College students’ perception of the flipped classroom: A phenomenographical study

The 'flipped classroom' has become popular among educators; however, research on the topic has been relatively sparse, especially in terms of qualitative research. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore student perceptions of the flipped classroom. Undergraduate students who enrolled in a flipped public health course were invited to participate in the study. Thirteen students participated in semi-structured interviews to discuss their thoughts and experiences regarding the flipped classroom. Students viewed the flipped classroom according to out-of-class and in-class activities. Students felt that out-of-class activities were convenient, accommodated different learning styles, and were important for being prepared for class time. In terms of in-class activities, students enjoyed interactive activities (e.g., hands-on activities, class discussions), but some viewed the activities as anxiety provoking. Students also viewed in-class activities as useful for building student-instructor rapport. Implications for practice and future research are discussed

Hazardous drinking by first-year college-athletes: The differential roles of drinking motives, alcohol consequences, and season status

College student-athletes and first-year students are two undergraduate populations at risk for heavy-episodic drinking and alcohol-related negative consequences. In this study, 63 (56% female, 62% Caucasian) first-year student-athletes completed a preliminary questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, athlete-specific drinking motives, alcohol-related negative consequences, and season status. Scores of five or more on the ,4 UDIT-C defined the at-risk subsample. Participants who met the criteria for hazardous drinking (n = 19) reported higher levels of alcohol-related negative consequences and drinking motives. A logistic regression, with these variables, successfully distinguished between the two groups. Sport-related coping2, and positive reinforcement drinking motives, emerged as the most robust predictors of hazardous drinking. Implications for screening, prevention, and brief intervention strategies for first-year student-athletes are discussed

Photovoice as Pedagogy for Authentic Learning: Empowering Undergraduate Students to Increase Community Awareness About Issues Related to the Impact of Low Income on Health

Students preparing for helping professions who understand the influences of income on health are better equipped to address health challenges in communities and in their future careers. Universities have a responsibility to bolster and provide a safe environment for students to build and practice their 21st-century skills. When implemented as a pedagogical tool, photovoice projects have the potential to provide authentic learning experiences for students to engage in advocacy and civil discourse. Undergraduate students (n = 37) learning about the influence of low income on health engaged in a photovoice assignment, demonstrating their own understanding of the course content while effectively advocating for issues related to the health of low-income community members. Community members attending the exhibit (n = 32) completed surveys designed to capture their reactions to the students’ work. As a result of attending the students’ photovoice exhibit, community members reported increased awareness about issues of concern in the community as well as an affective response to the community concerns documented

Evaluation of an infused alcohol and drug prevention programme

Purpose: Alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drugs use typically increases in prevalence and frequency during middle and late adolescence. School health instruction often focusses on providing facts and rarely provides tools for addressing the psychosocial risk factors needed to prevent substance use. The purpose of this paper is to report about the effectiveness of a prevention programme delivered in US high school health classes. The intervention augments typical instruction by providing teachers with activities that can be infused in their daily teaching. Design/methodology/approach: In total, 26 schools were randomly assigned to receive the intervention or serve as controls. Pupils were pretested near the beginning of the school year, posttest near the end of the school year and administered a final test near the beginning of the following school year. Teachers in treatment schools were provided with activities designed to target psychosocial variables known to mediate substance use onset and self-initiated cessation. These include normative beliefs, intentionality, lifestyle incongruence, beliefs about consequences of use, peer pressure resistance skills, decision-making skills, goal setting skills and stress management skills. Findings: Hierarchical modelling analytic strategies revealed the intervention to have definable positive impacts on alcohol and cigarette use. Moreover, the intervention had strongest effects on alcohol and cigarette use among pupils who were identified at pretest as being lower-than-average risk. Originality/value: This research provides support for providing teachers with a strategy for preventing alcohol, tobacco and other drugs that can be used in a flexible manner to augment the instruction they are already mandated to provide

Investigating Motivation for Physical Activity among Minority College Females using the BREQ-2

Adolescents who engage in regular physical activity experience increased academic performance and grades, improved academic behavior, such as time on task, as well as an increase in other factors that influence academic achievement. Despite physical activity recommendations, regular engagement in physical activity is still an issue among American adolescents. Furthermore, physically inactive lifestyles are highest among minority populations, lower socioeconomic groups, and women. Self Determination Theory provides a basis for investigating the cognitive, affective and motivational processes of physical activity. At present time, there is a dearth of research exploring motivation of physical activity among minority female college students. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the type of motivation that is most strongly related to moderate physical activity, vigorous physical activity, strength training and stretching among college-aged African American females in an effort to consider ways to improve physical activity promotion efforts on a college campus. Students enrolled in a required basic studies physical education and wellness course at a southeastern state university were invited to participate in data collection activities. Participants were invited to complete the modified Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-2), a 19-item questionnaire designed to measure motivation for physical activity. Of the 1422 college students that agreed to participate, 54 identified themselves as a non-Caucasian female. Results offered limited support for the hypothesis that those who are extrinsically motivated would engage in more physical activity. Nevertheless, a required physical activity class for college students could potentially provide an opportunity for those who would otherwise be amotivated for physical activity to engage in regular physical activities

College Students' Perceived Wellness Among Online, Face-to-Face, and Hybrid Formats of a Lifetime Physical Activity and Wellness Course

Background: College students are vulnerable to risks associated with unhealthy behaviors. Considering the role that colleges play in facilitating lifelong health and wellness behaviors of college students, health-related fitness (HRF) courses are being offered using multiple delivery formats. Purpose: There is a need to better understand the relationship between course delivery format and perceived wellness; thus, the purpose of this study was to assess perceived wellness among college students who self-selected into various delivery formats of a required university HRF course. Methods: The Perceived Wellness Survey was used due to its previously established reliability and validity for college populations. Participants included 378 college students enrolled in a HRF course. Results: Students with higher perceived wellness were more likely to be enrolled in online and hybrid course formats rather than face to face. Discussion: The results of this study provide a better understanding of the perceived wellness of college students enrolled in various course delivery formats of a HRF course that go beyond that of demographic differences. Translation to Health Education Practice: With this information, those delivering HRF courses have the opportunity to capitalize on this trend by tailoring instructional activities accordingly

The reliability and construct validity of American college students’ responses to the WHOQOL-BREF.

The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-100) instrument was developed to assess quality of life from a multi-dimensional perspective. A shorter 26-item version of the instrument was created called the WHOQOL-BREF, which is the focus of this study. Based on previous research, it is unclear if the WHOQOL-BREF instrument is appropriate for use with English-speaking, American college populations. The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and construct validity of English-speaking, American College Students’ responses to WHOQOL-BREF. One thousand seven hundred and seventy- three American college students from a southeastern university completed the WHOQOL-BREF in a confidential online format. Factor analyses were conducted and model fit was assessed using multiple fit indices. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis indicated that the prescribed four-factor model did not provide a good fit for the current data. An Exploratory Factor Analysis indicated a five-factor model was the best fit. However, the results of goodness-of-fit indices indicated the five-factor model was also a poor fit. This research showed inadequate construct validity through confirmatory factor analysis. Further validation studies of the instrument with English-speaking, American college students are recommended

Physical Activity Promotion on Campus: Using Empirical Evidence to Recommend Strategic Approaches to Target Female College Students

PROBLEM: A large number of American adults do not meet national physical activity (PA) guidelines for aerobic PA and muscle strengthening. Similarly, many American college students, specifically females do not engage in regular PA. Self Determination Theory can provide a basis for investigating motivational processes of PA. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between exercise motivation regulation and physical activity behaviors among college females in order to make recommendations for future campus-based health promotion practices. METHODS: Participants (n=470) completed a web-based survey including items from the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire various PA items. RESULTS: Multiple regression analyses indicate only Identified Regulation as a significant predictor of Moderate PA; both Identified and Intrinsic Regulation were significantly predictive of Vigorous PA; Identified Regulation was significantly predictive of strength training; and both Identified and Intrinsic Regulation were significantly predictive of Stretching. CONCLUSION: Findings demonstrate the need for further exploration of motivation regulation among college females. University campuses represent an ideal setting for promoting physical activity among large proportions of young adults, and evidence from this study and prevention science research should inform the development, implementation, and evaluation of uniquely female PA promotion efforts

Construct validity of college students’ responses to the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-2)

The purpose of this study was to assess the construct validity and reliability of college students' responses to the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-2) to be used in campus recreation programs and physical activity and wellness courses. The BREQ-2 is a 19-item questionnaire used to assess exercise motivation through the application of five subscales. Five hundred eighty-nine students completed the BREQ-2. Using SPSS 20.0 and AMOS 20.0, a confirmatory factor analysis was conducted. A review of reliability coefficients indicated the internal consistency of factors would not be improved by removing survey items. The standardized parameter estimates of the five-factor model indicated the BREQ-2 is an adequate fit for measuring exercise motivation factors among this sample of American college students

YouTube: An International Platform for Sharing Methods of Cheating

This study investigated the video sharing website www.youtube.com for the presence of instructional videos that teach students how to cheat on academic work. Videos were analyzed to determine the methods of cheating, the popularity of the videos, the demographics of viewers and those uploading the videos, and the opinions of viewers after watching these types of videos. A total of 43 videos were included in this study. Those featured in the videos taught viewers how to cheat on exams, homework, and written assignments using modern and traditional technologies. The far majority of those featured in the videos, and their viewers, were males within the age range of those who attend middle school, high school, and college. Videos were watched by people from several different nations, including the United States, Canada, Australia, India, and the United Kingdom. The study’s results suggest that instructional cheating videos are popular among students around the world. Positive viewer feedback indicates that the videos have educated and motivated students to put the methods of cheating found in the videos to use. Educators should consider YouTube as a resource in order to become familiar with various methods of cheating