Multifinality, equifinality, and fanning are important developmental concepts that emphasize understanding interindividual variability in trajectories over time. However, each concept implies that there are points in a developmental window where interindividual variability is more limited. We illustrate the multifinality concept under…

This study formalizes and compares two major hypotheses in speakers' choices of referring expressions: the topicality model that chooses a form based on the topicality of the referent, and the rational model that chooses a form based on the informativity of the form and its speech cost. Simulations suggest that both the topicality of the referent…

Virtual reality (VR) technology provides new possibilities for educators to design and optimize learning experiences. However, it remains largely unclear how virtual learning environments can be engineered to achieve measurable improvements in the learners' performance. To advance the development and application of VR learning technologies, we…

The use of different technologies and technological solutions for learning purposes is no longer a novelty in the educational environment. Digital teaching materials are being developed that can be used both in classroom activities and for providing students with opportunities for independent learning. However, alongside these materials, there are…

A key consideration when giving any computerized adaptive test (CAT) is how much adaptation is present when the test is used in practice. This study introduces a new framework to measure the amount of adaptation of Rasch-based CATs based on looking at the differences between the selected item locations (Rasch item difficulty parameters) of the…

Scholars have developed original pedagogical approaches to impart the knowledge and skills required for professional life in the area of peace and development. Experience-based learning, simulations, games, and role-plays have been used with positive results. Yet most efforts tend to overly simplify and narrow down the learning experience in…

What is the impact of active learning techniques on student excitement, interest, and self-efficacy in a course? An American Foreign Policy and National Security course was designed around the utilization of a number of active learning techniques, including simulations, a debate, and counterfactual analysis. Students in the course were surveyed…

Recent research has emphasized the importance of leveraging embodied interactions for learning critical STEM concepts. ELASTIC3S--an embodied environment for learning about cross-cutting concepts (i.e., non-linear growth)--allows learners to interact with different science simulations through whole-body gestures. Technological advances in gesture…

Contributions: A concept-map-based remedial learning system is presented to enhance students' grasp of the learning concepts of the IEEE floating-point standard and microprocessor without interlocked pipeline stages (MIPSs) encoding according to their understanding of these learning concepts. Background: Concept maps have been used to represent…

Mechanical engineering students often find the formulation and analysis of dynamical systems difficult. The response of some mechanical engineering undergraduates is that as much as possible courses on mechanics are best avoided. The aim of this paper is to produce some interesting dynamical systems that may help to change the opinions of the…

The present paper presents the results of a study which examined the changes in the levels of willingness to communicate (WTC) in the virtual world of "Second Life" (SL) reported by a single student of English philology in 19 sessions spanning the period of one semester, and the factors accounting for such fluctuations. Using data…

In the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns exist that ventilator triage policies may lead to discrimination against people with disabilities. This study evaluates whether preclinical medical students demonstrate bias towards people with disabilities during an educational ventilator-allocation exercise. Written student responses to a triage simulation…

World politics simulations are gaining popularity and becoming mainstream. With advanced technological tools, experimental learning brings together students from afar increasing the multicultural nature of meetings and practical learning. Progress in running simulations and pedagogical goal fulfillment still require the removal of accessibility…

Presenting a pictorial representation followed by a textual representation supports learners to build a coherent mental model. Providing an elaboration prompt stimulates learners to process the learning content semantically. Hence, combining both approaches might result in synergetic effects as both foster mental model development, which could be…

In the context of gross anatomy education, novel augmented reality (AR) systems have the potential to serve as complementary pedagogical tools and facilitate interactive, student-centered learning. However, there is a lack of AR systems that enable multiple students to engage in collaborative, team-based learning environments. This article…