Interdisciplinary Programs Focused Populations: The Case Of Health Management Program

The Ariel University has a unique interdisciplinary program in healthcare management that targets experienced healthcare professionals who wish to earn an academic degree. Only one academic study has been held so far on the integration of graduates of an academic university-level school in healthcare management in the field. In the current study, the authors sought to investigate points of contact between the academic world and the professional field by following the professional integration of graduates of healthcare management at the Ariel University and their satisfaction with their training, job, and profession from an interdisciplinary perspective. A survey was held among all 1,327 graduates of the Department of Healthcare Management from 2002 to 2011. Data collection was performed through self-completed electronic questionnaires and personally distributed questionnaires, including questions on graduates' current place of work and satisfaction with their degree. The findings indicate that graduates are very satisfied with their interdisciplinary studies at the department. Students from the Arab sector, those who began their studies at an older age, and those who are more affluent, reported higher satisfaction with their studies. Most students intend to continue studying for an advanced degree in the profession

Internet Mathematical Olympiads

Modern Internet technologies open new possibilities in a wide spectrum of traditional methods, used in mathematical education. One of the areas, where these technologies can be efficiently used, is an organization of mathematical competitions. Contestants can stay in their schools or universities in different cities and even different countries and try to solve as many mathematical problems as possible and then submit their solutions to organizers through the Internet. Simple Internet technologies supply audio and video connection between participants and organizers in a time of the competitions

Technology-Related Involvement: The Effect Of The MASHOV System On Parent Involvement In Israeli Junior Highs

The purpose of the study was to examine differences in parental involvement between two high schools that use the MASHOV program (an online learning management system) and one high school where parents receive updates regarding their children in other ways, with attention to parents' background variables: sex, income, and schooling. The study shows that the MASHOV has a positive impact on parental involvement – parents who use the MASHOV program consistently demonstrate a high and significant level of involvement compared to parents who do not have access to this program. Parent involvement was also found to have a positive effect on the child's academic achievements, where the higher the level of involvement the higher the evaluation of the student's achievements. Furthermore, a difference was found between parent involvement in the school by sex. Mothers received a higher score for involvement than fathers. No significant correlation was found between parents' schooling and involvement. The research findings show that the growing trend in recent years whereby computerized systems, and in particular the computerized MASHOV program used in high schools, are being integrated in many educational institutions in order to reach effective pedagogic management, is proving efficient and important

Test Diagnosing Of Learning Activity

The technology of criteria-oriented testing enhanced by the reflexive components is suggested in this article. Tests made according to this technology are called academic activity tests. The student chooses or formulates not the answer to the problem but an action that is productive in his opinion. So, this type of tests helps not only check the accuracy of the achieved results, but traces the course of its getting. The main characteristics of such tests that make it possible to estimate it diagnostic potential are presented. Among these are variability of the test and the length of the minimum and maximum trajectory of the result achievement. The test of this kind with the discussion of its diagnostic possibilities is given as an exampl

Mathematics And Experiential Learning Are They Compatible?

In the process of experiential learning, students acquire skills and values as the consequence of a direct experience. Experiential learning draws on senses, emotions, and cognition and appeals to learners' entire being. Such learning, by nature, enables the development of a variety of capabilities, such as planning, teamwork, coping with stressful situations, responsibility, and leadership. Experiential learning has many different definitions; it is referred to here as a "sequence of events that include one or more specific study objects requiring active involvement of learners in various stages of the process" (Walter & Marks, 1981, p. 1). This definition perceives the process of experiential learning as an active practice in which learners leave the conventional situation of mediated learning in favor of unmediated learning through practice. Experiential learning is based mainly on the behavioral-cognitive approach, which contends that change on the cognitive level might occur amidst an experience and project onto behavioral and emotional aspects as well. In the current article, an academic project, Mathematical Debate, which is an integrative part of the strategy and process of experiential learning is presented. The strategy of experiential learning is part of the perception of planning courses guided by a learning-focused approach, which emphasizes the formulation of learning outcomes. Planning a course in a learning-focused approach helps create dialogue between the academic faculty and students and leads to compatibility between the learning outcomes (course goals) and the teaching methods and goals of evaluation.The purpose of this article is to present the need for paradigmatic change and the transition from planning a content-focused course to planning a course that is focused on learning and on the experience of learning. This article shall present a case study of a course in the "backward design" method, which is compatible with the learning-focused paradigm. The challenges posed by this method will be discussed as well

Concept of A.I. Based Knowledge Generator

An important feature of the currently used artificial intelligence systems is their anthropomorphism. The tool of inductive empirical systems is a neural network that simulates the human brain and operates in the "black box" mode. Deductive analytical systems for representation of knowledge use transparent formalized models and algorithms, for example, algorithms of logical inference. They solve many intellectual problems, the solution of which can do without a "deep" anthropomorphic AI. On the other hand, the solution of these problems leads to the formation of alternative artificial intelligence systems. We propose the formation of artificial intelligence systems based on the following principles: exclusion of black box technologies; domination of data conversion systems: the use of direct mathematical modeling. The base of the system is a simulator - a module that simulates a given object. The ontological module selectively extracts structured sets of functional links from the simulator and fills them with corresponding data sets. The final (custom) representation of knowledge is carried out with the help of special interfaces. The concept of simulation-ontological artificial intelligence, based on the principles outlined above, is implemented in the form of parametric analysis in the configuration space and forms the methodological basis of the AI-platform for e-learning

Don’t Throw Out Paper And Pens Yet: On The Reading Habits Of Students

This paper focuses on students’ reading habits — whether traditional reading habits (print books) or modern reading habits (using a computer screen). We review the changes in students’ reading habits over time, as part of other global changes, and explore whether corresponding digital pedagogies have evolved to address these changes. We examine generation Y students’ motivations and study habits, a generation that shows indications of changes in its academic values and priorities, and cracks in its research skills for a global world. We focus on a case study of the reading habits of students in one academic institution and discuss the implications of the findings for academic teaching and the academia’s traditional role of training researchers.

Teaching Methods and Assessment

Abstract Quality assessment of students' educational activities -one of the key factors of the educational process -fulfils several functions: states the level of educational achievements; gives information about the quality of knowledge and current educational achievements; enables to estimate the amount of the further work, aimed at filling up the gap in knowledge and improving quality factors

"Together but Separate" – What is the Correlation, If Any, between Social Loneliness, Virtual Friendship, and Use of Social Networks

With the rise of online social networks, the development and maintenance of relationships are gradually being transferred to the virtual sphere. Technological developments have created a revolution that forces people to cope with situations that were unknown to them several decades ago. This study aimed to examine the association, if any, between social loneliness and virtual friendship. In addition, the effect of gender on these variables was also examined. The research participants included 313 high school students from all over Israel, with an age range of 14-18. The study examined social loneliness, the nature of virtual friendships, and participants' undue use of social networks, using two self-report scales. The research findings indicate a significant correlation between social loneliness and these variables, as well as an effect of gender. A correlation was also found between social loneliness and virtual friendships, but no interaction was found between these variables and gender, such that this research hypothesis was not confirmed. These findings might illuminate the development of interpersonal communication in the present era, as well as the role of virtual communication in the lives of individuals