Innovative Higher Education最新文献

Research has shown that English language proficiency (ELP) plays a crucial role in the psychological well-being of international students (e.g. Li et al., Journal of International Students, 4(4), 301-313, 2014). However, few studies have reported positive correlations between their improved English skills and well-being. The present study examines how a new pedagogy called personalised autonomous (PA) model can induce a virtuous cycle in international PhD students to enhance their English language proficiency and consequently, their well-being. We collected both quantitative and qualitative data from two groups of students: those who experienced the PA model in a course entitled Personalised English Language Enhancement (PELE) and those who did not. We conducted surveys at the beginning and end of the term to compare entry and exit data. Comparison of the entry and exit survey data for PELE students showed significant improvements across almost all dependent variables including self-efficacy, well-being and a sense of belonging to the university community. In contrast, the non-PELE students did not significantly improve in any variable. In focus groups, students indicated how their improved communicative confidence sparked a virtuous cycle leading to greater well-being and a stronger sense of community. Our data strongly suggests that ELP extends beyond mere linguistic ability; it embodies a dynamic interplay between one’s language skills and their self-confidence. Diminished confidence may trigger a vicious cycle of fear of communication, unwillingness to engage, unproductive research, and estranged relationships with supervisors. Therefore, it is imperative for educators and policymakers to critically review and enhance their approaches to supporting the ELP of international PhD students.

Our study provides a review of theories that were used to study race and racism between 2010 and 2019 in higher education. We conducted a content analysis to identify concepts, statements and models used in higher education studies focused on race and racism in the three most highly read United States higher education journals. We also identified salient characteristics of studies focused on race and racism that applied critical race theory (CRT) and other frequently used theories and frameworks. Across the 172 reviewed studies, over 130 concepts, statements and models were identified that can be taken up by scholars and equity-minded higher education practitioners. Findings also offer direct implications and suggestions for future research focused on race and racism.

Developing an interculturally competent STEM workforce is the need of time. Research has demonstrated that STEM students find it challenging to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds. This study used Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) instrument to understand the intercultural learning gains of technology students by administrating the survey in the program’s first year and final year. The data were analyzed using multivariate statistics to assess the intercultural learning gains of the students. The study results indicate that students demonstrated a statistically significant increase in intercultural competence as they progressed from their first year to their final year of college. The study also indicated that having an intercultural mindset and participating in intercultural activities such as study abroad programs or intercultural mentoring can help students internalize intercultural competence and make meaningful gains on the intercultural development continuum. The study also provides recommendations to help students develop interculturally.

Abstract

The study examined what factors determine the use of educational innovations by teachers in higher education. Three sort of factors were compared: teachers’ motivation for the enhancement of education, their contact with or exposure to dissemination of educational innovations and institutional factors, that is, support provided by higher education institutions. Further, teachers were classified regarding their use of educational innovations. The study used survey data collected among academic staff at public Norwegian higher education institutions. Results of the multinominal logistic regression models showed that intrinsic motivation was an important factor for teachers' innovation behaviour in this context. Dissemination and institutional factors exerted little or no significant impact. The assumptions currently underlying research on educational innovations and the design of national and institutional support programmes are discussed against the background of these results.

Using a qualitative multiple case study research design, the authors investigated the leadership and collaboration strategies of HBCU administrators seeking to drive queer and trans* student inclusion initiatives on their campuses. Further, organizational challenges were examined to make sense of infrastructure elements that needed to be added to these efforts. Analyzed employing the transformational change process (Kezar & Eckel, 2002), three themes were developed: (1) leadership matters, (2) institutional and external collaboration, and (3) institutionalizing on unstable grounds. Implications for future research, theory, practice, and policy are shared at the conclusion of this manuscript.

The discourse around the discontent of faculty, staff, and students has been growing since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. While much of the conversation about how to address the issues facing higher education is well-intentioned, efforts to help faculty do not go deep enough to the core of their identity. In this work, we describe a survey we designed and implemented that explores faculty motivation and perceptions of the faculty job. What we have learned through this limited sample is that intellectual engagement and a passion for education motivate faculty rather than some of the more conventional dimensions of motivation such as money or benefits. Faculty find teaching to be enjoyable, interesting, and important–arguably the best part of their job–and they have positive views of their students. These findings suggest that faculty developers might rethink their approach to working with faculty and do so in a way that aligns with the faculty motivations revealed in this research.

Many faculty perform work as public intellectuals, producing essays, op-eds, interviews, and other forms of media to amplify their academic work. However, educational research has not examined how faculty conceptualize non-academic audiences, influencing who faculty address in their public scholarship and what they work on as public intellectuals. This study engaged with 14 education faculty members to explore how these individuals conceptualized the audiences for their public scholarship. Findings suggest faculty often conceptualize audiences of public scholarship as larger, non-academic audiences, speaking to the constraints of academic audiences. However, faculty often described their audiences as being educated, being educators, and being passionate about education—identities that they held—possibly perpetuating a public echo chamber between education faculty and educators in the public sphere. Implications for faculty development and public scholarship are addressed.

AI-powered chat technology is an emerging topic worldwide, particularly in areas such as education, research, writing, publishing, and authorship. This study aims to explore the factors driving students' acceptance of ChatGPT in higher education. The study employs the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) theoretical model, with an extension of Personal innovativeness, to verify the Behavioral intention and Use behavior of ChatGPT by students. The study uses data from a sample of 503 Polish state university students. The PLS-SEM method is utilized to test the model. Results indicate that Habit has the most significant impact (0.339) on Behavioral intention, followed by Performance expectancy (0.260), and Hedonic motivation (0.187). Behavioral intention has the most significant effect (0.424) on Use behavior, followed by Habit (0.255) and Facilitating conditions (0.188). The model explains 72.8% of the Behavioral intention and 54.7% of the Use behavior variance. While the study is limited by the sample size and selection, it is expected to be a starting point for more research on ChatGPT-like technology in university education, given that this is a recently introduced technology.

LGBTQ+ communities experience significant healthcare and academic success disparities due to barriers in care, negative attitudes towards them, and lack of awareness among healthcare providers and educators. Addressing the unique health and wellbeing concerns of LGBTQ+ individuals in the classroom and clinic requires cultural competency among educators and health professionals, yet knowledge and training in this content is lacking. Thus, we created, piloted, and assessed a six-month interdisciplinary professional development program to enhance knowledge, attitudes, awareness, and cultural humility around LGBTQ+ health for educators, administrators, and clinicians in higher education. Participants were surveyed with standardized assessments pre- and post-program to measure their knowledge, skills, and readiness to teach these topics and incorporate them into their curricula and practice. Participants (n = 33) completed LGBTQ+ inclusivity training including six structured learning sessions, small group mentoring meetings, and a virtual visit to an LGBTQ+ community center. Participants consistently displayed interest and engaged actively in training sessions. In a follow-up survey seven months post-intervention, respondents reported changes in their practice to create inclusive environments. Data analysis demonstrated improved knowledge and comfort with LGBTQ+ care and readiness and willingness to integrate LGBTQ+ care into their curricula and interactions with students. These findings suggest that this interdisciplinary professional development pilot offers a useful program to enable educators and clinicians to support the unique needs of LGBTQ+ communities.