scholarly journals Analysis of student success in Mechanical Engineering at the Durban University of Technology

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Bruce Robert Graham
Keyword(s):  
Student Success ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Dropout Rate ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Hydraulic Machines ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Within Subjects

The department of Mechanical Engineering at the Durban University of Technology currently offers a National Diploma (ND) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Technology (BTech), as well as a MEng. and a DEng. This thesis details four areas of study that were undertaken in an attempt to identify potential impediments to student success in the department, using readily available data. The universities’ management information system (ITS) was the primary source of data, but limited data was also obtained from courses that the author taught, as outlined in section (4) below. A grounded action research framework was selected as the methodological framework for these studies as it allowed the freedom to refine an investigation as it progressed as well as to implement potential solutions and determine their efficacy. The four areas covered were: (1) Analysis of trends in student success rates. A number of changes were made to the National Diploma over a five year period including the introduction of supplementary examinations, the removal of elective offerings, the change in the sequence of subjects offered and a reduction in contact time. This same period also coincided with the first cohort of students entering with the new NSC matric qualification. This study examined the success rates within subjects, across four semesters of study, from 2007 until 2010 and attempts to show the effects, either positive or negative, that these changes have had. The success rates of subjects within the BTech programme were also interrogated for this same period. These results were also categorised according to whether students obtained their diploma at DUT or at another institution allowing a comparison between the two cohorts. (2) Workplace Learning (WPL). Anecdotal evidence suggested that the manner in which the WPL components were offered had a negative effect on student throughput as well as not providing substantial opportunity for the integration of experience gained in industry with the academic programme. This study, utilising WPL registrations from 2007 to 2010, examined the average time taken to complete the WPL components, the percentage of the academic component completed before and during the WPL period as well as the dropout rate. (3) Relationship between NSC results and success in Mechanical Engineering. The purpose of this study was to determine if relationships could be found between student’s NSC results and success within the programme. This would inform if the departmental entrance requirements were of an appropriate level to ensure prospective students a reasonable chance of success. Results of selected NSC subjects were correlated with those of selected diploma subjects. The distributions of success in these subjects were tabulated against the NSC results allowing a better understanding of the relationship between them. (4) Investigation into causes of poor performance in Hydraulic Machines III. This study was undertaken to better understand the competencies and learning practices of the students in the author’s class. This involved the interrogation of the performance of students over a number of assessments, the tracking of usage of online resources and the tracking of lecture attendance, and subsequent correlation with performance. These studies have led to a better understanding of the programmes offered and have put the department in a position to make informed decisions regarding interventions aimed at increasing student success. The work covered in this thesis was presented in two full papers (Graham and Walker, 2011, Graham and Walker, 2015) and two extended abstracts (Graham and Walker, 2013, Walker and Graham, 2013).

Student mood and responses to standing desks in the college classroom

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan M. Green ◽  
Myia L. Graves ◽  
Carrie M. Edwards ◽  
Edward P. Hebert ◽  
Daniel B. Hollander
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
College Classrooms ◽  
Class Meetings ◽  
Students First ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Within Subjects

Physical activity enhances physical health, reduces disease, and resists metabolic syndrome and obesity, while sitting for extended periods of time has a negative effect on long term health outcomes. Thus, reducing sitting time has been identified as a health-enhancing goal. The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions and responses of college students to sitting versus standing in class. Five standing desks were placed in a classroom of traditional sitting desks. In a counterbalanced, within subjects design, 88 undergraduate students (age M=21.64, SD=6.55 years) participated in the study. Some participating students first stood at a desk for three consecutive class meetings and then sat for three classes while others sat for three consecutive classes and then stood for three. Surveys were administered at the beginning and end of each class and at the end of six consecutive class sessions. Results indicated that mood was signifi- cantly higher on standing than sitting days, the majority of participants had a favorable perception of the standing-in-class experience, and would use standing stations if the option was available. This study is one of few to examine the viability and response to adding standing desks in college classrooms, and indicates standing desks may be perceived favorably and could be utilized to reduce sitting time.

scholarly journals Indigenous students: Barriers and success strategies-A review of existing literature

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 70
Author(s):  
Heather Joyce Nelson ◽  
Twana Lee-Ann Cox-White ◽  
Beverlee Ann Ziefflie
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Students ◽  
Student Success ◽  
The United States ◽  
Completion Rate ◽  
Cultural Safety ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Indigenous Students ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Indigenous Student

There are many factors that effect the post-secondary completion rate of Indigenous students. The Indigenous student completion rate is a reflection of the number of students entering post-secondary education but is significantly affected by withdrawal rates (institutional withdrawals and student voluntary withdrawals). In the Saskatchewan Polytechnic School of Nursing, the Indigenous student withdrawal rate was 4.2% higher than the total nursing student population. Lower success rates among Indigenous students is a concerning issue in nursing programs. Continuing to operate programs and teach in the same fashion is not improving success rates. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action (2012) highlighted the need to examine strategies and develop policies to enhance Indigenous student success. To this end, recent literature was reviewed to determine trends among Indigenous nursing students, their struggles, and more importantly, the successful strategies currently being implemented. Indigenous peoples are not a homogenous group; rather, they are a mosaic of cultures, languages and nations. The authors examined the literature to determine key factors that enabled or prevented the success of post-secondary Indigenous students. Twenty-one articles on current research regarding Indigenous student success facilitators and barriers were examined. These articles encompassed research from Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. The purpose of this literature review was to identify themes and gaps, drive positive change in education, and guide future research. The research team found four common themes: academic preparedness, cultural safety, intrinsic student factors, and student support.

Comparison of Suspension Systems and Chassis of Selected Mars Rovers Analogs with a Focus on Introduced Improvement

2017 ◽  
Vol 260 ◽  
pp. 33-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michał Ostaszewski ◽  
Kazimierz Dzierżek
Keyword(s):  
Structural Analysis ◽  
Systems Analysis ◽  
Major Part ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Mars Rover ◽  
Suspension Systems ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
The University ◽  
Mars Exploration Rovers ◽  
Over Time

The article concludes with a thorough evaluation of an usefulness of suspension systems and chassis of Mars Rovers from Bialystok University of Technology and predictions for future Mars rover solutions. A development of technology and ever growing aspirations of mankind resulted in clear progress in the field of Mars exploration rovers. Competitions, involving analogs of Mars rovers, are increasingly more popular among academic societies. The main goal of mentioned initiatives, is to test possible solutions which, over time, may be used in rovers during extraterrestrial missions. The authors focused on a path of a Mars rover analogue development. In the first stage authors analyzed requirements of the University Rover Challenge organized by The Mars Society. Then the article concerns tasks that every modern Mars rover faces during its mission. Next authors considered Mars Rovers analogs designed and built in Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Bialystok University of Technology. After application’s considerations, authors focused on suspension systems analysis. A major part of the article is a thorough structural analysis of suspension and driving systems of analog Mars rovers build at Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Bialystok University of Technology [1]. Then there is an comparison of the Curiosity (fig. 1) rover suspension [2] and internal frame with #next Mars Rover.

The negative spillover effect in sports sponsorship

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 477-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaofeng Yuan ◽  
Chunhui Huo ◽  
Tariq H. Malik
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Spillover Effect ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Spillover Effects ◽  
Brand Trust ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sports Sponsorship ◽  
Sports Team ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Negative Spillover

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine a possible negative spillover effect in sports sponsorship to answer whether the sponsored team’s poor performance will have a negative effect on audiences’ trust in its sponsor’s brand. The authors further analysed whether the audience’s attitude towards the team plays a mediating role and whether the audience’s personality type (active vs passive) plays a moderating role in this negative spillover effect. Design/methodology/approach Three experimental studies were conducted with 380 Chinese undergraduates and MBA student participants over two years. The authors designed the experiment as a computer-mediated intervention in which good, poor and neutral performance groups were compared. After the respondents were exposed to the intervention, we asked them to answer questions using a computer terminal. We analysed the data from the three experiments through analysis of variance (ANOVA), regression analysis and a bootstrap. Findings The audiences who were exposed to a team’s poor performance condition reported less trust in the sponsor’s brand relative to those exposed to a good performance condition, and the brand trust was even lower than for those who were exposed to a control condition (no performance information). Further, the audience’s negative attitude towards the sports team mediated the negative effect of the team’s poor performance on its sponsor’s brand trust. The negative effect was more obvious for individuals with Type A personalities (active) than for those with Type B personalities (passive). Originality/value The prior literature has neglected a possible negative effect of a sports team’s performance on its sponsor’s brand trust. In particular, questions of whether, how and when this negative effect occurs are critical for sponsors, teams, and audiences. Since sports team sponsorship is burgeoning in China, the negative implications are unclear in this new context. Thus, the revelation that the negative spillover effects of a team’s poor performance on audiences’ trust in the sponsor’s brand provides two original contributions. First, the negative effect reveals value for multiple sponsorship stakeholders. Second, the Chinese context in this study adds value for future research and practice regarding both Chinese-foreign and domestic Chinese decisions.

scholarly journals PERAN STRES KERJA DALAM MEMEDIASI PENGARUH BEBAN KERJA DAN LINGKUNGAN KERJA TERHADAP KINERJA KARYAWAN

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 7370
Author(s):  
Ni Made Sapta Resita Putri ◽  
Agoes Ganesha Rahyuda
Keyword(s):  
Work Environment ◽  
Work Stress ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Employee Performance ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Organizational Goals ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Positive Effect

Organizational goals can be achieved with the company's HR performance. Poor performance will have an impact on the company's image and certainly slow down the process in achieving organizational goals. This study was conducted to determine the effect of workload and work environment on employee performance and the role of work stress as mediating variables. This study took 42 employees as respondents using a questionnaire, with a saturated sampling method. Path analysis was used. The results of the study indicate that workload has a negative effect on employee performance. Work environment has a positive effect on employee performance. Job stress has a negative influence on employee performance. This study also found that work stress mediates the effect of workload and work environment on employee performance. Based on the results of this study, it is expected that further research is able to examine the performance of employees with respondents and more complex research locations. The results of this study are also expected to be used as a reference and consideration for companies in decision making related to employee performance. Keywords: employee performance , workload, work environment ,  work stress  

Mobility of Engineering and Technology Professionals and its Impact on the Quality of Engineering and Technology Education

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 35-49
Author(s):  
Fredreck Chinyemba
Keyword(s):  
Technology Education ◽  
Research Output ◽  
Engineering And Technology Education ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Scientific Research Output ◽  
Engineering And Technology ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Part Time ◽  
The Impact

This study explores the impact of mobility of qualified and experienced engineering and technology lecturers on the quality of engineering and technology education. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from students, lecturers, Heads of Departments and Academic Deans at Chinhoyi University of Technology, Zimbabwe. The findings from this study indicate that the absence of experienced and qualified professionals has a negative effect on the quality of engineering and technology education. The lecturer’s experience is considered a rich legitimate source of quality. Findings also reveal that the use of teaching assistants and part time lecturers as an alternative to experienced professionals, coupled with lack of resources, adversely impacted on the quality of graduates from the institution. Essentially, lectures conducted were characterized by poor instructional delivery, rushing through courses and over burdened lecturers. Scientific research output was significantly low and productive time was being wasted on human resource issues.

Four approaches for staffing and structuring a product development team to identify the crucial unmet needs of B2B customers

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chandler Hatton ◽  
Michael Kolk ◽  
Martijn Eikelenboom ◽  
Mitch Beaumont
Keyword(s):  
Product Development ◽  
Analysis Framework ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Development Team ◽  
Customer Needs ◽  
Product Development Team ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Offer a new model for identifying effective approaches to gathering, understanding and synthesizing information related to new product needs of B2B customers. Design/methodology/approach Arthur D. Little, together with the Eindhoven University of Technology, conducted in-depth interviews with over 30 product development leaders in 15 companies across multiple sectors. Findings When the team interacting with customers is structured appropriately the research showed that “getting it right” can lead to doubling of innovation success rates and have significant impact on R&D effectiveness. Practical implications By identifying the degree to which B2B customer needs are clear (expressed) or unclear (latent) and the degree to which technology needs are known (expressed) or unclear (latent), we can start to characterize the most appropriate skill set that a multifunctional product development team will need in order to develop a winning product. Originality/value Companies can use an innovative analysis framework to help make informed decisions about how best to organize their teams. The four approaches can be mapped to the four quadrants of a “Customer Needs/Technology Needs” matrix. The study concludes that the benefits are both strategically and financially significant.

Mechanical Engineering Curriculum Review by QFD Methodology: A Case Study

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Satter ◽  
M. R. Satter ◽  
J. Pumwa
Keyword(s):  
Quality Function Deployment ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Engineering Curriculum ◽  
Planning Tool ◽  
Study Program ◽  
Curriculum Review ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Review Procedure

The paper deals with the design and review of curriculum of a formal study program employing the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) methodology that can take into account of the requirements of various stakeholders such as, academics, students, sponsors, employers, and accreditation agencies. Starting with a simple model for teaching and learning, in which curriculum is one of the basic elements, the paper describes curriculum review procedure employing the QFD planning tool known as House of Quality. Then, it presents a case study on the review of mechanical engineering program of the PNG University of Technology.

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