Early predictors of first-year academic success at university: pre-university effort,pre-university self-efficacy,and pre-university reasons for attending university

Given the large number of dropouts in the 1st year at university, it is important to identify early predictors of 1st-year academic success. The present study (n = 453 first-year students) contributes to literature on the transition from secondary to higher education by investigating how the non-cognitive factors pre-university effort and pre-university academic self-efficacy influence 1st-year retention at university. In addition, we examined pre-university reasons for attending university and whether these reasons were related to 1st-year retention. Multinomial logistic regression analyses showed that pre-university effort positively predicted 1st-year retention, whereas pre-university academic self-efficacy did not. With exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, we identified six pre-university reasons for attending university: career perspective, personal development, compliance with the social environment, attractiveness of the institution, recommended by others, and location. None of the pre-university reasons appeared to significantly predict 1st-year retention. Implications for research and practice are discussed.     

Using peer assessment to evaluate teamwork from a multidisciplinary perspective

This article analyses the use of peer evaluation as a tool for evaluating teamwork and students’ perceptions of this type of evaluation. A study was conducted of six subjects included on five degree courses at the University of Girona. In all of these subjects, students carried out a team activity, evaluated the performance of the team and the involvement of its different members, and responded to a survey on their perceptions of this evaluation system. We found the main factors influencing the evaluation and perception of teamwork to be teachers’ and students’ prior experience in this type of evaluation activity, the field where it is applied, the academic year students are enrolled on and the weight of the activity in the final mark. The results show that, in general, students’ views regarding such evaluation procedures are positive.     

THE ROLE OF PERSONALITY IN THE REGULATION OF GIFTED CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT

Experiments on problems of development of abilities have been carried out for five years with pupils in different age groups. The basis of the approach was development of psychodiagnostic approaches that would help in speeding up the development of cognitive activity in children with ordinary abilities. Gifted children display a high level of self‐regulation, master complicated psychological processes faster, react positively to novelty and complexity, and can differentiate more clearly. Teaching of gifted children is carried out in the Small Academy of Sciences, where programs on the development of interests and abilities take account of each specific pupil's characteristics. Gifted children can predict the future better, their plans are directed to the future. They are interested in renewing society, because their aims are more motivated by a strongly developed future perspective. Further work requires coordination with the International Council on Children's Talents and Gifts, especially regarding teacher training programs involving the study of special endowments and their development.