ABSTRACT
This edition of the International Journal of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning comes just as many of us are about to or have recently begun a new academic year. Though COVID continues to be a force to contend with, this Fall brings a marked change from the past few Falls in terms of the ability to gather and enjoy community. This September issue comprises four full articles with three interrelated themes, namely, the ability to grow, assessments to measure growth, and real time assessment through analytics to prompt growth. These topics are contextualized within challenging contexts where growth occurs as individuals reach beyond the comfort zone of their own perspective, culture, and history, and reach out for others different from themselves. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) continue to be popular among young adults. These devices are often advertised as a healthy alternative to quitting tobacco cigarettes. However, young adults represent a population who view it as a novel behavior that provides a sense of popularity, social acceptance, and desired physiologic properties. The objective of this study was to examine characteristics of vaping behavior among college students and explore possible associations between groups of vaping behavior (stopped, initiated, increased, decreased, stayed the same). METHODS: In a multi-center cross-sectional study, 656 students from University of Tampa in the United States and University of Applied Sciences in Germany (IST) were recruited to answer a 31-item online questionnaire. A chi-square test was used to evaluate associations between the groups. RESULTS: Prevalence rates indicated approximately 31% of all students were currently using ENDS. Even though more negative than positive experiences with ENDS were reported, most students stated their vaping increased during COVID-19 lockdowns. Addiction and stress relief emerged to be predictors (P < .001) of an increase in vaping, whereas social motives were not statistically significant. Living situation (P = .63) and depression (P = .10) were not significantly associated with vaping behavior. CONCLUSIONS: ENDS products continue to yield very high levels of nicotine creating addiction in young adults. Addiction counseling and evidenced-based practices should be employed at every level (individual, community, and school). Additionally, mental health counseling for students in pandemic and high-stress environments may help to combat stress in a more proactive manner than self-medicating.
ABSTRACT
This edition of the International Journal of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning comes just as many of us are about to or have recently begun a new academic year. Though COVID continues to be a force to contend with, this Fall brings a marked change from the past few Falls in terms of the ability to gather and enjoy community. This September issue comprises four full articles with three interrelated themes, namely, the ability to grow, assessments to measure growth, and real time assessment through analytics to prompt growth. These topics are contextualized within challenging contexts where growth occurs as individuals reach beyond the comfort zone of their own perspective, culture, and history, and reach out for others different from themselves. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
This article is part of the reflection on the use of the distance learning method used during the Covid-19 pandemic and on the challenges resulting from its implementation in language education at the university level. Based on the description of various forms and models of teaching supported by (new) information and communication technologies, the article analyzes students' personal opinions on the conditions of the process of distance teaching/learning of foreign languages. Referring to the results of the conducted research, we discuss the possibility of developing communicative and linguistic competences in a virtual environment, the benefits and limitations of the process of distance teaching/learning of foreign languages and the usefulness of this teaching format for language and academic education. © 2021 GERFLINT. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Evidence about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of specific subpopulations, such as university students, is needed as communities prepare for future waves. AIMS: To study the association of proximity of COVID-19 with symptoms of anxiety and depression in university students. METHOD: This trend study analysed weekly cross-sectional surveys of probabilistic samples of students from the University of British Columbia for 13 weeks, through the first wave of COVID-19. The main variable assessed was propinquity of COVID-19, defined as 'knowing someone who tested positive for COVID-19', which was specified at different levels: knowing someone anywhere globally, in Canada, in Vancouver, in their course or at home. Proximity was included in multivariable linear regressions to assess its association with primary outcomes, including 30-day symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. RESULTS: Of 1388 respondents (adjusted response rate of 50%), 5.6% knew someone with COVID-19 in Vancouver, 0.8% in their course and 0.3% at home. Ten percent were overwhelmed and unable to access help. Knowing someone in Vancouver was associated with an 11-percentage-point increase in the probability of 30-day anxiety symptoms (s.e. 0.05, P ≤ 0.05), moderated by gender, with a significant interaction of the exposure and being female (coefficient -20, s.e. 0.09, P ≤ 0.05). No association was found with depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Propinquity of COVID-19 cases may increase the likelihood of anxiety symptoms in students, particularly among men. Most students reported coping well, but additional support is needed for an emotionally overwhelmed minority who report being unable to access help.