Project description:In order for out-of-school science activities that take place during school hours but outside the school context to be successful, instructors must have sufficient pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) to guarantee high-quality teaching and learning. We argue that PCK is a quality of the instructor-pupil system that is constructed in real-time interaction. When PCK is evident in real-time interaction, we define it as Expressed Pedagogical Content Knowledge (EPCK). The aim of this study is to empirically explore whether EPCK shows a systematic pattern of variation, and if so whether the pattern occurs in recurrent and temporary stable attractor states as predicted in the complex dynamic systems theory. This study concerned nine out-of-school activities in which pupils of upper primary school classes participated. A multivariate coding scheme was used to capture EPCK in real time. A principal component analysis of the time series of all the variables reduced the number of components. A cluster revealed general descriptions of the components across all cases. Cluster analyses of individual cases divided the time series into sequences, revealing High-, Low-, and Non-EPCK states. High-EPCK attractor states emerged at particular moments during activities, rather than being present all the time. Such High-EPCK attractor states were only found in a few cases, namely those where the pupils were prepared for the visit and the instructors were trained.
Project description:The traditional lecture-based learning (LBL) method is facing great challenges due to its low efficiency and single proceeding form. We designed a PRI-E learning mode that combined and modified problem-based, case-based, and evidence-based learning with a step-by-step approach. We evaluated the practical learning outcomes of using the PRI-E mode by comparing it with traditional lecture-based learning in oral and maxillofacial oncology education. "PRI-E" consists of the first letters of the English words Passion, Research, Innovation, and Education, and it means "the best Education". This prospective randomized controlled trial included 40 participants. We evenly divided the participants into the PRI-E (n = 20) and LBL group (n = 20) based on the entrance test scores. The same staff group designed and then taught the learning content with different group measures. The evaluation included the final test scores and questionnaire assessments. Without affecting the examination results, the PRI-E teaching method was more satisfactory and popular with participants in terms of ability development and classroom participation. Enacting the PRI-E teaching method required more time, but this did not affect its popularity among the participants. Compared with the LBL learning mode, the PRI-E learning mode was more organized and efficient in oral and maxillofacial oncology education without affecting academic performance. This model has a high degree of satisfaction, which is conducive to training students' comprehensive ability.
Project description:Being able to self-regulate one's learning is essential for academic success but is also very difficult for students. Especially first year students can be overwhelmed with the high study load and autonomy in higher education. To face this challenge, students' monitoring and self-regulated learning (SRL) processes are crucial. Yet, often students are not aware of effective SRL strategies or how to use them. In this study, the use of a mobile application with gamification elements (i.e., Ace Your Self-Study App) to support first-year university students' SRL processes was investigated. In Study 1a, the Ace your self-study app was implemented in a first-year psychology course, and students' SRL skills, motivation, self-efficacy, app use and satisfaction, and performance were measured. The results showed a significant increase in autonomous motivation, controlled motivation, and metacognitive self-regulation skills (MSR-R) across the 5-week course. Moreover, students who used the mobile application with gamified elements showed higher autonomous motivation. Nevertheless, most students used the app only for a limited number of self-study sessions. In Study 1b, students' self-study experiences were captured using focus group interviews to shed some more light on why students did or did not use the app. The results show that if students feel they do not need support for their SRL processes during self-study, they are less inclined to use the app. Specifically, regarding using study strategies, it was found that only if students' strategies do not work well in their perception, they feel the need to change their way of studying and choose another strategy. These results are discussed in the context of theory on SRL and how to support it.
Project description:Analysis of 16S rRNA sequence diversity is widely performed for characterizing the biodiversity of microbial samples. The number of determined sequences has a considerable impact on complete results. Although the cost of mass sequencing is decreasing, it is often still too high for individual projects. We applied the multi-temperature single-strand conformational polymorphism (MSSCP) method to decrease the number of analysed sequences. This was a novel application of this method. As a control, the same sample was analysed using random sequencing. In this paper, we adapted the MSSCP technique for screening of unique sequences of the 16S rRNA gene library and bacterial strains isolated from biofilms growing on the walls of an ancient gold mine in Poland and determined whether the results obtained by both methods differed and whether random sequencing could be replaced by MSSCP. Although it was biased towards the detection of rare sequences in the samples, the qualitative results of MSSCP were not different than those of random sequencing. Unambiguous discrimination of unique clones and strains creates an opportunity to effectively estimate the biodiversity of natural communities, especially in populations which are numerous but species poor.
Project description:This work aims to investigate the application of advanced deep learning algorithms and image recognition technologies to enhance language analysis tools in secondary education, with the goal of providing educators with more effective resources and support. Based on artificial intelligence, this work integrates data mining techniques related to deep learning to analyze and study language behavior in secondary school education. Initially, a framework for analyzing language behavior in secondary school education is constructed. This involves evaluating the current state of language behavior, establishing a framework based on evaluation comments, and defining indicators for analyzing language behavior in online secondary school education. Subsequently, data mining technology and image and character recognition technology are employed to conduct data mining for online courses in secondary schools, encompassing the processing of teaching video images and character recognition. Finally, an experiment is designed to validate the proposed framework for analyzing language behavior in secondary school education. The results indicate specific differences among the grouped evaluation scores for each analysis indicator. The significance p values for the online classroom discourse's speaking rate, speech intelligibility, average sentence length, and content similarity are -0.56, -0.71, -0.71, and -0.74, respectively. The aim is to identify the most effective teaching behaviors for learners and enhance the support for online course instruction.
Project description:BackgroundMobile instant messaging services are being increasingly used for educational purposes, but their effectiveness in medical education is not well known. We assessed whether students' use of Kakao Talk (a mobile instant messaging service) during the early period of a week of clinical education influenced its use for academic purposes during a later period of the same week.MethodsThe online communication records of 151 third-year medical students (in 39 clinical education groups) who used Kakao Talk during clinical education were reviewed. The 39 groups were categorized as low, middle, or high according to the number of total chats (on all subjects, not just academic) per student over five days. The relationship between the number of total chats during the first two days and the number of academic chats during the last three days (of five-day chatroom weeks) was analyzed.ResultsThe number of total and academic chats over all five days, the first two days, and the last three days was highest in groups with the highest number of total chats per student. Similarly, the highest number of students posting total and academic chats was found in these groups. In addition, the number of academic chats per student and the frequency of questions raised by students were also highest in these groups. During the last three days, the number of students posting total chats was lower than that during the first two days, and the number of academic chats per student posting academic chats was higher. The number of total chats on the first or second day positively correlated with the maximum value of academic chats on the third to fifth days.ConclusionHigh frequency mobile instant messaging use early on in clinical education might encourage its use for academic purposes during later periods.
Project description:IntroductionOur research was based on the BUS model, which provides guidelines for developing mobile applications for health. This model is supported by theories of behavior change, user-centered design, and social marketing. This study aimed to determine secondary school students' perceptions of a mobile application design for smoking prevention.MethodsIn 2018, qualitative research was conducted in three secondary schools located in the central part of the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Focus groups were established to explore beliefs about smoking and mobile phone use. The sketch technique was used to identify the characteristics for the mobile application.ResultsThe students' perception of smoking allowed us to determine behaviors that can be changed: 1) associating cigarettes with a distraction from problems can be prevented; 2) peer and family pressure as a trigger to starting smoking can be avoided; and 3) tobacco use can be disassociated from being popular. Regarding the design of the mobile application prototype, an entertaining game with levels to help teenagers stay active was proposed.ConclusionsGames for health can help modify user behavior and even positively influence their values. The final product was the prototype for the 'No le entres' (don't jump in) application. An important finding was that adolescents living in both urban and rural settings use mobile phones similarly.
Project description:BackgroundHealth and social care students are expected to apply evidence-based practice (EBP). An innovative mobile application, EBPsteps, was developed to support learning EBP.AimThe aim of this study was to explore health and social care students' experiences of learning about EBP using the mobile application EBPsteps during their clinical placements.MethodsAn interpretive description approach guided the exploration of student experiences. Four focus groups were conducted with a convenience sample of students from three undergraduate degree programs: occupational therapy, physical therapy, and social education. The constant comparison method was used to categorize and compare the qualitative data.ResultsThree integrated themes were generated: "triggers for EBP", "barriers to EBP", and "design matters". Information needs, academic requirements, and encouragement from clinical instructors triggered the students to use EBPsteps. Lack of EBP knowledge, lack of academic demand, and lack of emphasis on EBP in clinical placement were barriers to using EBPsteps. Design issues mattered, as use of the app was motivated by design features such as the opportunity to practice EBP in one place and taking notes in a digital notebook. The use of the app was hindered by anticipation that the use of phones during clinical placements would be viewed negatively by others and by specific design features, such as unfamiliar icons.ConclusionsThe students perceived the EBPsteps app as a relevant tool for learning EBP, although they also suggested specific changes to the design of the app. Requirements must be embedded in the curriculum to ensure that the app is used. Our findings bring important information to developing and implementing mobile applications as a teaching method in health and social care educations.