'workplace' Search Results
Engineering Competencies and College Education: Faculty and Employer Perspectives on Fresh Graduates
engineering competencies employers’ perspectives engineering competency model engineering faculty fresh graduates...
The field of engineering education is constantly evolving to meet the challenges of technological and societal advancements. Continuous research should be conducted to identify the potential match between the skills that employers seek and the ones engineering graduates gain at college. The purpose of this study is to identify areas of agreement and disagreement between the faculty and employers regarding the skills and knowledge that engineering students acquire during their undergraduate education. The study uses an explanatory sequential design method by employing a questionnaire that was developed based on the Engineering Competency Model (ECM) by the Employment and Training Administration of the USA Department of Labor and responded to by 125 volunteer engineering faculty. Additionally, interviews were conducted with 2 industry professionals to gain deeper qualitative insights. The study found that while faculty mainly stated that students acquire personal effectiveness, academic, and workplace competencies in college, employers disagreed with these perceptions, particularly regarding interpersonal skills, integrity, professionalism, writing, and communication. Additionally, the study found a significant mismatch between faculty and employer assessments of industry-wide competencies, with employers expressing concerns about graduates' preparedness in areas like design, business, and sustainability. These findings suggest significant updates and cooperation with industry experts in engineering curricula and their implementation.
Meta-Analysis of Integrated Learning on 21st Century Skills: Is Integrated Learning Still Relevant?
21st century creativity critical thinking integrated learning...
Integrated learning has emerged as an approach to developing critical thinking and creativity skills. This meta-analysis synthesizes the effects of integrated learning on critical thinking and creativity, drawing from experimental studies published over the past decade. This study addresses the research question: What are the impacts and factors influencing integrated learning on students' critical thinking skills and creativity compared to conventional learning over the past decade? In the database, 403 articles were obtained, which were then supplemented by seven articles from manual searches, so that there were a total of 410 articles. After a strict inclusion process, 8 articles were selected for analysis. The inter-rater reliability test using Cohen's Kappa coefficient produced a value of 0.78, which indicates a substantial level of agreement. The analysis includes data from 497 participants for critical thinking and 266 for creativity. Heterogeneity in critical thinking skill data was 96%, and in creative skills, it was 86%; then, a subgroup analysis of education level was carried out to find out where the high heterogeneity was. The results show a significant positive effect of integrated learning, with an SMD of 1.48 (p = .004) for critical thinking and 1.60 (p = .0001) for creativity. Funnel plots and Egger's regression tests indicate no risk of publication bias. In addition, this study also synthesized the causal factors of how integrated learning affects critical thinking skills and creativity. Further research is recommended to explore its long-term impact and implementation strategies in various educational settings.
Effect of STEAM Project-Based Learning on Engineering Students’ 21st Century Skills
steam steam education steam project-based learning 21st century skills...
STEM/STEAM education is an interdisciplinary pedagogical approach that cultivates skills in science (S), technology (T), engineering (E), arts (A), and mathematics (M) while also fostering 21st century skills like teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity in learners. Enhancing STEAM and 21st century skills for engineering students facilitates their swift adaptation to STEM/STEAM employment demands in the 4.0 industrial revolution and the ongoing digital transformation in Vietnam. This study aims to investigate the effect of STEAM project-based learning on the 21st century skills of 47 mechanical engineering technology students at a public university in Vietnam. The findings of a one-group pretest-posttest design and an analysis of engineering student groups’ STEAM project-based learning products revealed that there was a significant improvement in students' 21st century skills at a 95% confidence level. Among the three 21st century skills studied, engineering students’ collaboration skill showed a moderate effect size, while problem-solving and creative thinking skills demonstrated a large effect size after implementing STEAM project-based learning in the “Workplace Skills” course. Some significant limitations were identified, including (a) the lack of a comparison group, which may have influenced the difference between the pretest and posttest; and (b) the sustainability of 21st century skills developed through STEAM project-based learning in the “Workplace Skills” course was not investigated. Therefore, studying the effect of other factors on engineering students’ 21st century skills and exploring their sustainability were main recommendations for further research.
Synergy of Voluntary GenAI Adoption in Flexible Learning Environments: Exploring Facets of Student-Teacher Interaction Through Structural Equation Modeling
flexible learning environments generative artificial intelligence adoption structural equation modeling student-teacher interaction technology acceptance...
Integrating generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in education has gained significant attention, particularly in flexible learning environments (FLE). This study investigates how students’ voluntary adoption of GenAI influences their perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEU), learning engagement (LE), and student-teacher interaction (STI). This study employed a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach, using data from 480 students across multiple academic levels. The findings confirm that voluntary GenAI adoption significantly enhances PU and PEU, reinforcing established technology acceptance models (TAM). However, PU did not directly impact LE at the latent level—an unexpected finding that underscores students’ engagement’s complex and multidimensional nature in AI-enriched settings. Conversely, PEU positively influenced LE, which in turn significantly predicted STI. These findings suggest that usability, rather than perceived utility alone, drives deeper engagement and interaction in autonomous learning contexts. This research advances existing knowledge of GenAI adoption by proposing a structural model that integrates voluntary use, learner engagement, and teacher presence. Future research should incorporate variables such as digital literacy, self-regulation, and trust and apply longitudinal approaches to better understand the evolving role of GenAI inequitable, human-centered education.
Relation Between Conflict Management Strategies and Family Assessment Devices in Multicultural Setting
conflict management strategies cross-cultural studies family functioning kosovo university students...
This study investigated the relationships between conflict management strategies and family functioning among university students from diverse ethnic backgrounds in the multicultural context of Kosovo. A cross-sectional design was used with 362 university students (183 female, 179 male) comprising Kosovo Turks (58.6%), Albanians (23.8%), and Bosnians (17.7%). Data were collected using the Conflict Management Strategy Scale and Family Assessment Device. Path analysis was used to examine relationships between conflict strategies and family functioning dimensions. Students preferred compromising strategies most (M = 3.68) and withdrawing least (M = 2.98). Family functioning was healthy in problem-solving, communication, roles, affective responsiveness, and general functioning (scores < 2.0), but unhealthy in affective involvement (M = 2.29) and behavioral control (M = 2.12). Significant ethnic differences emerged in communication (F(2,144) = 3.158, p = .045, η² = .020) and behavioral control (F(2,149) = 4.109, p = .018, η² = .018), but not in conflict strategies. Path analysis revealed that withdrawing strategies negatively affected family functioning (β = .113-.143), while smoothing strategies had positive effects (β = -.139 to -.220). However, conflict strategies explained only 1.6-4.3% of the variance in family functioning (R² = .016-.043), indicating small effect sizes. While statistically significant relationships exist between conflict management strategies and family functioning, effect sizes are modest. Ethnic variations in these relationships emphasize the importance of cultural considerations for family counseling practices. The findings suggest that conflict management training may have a limited direct impact on family functioning, highlighting the need for comprehensive, culturally sensitive intervention approaches.
The Relationship Between Teachers' Psychological Well-Being, Coping Strategies and Intolerance of Uncertainty: A Comparative Study in Poland and Ukraine
coping strategies intolerance of uncertainty psychological well-being teachers...
Teachers' professional performance is strongly influenced by their psychological well-being, their ability to adapt to unstable and uncertain situations (especially in wartime), and their capacity to use effective strategies to manage and overcome stress. This study explored the relationships between teachers' psychological well-being, coping strategies, and intolerance of uncertainty. The Ryff Scales of Psychological Well-Being (PWB Scale), The Mental Health Continuum–Short Form (MHC-SF), The Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale–Short Form (IUS-12), Brief COPE Inventory (Brief COPE) were administered with a sample of 1936 teachers of primary and secondary school from Poland (n=927) and Ukraine (n=1009). The results showed that the psychological well-being of Polish and Ukrainian teachers is positively correlated with problem-focused coping (in particular, with active coping, positive reframing, planning, and use of instrumental support) and emotion-focused coping (such as the use of emotional support, humor, acceptance, and religion). A negative correlation was found between teachers' psychological well-being and avoidant coping (such as denial, substance use, behavioral disengagement) and intolerance of uncertainty (prospective anxiety, inhibitory anxiety). A multiple regression analysis was used to identify statistically significant predictors of psychological well-being for teachers in Poland and Ukraine. As a result, both common and distinct factors that influence teachers' psychological well-being were identified, considering the socio-cultural differences that arise from the unique characteristics of the education systems in each country and the sensitivity of teachers' well-being to various socio-political changes. The findings can be used in developing programs that support teachers' psychological well-being and create conditions conducive to enhancing their professional functioning.
Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Teachers' Spiritual Leadership Questionnaire: A Students' Observation-Based Items
altruistic love faith/hope psychometric validation teachers’ spiritual leadership questionnaire vision...
This study aims to develop and validate the Teachers' Spiritual Leadership Questionnaire (TSLQ) to assess teachers' spiritual leadership from students' perspectives. Grounded in the principles of spiritual leadership—Vision, Hope/Faith, and Altruistic Love—the TSLQ explores how teachers inspire, influence, and guide students toward both academic and holistic development. The study addresses the lack of assessment tools in educational settings and introduces a structured validation process to ensure the instrument's accuracy and reliability. The questionnaire was developed and refined through several stages using expert input, literature review, and statistical validation methods. A total of 402 students participated, and their responses were analyzed using factor analysis to examine the tool's structure and effectiveness. Findings confirmed that the TSLQ is valid and reliable, with strong alignment between items and the three key dimensions of spiritual leadership. The results supported the model's overall strength, indicating that the questionnaire effectively captures the intended constructs. The study concludes that the TSLQ is a sound instrument for understanding spiritual leadership in the classroom and can help educators and researchers better assess its impact on students' academic and personal growth. Further research is recommended to test the tool in different cultural and educational settings and to explore additional dimensions of spiritual leadership. This new tool offers valuable insights for enhancing teaching practices and promoting a supportive and values-driven learning environment.
Workplace Spirituality and Person-Organization Fit: Pathways to Faculty Engagement and Retention
person-organization fit turnover intention workplace spirituality...
This study examined the effect of workplace spirituality and person-organization fit on faculty turnover intention in Indonesian universities, with employee engagement as a potential mediating variable. The research involved 1026 faculty members from both public and private universities in Indonesia, with at least one year of teaching experience. A quantitative survey design was employed. Data were collected through questionnaires administered directly to respondents or via online communication channels. The findings revealed that both workplace spirituality and person-organization fit significantly reduced faculty turnover intention. Furthermore, it has been proven that employee engagement acts as a mediator in this relationship. Universities that foster workplace spirituality and ensure a good person-organization fit can enhance faculty engagement, ultimately leading to lower turnover intentions. To increase engagement and reduce turnover, this research highlights the importance of fostering workplace spirituality within universities and ensuring that faculty members are well-suited. It contributes to knowledge of faculty retention strategies in higher education. The study acknowledges its limitations, including a cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported information. Future research using longitudinal designs is recommended.
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