Trends in Higher Education

The Professional Ethics course at King Saud University is part of the mandatory Islamic culture curriculum in Saudi higher education. While more attention has focused on the curriculum development of Islamic culture courses, less emphasis has been placed on teaching methods. This article initiates a discussion on integrating practical learning approaches to improve student engagement and understanding in these courses. The research explores undergraduate students’ perspectives of project-based learning (PBL) implemented in the Professional Ethics course. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected through a survey disseminated among students of this course (N = 113). The findings show that students found this learning experience engaging and enjoyable. They reported improvements in teamwork and leadership but faced challenges in time management, task division, and communication. Students suggested clearer guidelines, smaller groups, and flexible deadlines. The findings highlight the potential of practical learning approaches to enhance the teaching and learning in Islamic culture courses. Full article

The integration of artificial intelligence in education has the potential to revolutionize personalized learning by adapting instructional methods, content, and pace to the individual needs of students. This systematic review investigates the integration of artificial intelligence into personalized learning within higher education. An extensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, yielding 17,899 records from which 45 studies met the inclusion criteria. The risk of bias was assessed using a standardized ranking system. This systematic review follows the PRISMA guidelines to ensure transparency in study selection, data extraction, and synthesis. The findings of the review are synthesized to examine how AI-driven solutions enhance adaptive learning, improve student engagement, and streamline administrative processes. The results indicate that AI technologies can significantly optimize educational outcomes by tailoring content and feedback to individual learner needs. However, several challenges persist, such as ethical concerns, data privacy issues, and the necessity for effective teacher training to support technology integration. This analysis reveals considerable potential for AI to transform educational practices, while also emphasizing the importance of establishing standardized evaluation frameworks and conducting longitudinal studies. The implications of these findings are critical for educators, policymakers, and university administrators aiming to leverage AI for educational innovation and sustainable transformation. Full article

Despite the affordances of professional development (PD) in teaching and learning in facilitating quality teaching and contributing to students’ learning outcomes, there is merit in exploring educators’ needs by enabling conditions to further develop their existing knowledge and practices. In fact, it is vital that PD in teaching and learning in higher education (HE) actively engages and meets instructor individual needs. This paper explores PD within the HE context and identifies corresponding categories common and in relation to quality teaching. Based on the review, most PD in teaching and learning could be identified within one of four categories that contribute to quality teaching: (1) assessment approaches; (2) instructional approaches; (3) communication and delivery approaches; and (4) affective responses. Equally important, instructor agency should be supported by encouraging instructors to identify and manage their PD needs via validated measures, which this review found lacking within the literature. With the expectation that such a measure would provide insights into the refinements of current PD in teaching and learning provisions, and enable HE institutions to facilitate PD in teaching and learning to better meet and fulfil instructor individual needs, it is recommended that such a measure be developed and deployed to identify instructors’ needs. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on health sciences education, and impacted clinical training, teaching methodologies, and institutional practices. Within the higher education literature during the height of the pandemic, several research studies focused on the impact of the pandemic on the students, but not on health sciences educators. Our study used thematic analysis to analyze the higher education literature from the CHELD v2 database to learn about the perspectives of health sciences educators. Out of 738 articles in the CHELD v2 database, we identified 14 articles that were focused on the perspectives of health sciences educators. The resulting thematic categories related to faculty development, student assessment, clinical education techniques, and insights into the pivot to online teaching. While our study contributes to the health sciences education literature by identifying themes from global health sciences educators’ perspectives, this study also paves the way to better understand institutional and student perspectives in a more inclusive way for the health sciences. Full article

Scholarship and creative inquiry are a common professional responsibility across academia, regardless of institution type and geographic location. The message is clear—to advance, one must demonstrate success via various metrics such as publications, exhibitions, impact factor, citation counts, and the receipt of external funds. Despite the importance of academic and grant writing to navigating a successful academic career, we believe there is a mismatch between that professional expectation and the corresponding supports aimed at developing these complementary, yet distinct writing skills. As such, there is an opportunity to be more intentional about fostering academic and grant-writing skill development across the various stages of a faculty career, including the doctoral student stage. In this manuscript, we present literature on academic and grant writing followed by recommendations for developing the skills needed, along with corresponding professional development opportunities that can cultivate those needed skills. We conclude with future directions. Full article

This paper explores the impact of technology and wellness in the context of students entering post-secondary education. It aims to provide insights into the use of technology and how it affects students’ wellness. The transition from high school into post-secondary education has often been a complex phase in students’ lives, and such complexity may be especially significant for virtual high school graduates, in other words, students who finished their high school education mostly virtually due to school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students starting post-secondary education are usually between 17–19 years old, an age period at which these students are more developmentally vulnerable to the effects of rapid physiological, financial, and social changes. Despite some positive aspects of technology usage in education, challenges remain. Students navigate potential academic losses due to ineffective virtual schooling experiences during school lockdowns. This may aggravate students’ adaptation to higher-education culture and norms and academic expectations, especially formal writing standards often required in university papers. Other challenges may include the over-reliance on technology for academic, social, and personal tasks, accentuating students’ difficulties with wellness and requiring a rethinking of learning practices to eloquently respond to students’ needs in the context of the legacy of the coronavirus pandemic. This paper seeks to contribute to the conversation on how post-secondary institutions respond to the need to balance technology and wellness in the context of education. Ultimately, this paper explores perspectives on potential higher institutions’ responses to the impact of technology on students’ mental health and learning as well as implementing wellness practices while integrating technology into education. Full article

In the field of language assessment, emphasis is usually placed on widely spoken languages. However, amidst this focus, a multitude of less commonly taught languages (LCTLs) remain in obscurity, their potential overlooked and their learners underserved. This paper reports a study that illuminates the importance of training teachers of an LCTL in enhancing their assessment literacy levels. Τhe study involved 89 teachers of Greek as a second language (L2) who attended an online training course based on a major LAL teacher resource produced by a European-funded project. Through a mixed method design (pre-/post-surveys and teachers’ end of term assignments), we advocate for the empowerment of LCTL teachers through the transformative impact of assessment literacy on language education. The paper offers research and pedagogical recommendations in enhancing teachers’ language assessment literacy in LCTL contexts. Full article

Extended Reality (XR) technologies—including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR)—offer transformative opportunities for education by enabling immersive and interactive learning experiences. In this study, we employed a mixed-methods approach that combined systematic desk research with an expert member check to evaluate existing pedagogical frameworks for XR integration. We analyzed several established models (e.g., TPACK, TIM, SAMR, CAMIL, and DigCompEdu) to assess their strengths and limitations in addressing the unique competencies required for XR-supported teaching. Our results indicate that, while these models offer valuable insights into technology integration, they often fall short in specifying XR-specific competencies. Consequently, we extended the DigCompEdu framework by identifying and refining concrete building blocks for teacher professionalization in XR. The conclusions drawn from this research underscore the necessity for targeted professional development that equips educators with the practical skills needed to effectively implement XR in diverse educational settings, thereby providing actionable strategies for fostering digital innovation in teaching and learning. Full article

Since its inception, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA) has preserved student drawings and design projects as educational tools and reference materials. This practice, modeled after the Fine Arts School tradition, led to the archiving of thousands of student thesis drawings during MIT’s first century. These drawings provide valuable data for documenting the development of architectural education at MIT, illustrating shifts in representation techniques, responses to various influences, and changing architectural conceptualizations. In this study, we examine a collection of thesis drawings produced between 1873 and 1968 using a systematic, data-driven approach that incorporates both qualitative and quantitative methods for collection, processing, and analysis. By comparing these drawings with course catalogs from the corresponding years, we aim to investigate the relationship between drawing practices and teaching methodologies, contributing to a better understanding of the evolution of architectural education at MIT and the role of drawing in that process. Full article

First-year university students face mental health challenges like adjusting to independence, forming new friendships and coping with academic pressures. Research highlights mixed findings on social media use; some students use social media to connect with family and/or friends while experiencing mental health issues (i.e., loneliness, depression and anxiety), and others turn to social media for support. This study explores the associations between problematic social media use, mental health and perceived support from university, friends and family while considering EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) factors such as age, gender and disability. EDI promotes fairness and equal opportunities for learning and support ensuring all students receive equitable access to resources regardless of their individual differences. A total of 158 first-year student participants from the Psychology, Electrical Engineering and Electronics and Computer Science departments completed an online questionnaire. Regression analysis revealed that females used social media more frequently than males and problematic social media use was linked to higher levels of anxiety and depression, but not loneliness. University and friend support was associated with depression only, while family support showed no significant relationship with anxiety, depression and loneliness. Addressing these issues is critical to promoting student well-being and academic success. Full article

This review paper aims to highlight the importance of the role of reflection practice of special educators in the inclusion of students with disabilities and special educational needs. Specifically, an attempt at conceptual clarification of reflection is made at the first level, and the models of reflection that have been developed and applied in special education are described. In particular, in the first section, a reference was made to the definitions and types of reflection as described in the international bibliography. Also, the models of reflection that various researchers have developed, and each model has contributed significantly to improving the work of professionals working in special education, are described. Finally, we are referring to specific practical applications of the reflective process. These practices could motivate professionals to use them in their teaching process to create inclusive environments. Full article

The Clay N. Hixson Student Success Center within the College of Engineering at Tennessee Tech University has undergone a transformative upgrade by integrating the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) framework with select Kaizen principles for continuous improvement to enhance student support services. Key performance indicators (KPIs) have been employed to assess the achievement of core goals, significantly advancing recruitment, retention, and overall student success. Implementing the DMAIC framework has streamlined processes such as a unified degree map and a math bridge program, resulting in a 53% increase in incoming first-year students and broadening the College of Engineering’s outreach. These efforts have also contributed to a 10% increase in first-to-second-year retention rates. Through the utilization of DMAIC, the regular redistribution of advisor caseloads and cross-training has been facilitated, ensuring timely student support without overburdening advisors. Additionally, targeted academic support initiatives have reduced the at-risk student population from 19% to 11%. These management techniques extend to multiple initiatives, including enhancements to high school summer camps, advisor listening sessions, and student surveys designed to meet evolving student needs. Creating specialized areas for academic advisors has also supported their professional growth, contributing to better student outcomes. This paper comprehensively analyzes these strategies and provides valuable insights for institutions seeking to apply DMAIC and continuous improvement models to strengthen student support systems. Full article

Most of today’s educators are in no shortage of digital and online learning technologies available at their fingertips, ranging from Learning Management Systems such as Canvas, Blackboard, or Moodle, online meeting tools, online homework, and tutoring systems, exam proctoring platforms, computer simulations, and even virtual reality/augmented reality technologies. Furthermore, with the rapid development and wide availability of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) services such as ChatGPT, we are just at the beginning of harnessing their potential to transform higher education. Yet, facing the large number of available options provided by cutting-edge technology, an imminent question on the mind of most educators is the following: how should I choose the technologies and integrate them into my teaching process so that they would best support student learning? We contemplate over these types of important and timely questions and share our reflections on evidence-based approaches to harnessing digital learning tools using a Self-regulated Engaged Learning Framework we have employed in our research in physics education that can be valuable for educators in other disciplines. Full article

This work examines the indicators of master’s students’ persistence from 2014 to 2021 at a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) in the southern United States. Demographic and academic variables were used in a logistic regression model to predict students’ successful completion across sixteen master’s programs. In this two-fold study, first, we examined the impact of COVID-19 on students enrolled in twelve face-to-face (F2F) programs and evaluated their performance against a pre-pandemic baseline period. Second, we compared student performance in four accelerated online programs against a pre-accelerated baseline. Most demographic variables were insignificant, while all academic variables were significant across program types. However, GPA became an insignificant variable when the F2F programs were forced to move online during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this period, GPA also increased for students who had discontinued their studies. The accelerated online programs recorded a significant decrease in terms enrolled (Term Count) compared to the pre-accelerated baseline. These results add to the limited literature on student success at the master’s level in HSIs, thus filling a vital knowledge gap. This study provides two case studies focusing on how the pandemic and the accelerated online learning model impacted academic persistence at the master’s level at an HSI. Full article

The views and practices of teaching mathematics are significantly influenced by the cultural and social contexts, resulting in differences in teaching traditions among countries. Thus, when evaluating the effectiveness of professional development (PD) programs, it is crucial to consider differences in teaching traditions between PD participants and providers. There is limited research that examines PD participants’ acculturation strategies in such circumstances. This case study examines the influence of the PD program that introduced current teaching traditions in American mathematics education to Kazakhstan’s university mathematics faculty on their perceptions and practices of teaching discrete mathematics to aspiring mathematics teachers. The PD program focused on connecting abstract mathematical concepts to real-life applications, and integrating technology and STEM applications using inquiry-based strategies. The study findings indicate that, while PD enhanced faculty knowledge and attitudes toward technology integration, it did not significantly alter their views on teaching practices. A traditional teacher-centered approach persisted even when technology was incorporated, highlighting the deeply ingrained nature of educational traditions and their resilience to change. This underscores the importance of considering the cultural context and addressing deeply held beliefs in professional development initiatives, especially when aiming for substantial shifts in teaching practices. Full article

The purpose of this project was to examine the impact of participation in an online peer mentoring program on peer mentees in an effort to broaden participation of racially and ethnically minoritized women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degree programs. A total of 22 students identifying as women who were enrolled in STEM degree programs at one of two participating historically Black institutions participated in the program. After participating in an online peer mentee training program and engaging in peer mentoring relationships over the course of one academic year, interviews and focus groups were conducted to determine the impact of participation in the program on mentees’ STEM self-efficacy, sense of community, STEM identity, and intent to persist in their STEM degree programs. Following a case study approach, findings demonstrated that peer mentees reported overall positive outcomes from participation in the program to include increased STEM self-efficacy, increased sense of belonging, increased STEM identity, and increased intent to persist. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed. Full article

This collective systematic literature review is part of an Erasmus+ project, “TaLAI: Teaching and Learning with AI in Higher Education”. The review investigates the current state of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in higher education, aiming to inform curriculum design and further developments within digital education. Employing a descriptive, textual narrative synthesis approach, the study analysed literature across four thematic areas: learning objectives, teaching and learning activities, curriculum development, and institutional support for ethical and responsible GenAI use. The review analysed 93 peer-reviewed articles from eight databases using a keyword-based search strategy, a collaborative coding process involving multiple researchers, in vivo coding and transparent documentation. The findings provide an overview of recommendations for integrating GenAI into teaching and learning, contributing to the development of effective and ethical AI-enhanced learning environments in higher education. The literature reveals consensus on the importance of incorporating GenAI into higher education. Common themes like mentorship, personalised learning, creativity, emotional intelligence, and higher-order thinking highlight the persistent need to align human-centred educational practices with the capabilities of GenAI technologies. Full article

Transitioning from being a student to becoming a professional is challenging even though medical education provides periods of clinical practice and clerkships to support the transfer between university and the future work as a doctor. Using an ethnographic approach, we investigated how medical students navigated their clerkship in psychiatry. We applied the concepts from situated learning in the analysis of students’ navigation of discrepancies between course requirements and clerkship routines. The analysis shows different ways of navigating the clerkship, which all beget a parallel practice embedded in the clinical setting, where students choose to engage in tasks that directly prepare them for the university exam. The parallel practice is counterproductive for the student’s development of a professional identity, which is an important element of transitioning from being a student to becoming a medical doctor. Therefore, it is imperative to consider, if this undermines the university’s ambition of delivering doctors prepared for clinical practice. Full article

Test anxiety is a significant issue among pharmacy students, potentially affecting their academic performance and well-being. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction (IBSR) intervention in reducing test anxiety. Pharmacy students enrolled in a didactic course were randomized into an IBSR intervention group or a control group. Both groups attended a 1.5 h seminar; the intervention group learned the IBSR technique, while the control group received instruction on an unrelated topic (emotional intelligence). The intervention group also submitted weekly self-reflections on applying IBSR to exam-related anxiety. Anxiety levels were measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) at the start of two major exams. Descriptive data were collected and STAI results were analyzed via independent t-tests. Among the 86 participants, the average baseline STAI score indicated moderate–severe anxiety (51/80). No significant differences were found in anxiety scores between the groups before exam 2 (p = 0.99) and exam 3 (p = 0.60). However, 67% of the intervention group found IBSR helpful, 58% changed their test-taking approach, and 61% altered their self-perception. While IBSR did not significantly reduce pre-exam anxiety levels, it was perceived as beneficial by many students. Future research should explore additional strategies for managing test anxiety in this population. Full article