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Erasmus mobility has become an important feature of higher education in Europe and beyond, with the potential to generate significant changes at individual, institutional and systemic levels. More than three decades after the foundation of this successful program, evaluations reveal that, despite notable progress, several aspects of the Erasmus student experience can be further improved. Based on the lived experiences of Erasmus alumni, in this article, we explore recurrent challenges that emerge in educational mobility and how they could be better addressed. Three key dimensions are identified in the qualitative accounts of former Erasmus students and analyzed in light of previous research: mobility preparation, institutional support for integration, and recognition of study abroad.

Writing a research paper as a graduation requisite by university students is an important part of university education. It is not a simple task for most university students who face several problems during writing the graduation project. Several kinds of research have been conducted onrecognising the challenges and problems that face students in academic writing, but to the researcher's best knowledge, no study has been conducted on the problems faced in writing a graduate research paper by Jordanian undergraduate students of the English Language and Literature major. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the academic writing challenges and difficulties encountered in writing graduation papers by EFL undergraduate students in the Department of English at Alzaytoonah University of Jordan (ZUJ). The data for the study was collected through distributing a questionnaire of three parameters: attitude about writing a research paper, methodology challenges, and background knowledge about research. The questionnaire is based on identifying the causes of the students' challenges in writing their graduation papers. The respondents were 45 undergraduate students of the English Language and Literature. The findings revealed that the most important problems were lack of an academic prerequisite of teaching the techniques of how to write a research paper, lack of knowledge of research paper writing process, lack of resources, lack of the methodology, etc. Thus, for these reasons, the present study attempts to present suggestions and recommendations to overcome such hurdles faced by graduate students in writing their graduation research papers.

Students often recruit digital devices to complete their classroom activities. To determine best practices for the classroom, the present study explored the use of tablets relative to laptops and paper in the understudied context of brief, in-person, small group academic tasks. One-hundred twenty small groups of two to three undergraduate students were randomly assigned to one device (paper, laptop, or tablet) and one set-up (a single shared device or multiple individual devices) in a 3 × 2 between-subjects design. Data were collected in 2019-2021. Students completed one group task that culminated in a knowledge quiz and a second group task that culminated in writing their own quiz together. They then individually rated group members as well as reported their perceptions of satisfaction, effort, and difficulty. Open-ended questions further assessed their perceptions of technology and the three devices in question. Results showed equivalency in group outcomes and individual perceptions across devices and set-ups, with very few exceptions. Quantitative and qualitative data supported that students found advantages and drawbacks to each device and believed that all were effective tools in such a context. Educators must consider the affordances of different technologies when encouraging their use in the classroom but should be open to students using their device of choice for groupwork.

The study explores the unaddressed washback on the English-speaking test of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE-English Language Paper 4). The HKDSE is a university entrance exam in Hong Kong which includes a group discussion speaking test known as English Language Paper 4. To identify ongoing washback effects, including sociocultural perspectives, the study analyses ongoing student washback of test-specific and non-specific preparation and how the mediating factors affect these preparations. One-hundred and ninety-nine secondary 4th to 6th grade students provided the questionnaire data in two rounds. Results from exploratory factor analysis indicate six major types of test preparation, which are categorised as two test specific, three non-specific, and one integrated type of preparation. Mediating factors comprise five categories of learner characteristics and stakeholders in and out of school. The cluster analyses identified four students' groups intertwined with the involvement of washback and the mediating factors. A strong relationship between extrinsic factors and explicit learning and intrinsic factors and implicit learning was found. The study concludes that students' washback is affected by mediating factors aside from the test; learning method choice by students (e.g. learning from entertainment content) has a strong relationship with specific mediating factors (e.g. interest in English).

Computer-based test has been administered in e-learning environments as part of ICT integration in education. Recently, online test is gaining attention in both regular and distance education institutions, and students' preference or perception of an online test versus paper-based test is crucial in successful adoption or implementation of either of the test modes by any educational institution. For this reason, this study examined undergraduate students' computer usage experience as a prerequisite for online test completion, and their perception and preference toward online test as opposed to paper-based test. It also examined how students' perception of online test differed across sex, program major, and computer usage experiences. The findings would contribute to knowledge on factors for consideration, especially by faculty and instructional designers, in successful adoption of online test in undergraduate programmes. An online questionnaire was used to collect data from 213 undergraduate students at a university in Ghana, and the data were analyzed using median, standard deviation, Mann-Whitney U Test, Kruskal--Wallis Test, and Spearman correlation. The results indicated that students had high level of experience in computer usage, they had positive perception and preference for online test, there was no significant differences in perception of online test between female and male students, and among students of different majors. However, there was a positive correlation between computer use experience of the students and their perception of online test. It was recommended that universities seeking to implement online assessment ensure their students are equipped with adequate skills and experiences in computer usage.

Designing standardized exams for EFL undergraduates is a matter of great concern in pedagogical practices that assess learners' academic achievements. This case study was conducted at Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia, to explore the significance of educational exam standardization and its impact on the process of implementation, leading to a balanced and equitable assessment of English language skills. During the study, 250 final English skill exam questions of two semesters were analyzed. A mixed-method approach using a questionnaire and Focused Group Discussion was adopted to collect relevant data. The quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS 16, and the qualitative data was processed by thematic analysis. The quantitative data results showed that questions were balanced, valid, and reliable in language skill exam papers designed for undergraduate English students. The qualitative data revealed four major themes -- standardization of questions, the efficacy of Bloom's taxonomy, assessment/evaluation, and alignment of the question with learning outcomes. These emerging themes highlighted the effectivness of standardizing exam papers, identified problems, and suggested ways of improvement. The study indicates that exams must be scrutinized for the sake of standardization in terms of maximum course coverage; the variety in the question item; clear, concise, and precise instructions; validity and reliability of exam papers; and the alignment of questions with the course and program learning outcomes to ensure the implementation of the revised Bloom's taxonomy. The study suggests, to generalize the results, that further investigation should be done in another Saudi university for the sake of comparison.

This study aimed to: (1) determine the effect of the problem-based service learning model based on the local wisdom of gugur gunung on the environmental concern of the students in Public Senior High School 1 Campurdarat; (2) determine the effect of problem based service learning models on the ability to write scientific papers at Public Senior High School I Campurdarat; and (3) knowing the students' impressions of the implementation of the problem based service learning model based on the local wisdom of gugur gunung in Lake Buret, Tulungagung. The method used in this study was quasi experiment. The research design used was the post-test control group design with 2 groups: (1) experimental group, which is students from class XI science 1; and (2) control group, which is students from class XI science 3 of Public Senior High School I Campurdarat, Tulungagung Regency, Indonesia. Data was obtained from post-test of environmental concern and ability to write scientific papers. From the Mann-Whitney test using SPSS, the Z count value was smaller than - Z table (-6.851 <- 1.960), and the significance value was smaller than [alpha] (0.000 <0.050), then the decision H0 was rejected which it meant there was a significant difference between the experimental group and the control group based on the measured score.

Throughout this study technology and especially mobile phones was utilized in EFL classrooms in order to see whether it can influence the process of vocabulary formative assessment and consequently improve vocabulary learning of Iranian pre-intermediate EFL learners or not. Two groups of pre-intermediate EFL learners participated in this study. Regarding the first group (FMA) the vocabulary learning of learners was assessed formatively during ten sessions using Socrative mobile application. The vocabulary learning of the second group (FPA) was also assessed formatively but paper and pen were the instruments used by instructor and students to take the tests. After applying quasi-experimental research design including pretest, treatment and posttest and after running independent sample t tests to posttest scores, the results showed that those pre-intermediate EFL learners attending in the group where vocabulary gain was assessed formatively using mobile application named Socrative performed significantly better in posttest than group assessed formatively based on paper and pen (Sig=0.03<0.05). The analysis of attitude questionnaire distributed among participants of the group assessed formatively using mobile phone exhibited that they possessed a positive attitude towards mobile based testing.

This article aims to critique a published paper according to UK professional Standard Framework (UKPSF). The critiqued paper in this article was written by Loftin, Davis, and Hartin (2010) that provide clarity and meaning for classroom participation from the nursing student perspective at West Texas A&M University. The article shows that the title of the published paper was not reflected the purpose of the study, the literature review, and the results. Besides that, the critiqued paper provided clarity and meaning of the classroom participation, but the results explained the factors behind the reluctance of the student in the participation. This article contributes to the body of the knowledge in higher education and provides valuable facts about the practices of instructors and peers that lead to improving the students' participation.

Traditionally, human anatomy is taught using cadaveric human or animal specimens, however such materials are not always available or are quite costly. Alternate instructional methods can include software, models, clay models, and illustrations. Unfortunately, while cost effective, these methods lack the ability to demonstrate the "in situ" three-dimensional relationships between anatomical structures. This study examined one alternative method of instruction, the construction of threedimensional paper models, which are currently limited in availability, and mostly designed for teaching medical anatomy programs. This study set out to determine (1) if a paper model system could be used to highlight the anatomic complexity of specific anatomic regions, (2) if a model system primarily designed for medical anatomy programs could be customized to topics and made appropriate for undergradute anatomy courses, and (3) if this low-technology and inexpensive form of instruction is an effective tool in teaching musculoskeletal anatomy. Students were given a series of four models to assemble during a time period of 4-weeks. Students were assessed with a series of paired questions before and after the model exercise relating to: number of muscles, plane of muscle, depth of structure, name and function of muscle. Comparison of the pre and post-test data demonstrated a gain in knowledge. Thus, the utilization of paper models are a viable and cost effective pedagogical tool for undergraduate anatomical education.

Current trend in education has acknowledged the urgency to move students from the role of traditional receiver and echoer of information to the role of critical listener, speaker, reader, and writer. In so doing, the students need to embrace the role of text analysts who continuously question texts that they encounter. This study looked for indices of students' engagement in text analyst role. The data for the analysis were collected from 25 EFL university students' reviews which were randomly selected. Using the guidepost developed from Luke and Freebody's (1999) Four Resources Framework, the study highlighted points of information and/or questions or issues addressed in the students' writing which indicated students' role as text analysts. The study revealed that 40 percent of the students failed to practice the text analyst role. Meanwhile, those who addressed the role showcased five major patterns of indices: (1) questioned the trustworthiness of text, (2) recognized bias, (3) uncovered hidden intention/agenda, (4) identified harmed/benefitted party, and (5) provided alternate point of view/way of saying and/or personal standing. This study concludes that the students will be able to engage in text analyst role under two conditions (1) they are not struggling with the basic comprehension and (2) they have reached a state of habituation of mind in terms of questioning text. It is therefore recommended that the students be given sufficient time for familiarization and have continuous practices to make a critical approach to texts.

The purpose of this research is to experimentally evaluate how the "flipped classroom" model used to deliver Business English, which is commonly an integral part to the ESP course at tertiary schools of Economics in Ukraine, to the students majoring in Economics fosters students' critical thinking skills and improved their academic performances and what students' perceptions of this model are. The learning environment used a multimedia-based textbook entitled "Business skills through English". This was experimental research which used a mixed-methods approach. Students' critical thinking skills and academic performance (learning outcomes) were the variables for this study. Placement tests, needs analysis questionnaires, Course Satisfaction Questionnaire, a test to assess the students' critical thinking skills were used to collect the statistical data. Cronbach Alpha coefficient was applied to interpret the test on critical thinking data and SPSS AMOS statistical package programme was used to analyse the consolidated data. The study found that the "flipped classroom" model used to deliver ESP and Business English to the students majoring in Economics has the potential to provide a better learning experience for the students and teaching experience for the teachers. This model fosters students' critical thinking skills by involving them in problem-solving-based learning and improves their academic performances by increasing their responsibility for learning results and stimulating them to use different learning styles. Overall, the above model substitutes a teacher-centered with a student-centered approach that engages learners in the true-to-life business world and language environment. In this way, learning Business English and ESP at higher educational institutions in Ukraine is a move from just training memory (memorizing professionalism-related English vocabulary and doing grammar drills) to applying language as a learning medium in the specifically designed vocational contexts.

Through a case study approach, the purposes of this study are to investigate how the teacher's use of Rogerian reflections in a one-on-one writing conference helps improve the participants' research paper, and how the participants respond to the teacher's use of Rogerian reflections in one-on-one writing conferences. The data were obtained from five text-based interviews with two doctoral students working on their research paper to be submitted for publication. The findings indicate that the use of Rogerian reflections helps the participants improve their research paper. Rogerian reflections, including pointing to structure, clarifying, expanding, recalling, and summarizing, facilitate interaction in nonthreatening, one-on-one writing conferences. Through Rogerian reflections, the participants learn to find their own way to respond to their teachers and make use of the comments in the revision of their papers. Moreover, the participants in one-on-one writing conferences are aware of the respect they receive from their teachers, as a sense of ownership develops. Finally, the participants become confident in their writing since the interaction takes place in a supportive atmosphere. However, the participants mention some difficulties in trying to respond to their teachers' statements as their role switches from passive listeners to reflective thinkers.

This study examined pre-service teachers' views and experiences of building geometric constructions on paper and with the interactive whiteboard. The study group consisted of 26 pre-service elementary teachers in a state university in the Black Sea region of Turkey who took the Geometry Teaching course. The data were obtained from an opinion form consisting of open-ended questions and field notes. Findings revealed that almost all of the teachers had no experience with geometric constructions in their previous education and the majority of pre-service teachers' opinions about geometric construction activities are positive. They experienced more problems when building geometric constructions on the interactive whiteboard so their opinions about building geometric constructions on paper are more positive than building on the interactive whiteboard. Moreover, it was determined that pre-service teachers' views imply that building geometric constructions on the interactive whiteboard makes sense in the affective learning domain, whereas building on paper contributes more to the cognitive learning domain. [This study was presented as a verbal presentation at the 1st International Congress on Social Sciences Humanities and Education held in Istanbul, Turkey on 22-32 December, 2017.]

This study examined pre-service teachers' views and experiences of building geometric constructions on paper and with the interactive whiteboard. The study group consisted of 26 pre-service elementary teachers in a state university in the Black Sea region of Turkey who took the Geometry Teaching course. The data were obtained from an opinion form consisting of open-ended questions and field notes. Findings revealed that almost all of the teachers had no experience with geometric constructions in their previous education and the majority of pre-service teachers' opinions about geometric construction activities are positive. They experienced more problems when building geometric constructions on the interactive whiteboard so their opinions about building geometric constructions on paper are more positive than building on the interactive whiteboard. Moreover, it was determined that pre-service teachers' views imply that building geometric constructions on the interactive whiteboard makes sense in the affective learning domain, whereas building on paper contributes more to the cognitive learning domain.

The introduction and wide use of devices, especially mobile ones, has changed the way learners read and do research for a variety of reasons, and this trend has attracted a number of studies conducted regarding reading on screen and on paper in addition to those dealing with the students' behavior in using online resources to print ones. This paper aims at identifying the major findings and trends in reading research by describing the current state of knowledge and practice in the studies comparing reading on screen and on paper and to provide guidance for practitioners by analyzing and summarizing the existing research. The current review adopted a systematic review as the research methodology as well as the article selection and screening process. The articles published between 2009 and 2017 were reviewed, and 37 articles were included in the analysis. The review revealed that the research on onscreen and paper-based reading focused on comparing the learners' performances in reading activities in both contexts and sharing preliminary findings and students' views. However, the findings are inconclusive as mixed findings were produced as to the effects of reading on screen and on paper. Moreover, the review also indicates that practitioners are also interested in examining the factors and affordances in reading on screen. As a result, there is still further research needed to establish the factors affecting reading and comprehension while reading on screen and on paper.

In the recent "National Youth White Paper on Global Citizenship" (2015), a selection of Canadian youth identified their vision for global citizenship education (GCE). The document articulates the Canadian youths' vision for global citizenship and outlines changes that need to be implemented in order for that vision to be achieved. Drawing on critiques of modernity and of liberal multiculturalism coming from postcolonial, decolonial, and feminist anti-racist scholarship, this article explores how young people imagine their positionalities as Canadian citizens and agents of change in the world. We aim to describe how the White Paper can be used both as a call for deepening critical engagements in education as well as a bridge for discussions of GCE in ways that move conversations into new realms. This paper is divided into four sections. In the first section, we analyse the 2015 White Paper, written collaboratively by Canadian students. It is the first document to focus exclusively on youth perceptions of what action is needed and what problems need to be addressed. We summarize the Canadian youths' articulation and understanding of GCE and identify the major themes addressed. The second section articulates the calls for action that the Canadian youth deem necessary for their vision of global citizenship. As they demand an emphasis on criticality in their formal education, we consider how we can listen to and respond to these calls. The third section presents a critical analysis of the document with a view to paving the way for collaborations to push discussions even further. The fourth section highlights how we can build on the White Paper to move discussions about GCE in new and different directions. We aim to address how the White Paper can be used to further the conversations in ways that explore how the youths' calls for actions can open up the possibilities for critical GCE.

Language used to report research findings and put forward arguments is at the heart of effective communication with readers. To this end, scholars use a variety of stylistic features. One of these is variety in language, which includes structures, lexis, and organization markers. Although much research has been conducted on these aspects, a particular feature has received limited interest from researchers: sentence openers, a strategic use of which helps authors develop an individual style, and avoid stagnant prose. This helps them maintain readers' interest while communicating scientific knowledge. Due to the importance of sentence openers in scientific prose, university students' awareness should be raised about this aspect of academic writing. This requires identification of commonly occurring sentence openers in the texts they study. It is also useful to identify student tendencies regarding sentence openers and their perceived competence in varying sentence openers. Prompted by these necessities, this research investigated a 10,949 running-word corpus compiled from professionally-written texts used in a first-year writing course, as well as a 42,070 running-word student corpus compiled from the reflective writing papers of 35 first-year students. Data on students' perceived competence were collected using a survey. Results showed that the two most frequent sentence openers in both corpora were subject-verb and transition markers. However, the latter were used by the students with significantly higher frequency than they were by the professional writers. Data also revealed that the students lack awareness of sentence openers as a feature for making writing more interesting. Students further reported an inability to use a wide range of sentence openers in their writing. Results are discussed, and recommendations are made for increasing students' skill in composing effective academic texts.

Supporting and assessment of students' preparation and learning process in problem-based learning (PBL) tutorials has long been a challenge. We present a modified PBL model focussing on the specific critical phase in the PBL process, the self-directed learning phase in between tutorial meetings. The modified seven step PBL model including an Individual reflection paper (IRP) is presented as well as students' perspectives on the implementation of IRP and information literacy, knowledge gathering, and PBL tutorial work. The assessment of PBL work is complex, and the ways in which IRPs support the tutor's role as an examiner is beyond the scope of the current study. However, it seems that the students experienced assessment of the IRPs as part of their as a positive driving force in their learning process.