most important way for a young person to socialize and adapt in a constantly changing society. Education is the management of the process of socialization of the individual, which consists of a purposeful influence on the intellectual, spiritual, physical and cultural development of the individual. Student education at the university continues under the influence of purposeful professional socialization of future professionals and is mainly associated with the humanization of education, which places additional demands on teachers to improve the quality, level, culture and culture of communication with students. Key words: students, education and formation of students, institution of higher education

How Stereotypes Deceive Us

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Puddifoot
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Social Attitudes ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Specific Context ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Correct Judgement

Stereotypes sometimes lead us to make poor judgements of other people, but they also have the potential to facilitate quick, efficient, and accurate judgements. How can we discern whether any individual act of stereotyping will have the positive or negative effect? How Stereotypes Deceive Us addresses this question. It identifies various factors that determine whether or not the application of a stereotype to an individual in a specific context will facilitate or impede correct judgements and perceptions of the individual. It challenges the thought that stereotyping only and always impedes correct judgement when the stereotypes that are applied are inaccurate, failing to reflect social realities. It argues instead that stereotypes that reflect social realities can lead to misperceptions and misjudgements, and that inaccurate but egalitarian social attitudes can facilitate correct judgements and accurate perceptions. The arguments presented in this book have important implications for those who might engage in stereotyping and for those at risk of being stereotyped. They have implications for those who work in healthcare and those who have mental health conditions. How Stereotypes Deceive Us provides a new conceptual framework—evaluative dispositionalism—that captures the epistemic faults of stereotypes and stereotyping, providing conceptual resources that can be used to improve our own thinking by avoiding the pitfalls of stereotyping, and to challenge other people’s stereotyping where it is likely to lead to misperception and misjudgement.

Assessing the Implementation of Workplace Health Programs Outside of Controlled Environments

2000 ◽  
Vol 39 (03) ◽  
pp. 254-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Research Approach ◽  
Workplace Health ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Controlled Environments ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Development And Management ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Innovative Action ◽  
Health Programmes

AbstractThe study explored the implementation of workplace health programmes in 14 NHS Trusts (hospitals). It sought to identify different approaches to implementation and measures that could be used to guide future development. The study comprised inter-related elements examining the process of implementing workplace health and the impact on staff. An innovative action research approach was applied to the evaluation. The aims of the evaluation were to generate activity and learning within the organisations which was sustainable (long term) and transferable outside the study organisations. The study is described in terms of the multiple methods and the ways in which these have been brought together in the analysis. The approach has been informed by a shift from an individualistic perspective towards one which sees the health of workers within the broader context of organisational development and management. The research identified a number of dilemmas for workplace health with its focus on the health of the individual. A typology was developed which describes different approaches to workplace health and their impact on sustaining such initiatives. It suggests that for workplace health to be successful it must address the organisational context as well as individual staff needs. Results from a survey of staff in the 14 trusts seems to demonstrate an association between the approaches, described in the typology, and an impact on staff. Workplace health programmes need to shift towards approaches where the individual’s health is seen within the wider context of the organisation.

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