The field of engineering education is constantly evolving to meet the challenges of technological and societal advancements. Continuous research should be conducted to identify the potential match between the skills that employers seek and the ones engineering graduates gain at college. The purpose of this study is to identify areas of agreement and disagreement between the faculty and employers regarding the skills and knowledge that engineering students acquire during their undergraduate education. The study uses an explanatory sequential design method by employing a questionnaire that was developed based on the Engineering Competency Model (ECM) by the Employment and Training Administration of the USA Department of Labor and responded to by 125 volunteer engineering faculty. Additionally, interviews were conducted with 2 industry professionals to gain deeper qualitative insights. The study found that while faculty mainly stated that students acquire personal effectiveness, academic, and workplace competencies in college, employers disagreed with these perceptions, particularly regarding interpersonal skills, integrity, professionalism, writing, and communication. Additionally, the study found a significant mismatch between faculty and employer assessments of industry-wide competencies, with employers expressing concerns about graduates' preparedness in areas like design, business, and sustainability. These findings suggest significant updates and cooperation with industry experts in engineering curricula and their implementation.

Children diagnosed with moderate autism spectrum disorder (MASD) exhibit a range of socially unacceptable behaviors, which notably include social withdrawal behavior (SWB); these individuals tend to disengage from various social contexts, consequently impeding their communication and social interaction capabilities. The primary objective of this research was to employ miniatures (diorama) as a methodological approach to construct semi-naturalistic scenarios for children with MASD that authentically represent their quotidian experiences and facilitate interaction, contributing to the alleviation of their SWB. The research sample comprised 21 children with MASD, aged between 6 and 9 years, who were enrolled at the Al-Jabr Institute in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. A quasi-experimental methodology was adopted to align with the research's inherent characteristics, using a three-group design. The instruments utilized included the Social Withdrawal Behavior Scale (SWBS) alongside a training program devised by the authors. The results showed a significant reduction in SWB among those children to whom the diorama program was applied. Results also indicated the continuation of this effect after the end of the diorama program period for two consecutive months. The outcomes encourage further implementation of the diorama methodology on more extensive samples and across a broader geographic scope within Saudi Arabia, thereby facilitating the generalization of the findings to the entire population of children diagnosed with MASD. Findings also encourage the enhancement of the diorama's role in forthcoming experimental inquiries to ascertain its efficacy in mitigating other socially maladaptive behaviors exhibited by children with MASD.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in social communication and repetitive behaviors. The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) has been widely utilized to support communication in children with ASD by using picture cards to convey needs and responses. However, traditional PECS can be limited by its static nature and lack of immediate feedback. Recent technological advances, particularly Augmented Reality (AR), offer new avenues for enhancing these communication strategies. This study explores the integration of AR into PECS and its impact on improving basic communication skills, specifically answering questions and commenting, in children with ASD. The research involved a multiple baseline design with four participants aged 7-12 years, recruited from autism centers in Melaka, Malaysia. Results showed significant improvements in both the frequency and accuracy of responses and relevant commenting skills after the AR-based intervention. Answering skills improved by 83%, and commenting skills increased by 122%, with the average number of relevant comments rising from 3 (SD = 0.89) to 6.67 (SD = 2.25). Statistical analysis (paired t-test) revealed a significant effect (p = 0.00272). Compared to traditional methods, AR-based PECS accelerated the achievement of target communication skills. Future research should focus on larger sample sizes and explore long-term impacts to solidify these promising outcomes.

This research investigated the validity of measurement and causal model of online scam protection behavior (OSPB) among at risk Thai students. The sample comprised 286 high school students from three demonstration schools under the University. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and structural equation modeling (SEM). The factor loadings for all items satisfied the standard criteria with scores ranging from .40 to .80, item-total correlations ranging from .405 to .718, and Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranging from .773 to .928. The modified model demonstrated a better fit with the empirical data (χ² = 47.62, df = 37, p = .113,  χ²/df = 1.287, RMSEA = .032, SRMR = .028, GFI = .97, CFI = 1.00, NFI = .99). All factors: a) awareness of online risks, b) inhibitory control, c) game-based learning, d) social support, and e) motivation to prevent online scams can predict 81% of OSPB. The motivation to prevent online scams strongly influenced OSPB, with an effect size of .60. Additionally, all factors can predict 88% of the motivation for online scam prevention, suggesting that Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) is a suitable framework for understanding and evaluating Thai students' preventive behaviors in online deception scenarios. This newly developed instrument is highly reliable and can be effectively used by researchers and educators to assess the risk of online fraud victimization among high school students.

This study analyzes trends, collaborations, and research developments on augmented reality (AR) in mathematics education using a bibliometric approach. Data were collected from the Scopus database on July 31, 2024, identifying 542 documents published between 2015 and 2024. After screening, 194 journal articles were selected for analysis. Using VOSviewer, the study produced visualizations related to document types, publication trends, journal sources, research subjects, institutions, countries, keywords, and author collaborations. The results show that 88.7% of the documents are journal articles, indicating that this topic is predominantly published in scholarly journals. Publication trends reveal significant growth since 2016, peaking in 2024, reflecting increasing global interest. Education Sciences and IEEE Access are among the top journal sources. Subject-wise, social sciences and computer science are the main disciplines exploring AR in mathematics education. Chitkara University (India) and Johannes Kepler University Linz (Austria) are leading institutions, while the United States, Malaysia, and Spain contribute the most publications. Keyword analysis shows rapid growth in research using terms such as "augmented reality" and "mathematics education," emphasizing the role of immersive technology in enhancing student engagement and conceptual understanding through visual and interactive learning. Influential authors like Lavicza, Mantri, and Haas highlight the importance of global collaboration. Based on a thematic analysis of the most-cited articles, this study proposes the AI Mathematical Education Impact and Outcome Framework. In conclusion, although research on AR in mathematics education has significantly advanced, further studies are needed to evaluate its effectiveness across varied educational contexts.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of cooperative learning models in improving critical reading skills. This study uses a meta-analysis study method by analyzing 28 articles extracted from the databases of Scopus, Google Scholar, EBSCO, EmeraldInsight, Science & Direct, SpringerLink, Taylor & Francis, and ProQuest. The meta-analysis allows researchers to combine the results of previous research, providing a more comprehensive picture of how effective a particular approach is in teaching critical reading. The research findings show that cooperative learning models significantly improve essential skills of reading more effectively than traditional ones. This is shown by the effect sizes based on the fixed model, showing the overall standard difference in the mean is 0.784 (95% CI, 0.689 to 0.880) with p-values = 0.00 (<0.05). Using a cooperative learning model, The measure showed positive effect sizes on critical reading learning. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the cooperative learning model effectively improves essential reading skills. However, several factors, such as the quality of the facilitators and the teaching methods, influence the results. The implications of this study show the need for a broader application of cooperative learning models to improve critical reading skills in schools and other educational institutions, with adjustments to the needs and characteristics of students.

Adolescent sexuality education plays a crucial role in supporting healthy physical, emotional, and social development. Through bibliometric analysis, this study aims to capture existing trends in research on adolescent sexuality education and highlight less explored areas in the field. Using VOSviewer, 780 documents (from 1939 to 2024) were searched for authors, countries, journals, and keywords. The results show a 4-year increase in the total number of studies led by the United States. Popular topics about which people have some general understanding include sexual behaviour, contraceptive use and HIV prevention. Other Since 2015, there has been a growing interest in topics such as diversity, digital-age engagement, and the role of parents, but the scope of existing research remains limited, with a focus on only a few specific areas. In addition, the keyword analysis highlights the role of family communication in young people's understanding of sexual health. The implications of these findings are also in line with previous advocacy for a broader focus on health information in sexuality education, including digital technologies, and more inclusivity with a wider range of curriculum topics. More open dialogue between adolescents and trusted adults can reduce stigma, promote understanding, and support better decision-making. Therefore, this study is a valuable contribution to building relevant and adaptive research and policy in response to current challenges.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized higher education. The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence in education (AIED) tools has significantly transformed educational management, specifically in self-directed learning (SDL). This study examines the factors influencing Indonesian higher education students' intention to adopt AIED tools for self-directed learning using a combination of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) with additional theories. A total of 322 university students from diverse academic backgrounds participated in the structured survey. This study utilized machine learning it was Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to analyze nine factors, including attitude (AT), subjective norms (SN), perceived behavioral control (PBC), optimism (OP), user innovativeness (UI), perceived usefulness (PUF), facilitating conditions (FC), perception towards ai (PTA), and intention (IT) with a total of 41 items in the questionnaire. The model demonstrated high predictive accuracy, with SN emerging as the most significant factor to IT, followed by AT, PBC, PUF, FC, OP, and PTA. User innovativeness was the least influential factor due to the lowest accuracy. This study provides actionable insights for educators, policymakers, and technology developers by highlighting the critical roles of social influence, supportive infrastructure, and student beliefs in shaping AIED adoption for self-directed learning (SDL). This research not only fills an important gap in the literature but also offers a roadmap for designing inclusive, student-centered AI learning environments that empower learners and support the future of SDL in digital education.

Integrating generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in education has gained significant attention, particularly in flexible learning environments (FLE). This study investigates how students’ voluntary adoption of GenAI influences their perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEU), learning engagement (LE), and student-teacher interaction (STI). This study employed a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach, using data from 480 students across multiple academic levels. The findings confirm that voluntary GenAI adoption significantly enhances PU and PEU, reinforcing established technology acceptance models (TAM). However, PU did not directly impact LE at the latent level—an unexpected finding that underscores students’ engagement’s complex and multidimensional nature in AI-enriched settings. Conversely, PEU positively influenced LE, which in turn significantly predicted STI. These findings suggest that usability, rather than perceived utility alone, drives deeper engagement and interaction in autonomous learning contexts. This research advances existing knowledge of GenAI adoption by proposing a structural model that integrates voluntary use, learner engagement, and teacher presence. Future research should incorporate variables such as digital literacy, self-regulation, and trust and apply longitudinal approaches to better understand the evolving role of GenAI inequitable, human-centered education.

This study investigated the relationships between conflict management strategies and family functioning among university students from diverse ethnic backgrounds in the multicultural context of Kosovo. A cross-sectional design was used with 362 university students (183 female, 179 male) comprising Kosovo Turks (58.6%), Albanians (23.8%), and Bosnians (17.7%). Data were collected using the Conflict Management Strategy Scale and Family Assessment Device. Path analysis was used to examine relationships between conflict strategies and family functioning dimensions. Students preferred compromising strategies most (M = 3.68) and withdrawing least (M = 2.98). Family functioning was healthy in problem-solving, communication, roles, affective responsiveness, and general functioning (scores < 2.0), but unhealthy in affective involvement (M = 2.29) and behavioral control (M = 2.12). Significant ethnic differences emerged in communication (F(2,144) = 3.158, p = .045, η² = .020) and behavioral control (F(2,149) = 4.109, p = .018, η² = .018), but not in conflict strategies. Path analysis revealed that withdrawing strategies negatively affected family functioning (β = .113-.143), while smoothing strategies had positive effects (β = -.139 to -.220). However, conflict strategies explained only 1.6-4.3% of the variance in family functioning (R² = .016-.043), indicating small effect sizes. While statistically significant relationships exist between conflict management strategies and family functioning, effect sizes are modest. Ethnic variations in these relationships emphasize the importance of cultural considerations for family counseling practices. The findings suggest that conflict management training may have a limited direct impact on family functioning, highlighting the need for comprehensive, culturally sensitive intervention approaches.

This study investigates how undergraduate art majors at the National University of Art Education in Vietnam perceive the cultural integration into their English curriculum. A quantitative design was employed using a researcher-developed questionnaire administered to 214 students. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests, and multiple regression. Findings indicated that students valued culturally relevant content, particularly materials connected to both Vietnamese and international art as well as experiential and student-centered instructional strategies. Reported challenges included limited cultural background knowledge, cognitive overload, and reduced confidence when discussing culture in English. Crucially, results from multiple regression revealed that how culture is taught may have a greater impact on students’ experiences than the content itself. Therefore, these findings underscore the importance of aligning instructional approaches with learners’ disciplinary identities and offer implications for culturally responsive curriculum design, professional development, and the implementation of context-specific teaching strategies in English language instruction for art students.