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Artificial intelligence (AI) introduces new tools to the educational environment with the potential to transform conventional teaching and learning processes. This study offers a comprehensive overview of AI technologies, their potential applications in education, and the difficulties involved. Chatbots and related algorithms that can simulate human interactions and generate human-like text based on input from natural language are discussed. In addition to the advantages of cutting-edge chatbots like ChatGPT, their use in education raises important ethical and practical challenges. The authors aim to provide insightful information on how AI may be successfully incorporated into the educational setting to benefit teachers and students, while promoting responsible and ethical use.

For K-12 teachers to improve effective teaching skills, cognitive presence (CP) integration into teaching and learning process is of utmost value. CP strategy training can serve as a facilitating component in supporting K-12 teachers' instructional capacity. This study presents findings of a teacher professional development training aiming CP strategy implementation at K-12 level. Following a mixed-method methodology, the present research was carried out with 53 teachers from four different campuses and grade levels, who were guided to implement CP strategies in their teaching context. The data sources were CP-integrated lesson plans, trainers' feedback on these lesson plans, teacher responses on a questionnaire. The data collection methods were utilizing an end-of-the-training questionnaire directed to teachers, lesson plan evaluation through a CP rubric, content analysis of trainer feedback on lesson plans and revised lesson plans. Results unveiled that this professional development training designed and implemented for K-12 teachers led to significantly positive changes in teachers' CP strategy integration into lesson plans regardless of levels, subjects or topics. This study could also provide important contributions to designing teacher professional development training for researchers, practitioners and teacher trainers, particularly in CP dimension.

For technology integration to achieve intended instructional objectives, professional development is of paramount importance for in-service instructors. Technology enhanced reflection providing multimodality and evidence-based data has the potential of helping instructors achieve technology integration in their teaching. Thus, this study addressed the lack of professional development programs for in-service English language instructors aiming at technology integration through evidence-based multimodal reflective practices. By following the developmental research methodology, an instrumental case study was conducted using mixed-methods design including both qualitative and quantitative data. The professional training was carried out with eight English language instructors at tertiary level who aimed to integrate technology into their English classes by being involved in evidence-based multimodal reflective practice. In this study, there were five different data sources (instructors' opinions, recorded lessons, video annotations, face-to-face interaction notes and pages in the learning management system) and seven data collection tools (interviews, tutor reflection template, self-reflection template, peer-reflection template, technology integration questionnaire, online discussion forums and evaluation criteria form). As a result, this professional training particularly designed and implemented for the in-service English language instructors at tertiary level did make a change in their both technology integration and evidence-based multimodal reflective practice. Apart from the change in the instructors' technology integration, this study had an impact on their understanding, practice and quality of reflective practice involving evidence-based multimodal reflection tools as it helped the instructors to increase depth in their evidence-based multimodal reflective practice.

This study focuses on understanding the implementation of three interactive digital products in the first-year foundational courses (General Chemistry, Physics I & II, Calculus I & II) at the Faculty of Engineering, and the perceptions of teaching and learning experiences with those products. The data were gathered from the instructors, students and Distance Education Unit Coordinator through in-depth interview of purposeful sample of the academics, student online survey and product platform usage data. The study reveals the nuances of the institutional change prompted by the initiatives for advancing teaching and learning through the integration of technology. The study findings are discussed through themes that address the benefits of integrating digital products as well as challenges experienced by the instructors, students, and by the institution during this period of transition to digital technologies. The findings assisted in identifying the related set of recommended actions for improving the implementation of digital products and strengthening their integration into academic programs.

The aim of the study was to validate a prototype of a game-based educational tool for improving auscultation skills. The tool was presented to 12 medical school students studying at a foundation university. The data collection tools of the study were: Cardiac sound identification form, educational tool evaluation form and auscultation survey form. Key findings of the study were: (1) Each medical student increased their identification skills and retention was possible; (2) The most incorrectly identified heart sound was the most correctly identified heart sound after using the tool; (3) Medical students sided with the tool for it is flexible, quicker method of learning and getting feedback, can be used anytime, anywhere without interruption of daily life; (4) Since students felt skillful and epic, in real-World tackling problems, on the mission; saving lives, and competitive, they repeated the content otherwise they would not; (5) The tool created a hype and motivation for further learning; and (6) Tool was effective on the users with possible restricted acoustic capability which could imply findings might also be used for improving listening skills and musical ear.

As learning a foreign language poses a number of challenges for the students, it has become indispensable to search for "optimal" conditions to enhance opportunities of engaging in the target language. Within this context, the Mobile-Blended Collaborative Learning model has been integrated in and out of the classroom learning in order to enable language learners to practice English by means of collaborative, authentic language activities based on project-based learning approach. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of using mobile instant messaging application, WhatsApp on the language proficiency of EFL students. Participants (N = 85) were enrolled in five upper-intermediate prep classes at a foundation university in Istanbul and took part in a seven-week Project Work. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, self- and peer evaluations of group work, a rubric for assessing project work, and log files of WhatsApp conversations. Results revealed practicing English in an authentic setting where the students used the target language for a real purpose facilitated their language learning, improved their communication skills and vocabulary knowledge, and made them recognize colloquial English. Additionally, instant messaging in an informal platform for educational purposes had positive effects on their performance and the quality of their work.

This study focused on formative use of peer feedback in an online system that was used in basic computer literacy for word processing assignment-related purposes. Specifically, the effect of quantity, modality and satisfaction of peer feedback provided through the online system on students' performance, self-efficacy, and technology acceptance was investigated. Participants were 32 freshmen elementary and Turkish education pre-service teachers who were enrolled in two sections of the mandatory Computer I course in a public university in Turkey in the fall semester of 2013. Groups of students who submitted their assignments and received feedback in varying quantity and two different forms (text or text and video together) did not differ respectively in terms of students' performance test scores as well as self-efficacy and technology acceptance ratings. Students' feedback satisfaction ratings were significantly correlated only with their technology acceptance scores. All results were interpreted with the support of peer feedback content in both text and video formats to clarify the details and contribute more to the literature.

The low number of students studying or applying for STEM subjects and workforce demand has been prioritized in almost all countries policies. This study intended to examine factors that influenced American and Turkish students to pursue a degree or career in STEM-related fields. Participants of the study were 86 high-ability students selected from two high schools in the United States (n = 39) and Turkey (n = 48). A five-part survey was used and its original version was administered to American participants while its translated version was conducted to Turkish students. Results revealed that "self-motivation" was found to be the most influential factor of STEM interest for American students while "mother" was for Turkish students. In addition, regarding primary reasons for interest in STEM career "self-motivation" was the most important reason for interest in STEM career for American students while "income of occupation" was the one for Turkish students. By stimulating needs for STEM fields, this study will help increase the awareness of the gap between growth in graduates and STEM-related vacancies. Academic institutions will potentially use findings of this study to revise their enrollment policies, with the aim of enhancing enrolment for STEM areas.