To Determine the Influence of Students’ Past Performance Component of Self-Efficacy on Examination Malpractices among Students in Kiambu County Universities Kenya

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible influence of students’ self-efficacy on examination malpractices among undergraduate students in Universities within Kiambu County. The objectives of this study includes; to analyze the influence of students’ past performance component of self-efficacy. The data collected from the pilot test was used to compute Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient which was found to be r = 0.86, hence the instruments were reliable. The researcher ensured the validity of the instruments by consulting peers and experts from the department of educational psychology, Mount Kenya University. Dependability of qualitative data was ensured through adoption of suitable research method, pre-testing and in-depth interviews. Credibility of the instrument was ensured by triangulating data obtained and creation of research questionnaires based on research objectives. The quantitative data obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 21, and was presented in descriptive statistics inform of frequencies and percentages. Inferential statistics in form of linear regression was used to test the relationship between independent and dependent variables in each objective. Linear Regression Results were presented in model summary tables, ANOVA tables and coefficient tables. Content analysis method was employed to critically analyze qualitative data and presented in textual form. On the first objective, the study revealed that students’ past performance slightly influenced examination malpractices among undergraduate students. The study showed that students’ emotional experiences significantly influenced examination malpractices. Based on the finding, students’ self-efficacy has significant influence on examination malpractices. To address the issue of students’ self-efficacy on examination malpractices, a multi-sectoral approach would be needed, that may involve all the stake holders, that is, the larger society, the government and the students. The incorporation of modern technology in entire process of examination administration and certification would be important in reducing the examination malpractices. An examination policy shift in universities would be necessary too.

BEHIND THE CHANGE OF THE NATIONAL EXAMINATION POLICY IN INDONESIA

This study aimed to find out the mapping of difficulties in mathematics National Examination (NE) in Senior High School along with changes in NE policy in Indonesia in the last 10 years. Researcher conducted descriptive explorative analysis to find out the scope of material, the absorption, and mapping the difficulties faced by students in mathematics. Data analysis carried out by examining the data of each material and indicators. It grouped into two, namely low (<50%) and high absorption (≥ 50%). The results showed that the overall absorption of the NE had decreased significantly over the past 5 years (2013 to 2017). There did not find out of difficult material before implementation of curriculum 2013. However, the last 5 years (after the period of implementation curriculum 2013) have found several difficulties. Moreover, since 2015, almost all the materials on mathematics NE were categorized as difficult after the changing in the status of the NE (not a determinant factor of students’ graduation) and implementation the computer-based test. The difficult materials were probability, geometry transformations, space geometry, calculus, circles, linear programs, and statistics. Generally, the difficulties were in narrative problem-solving questions or using real-world contexts. Also, the results showed non-cognitive impacts (students’ motivation) as the result of the policy changing, especially the status and technical implementation of the NE.

Study on the Continuation Task of China’s New College Entrance Examination Based on the Interactive Alignment Theory

With the extensive implementation of China’s new college entrance examination policy, the Continuation Task in the new college entrance examination has attracted wide attention from the academic circle, which also gives rise to plentiful relevant research. In the past, most of the research only focused on university foreign language education, which was rarely involved in English teaching in primary and secondary schools. Based on the Interactive Alignment Theory, this paper is going to analyze and study the Continuation Task, and try to put forward some teaching strategies for the teaching of the new task, so as to improve student's English proficiency level. According to the research, this paper finds out that "The Continuation Task" can give full play to the alignment effect between reading and writing, promote writing through reading, and thus promote the improvement of students' foreign language proficiency. Therefore, this essay can provide some insights into the teaching of English in high schools.

The importance of a patient examination policy

Dentist Ben Atkins considers how a well-mapped patient journey – from meet and greet to follow-up appointment – can benefit everyone, including the dental nurse

External Examination Invigilators’ (EEIs) Beliefs and Inference About Activities They Consider Important: Implication for Examination Policy

The aim of this small-scale grounded approach qualitative study was to examine the beliefs of selected external examination invigilators (EEIs) and infer the kinds of activities they consider important. The importance of this study rested in the fact that there is a paucity of research which examines the role of EEIs at secondary, further and higher education levels. Therefore, it aids in filling a literary gap and gives them a ‘voice’ in the research literature. Study participants were five EEIs, working in a London secondary school. Purposeful convenience or opportunity sampling was used in their selection. Informal interviews and participant observation were the research methods used. The findings revealed the fact that beliefs of the EEIs guide how they rated their role and that maintaining examination intangibles and procedures is of high importance. Implication of the findings are discussed.