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Science teaching anxiety is negative emotion that inhibits a teacher's ability to start, proceed, or finish a science teaching task. Despite its detrimental effects on teachers' science teaching quality and practices, there is limited research on science teaching anxiety. To advance research in this area, there is a need for a psychometrically sound instrument assessing teachers' science teaching anxiety. This study presents the development and psychometric properties of the Science Teaching Anxiety Scale (STAS) in preservice elementary teachers (N = 191) using a Rasch analysis. In addition, it examines the relationships among science teaching anxiety, science interest, and science teaching efficacy (self-efficacy and outcome expectancy). Results indicated that the STAS has promising validity and reliability for use in future research. Moreover, science teaching anxiety and science interest were significant predictors of teaching self-efficacy in preservice elementary teachers. Implications for researchers, teacher educators, and individuals who work with new teachers are discussed.

e-Textbooks and e-learning technologies have become ubiquitous in college and university courses as faculty seek out ways to provide more engaging, flexible and customizable learning opportunities for students. However, the same technologies that support learning can serve as a source of frustration. Research on frustration with technology is limited, especially in educational settings. This study examined student frustration with e-textbooks and the factors contributing to the frustration within undergraduate general biology courses through the development of an E-Text Frustration scale (ETFS). Exploratory factor analysis of the ETFS revealed a three-factor structure that provides quantified support for frustration with (1) e-textbook interactions on the screen, (2) problems with technology and (3) e-text curriculum integration. This structure was supported by a confirmatory factor analysis. The construct validity of the scale was established using a correlation analysis that revealed significant relationships among the three e-text frustration measures, cognitive load and motivation variables. Furthermore, the measurement invariance analyses indicated that the scale measures the same construct in the same way in males and females. Overall, the study findings suggest that the ETFS is a useful instrument with high reliability and validity evidence that can be used by researchers and practitioners. Implications for future research on frustration in technology-rich learning environments are discussed.

Background: Studies on the impact of videogame play on the brain and behavior demonstrates potential benefits of playing action video games (AVGs) for cognitive enhancements. However, it is becoming increasingly challenging to distinguish between AVGs and non-AVGs due to the emergence of new video game genres and platforms that incorporate action elements in historically non-action genres. Thus, more research is needed to understand AVG mechanics. Objective: This study developed an Action Video Game Elements (AVGE) Likert-type scale for differentiating an AVG from a non-AVG and examined its performance in an AVG and a non-AVG. Method: We employed standardized lab data collection procedures to administer the AVGE scale in undergraduate education majors after they played either an AVG (n = 144) or a non-AVG (n = 48). Results: Exploratory factor analysis revealed a five-factor theoretically sensible structure: (1) focus, (2) pacing & goal setting, (3) challenge, (4) sensory stimulation, and (5) speed. Using an experimental research design, we examined the AVGE scale for its ability to distinguish an AVG from a non-AVG. Players who played the AVG rated the game significantly higher in all AVGE categories than their peers who played a non-AVG, thus providing empirical evidence regarding the scale's discriminant validity of the game. Additionally, we explored the AVGE score differences in players with and without prior AVG experience in the AVG and non-AVG. Conclusion: The AVGE scale has a promising internal consistency and discriminant validity. Future research can use it for examining AVG elements in various games as well as guiding the design and development of video games that aim to enhance cognition and better align these games with players' demographics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study provides foundational research on the extent to which Florida Title 1 middle schools (schools including grades 7 and/or 8) have policies and practices that align with core components of positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS). Principals from 197 (42.73%) of all FL Title 1 schools that included at least grades seven and/or eight responded to a survey that focused on the existence and characteristics of: (1) a continuum of evidence-based interventions; (2) leadership team implementation and coordination; (3) content expertise and fluency; (4) process integrity; (5) continuous progress monitoring; and (6) crisis intervention. Results based on an analytic sample of 36.69% of schools indicate that, while schools predominantly identify using a PBIS framework to guide behavioral policies and practices, important features are lacking that would indicate a comprehensive, coordinated implementation approach. The use of multi-tiered programs and supports, planning for continuous improvement and training, and assessment of fidelity and ecological validity of selected practices in high-poverty schools are issues requiring a greater understanding and implementation support. Additional results, as well as recommendations for research and practice are provided.

Despite the prevalence of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) for addressing student behavior in public schools, little information exists on the extent and consistency of implementation efforts in secure juvenile justice (JJ) schools. Reports of fidelity to core PBIS processes and components are needed to determine the ubiquity of comprehensive efforts and link implementation to outcomes. All 301 JJ schools in the United States were sent a survey and we report on responses from 143 (47.5%) principals. The survey focused on (a) use of multitiered systems of behavior supports; (b) organizational leadership and training; (c) expectations and consequences; (d) behavior response, monitoring, and oversight; and (e) crisis prevention and management. Approximately 84% of respondents identified alignment with a multitiered framework for behavioral supports. However, fewer supports were available to youth with more serious behavioral needs (i.e., at Tiers 2 and 3). Additional results, implications, and recommendations are provided.

Online gaming is becoming increasingly social and interconnected. Millions of players learn from each other in game-related communities on platforms like Reddit and Twitch.tv. However, few studies have been conducted to examine socially constructed learning in such environments. The purpose of this study was to explore learning in game-related communities using the Game Community of Inquiry Scale (GCoIS). GCoIS is a validated instrument inspired by the community of inquiry framework and developed for measuring constructed learning in these outlets. Over 1000 participants completed an online questionnaire that included the GCoIS and additional variables (e.g. demographics, gaming habits, and gaming metacognition) for measuring possible associations. Results pointed to gender, age, online participation, and metacognition about gaming as significant predictors of GCoIS. Findings suggest that gaming communities can serve as opportunities for meaningful learning when novice members are welcomed and assisted by experts and support is given to older and female gamers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experimental study investigated the state (short-term) effects of action video game (AVG) training on arithmetic performance and their persistence over time. In addition, it examined group differences between experienced and novice AVGers. Twenty-nine college students without a prior AVG experience were randomly assigned to one of the two training groups: AVG and non-AVG. After 40 minutes of video game training, the arithmetic problem-solving speed and accuracy of non-AVG group increased, while the AVG group's arithmetic performance decreased, thus suggesting a possibility of state effects of a non-AVG training on arithmetic performance. The state effects did not persist over time; on a delayed posttest, both groups' arithmetic performance was similar to their pretraining scores. In addition, there were nonsignificant differences in arithmetic performance between experienced and novice AVGers. Implications for investigating the game mechanics and transfer mechanism between the game and transfer task are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The three-factor model structure of the School Counseling Program Implementation Survey was tested with a national sample (N = 275) of school counselors. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) suggested a modified two-factor model was the most appropriate fit. Implications and future research for the school counseling profession are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the multidimension assumption of the often-used 33-item, six-factor Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) by employing four confirmatory factor models (i.e., one-factor, first-order six-factor, second-order six-factor, and bifactor). Survey data were collected from 1155 undergraduate students in a US public university. Findings showed that the bifactor model was the best fitting model and SAS is a unidimensional instrument. The composite scores made for the six domain-specific factors, often seen in the literature, were not reliable measures for the construct of smartphone addiction and can result in misleading or even incorrect inferential test results. The most reliable and contributing items identified by the bifactor model were selected to form a short, more efficient version of SAS. A Rasch model was performed to test the psychometric properties of the shortened SAS. The new shortened SAS contains 10 items (SAS-10) and had good reliability, construct validity, and no presence of bias towards students in different gender or academic achievement groups. Additional evidence suggests a 4-category rating scale is enough to capture the construct of smartphone addiction. Finally, SAS-10 correlated to numerous external criterion variables similarly to how the extant literature would predict. SAS-10 is provided in appendix C. • The underlying factor structure of the SAS was thoroughly examined. • Survey data from a sample of 1155 U.S. undergraduate students were analyzed. • The original 33-item SAS is not a multidimensional but unidimensional instrument. • The original 6-category rating scale could be replaced by a 4-category one. • A 10-item shortened SAS scale is presented with robust psychometric properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]