Introduction: This dissertation focuses on how informal educators learn through conversations during meetings, planning sessions, and other discussions with colleagues. These on-the-job learning experiences remain relatively understudied, and this dissertation aims to illuminate the dynamics of informal educator relationship-building within…

The first year of an employee's tenure at a company or institution is a pivotal time for them to determine whether that company or institution is a place where they want to continue working. This study presents a business case for a year-long orientation program that is rooted in Drago-Severson's (2008) four pillars of adult learning. The intended…

The paper identifies what is meant by culture and examines approaches to mapping it, while suggesting alternatives. It notes the global spread of action learning, expressed through the prism of Western values, although practice is not necessarily reflective of the original ethos. It offers some rules of thumb on the use of action learning in…

The practice of microgame-based learning is relatively new and appears to have the potential to facilitate knowledge and skills acquisition in various educational settings. Questions have been raised recently about possible scenarios in which to use microgames for supporting learning and instruction processes. The present study investigates…

Student-centered classrooms, where the focus is on the way students learn concepts and skills rather than the way a teacher delivers the lessons, is a popular theme in current classrooms at all levels. A clear distinction must be made between student-centered teaching as a philosophy and student-centered teaching as a specific set of instructional…

E-learning has the potential to attract learners into the learning environment with its abundance benefits. However, learners tend to discontinue the use of e-learning as they lose intention if they are not satisfied. In regard to this, this study explored the sense of belonging and grit in the e-learning portal environment. A total of 441…

Drawing on positioning theory and Vygotsky's sociocultural theory of mind, this study analyzes the discursive processes through which expert and novice positions are negotiated in heritage-second language (HL-L2) learner interaction. It examines how positioning practices shape collaboration between HL and L2 learners, determining what types of…

Although reflection has a key position in the development of teachers' pedagogical practices, few studies have investigated the development of physical education teachers' reflections over time. Against this backdrop, this study seeks to answer the following research question: "How does a one-year participatory action research project using…

This article seeks to contribute to recent theorizing around the concept of powerful knowledge. I begin with a discussion of the current use of the term in both academia and the wider institutional environment of schools. I then give a detailed account of its origins in social realism before exploring different iterations of the concept in recent…

Metacognition is an important component of the learning process for students and teachers. With disparate findings regarding teacher attention to student thinking, and other indications that teachers enter the profession with preconceived notions, we use semi-structured interviews and a researcher-created professional development experience on…

What should the core purpose of educational wind bands in the United States be? Many music students may not pursue the activity in college (or may not even play a band instrument again after their formal schooling). Musical and artistic values, however, can be applied in creative practice throughout one's life. This dissertation explores what it…

Curriculum and professional standards mandate that digital technologies are used in schooling, and consequently, universities are required to prepare pre-service teachers for this in initial teacher education degrees. In response, one Australian university developed an inquiry-based collaborative approach, called creative inquiry. Feedback from…

With the advancements in information and communications technologies, new teaching approaches arise. In this context, project-based learning (PBL) and science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics model (STEAM) emerge as the most popular in the education field, attributed to their efficacy on students' learning capacity. This article…

We have elaborate systems of formal instruction--schools, universities, and training institutes--all to facilitate learning within the walls. At the same time, there are ample opportunities for learning in the wild--in nature, libraries, and museums, online, in play and work, and through daily interaction with others. But the potential for…

The usefulness of virtual reality (VR) technology in physiology education is largely unexplored. Although VR has the potential to enrich learning experience by enhancing the spatial awareness of students, it is unclear whether VR contributes to active learning of physiology. In the present study, we used a mixed-method research approach to…