Background: In example-based learning, examples are often combined with generative activities, such as comparative self-explanations of example cases. Comparisons induce heavy demands on working memory, especially in complex domains. Hence, only stronger learners may benefit from comparative self-explanations. While static text-based examples can…

Peer Instruction gives practice in the abstract language of physics, addresses common misconceptions among students, and is more effective than traditional lecturing. However, it is not clear what makes Peer Instruction effective nor how we might improve the method. An emerging perspective is that what makes Peer Instruction effective is how it…

Developing structure sense is an important part of learning algebra. We investigated learners' structure sense of algebraic expressions involving brackets. This led us to propose the constructs "surface structure" sense and "systemic structure" sense. Using a random sample of 58 Grade 10 learners scoring above 40% in a test, we…

Collaborative problem-solving (CPS) is a vital 21st-century skill. Ill-structured problems demand effective shared regulation from teams to enhance CPS success. While socially shared metacognitive regulation (SSMR) is crucial in CPS, a deeper understanding of its nature is needed. This study investigates the detailed operationalization of SSMR in…

In this dissertation I explore instructors' work with instructional tasks as they plan to introduce various representations of derivatives. Drawing on the notion of "framing" from sociology, I adopt a situative lens to study calculus instructors' planning of instructional tasks. I rely on Herbst and Chazan's (2012) notion of…

As problems become increasingly complex, science educators need to better understand how new knowledge is constructed and applied in heterogeneous team collaborations, and how to teach students to productively engage in these processes. We discuss the emergence of insights in collaborative sensemaking and suggest a model that articulates the…

Teaching is an immensely complex profession that often requires managing multiple and varied professional challenges. Despite these challenges, teachers tend to report moderate to high levels of well-being. This qualitative study explored this paradox by investigating the professional challenges reported and the coping strategies Swiss teachers…

This research aims to describe the mathematical problems posed by prospective elementary school pre-service teachers in differentiated learning. This research uses a qualitative approach and uses problem-posing tasks and interviews as tools for collecting data. In the problem-posing task, information on learning conditions is provided, which…

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education has been significantly propelled by developments in generative AI tools, which hold considerable promise for transforming teaching and assessment methodologies. This paper explores the distinctive opportunities and challenges associated with the incorporation of generative…

This article describes a systematic literature review focused on identifying substantial drawbacks in the current curricula and on the challenges to developing AI-driven curricula. One hundred thirty articles were read in depth and qualitatively analyzed. The results suggest that educational stakeholders should integrate AI into the curriculum…

This dissertation in practice investigated and addressed the issue of low faculty engagement with instructional design support (IDS) office support services at a regional comprehensive university in the United States. The Performance Improvement/Human Performance Technology (PI/HPT) model used in this study is a practitioner-based performance…

In 2 experiments, I studied the effects of an Equivalence Based Instruction (EBI) math intervention on the emergence of untaught selection responses and abstraction to production responses. In Experiment I, using a multiple baseline design, I implemented the EBI intervention among a group of 17 first grade participants with varying levels of math…

Background: The learning assistant (LA) model supports student success in undergraduate science courses; however, variation in outcomes has led to a call for more work investigating how the LA model is implemented. In this research, we used cultural historical activity theory (CHAT) to characterize how three different instructors set up…

Preparing college students with the skills to engage in multidisciplinary problem solving, especially as it relates to the wicked problems of agriculture, has been called for by scholars for nearly two decades (UNFAO, 2006; Boyer, 1998; NRC 1998). Our nation's Land Grants, with the mission to provide practical education, and particularly…

The purpose of this study was to explore police chiefs' perceptions regarding the impact of criminal justice degree education on developing leadership skills in law enforcement officers. Specifically, the research highlighted how completing a four-year program in criminal justice cultivates critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and…