Students' use of content in Web-supported academic courses

The use of the Internet as an instructional tool in higher education is rapidly increasing. Today, there is an increase in the development of academic course websites with huge amounts of learning materials imbedded within them. However, there is little empirical evidence regarding the actual use of these contents by students. In this study, a computer log is used to evaluate how online contents are consumed and to identify the individual differences among students in terms of contents usage and the amount of contents that are presented in Web-supported course sites. The findings of this study show that the amount of content that is accessed is very high, but large differences exist among students. The authors conclude with some ideas for further implications of information retrieved from the Web log as related to content usage in academic websites and show the relevance of logs and content usage for the evaluation of Internet implementation in higher education institutions.     

Comparison of Community College Students’ Sexual Health Dimensions

ABSTRACT

Sexually active college students in the United States have alarming rates of unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Varying degrees of sexual health knowledge and attitudes among college students are an outcome of sexuality education in the K-12 school systems with abstinence-only or comprehensive focus. Community college students (n = 737) aged 18–24 years, 57% from a college in an abstinence-only sex education state and 43% from a college in a comprehensive sex education state, both in the Mid-Atlantic region, took the Sexual Health Survey in October 2016, which measures sexual health knowledge and attitudes. Gender and ethnicity differences, as well as other sources of sexuality information were evaluated. Students from the comprehensive sex education state, New Jersey had higher sexual health knowledge and attitude scores than the students from the abstinence-only sex education state, Pennsylvania. Male students in New Jersey scored significantly higher in sexual health knowledge compared to male students in Pennsylvania, while female students in New Jersey had higher sexual health knowledge scores compared to the male students. Analysis of ethnicity revealed the New Jersey college sample had healthier sexual attitudes as compared to the Pennsylvania college sample, with notable distinction among Black students. The Internet, friends, and personal experiences were chosen by 75% of all students across both colleges as the top reported sources of sexuality information. In addition to advocating for comprehensive sex education, recommendations are made for sexual health initiatives in community colleges to provide sexual health instruction and support.     

影响大学生利用计算机网络资源的障碍因素分析

本研究的目的是为了了解当代中国大学生利用计算机网络资源过程中可能存在的障碍因素。研究发现,在所列举的十三项可能的"障碍因素"中,"校园局域网和广域网分离造成的使用不方便"和"网络速度太慢"是当前最影响大学生利用计算机网络资源的两大问题。此外,性别、年级、拥有计算机与否、拥有计算机的时间、每天使用计算机和网络的时间等个人特征对大学生认识"计算机网络资源利用中可能的障碍因素"有不同程度的影响。基于这些发现,本研究尝试着提出一些解决问题的建议。     

Students' perceptions toward the use of the digital library in weekly web-based distance learning assignments portion of a hybrid programme

This study attempted to investigate students’ perceptions toward the use of the digital library in weekly web‐based distance learning assignments portion of a hybrid instructional programme. Attention was given to three variables—age, gender, and prior experience with the Internet. A Likert‐type instrument consisting of 10 items was designed to collect information about students’ perceptions toward the use of digital library. The subjects of this study were 154 students enrolled in an undergraduate hybrid programme in management at a medium‐sized university in the Midwest, USA. Collected data were analysed using ANOVA. The overall results suggest that students had positive perceptions toward the use of the digital library. Age was found to be an insignificant factor. However, gender and prior experience with the Internet were found to be significant factors. Males had significantly higher positive perceptions toward using the digital library. Students who had more prior experience with the Internet had significantly higher positive perceptions toward using the digital library. Implications for practice are discussed and recommendations are made for future research.     

Perceptions of a Chilly Climate: Differences in Traditional and Non-traditional Majors for Women

The purpose of this study was to examine how perceptions of a chilly climate differ between students in traditionally female-dominated majors (nursing and education) versus traditionally male-dominated majors (information technology and engineering), and how these perceptions relate to students’ intentions to persist or pursue higher education in their chosen field. Students (n = 403) attending a community college completed the 28-item Perceived Chilly Climate Scale (PCCS). The primary research question asked: To what extent can scores on the five subscales of the PCCS be explained by the predictor variable set of gender, ethnicity, age, college major, and intent to leave the field? Canonical correlation analysis indicated that women found the climate chillier than men, non-white students found the climate chillier than white students, younger students perceived the climate chillier than older students, and students in traditionally female-dominated majors perceived the climate chillier than students in traditionally male-dominated majors. Intent to leave the field was not a significant predictor of perceptions of chilly climate.     

In your Facebook: Examining Facebook usage as misbehavior on perceived teacher credibility

Teachers sometimes do things that negatively impact their own credibility in classroom settings. One way instructors maintain credibility among students is by keeping a veil between their personal and professional personas. The advent of Facebook presents new challenges for instructors seeking to keep their personal lives private in order to maintain credibility among students. In educational settings, Facebook communications can blur the personal and professional boundaries that students and professors are accustomed to. As such, instructors in higher education sometimes struggle with the implications of ‘friending’ students in the context of social networking. The purpose of this study was to examine whether or not educator usage of Facebook had any impact on student perceptions of instructor credibility. Facebook presence was examined in the context of teacher ‘misbehaviors’ (that is, actions by educators that negatively impact their credibility). A modified version of Teven and McCroskey’s (1997) Source Credibility Instrument was given to a sample of college students (N?=?187) to compare instructors that use Facebook with those who do not. While students appear to be generally accepting of instructor usage of the social tool, some findings suggest that there are probably ways to abuse it in a manner that could lead to negative perceptions of credibility. Ultimately, results from this study indicated that there were no significant differences among student perceptions of instructor credibility based on whether or not an educator used Facebook.     

Attitudes on Barriers and Benefits of Distance Education among Mississippi Delta Allied Health Community College Faculty,Staff, and Students

Online distance education creates increased opportunities for continuing education and advanced training for allied health professionals living in underserved and geographically isolated areas. The purpose of this article was to explore attitudes on barriers and benefits of distance education technology among underrepresented minority allied health students. It also addressed potential issues to geographic isolation that may contribute to the shortage of adequately trained health professionals in the Mississippi Delta. Community college students, faculty, and staff of Mississippi Delta allied health programs were interviewed about their experience, barriers and benefits to participation, and self efficacy with distance education. Four focus groups meetings with 34 participants were conducted to understand perceptions of community college students and professionals about distance education. Exposure to and experience with online and distance learning format, frequent Internet usage, and plans to matriculate to a four-year university are significant factors when examining attitudes on barriers and benefits. Faculty and staff perceive that community college students would be more confident during discussions in an online environment; that an online class will reduce out-of-pocket educational expenses; and online learning will save time by making all course materials accessible from one webpage. Attitudes on benefits to distance education should be evaluated to assess whether distance education programs meet the needs of the students in underserved areas.     

当代大学生的网络行为与意识分析——来自湖南五所高校的统计调查报告

随着高等院校成为中国社会“网络化”的发展前沿,互联网对大学生的行为模式、思维方式、心理发展、价值取向、政治态度、道德观念等产生着越来越大的影响。面对网络这把双丸剑给大学生带来的困惑、迷惘,为了更确切地了解在校大学生接触和利用网络的现状,充分利用信息网络技术给高等教育带来的机遇,促进高校思想政治工作的顺利开展,我们必须认真研究网络条件下大学生思想政治工作的特点和规律,开创大学生网络教育工作的新格局。     

Is Creativity Masculine? Visual Arts College Students’ Perceptions of the Gender Stereotyping of Creativity and Its Influence on Creative Self-Efficacy

This study investigated visual arts college students’ perceptions of the gender stereotyping of creativity and the influence of this stereotyping on creative self-efficacy. The sample consisted of 1198 Chinese visual arts college students. The results showed that (a) both male and female students identified stereotypically masculine traits as more important to creativity than stereotypically feminine traits are, (b) male students demonstrated higher creative self-efficacy than their female counterparts did, and (c) students’ gender significantly moderated the effect of the gender stereotyping of creativity on creative self-efficacy. Specifically, the gender stereotyping of creativity had a positive effect on male students and a negative effect on female students. These findings revealed that gender stereotypes dominate concepts of creativity in Chinese art education and may hinder female students’ development of creative self-efficacy, resulting in gendered inequality in the visual arts field. The implications of these findings for visual arts education in China are discussed.     

Information and Communication Technologies Usage by Students in an Israeli High School: Equity, Gender, and Inside/Outside School Learning Issues

This study describes and analyses a survey that was conducted with 384 students from grades 7–12 in a typical urban High School in Israel. The students reported on the extent and characteristics of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage within and beyond school time and location. Its focus is on (a) equity issues regarding the extent, purposes and scope of ICT usage and students self perception in ICT proficiency; (b) gender and age differences in ICT use; and (c) relationship between inside/outside school learning processes. The findings show that 10% of the students are non-users of ICT, two thirds are common-users and only 25% are skilled users. About half of the students use the Internet to some extent. Major Gender differences were found: in general, more boys used ICT more extensively than girls did. Differences among age groups were found mainly with respect to the use of complex applications, but not regarding Internet usage. These results are discussed in the light of the three focal issues: equity, gender, and integration of learning processes taking place within and outside school.     

Validation of the programmatic assessment survey for college students’ expectations and perceptions of the integrative studies curriculum

This study evaluates the validity and reliability of a programmatic assessment survey to measure students’ expectations and perceptions of general education curriculum, and considers the extent to which scales are related to non-cognitive variables. The results showed that the scales are valid from both theoretical and statistical perspectives and highly reliable. Hierarchical linear models were applied to understand whether students’ perceptions of the curriculum vary as a function of gender, ethnicity, major, and length of study in college. Students’ perceptions of the curriculum were discovered to be insignificantly different from each other, and students with higher expectations of the curriculum had significantly higher perceptions of it. This research provides a significant addition to studies surrounding liberal learning. Understanding students’ expectations and perceptions of the curriculum provides insight into their underlying value system, and assists educational practitioners to measure the overall efficacy of the curriculum in general education.     

Where the boys aren't: non-cognitive skills, returns to school and the gender gap in higher education

Nearly 60 percent of college students today are women. Using longitudinal data on a nationally representative cohort of eighth grade students in 1988, I examine two potential explanations for the differential attendance rates of men and women—returns to schooling and non-cognitive skills. The attendance gap is roughly five percentage points for all high school graduates. Conditional on attendance, however, there are few differences in type of college, enrollment status or selectivity of institution. The majority of the attendance gap can be explained by differences in the characteristics of men and women, despite some gender differences in the determinants of college attendance. I find that higher non-cognitive skills and college premiums among women account for nearly 90 percent of the gender gap in higher education. Interestingly, non-cognitive factors continue to influence college enrollment after controlling for high school achievement.     

高职大学生与普通大学生学习适应性比较研究

采用自编的《大学生学习适应性调查问卷》对高职大学生和普通大学生的学习适应性进行比较研究。结果表明:高职大学生和普通大学生学习适应性总体差异显著;在年级比较中,差异主要在新生和中年级学生;在性别比较中,高职大学男生和普通大学男生差异不显著,但女生在四个分量表上都有显著差异;并就两类大学生学习适应性方面存在的问题提出了教育建议。     

College in the media: the relationship between repeated exposure and college expectations

Media consumption can influence viewer perceptions and attitudes. Recent research on media’s effect on college students has failed to address gender differences. Using Mere Repeated Exposure Theory (traditionally used in marketing research), this study aims to answer three research questions regarding college media consumption and college perceptions: What types of fictional college media do college students consume? How does college media consumption differ by gender? How does fictional college media consumption relate to perceived college expectations? Results suggest that college students who consume high amounts of fictional college media are more likely to have positive attitudes towards partying and socializing in college. High consumers of college media, however, do not believe that college media influences their college perceptions. Men are more likely to socialize in college and are more aware than women that college media influences their college perceptions. Women are more likely to believe that college is difficult regardless of media consumption.     

Are they thinking what we're thinking? College staff and student perceptions of the impact of ethnicity and gender on completion and achievement at a college of further education

This study was carried out with students and staff from a college of further education in south London. The college has a mix of male and female students from a range of ethnic groups, the largest of which is white British. A study undertaken by the college in 2003 indicated that there may be significant differences in achievement and completion rates between genders and between ethnic groups. The college commissioned Kingston University to research into the relationship between gender and ethnicity on student achievement and completion. In this article the qualitative findings from data on the experiences and perceptions of the staff and full‐time students are discussed in the context of the variable completion and achievement rates of the students and results from other studies. The main themes linked to ethnicity, gender, completion and achievement emerging from the analysis indicate broad agreement between students and staff over issues around learning and teaching and written and spoken English; however, their particular perspectives led to their having differing views on the most important factors external to the college and those affecting student motivation.     

Deaf college students' perceptions of their social-emotional adjustment

This study examined differences between deaf and hearing students' perceptions of their social emotional adjustment as they transition to college. The 16PF-Adolescent Personality Questionnaire Life Difficulties Scale was completed by 205 deaf students and 185 hearing students. A multivariate analyses of variance and subsequent univariate tests found that deaf students rated themselves as experiencing significantly higher home life difficulties than hearing students, and deaf students rated themselves as having fewer coping difficulties than hearing students. Results also revealed a hearing status by gender interaction with deaf females rating themselves significantly higher on worry than deaf males, hearing females, and hearing males. An exploratory factor analysis of the Life Difficulties subscales yielded three factors of life difficulties for deaf college students but only two factors for hearing college students. These findings suggest that there are differences between deaf and hearing students who are transitioning to college with regards to their social-emotional adjustment.     

Goal orientations and perceptions of the motivational climate in physical education classes among Colombian students

This study examined the relationships of achievement goal orientations and perceptions of the motivational climate in physical education classes among Colombian students, and tested gender and age differences in goal orientations and perceived motivational climate. Participants (1378 boys and 1615 girls, ranging in age from 9 to 18 yr) completed the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ), and the Learning and Performance Orientations in Physical Education Classes Questionnaire (LAPOPECQ). Bivariate and canonical correlation analysis identified conceptually consistent relationships between goal orientations and perceptions of motivational climate. Boys scored higher than girls in ego orientation and in perceptions of performance orientation. Task and ego goal orientations, and perceptions of learning or performance orientations decreased with age. Data obtained indicate that the Spanish versions of the TEOSQ and the LAPOPEQ could be useful instruments for physical education teachers, helping them to identify achievement goal orientation of their students and perceptions of the motivational climate in their education classes.     

网络文化对大学生影响的思考

网络文化作为信息时代发展的产物,对大学生思想意识和行为方式的影响愈来愈强烈。充分认识网络文化的双重作用,发挥其正面效能,减少其负面影响,培养大学生的判断力和批判意识,是当今大学生思想教育工作者的责任。同时,引导学生正确面对网络文化的影响,还需社会、学校、家庭齐抓共管。     

大学生网购行为的差异性研究——基于对广东15所高校的调查

随着互联网技术和电子商务的发展,目前,网络购物已经成为一种普遍的购物手段。调查发现,大学生已经成为网络购物的主力军。不同性别、不同年级、不同专业、不同地域的大学生,其网络购物行为存在着一定的差异,呈现出不同的特点。研究不同群体大学生网购行为的差异及其原因,可以为大学生思想政治教育提供一定的依据。