Associations between Physical Activity and Academic Competence: A Cross-Sectional Study among Slovenian Primary School Students

Physical activity has beneficial effects on overall academic performance in children. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding how the individual characteristics of physical activity interact with other confounding variables of academic competence. Leisure-time physical activity with potential confounders—such as developmental, behavioral, family, and school factors, predicting overall, mathematical, and reading academic competence—was studied in a random sample of 1520 Slovenian primary school students in grades 4–6 (51.9% female; mean age = 10.4 years; SD = 0.93). A structured self-reported questionnaire was used to gather data on the children’s leisure-time physical activity and social-demographic variables, while academic competence was measured by teachers using the SSRS Academic Competence Evaluation Scale. The findings showed that children engage in physical activity most days a week, with moderate-intensity and unorganized activities. It was predicted that engaging in physical activity would lead to an increase in academic performance by 4.2% in males (p = 0.002) and 3.2% in females (p = 0.024), but after fully adjusting the model for controlling confounding variables, the prediction increased to 81.1% in females and 84.1% in males (p < 0.001). The frequency and intensity of physical activity, the absence of digital games, and attending sports clubs seem to have the most beneficial effects in terms of academic competence in school children, among other relevant confounders mediating in this complex relationship.

Developmentally appropriate pedagogies and training needs among Senior High School teachers in the new normal: a comparative study

In-service training programs in any organization enable employees to carry out their responsibilities concerning the organizations' standard and effective delivery. In the pandemic, there is an uprising concern among educators on delivering instruction and their readiness to do so. Hence, a descriptive-comparative approach was conducted to investigate senior high school teachers' readiness on developmentally appropriate pedagogies and their training needs. The data was collected using a researcher-developed electronic-based survey instrument thru Google Form among 35 senior high school teachers in Dolores National High School. The data analyses include mean computation in assessing respondents' level of academic competence, the median for readiness on developmentally appropriate pedagogies and training needs, and non-parametric Mann Whitney U-test and Kruskal Wallis H-test on the significant difference of teacher readiness when compared according to their academic competence indicators. Findings revealed that the majority of the senior high school teachers possessed low academic competence, were exposed to developmentally appropriate pedagogies on teaching methods and modes of assessment and needed immediate training in managing learners with multiple intelligences and learning styles and provided instruction via electronic or distance learning mode. Also, results revealed a significant gap in the respondents' exposure to developmentally appropriate teaching methods compared to their training acquired (p = .002). Hence, the researcher recommends reviewing schools' in-service training and directing them in preparing senior high school teachers to deliver new-normal-based education.

Nursing Student’s Competence in Clinical Education

Background & Aim: Assessing nursing students' competence in clinical education provides information about students' learning outcomes. Having a good the academic competence in clinical learning has always been desirable for student nurses. However, there are very few scales and studies examining the academic competence of student nurses. The aim of this study is to assess learning outcomes in Turkish student nurses using the clinical education assessment tool (AssCE). Methods: A descriptive data form, and the AssCE tool were used to collect data. Intern nursing students' clinical education was evaluated by the clinical nurse instructors using the AssCE tool. Results: The mean age of the student nurses was 22.3±0.5 years (range: 22-24 years), 90.1 % (n=81) of the students were woman, all of these were fourth-year nursing students. The mean score of AssCE was 3.99±0.71; ranging from 3.43 to 4.19.According to the instructors of the nursing students, they are highly reflectng their competencewith their own self knowledge 49.4%, ethical awarenes 46.9%, safety awareness 46.97%, scientific awareness 45.7% and their own carries out nursing care measures 34.4%. Conclusion: According to clinical instructors in the study, student nurses performed at a "good" level. It is recommended that student nurses should be supported to improve their skills and knowledge in order to improve their nursing performance. Keywords: The Clinical Education Assessment tool (AssCE), student nurse, clinical competence, nursing.

Students with ADHD: Social Skills, Behavioral Problems, Academic Performance, and Family Resources

ADHD constitutes a developmental risk. The general aim was to identify social skills, behavior problems, academic performance and family resources of children with ADHD, with the specific aim being to compare students regarding indicators of ADHD and the use or not of medication. Participants were 43 Elementary Education I students (M=9.6 years, SD=1.5), 43 parents (M=39.1 years, SD=7.6) and 38 teachers (M=43.1 years, SD=8.4). The instruments used were the Inventory of Social Skills, Behavior Problems and Academic Competence (SSRS-BR), Conners’ Scale and the Inventory of Family Resources. The collection was carried out in public schools. The results showed that the students had scores higher than the reference sample in Behavior Problems and Social Skills and lower in classes of social skills and Academic Competence; the presence of family resources; and grades above 5.0 as a school mean. We concluded that there is a need for interventions with the studied population.

The influence of knowledge sharing and competence on academic performance

This study goals to conclude the results of knowledge sharing and academic competence. The results obtained in this research aid as a orientation for stakeholders in the world of education to improve academic performance through knowledge sharing and competence so that the quality of learning increases. Questionnaires were distributed to 100 PTN students in Bandung in 2020. Sampling was carried out by using probability sampling method, this study uses path analysis. This analysis is used to define the causal relationship among variables sharing knowledge, competence and direct academic performance. and indirect influence. The results presented that there were indications of a affirmative and significant relationship among knowledge sharing and competence, knowledge sharing and academic performance, but there was a affirmative but not significant relationship between knowledge sharing through competence on academic performance. Keywords: Knowledge sharing, competence, academic performance

Student Services Center (SSC): Upaya pembinaan prestasi, karir, dan kewirausahaan bagi mahasiswa melalui community based participatory research

The purpose of this service is to develop academic competence, non-academic competence, entrepreneurial competence and prepare the careers of students and alumni of the Islamic Economics and Business Faculty IAIN Salatiga. The service is carried out using a Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach. Laying foundation is done by analyzing the situation, reasons for choosing partners, conditions of assistance. partner engagement plans, and framing research questions for action plans. The tools used are community mapping in the hope of capturing the strengths, potentials, and issues that exist among students. Action plans carried out by establishing the Students Service Center (SSC), Launching Students Service Center (SSC), developing student academic competencies through presentation skill training, debate competition mentoring/coaching, business plan mentoring/coaching, training in writing scientific papers, developing non-technical competencies student academics through futsal day and volleyball day, developing student entrepreneurship potential by mentoring millennial entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship talk shows, halal food festivals, student career development through advanced study seminars, scholarship interview mentoring, leadership talk shows, work simulations. The contribution of this research creates social changes in the research process and meaningful results that can improve campus reputation through student achievement