We compared students' learning gains in authentic seventh-grade classrooms (N = 144) in 4 different interventions that incorporated a computer game that aims to teach players to solve linear equations. Significantly higher learning gains were measured in the implementations that were specifically designed to mediate the attribution of algebraic…

Studying worked examples has been found to be effective for learning problem solving, especially among students. However, students need to actively process example content to benefit from it and content must be structured in a manner that facilities knowledge construction. This study investigated the use of worked examples for teaching and…

Introducing new concepts to learners in an order of increasing complexity appears to be beneficial for learning, but typically introduction of concepts does not always adhere to this principle. We examined whether introducing new algebra concepts in a contrasted manner or in an order of increasing complexity instead of a different more typical…

This study was framed within a quantitative research methodology to develop a concise measure of calculus self-efficacy with high psychometric properties. A survey research design was adopted in which 234 engineering and economics students rated their confidence in solving year-one calculus tasks on a 15-item inventory. The results of a series of…

This study examined effects of the Polya's problem solving Technique (POPSOT) as observed by Shaibu (1987) in Atadoga (2010) and conventional problem-solving Technique (CONPSOT) on cognitive achievement of physics students. A pre-test post-test quasi experimental design used adopted for the study. The sample comprised of 102 senior secondary two…

In parallel with the significant and exciting advancements in robot technologies, the use of humanoid robots to support teaching strategies and learning goals has become a popular topic. Different from the traditional instructional or learning tools, humanoid robots can exhibit mobile behaviours and numerous repetitions and are very helpful to the…

Increasing and decreasing functions can be combined into a quadratic to explore the competing demands of number of sales, price points and profit (or loss). An interesting application of taxation rates is also explored.

In this article, the authors present the use of digital tape diagrams--implemented using GeoGebra (2001) dynamic mathematics software--as a support to static diagrams to pose and solve proportional reasoning tasks. They show how dynamic sketches can allow students to explore standard tasks in proportional reasoning in ways that emphasise…

This informal essay is based on a presentation James Tanton gave at the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT) 'Why Maths?' Conference in 2019. It begins by offering two first steps to problem-solving that Tanton believes are key for finding success--and joy--in doing mathematics: (1) Be human! Have an emotional reaction to the…

Contribution: Knowledge of students' Habits of Mind in a signal processing course, and a method for education research. The method identifies factors that may influence students' performance, but are not evident when analyzing agglomerated data; it is an alternative to the traditional case study method as it derives the cases after applying a…

The spectrum of Teaching Styles (TS) provides a solid theoretical foundation for teaching Physical Education. It is common for teachers to use directive styles that do not meet program requirements. This is further accentuated in the case of dance, to the detriment of the development of emotional and cognitive factors. This study investigates the…

With the advance of engineering education research and scholarship, there has been an increased focus on amending chemical engineering courses to increase student learning, engagement and enjoyment. These approaches are often incorporated in project-based courses such as capstone design courses and laboratory courses, providing opportunities to…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to analyze the relationship between argumentation and proof in terms of verbal, visual, and algebraic representations of mathematical concepts. We conducted task-based interviews based on geometric locus problems with six undergraduate mathematics teachers while they were working in pairs. We identified…

MathCheck is a relatively new online tool that gives students feedback on their solutions to elementary university mathematics and theoretical computer science exercises. MathCheck was designed with constructivism learning theory in mind and it differs from other online tools as it checks the solutions step by step and shows a counter-example if…

Computational Thinking (CT) is an increasingly relevant concept that researchers are promoting in formal learning contexts. In their mission to prepare teachers to integrate CT into K-12 schooling, teacher educators would benefit from understanding the different kinds of preconceptions of CT that their students bring to the classroom in order to…