Academy of Education and Social Sciences Review
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Spatial Cognition and Learners’ Readiness toward STEM in Post-Pandemic
Get PDFSpatial Cognition plays a very significant role towards the success of various scientific disciplines, as literature has demonstrated clearly that these skills are highly demanded for learning and pursuing STEM fields. This study was carried out to explore the level of spatial cognition among high school students and examine the learners\u27 readiness towards STEM subjects. The study was descriptive and a quantitative research method was applied. A standardized tool was utilized to assess the spatial cognition of the students of the science group of grades 9 to 12th. 130 students from 13 to 18 years with an average age of 15.5 were administered the Mental Rotation Test (MRT) for measuring spatial cognition and readiness was measured through statements using a 5-point Likert scale. The results were analyzed using the SPSS-21 version. It was found that the majority of the students had low level of spatial cognition, which hindered their readiness regarding STEM in post-pandemic situations. There was a positive linear relationship between spatial cognition and readiness of the learners’ regarding STEM subjects. Moreover, it was concluded that there was a significant impact of spatial cognition on the readiness of the learners towards STEM. Therefore, it was recommended that the science curriculum should be designed in such a way that incorporates spatial reasoning skills among students. This study\u27s findings serve as a baseline to attract the science educationists towards a challenging predictor
Exploring Oral Health Knowledge and Practices among Early Childhood Caregivers: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Get PDFEarly childhood is a crucial developmental phase of a child\u27s well-being, which lays the foundation for their future growth. Lack of good oral practices may cause dental issues during this fundamental phase of development and have a long-lasting impact on a child\u27s overall well-being. This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, to explore oral health knowledge and practices among the caregivers of young children. A sample of 94 participants, including parents, caregivers, early childhood educators, and healthcare professionals (HCPS), was included through a convenient sampling technique. An online survey questionnaire was administered, which covered various aspects of oral hygiene practices to prevent common oral diseases among children. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 22.0. Statistical significance was accepted as p ≤0.05. Results of the study revealed no significant differences in oral health knowledge and practices based on age and gender. However, comparisons based on profession and roles showed a significant difference. Most participants agreed on the importance of regular oral hygiene practices. However, their opinions differed on certain oral hygiene practices, including the frequency of brushing and the timing of the first dental visit. This study underscores the importance of targeted education and interventions to improve oral health outcomes during the critical developmental phase of childhood
Enhancing Awareness and Understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Minchinabad: A Participatory Action Research Approach
Get PDFThis study investigates the effectiveness of interventions aimed at enhancing awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Minchinabad through a participatory action research approach. A total of 100 participants were included in this research. They were Community Leaders, Healthcare Professionals, Religious Leaders, and Educators picked through Convenience Sampling. Initial data collection reveals prevalent misconceptions and barriers surrounding ASD awareness. Among them, 89% of respondents expressed a lack of sufficient awareness and 85% attributed ASD to divine factors. Subsequently, community-led workshops, social media campaigns, and Religious institutions-based awareness activities were implemented to address these challenges. Evaluation indicates a significant improvement in awareness levels. Improvement with 53% acknowledging adequate awareness. However, more than 40% still perceive a stigma associated with seeking an ASD diagnosis. While cultural beliefs persist, such as 60% to 68% believing in the divine causation of ASD. The interventions have contributed to a positive shift in community perceptions. The findings underscore the importance of sustained efforts to promote understanding and acceptance of ASD within the community, emphasizing the need for continued engagement and advocacy for ASD Awareness
Psychological Capital and Emotional Intelligence among Neurotic Patients
Get PDFThis study aimed to examine the relationship between psychological capital and emotional intelligence among neurotic patients. This study was based on a correlational design and a quantitative approach was used to collect the data using a questionnaire method. The sample size of this study consisted of neurotic patients from different psychological clinics and hospitals in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The sample included both genders and people with diverse backgrounds were included to have more reliable results. All the ethical considerations were strictly followed throughout the study. The gathered data was analysed statistically and the results of the analysis showed that there was a significant positive association between psychological capital and emotional intelligence among patients with neurosis. The results also showed that married people showed higher levels of PsyCap than single or divorced people. Comparably, individuals with shared family structures had higher levels in PsyCap, underscoring the significance of family support for mental health outcomes
Out-Of-School Children in Northern Sindh, Pakistan: Qualitative Exploration of Push and Pull Factors
Get PDFDespite its severity in Pakistan, the issue of out-of-school children has surprisingly received very little attention from academics. A couple of studies conducted in other provinces of Pakistan have investigated the views of parents and school principals on out-of-school children, where both parties seem to be blaming each other. How do children themselves feel being out of school, although very significant has remained unattended. It is believed that listening to the voices of the real sufferers is essential, to bring forth insights that would help policy makers and educational reformers in considering the existent issues to be addressed in relation to out-of-school children. The current study explores the perceptions of out-of-school children, factors that force to drop them out of school, and the challenges they face after dropping out of school. Five children who had dropped out of school were identified and interviewed using semi-structured interviews. The results revealed that the push-out factors enforced by the schools included teachers\u27 unprofessional behaviors. Pull-out factors enforced from home included poverty and heavy responsibilities at a very early age and to be an earning member for the family. The study calls for collaborative efforts by schools, parents, community, and civil society to address multi-sectorial issues of out-of-school children. It is also argued that for SDG-4 to be practically effective on grounds in Sindh or elsewhere for that matter, education needs to be re-imagined to make education of out of school children possible
Online Shopping and its Determinants: Behavioural Analysis
Get PDFThis study attempted to gauge consumers’ behavioural analysis concerning online shopping and its determinants. The data was collected via survey using a purposive sampling technique targeting those involved in online shopping. The questionnaire was closed-ended and based on a five-point Likert scale. The data was received from 200 participants though 250 participants were approached, with a response rate of 80 per cent. Five determinants were considered including perceived benefits, perceived risks and disadvantages, hedonic motivations, psychological factors, and website design. Perceived benefits and website design had a positive impact and were significant at 1 per cent. Hedonic motivations and psychological factors had a positive impact and were significant at 5 per cent, whereas perceived risk and disadvantage were found insignificant. The study recommended the businesses in Pakistan to focus on the behaviours of consumers and try to eliminate factors like fear of the consumers by designing their marketing campaigns
Organizational Citizenship Behavior of Secondary School Teachers: A Case of District Quetta, Balochistan
Get PDFThis study aimed to evaluate the Organizational Citizenship Behaviors (OCB) of secondary school teachers currently serving in the district of Quetta. Using a quantitative research method, the data was gathered from the randomly selected 250 teachers via an adopted questionnaire having 5-points Likert scale. The gathered data (based on the various dimensions of OCB including conscientiousness, sportsmanship, civic virtue, courtesy, and altruism) were analyzed using descriptive techniques and inferential statistical techniques. The findings of the study reveal that teachers currently serving in the secondary schools in the district of Quetta display no significant difference in OCB based on their genders and the sector of their serving schools, that is, private and public. However, there was a significant difference in OCB based on their age and years of experience. The findings of the study recommend the policymakers and school administrations to engage the teachers in the socially betterment of teachers without considering their different characteristics
Investigating English Language Skills among the Medical Students at Jinnah Sindh Medical University Karachi
Get PDFThe present study aimed to investigate the English language skills of medical students who are currently pursuing their graduate degrees from Jinnah Sindh Medical University Karachi. Researchers used a quantitative approach using a five-point Likert scale survey method. A total of 60 students from the third and final year were selected by applying a purposive sampling technique. The questionnaire was adapted as a tool for the present study. The collected data was analyzed via SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics was used to draw the results of frequency distribution, percentage and t-test. Overall findings concluded that medical students observed reading and writing as the most essential skills compared to listening and speaking. In addition, students also found their English language proficiency relatively high in some areas apart from some variation in their self-judgment. This can be suggested that more research studies are needed to be conducted on this topic so that a clear picture can be seen in the context of medical English education
Pre-Appointment Leadership Training: Need for Survival of Novice School Leaders
Get PDFThis study aims to find out the effectiveness of pre-appointment leadership-focused training for newly appointed school leaders. It also aims to highlight the challenges faced by the novice leaders. School plays a vital role in the development of a nation. Therefore, it is imperative to the study of those who are responsible to lead the schools. The constant questions on the effectiveness of the public schools in Karachi have sown the seed for this study whereby it attempts to explore the school leadership preparedness of the school leaders who take the important position as part of step-up transition. A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with sample size of 20 school heads through purposive and snowball sampling. The research findings reveal the absence of pre-appointment leadership training, compromised in-service training and the challenges faced by the novice school leaders. The research findings provide a strong standing for establishing the need of pre-appointment training for school leaders in the public schools of Karachi. The study put forward the insights to those who become school heads and may assist in understanding the complication of the career transition and enable to deal with it suitably in their own context
Emotional Intelligence and Anxiety Handling in Secondary Grade Students by Classroom Managerial Style
Get PDFEmotional intelligence means not only controlling emotions, solving inner problems and mental conflicts, but also steaming other people\u27s mental problems and their conflicts. It is also used to assess the emotions of others, their inner conflicts, and their mental anxieties. Understanding Emotional Intelligence (EI) by the teacher can reduce emotional distress and stress in students and guide them to the best of their ability for teamwork, and harmony. The research sample comprised 250 secondary grade students equally distributed under five classroom managerial styles in Rahimyar Khan. A questionnaire was used for data collection, based on ten themes: enthusiasm, self-awareness, motivation, social skills, self-regulation, and collaboration, atmosphere of trust, mutual harmony, enthusiasm, and empathy. Overall, it was clear that students were more enthusiastic, self-aware, motivated, socially skilled, self-regulated, collaborated, trusted, mutually harmonial, coherent, and empathetic in the democratic operational atmosphere. This was visible mostly in an achievement-oriented classroom atmosphere and then in the situational classroom atmosphere, but least in laissez-faire and authoritarian classroom atmosphere. Overall anxiety revealed that students are very anxious in laissez-faire and authoritarian classroom atmospheres. The results will play a dominant role for teachers to think about their overall management style in the classrooms