Educational outcomes

Purpose: The size of a school is a crucial factor influencing educational outcomes, yet its impact on student participation and the sense of community remains complex and multifaceted. This study aims to explore how different school sizes affect these dimensions, focusing on qualitative aspects of student experiences and institutional dynamics to provide a deeper understanding of the educational landscape. Methodology: A qualitative research design was adopted, utilizing semi-structured interviews to collect data from 29 participants, including students, teachers, and school administrators from various sized schools. Theoretical saturation was reached to ensure a comprehensive exploration of the themes. Data were analyzed using NVivo software to facilitate thematic analysis and ensure systematic handling of the interview transcripts. Findings: Five main themes were identified: Student Engagement, Sense of Community, Learning Environment, Administrative Influence, and Challenges and Barriers. Sub-themes such as Academic Participation, Support Networks, Classroom Dynamics, and Policy Making illustrated the specific ways in which school size impacts educational practices and student perceptions. Smaller schools were generally found to foster a stronger sense of community and engagement, whereas larger schools provided more diverse opportunities but faced challenges in maintaining a personalized learning environment. Conclusion: The study concludes that school size significantly influences the educational environment, affecting everything from student engagement to administrative strategies. While smaller schools excel in creating a cohesive community, they often struggle with resource limitations and opportunity diversity. Larger schools, on the other hand, offer extensive resources and opportunities but may lack the close-knit community feel that enhances student engagement and sense of belonging.

Purpose: Academic motivation is a critical driver of educational outcomes, influenced by various factors including attitudes toward education and civic knowledge. Despite abundant research on these factors independently, their collective impact on academic motivation remains underexplored. This study aims to fill this gap by examining how attitudes toward education and civic knowledge together predict academic motivation. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was employed with a sample of 350 participants derived from high schools and universities, based on Morgan and Krejcie’s table for sample size. Data were collected using validated scales: the Academic Motivation Scale (AMS), Education Attitude Scale (EAS), and Civic Knowledge Assessment Test (CKAT). Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses were conducted using SPSS version 27 to explore the relationships between the study variables. Findings: Descriptive statistics indicated moderate levels of academic motivation (Mean = 4.21, SD = 1.05), positive educational attitudes (Mean = 3.89, SD = 0.78), and varied civic knowledge (Mean = 3.45, SD = 0.88). Pearson correlation showed significant positive relationships between academic motivation and attitudes toward education (r = .312, p < .001) and civic knowledge (r = .287, p < .001). Regression analysis revealed that both attitudes toward education (β = 0.32, p < .001) and civic knowledge (β = 0.27, p < .001) significantly predicted academic motivation, accounting for 20.9% of the variance (R² adjusted = .209). Conclusion: The findings confirm that both educational attitudes and civic knowledge are significant predictors of academic motivation. These results underscore the importance of integrating civic education into curricula and fostering positive educational attitudes to enhance academic motivation. Future educational policies and practices should consider these dimensions to effectively support academic engagement and achievement.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the teaching of technical and practical courses in the College of Art in Iraq. Methodology: This applied-developmental study employed a survey-cross-sectional design. The statistical population consisted of art teachers in technical and vocational programs in Iraq, with a sample size of 188 teachers selected through cluster-random sampling. Data collection was conducted using a questionnaire validated for face and construct validity, and reliability was confirmed with Cronbach's alpha coefficients exceeding 0.7. Data analysis was performed using SPSS and Smart PLS software to examine the relationships between variables. Findings: The analysis revealed that strategic teaching planning significantly impacts educational, social, and individual outcomes. The contexts of technical and practical education and the teaching methods used in these courses significantly influence strategic teaching planning. Additionally, educational, human, and organizational factors were found to have a notable impact on the teaching of technical and practical courses. However, the traditional education system negatively affected strategic teaching planning. These findings align with previous research highlighting the importance of strategic planning, adaptive teaching methods, and the integration of modern technologies in improving educational outcomes. Conclusion: Strategic teaching planning is crucial for enhancing educational, social, and individual outcomes in technical and practical courses. Educational contexts, teaching methods, and various influencing factors must be considered to develop effective strategic plans. The traditional education system's rigidity poses challenges to effective teaching planning, suggesting a need for more flexible and innovative approaches. These insights provide valuable recommendations for educators and policymakers to improve the quality of technical and practical education in the arts.