Open education systems play a significant role in providing flexible and accessible learning opportunities to large student populations, independent of time and location. These systems achieve cost efficiency through the effective implementation of economies of scale, reducing unit costs as student numbers increase. However, decision-making in the…

Physics education researchers are interested in using the tools of machine learning and natural language processing to make quantitative claims from natural language and text data, such as open-ended responses to survey questions. The aspiration is that this form of machine coding may be more efficient and consistent than human coding, allowing…

Student outcomes are of great importance in higher education institutions. Accreditation bodies focus on them as an indicator to measure the performance and effectiveness of the institution. Forecasting students' academic performance is crucial for every educational establishment seeking to enhance performance and perseverance of its students and…

A critical part of supporting the development of students' algorithmic thinking is understanding the challenges that emerge when students engage with algorithmatizing tasks--tasks that require the creation of an algorithm. Knowledge of these challenges can serve as a basis upon which educators can build effective strategies for enhancing students'…

Student performance on division exercises in the recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is reviewed. Pupil performance on selected exercises is reported and followed by some suggestions for improvement in the teaching of this skill. (MP) Aspect of National Assessment (NAEP) dealt with in this document: Results (Utilization).

Data from the 1977-78 mathematics assessment of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) on the use of calculators are discussed. (MP) Aspect of National Assessment (NAEP) dealt with in this document: Results (Interpretation).

A study to investigate one of the mechanisms teachers may use to convince themselves incorrectly that students have learned science concepts requiring formal operational ability is presented. The investigation indicates instructors may actually teach and test for memorization of algorithms rather than understanding. (MP)

Describes the academic context in which the "French CAT" was created and trialed and gives a detailed consideration of the test presentation platform and operating algorithms. Finally, the article evaluates the first administration of the test and discusses its reliability and validity as a placement instrument for first-year Australian…

New theory and practice in testing is replacing the standard test by the test item bank and classical test theory by item response theory. Eight papers and a commentary are presented in this special issue concerning test item banking. (SLD)