Purpose: This study examined the influence of metacognitive awareness, epistemological beliefs, and mathematical resilience on university students’ perceived mathematical problem-solving ability and explored the cognitive and affective processes students employ when solving mathematical problems. Design/methodology/approach: An explanatory mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 350 undergraduate Mathematics Education students at a public university in Ghana using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling. Qualitative data were obtained from 10 purposively selected students and analysed thematically to provide further insight into students’ problem-solving processes. Findings: Metacognitive awareness (β = .247, p < .001) and epistemological beliefs (β = .273, p < .001) significantly predicted perceived mathematical problem-solving ability, whereas mathematical resilience did not significantly predict perceived mathematical problem-solving ability (β = .105, p = .163). The qualitative findings indicated that students engaged in problem interpretation and strategy planning, monitoring and evaluation, persistence and strategy adjustment, and experienced varied emotional responses during problem solving. Practical implications: Mathematics instruction should incorporate activities that strengthen students’ metacognitive regulation and productive epistemological beliefs while developing resilience alongside mathematical knowledge and problem-solving strategies. Originality/value: The study combines structural evidence on cognitive and epistemological predictors of mathematical problem-solving with qualitative accounts of students’ cognitive and affective experiences, providing a more comprehensive account of problem-solving among university mathematics education students.
School calendar decisions in rural districts are shaped by staffing challenges, financial pressures, and community needs, yet research on the four-day school week (4DSW) has focused primarily on student achievement. This cross-sectional study used parallel surveys of Missouri principals—94 in 4DSW districts and 70 in five-day school week (5DSW) districts, to examine principals’ self-reported perceptions of schedule-related motivations, professional time use, and stakeholder satisfaction. In Missouri, 192 of the state’s 516 public school districts—about 37%, almost all of them rural, operated on a four-day calendar in 2026–2027, up from 34 in 2018–2019. Mann–Whitney U analyses indicated that principals in 4DSW districts more often rated teacher recruitment and retention, operating costs, and family scheduling as important considerations, whereas principals in 5DSW districts placed greater emphasis on student recruitment and academic performance; several of these differences were attenuated after correction for multiple comparisons. Principals in 4DSW districts also reported more weekly time devoted to professional development, planning, and mentoring, with the fifth day frequently used for adult collaboration. No statistically significant differences were detected between groups in the proportion of principals reporting any weekly time for services to English Learners, gifted and talented students, or students receiving special education. Principals in 4DSW districts reported consistently high perceived satisfaction with the schedule. Because the design is cross-sectional and all measures reflect principal reports, the findings describe associations rather than effects of the calendar. The results suggest that rural districts often view the 4DSW through a broader organizational and workforce lens than achievement-focused research typically reflects.
Binary classifications of teaching as transmission or constructivism obscure how participation, authority, knowledge practices, and conceptual work can vary within one lesson. This article introduces the social, procedural, epistemic, and conceptual (SPEC) framework for episode-level lesson analysis. SPEC was developed through a structured purposive theory synthesis rather than an exhaustive systematic review. A documented corpus of foundational traditions, observation systems, and targeted verification sources was compared using explicit inclusion, boundary, and disposition rules. Candidate constructs were assigned by observable target; three indicators per dimension were retained as a parsimonious authorial proposal; and qualitative descriptors were generated from theoretically warranted adjacent distinctions checked against cross-dimensional counterexamples. The dimensions are analytically distinguishable but potentially related. Their descriptor codes form non-additive, non-normative profiles rather than composite scores or judgments of teaching quality. An instructional episode is the primary unit; a hypothetical transcript illustrates indicator coding, opportunity/evidence flags, and rejection of nearby alternatives. SPEC is an initial conceptual proposal requiring operationalization, reliability examination, and validity testing. Ordering, thresholds, and cross-domain use require study before evaluative application.
Entrepreneurship education in higher education requires strategies that connect theory with practice. Although Project-Based Learning (PBL) is widely used, less is known about the educational value of interactive guides that support students throughout business-plan development. This study examined a Genially-based instructional guide, supplemented with YouTube multimedia, within a PBL intervention in the Business Innovation and Creativity course at Universidad Veracruzana. A quantitatively driven embedded mixed-methods, one-group pre–post design was used with 28 undergraduate students. Data came from course assessment records and pre- and post-intervention questionnaires. Quantitative analysis compared group-level response patterns across 23 conceptually aligned dichotomous items on self-reported entrepreneurship and business-planning knowledge, while open-ended responses explored students’ perceptions of the learning experience. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were conducted, and both strands were integrated during interpretation. Post-intervention affirmative-response percentages were higher for several conceptually aligned topics, although the response patterns varied across items and the anonymous responses could not be matched at the individual level. Students also rated the guide as highly useful (M = 9.81/10) and described it as providing organization, clarity, and step-by-step support. These findings suggest that the guide had potential educational value as a pedagogical scaffold in this course. However, because the study used a small, one-group design without linked responses or a comparison group, the results should be interpreted as context-specific descriptive evidence rather than as proof of causal effects on entrepreneurial competencies.
This qualitative study examines how leadership and organizational dynamics cultivate lecturers’ readiness for change in higher education. Drawing on transformational leadership theory, it explores the interconnected influence of leadership style, organizational culture, and perceived organizational support on 20 English-language lecturers in an Israeli college that has recently faced multiple overlapping changes: the national transition to CEFR-aligned instruction, the shift to online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the institutional and emotional disruptions caused by wartime conditions. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a thematic content-analysis approach. Findings reveal that lecturers’ openness to reform was strengthened by leadership characterized by competence, emotional intelligence, and accessibility; by a communicative and developmental organizational culture; and by perceived institutional care and support. Together, these dimensions fostered a sense of secure attachment to the organization-an underexplored relational mechanism linking leadership and readiness for change. The study contributes to leadership theory by proposing that Attachment Theory offers a valuable interpretive lens for understanding how relational trust and emotional security may support adaptive capacity in educational institutions. Implications are discussed for leaders seeking to sustain reform during crisis and instability through relational, emotionally attuned leadership practices.
This study aims to address students' low mathematical problem-solving skills and self-regulated learning by developing website-based mathematics learning media using the problem-based learning model. Learning that integrates website-based media allows for more independent learning activities in solving mathematical problems. This study uses the ADDIE model to test the validity, practicality, and effectiveness of the product. Website-based media met the validity criteria based on expert assessments with an average score of 137 from subject matter experts and 78.5 from media experts, and the research instruments were declared valid with an Aiken index ranging from 0.9 to 0.99. Website-based media meet the criteria for practicality based on an average teacher assessment of 90.5, an average student assessment of 50.1, and a learning implementation rate of 93%. Website-based media are proven to be effective through four indicators: (1) students who pass exceed the threshold of 80%. (2) One sample t-test results p-value <.05 and t-value >1.69, so that H_0 is rejected. This proves that website-based mathematics learning media are effective in improving students' mathematical problem-solving skills and self-regulated learning. (3) The results of the paired sample t-test show p-value <.05 and t-value >1.69, so that H_0 is rejected. This proves that there is a significant improvement in students' mathematical problem-solving and self-regulated learning abilities after using website-based mathematical learning media. This study is able to facilitate students' problem-solving and self-regulated learning abilities simultaneously in mathematics education.
This study investigates how learning-oriented school cultures, conceptualized through the Schools as Learning Organizations (SLO) framework, relate to teacher self-efficacy, job satisfaction, and work effectiveness in primary schools within a centralized education system. While these constructs have received considerable attention in the literature, they have rarely been examined together within a unified organizational learning perspective, particularly in contexts marked by limited school autonomy. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 94 teachers in nine public primary schools, alongside aggregated student ratings of instructional effectiveness from 364 pupils. The findings showed that learning-oriented school cultures were positively associated with teacher self-efficacy, job satisfaction, and work effectiveness. Teacher self-efficacy also partially mediated the relationship between SLO conditions and both job satisfaction and work effectiveness. These findings indicate that learning-oriented school cultures may strengthen teacher outcomes directly and indirectly by reinforcing teachers’ sense of efficacy. Thus, the role of school leadership in cultivating collaborative and inquiry-oriented professional environments is particularly important
University teaching staff are increasingly engaged in innovative sustainability-related initiatives aimed at improving teaching-learning processes while fostering their own academic development. However, the literature has only tentatively explored the impact of this participation on academic development. This work, therefore, aims to analyse the dimensions of the sustainability-oriented learning environment known as Ocean i3 that influence the academic development of university teaching staff. It is based on a case study approach that enables an in-depth and contextualised analysis of this complex phenomenon in a real-world setting. Interviews and a focus group were used as data-collection instruments while inductive content analysis guided the interpretation and discussion of the findings. The results suggest that the complexity of the educational choreography—including project design, institutional context, the teaching team, and the active involvement of staff and students— plays a key role in the academic development of university teaching staff. The study concludes that these dimensions should be strengthened in innovative sustainability-oriented learning environments in order to promote teachers’ academic development.
Team-based learning (TBL) is a popular form of collaborative learning designed to increase student engagement and motivate students to learn. A growing body of research, particularly in the health sciences, has demonstrated that TBL has positive impacts on student performance and classroom dynamics. However, much less is known about the student outcomes associated with TBL courses in undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, fields in which active learning is especially important for student success and retention. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic review of the student outcomes associated with TBL in undergraduate STEM education. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method, we identified 55 empirical and qualitative research articles published between 2005 and 2024 that reported on TBL implementation practices and student outcomes. Importantly, we found that most studies described increased student performance and improved measures of classroom dynamics when TBL was compared to lecture-based teaching approaches. These findings provide further evidence that TBL is an effective instructional method and suggest that TBL can be implemented successfully across a wide range of student populations and undergraduate STEM disciplines.
Teacher-targeted victimization remains an under-integrated dimension of school violence research. This systematic review follows PRISMA 2020 guidelines and synthesizes 56 empirical studies (2015–2026) examining how teacher-targeted victimization is conceptualized and analyzed. The review maps patterns in geographic distribution, methodology, behavioral aggression forms, perpetrator framing, and the integration of institutional variables. Findings reveal the predominance of quantitative cross-sectional designs (75.9%). Physical (n = 28) and verbal aggression (n = 26) are the most frequently examined forms, with over half of the studies conceptualizing aggression as exclusively student-perpetrated. Institutional and governance variables remain limited: 84.8% of studies include no institutional variables beyond exposure or rely solely on general school climate indicators, while governance-level constructs appear in only one study. Drawing on Organizational Justice Theory and Institutional Theory, the review advances a Multilevel Institutional Accountability Model that conceptualizes teacher-directed aggression across behavioral exposure, institutional processing, and governance architecture. The findings highlight the need for greater integration of institutional and governance variables in future research.
A survey of literature on methodology reveals that the whole-part relationship is broken between the overarching definition of methodology and compatible sets of methodic practices and underlying assumptions. Two key general structures are missing: (a) a big picture view within which to organize definitions and parts, and (b) a framework within which to guide analysis of any particular feature of methodology without detaching from an understanding of the particular in relation to the whole. As a consequence, a basic question remains unanswered about what social scientists mean by methodology. The current manuscript explored literature relating to methodology, without emphasis on any specific paradigm, with the aim of synthesizing both the definitions (i.e., the whole) and components (i.e., the parts) of methodology. Using hermeneutic synthesis, nine definitions of methodology and four methodological decision sets were inferred. Definitions and decision sets were integrated into a range-based methodological framework. The resulting framework captures the continuum of methodological choices made by inquirers, which has implications for educators, methodologists, and researchers seeking to engage in inter- and intra-paradigm methodological analysis to understand and compare methodological decision points.
Academic studies are an important stage in the development of professional identity and perceptions regarding a person’s future occupation. This study examined the relationships between experiences during college studies and professional identity and motivation to work in the studied field among female undergraduates from the Ultra-Orthodox sector. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design with a sample of 93 participants, who were all studying for B.A. degrees on an Ultra-Orthodox college campus. At the end of the 2023 academic year, participants completed anonymous, self-report questionnaires about their attitudes toward academic studies, professional identity, and motivation to work. The data from the questionnaires were analyzed using t-tests, ANOVA, correlation analyses, and multiple regression. The findings revealed significant, positive relationships between satisfaction with one’s studies and professional identity and between professional identity and motivation to work in one’s field of study. Contrary to what had been hypothesized, no relationship was found between the students’ satisfaction with their studies and their motivation to work in their field of study. In addition, the professional identity of students in the later years of their programs was no stronger than that of first-year students. This indicates that perceptions of one’s college studies are not directly related to occupation or motivation for work. The findings show that the year in one’s study program did not affect work motivation, suggesting that the link between academic experience and occupation is weak. In addition, the fact that professional identity did not act as a mediating factor in the examined model suggests that professional identity may develop before individuals begin their college studies.
The introduction of evolution in post-apartheid South Africa in 2008 presented significant challenges for teachers, due to both their own and their students' faith-based biases. This study investigates South African teachers' attitudes and understanding of evolution, utilizing Lemkian sociocultural theory and Vygotskian ZPD scaffolding. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including a Likert-scale questionnaire from 91 life science teachers and qualitative insights from open-ended questions. Results reveal a lack of enthusiasm for teaching evolution, influenced by personal religious beliefs and doubts about its scientific validity. Teachers often call for equal representation of evolution and creationism in classrooms. The preparation of teachers must address the stagnant discussion of evolution, while the life sciences curriculum emphasizes the Nature of Science, scientific literacy, and connections between science and society is compromised.
This quasi-experimental study compares the differences in psychological well-being impact factors of school-based yoga interventions and mindfulness practices for at-risk Hispanic adolescent high school students with similar students enrolled in traditional physical education classes in a face-to-face setting. Convenience sampling was applied to freshmen students enrolled in a Physical Education 1-hour course at a designated high school in South Texas. A hypothesis model was utilized: mind-body awareness, self-regulation, and physical postures. To assess psychological wellbeing constructs of mood and affect, measurement instruments employed were two commonly utilized questionnaires, the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS-C). Statistical analyses included Friedman’s Test for nonparametric data, comparisons of pre-post change scores between yoga and physical education classes, and longitudinal data trends for each measurement instrument’s subscales from inception to conclusion. Overall, longitudinal trends in participant responses from Week 1 to Week 10 comparisons demonstrate a practical significance of gradual increases in improved student well-being in comparison to traditional physical education classes. Overall positive impacts continue to support overall improvement for students participating in Yoga as a form of physical fitness.
This study aimed to examine the impact of self-organization and self-efficacy in predicting attitudes toward cheating in online exams among undergraduate students. Drawing on the self-regulated learning framework, a cross-sectional survey design was employed to collect data from 153 students at a Saudi university using three validated scales. The findings revealed that self-organization and self-efficacy were significant negative predictors of attitudes toward cheating, with higher levels of these attributes associated with less favorable attitudes toward cheating. Furthermore, moderation analysis showed that self-efficacy significantly moderated the relationship between self-organization and cheating attitudes, suggesting a complex interplay between the two constructs. The findings highlight the importance of fostering self-regulated learning skills to enhance academic integrity in online assessment contexts.
Developing efficient and reliable tools for assessing early mathematical skills remains a critical priority in educational research. This study aimed to develop and validate a brief version of the Prueba Uruguaya de Matemática (Uruguayan Mathematics Test, PUMa), a digital tool to assess mathematical abilities in children aged 5 to 6. The original test included 144 items covering both symbolic (66%) and non-symbolic (34%) tasks, such as approximate number system, counting, numerical ordering (forward and backward), math fluency, composition and decomposition of numbers, and transcoding auditory-verbal stimuli into Arabic-visual symbols. Unlike most existing tools that require individual administration by trained professionals and lack cultural adaptation for Latin American contexts, PUMa is self-administered, culturally grounded, and suitable for large-scale assessments using tablets. Using a sample of 443 participants and applying parametric and non-parametric models within the framework of Item Response Theory (IRT), along with correlations with TEMA-3, preliminary evidence was generated showing that the brief version retained precision and validity. The resulting shortened tests included 69 and 73 items for the parametric and non-parametric versions, yielding a balanced representation of symbolic (56%) and non-symbolic (44%) tasks. Despite item reduction, ability scores remained highly correlated between original and brief versions (r > .90), and both brief versions demonstrated strong internal consistency (α = .94). PUMa improves upon existing assessments by combining cultural relevance, group-based digital administration, and real-time data collection, offering a scalable solution for early identification and intervention. These features support personalized educational strategies that foster cognitive and academic development from the earliest stages.
Self-report surveys are extensively utilized in educational research to understand students’ perceptions and experiences. However, younger children, particularly those in elementary school, may exhibit a tendency to provide socially desirable responses, potentially compromising the data quality. This study examined the prevalence and impact of socially desirable responses in self-report surveys administered to elementary school students. A total of 1,024 students from grades 4 and 5 in five elementary schools participated in the study. Socially desirable responses were measured using detection items embedded within questionnaires. The findings indicate that (a) more than 20% of elementary school students demonstrated socially desirable responses; (b) female students and those with higher academic achievement were more likely to provide socially desirable responses; (c) socially desirable responses skewed the sample distribution by inflating mean scores and reducing standard deviations; and (d) while internal correlations within scales remained relatively stable, external validity, as reflected in correlations between self-reports and academic performance metrics, was significantly affected after adjusting for socially desirable responses. These results underscore the importance of addressing socially desirable responses when interpreting self-report data from young students. The study concludes with practical recommendations for improving the validity of self-report surveys in educational research.
This PRISMA-based systematic review analyzes how artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are integrated into educational institutions, examining the challenges and opportunities associated with their adoption. Through a structured selection process, 27 relevant studies published between 2019 and 2023 were analyzed. The results indicate that AI adoption in education remains uneven, with significant barriers such as limited teacher training, technological accessibility gaps, and ethical concerns. However, findings also highlight promising applications, including AI-driven adaptive learning systems, intelligent tutoring, and automated assessment tools that enhance personalized education. The geographical analysis reveals that most research on AI in education originates from North America, Europe, and East Asia, while developing regions remain underrepresented. Without strategic integration, the uneven implementation of AI in education may widen social inequalities, limiting access to innovative learning opportunities for disadvantaged populations. Consequently, this study underscores the urgent need for policies and teacher training programs to ensure equitable AI adoption in education, fostering an inclusive and technologically prepared learning environment.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping education across the Asia-Pacific, yet its integration depends on teachers’ readiness and perspectives. This study explores AI adoption among Vietnamese teachers, a critical lens for the region’s digital education reforms, using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). Through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), we analyzed responses from 246 teachers nationwide. Results show attitude strongly predicts adoption intention, with privacy and ethical concerns shaping acceptance, though fears of AI dependence hinder uptake. Uniform challenges across urban-rural and STEM-non-STEM contexts suggest systemic barriers in Vietnam’s education system. Teachers foresee AI as a pedagogical assistant but highlight insufficient training and privacy risks as key obstacles. These findings underscore the need for Asia-Pacific-relevant policies—AI literacy programs, ethical governance, and equitable access—to foster sustainable integration. This research informs regional educational policy by offering a Vietnam-centric model for balancing technological innovation with pedagogical integrity, addressing shared challenges in the Asia-Pacific’s digital transformation.
Analysis of student grades and demographic data to understand the effects of modality and Covid-19 on academic performance is important for universities to understand the impact these factors may have on course grades. This study analyzes all the 615,964 complete undergraduate student-course records from Kennesaw State University (KSU) spanning from 2015 to 2024 to examine the impact of course modality and the Covid-19 pandemic on academic performance. The population dataset includes student demographics (e.g., sex, age, ethnicity), prior GPA, and course characteristics (e.g., department, modality). Descriptive statistics and trend analyses were employed to evaluate grade outcomes across in-person, online, and hybrid modalities over the 9-year period. Results indicate a temporary increase in mean course grades during the Covid-19 period, followed by a return to the pre-pandemic upward trend. Hybrid courses consistently exhibited the highest mean grades throughout the study period. However, consistent patterns across modalities, demographics, and academic units suggest that these factors have limited influence on grade outcomes. These findings raise questions about the reliability of GPA and course grades as indicators of learning success across different instructional contexts and student populations.
