3D design and modeling is an important part of design education. Self-directed learning (SDL) has been considered in order to effectively learn and teach 3D design and modeling. Exploring the relationship between students' SDL ability and their behavior in learning 3D design will not only promote the 3D design learning process and outcomes, but…

Virtual reality (VR) provides a unique platform for interactive learning experiences, enhancing learning, particularly in hands-on courses. However, the visual load of VR and the lack of guidance and interaction from physical teachers or peers can pose challenges for learners in self-regulated learning (SRL) and learning motivation. This study…

Children like to play with smartphones and other touchscreen-based devices, and suitably developed apps can help in entertaining, nurturing, and educating children. For the last three years, the authors have been studying how children interact with smartphones and other touchscreen-based devices. They assert that knowing the capabilities of…

The present study employed virtual reality technology to develop online learning environments that facilitated student cultural and self-directed learning. Junior high school participants engaged in creating virtual tours, sharing them with peers online, and implementing self-directed learning strategies. A one-group posttest-only design was…

Educational software games aim at increasing the students' motivation and engagement while they learn. However, if software games are targeted to school classrooms they have to be usable and likeable by all students. Usability of virtual reality games may be a problem because these games tend to have complex user interfaces so that they are more…

The effect of violating the assumption of nonspeededness on ability and item parameter estimates in item response theory was studied through simulation under three speededness conditions. Results indicate that ability estimation was least affected by speededness but that substantial effects on item parameter estimates were found. (SLD)

This study applied the maximum expected information (MEI) and the maximum posterior-weighted information (MPI) approaches of computer adaptive testing item selection to the case of a test using polytomous items following the partial credit model. The MEI and MPI approaches are described. A simulation study compared the efficiency of ability…

Smallest exact confidence intervals for the ability parameter of the Rasch model are derived and compared to the traditional asymptotically valid intervals based on Fisher information. Tables of exact confidence intervals, termed Clopper-Pearson intervals, can be drawn up with a computer program developed by K. Klauer. (SLD)

In a simulation study of ability and estimation of differential item functioning (DIF) in computerized adaptive tests, Rasch-based DIF statistics were highly correlated with generating DIF, but DIF statistics tended to be slightly smaller than in the three-parameter logistic model analyses. (SLD)

Hierarchical Bayes procedures for the two-parameter logistic item response model were compared for estimating item and ability parameters through two joint and two marginal Bayesian procedures. Marginal procedures yielded smaller root mean square differences for item and ability, but results for larger sample size and test length were similar.…

A statistical method, W. F. Stout's statistical test of essential unidimensionality (1990), for exploring the lack of unidimensionality in test data was studied using Monte Carlo simulations. The statistical procedure is a hypothesis test of whether the essential dimensionality is one or exceeds one, regardless of the traditional dimensionality.…

A method is presented for estimating the item characteristic curve (ICC) using polynomial regression splines. Estimation of spline ICCs is described by maximizing the marginal likelihood formed by integrating ability over a beta prior distribution. Simulation results compare this approach with the joint estimation of ability and item parameters.…

Using the constant information model, constant amounts of test information, and a finite interval of ability, simulated data were produced for 8 ability levels and 20 numbers of test items. Analyses suggest that it is desirable to consider modifying test information functions when they measure accuracy in ability estimation. (SLD)

One-parameter and three-parameter item response theory (IRT) model estimates were compared with estimates obtained from two modified one-parameter models that incorporated a constant nonzero guessing parameter. Using small-sample simulation data (50, 100, and 200 simulated examinees), modified 1-parameter models were most effective in estimating…

The sensitivity of marginal maximum likelihood estimation of item and ability (theta) parameters was examined when prior ability distributions were not matched to underlying ability distributions. Thirty sets of 45-item test data were generated. Conditions affecting the accuracy of estimation are discussed. (SLD)