A process is proposed to create the one-dimensional expected item characteristic curve (ICC) and test characteristic curve (TCC) for each trait in multidimensional forced-choice questionnaires based on the Rank-2PL (two-parameter logistic) item response theory models for forced-choice items with two or three statements. Some examples of ICC and…

Working with approximations is a common practice in physics. This paper presents an exploratory study of student understanding of some of the elementary aspects of approximations encountered in college physics. For this purpose, a questionnaire (a set of 14 multiple-choice questions) was developed to probe how students dealt with these aspects in…

A mathematics framework was developed to integrate problem-solving that incorporated simulation of real-life problems in the classrooms. The framework coined as the "RECCE-MODEL" emphasised understanding and thinking with a view on mathematics embedded in real-life. The "RECCE" which stands for Realistic, Educational,…

A relevant aim of research in education is to find and study the reasoning lines that students deploy when dealing with problematic situations. This can be done through an analysis of the answers students give to a questionnaire. In this paper, we discuss some methodological aspects involved in the quantitative analysis of a questionnaire by means…

Based on a teaching intervention with modelling activities involving experimental work in 9th grade classes, the goal of this study is to find out how students estimate the credibility a modelling task setting when it integrates a hands-on experimental approach. The theoretical background is based on the concept of authenticity and its long…

In classroom management, it is well-known that students' mental states are strongly related to classroom conditions. There are many ways to describe human behavior in mathematical modeling in sociology. In social science, a model to describe human behavior has been developed by an analogy with the ferromagnetic spin model in statistical physics.…

In order to increase students' awareness for and comfort with mathematical modeling of biological processes, and increase their understanding of diffusion, the following lab was developed for use in 100-level, majors/non-majors biology and neuroscience courses. The activity begins with generation of a data set that uses coin-flips to replicate…

Students' graph comprehension may be affected by the background of the students who are the readers or interpreters of the graph, their knowledge of the context in which the graph is set, and the inferential processes required by the graph operation. This research study investigated these aspects of graph comprehension for 152 first year…

This article contributes to the discussion on mathematics teacher reflection. Reflection was included in a study of the didactisation practices of primary school mathematics teachers as one of nine didactisation practices. The study involved five volunteer primary school mathematics teachers. A qualitative design-research approach was designed…

The current study examines whether the engagement of mathematics teachers in modelling activities and subsequent changes in their conceptions about these activities affect their beliefs about mathematics. The sample comprised 52 mathematics teachers working in small groups in four modelling activities. The data were collected from teachers'…

Mathematics education currently emphasizes engaging students in mathematical modeling to understand problems of everyday life and society (Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), 2010; English & Sriraman, 2010; Lesh & Zawojewski, 2007). The Common Core State Standards for mathematics also stress that high school students should…

Many universities and colleges are increasingly concerned about enhancing the comprehension and knowledge of their students, particularly in the classroom. One of the method to enhancing student success is teaching effectiveness. The objective of this research paper is to propose a novel research model which examines the relationship between…

Formative assessment has been identified as a promising intervention to support students' learning. How to successfully implement this means of assessment, however, is still an open issue. This study contributes to the implementation of formative assessment by analyzing the impact of a training measure on teachers' formative feedback practice,…

Past studies have suggested that in light of recent curriculum standards, many US teachers make limited use of drawn models in their mathematics instruction. To gain insight into this phenomenon, we investigated relationships between US teachers' opportunities to learn about, knowledge of, motivation for, and instructional use of drawn models for…

The article gives an account of an experiment in which sixty-eight high school students of age 16 - 19 developed spreadsheet applications that simulated fall and projectile motion in the air. The students applied the Euler method to solve the governing differential equations. The aim was to promote STEM to the students and motivate them to study…