Research has paid less attention to the formalization of education from a systems theory and control perspective, rather than a mere algorithmic one. In this work, the underpinnings of system theory and control are provided, along with a review of their application in education. The review of studies in databases found only seven articles that…

The complexity of modern societies necessitates that children learn highly abstract material, such as mathematics, which often conflicts with behavioral goals that are innately motivating. For instance, children's educational success is generally evaluated based on their individual achievements, while humans are motivated to learn by engaging in…

A growing body of evidence shows that positive student outcomes are associated with racial/ethnic diversity among university STEM instructors. However, few studies to date have been able to provide direct causal evidence identifying the specific mechanism(s) hypothesized to drive the benefits of instructor racial/ethnic diversity. Leaving these…

In this review, approaches to teaching and learning in environmental education were explored at a conceptual level to understand the diversity of pedagogies in the discipline. We applied systems thinking to make conceptual parallels between ecology (physical environment, plant species, traits, plant strategies) and education (environmental…

Evidence-informed change (EIC) has gained attention recently because it is seen as a lever to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of educational change. Important questions are: how is EIC conceptualized, what counts as evidence, and what factors can support EIC in practice? Because of the complexity of EIC, we aimed to understand these…

By considering the interconnectedness of various elements, such as curriculum, instruction, assessment, and school organization, systems thinking provides a framework to understand the underlying patterns, feedback loops, and leverage points that shape educational outcomes. Frick's (1993) systems view of restructuring education supports the notion…

Legislation based on the Science of Reading has spurred changes in teacher preparation and K-12 schools. Texas, a frequent leader in educational policy, adopted its own Science of Teaching Reading (STR) Framework with a focus on scientifically based instructional practices. Adoption of these standards is intended to improve methods of teaching…

Education for sustainable development is needed at all school levels. The aim of this systematic literature review is to increase knowledge on sustainability competences in the context of primary school education for sustainable development. The sustainability competences considered in this study are systems thinking competence, futures thinking…

Many countries grapple with the tension between commitment to inclusive education reform and the closure of special schools. This tension is particularly problematic for countries, like Australia, that have ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The CRPD is clear that closing special schools is pivotal to…

Complex Dynamic Systems Theory (CDST) has significantly reshaped our understanding of second language learning and teaching across the micro, meso, and macro levels for several decades since its systematic introduction by Larsen-Freeman and Cameron (2008). This study conducts a comprehensive review of empirical research on second language learning…

This report presents the findings from a rapid literature review of the barriers to school attendance and reasons for student absence. It was commissioned by the Australian Education Research Organisation as part of its work on work on school attendance for Education Ministers. Whether a child attends school or is absent is underpinned by a wide…

The systems thinking approach requires understanding and interpreting complex systems. This review investigated how the systems thinking approach in science education is positioned in peer-reviewed empirical research articles and to identify the trends used in the current literature. A systematic review of open-access, empirical peer-reviewed…

To minimize negative interactions and their impacts, teachers and students must successfully negotiate loaded moments, points in time when two or more parties realize that their needs differ and that they must confront that difference. In this literature review, we synthesize 30 studies, published from 2000 to 2020, that describe the evolution of…

The English language is a catalyst for economic growth, modernization, and globalization. In this milieu, English language competency--defined as the practical ability to use English effectively in diverse contexts, encompassing linguistic, cognitive, and intercultural skills--is recognized as an essential skill (Amor et al., 2023). Research on…