This developmental study explores the process and outcomes of creating an active learning classroom within a higher education setting. To support student success, institutions have increasingly redesigned their learning spaces to promote active learning. Early initiatives often aimed to facilitate collaborative learning and reduce reliance on…

This article reviews the origins and use of the terms quasi-experiment and natural experiment. It demonstrates how the terms conflate whether variation in the independent variable of interest falls short of random with whether researchers find, rather than intervene to create, that variation. Using the lens of assignment--the process driving…

Knowledge of building code is required for most building design licenses. However, designers often find the process confusing and overwhelming. The cognitive load theory suggests dividing information between visual and verbal formats reduces working memory burden, while concept mapping and mobile apps enhance learning. This study tests the…

Historically, classrooms have utilized stationary furniture, facing front toward a centralized instructor position, and limiting student-to-student interactions. Such classrooms often stem from design processes that tend to focus on building codes and feedback from investors, architects, and planners, which leaves little input from instructors and…

School buildings worldwide have given voice to educational purposes and have been employed as policy instruments. This article outlines a study concerning governance of the design of the physical learning environments in a decentralized policy setting. Based on document analysis of three design briefs and interviews with key persons for local…

Architectural design representations comprise physical (models, drawings) and digital media (3D models). Multimodal combinations of physical and digital representations are commonplace in professional contexts such as design reviews or building sites, and 'making sense' of these assemblies requires complex socio-cognitive processes and…

Until now, the conventional approach using two distinct groups, experimental and control, continues to dominate research, especially education research. Researchers, particularly those who are active in this domain, readily recognise this pattern when surveying literature. This article explores the use of the Solomon four-group design as a…

Decision-making in learning design involves a complex, dynamic and multifaceted process. This process takes place within an ecosystem where decisions in one area influence others, emphasizing the non-linear and interconnected nature of the process. The dynamic nature of decision-making needs to be discussed through the partnerships between…

Data show an increasing number of Catholic schools from elementary to tertiary levels in developing countries, especially countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. These new Catholic schools seem to follow the industrial-era school design trajectories. However, the exigencies of the 21st century require a paradigm shift, ensuring that Catholic schools move…

Scholarly efforts to identify core design features for effective teacher professional development have grown rapidly in the last 25 years. Many concise lists of design principles have emerged, most of which converge on a consensus of 5-7 presumably 'effective' features (e.g. collaborative tasks, active learning, focus on content). The…

Engineering design that requires mathematical analysis, scientific understanding, and technology is critical for preparing students for solving engineering problems. In simulated design environments, students are expected to learn about science and engineering through their design. However, there is a lack of understanding concerning linking…

As higher education institutions increasingly expand their online course offerings, the role of instructional designers in enhancing instructional quality and effectiveness becomes critical. This study surveyed practicing instructional designers to explore the specific tasks they perform performed in higher education and identifies factors that…

This study investigates the role of learning analytics in enhancing the learning experience within Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) through a two-phase design-based research approach, focusing on a Social Work MOOC. Initial engagement analysis revealed strong interactions with course content, especially with introductory elements and reflection…

In higher vocational education, innovations are shifting from teacher-oriented to student-oriented education and hybrid learning environments. Designing these innovative environments is complex. This study aimed to gain insight into art and design teachers' rules of thumb when designing instruction in studios. The rules of thumb from experienced…

Curriculum development is critically important to the educational enterprise, yet we lack insight into if and how ideal design and development practices are enacted in organizations that create curricular programs and resources intended for large-scale implementation. This study identified essential elements of curriculum development practices…