In this paper, a study developed at the University of Seniors in Aragón is presented. The Sono-libro, used as an innovative resource, is assessed in the proposal with an educational and pedagogical purpose. The aim is to understand the motivational and learning perception variation after the incorporation of the Sono-libro in the sample. In this quantitative longitudinal design study, the listening habits of the participants are comparatively analyzed at two moments: The first data collection took place before the implementation of the proposal, and the second collection occurred after the proposal. The sample consists of 116 subjects, with 64.16% being women and an average age of 66 years of age. Data was obtained through a validated ad hoc questionnaire judged by experts. The results of the data collections showed an increase in both motivation and perception of the learning obtained, indicating the benefits of incorporating digital resources into contexts of adult students.
The National Fitness Program Plan (2021–2025) (hereinafter referred to as the Plan) proposes to perfect the public service system for sports and fitness by 2025, make national sports and fitness more convenient, and advocate providing intelligent services for national fitness campaign. With the development of the Internet era, modern information technologies such as big data, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence have been introduced into sports affairs, providing technical support for the optimization of the public service system for sports and fitness. Therefore, in the context of a national fitness campaign, intelligent sports service is an important link for promoting national fitness in various regions. Relevant workers should attach importance to promoting “physical fitness” with “intelligence” in the process of advancing national fitness program, and actively creating intelligent public services for national fitness. Focusing on the integration of modern information technology and sports affairs, with the implementation of the Plan as the research background, the construction of intelligent sports parks as the starting point, this article outlines the construction plan of intelligent sports parks based on the connotation summary of national fitness program and intelligent sports. At the same time, it analyzes the issues that intelligent sports parks need to pay attention to in providing public services for national fitness, and proposes countermeasures for the high-quality development of national fitness services in intelligent sports parks.
This study examines the development and influence of the international anti-corruption regime, utilizing Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to dissect the discursive practices that shape perceptions of corruption and the strategies employed to combat it. Our analysis reveals how Western institutional entrepreneurs play a pivotal role in defining corruption predominantly as bribery and governance failures, underpinned by a neoliberal ideology that prescribes societal norms and identifies corrupt practices. By exploring the mechanisms through which this ideology is propagated, the research enriches institutional entrepreneurship theory and highlights the neoliberal foundations of current anti-corruption efforts. This study not only enhances our understanding of the institutional frameworks that govern anti-corruption discourse but also demonstrates how discourse legitimizes certain ideologies while marginalizing others. The findings offer practical tools for altering power dynamics, promoting equitable participation, and addressing the imbalanced North-South power relations. By challenging established perspectives, this research contributes to transformative discourse and action, offering new pathways for understanding and combating corruption. These insights have significant theoretical and practical implications for improving the effectiveness of corruption prevention and counteraction strategies globally.
This study analyzes the social and individual stigmatization toward Venezuelan immigrants in Peru within the context of the largest migratory movement in Latin America, driven by the political, economic, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. The study employs a qualitative approach, using semi-structured in-depth interviews with a diverse sample of 24 participants from major Peruvian cities, including Lima, Arequipa, Cusco, and Trujillo. These in-depth interviews provide insights into the complexity of perceptions toward Venezuelan migrants, ranging from stigmatizing views driven by associations with economic threats and criminality to more positive perceptions that acknowledge the migrants’ adaptability and economic contributions. The findings reveal that while negative stereotypes perpetuate social exclusion and pressures for cultural assimilation threaten the preservation of migrant identities, there are also narratives highlighting resilience and successful integration. The study emphasizes the importance of implementing intercultural education programs, promoting labor integration policies, and collaborating with the media to combat stigma. It concludes that addressing these challenges through a multidimensional, human-rights-based approach can foster greater social cohesion and better integration of migrants, benefiting both the migrant population and Peruvian society.
This study examined the dissatisfaction among Chinese medical students with online medical English courses, which overemphasize grammar yet fail to provide practical opportunities related to medical situations. This study compared co-teaching’s effects, involving native and non-native instructors, with a single-instructor (traditional) model on student satisfaction in online medical English courses. Using a qualitative design, pre- and post-course interviews were conducted with 49 second-year medical students across seven classes, exploring their perceptions of instruction, curriculum, and course satisfaction. The findings indicated that the co-teaching model improved student engagement and satisfaction, not specifically due to the native English-speaking instructor but likely because of the focus on more interactive and discussion-oriented strategies. In contrast, the single-instructor model maintained the traditional grammar-focused instruction, leading to lower satisfaction levels. Both instructional models faced limitations related to their reliance on textbooks for delivering core material needed for the course’s comprehensive exam. These results suggest that the instruction design and approach, rather than the native instructor alone, was the main driver of positive outcomes in co-teaching. The study’s findings suggest a need for curriculum reforms that reduce textbook dependence and incorporate more practical, interactive learning strategies. Future research should consider applying various research techniques, such as mixed-method approaches, longitudinal studies, and experimental designs, to comprehensively assess the long-term effects of instructional strategies and curriculum innovations on student outcomes.
Working Capital Management (hereafter WCM) is the strategic tool that helps a company navigate through challenging economic growth, and influence its competitive performance. Thus, this study examines the impact of WCM on the competitiveness of firms operating in the non-financial sectors in Pakistan. We use the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) technique to ensure the robustness of our results. The study findings reveal that both a large net trade cycle and surplus working capital have a substantial negative impact on firms’ competitiveness within their respective industries. These results suggest that companies should streamline their investments in working capital accounts and concentrate more resources on long-term projects that maximize value to improve their competitiveness compared to other companies. Therefore, firms that are effectively managing their short-term financial affairs are experiencing much better performance in all aspects of firm performance. The research findings highlight the urgent need for governmental initiatives designed to improve WCM practices in these industries. It is imperative for the management of companies with excess net working capital to maximize their working capital efficiency, aligning it with industry standards to enhance competitiveness. Moreover, policymakers should prioritize easing access to financial alternatives that allow enterprises to maintain an efficient working capital structure without relying on excessive measures. Furthermore, policymakers should be cautious when determining minimum cash balance requirements in a cash-strapped economy where external financing is relatively more expensive than in other regional economies.
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