To strengthen students’ professional identity (PI), it is vital to givereflection a central place in higher education. The aim of this studyis to determine the extent to which students reflect on five componentsof PI (self-image, self-esteem, task perception, job motivationand future perspective) and at what reflection level. Twenty-fivereflection narratives from Spanish and Dutch students from fivedifferent study programmes were qualitatively analysed and quantitativelyevaluated to find out about students’ identifying and selfassessingPI components. The results indicate that PI componentswere clearly recognizable in the reflection reports and could beclassified using one of the four levels of reflection with high interraterreliability. About 40% of the students achieved the criticalreflection level on one or more PI components. Reflecting on thefive components of PI, with the aim of achieving the level of criticalreflection, can be a useful guide for students. What do you want to do ?New mail
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Aim and method: To examine in obese people the potential effectiveness of a six-week, two times weekly aquajogging program on body composition, fitness, health-related quality of life and exercise beliefs. Fifteen otherwise healthy obese persons participated in a pilot study. Results: Total fat mass and waist circumference decreased 1.4 kg (p = .03) and 3.1 cm (p = .005) respectively. The distance in the Six-Minute Walk Test increased 41 meters (p = .001). Three scales of the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite questionnaire improved: physical function (p = .008), self-esteem (p = .004), and public distress (p = .04). Increased perceived exercise benefits (p = .02) and decreased embarrassment (p = .03) were observed. Conclusions: Aquajogging was associated with reduced body fat and waist circumference, and improved aerobic fitness and quality of life. These findings suggest the usefulness of conducting a randomized controlled trial with long-term outcome assessments.
Kick-Start College is a three-day pre-academic program (summer school) for prospective first year students of Inholland Rotterdam, University of Applied Sciences. The aim is to integrate students academically and socially, which could make the transition to higher education easier and eventually lead to lower dropout rates of students. Research has been conducted on both student experiences with the program as well as effects of the program. Method: pretest-posttest with academic-, social-, professional- and university integration1, self-esteem, motivation, evaluation.