This study examined the influence of word problems and individual differences on student teachers' situational interest. There is extensive research on word problems, but few studies have assessed the impact on situational interest, particularly for self-generated word problems. Using a within-subject design (N = 256), we investigated whether…

This study aims to evaluate students' ability to process the context information embedded in chemistry problems. To achieve this goal, a diagnostic measurement instrument was developed, comprising 28 short-answer items embedded in seven context-based chemistry tasks. Four hundred and ninety-three ninth-graders took part in the testing in Jiangsu,…

Embedding physics problems in real-world settings--here termed contextualized physics problems (CPPs)--is widely believed to foster students' interest, motivation, and learning. However, firm evidence for this claim remains scarce. To explore this issue, we surveyed 868 secondary students and 154 teachers to examine their attitudes toward CPP and…

Learner-centered instructional practices, such as the metacognitive strategies scaffolding the problem-solving method for Biology instruction, have been shown to promote students' autonomy and self-direction, significantly enhancing their understanding of scientific concepts. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate the importance and procedures of…

The purpose of this article is to examine the effects of STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education practices carried out at the primary school level in Turkey on various learning outcomes. The systematic review method was employed to accomplish this purpose. This study examined whether 30 comparisons from publications…

Previous research suggests that teachers' adoption of inquiry-based teaching is influenced by school culture's openness to creative solutions, with teachers' self-efficacy in inquiry-based teaching acting as a mediator. However, considering the potential impact of local educational and socio-cultural context on teachers' behavior, findings from…

This systematic review used framework synthesis methodology to explore literature describing problem-solving, circle and consultation groups in schools (PSGs). The review sought to understand the underlying mechanisms which contribute to the reported success of these groups. Key themes contributing to positive outcomes associated with these groups…

The effectiveness of teaching strategies in improving student achievement in mathematics has been a topic of ongoing research. In Kosovo, vocational schools, especially those with an economics focus, face challenges in student engagement and achievement in mathematics, particularly in solving contextual problems related to economics. This study…

Spanish educational curriculum adopts a mathematical process-based approach, which encompasses problem solving, reasoning and proof, communication, connections and representation. A fundamental role in the integration of these processes in mathematics teaching is played by teachers' professional practice of designing tasks. According to this, our…

Linear functions are an essential part of school and university education. Nevertheless, this topic is challenging for many students--especially in STEM topics. In this article, we contribute to the understanding of learning difficulties in the context of mathematical and physical problems. Here, we present the results of an eye-tracking study on…

Physical distancing, which is widely practiced limiting the spread of COVID-19, is recognized to contain mathematical thoughts that can be harnessed as a context for prospective teachers' practices of mathematical problem posing. The goal of this study is to investigate the profile of mathematical tasks posed by prospective mathematics teachers…

Teachers are often perplexed realizing students ending up with different understandings of the same lesson after attending the same class. This study investigates the use of Variation Theory as a pedagogical design tool in improving students' problem-solving skills in trigonometry. This action research utilizing the 'Learning Study' approach was…

Many universities throughout the world apply student-centered approaches. Common to these is that projects, problems, challenges etc. stem from "real life". Mathematics is an effective tool to solve problems, but in this paper, we discuss how we reconcile the fact that mathematics is both a pure and an applied discipline with…

The quality of the intra-mathematical connections made by Mexican university students when solving tasks on the derivative was characterized. The typology of mathematical connections and the quality levels of mathematical connections were used. Interviews were conducted based on eight tasks applied to three case studies. The results showed that…

The current study is an inter-disciplinary study in which the problems posed by pre-service primary school teachers were analyzed within the context of both environment and mathematical processes. A total of 75 pre-service primary school teachers participated in the current study designed according to the case study design, one of the qualitative…