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Despite the effort invested to improve the teaching of programming, students often face problems with understanding its principles when using traditional learning approaches. This paper presents a novel teaching method for programming, combining the task-driven methodology and the case study approach. This method is called a task-driven case study. The case study aspect should provide a real-world context for the examples used to explain the required knowledge. The tasks guide students during the course to ensure that they will not fall into bad practices. We provide reasoning for using the combination of these two methodologies and define the essential properties of our method. Using a specific example of the Minesweeper case study from the Java technologies course, the readers are guided through the process of the case study selection, solution implementation, study guide writing, and course execution. The teachers' and students' experiences with this approach, including its advantages and potential drawbacks, are also summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical illustration, which involves the creation of visual representations of anatomy, has long been an essential tool for medical professionals and educators. The integration of AI and medical illustration has the potential to revolutionize the field of anatomy education, providing highly accurate, customizable images. The authors evaluated three AI‐powered text‐to‐image generators in producing anatomical illustrations of the human skulls, heart, and brain. The generators were assessed for their accurate depiction of foramina, suture lines, coronary arteries, aortic and pulmonary trunk branching, gyri, sulci, and the relationship between the cerebellum and temporal lobes. None of the generators produced illustrations with comprehensive anatomical details. Foramina, such as the mental and supraorbital foramina, were frequently omitted, and suture lines were inaccurately represented. The illustrations of the heart failed to indicate proper coronary artery origins, and the branching of the aorta and pulmonary trunk was often incorrect. Brain illustrations lacked accurate gyri and sulci depiction, and the relationship between the cerebellum and temporal lobes remained unclear. Although AI generators tended toward esoteric imagery, they exhibited significant speed and cost advantages over human illustrators. However, improving their accuracy necessitates augmenting the training databases with anatomically correct images. The study emphasizes the ongoing role of human medical illustrators, especially in ensuring the provision of accurate and accessible illustrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's information-based education era, the computer-aided instruction system under the background of "Internet +" is ushering in unprecedented development opportunities. Based on VARK model, this paper discusses the design and implementation of computer-aided instruction system based on reinforcement learning algorithm. Through in-depth investigation of the application status of computer-aided instruction system and the characteristics of popular systems at home and abroad, combined with the principle and application of reinforcement learning algorithm, this study builds a system architecture with personalized education evaluation function. In the aspect of system design, with the help of neural network model and online test module, the study realizes intelligent analysis and evaluation of students' learning patterns, and improves the pertinence and effect of teaching. Through strict functional and performance tests, the stability and reliability of the system are verified, and the network and intelligent characteristics of the system are demonstrated in the learning process of students, which makes a positive contribution to the improvement of the level of education information and the optimization of teaching effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three‐dimensional (3D) modeling is a recent, innovative approach to teaching anatomy. There is little literature, however, to suggest how 3D modeling is best used to teach students and whether or not students can gain the same level of understanding as they might use more traditional, hands‐on, teaching methods. This study evaluated the use of a 3D modeling software in both a flipped classroom curriculum and as an active learning tool in comparison to traditional, physical model‐based teaching. Pre‐ and post‐course content‐based assessments were used to evaluate students' learning. Our findings indicated no significant difference between standard and flipped classroom learning; however, the students who used 3D modeling software as an active learning tool significantly underperformed students in the standard group (F(2,1060) = 112.43, p < 0.0001). These findings suggest that these technologies may not yet be useful as a primary means of instruction. Possible explanations may include cognitive overload in navigating the system, intrinsic limitations of the software, or other factors. Further development and research of these technologies is necessary prior to their adoption into teaching practices in anatomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the effort invested to improve the teaching of programming, students often face problems with understanding its principles when using traditional learning approaches. This paper presents a novel teaching method for programming, combining the task-driven methodology and the case study approach. This method is called a task-driven case study. The case study aspect should provide a real-world context for the examples used to explain the required knowledge. The tasks guide students during the course to ensure that they will not fall into bad practices. We provide reasoning for using the combination of these two methodologies and define the essential properties of our method. Using a specific example of the Minesweeper case study from the Java technologies course, the readers are guided through the process of the case study selection, solution implementation, study guide writing, and course execution. The teachers’ and students’ experiences with this approach, including its advantages and potential drawbacks, are also summarized.

Computers are widely used for the purpose of education along with the developing technology as in every field. Students can learn and understand theoretical information individually with computer tools such as lectures, animations, solved/unsolved examples, simulations, interactive simulators, online support. In this study, a new software tool has been designed which contains many methods for stability analysis in discrete-time systems and is not available in the literature/application. By using this computer tool, which includes eleven stability analysis methods, related lectures, interactive analysis and application (exercise) simulators; it is aimed that students learn and understand the knowledge in the related field in a simple and easy way on their own. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The knowledge-sharing, decision-making model can not only combine the two processes but also improve the teaching quality and students' learning achievements. However, the existing knowledge-sharing, decision-making model has many shortcomings. Therefore, for this article the authors applied the computer-aided instruction (CAI) system to the knowledge-sharing decision model and compared it with the traditional knowledge-sharing decision model. They compared and analyzed the application effects of the two processes in the student education management platform, and the experimental comparison was made from the perspective of curriculum and students. When the authors used the traditional knowledge-sharing decision model, the average score of the five people in the course A exam was 78.2. After they used the knowledge-sharing decision model based on the computer-aided instruction system, the average score of the five people in the course A exam was 85.4. Obviously, the knowledge-sharing, decision-making model based on the CAI system can effectively improve students' academic performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computer-Aided Instruction (CAI) is one of the interactive teaching methods that electronically presents instructional resources and enhances learner performance. In health settings, using CAI is one of the important ways to improve learners' knowledge and usefulness in their healthcare specialization yet there is still a lack of research that offers a comprehensive synthesis of investigating into the adoption of CAI in healthcare. This research aims to provide a comprehensive review of related literatures on the enablers and barriers for technology adoption of CAI in healthcare. 31 journals were analyzed and revealed that several studies were utilizing the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). The researchers then conducted qualitative coding for thematic analysis and categorized the qualitative data to find themes and patterns. Enablers as well as barriers to CAI adoption in healthcare were then discussed along with the common conclusions, limitations and recommendations for future studies. Results shows that key enablers were perceived ease of use, ease of usefulness, performance expectancy, social influence, user experience, and effort expectancy while identified key barriers were government support, funding constraints, and interactivity. The majority of the research articles highlighted the benefits of CAI in healthcare education as an innovative method for boosting the effectiveness of both teaching and learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study was born in the construction of problem concepts in the deployment of a governance strategy in institutions under digital environments, a technical position of understanding from South America is raised, the initial hypothesis of knowing aspects and determining requirements, an efficient model of governance can be achieved from the use and application of ICT, which allow to argue the as of the process, The use ICT, TAC, TEP as change managers in virtuality, to interact in a disruptive way, the most important achievements of research to recognize the legal, digital and technological resource environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Dental students are to an increasing extent presented with new digital learning technologies, especially online delivery of class content. Edpuzzle is a web-based eLearning application that allows educators to select subject-related videos and customize them by editing, cropping, voice-over recording, and adding questions directly to the video stream. Under the teacher's guidance, students log into Edpuzzle using their iPads, take the class, and answer questions. The aim of this study was to compare an Edpuzzle class with a traditional class for undergraduate oral radiology students in order to evaluate the educational effectiveness of each teaching method. Materials and Methods The study sample comprised 20 fourth-year dental students who agreed to participate in the study. A traditional class developed a differential diagnosis topic with pre- and post-knowledge tests. A second differential diagnosis topic was developed for an Edpuzzle class, also with a pre- and post-knowledge test. After the two classes were given, a Google Forms feedback questionnaire was sent to the students to evaluate their perceptions and preferences regarding the two classes. The educational effectiveness of each class type was evaluated by comparing means and analyzing the feedback questionnaires. Statistical Analysis The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to examine pre- and post-knowledge for each class, and Welch's t-test was used to test for differences in means of post-knowledge of both classes. Results Students in both classes obtained significantly better scores in the posttest than they did in the pretest (p = 0.0001). However, the differences in means of post-knowledge of both classes showed no significant differences (p = 0.0975). The feedback questionnaire showed higher percentages of positive attitude toward Edpuzzle class. Conclusion As a first-time experience, the Edpuzzle class interested most of the students. Workshops for the staff are needed to become expert in these technologies and to overcome any obstacles in implementing them for undergraduate dental students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Computer-assisted learning has been suggested to improve enjoyment and learning efficacy in medical education and more specifically, in neuroscience. These range from text-based websites to interactive electronic modules (eModules). It remains uncertain how these can best be implemented. To assess the effects of interactivity on learning perceptions and efficacy, we compared the utility of an eModule using virtual clinical cases and graphics against a Wikipedia-like page of matching content to teach clinical neuroscience: fundamentals of stroke and cerebrovascular anatomy. Methods A randomized control trial of using an interactive eModule versus a Wikipedia-like page without interactivity was performed. Participants remotely accessed their allocated learning activity once, for approximately 30 min. The primary outcome was the difference in perceptions on enjoyability, engagement and usefulness. The secondary outcome was the difference in learning efficacy between the two learning activities. These were assessed using a Likert-scale survey and two knowledge quizzes: one immediately after the learning activity and one repeated eight weeks later. Assessments were analysed using Mann–Whitney U and T-tests respectively. Results Thirty-two medical students participated: allocated evenly between the two groups through randomisation. The eModule was perceived as significantly more engaging (p = 0.0005), useful (p = 0.01) and enjoyable (p = 0.001) by students, with the main contributing factors being interactivity and clinical cases. After both learning activities, there was a significant decrease between the first and second quiz scores for both the eModule group (-16%, p = 0.001) and Wikipedia group (-17%, p = 0.003). There was no significant difference in quiz scores between the eModule and Wikipedia groups immediately afterwards (86% vs 85%, p = 0.8) or after eight weeks (71% vs 68%, p = 0.7). Conclusion Our study shows that increased student satisfaction associated with interactive computer-assisted learning in the form of an eModule does not translate into increased learning efficacy as compared to using a Wikipedia-like webpage. This suggests the matched content of the passive webpage provides a similar learning efficacy. Still, eModules can help motivate self-directed learners and overcome the perceived difficulty associated with neuroscience. As computer assisted learning continues to rapidly expand among medical schools, we suggest educators critically evaluate the usage and cost–benefit of eModules.

The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of computer-aided instruction (CAI) on students' conceptual understanding in Life Science. The objectives of the study is to develop lesson plans with computeraided instruction packages; assess the developed lesson plans in terms of congruency of objectives, learning experiences, assessment of learning outcomes, features of computer-aided instruction packages, and to determine the effect of CAI on students' conceptual understanding. The study utilized the pre-experimental method. The study involved 27 students who took a Bioenergetics Achievement Test (B.A.T) before and after CAI. It was found out that developed daily lesson plans are excellent; congruency of lesson objectives (WM = 4.80), learning experiences (WM =4.76), assessment of learning outcomes (WM =4.79), and features of computer-aided instruction (WM =4.39). The test of the difference between the pre-test and post-test scores showed a significant result (t26=-14.30, p<0.01), and it was supported with the positive increase on the Learning Gain Score (LGS=3.18) which showed an increase in conceptual understanding and mastery in the learning competencies. Hence, there is sufficient evidence to show that the students' scores improved significantly after being taught in computer-aided instruction. Therefore, the developed lesson plans with the integration of computer-aided instruction are excellently and effectively improved the students' conceptual understanding and mastery of the learning competencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contribution: An intensive three-month educational program can be used for rapid integration of foreign-born people into the IT industry. A novel method for integrating industrial needs with the practical parts of a bachelor’s Computer Science program. Background: The program was motivated by (1) the societal need to increase the meaningful integration of immigrants into the workforce, and (2) the demand for IT specialists in the IT labor market. Intended outcomes: An effective intensive software developer program with a high level of industrial integration and a working matching model for employment. Application design: The program consists of three different phases; recruitment of participants, training and job matching. The training is divided into six modules using five different teaching methods. An evaluation model, based on passive and active data, is implemented with fast learning loops for teachers and participants. Findings: The program has been run seven times with 263 unemployed participants of different nationalities. On average 82.6 percent of the participants found employment in the IT industry within 5 months of the course ending. Female participants are in the majority and are more successful in securing employment. The findings suggest that it was possible to rapidly prototype and deliver an advanced reskilling program within a university setting and use it as a positive method to support newcomers find meaningful work that has a direct benefit for the local IT industry, as well as for the wider society.

Contribution: A new operational definition of series connections is given based on elements belonging to the same two meshes, which is properly dual to the usual definition of parallel elements being connected to the same two nodes. Furthermore, computer-based exercises have been developed and tested to teach students about such connections in gateway linear circuits courses, using color coding of nodes and meshes as a pedagogical device. Background: Series and parallel connections are a crucial but difficult concept. Existing textbooks give them limited attention, resulting in later difficulties learning circuit analysis. Research Questions: RQ1: Can an improved definition of series elements aid student understanding and student satisfaction? RQ2: Can a computer-based “game” lead to effective mastery and student satisfaction at a wide range of institutions, including minority-serving ones? Methodology: Standard and new definitions were elaborated in a multiple-choice tutorial. A game was developed focusing on identifying series and parallel connections, with color coding of both nodes and meshes. Student learning was assessed over eight years using pretest and posttest in 14 varied institutions. Student opinions were assessed using several types of surveys. Findings: Strong learning gains were observed every semester from built-in pretest and posttest, with average scores of 28% and 87%, respectively. Large improvements were observed at every institution including five minority-serving ones. The posttest score is increased by a statistically significant amount after introducing the new definition of series elements. Students preferred the new definition of series and recommended its use, and very strongly endorsed color coding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Computer-assisted learning has been suggested to improve enjoyment and learning efficacy in medical education and more specifically, in neuroscience. These range from text-based websites to interactive electronic modules (eModules). It remains uncertain how these can best be implemented. To assess the effects of interactivity on learning perceptions and efficacy, we compared the utility of an eModule using virtual clinical cases and graphics against a Wikipedia-like page of matching content to teach clinical neuroscience: fundamentals of stroke and cerebrovascular anatomy. Methods: A randomized control trial of using an interactive eModule versus a Wikipedia-like page without interactivity was performed. Participants remotely accessed their allocated learning activity once, for approximately 30 min. The primary outcome was the difference in perceptions on enjoyability, engagement and usefulness. The secondary outcome was the difference in learning efficacy between the two learning activities. These were assessed using a Likert-scale survey and two knowledge quizzes: one immediately after the learning activity and one repeated eight weeks later. Assessments were analysed using Mann–Whitney U and T-tests respectively. Results: Thirty-two medical students participated: allocated evenly between the two groups through randomisation. The eModule was perceived as significantly more engaging (p = 0.0005), useful (p = 0.01) and enjoyable (p = 0.001) by students, with the main contributing factors being interactivity and clinical cases. After both learning activities, there was a significant decrease between the first and second quiz scores for both the eModule group (-16%, p = 0.001) and Wikipedia group (-17%, p = 0.003). There was no significant difference in quiz scores between the eModule and Wikipedia groups immediately afterwards (86% vs 85%, p = 0.8) or after eight weeks (71% vs 68%, p = 0.7). Conclusion: Our study shows that increased student satisfaction associated with interactive computer-assisted learning in the form of an eModule does not translate into increased learning efficacy as compared to using a Wikipedia-like webpage. This suggests the matched content of the passive webpage provides a similar learning efficacy. Still, eModules can help motivate self-directed learners and overcome the perceived difficulty associated with neuroscience. As computer assisted learning continues to rapidly expand among medical schools, we suggest educators critically evaluate the usage and cost–benefit of eModules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Augmented, mixed, and virtual reality applications and content have surged into the higher education arena, thereby allowing institutions to engage in research and development projects to better understand their efficacy within curricula. However, despite the increasing interest, there remains a lack of robust empirical evidence to justify the mainstream acceptance of this approach as an effective and efficient learning tool. In this study, the impact of a mixed reality application focused on long spinal cord sensory and motor pathways is explored in comparison to an existing resource already embedded within an active curriculum (e.g., anatomy drawing screencasts). To assess the changes in learner gain, a quasi‐randomized control trial with a pre‐ and post‐test methodology was used on a cohort of Year 2 medical students, with both the absolute and normalized gain calculated. Similar patterns of learner gain were observed between the two groups; only the multiple‐choice questionnaires were shown to be answered significantly higher with the screencast group. This study adds important empirical data to the emerging field of immersive technologies and the specific impact on short‐term knowledge gain for neuroanatomy teaching, specifically that of long sensory and motor pathways. Despite the limitations of the study, it provides important additional data to the field and intends to support colleagues across the education landscape in making evidence‐informed decisions about the value of including such resources into their curricula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research in learning technologies is often focused on optimizing some aspects of human learning. However, the usefulness of practical learning environments is heavily influenced by their weakest aspects, and, unfortunately, there are many things that can go wrong in the learning process. In this article, we argue that in many circumstances, it is more useful to focus on avoiding stupidity rather than seeking optimality. To make this perspective specific and actionable, we propose a definition of stupidity, a taxonomy of undesirable behaviors of learning environments, and an overview of data-driven techniques for finding defects. The provided overview is directly applicable in the development of learning environments and also provides inspiration for novel research directions and novel applications of existing techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learning to write computer programs and engaging students in introductory programming subjects are difficult tasks. This study presents the results obtained when using flipped classroom and peer instruction methodologies in an introductory course of programming. Before the lecture, out‐of‐class study and on‐line homework questionnaires were applied, and peer instruction was used in the classroom to encourage students' participation and discussion, assisted by an on‐the‐fly assessment app. The main academic results, the degree of involvement in the course activities, and the students' feedback were collected and compared with similar data from previous academic years. Significantly better pass (χ2 = 12.94, p <.001) and dropout rates (χ2 = 7.08, p <.01) were obtained when using flipped classroom and peer instruction. Laboratory attendance also improved significantly (χ2 = 27.62, p <.001). Our results showed significant positive correlations between the work performed at home and the grade obtained in the final exam (ρ = 0.51, p <.001). According to the students' opinions, class preparation at home increased significantly (χ2 = 46.59, p <.001) by 33% due to the new methodologies used. These results, based on a sample of six offerings of the same programming course, suggest that the application of flipped classroom and peer instruction improves the quality of the autonomous work of the students as well as their involvement in the lectures, and therefore, their knowledge acquisition improves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the additive manufacturing (AM) market continues to grow, industries face barriers to AM adoption due to a shortage of skilled designers in the workforce that can apply AM effectively to meet this demand. This shortage is attributed to the high cost and infrastructural requirements of introducing high- barrier-to-entry AM processes such as powder bed fusion (PBF) into in-person learning environments. To meet the demands for a skilled AM workforce, it is important to explore other mediums of AM education, such as computer-aided instruction (CAI) and virtual reality (VR), which can increase access to hands-on learning experiences for inaccessible AM processes. However, limited work compares virtual and physical AM instruction or explores how the differences in immersion and presence between mediums can affect the knowledge gained and the mental effort exerted when learning about different AM processes. To address this gap in the literature, this research evaluates the use of CAI, VR, and in-person instruction in AM process education when learning about material extrusion (ME) and PBF. Our findings show that the differences in immersion and presence between CAI, VR, and in-person instruction do not have a statistically significant effect when learning about ME, but do have a significant effect when learning about PBF. Specifically, we found that VR generally yields equivalent effects in knowledge gain and cognitive load to in-person PBF education while offering advantages in both metrics over CAI learning. The findings from this work thus have significant implications for using VR as an alternative to in-person training to improve designer development in process-centric AM education of typically high-barrier-to-entry AM processes., Competing Interests: No competing financial interests exist., (Copyright 2024, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.)

Background: The VSTEP Examination Suite is a collection of evidence-based standardized assessments for persons after stroke. It was developed by an interdisciplinary team in collaboration with clinician users. It consists of 5 standardized assessments: 2 performance-based tests using the Kinect camera (Microsoft Corp) to collect kinematics (5-Time Sit-to-Stand and 4-Square Test); 2 additional performance-based tests (10-Meter Walk Test and 6-Minute Walk Test); and 1 patient-reported outcome measure, the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale., Objective: This study aimed to describe the development of the VSTEP Examination Suite and its evaluation as an educational tool by physical therapy students and faculty to determine its usefulness and usability., Methods: A total of 6 students from a Doctor of Physical Therapy program in the United States and 6 faculty members who teach standardized assessments in different physical therapy programs from the United States and Israel were recruited by convenience sampling to participate in the study. They interacted with the system using a talk-aloud procedure either in pairs or individually. The transcripts of the sessions were coded deductively (by 3 investigators) with a priori categories of usability and usefulness, and comments were labeled as negative or positive. The frequencies of the deductive themes of usefulness and usability were tested for differences between faculty and students using a Wilcoxon rank sum test. A second round of inductive coding was performed by 3 investigators guided by theories of technology adoption, clinical reasoning, and education., Results: The faculty members' and students' positive useful comments ranged from 83% (10/12) to 100%. There were no significant differences in usefulness comments between students and faculty. Regarding usability, faculty and students had the lowest frequency of positive comments for the 10-Meter Walk Test (5/10, 50%). Students also reported a high frequency of negative comments on the 4-Square Test (9/21, 43%). Students had a statistically significantly higher number of negative usability comments compared with faculty (W=5.7; P=.02), specifically for the 5-Time Sit-to-Stand (W=5.3; P=.02). Themes emerged related to variable knowledge about the standardized tests, value as a teaching and learning tool, technology being consistent with clinical reasoning in addition to ensuring reliability, expert-to-novice clinical reasoning (students), and usability., Conclusions: The VSTEP Examination Suite was found to be useful by both faculty and students. Reasons for perceived usefulness had some overlap, but there were also differences based on role and experience. Usability testing revealed opportunities for technology refinement. The development of the technology by interdisciplinary teams and testing with multiple types of users may increase adoption., (©Judith E Deutsch, John L Palmieri, Holly Gorin, Augustus Wendell, Donghee Yvette Wohn, Harish Damodaran. Originally published in JMIR Medical Education (https://mededu.jmir.org), 10.08.2023.)