This study explored primary school teachers’ perceptions of Generative AI (GenAI) in English material design. Data from 20 certified Indonesian teachers were collected through interviews and document analysis. Findings indicate GenAI is valued for enhancing efficiency and personalization, especially in creating worksheets, reading texts, grammar tasks, and vocabulary lists. However, concerns emerged regarding pedagogical integration, ethical use, and lack of training. Teachers’ perceptions were shaped by their professional development experiences. The study underscores the urgent need for continuous, practice-based teacher training to develop AI literacy and ensure that GenAI supports, rather than replaces, instructional decision-making.
This study investigates the mediating role of primary school students’ socioemotional skills, such as goal-achievement skills, collaboration, and emotional management in the relationship between teachers’ expectations and students’ academic achievement. The study is based on data from the START-PROGRESS longitudinal study, which includes Russian schoolchildren and teachers. Structural equation modelling was used to model complex relationships between variables, including direct and indirect pathways of effect. The findings revealed that among the three socioemotional skills examined, only goal-achievement skills weakly mediated the relationship between teachers’ expectations and students’ academic achievement in the middle of primary school, and only in mathematics.
The purpose of the article is to highlight how pupils (today’s children, tomorrow’s adults) face current environmental issues and how they communicate about climate/environmental change. Pupils can acquire both linguistic knowledge and environmental attitudes with the help of the literary text Madu and His Friends Help Save the Sea (Gračner, 2021). To make optimum didactic use of the story, the lesson can take into consideration the goals of addressing ecological problems (i. e., ocean pollution), on the one hand, and linguistic aspects (professional terms from ecology), on the other.
This study aimed to analyse the relationship between children’s adaptation to nursery and children’s temperament. The results show a statistically significant relationship between children’s shyness and emotionality and the time of adaptation to nursery. Shy children displayed more negative and less positive behaviours during adaptation. Children with less control over their emotional reactions showed more negative emotions and behaviours during separation from their parents. Moreover, further statistical analysis divided by sex showed that the older and shier the boys were, the more negative behaviours they displayed—as perceived by the nursery staff—during nursery adaptation.
This study validated the Croatian version of the Digital Stress Scale (DSS) and examined its relationship with psychosomatic symptoms, self-efficacy, and ICT use on a sample of 152 Croatian teachers. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a ten-factor structure for the DSS with high internal reliability. All ten dimensions of digital stress as well as the total digital stress score showed significant positive correlation with both the frequency of psychosomatic symptoms and their interference in daily life. Total digital stress significantly predicted both psychosomatic symptom dimensions, while self-efficacy demonstrated a protective role, highlighting the importance of ICT education in preventing digital stress.
Grounded in the revised Hoover-Dempsey and Sandler model of parental involvement, this study examined motivational beliefs of parents regarding their school involvement, specific forms of involvement, and how these relate to parents’ perceptions of their child’s academic self-efficacy. Using a quantitative survey design, data were collected from a sample of 331 Slovenian parents of adolescents aged 12 to 15 years. Parents reported high levels of general invitation to participate in school, high levels of beliefs about their active role in their child’s education, and generally positive attitudes toward school. These motivating beliefs were consistently and positively associated only with their direct involvement at the school level. Both forms of involvement (school and home activities) were negatively related to adolescents’ academic self-efficacy.
This research investigates the relationship between mathematics teachers' performance and students' recognition of everyday mathematical concepts in real-world texts. A quantitative, non-experimental, multilevel correlational design was employed, utilizing Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) to analyze nested data from 17 teachers and 796 middle school students. A text depicting daily life served as the data collection instrument. Results showed a statistically significant but limited fixed effect for teacher performance, explaining 6.2% of Level-2 variance. Regarding student-level factors, sixth graders underperformed compared to fifth and seventh graders, while gender showed no significant differences, supporting evidence of gender parity.
This paper presents the results of a study conducted on seventeen first- to fourth-grade elementary school students, the aim of which was to examine the students’ perceptions and assessments of the importance of peer feedback and the ways in which peer feedback is carried out. This paper emphasizes the need to raise awareness of the basic skills that are necessary for effective peer feedback – the development of critical thinking, evaluation, observation skills, communication skills, the development of empathy, self-confidence, and the development of respect for others.
The paper presents results from a study exploring the effectiveness of animated films in primary education for enhancing cross-cultural awareness. The study examined how animated films can broaden young learners’ perspectives on diverse cultural practices, values, and traditions, and identified factors that affect information processing in complex, cross-cultural contexts. Using triangulation, data were gathered and analysed from twenty primary students (ages 8-11). The study employed Tobii Pro Glasses 3 for eye-tracking, supplemented by a questionnaire to support the eye-tracking findings. Analysis revealed that integrating culture-specific concepts from animated films can effectively enhance cross-cultural awareness in interdisciplinary education.
In this article, we explore the awareness of educational professionals regarding the use of Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences (MI) in inclusive schools. The research involved 49 educational professionals from selected primary schools. We found that they were generally familiar with Gardner’s MI theory, but most do not use it intentionally in their teaching. They most often develop interpersonal, verbal-linguistic, and mathematical-logical intelligence, while bodily-kinesthetic, spiritual, and musical-rhythmic intelligences remain less frequently stimulated. In an inclusive school, it is crucial for teachers to use Universal Design for Learning, which addresses different types of intelligence and enables more differentiated teaching.
This paper examines the level of awareness among stakeholders about inclusive education. The sample comprises thirty school heads, 108 class teachers, forty-four parents, and twenty-eight School Management Committee members. A thirty-item self-constructed awareness questionnaire was administered for data collection, and the data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings indicate that stakeholders are highly aware of inclusive education and that parents are the most aware among all categories of stakeholders. In terms of gender, female stakeholders proved to be more aware than their male counterparts. An influence of educational qualifications on awareness level is visible since stakeholders with a higher level of education demonstrated higher levels of awareness.
The study sought to examine the art portfolios of second-year undergraduate students of Early and Preschool Education at the Faculty of Teacher Education in Zagreb and their reflections on their own artwork. The aim was to examine how students experience, reflect on and interpret their creative work process. By reflecting, students acquire deeper understanding of art expression and perfect the ability to plan and evaluate visual art activities for implementation in their future work with children. The results show that students whose reflections on their own artwork through portfolios are more detailed show greater levels of self-awareness, creativity and pedagogical competence.
This study explores the role of collaboration as a crucial soft skill for special education teachers (SETs), focusing on its impact on their professional development and teaching practices. Through a qualitative review of 15 studies (2012–2024), findings highlight that, while collaboration enhances inclusive education, challenges persist, including heavy workloads, large class sizes, limited training, and negative attitudes. SETs view collaboration with schools, families, and colleagues as vital to improving both teaching effectiveness and student outcomes. The study underscores the need to integrate collaborative practices into teacher preparation programs to foster professional growth and create more inclusive, supportive learning environments.
The present study evaluates the effectiveness of the EMOFIT computer game on the recognition and understanding of facially expressed emotions in 6-10-year-old hearing-impaired children. This quasi-experimental, pre-test-post-test design study, with control and experimental groups, was conducted with the participation of thirty children. The results showed significant improvement in emotion understanding, especially in adaptation (e.g., η² = 0.84), with slight improvement in naming (e.g., η² = 0.57). Results suggest that games like EMOFIT can effectively improve impaired social skills and emotional development among children.
This study aimed to develop a questionnaire for assessing teachers’ practices, teaching knowledge, and school practices related to active citizenship in a cross-national study. The first draft of the Active Citizen Compass (ACC) questionnaire in English was examined by an expert panel. The questionnaire was translated into Dutch and Greek, and tested for ambiguity, clarity, and user friendliness. Thereafter, the Dutch-Flemish and Greek versions were pilot tested on 54 teachers from Flanders and 63 teachers from Greece. Reliability and validity evidence indicates the ACC scales in Dutch and Greek are a reliable and valid measure of active citizenship in schools.
Die quasi-experimentelle Studie untersucht, wie moderne Technologien wie Künstliche Intelligenz und humanoide Roboter die Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung bei angehenden Lehrkräften verbessern. An der Studie nahmen 112 Personen teil. Ziel war es, die Wirksamkeit dieser Technologien im Vergleich zu traditionellen Methoden bei der Förderung der Nachhaltigkeitskompetenz zu bewerten. Die Vor- und Nachtests zeigten signifikante Verbesserungen im Verständnis von Nachhaltigkeitskonzepten, wobei humanoide Roboter die Antwortvielfalt erhöhten. Die Ergebnisse unterstreichen das Potenzial dieser Technologien, Lehrkräfte für Nachhaltigkeitsthemen zu sensibilisieren und neue Literalitäten zu fördern, die für die Bewältigung ökologischer Herausforderungen entscheidend sind. Die Studie betont die Notwendigkeit, solche Technologien in die Bildung zu integrieren, um künftige Generationen auf Nachhaltigkeitsherausforderungen vorzubereiten, und ruft zu weiterer Forschung über langfristige Auswirkungen auf.
Twice-exceptional students, who have giftedness combined with special educational needs, are often overlooked, which hinders the provision of appropriate support in the educational process. This paper analyses the attitudes and competences of professionals working with this group of students, as well as the ways knowledge is acquired in this field. The research results show that most professionals recognize the importance of identifying twice-exceptionality, yet only a few systematically incorporate appropriate pedagogical approaches into practice. Knowledge in this area is mostly gained through informal sources and experience sharing, since formal professional training is limited. The need for developing specialized training programs is emphasized to improve the identification and effective support of this specific group of students.
Dear readers, esteemed authors, reviewers, and friends of our journal, today we stand before an important milestone – with the last issue of this year (Volume 18, Issue 4), the Journal of Elementary Education has officially come of age. This is not merely a number, but a symbol of the maturity, perseverance, and dedication that have guided us through all the years of our existence. When we set out on this path in 2008 with enthusiasm and courage, the decision to publish four issues per year seemed bold to many. Yet that very decision became the foundation upon which we have built our story. From the first double issues, humble beginnings, and limited resources, to the present day, when the journal stands as a recognized scientific forum, we have proven that perseverance and quality always pay off. Each year brought new challenges and new victories. In 2015, we gained valuable partners – the University of Primorska and Charles University in Prague. In 2019, we reached a turning point: inclusion in the Scopus database, which was both a recognition of our work and a promise for the future. Since 2020, the journal has been published in five issues per year, including special thematic issues that open new research horizons. Today, we can proudly say that more than 760 authors have published in our journal, contributing over 550 scientific papers, reviewed by nearly 800 experts. We receive more than ten submissions weekly, yet because of our high publication standards, we reject an average of 85%. It is precisely this unwavering commitment to quality that has led to our inclusion in the third quartile (Q3) of the global quality ranking as of 2024. The coming of age of our journal is more than a chronological milestone – it is proof that the Journal of Elementary Education has established itself as a reliable companion to researchers, as a space for dialogue, and as an echo of scientific discourse that enriches the field of primary education. Our journal covers a wide range of topics related to primary-level education. On this occasion, we call on colleagues, professors, and researchers to explore our archive when preparing their scientific contributions. We are confident that they will find content that sheds light on new perspectives and can be incorporated into their research. Citing articles from the JEE will contribute to the journal’s international recognition and elevate it further on the quality scale. On this occasion, we extend our sincere gratitude to all who have co-created our journey: the authors, reviewers, partner institutions, and loyal readers. Without your support, our story would be incomplete. May this coming of age mark the beginning of a new era in which we continue to strengthen quality, broaden horizons, and reinforce the importance of scientific inquiry. May the Journal of Elementary Education continue to be a beacon of knowledge, illuminating the path for future generations of researchers and educators. For the Editorial Board of the Journal of Elementary Education Editor-in-Chief Faculty of Education, University of Maribor
Successfully implementing project-based experiential science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) learning hinges on the teachers’ comprehension of fundamental concepts. This study investigates elementary school teachers’ knowledge transformation of project-based experiential STEAM learning after participating in a focused STEAM education workshop. Through an investigative exploration with the participation of five elementary school teachers, this study reveals that participating teachers better comprehend STEAM as an educational approach after the workshop. Meanwhile, their understanding of project-based learning decreased, and experiential learning remained unchanged. This study suggests an integrated form of training that equally addresses the interconnected components of STEAM, project-based, and experiential learning.
Twice-exceptional students, who have giftedness combined with special educational needs, are often overlooked, which hinders the provision of appropriate support in the educational process. This paper analyses the attitudes and competences of professionals working with this group of students, as well as the ways knowledge is acquired in this field. The research results show that most professionals recognize the importance of identifying twice-exceptionality, yet only a few systematically incorporate appropriate pedagogical approaches into practice. Knowledge in this area is mostly gained through informal sources and experience sharing, since formal professional training is limited. The need for developing specialized training programs is emphasized to improve the identification and effective support of this specific group of students.
