The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the essence of student connection in an associate degree nursing program. Eight participants shared their experiences with connection to one another and the impact that connection had on their journey. They shared the benefits as well as the risks of participating in closely connected…

This spring, as schools grappled with sudden closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the phrase "building the plane as we fly it" was no exaggeration. Practically overnight, schools had to figure out an entirely different modality of instruction. And though the 2019-20 school year is finished, it is looking like new challenges are likely…

This study investigated the effects of professional learning communities (PLCs) on teacher commitment in China. A total of 1020 teachers in Shanghai participated in a survey. The results show the organisational characteristics of PLCs which comprise supportive leadership, organisational structure and cultural barriers, had significant and positive…

It is through working in groups that students develop cooperative learning skills and experience. However, group work activity often leads students into a difficult experience, especially for first-year students who are not familiar with group work activities at university. This study explores obstacles faced by first-year students during their…

Team-based learning (TBL) is a form of small-group learning that assumes stable teams promote accountability. Teamwork promotes communication among members; application exercises promote active learning. Students must prepare for each class; failure to do so harms their team's performance. Therefore, TBL promotes accountability. As part of the…

In this article the selected works of Ernest Boyer are examined in the context of curricular and cocurricular integration. The authors argue that Boyer advocated for a closer connection between the academic and student affairs programs on American college campuses and further contend that this is particularly true and important for Christian…

Parental involvement is crucial to facilitating a child's high school success and enhancing their post-secondary opportunities. Unfortunately, the ability for Latina/o parents and guardians to engage in parental involvement is hindered by a general lack of familiarity with U.S. educational systems and post-secondary options. With these…

Many students cringe and groan when told that they will need to work in a group. However, group work has been found to be good for students and good for teachers. Employers want college graduates to have developed teamwork skills. Additionally, students who participate in collaborative learning get better grades, are more satisfied with their…

Facilitating successful focus groups requires both science and art. One element that can fully challenge focus group facilitators includes how to handle the unfocused focus group. This article describes "unfocus" and the benefits and disadvantages of unfocus in focus groups. Lessons learned from and approaches taken on this journey are shared to…