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Noncontiguous school attendance zone boundaries (AZBs) have a unique, relatively uncommon shape that assign two or more non-adjacent residential areas to the same school. Given their ability to shape school enrollments by taking advantage of residential sorting, noncontiguous AZBs have historically been linked to explicit efforts to both segregate and desegregate schools. In this paper, we use a novel, longitudinal dataset of AZBs and descriptive quantitative and geospatial methods to understand how the relationship between noncontiguous zones, school diversity, and neighborhood demographics changed from 1990-2020 in two southwestern school districts--Tucson Unified School District, Arizona and Fort Bend Independent School District, Texas. Each district has a unique legal history and demographic context that informs their use of noncontiguous AZBs. We find noncontiguous AZBs are more strongly associated with racially diverse schools and are more likely to bring together neighborhoods with different compositions in Tucson compared to Fort Bend. However, the association between Tucson's noncontiguous AZBs and racially diverse schools has waned since 1990, as the district has negotiated the end of its court-ordered desegregation plan. Our findings provide insight into when and how noncontiguous AZBs can effectively contribute to ethnoracially diverse schools.

The main reason for the research significance is misconceptions arising in the field when implementing Sekolah Penggerak Program, which started in 2021. Thus, the objectives of this study are to describe programs for enhancing exceptional human resources, and to explore the Kurikulum Operasional Satuan Pendidikan (Education Unit Operational Curriculum), and the Merdeka Curriculum learning. Four elementary schools in Indonesia's urban and rural areas served as the research unit for analysis, which used a qualitative comparative case study design. The results demonstrate that the programs of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology for improving human resources, which includes training and mentoring, have a favourable effect on both rural and urban primary schools. However, only one out of four schools examined the context of the educational unit while creating education unit operational curriculum documents, and every school simply used education unit operational curriculum as a prerequisite for administrative fulfilment. Based on the available components, all teachers developed teaching modules for the Merdeka Curriculum. It was found, nevertheless, that the students were not genuinely exposed to the content of these modules.

This research examines the significance of higher education institutions (HEIs) as anchors in their host cities and their community engagement strategies between 1980 and 2020. By examining four case studies of urban-based universities that are members of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) across diverse geographical and socio-economic contexts, this study analyzes the impact of anchor strategies on local communities, economic development, and urban revitalization. Two public institutions--Rutgers University-Newark (RU-N) and the University of Pretoria Mamelodi Campus (South Africa)--and two private institutions--Syracuse University (S.U.) and the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)--comprise the four selected case studies of urban-based institutions. A comparative analysis of the case studies reveals that effective anchor strategies frequently involve multidimensional approaches that address the social, economic, and public safety challenges of their respective cities. In addition, the study identifies the key factors contributing to the efficacy of anchor strategies, such as strong leadership, stakeholder collaborations, and maximizing the role of mission and vision. The findings of the study highlight the interplay between universities and their environments rooted in their host cities. This can serve as a model for other universities interested in becoming anchor institutions or otherwise participating in the work of urban serving higher education institutions.

This research investigates the intercultural usability factor of e-learning products designed for the instruction of Turkish as a foreign language. The subject of study, "Ana Dil Turkce," refers to a freely accessible and distant education platform developed by Anadolu University with the purpose of instructing non-native speakers in the Turkish language. This study employed a concurrent mixed methods research design to investigate the intercultural usability of the "Ana Dil Turkce" e-learning system. The study incorporated a qualitative component through the utilization of a case study methodology, while a cross-sectional survey design was employed to address the quantitative part. The quantitative portion of the study employed descriptive methods, whereas the qualitative portion utilized content analysis methods. The qualitative component of the study involved the participation of 25 individuals who were active and registered users in the system during the period from 2020 to 2022. Additionally, the quantitative component of the study included the participation of 211 users. The quantitative portion of the study employed a questionnaire as a method of data collection, while the qualitative component utilized a semi-structured interview format. The study's conclusions were analyzed through the integration and juxtaposition of qualitative and quantitative data. The study yielded findings regarding the cultural appropriateness of the Ana Dil Turkce e-learning objects. The findings indicate that the cultural learning objects inside the e-learning system are deemed adequate, albeit requiring further development and enrichment.

This study aimed to explore the top-down or compact accountability relationship for curriculum implementation in rural public primary schools in the East Wollega zone administration, Ethiopia. An exploratory case study type and a multiple case study research design were employed. A purposeful sampling technique was used. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews and document reviews. The data were analyzed qualitatively by coding and describing patterns and themes in the raw data. The study utilized triangulation, expert reviews, and member checking to ensure internal validity and reliability. The findings of the study reveal that the compact accountability relationship between the policymakers and the curriculum implementers was loosely exercised and compromised by main determinants such as weak capacity, poor monitoring progress, and politicization of the policymakers' roles and responsibilities. This study also affirms that a compact accountability relationship was seriously operational to collect easily achievable reports, which led policymakers to be unsuccessful in communicating their clear duties and responsibilities for the curriculum implementation to hold implementers accountable as stated in the government proclamation. Hence, it can be concluded that accountability stands for responsibilities outside the classroom by missing the actual curriculum implementation. The study recommends that the regional education bureau, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Ministry of Education, establish an autonomous and independent policymakers' office that acts as an overseer and holds curriculum implementers accountable by visiting schools, pointing out mistakes, writing reports, and exercising accountability mechanisms. The study suggests that teachers and school principals ought to be held accountable for their particular duties and responsibilities instead of producing reports for higher-level commands that take them away from effectively implementing the curriculum.

In an era of major advances in the digital world, artificial intelligence has been a part of programs, tools, applications, and platforms. It has also been integrated into fields of education including language teaching and learning. To this end, ChatGPT, one of the most recent AI-driven systems, has been proposed to support language learners' personalized studies. Thus, this paper presents a qualitative study aiming to explore how Turkish EFL learners in higher education use ChatGPT for speaking. For a deeper understanding, the study was designed as a case study which used multiple sources to collect qualitative data. In this sense, semi-structured interviews were held with the participants, and through open-ended questions, they were asked about their study habits and any background knowledge about ChatGPT. In a following session, they were introduced the chatbot and instructed on possible ways to use it for speaking practice. Screen recordings of the usage by the participants were another source to observe and later describe the process for the researcher. A final session of the interviews planned as a stimulated recall was held to explore the participants' ChatGPT use experience through their reflection. The thematic analysis of the data revealed codes and themes leading to language teaching implications about learner characteristics and use of AI for language studies.

This case study was undertaken in a London-based business school and explores the cross-cultural challenges faced by students who have relocated from India to the UK for one-year postgraduate (PG) business master's courses. Primary data were collected in two stages: semi-structured interviews, followed by a survey. The paper draws on the literature related to socio-cultural theory. It then reviews the findings of the research as to the cultural challenges the students have faced in the UK, whether in their studies, or their wider social lives. Finally, it integrates these findings into the extant literature and proposes a set of recommendations for consideration by the business school. Some of these may also have relevance for other Higher Education (HE) institutions working with Indian students.

Background: Currently, the globe is at the crossroads of a polycrisis where multiple shocks and interdependencies play out in an ever-evolving integrated world. Young children and their families bear the brunt of these realities through stresses that have a negative impact on them. In seeking better worlds in early childhood care and education (ECCE), it is imperative that universalised quick-fix solutions that sideline multiple perspectives and multivocality do not become the norm. Aim: This conceptual article aims to interrogate the epistemic dimension in ECCE by analysing resistance to dominant framings and possibilities for new beginnings. Methods: Specific concepts from decolonial literature are unpacked and operationalised through a collective case study. Cases were purposively selected for their pushback elements from literature and the author's experiences. The cases from the United States of America, Africa and South Africa were analysed for patterns of resistance and possibilities. Results: The findings reveal that the resistance efforts from different geographical regions emanate from intentional actions to contest dominant perspectives in ECCE, and to reorient the epistemological space with affirming alternatives. As a collective, the case studies can be read as relational experiences that resist elimination and assimilation into universalised framings of ECCE. Conclusion: The focus on the epistemic dimension from different geographical spaces, and more importantly from similar relational experiences, points to the importance of expanding a network of solidarity for a more inclusive ECCE science. Contribution: This study contributes to filling the gap in knowledge in ECCE through a focus on how the epistemic dimension has the potential to be skewed in the current polycrisis unless concerted action is undertaken to develop polycentres that include multiple ways of knowing, thinking and feeling in ECCE.

The ability to design effective technology-enhanced learning (TEL) experiences is a critical skill for university teachers. However, challenges endure on how best to develop university teachers in research-intensive universities to design TEL experiences that meet student, professional, and employer expectations. Having a greater insight of the varying ways students use educational technology in their learning benefits university teachers' TEL design skills. To develop this insight, a qualitative case study comprising differentiated interview strategy was conducted to explore students' use of educational technology for their university learning. This research drew on phenomenographic and sociocultural theoretical perspectives and analysis techniques to investigate university students' experiences of educational technology use. The analysis of the research data collected found a variance in the way students used educational technology for their university learning with three distinct dispositions identified. This study identified that students' varied dispositions influenced their educational technology use and were mediated by the task and social contexts of their learning. These findings aim to support university teachers further develop their TEL experience design skills.

The purpose of the case study was to understand the use of technology, particularly AI, for public middle school teachers in Michigan for critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students. The theory that guided this study was the constructivist theory. The constructivist learning theory involves people learning from their experiences and prior background knowledge. Consistent with the case study, the focus was on using AI in the classroom to engage learners and create criical thinkers and problem solvers for 21st-century skills. This qualitative study primarily sought to investigate educators' views regarding students' critical thinking abilities and assess how educators use artificial intelligence in the classroom to facilitate student opportunities to participate in problem-solving activities. The qualitative case collected data from middle school educators and gained insight into experiences with technology, particularly AI, in the classroom. Data collection consisted of observations and interviews. The analysis used triangulation to determine themes and reveal if AI correlates in the classroom with instruction to create critical thinking skills and authentic experiences. The results from the study included a minimal amount of AI in the middle school setting, participants not being comfortable with how to implement AI in the educational setting, and students not progressing adequately in critical thinking.

The present study investigates the potential of ChatGPT as an L2 teaching support and aims to explore the extent to which this Generative AI-powered tool is helpful for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers. Therefore, this exploratory single instrumental case study followed an EFL teacher using ChatGPT for seven months, from January to June 2023, as an aid for her English classes in a private language school in Spain. Data was collected from her ChatGPT history in relation to her prompting tasks, from outputs received from her lesson plans when she implemented ChatGPT in class, and from a semi-structured post-interview. The analysis followed a qualitative approach using thematic analysis of the data to identify the type of support received by ChatGPT and to determine the level of reliability and helpfulness of the outputs. The results indicate that ChatGPT offers significant support to EFL teachers in planning and designing lessons, and implementing ChatGPT in lessons and assessing learner's writing. Our data highlights the potential of ChatGPT as a support for EFL teachers as long as they possess specific AI competencies, such as prompt crafting to obtain useful and meaningful outputs, and critical thinking, together with EFL teaching knowledge, to recognize inaccuracies and identify relevant outcomes.

Mathematics Preservice Teachers' (M-PSTs) conceptions of Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching (MKT) enhance their reflective skills because they utilize such conceptions to reflect on how to contextualize content knowledge during secondary mathematics teaching. While previous studies suggested M-PSTs develop MKT, including pedagogical content knowledge by analyzing teaching in video lessons, how M-PSTs enhance their conceptions of MKT through such analysis is underexplored. I used a collective case study approach to investigate how four secondary M-PSTs conceptualized MKT when they analyzed and discussed teaching represented in a video lesson using the MKT framework. The findings indicated that the M-PSTs often described teacher knowledge either as purely pedagogical or solely content knowledge in their initial analyses of the video lesson. After engaging in a discussion that introduced the MKT framework, the M-PSTs began to illustrate how a teacher's content knowledge influenced her instructional decisions and actions. Through this discussion, M-PSTs began identifying MKT as professional content knowledge unique to teaching and, thus, distinguished MKT from generic pedagogical or content knowledge. I argue that the language and concepts offered through the framework enhanced the M-PSTs' conceptions of MKT and suggest that the instructional activities from this study contribute to developing M-PSTs as reflective practitioners.

The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted schooling, not only in South Africa, but globally. In the study reported on here we investigated the perceived psychosocial effects of the pandemic on the teaching realities of Foundation Phase (FP) educators in rural quintiles 1 to 3 schools in the North West province, South Africa. A qualitative, case study design was adopted with 10 educators purposively selected from 3 schools to participate through telephonic interviews. The findings reveal that as educators contended with the new rotational method of school attendance, challenges of limited teaching time, curriculum coverage, learner absenteeism and the lack of parental support that negatively affected their overall state of psychosocial well-being. This state of well-being was characterised by high stress levels, feelings of hopelessness, anxiety and a lack of accomplishment for educators. Despite these experiences, some educators demonstrated agency and resilience in ensuring that they carried out their core responsibility of teaching, but perceived themselves as requiring psychosocial support. The conclusion reached is that the available support structures provided by the Department of Basic Education appeared to be under-utilised and there was a critical need to introduce and advocate for mental health interventions to support educators emotionally.

Place-based education, grounded in collaborative learning opportunities with minoritized communities, is vitally needed to change the health crises that impact our communities. Many current learning models focus on engaging in communities by centering on the deficits of particular populations or naming issues that affect individuals' health. This approach falls short of teaching students to be inclusive of those impacted by injustices such as health inequities. Many times, these learning experiences are one-time activities that are not sustainable over time. Thus, as anchor institutions, universities are responsible for using innovative learning strategies to allow students to develop skills to take action on these issues while partnering with other organizations. This paper will present a case study using the Health Commons model as an example of how institutions of higher education work with the community to implement an anchor institution framework. Stories and lessons learned from engaging in this work over the last three decades will highlight how anchor institutions in higher education can create change at the community level through place-based education. This case study highlights the significance of place-based learning for students, educators, and community partners. The essential concepts include: (1) knowledge is dynamic, (2) humility is crucial, (3) comfort with ambiguity is necessary, (4) health is interconnected with community, (5) continuous learning is vital, (6) withholding judgment is important, and (7) making time for critical self-reflection is imperative.

Global crises continue to shape the higher education landscape by posing challenges at every step of the educational process. From pedagogical delivery to experience design to undergraduate student research, pandemics, unrest, war, and environmental disasters have given us many imperatives to pivot and adapt. While the COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to the function of higher education, there were many lessons that inform and instruct how we continue to operate in a volatile and ever-changing world. The following paper will explore two case studies of pivoting in-person, place-based, global learning experiences into a remote context. We will highlight the cognitive, content- and skills-based, social-emotional learning aims and how thoughtful design and intentionality helped us to create a replicable remote learning experience that can be used in the future in the face of similar unexpected challenges and pivots.

Second language learners, particularly those with lower proficiency, often struggle with insufficient practice and heightened anxiety when speaking. This case study investigates the impact of one-on-one online conversation lessons on a university student's speaking skills and language anxiety. The participant, a university student with low proficiency in the target language, engaged in eight online lessons. Quantitative measurements of speaking skills and anxiety levels were taken using pre- and post-tests. Results indicated that the online lessons effectively improved the participant's speaking abilities and reduced their anxiety. Qualitative analysis of lesson and interview transcripts highlighted specific factors contributing to these changes, such as the role of feedback. This study adds to the field of technology in language learning by demonstrating the potential of online conversation lessons with corrective feedback as an effective individual learning modality for lower-level second language learners.

This study investigates the effectiveness of Open Education Resources (OER) and research-based learning. A quantitative analysis was conducted on students enrolled in Macroeconomic courses at a City University of New York (CUNY) community college in Spring 2018 and Spring 2019. Prior studies have shown the positive effects of conducting research in natural sciences. Yet, there is a lot to be inquired about regarding the impact of researchbased learning on social sciences and the use of OER materials as a cheaper and more equitable alternative to commercial textbooks. Additionally, this study evaluates the academic effectiveness of research-based learning through assessment scores through a new indicator, the growth mindset profile. Findings should be used to assess critically research-based learning applications incorporated with OER materials and open pedagogy, as well as to consider the duration, wide application throughout the program rather than isolated courses, and design of course assignments and research projects to engage students actively and effectively.

Classroom sensing systems can capture data on teacher-student behaviours and interactions at a scale far greater than human observers can. These data, translated to multi-modal analytics, can provide meaningful insights to educational stakeholders. However, complex data can be difficult to make sense of. In addition, analyses done on these data are often limited by the organization of the underlying sensing system, and translating sensing data into meaningful insights often requires custom analyses across different modalities. We present Edulyze, an analytics engine that processes complex, multi-modal sensing data and translates them into a unified schema that is agnostic to the underlying sensing system or classroom configuration. We evaluate Edulyze's performance by integrating three sensing systems (Edusense, ClassGaze, and Moodoo) and then present data analyses of five case studies of relevant pedagogical research questions across these sensing systems. We demonstrate how Edulyze's flexibility and customizability allow us to answer a broad range of research questions made possible by Edulyze's translation of a breadth of raw sensing data from different sensing systems into relevant classroom analytics.

The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic extended to the education sector in South Africa, prompting the implementation of preventative measures by the National Coronavirus Command Council. These COVID-19 protocols included the wearing of face masks or face shields, ensuring maximum ventilation, washing of hands, and school attendance routines to deal with overcrowded classrooms, among others. This study aimed to delve into the implementation of COVID-19 protocols in schools, focusing on the strategies utilised and the challenges teachers encountered. Employing a qualitative research methodology within a case study framework, the study involved eight teachers (five male and three female) from four schools in the Sekhukhune District, selected through purposive sampling. Data were elicited through semi-structured interviews to gain a thorough understanding of the phenomenon and coded for anonymity purposes. Aligned with the goal of the study, thematic data analysis was adopted for analysing the data. The findings revealed that teachers faced significant challenges in balancing their responsibilities in implementing COVID-19 protocols alongside making up for lost teaching time. However, alternative strategies were employed by teachers to mitigate this loss including the deployment of assistant teachers to support protocol and assist students with homework, additional security personnel to help guard and control unnecessary school visits, and for teachers to provide supplementary notes and embark on online learning. Recommendations include the increased deployment of support personnel, increased community involvement, training teachers to use online learning platforms, and for the Department of Basic Education to develop a guidance sheet to assist teachers in navigating the challenges of teaching during a pandemic.

Reparations policies that seek to make amends for a harm incurred face exigent challenges. In this article we focus on what makes reparations successful and what policy components are necessary, if not sufficient, for success. To study the success of reparations policy design we employ a case study approach. Our analysis investigates the motivation, design, implementation, and impact of past policies to understand what has been successful or unsuccessful within each component of the policy in each historical case. Ultimately, our discussion identifies patterns in the creation and execution of reparations policy that offer important considerations for policies that would provide reparations to Black Americans.

Background: Knowledge brokering by intermediary organizations includes knowledge distillation processes (e.g., synthesis, translation). Aims and objectives: This article explores how an educational intermediary performs research distillation when creating virtual knowledge reservoirs for educators. Methods: The authors use qualitative data from semi-structured interviews, coded to consensus, and thematically analyzed. Findings: During synthesis, intermediaries apply a "research lens" to evaluate the credibility of the evidence. During translation, they rely on their experience as educators to share evidence in a non-academic voice and generate "turnkey" strategies. Discussion and conclusion: The article considers the knowledge brokering pipeline fallacy and examines the potential of ongoing processes for improving the effectiveness of intermediaries with the aim of diminishing research-practice and research-policy gaps in education.

Purpose: Inspired by Kuan-Hsing Chen's "Asia as method," this study investigates a multicultural approach to education. Using East Asia as the frame of reference, this study explores multiculturalism in middle school classrooms in Chinese Taiwan. Design/Approach/Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with principals, administrators, and teachers at a middle school known for its diversity work. Data were coded based on the conceptual framework and emergent themes analyzed using NVivo. Findings: Findings elucidate the harmony-oriented multicultural approach adopted by administrators and teachers to empower the youth to embrace their ethnic heritage. This approach was characterized by three Confucian-influenced features: whole-person development, strengthening of the collective school unit, and a school decision-making approach prioritizing "fairness." Originality/Value: This study investigates the multicultural responses of teachers and schools to student diversity through a nondeficit lens in East Asia, revealing the harmony-oriented practices adopted in this respect. In addition to establishing a foundation for East Asian scholars to explore how teachers respond to student diversity in their respective contexts through an asset lens, the findings of this study advance our understanding of how to recognize differences and maintain social cohesion.

Comprehensive practice education is an integral part of the basic education curriculum, aiming to train students to connect textbook knowledge with real-world life through hands-on manipulations and in-person experiences in off-campus settings. In response to the challenges arising in the current enactment of the comprehensive practice curriculum in Chinese county-level schools, the Tianfu New District Educational Science Institute of China's Sichuan Province developed the "cloud-based study tour" model to leverage local cultural and social resources to advance comprehensive practice education. Strategies, such as digital empowerment and curriculum development partnerships, were adopted. This article focuses on expounding on the positive roles of the "cloud-based study tour" in supporting regionally balanced, high-quality practical education by fully utilizing digital technologies and partnerships in curriculum development.

Autism spectrum disorder is a complex neurological disorder characterized by impairments in communication and social interaction, limited patterns of behavior, interests and activities. Given the different forms of autism spectrum disorder and the fact that no two people are the same, an individual approach to each individual is required. Musical ability is one of the special talents that a child with an autism spectrum disorder can have. Such a child should be allowed to practice music. As a therapy, music therapy has proven to be effective in working with children with autism spectrum disorder, i.e. it has a positive effect on communication, vocalization, joint attention, eye contact, concentration, cooperation, cognitive functions, social skills, etc. This paper presents the observations obtained through the study case. The aim of the research was to show the behavior of students with autism spectrum disorder in the Music culture class and the impact of music therapy on their behavior. For the purposes of the research, two interviews were conducted, i.e. with a teaching assistant who worked with a student with an autism spectrum disorder and with the student's parents. The case study showed that the student has a developed musical ability, that he participates actively, with reserved attention, only in the Music culture classes, and that music therapy helped him in his expression and speech. It is essential to give these kids the tools they need to further develop their musical abilities. It will contribute to children with autism spectrum disorder feeling safe, happy, and accepted in their environment.

The interrupted case study is a structured way to engage students in active learning. Interruptions, or pauses for reflection and discussion scheduled within the case-study presentation, provide students with a chance to collaborate and engage in critical thinking. Critical thinking style, which is a measure of how one tends to think critically, provides insight into how one tackles problem solving. This article describes a pilot project that combined critical-thinking style and an interrupted case study, delivered over a two-class-period time frame, to four college courses. The project's goals were to assess students' self-reported knowledge, self-reported ability, changes in thinking, and intentions to use their critical thinking style in the future. The University of Florida Critical Thinking Inventory and an end-of-session evaluation were administered online, and 110 students voluntarily responded. Results indicated that many students enjoyed the discussion-based and problem-solving structure of the interrupted case study. Results also showed increases in students' self-reported knowledge about critical thinking style and content covered in the case study. For teachers looking to pilot an interrupted case study with a critical thinking style component, two class sessions can have a positive effect on student learning and encourage critical thinking.

Social distancing policies during the COVID-19 period have opened a space for interventions in the use of digital technology that was previously rejected by the public. Currently, most of the community activities have been carried out online, including those related to education, such as hosting virtual exhibitions with an educational purpose. Virtual exhibitions (VE) are online exhibitions that display information on specific topics. However, to the best of our knowledge, research on VE in the educational context is still lacking. This study aims to identify the variables that affect users' intentions to attend the virtual exhibition frequently. The channel expansion theory, flow theory, technology acceptance model, and expectation confirmation theory serve as the foundation for the research model that is constructed. The model was tested using data from 321 respondents who had visited VE, then analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with the aid of the SmartPLS application version 3.3.3. The findings show that 11 factors significantly influence the intention to continue using VE, while the other 2 factors have no significant influence. Thus, perceived usefulness has a significant effect on satisfaction and continued use intention to use VE, but not on perceived enjoyment. Furthermore, the perceived ease of use of VE has a significant impact on perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment. However, media richness does not significantly affect perceived enjoyment. It's just that media richness influences perceived ease of use significantly. Confirmation also has a significant impact on perceived enjoyment, perceived usefulness, and satisfaction. Perceived enjoyment has a significant effect on satisfaction and continued use intention, and satisfaction has a significant effect on continued use intention to use VE. The findings are useful for VE providers and developers in developing a transformation strategy to increase the intention to use VE in every educational exhibition. [The publication year on the PDF is incorrect. The correct year is 2024.]

Students from underrepresented populations--females, working class, and youth from marginalized racial/ethnic groups--are less likely than their middle-class Asian and White male peers to study computer science (CS) in college. The dearth of CS undergraduates from these groups contributes to projected labor force shortages. Sources of the dilemma include weak or absent inspiration and CS preparation in middle schools and negative stereotypes suggesting certain groups do not belong in CS. This case study describes three years of a community collaboration between a local university and a nearby middle school attended by primarily low-income students of color. The University of North Carolina Charlotte/Wilson STEM Academy Partnership focused on undergraduates majoring in CS teaching monthly workshops designed to inspire and academically prepare the middle schoolers for college and CS majors by teaching them coding and computational thinking while also challenging stereotypes about who belongs in CS. Post-workshop assessments, reflective essays, interviews, and administrative data were thematically coded. Findings suggest the workshops sparked interest in college and CS, undermined toxic stereotypes, and nurtured the academic self-confidence of middle schoolers. The Partnership provided the undergraduates with opportunities to meet their own academic goals while "paying it forward." Results suggest that the Partnership can serve as a model starting point for disrupting the disproportionalities in female and underrepresented minority students in CS.

The quality of the data and the amount of correct information available is key to informed decision-making. Higher education institutions (HEIs) often employ various decision support systems (DSSs) to make better choices. However, there is a lack of systems to assist with decision-making to promote innovation in teaching and learning. In this study, we evaluate an analytic tool called PROF-XXI that supports strategic decision-making of teaching and learning centres (TLCs) by identifying their competencies in teaching and learning innovation. Through a multiple case study conducted with three Latin American universities and supported by quantitative and qualitative data, we observed how this tool is used and how it facilitates strategic decision-making. Our findings indicate that the tool is accessible, user-friendly, and effective in 1) initiating identification and systematic reflection of institutional competency levels in teaching and learning innovation, 2) enhancing understanding of strengths and weaknesses as well as identifying opportunities for innovation, 3) supporting TLCs with short- and long-term decision-making, and 4) continuously evaluating their strategies, programs, and initiatives. This research can benefit policymakers in higher education who are involved in measuring institutional competencies to improve teaching quality or in making strategic decisions related to teaching and learning innovation.

Listening comprehension is a crucial skill in English as a Foreign Language education, yet listening assessment still needs to be explored. This study aims to understand how listening is assessed in a Colombian private language institution and its potential connection to students' underperformance in listening proficiency tests. We characterize the listening assessment used in B1-level classes through a descriptive case study. Utilizing a rubric, we analyzed fourteen listening tasks from various sources, including course materials and a mock PET exam. Our analysis had two primary objectives: (a) to uncover the rationale behind test design and its alignment with the curriculum, and (b) to evaluate the knowledge types targeted and the forms of listening assessment employed using categorization. Our findings reveal that despite the curriculum's holistic listening development goals, assessments predominantly focus on phonological knowledge through dictation tests, in which students primarily engage with audio media and recordings. These findings suggest a misalignment in the way listening is approached during the whole course, the examinations used to assess listening during the B1 level, and the use of an external standardized test as the exit exam. This study holds potential implications for curriculum alignment and the enhancement of language assessment literacy within our context, shedding light on potential factors contributing to students' underperformance in listening comprehension.

Integrating internationalized songs into English language teaching has emerged as a dynamic strategy to ignite students' interest and enhance their language proficiency. This article comprehensively explores internationalized songs' significance in language education. A central focus lies on a detailed case study that demonstrates how the expertise of a Turkish musician was leveraged to select and that of field experts to translate and refine a local children's song for educational purposes. The study meticulously details the collaborative efforts among educators to tailor the song's content to meet language learning objectives, highlighting the transformative potential of such initiatives in the English language classroom. By immersing themselves in this practical example, educators can gain invaluable insights into the versatility of internationalized songs as effective tools for language instruction, thereby enhancing their teaching practices. Furthermore, the article underscores the importance of incorporating cultural elements into language teaching materials to foster intercultural competence among students. Educators can create immersive learning experiences that promote linguistic proficiency, cultural awareness, and appreciation by integrating internationalised songs.

Background: Teachers are responsible for curriculum implementation and transformation. Therefore, they are viewed as the primary agents of change in teaching and learning. As agents of change, they are responsible for being innovative and creative in their teaching and learning in their English First Additional Language (EFAL) class. Objectives: The study aimed to explore South African teachers as agents of change in teaching EFAL in their Grade 3 classes. Method: This study adopted a qualitative research approach with an interpretivist paradigm. The researcher wanted to explore teachers' lived experience as agents of change in the Foundation Phase class. A case study design with purposive sampling was used. Results: The findings revealed that teachers understood their roles and responsibilities as change agents in their classrooms. They agreed they were responsible for implementing the curriculum to improve basic literacy skills among EFAL learners. Conclusion: The study found that teachers, as agents of change, needed support in continuous professional development to implement the curriculum. They also highlighted the need for help from their school management teams. Contribution: This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the role of the EFAL teacher. They are no longer mediators of learning but agents of change in teaching, learning and curriculum adaptation. Their roles go beyond imparting knowledge to learners. They are developers and mediators of critical thinking, decision-making, communication, use of technology and relationship-building skills.

Research has suggested that the type of feedback learners receive can impact on whether learners understand the feedback, the extent to which they engage with it, and whether they incorporate it in their revised drafts. However, to date, only a small number of studies have investigated learner engagement with corrective feedback provided by automated writing evaluation tools, and of those few have considered in greater depth the impact of the type of automated feedback on engagement. This multiple-case study examines two EFL learners' engagement with the two forms of corrective feedback provided by Criterion categorised as generic and specific and factors that can explain the nature of their engagement. Data were collected from learners' first and revised drafts of multiple essays on Criterion, screencasts of students' think-aloud procedures while revising essays, and stimulated recall interviews. Findings indicate the learners' higher uptake rate and more successful error corrections in response to generic versus specific feedback. However, their mental effort expenditure differed when cognitively engaging with the feedback, which could be explained in terms of individual learning goals, feedback quality, and the nature of tagged errors. These findings have relevant implications for utilising automated corrective feedback in L2 writing classes.

The vast majority of Chinese universities have embraced higher education reform that emphasizes a "publish or perish" ideology. This brings challenges to the early-career academics, especially those working in language-related fields. This paper employs a multiple case study to explore the identity tension of early career academics in applied linguistics. The three cases had diverse backgrounds and demonstrated different identity trajectories. Data were triangulated through narrative frames, interviews, and documents. Data analysis was conducted using an inductive approach that focused on interpreting the underlying meanings within the data, drawing upon relevant theoretical frameworks for guidance. The findings revealed an array of identity options (e.g., "temporary worker", "blind follower", "green pepper", "leek"). The factors that shaped the identity construction included the shifting value of being a teacher and researcher, intensified "publish-or-perish" ideology, and changing institutional and societal systems and requirements. Implications on teacher development for early-career academics in applied linguistics were proposed based on the findings.

There is a clear need for highly competent health sciences experts. No instrument currently exists for assessing the generic competences of health sciences students. The aim of this study is to develop and psychometrically test the Health sciences Generic Competence (HealthGenericCom) instrument. The instrument development four step process has been conducted with a cross-sectional study design and according to the COSMIN guidelines. Face and content validity was tested by 13 experts, structural validity was tested with exploratory factor analysis, and internal consistency was evaluated by calculating Cronbach's alpha. The structural validity was tested using data from Finnish health sciences students (n=276). The content validity index of the whole HealthGenericCom instrument was 1 for relevance and for clarity. Using exploratory factor analysis a model of eight factors (with 88 items) was created: 1) competence in leadership, administration, and finance; 2) competence in people-centred guidance; 3) competence in health promotion; 4) competence in evidence-based practice; 5) digital competence; 6) competence in work well-being and self-management; 7) competence in collaboration and problem-solving; and 8) competence in societal interaction. The HealthGenericCom was shown to be valid and reliable and provides an evidence-based conceptual framework that can be used in developing curriculums and competence management.

This article examines the power dynamics underpinning performance management at a selected South African university. It specifically employs Michel Foucault's (1977) ideas on Governmentality to interpret the envisioning of performance management in this context at the level of Policy. The study employed a qualitative research methodology to address the questions at hand. Data were generated from one primary source: a discourse analysis of the Performance Management Policy (2013) at a selected university in South Africa. Using Michel Foucault's (1991) theories on governmentality, a discourse analysis of Performance Management Policy documents was conducted with the goal of critically interrogating the kinds of new academic subjectivities being created in South African higher education. The findings show that the Policy on Performance Management at the university in question works towards creating academic subjects which conform with the university's expectations and are consistently self- regulated. Findings also show that management of academics is constantly controlled and regulated by a powerful matrix of governance, comprising the university and the wider global community. This paper recommends that performance management discourses should take into stronger cognizance the matter of academic freedom and autonomy. We further recommend that Policy developers and management teams at universities be conscious of the complex forces of power that shape academic identities so that their policies move away from oppressive discourses. We argue that there is much we can learn from governmentality theory if we hope to build more just and equitable societies going forward.

This correlational cross-sectional study was conducted with 60 graduate students to explore their perceived social experiences with the use of synchronous videoconferencing in the online learning environment. By applying the theories of social presence and media richness, this study investigated the perceived relationship between social presence, social space, sociability, and media richness. The communication theories of social presence and media richness were applied to better understand the relationship between the communication medium (videoconferencing) and the interactions within the mediated environments (e.g., Zoom). This correlational crosssectional study explored graduate students perceived social presence and media richness of a synchronous videoconferencing learning environment by investigating how strongly and in what direction social presence, social space, sociability, and media richness were related. A Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to investigate how strongly and in what direction social presence, social space, sociability, and media richness were related in a synchronous videoconferencing learning environment. The results indicated a strong, positive correlation between Social Presence and Social Space (Positive Group Behavior); Social Presence and Sociability; Social Presence and Media Richness; Social Space (Positive Group Behavior) and Sociability; Social Space (Positive Group Behavior) and Media Richness; and Sociability and Media Richness. A moderate, negative correlation was indicated between Social Space (Negative Group Behavior) and Social Presence; Social Space (Negative Group Behavior) and Sociability; and Social Space (Negative Group Behavior) and Media Richness.

This study aims to explore the practices and institutional challenges of Hawassa University academics staff pertaining to their continuous professional development (CPD) engagement. To this end, we employ an exploratory case study as our research design using various sources of data. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that there is a range of understanding of CPD among staff and that is practiced both formally and informally. The major challenges that hinder the practical effectiveness of CPD include misunderstanding of its importance, the inability of the institution to make the content of CPD relevant to academics' current needs and insufficient financial provisions. It is recommended that institutional and systematic policy actions for CPD management be prioritized.

This study aims to investigate pre-service teachers' integration of technology and how the integration of technology influences the level of cognitive demands of the mathematics tasks in their mathematics technology activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the various levels of cognitive demands of mathematical tasks created or modified by pre-service mathematics teachers for technology activities. This study presents case studies of pre-service teachers chosen from a group of participants, and these PSTs come from a variety of backgrounds. Showcase Portfolios and lesson plans were gathered in order to comprehend the selection/creation of mathematical tasks and how they were intended to be implemented in the classroom by PSTs. This study offers suggestions for teacher preparation to integrate technology into mathematics instruction in ways that support students' learning through a review of results, the cognitive demands of mathematical tasks in PSTs' technology activities.

The phenomenon of English as a medium of instruction (EMI) has spread across the globe with the promise of equipping students with high English proficiency levels. While a plethora of research has been done to explore students' and teachers' readiness for EMI, very few have dealt with the reverse phenomenon, EMI graduates transferring from English to first-language (L1) medium instruction. Therefore, conducted as a case study of six EMI graduates, this research project seeks to understand how the participant adapted to L1 instruction at higher education. The data was collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal seven themes in the participants' experiences namely, developing critical thinking skills, reading skills and the love of literature, language flexibility, challenges in transitioning to L1 instructions, essay writing challenges, challenges in socializing, and mentoring and tutoring as a learning strategy. The study concludes that the participants had a positive experience transitioning from EMI to L1 instruction. They also value English as their linguistic capital and employ various strategies to make the transitioning process go smoothly. This study helps EMI teachers, parents, and policymaker to mitigate the transition process for students who are moving from one language of instruction to another. Such mitigation is necessary to reduce anxiety and improve student's readiness to study in the new linguistic environment.

This case study examined teachers' perceptions and use of adaptive diagnostic assessment for improving teaching and learning of elementary-level mathematics. The purpose was to understand how the teaching and learning of mathematics occurred in the classroom and changes that transpired due to the implementation of diagnostic assessments. Findings illustrate that diagnostic assessment can be a critical tool for improving pedagogical practice by enhancing mathematics teaching and learning by creating groups of students, planning lesson time, focused pedagogy, giving student feedback, communicating with stakeholders, and improving teacher efficiency. Participants demonstrated satisfaction with the benefits offered by diagnostic assessment for improving mathematics teaching and learning. Participants described challenges that hindered their effective use of diagnostic assessment tools. The findings of this study support a case for the adoption of diagnostic assessments to improve pedagogical practice and promote mathematics learning among elementary-level students.

This article presents a case study and ideas to flip classical dialogic learning method. Some possibilities of using ChatGPT to stimulate the active role of the student in the dialogic teaching method are shown. Data from observations of students training to be teachers of mathematics and informatics in their work with artificial intelligence (AI) are presented. A model for the application of the flipped dialogue in the education of students is proposed. An example of dialogue is given. The study concludes that that the main advantages of using flipped dialog learning with AI are easy access to the platforms, the lack of stress and stimulating the research qualities of students when searching for specific information or stimulating the system to make mistakes. The ability to ask the right leading questions and to detect the gaps of the "interlocutor" are important competencies applicable in dealing with life's problems.

This study aimed to demonstrate how one university worked to overcome some of the measurement problems associated with legacy student rating instruments through the creation and investigation of a new student rating instrument based on the most current scholarship on teaching and learning. Measurement problems with legacy instruments include asking about consumer satisfaction (including the use of global ratings) rather than directly assessing the quality of teaching, asking students for self-reports of learning, and asking students to make judgments about the internal state of their instructors. A new instrument was created to intentionally reduce these problems. The new instrument and its predecessor were both administered by 54 instructors in 81 classes and completed by 2,013 students. The following semester, the new instrument was administered university-wide including 1,450 instructors, 3,669 classes, and 58,320 students. The findings indicate that the new instrument created by this process is both reliable and valid but does not reflect multidimensionality. There is also no compelling evidence of bias according to gender or race. This work illustrates the process by which new and better instruments might be created and tested in order to replace flawed legacy instruments in higher education.

This study examines the multiplicative problem-solving strategies used by a 14-year-old student with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities during an instructional process based on the Conceptual Model-based Problem Solving (COMPS) approach. The instruction aimed to enhance conceptual comprehension of problem-solving by the use of model diagrams representing mathematical relations involved in word problems. These diagrams aid in selecting the appropriate operation for each type of multiplicative problem, including equal-groups, multiplicative comparison, and combination problems. We further discuss how the instructional process promoted conceptual understanding for the three problem types, highlighting the development of strategies (modeling, counting, and operations) and the pivotal role of the COMPS methodology components in this progression. The results indicate that the student adeptly adopted the COMPS approach, facilitating the transition from informal modeling to written operations, with his choice of strategies varying depending on the type of problem. While there was a higher utilization of modeling strategies in equal-groups and combination problems, modeling was not as frequently employed in comparison problems. We speculate how this differentiated strategy preference could be associated with certain characteristics of the disorder.

Research into mathematics education at university level includes a wide range of theoretical approaches. This poses considerable challenges to researchers in terms of understanding and harmonizing the compatibility and commensurability of those approaches. The research community has already problematised and studied these challenges using networking theories. The networking theories framework is taken as a starting point in this study to contrast different approaches and to broaden the comparison of different frameworks. In particular, three case studies framed in the Action, Process, Object, Schema Theory, in the Problem-Solving approach, and in the Anthropological Theory of the Didactic are analysed. The differences and possible similarities between the three with regard to the research questions addressed, their objects of study, their empirical bases, as well as their research ends are considered. The analysis offers an insight into the potential for collaboration and the networking of theories in the field of university mathematics education.

The use of educational technologies in schools is being reshaped by a new kind of intermediary organization that brokers relations between schools, academia, governance, and industry. In this article we define and examine 'edtech brokers' as organizations that operate between the edtech industry, public schools, research centers and governments, guiding schools in the procurement and pedagogical use of edtech. Edtech brokers have remained mostly unexplored despite their potential to redraw the boundaries between public education and the global edtech market. We claim that edtech brokers have become increasingly relevant in the past years, embedding new types of professionalities into education, and taking an active role in co-creating and updating schools' digital infrastructures, the evidence-making mechanisms around edtech, and the pedagogical practices around edtech. The article proposes three distinct categories of edtech brokers -- ambassador, search engine, and data brokers -- and explores their practices of mediation. By doing so, we outline the potential effects that brokers can have on schools and edtech markets, and we disentangle their specific imaginaries of the future of education they promote, often aligned with wider policy desires for reform.