Background: The prevalence of anxiety among college students is a growing global concern, with a median prevalence of 32%. This study addresses the need for effective interventions within an educational policy framework to alleviate anxiety and promote mental health among college students. Objective: The study aims to evaluate the impact of breathing relaxation exercises and tactile art therapy on college students' self-understanding and psychological well-being, providing reference information for policies and practices in mental health education. Methods: We enrolled 10 college students from X University in South Korea, dividing them into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group underwent 10 sessions of breathing exercises and tactile art therapy, while the control group received standard psychological counseling. Pre- and post-tests assessed breathing function, self-understanding, and psychological well-being. Results: The experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in breathing function, particularly in forced vital capacity (FVC), and in psychological well-being, as measured by the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS). Sub-factors such as safety, goal orientation, and self-acceptance within self-understanding, self-acceptance, positive relationships, purpose in life, and environmental mastery within psychological well-being, showed notable enhancements. In contrast, the control group did not show significant effects in terms of FVC and FEV1(p > 0.05), and there were no statistically significant differences in the various sub-factors of self-understanding and psychological well-being. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that integrating breathing relaxation exercises and tactile art therapy into educational policy can significantly reduce anxiety and enhance the psychological well-being of college students. These findings suggest that such interventions can be effective components of a comprehensive educational policy aimed at improving student mental health.
Piano sight-reading competency, which is highly important for an aspiring musician who needs to face diverse musical problems, is an integral part of becoming a smooth performer. The aims of this systematic literature review concerning piano sight-reading pedagogy approaches between 2019 and 2024 are to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the peer-reviewed literature. The article examines cognitive, behavioral, and technological methods and tools of enhancing learning outcomes, based on the concept of cognitive load, constructivism, and behaviorist perspective. The cognitive strategies highlight the role of hand-eye coordination, short-term memory, and visual process; while the behavioral ones emphasize the importance of daily practice and feedback from the teacher. Emerging technologies, like VR and AI-driven platforms, are redefining education and offering unique ways of learning and forgetting. While achievements of the past are notable, challenges such as access and efficacious long-term approaches remain. The next step of research should be to focus on sustainable teaching methods and international perspectives to achieve homogeneous and effective sight-reading teaching worldwide. This essay provides an overview of integrated and adaptable teaching strategies that combine both traditional and modern tools for the development of versatile and confident musicians' skills.
Hate speech in higher education institutions is a pressing issue that threatens democratic values and social cohesion. This research explores student perspectives on hate speech within the university setting, examining its forms, causes, and impacts on democratic principles such as freedom of expression and inclusivity. This research is extended to determine the debates and theories elaborated from different perspectives qualitative and quantitative analysis of data collected from 108 participants at Higher Education in Kosovo. From the communication standpoint, analyzing hate speech in the media and social media is key to understanding the type of message used, its emitter, how the message rallies supporters, and how they interpret message. The findings highlight the need for proactive policies and educational interventions to mitigate Research on hate speech in higher education in Kosovo is crucial for fostering social cohesion and inclusivity in its diverse society. Hate speech undermines the academic environment, negatively affecting students' mental health, learning outcomes, and overall well-being, necessitating efforts to create safer educational spaces. The study aligns with Kosovo's aspirations for European integration, emphasizing adherence to human rights and anti-discrimination principles. Despite the issue's significance, there is a lack of empirical data on hate speech in Kosovo's higher education, making this research vital for evidence-based policymaking. With a youth-centric focus, the study aims to educate and empower young people as future leaders to embrace respect and inclusivity. By addressing hate speech's local challenges and global relevance, the research supports institutional reforms and offers valuable insights for post-conflict and multicultural societies. Hate speech while fostering a culture of mutual respect and democratic engagement.
Sustainability has become increasingly important in recent decades and has become a key concept in various areas of society. The early integration of sustainability principles into education is of crucial importance, as the elementary school years represent a decisive phase in children's development. During this phase, fundamental values, attitudes, and behaviors are formed that will have a significant impact on later lives and the relationship with the environment. Elementary school offer a unique opportunity to reach people from different social backgrounds and thus impart a common basic knowledge that can serve as a basis for shaping a sustainable society. Elementary schools are therefore an ideal place to introduce children to the principles of sustainability and sensitize them to the challenges of the 21st century. The aim of the study is to explore the current state of sustainability education in elementary school. It takes a closer look at whether elementary school students are old enough to be confronted with sustainability, what methods already exist and what the challenges are in implementing sustainability education. The basis for the study is an online survey conducted at 60 different elementary school in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg in Germany. In conclusion, while there is room for improvement, the survey results suggest a growing awareness of the significance of sustainability education in elementary schools. The findings call for targeted efforts to enhance curriculum integration, teacher training, and resource provision to promote a more sustainable and environmentally conscious generation of students in Baden-Wuerttemberg.
Using the Intercultural Competence and Inclusion in Education Scale (ICIES), this study examines variations in intercultural competence and inclusion between mainstream and multiethnic high schools. The sample consisted of 384 high school students, aged 17 to 18, from both rural and urban areas in Western Romania, enrolled in grades 11 and 12. The ICIES demonstrated strong reliability, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.721. Exploratory factor analysis revealed three distinct dimensions: Intercultural opportunities and activities, Comfort in diverse settings, and Cultural reflection and values. Independent samples t-tests identified significant differences between mainstream and multiethnic schools across several items, with students in multiethnic schools reporting higher levels of intercultural competence and inclusion. These findings highlight the critical role of multicultural educational settings in fostering students' cultural awareness and inclusive attitudes. This study provides actionable insights for enhancing multicultural education practices and policies, including teacher training programs, inclusive curricula, and extracurricular initiatives that promote intercultural engagement and reduce intergroup biases.
This study examines the impact of structured cultural educational activities on various dimensions of student well-being in primary education. Using a randomized controlled trial design, 120 third- and fourth-grade students from Arad County, Romania, were assigned to either an experimental group, which participated in cultural educational activities, or a control group, which received no intervention. Well-being and social behavior were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the EPOCH Measure of Adolescent Well-Being, administered before and after the intervention. The SDQ evaluated emotional symptoms, hyperactivity, conduct problems, peer relationship issues, and prosocial behavior, while the EPOCH scale measured engagement, perseverance, optimism, connectedness, and happiness. Analysis revealed statistically significant improvements (p < 0.05) in the experimental group compared to the control group. Students in the experimental group exhibited reduced hyperactivity and peer relationship problems, alongside notable increases in engagement, perseverance, optimism, connectedness, and happiness. These findings highlight the efficacy of integrating cultural educational activities into the primary school curriculum as a strategy for enhancing emotional and social development. The study underscores the importance of such interventions in fostering positive developmental outcomes and offers a foundation for further research into their long-term effects and adaptability across diverse educational contexts.
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