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The paper presents a scoping review of research that has been conducted on integrated STEM programmes in Australian schools over a 10-year period (2012–2022). It aims to determine how integrated STEM is being practiced. A total of 17 papers were chosen for review. The review explored the major characteristics of research that has been conducted on integrated STEM programmes in Australian schools, the teaching strategies used to teach integrated STEM and the reported impacts of these programmes. In fifteen of the papers experts from outside the school such as scientists and engineers, usually academics, were involved. Cooperative learning, project/problem-based learning and authentic experiences were the most common teaching strategies in a field characterised by positive learner outcomes. It is evident that teaching strategies are significant in the integration of STEM. Future research should focus on addressing issues of ecological validity, sustainability and scalability to ensure as many students as possible reap the benefits of high-quality STEM education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novice nurses often report a disconnect between textbook knowledge and realworld practice which damages their confidence in providing clinical care to patients. Nursing students indeed encounter numerous challenges in clinical environments such as inadequate resources and a gap between learning theory and clinical practice. To close the academic-practice gap and to ensure nursing students are equipped with sufficient clinical skills to perform tasks in their future career, virtual simulation can be used for students to experience clinical cases. In addition to the virtual simulation environment itself, appropriate pedagogies are also needed for them to explore simulated clinical tasks and apply what they have learned. Problem-based learning (PBL) is one pedagogy well-suited to this purpose. To increase the effectiveness of PBL in fostering student nurses' self-efficacy and problem-solving skills, this study proposes integrating computational thinking (CT) into PBL in concert with the virtual dissection table, as CT is viewed as a problem-solving skill. Informed by CT, nursing students organize and synthesize the acquired knowledge, applying it to solve clinical problems and provide nursing care in clinical practice more effectively with the skills developed. The results reveal no significant differences in learning achievement, but both problem solving skills and confidence increase for students empowered by CT concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enable interactive remote education on electrical safety in biomedical engineering, a real-life problem-based laboratory module is proposed, implemented and evaluated. The laboratory module was implemented in a freestanding distance course in hospital safety for three consecutive years and was based on electrical safety for medical devices, where standard equipment existing in most hospitals could be used. The course participants were from a total of 42 geographical locations in or near Sweden. To allow a high level of interaction, especially among peer students, a graphical digital platform (Gather Town) was used. The digital platform was additionally used in two group work sessions. The experience of the participants in terms of usefulness and satisfaction was rated on a range of [-2, 2] using a van der Laan 5-point Likert-based acceptance scale questionnaire. The laboratory module overall was scored 4.1/5 by the participants (n = 29) in the final course assessments. The evaluation of the digital platform alone showed that in the first usage instance, the participants (n = 21) found the platform to be useful (0.54 ± 0.67) and satisfactory (0.37 ± 0.60). The participants' experience of the digital platform improved when comparing two identical group work assignments so that ratings of usefulness and satisfaction were 1.11 ± 0.59 and 1 ± 0.71, respectively, after they had used it in the second group work session (n = 38). This study provides an instance of an interactive remote electrical safety laboratory module that is envisioned to contribute to further implementations of sustainable education in biomedical engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This quantitative study examines the influence of innovative pedagogical approaches (IPA) on enhancing student critical thinking (SCT) and student learning outcomes (SLO) in higher education, with an emphasis on the mediating role of inclusive leadership(IL). Using a sample of 321 students from public and private universities in Pakistan, the research reveals that methods such as problem-based learning, flipped classrooms, and interactive teaching significantly boost academic performance and cultivate critical thinking skills. The findings indicate that innovative pedagogical approaches positively and significantly impact student critical thinking (β = 0.536, t = 6.539, p < 0.001) and learning outcomes (β = 0.551, t = 12.725, p < 0.001). Additionally, inclusive leadership mediates the relationship between innovative teaching methods and both student critical thinking (β = 0.331, t = 3.833, p < 0.001) and learning outcomes (β = 0.405, t = 8.662, p < 0.001). Data were collected using survey questionnaires adapted from established studies on inclusive leadership, innovative pedagogical approaches, student critical thinking, and learning outcomes. These results highlight the essential role of inclusive leadership in enhancing the efficacy of innovative pedagogies by creating a supportive and diverse learning environment. The study suggests that implementing active learning strategies and integrating technology in the classroom, along with inclusive leadership practices, can significantly improve student engagement, critical thinking, and overall academic performance. This research offers valuable insights for educators and policymakers seeking to enhance teaching and learning experiences in higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robotics education is valuable for developing students' 21st century competencies. It is of significant importance for teachers and researchers to explore its effective pedagogies. Robotics learning is interdisciplinary, and the most effective pedagogy is problem-oriented instruction. This type of instruction requires students to independently identify heuristic problems which can be categorized into four types: paradox, critical reflection, anomaly, and practice problems. School students are too young to develop sophisticated self-regulated learning, thus requiring guidance from teachers. However, how teachers can best guide students to solve these four types of problems remains unclear. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate teaching behavioral patterns in the instruction of a robotics course. The participants were 30 seventh-grade students and a teacher. We proposed a Teaching Behavior Coding Scheme and used Lag Sequential Analysis to analyze the course videos to identify various major teaching behaviors and their sequences in the heuristic problems. The results showed that the behaviors included indirect influence, direct influence and wait time. Indirect influence occurred more often than direct influence, and it is argued that enough wait time should be provided in the instruction. Moreover, the results further suggest that paradox is missing from this instruction. The teaching behavior patterns for the three types of problems are discussed. The findings propose a new method to analyze teaching behavior patterns, and also recommend how teachers can support students learning in interdisciplinary robotics courses. The results contribute to the literature by designing the Teaching Behavior Coding Scheme and confirming its use in a robotics course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the experiences and the preferred schedule of face-to-face and online tutorials in a problem-based learning setting where students learn collaboratively, based on cognitive, social, and teaching presences. Seventeen experienced students and 13 tutors attended semi-structured interviews focusing on their experiences and preferences. The majority (15 students and seven tutors) preferred a 100% face-to-face schedule as the default option to stimulate deep learning and social interactions, while two students and five tutors preferred a schedule with a majority of face-to-face tutorials with some online sessions. Overall, face-to-face tutorial meetings were perceived to deepen content discussions, create a sense of connection through social interactions and non-verbal communication, and protect student well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community health promotion offers a potential solution to persistent healthcare challenges, with community health workers playing a pivotal role. The Community Training Institute for Health Disparities (CTIHD) implemented a problem-solving curriculum in Community Health Promotion, integrating a competency-based learning model through two courses: Introduction to Community Health Promotion and Design of an Action Plan for the Promotion of Community Health. Each course comprised ten three-hour sessions, featuring pre/post-tests, evaluations, and a cognitive debriefing. Knowledge change was assessed using pre/post-test scores among 27 community leaders from southern Puerto Rico. Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 demonstrated an overall retention rate of 62.6% and 96.7%, respectively. Although differences in knowledge gained between cohorts and courses weren't statistically significant, a trend toward increased knowledge was noted. Cohort 1 experienced a 22% knowledge increase in Course 1 and a 24% increase in Course 2. Cohort 2 demonstrated a 41% knowledge increase in Course 1 and a 25% increase in Course 2. The CTIHD's Community Health Promotion Program has made significant strides in elevating awareness and knowledge, marking a positive step toward reducing health disparities and fostering healthier, empowered communities in southern Puerto Rico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teaching based on active methodologies emphasizes the importance of giving students a leading role in the learning process. With the implementation of the European Higher Education Area, universities have undergone a reform that significantly increased student involvement in the teaching–learning process. The University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) responded to this change by introducing its own educational model: IKD i3. The general objective of this research is to explore the effect of the IKD i3 strategy on the teaching staff of the UPV/EHU. The study aims to identify the active methodologies adopted by the teaching staff and the reasons behind the use (or not) of these methodologies. A total of 403 teachers participated in the study, and their opinions were gathered freely to accurately represent their viewpoints. The results reveal that teaching staff at the UPV/EHU utilize active methodologies, with the most frequent being problem-based learning, cooperative learning, and the case study method. The reasons for incorporating these methodologies vary and include both benefits for students and advantages related to teaching, while the rationale for not using active methodologies is based on the lack of training, time constraints, and having a large number of students. Interestingly, the teachers who expressed these arguments were primarily those who were not familiar with or actively participating in the IKD i3 educational model. We believe that while our findings validate the UPV/EHU's IKD i3 educational model, they also highlight the importance of universities not only having an educational model but also fostering a culture that encourages the active engagement of teaching staff. This commitment is essential to effectively develop and implement such a model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes kernel-type estimators of a regression function, with possibly unobservable response variables in a functional covariate setting, along with their rates of convergence in general L p norms. Here, the mechanism that causes the absence of information (in the sense of having unobservable responses) is allowed to depend on both predictors and the response variables; this makes the problem particularly more challenging in those cases where model identifiability is an issue. As an immediate byproduct of these results, we propose asymptotically optimal classification rules for the challenging problem of semi-supervised learning based on the proposed estimators. Our proposed approach involves two steps: in the first step, we construct a family of models (possibly infinite dimensional) indexed by the unknown parameter of the missing probability mechanism. In the second step, a search is carried out to find the empirically optimal member of an appropriate cover (or subclass) of the underlying family in the sense of minimizing a weighted mean squared prediction error. The main focus of the paper is to look into the rates of almost complete convergence of the L p norms of these estimators. The issue of identifiability is also addressed. As an application of our findings, we consider the classical problem of statistical classification based on the proposed regression estimators when there are a large number of missing labels in the data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This comparative study investigated the effect of supplementing problem-based learning (PBL) with video resources on students' academic achievement in physics, a unit of simple machines. It was carried out in the Ugandan Government and private lower secondary schools. The quasi-experimental design employed a cluster sampling design with 947 students selected from 12 Sheema District, western Uganda schools. Four belonged to the traditional group, four to the PBL group, and four to the video-based PBL group. In the traditional group, the teacher delivered the content, while in the PBL group, students were organized into groups to discuss and present a problem; in the video-based PBL group, students watched YouTube videos related to the functionality of simple machines as part of the PBL approach. SPSS v.25 was used for analysis. The analysis of variance revealed that all groups showed a positive impact after teaching and learning activities (p <.001, d = 2.07). Specifically, students (including those in traditional instruction, PBL alone, and video-based PBL groups) from government schools possessed similar performance both before and after instruction, whereas students from private schools demonstrated more significant (p <.001, d = 0.19) improvement after receiving instruction. In conclusion, the results showed that PBL is an effective way of teaching physics despite the type of school when supplemented with video resources. Thus, teachers were recommended to use it in their daily routine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A common problem of undergraduate courses about security and computer networks is the difficulty of providing practical exercises to students. Although different approaches have been followed to solve this problem, it is still an open issue. In this work, we first discuss several possible open-source simulation/emulation/virtualization tools that could be used in the design of a lab session for teaching Virtual Private Networks (VPN) fundamentals based on OpenVPN. Next, we describe how a hands-on lab about VPNs can be carried out with the selected virtualization tool, called NETinVM. The proposed lab starts installing the OpenVPN packages in client and server machines, as in a real-case scenario. Although in this case both client and servers are Kernel-based Virtual Machines (KVM) connected to networks inside NETinVM. The nested virtualization included in NETinVM allows to deploy all the required types of VPNs within the virtual machine, allowing the students to reproduce the lab without the need of a network infrastructure, and following exactly the same process required in a real scenario. The evaluation results show that the level of learning achieved by the students through this lab session seems to be high, and they consider this lab useful for their professional development, showing that virtualization technology can help in computer network education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to extensive research, problem-based learning (PBL) in STEM education improves student learning outcomes and supports them in gaining practical skills necessary for upward future careers. Despite current efforts to promote PBL-STEM activities in education, their uptake in life science remains low. Several types of research involving college instructors indicate that instructor guidance of PBL-STEM activities is one of the crucial aspects for its successful usage in educational settings. However, to our knowledge, little research has been undertaken on the effectiveness of participants' PBL-STEM learning in coping with problems and dilemmas encountered during the STEM learning process. This research intends to investigate the efficacy and provide experiential references to demonstrate the existing gaps by a transdisciplinary approach. The effect on participants' professional learning interest, comprehension capacity, problem-solving ability, self-efficacy, and cooperation abilities is related to five dependent variables. Our findings from paired t-test analysis demonstrate that STEM participants had a significant difference before and after experiencing PBL-STEM learning objectives. In the light of a one-way ANOVA, STEM learner participation in this course was more important than gender and age in improving STEM literacy through classroom activities. In line with feedback interviews, students who engaged in experiential learning favored reciprocal advantages and mutual benefits within their groups through teamwork, practical application, and information acquisition. Given that the participants in this study were early adopters of PBL-STEM, any future research should aggressively encourage these students to create and implement solutions in the classroom based on their ideas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fostering students' critical thinking skills is an urgent issue that requires immediate attention. One viable solution to address this is the implementation of project-oriented problem-based learning (POPBL) through the SR-STEM project. This research aims to describe the implementation, effectiveness, and student perception of the POPBL model through the SR-STEM project in enhancing critical thinking skills in renewable energy materials. The study adopts a quasi-experimental design with a non-equivalent control group. The participants are 74 senior high school students in the academic year 2022/2023. Data collection employs observation sheets, written tests, and questionnaires. The data are analyzed descriptively and inferentially and using confirmatory factor analysis. The key findings of the study are as follows: (1) the model demonstrates a high level of feasibility; (2) the learning model effectively improves students' critical thinking skills; and (3) the learning model exhibits a positive correlation with student achievement, perceived control, and affective perception. This research suggests introducing innovative learning approaches to enhance students' critical thinking skills, particularly in renewable energy materials, to promote Education for Sustainable Development. Moreover, it highlights the significance of considering factors that influence the effective implementation of lessons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The students' assessment regarding collaborative learning and workgroups is being reported as one of the main concerns in higher education. The increased technological evolution leads to adapting novel self and peer assessment methods to e-assessment. This paper reports the results of a study to evaluate students' opinion about their experience with an e-assessment tool, WebAVALIA, and its assessment criteria. The results indicate that students (N = 359) consider the tool fair, and it increases the productivity regarding work development. Kruskal-Wallis tests show that the students recently considered WebAVALIA fairer and more straightforward. Quickness and anonymity are also identified as tool advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In common threshold secret image sharing (t, n) schemes, each of n shareholders has a share of secret image S. By having at least t shares, the dealer D will be able to retrieve the secret. In such traditional schemes, it is not possible to change the threshold value. However, the security policy of the secret recovery phase may change, and the number of shareholders present at the phase of secret recovery may need to change. In such cases, a secret sharing scheme with changeable threshold can be applied. In this paper, we introduce the first changeable threshold secret image sharing scheme based on Learning With Error problem. It employs Bloom Filter to provide non-interactive verification of participants' shares. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on mapping agripreneurship curriculum and lecturers' competencies in 8 African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), participating in the Strengthening Agri-Entrepreneurship and Community Engagement Training in East, West and North Africa (AgriENGAGE) joint Project. A sample of 194 lecturers from East, West, and North Africa participated in the study. The study employed a mixed method approach with concurrent nested research design methodology to collect information. Among the main results found in this study, the key aspects that were implemented in curricula were; business plan development (µ = 3.57), business opportunities identification (µ = 3.56), and communicating with value chain actors (= 3.51). Concerning the forms of entrepreneurship taught, most institutions focused on subsistence agripreneurship (µ = 3.23) with growth-oriented agripreneurship (µ = 2.50) and innovative-oriented agripreneurship (µ = 2.50) having the lowest rating. Regarding teaching methods within the provision of entrepreneurship education, most of the institutions were using traditional teaching methodologies with the common ones being formal lectures, field trips, in-class group discussions, and group project-based learning. Most lecturers had low teaching competencies concerning instructional quality and a moderate/average level of entrepreneurial competencies. The study recommends that universities should implement more professional development and pedagogical training over and above the subject competency to improve lecturers' entrepreneurial competency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is a prevalent mental illness, especially major depression, which has a negative impact on individuals and society. In clinical practice, doctors diagnose depression primarily based on self-reported scores, which can be highly subjective. Therefore, developing a framework for diagnosing and identifying depression is a highly significant study. However, existing studies in this field face the challenges of lack of sample size and multimodal data fusion due to difficulties in obtaining patient data. To address these challenges, we propose a multimodal graph neural network-based model for depression detection. In this model, we solve the few-shot learning problem based on a GNN, which can recursively aggregate and transform neighboring nodes to refine the node representation and is very effective for few-shot learning. For multimodal fusion in depression recognition, a pre-fusion strategy is used to fuse three different modal features (audio, text, and video), and input them into the Bi-LSTM fusion network to learn high-level global features of multimodal information to form a multimodal fusion representation. Finally, we embedded the multimodal fusion module into a GNN to predict depression. This study not only solves the multimodal fusion problem but also can effectively improve the generalization performance of few-shot learning. The method achieved an accuracy of 0.861 on the publicly available depression-based dataset DAIC-WOZ, and the final prediction results far exceeded the baseline level, this shows that our model is highly applicable when dealing with small amounts of multimodal medical data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) has long recognized and championed increasing diversity within the surgical workplace. SAGES initiated the Fundamentals of Leadership Development (FLD) Curriculum to address these needs and to provide surgeon leaders with the necessary tools and skills to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in surgical practice. In 2019, the American College of Surgeons issued a request for anti-racism initiatives which lead to the partnering of the two societies. The primary goal of FLD was to create the first surgeon-focused leadership curriculum dedicated to DEI. The rationale/development of this curriculum and its evaluation/feedback methods are detailed in this White Paper. Methods: The FLD curriculum was developed by a multidisciplinary task force that included surgeons, education experts, and diversity consultants. The curriculum development followed the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation (ADDIE) instructional design model and utilized a problem-based learning approach. Competencies were identified, and specific learning objectives and assessments were developed. The implementation of the curriculum was designed to be completed in short intervals (virtual and in-person). Post-course surveys used the Kirkpatrick's model to evaluate the curriculum and provide valuable feedback. Results: The curriculum consisted of interactive online modules, an online discussion forum, and small group interactive sessions focused in three key areas: (1) increasing pipeline of underrepresented individuals in surgical leadership, (2) healthcare equity, and (3) conflict negotiation. By focusing on positive action items and utilizing a problem-solving approach, the curriculum aimed to provide a framework for surgical leaders to make meaningful changes in their institutions and organizations. Conclusion: The FLD curriculum is a novel leadership curriculum that provided surgeon leaders with the knowledge and tools to improve diversity in three areas: pipeline improvement, healthcare equity, and conflict negotiation. Future directions include using pilot course feedback to enhance curricular effectiveness and delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to global demands, Uganda's Vision 2040 seeks to transform the country into a modern and prosperous nation by implementing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, focusing on equitable and quality education. The 21st-century workforce requires individuals who can effectively navigate complex workplace challenges. This dataset was gathered from Form-2 Ugandan secondary school students (aged 12 to 15) across 12 schools in the Sheema District. The dataset comprises three types of data: students' performance in a physics topic (simple machines), their attitudes toward problem-solving and critical thinking when learning physics using Problem-Based Learning (PBL) supplemented by YouTube videos, and classroom observations documented with the reformed teaching observational protocol (RTOP). The intervention of teaching using PBL was executed in 2022, collecting data from 973 lower secondary school students. The intervention involved three approaches: one group (144 students) received PBL along with YouTube videos, another group of 482 students received PBL alone, and a third group (347 students) was taught using the traditional method. This data article explains the study's data creation, collection, and analysis process. The dataset holds significance for secondary school teachers, policymakers, and researchers, offering insights into the impact of PBL with and without ICT resources on learning physics and students' attitudes toward these learner-centered approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The support vector machine (SVM) method is an important basis of the current popular multi-class classification (MCC) methods and requires a sufficient number of samples. In the case of a limited number of samples, the problem of over-learning easily occurs, resulting in unsatisfactory classification. Therefore, this work investigates an MCC method that requires only a small number of samples. During model construction, raw data are converted into two-dimensional form via preprocessing. Via feature extraction, the learning network is measured and the loss function minimization principle is considered to better solve the problem of learning based on a small sample. Finally, three examples are provided to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a large agreement in declaring that electrochemistry is one of the most difficult curricular domains to teach and learn. Applied or Industrial Electrochemistry is even less frequently found in Chemical Engineering curricula. The extremely few textbooks on Applied Electrochemistry put most of the effort in developing theoretical content while leaving for later learning stages the specific examples. Our proposal is about how to start an Industrial Electrochemistry course in order to make students enthusiastic while engaging them in the learning process. Production of a strategic metal is chosen as a case study to help students understand the importance of electrolytic production. A specific production facility in our country is chosen and students are asked to calculate the electricity consumption of the electrolysis with minimal input. An inquiry-based learning strategy is developed where students are constantly asked to find information online in non-academic websites about different variables that will make them realize how electrolytic production is an energy-intensive industrial activity. The need to understand the origin of the enormous electricity costs helps to advance in lecturing the specificities of the Hall-Héroult process, while more fundamental general electrochemistry concepts are introduced, always in relation to the specific case study under consideration. Side topics that can be brought up in connection with this specific case study, such as process improvement and process design are introduced. The key message is that in order to decrease electrolytic production costs it is fundamental to understand electrochemistry and materials chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accelerated charging of lithium-ion cells is proposed as a case study that will facilitate the integration of several fundamental electrochemical concepts learned during a dedicated electrochemistry course. Lithium-ion cells are ubiquitous to our everyday life, and their presence will become even more pervading with the increase in number of electric vehicles and the wider penetration of renewable energy sources in our energy matrix. In this context, understanding conventional and fast charging of lithium ion cells and most importantly being able to relate the limitations of the charging process to fundamental electrochemical phenomena at the interphase level are key. By testing the charge and discharge of graphite/lithium cobalt oxide single cells at different C rates, a large array of experimental data is generated which will trigger the discussion. The applied current is interpreted as the imposed kinetics on the system. The voltage vs. time profiles are highly dependent on the applied current. Surprisingly, whilst during the CV regime the same voltage value is applied in all experiments, the resulting current vs. time profiles are different for experiments at varying C rates. The different profiles are interpreted in terms of activation, diffusion, and concentration overpotentials. The kinetics related both to electrochemical reactions and mass transport phenomena limit the maximum current that can be imposed to the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this meta-analysis, we examined the effects on students’ motivation of student-centered, problem-driven learning methods compared to teacher-centered/lecture-based learning. Specifically, we considered problem-based (PBL), project-based (PjBL), and case-based learning (CBL). We viewed motivation as a multifaceted construct consisting of students’ beliefs (competence and control beliefs), perceptions of task value (interest and importance), and reasons for engaging in tasks (intrinsic or extrinsic). In addition, we included students’ attitudes toward school subjects (e.g., science). We included 139 subsamples from the 132 included reports (83 PBL, 37 PjBL, and 19 CBL subsamples). Overall, PBL, PjBL, and CBL had a small to moderate, heterogeneous positive effect (d = 0.498) on motivation. Moderator analyses revealed that larger effect sizes were found for students’ beliefs, values, and attitudes compared to students’ reasons for studying. No differences were found between the three instructional methods on motivation. However, effect sizes were larger when problem-driven learning was applied in a single course (when compared to a curriculum-level approach). Larger effects were also found in some academic domains (i.e., healthcare and STEM) than in others. While the impact of problem-driven learning on motivation is generally positive, the intricate interplay of factors such as academic domain and implementation level underscores the need for a nuanced approach to leveraging these instructional methods effectively with regard to increasing student motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Students employing problem-based learning (PBL) face complex problems admitting multiple solutions. Knowledge maps are an effective tool to support students in PBL to represent, analyze, and guide their knowledge structure. Previous studies have examined the use of knowledge mapping techniques in both individual and collaborative learning process. These studies explored how knowledge mapping influenced students' learning outcomes and their knowledge understanding, but they did not document how the map structure changed when shifting from individual to collaborative mapping process. In this work-in-process study, we collected maps from students first as individuals and then as they collaboratively worked in groups to solve a case. We examined two questions: (Q1) how does the structure of a map change when shifting from individuals to groups, and (Q2) how does the size of a group mediate these changes. We used 12 network science metrics capturing the breadth (e.g., number of edges) and complexity (e.g., number of cycles) of problems and compared these metrics in individuals versus groups (Q1) and across group sizes (Q2). Based on 44 individual maps arranged in 10 groups of four or five students, we found that (1) five metrics significantly differ (p < 0.05 in a one-way ANOVA) between individual and group maps; and (2) only the number of edges and paths are affected by the size of a group (based on Tukey's HSD test). Our first result confirms that learner-learner interactions can enhance performance. The second result shows that group sizes of four or five students have no implications on the results, hence instructors who may currently be hesitating between these two options may choose either size. Future studies may reveal whether differences exist between pairs, medium group sizes, or larger groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Understandability and completeness are essential in modern collaborative digital platforms and their learning systems. These platforms have shaken up the traditional education setting, particularly in leveraging the coauthoring approach in problem-solving and streamlining the learning behavior of cowriting or corevising. Such a learning context has attracted considerable interest from various stakeholders; however, it needs to be explored further as an independent topic. Based on social capital and social identity theories, we explore how online collaborative problem-based learning (PBL) effectiveness, relational quality, and social identity influence students' perceived PBL performance during learning activities. Based on the core elements of online coauthoring processes (i.e., platform, cocreation, and problem-solving), this study employs a holistic view of the coauthor to discuss the effects of understandability and completeness. This study also highlights the mediating impact of trust on students' social identity. Based on the responses of 240 students, the results support the proposed hypotheses using partial least squares analysis. The study's implications suggest guidelines to educators on how to enhance students' perceived PBL performance by using wiki technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since Bruner’s introduction of discovery learning in the 1960s, there has been an ongoing and intensive debate on the value of inductive teaching methods (e.g., problem-solving followed by instruction, such as in problem-based learning and productive failure) compared to deductive teaching methods (instruction followed by problem-solving, such as direct instruction). Although it has been strongly argued that problem-first inductive methods are incompatible with human cognitive architecture as perceived by cognitive load theory, the main goal of this position paper is to appeal to broaden cognitive load research on inductive and deductive methods, and especially, their orchestration in educational programs of longer duration. We describe eight possible sequences of problem-solving and instruction and conclude that, when well designed, at least six of these sequences can be compatible with cognitive load theory, including productive failure and problem-based learning. We suggest that rather than comparing inductive with deductive methods, future research should also include inductive methods that use different types of supported problem-solving in combination with expository and inquisitory instruction. We propagate a design perspective, looking for the instructional goals, learner characteristics, and other conditions that make selected teaching methods effective, efficient, and attractive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the impact of problem-based learning (PBL) on students' achievement in mechanical waves among secondary schools in South Western Uganda. Four hundred and nineteen students (419) from 19 schools were involved in this study. A quasi-experimental research method was employed through Solomon's four-group design. Form six physics students were randomly allocated to the experimental group exposed to PBL and the control group exposed to traditional instructional methods (TIM). A Mechanical Wave Conceptual Survey (MWCS) was administered twice as a pre- and post-test to both groups. Exposition to these instructions lasted three and half months. The study found that students' achievements in waves improved in the PBL than in the TIM learning environment, supported by the large effect size and high learning gains in the experimental group than those in the control group. Specifically, among groups offered both pre- and post-test during Solomon's four-group sampling at the post-test stage, the experimental group achieved higher than the control group. Further analysis among factors such as gender difference, age difference, subjects' combination, single girls alongside mixed schools, and government or private owned schools were analyzed, and practical implications such as teacher's adaptation of PBL were recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

γ-TiAl alloy is a typically difficult material to machine, with common machining defects such as grain pull-out and material spalling during machining, resulting in component scrap. As a result, it is critical to investigate the monitoring method of surface roughness during milling. A new model for predicting surface roughness is proposed in this paper. The prediction problem of surface roughness is turned into a classification problem based on deep learning. The features of the force signal are extracted using a continuous wavelet transform, and the one-dimensional signal is converted into a two-dimensional time–frequency diagram to obtain additional information. The transfer learning mechanism is introduced to make the model faster and improve prediction accuracy. The overfitting problem is solved, and the model's generalization ability is improved through batch normalization and a dropout layer. The results show that the method has high recognition accuracy, with a maximum classification accuracy of 98% and an average accuracy of 96.12%, i.e., a 10.52% improvement over the traditional model, allowing it to accurately realize monitoring of surface quality in milling processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the application of PBL combined with CBL teaching mode in the teaching of international classification of diseases (ICD) encoding, so as to improve students' grasp of ICD encoding knowledge. From March 2020 to June 2020, 50 students majoring in health information management who were interns in a Grade A general hospital were selected as the research participants and randomly divided into experimental group and control group, 25 in each group. The experimental group and the control group adopted the PBL combined CBL teaching mode and the traditional teaching mode respectively to carry out the classification and coding teaching. The academic achievement of the two groups of students was evaluated by means of achievement assessment and questionnaire survey based on information processing theory. The scores of theoretical knowledge in the experimental group and the control group were 79.78 ± 8.55 and 70.92 ± 10.81, respectively, and the scores of skill operation in the two groups were 79.76 ± 8.28 and 70.00 ± 10.41, respectively. The test scores of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The scores of knowledge acquisition ability of experimental group and control group were 16.72 ± 1.79 and 16.60 ± 2.36, the scores of knowledge sharing ability were 24.20 ± 2.61 and 21.00 ± 2.65, the scores of knowledge storage ability were 20.80 ± 2.47 and 17.24 ± 4.90, respectively. The scores of knowledge application ability were 14.00 ± 1.80 and 11.00 ± 2.69, the scores of knowledge innovation ability were 20.16 ± 2.34 and 18.08 ± 3.70, and the total scores were 95.88 ± 6.08 and 83.92 ± 11.30, respectively. The scores of all questionnaires in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group. The scores of knowledge sharing ability, knowledge storage ability, knowledge application ability, knowledge innovation ability and total score between the two groups were higher than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). PBL combined with CBL teaching model has good academic achievement in ICD encoding teaching, which can significantly improve academic performance and learning ability, and is worthy of promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remote Education Tutors (RETs) are central to the delivery of distance schooling in Australia and are accountable for the face-to face supervision and educational support of students. They act as the government mandated adult supervisors of Australian primary and secondary school students enrolled in distance education, including geographically isolated learners. This paper draws on statistical data from a national survey (N = 575) that was designed to map the perceptions of Australian RETs. These data confirmed that RETs act as a conduit between the distance schooling teacher and student, and that their role requires complex capabilities to be performed within a structured framework. Time restrictions with competing demands present a constant challenge to the RETs' work satisfaction. Constraining this occupation is the reality that there is no formal qualification available for RETs. Without specific credentialling, it appears that the RETs' (in)visible role risks being overlooked as a substantive educational occupation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because implementing and orchestrating collaborative problem-based learning (PBL) in K-12 classrooms requires teachers to manage multiple activities and access various teaching resources at the same time, this is an exceptionally complex task for designers to develop tools for orchestration support as well as for teachers to coordinate. The aim of the present study was to explore what classroom teachers perceived to be essential to support orchestration in PBL, but also to surface potential areas of tension between teacher and designer goals through a co-design approach. Thirteen K-12 classroom teachers were interviewed to find out what teachers consider integral to support orchestration in game-based PBL environments. We present the primary features that were identified as essential from the teacher interviews, which include the ability to 1) conduct assessment, 2) intervene and scaffold in different ways, and 3) visualize information. In addition, we discuss the design tensions between the goals of the teachers and designers as we work together on a shared view of what it means to design an intelligent assistant for classroom orchestration and present the design documents with implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although scholars and practitioners have highlighted the significance of students' attitudes for their future employment, few empirical examinations have attempted to determine the potential association between students' future orientation and their perceived employability. Thus, drawing on career construction theory, we test the positive effect of students' future orientation on their perceived employability by exploring the mediator of problem-based learning and the moderators of job market knowledge and proactive personality. Collecting our data via a time-lagged design (N = 368), we have found that the positive association between future orientation and employability is mediated by problem-based learning. Our moderation analyses further revealed that job market knowledge positively moderates the relationship between future orientation and problem-based learning and that students' proactive personality positively moderates the relationship between problem-based learning and perceived employability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The approach in the teaching process is changing, thanks to the increased awareness that a higher students' involvement leads to a better quality of their learning. The aim is to make the students more participative, avoiding a unidirectional lesson and encouraging their wish to keep updated on the course advancements. However, innovative teaching methodologies are not yet widespread, mainly in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines. At the University of Genoa, the experimentation of innovative teaching techniques has been significant and worthy especially because it was planned before the COVID-19 emergency and applied in the scenario of forced remote teaching. Thanks to the introduction of novel technological instruments, several techniques have been exploited to realize interactive lessons and promoting students' involvement. The present work discloses the employed techniques and frames them within the state of the art of innovative teaching, highlighting their contribution in the teaching activities related to the Geomatics field of knowledge. The acquired experiences in Geomatics dissemination and a critical analysis, including teachers' and students' perception about the tested innovative teaching/learning tools, are also reported. In general, the innovations introduced in teaching and learning processes during the COVID-19 sanitary emergency were warmly received by the entire community, including teachers, students, and teaching assistants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International education scholars often theorise alternative models of knowledge work in the university. These imagine the transformation of teaching and learning and a more inclusive society. This article presents the case of a university in Denmark, where problem-oriented, interdisciplinary, collaborative project work has been the pedagogic norm for over forty years. It draws on a theoretical basis that asserts the value of a different onto-epistemological paradigm for doing knowledge work, one that engages students in knowing as troublesome (stimulated through a personally-interesting complex issue) and contested (subject to different perspectives and purposes) to enact immersive and multifaceted learning processes. Mixed-method data from the case illustrate plural outcomes of the approach. While quantitative achievement data reveal a general pattern of higher achievement in problem-focused projects when compared to coursework, teasing into qualitative statements reveals a matrix of co-existing outcomes and epistemic dispositions for graduates. While a singular case, the study illuminates the ways that learning outcomes entwine with the ways students encounter and generate knowledge in a university setting. Through processes of inquiry, students are invited to develop epistemic dispositions for engaging willingly with complexity, knowledge, others, and the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concept mapping has received increasing attention and application in higher education as an effective instructional strategy. However, little is known about how higher-education students' different motivations for learning might be related to the way they use digital concept mapping for effective learning. This study sought to design and assess an intervention program that employs digital concept mapping in problem-based learning and to evaluate the effectiveness of using this tool among students with different achievement-goal profiles on learning and deep versus surface approaches to learning. Data were collected from 129 undergraduate students from three higher-education institutions located in Israel and Austria and analyzed by using Partial Least Squares - Structural Equation Modeling. The findings indicated that digital concept mapping could benefit higher-education students, specifically at the cognitive level, in order to specify and identify the interrelationships among arguments and to learn about the topic. Another finding showed that deep learners and mastery-approach learners perceived concept mapping as an effective tool mainly for self-regulating their learning during the intervention. It is suggested to find ways to scaffold surface learners' involvement in activities that enable them to solve complex problems by underlining the benefits of technology-enabled platforms for their learning and thus have them acknowledge concept mapping as a practice that fosters meaningful learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the delivery of medical education, necessitating novel modes of instruction to facilitate distance learning. Online medical education resources provide opportunities for self-directed and asynchronous learning. GISIM is a free, open access educational website dedicated to gastroenterology (GI)/hepatology, which teaches pathophysiology and disease management, and supports clinical reasoning skill development through interactive, dynamic, case presentation-based journeys. Aims: (1) To describe the creation of a mobile-optimized, GI/hepatology educational resource for medical trainees, and (2) to report on trainee feedback on completing and authoring GISIM cases. Methods: GISIM was created on WordPress and modeled after NephSIM, an e-learning platform dedicated to Nephrology. Content was developed by internal medicine residents and GI/hepatology fellows and attendings. Cases are interactive, prompting users to select differential diagnoses and management plans, with immediate feedback provided on response. Self-reported user demographics and website feedback were collected with an embedded survey. A separate survey evaluated case authors' experiences. Results: GISIM launched in February 2021 and received 12,184 website views and 2003 unique visitors between February 1 2021 and February 28 2022. New cases are disseminated bimonthly. Sixty-one user surveys were collected, with a majority completed by fellows (38%) and residents (26%). All users found the website easy to use and most reported enhanced understanding of case topic areas. Nine author surveys were collected. Authors reported significant learning on chosen topics and improved clinical knowledge through their participation. Conclusions: We developed a novel GI/hepatology case-based resource that enables distance learning and was perceived as a valuable educational tool by users and authors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical thinking is identified as a key educational outcome in higher education curricula; however, it is not trivial to support students in building this multifaceted skill. In this study, we evaluated a brief online learning intervention focusing on informal fallacy identification, a hallmark critical-thinking skill. The intervention used a bite-sized video learning approach, which has been shown to promote student engagement. Video-based learning was implemented within a precision teaching (PT) framework, which modulates the exposure of individual learners to the learning material to enable them to build 'fluency' in the targeted skills. In one of the learning conditions, PT was applied synergistically with domain-general problem-based training to support generalisation. The intervention consisted of two learning episodes and was administered to three groups (learning conditions) of 19 participants each: a PT fluency-based training group; a PT + group, where PT was combined with problem-based training; and a self-directed learning control group. All three groups showed comparable improvements in fallacy identification on taught (post-episode tests) and unseen materials (post-intervention assessment), with lower-scoring participants showing higher gains than high-scoring participants. The results of the knowledge retention tests a week later were also comparable between groups. Importantly, in the domain-general fallacy-identification assessment (post-intervention), the two PT groups showed higher improvements than the control group. These findings suggest that the integration of bite-sized video learning technologies with PT can improve students' critical-thinking skills. Furthermore, PT, on its own or combined with problem-based training, can improve their skill to generalise learning to novel contexts. We discuss the educational implications of our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical thinking (CT) is widely regarded as an important competence to obtain in education. Students' exposure to problems and collaboration have been proven helpful in promoting CT processes. These elements are present in student-centered instructional environments such as problem-based and project-based learning (P(j)BL). Next to CT, also higher-order thinking (HOT) and critical-analytic thinking (CAT) contain elements that are present in and fostered by P(j)BL. However, HOT, CT, and CAT definitions are often ill-defined and overlap. The present systematic review, therefore, investigated how HOT, CT, and CAT were conceptualized in P(j)BL environments. Another aim of this study was to review the evidence on the effectiveness of P(j)BL environments in fostering HOT, CT, or CAT. Results demonstrated an absence of CAT in P(j)BL research and a stronger focus on CT processes than CT dispositions (i.e., trait-like tendency or willingness to engage in CT). Further, while we found positive effects of P(j)BL on HOT and CT, there was a lack of clarity and consistency in how researchers conceptualized and measured these forms of thinking. Also, essential components of P(j)BL were often overlooked. Finally, we identified various design issues in effect studies, such as the lack of control groups, that bring the reported outcomes of those investigations into question. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been an increasing growing need for learning experience or instructional designers. As a result, online courses on user experience (UX) design for learning are in demand to prepare those much-needed professionals. This paper reports the first circle of educational design research (EDR) on such a completely online problem-based course using group contracts and peer-evaluations to promote collaborations. Multiple datasets were collected from a range of data sources from a graduate-level course and were analyzed by two researchers. The study yielded several meaningful results: (1) group contracts helped students work smoothly and keep goals focused on collaborative learning in PBL; (2) the instructor could facilitate the group formation process; (3) peer evaluations helped group collaboration and monitoring; and (4) collaborative technologies are critical for collaboration. The findings also revealed important design principles for collaborative learning in PBL that can be used in similar courses. In addition, this study provides a successful example of how to teach UX design in an online PBL environment, and sheds light on how to further improve similar practices while contributing to the limited body of research on UX design for learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to perform a meta‐analysis of published data on the effects of active learning on Asian students' performance in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects. This comprehensive meta-analysis study includes a systematic review of papers related to various active learning approaches and instructional methods such as collaborative learning, experiential learning, discovery-based, group-inquiry-based, problem-based and activity-based learning, specifically the effects these approaches have on Asian students' performance in STEM-related subjects. The Scopus electronic bibliographic database was searched with search terms and dates to identify and extract the relevant studies that met pre-stated inclusion criteria. A main criterion for inclusion of studies in this meta-analysis were Asian students' exposure to any active learning intervention in STEM-related subjects. Studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were processed for data extraction. A total of 2810 full‐text peer reviewed papers published from 2000 to 2020 were analyzed and 38 papers met the inclusion criteria established for the meta-analysis. Effect sizes between experimental (n = 2230) and control groups (n = 2510) were calculated using means and standard deviations which were collected and summarized for a comprehensive and systematic review based on the compiled data. Using means and standard deviations from the studies, a moderately large effect size (ES = 0.6596) was detected. Analysis of the pre-post effect sizes demonstrated a significantly higher mean effect size thereby indicating a positive effect of active learning on Asian students' performance in STEM subjects. Findings from the meta-analysis in this study provide a comprehensive understanding of the effects of active learning on Asian students' performance in STEM subjects. Finally, the significance and relevance of these findings for future research directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last 5 years, there have been several literature reviews or meta-analyses investigating various aspects of STEM education; however, they have investigated a specific aspect of STEM, e.g. robotics, or digital games, or Early childhood, or Teacher perspectives. In addition, a broad-reaching review on STEM integration has not been conducted in the past 10 years. This article reports findings from a Systematic Qualitative Literature Review concerning STEM education for children aged 4–12 in formal education contexts. To provide context, the article initially presents descriptive findings (date and country of research, age of participants, research setting, and research methodologies used) in the 60 research articles that are included for analysis. The article then answers three research questions regarding the: (1) level of integration evident in the studies; (2) role of engineering in any such integration; and (3) teaching approaches used in the studies. Findings from this research suggest that there is still much work to be done to move from scenarios where STEM integration is claimed but is not evident in practice. To do so we encourage educators and researchers to (a) focus on authentic interdisciplinary approaches rather than the siloed approaches evident in the existing research; and (b) use a teaching approach such as problem-based or project-based learning that provide opportunities for authentic integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive manufacturing (AM) is projected to require 60,000 jobs in the UK by 2025, but there are a series of barriers to the industrial application. One of the most problematic is non-comprehensive knowledge in design for AM (DfAM). This study aims to test the effect of two undergraduate DfAM teaching approaches. A visual and audial approach (design lecture) and a kinaesthetic, problem-based learning (PBL) approach (manufacturing laboratory) were compared against technical and participant perspective criteria to assess the learning, engagement, and self-efficacy of the students. The participants were set a DfAM challenge; to redesign a bracket. The technical merits of the designs were evaluated after teaching through a design lecture alone or after a design lecture and manufacturing-laboratory. The participant's perspective was evaluated at the end of the study. The groups who undertook both the design lecture and manufacturing laboratory showed a mean technical mark of 100% for criteria (C) 13 ("Parts have been consolidated into one part"), 91.7% for C14 ("The bracket is hollowed where possible") and 100% for C16 ("Manufacture was successful"). These technical marks demonstrate a statistically significant increase over those of the groups who undertook the design lecture alone. The participant evaluation reinforced this result; the manufacturing laboratory was chosen more frequently in answer to questions on applicability (Q13 = 83%), preparedness (Q15 = 83%), and gaining confidence in DfAM (Q31 = 74%). This study demonstrates the importance of PBL in DfAM, both to increase technical aptitude of the student (creativity and manufacturing) and their perspective on their own learning and self-efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In India, the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) are a vital part the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system. Previous research reveals that in addition to some other problems, it is the strongly theory-based training that impedes the transition of VET graduates into the labour market, and leads to a lack of work-readiness in young graduates. Since there is still little empirical evidence about the actual forms of teaching and learning in Indian vocational schools, this paper will examine how the learning processes in ITIs in Delhi, Coimbatore and Mumbai take place. To identify the relationship between the theory and practice of training, teacher interviews were conducted, in order to specifically examine the teacher´s beliefs and behaviours as well as classroom observations to supplement the interviews. The evidence gathered supports the thesis that ITI training is theory-driven and teacher-centred, that training is very often not practical and application-orientated, and most ITI teachers in the examined institutes have limited knowledge in the field of micro-didactics. Content knowledge and repetition of facts are more common than problem-based and learner-centred teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From May 2014 through June 2019, educational, health, and academic partners under an NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) engaged 1271 6th through 8th grade students and their families in the "A New Genomic Framework for Schools and Communities" program. Evaluation addressed the effectiveness of the Health in Our Hands genomics curriculum, which employed Next Generation Science Standards and community action research projects to target two common, complex conditions—type 2 diabetes and substance use disorder (SUD)—in the underserved cities of Flint and Detroit, MI, USA. Curriculum outcomes were measured with classroom surveys, presentation event questionnaires, and adult interviews using mixed qualitative/quantitative (SPSS V. 25.0) methods involving generalized linear mixed modeling-based ANOVA. The diabetes unit enactment registered a 12% pre- /post-gain among students in perceived learning about genes and the environment. Both diabetes and SUD units showed statistically significant gains in perceived learning about health and health conditions and the importance of what students were learning to everyday life. A total of 73.4% of fall 2018 SUD event participants indicated increased awareness of educational and career choices in science. Moderate gains were noted during the diabetes curriculum in students sharing what they learned with friends and family. 9/11 parents and 5/9 community members attending the student presentation event had discussed diabetes with a student. Linked formal classroom and informal community-connected approaches can successfully be used to teach genomics and promote project-based learning in students, family, and community members. Further efforts are needed to effectively engage families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: What types of coursework prepare biology teachers to teach evolution effectively? The present study provides answers to that question based on evidence from a nationally representative sample of public high school biology teachers in the U.S. Data about their pre-service coursework (in seven categories) and their attitudes and practices relevant to teaching evolution (in five categories relating to personal acceptance of evolution, perception of scientific consensus on evolution, instructional time devoted to evolution, classroom characterization of evolution and creationism, and emphasis on specific topics in teaching evolution) were collected. Results: Coursework focused on evolution was significantly associated with positive outcomes: more class hours devoted to evolution, not presenting creationism as scientifically credible, and prioritizing common ancestry, human evolution, and the origin of life as topics of instruction, while shunning Biblical perspectives on the history of life. Similarly, coursework with some evolution content was significantly associated with positive outcomes: awareness of the scientific consensus on evolution, presenting evolution but not creationism as scientifically credible, and prioritizing common ancestry as a topic of instruction. But surprisingly, methods coursework on problem-based learning was significantly associated with negative outcomes: presenting creationism as well as evolution as scientifically credible and prioritizing Biblical perspectives on the history of life as a topic of instruction. Similarly, and likewise surprisingly, methods coursework on teaching controversial topics was associated with a negative outcome: presenting creationism as scientifically credible. Conclusion: Consistent with previous work, the results of the present study suggest that pre-service coursework in evolution is important in preparing educators to teach evolution effectively. But they also suggest, surprisingly, that pre-service methods coursework aimed at preparing educators to teach evolution effectively tends, at present, to be counterproductive, leading to the presentation of creationism as scientifically credible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early research on online PBL explored student satisfaction, effectiveness, and design. The temporal aspect of online PBL has rarely been addressed. Thus, a gap exists in our knowledge regarding how online PBL unfolds: when and for how long a group engages in collaborative discussions. Similarly, little is known about whether and what sequence of interactions could predict higher achievement. This study aims to bridge such a gap by implementing the latest advances in temporal learning analytics to analyze the sequential and temporal aspects of online PBL across a large sample (n = 204 students) of qualitatively coded interactions (8,009 interactions). We analyzed interactions at the group level to understand the group dynamics across whole problem discussions, and at the student level to understand the students' contribution dynamics across different episodes. We followed such analyses by examining the association of interaction types and the sequences thereof with students' performance using multilevel linear regression models. The analysis of the interactions reflected that the scripted PBL process is followed a logical sequence, yet often lacked enough depth. When cognitive interactions (e.g., arguments, questions, and evaluations) occurred, they kindled high cognitive interactions, when low cognitive and social interactions dominated, they kindled low cognitive interactions. The order and sequence of interactions were more predictive of performance, and with a higher explanatory power as compared to frequencies. Starting or initiating interactions (even with low cognitive content) showed the highest association with performance, pointing to the importance of initiative and sequencing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interactive multiobjective optimization methods have proven promising in solving optimization problems with conflicting objectives since they iteratively incorporate preference information of a decision maker in the search for the most preferred solution. To find the appropriate interactive method for various needs involves analysis of the strengths and weaknesses. However, extensive analysis with human decision makers may be too costly and for that reason, we propose an artificial decision maker to compare a class of popular interactive multiobjective optimization methods, i.e., reference point based methods. Without involving any human decision makers, the artificial decision maker works automatically to interact with different methods to be compared and evaluate the final results. It makes a difference between a learning phase and a decision phase, that is, learns about the problem based on information acquired to identify a region of interest and refines solutions in that region to find a final solution, respectively. We adopt different types of utility functions to evaluation solutions, present corresponding performance indicators and propose two examples of artificial decision makers. A series of experiments on benchmark test problems and a water resources planning problem is conducted to demonstrate how the proposed artificial decision makers can be used to compare reference point based methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For students, early hands-on experience is very limited and often non-existent during study time. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the progress of inexperienced medical students in successfully establishing an ultrasound-guided vessel access. One brief, condensed single teaching lesson in a prior to post-teaching scenario was performed using an inexpensive, self-made phantom model. In this prospective study, medical students (n = 11) with no experience in ultrasound imaging performed an ultrasound-guided vessel access simulated by a gelatin-based phantom model. Success rates and time of procedures were measured. Afterwards, participants underwent dedicated supervised teaching in a single lesson (duration 30 min) with both theoretical information given and practical training skills shown. Then, every student performed the very same procedure again and results were compared with paired t test. Success rate of guide wire placement rose from 36.4 (4/11) to 100%. Mean number of attempts significantly decreased with 2.5 SD1.3 before and 1.2 SD0.4 after teaching (p < 0.05). Overall time to successful guide wire placement improved from 291 SD8 to 151 SD37 s (p < 0.05). With already limited training time and opportunities available during medical education, short and simple, but highly effective training tools are invaluable. With the help of an inexpensive, self-made gelatin-based phantom model for ultrasound-guided vascular access, medical students demonstrate significantly improved practical puncture skills after only one brief, condensed teaching lesson and thus an important progress with regard to their future clinical routine. The performance of ultrasound-guided vascular access can be highly improved for inexperienced medical students by applying one short teaching session using an inexpensive, self-made phantom model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the design, implementation and research of the Cyber Sleuth Science Lab (CSSL), an innovative educational program and supporting virtual learning environment, that combines pedagogical theory, gender inclusive instruction strategies, scientific principles/practices, gamification methods, computational thinking, and real-world problem solving. This program provides underrepresented youth, especially girls, with digital forensic knowledge, skills and career pathways, challenging them to explore complex social issues related to technology and to become cyber sleuths using real-world digital forensic methods and tools to solve investigative scenarios. Students also learn about related careers while improving their cyber street smarts. The CSSL incorporates additional "outside of the computer" activities to strengthen students' engagement such as structured in-classroom discussions, mock trials, and in-person interactions with practitioner role models. The CSSL was piloted in various forms to assess the suitability for in-school and out-of-school settings, and the students predominantly represented racial minorities. Research in this project relied on a mixed methods approach for data collection and analysis, including qualitative and quantitative methods, reinforced using learning analytics generated from the students clicking through the interface and interacting with the system. Analysis of gathered data indicate that the virtual learning environment developed in this project is highly effective for teaching digital forensic knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly applicable in the workplace. Furthermore, the strategies for gender inclusive STEM instruction implemented in CSSL are effective for engaging girls without being harmful to boys' engagement. Learning STEM through digital forensic science taps into girls' motivations to address real-world problems that have direct relevance to their lives, and to protect and serve their community. After participating in the educational program, girls expressed a significantly greater increase in interest, relative to boys, in learning more about careers related to digital forensics and cybersecurity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]