Journal articles - International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and Education

All articles: 525

The development of critical thinking skills in mobile learning: fact-checking and getting rid of cognitive distortions

The development of critical thinking skills in mobile learning: fact-checking and getting rid of cognitive distortions

Yulia Gavronskaya, Liudmila Larchenkova , Anna Berestova , Valentina Latysheva , Sergei Smirnov

Scientific article

The study aims to reveal the attitude of students and teachers to mobile learning; explore the possibility of developing critical thinking skills in mobile learning; and also evaluate knowledge after a short training course involving the use of mobile technologies in the context of the development of critical thinking. The research relies on an interview and a test. It was attended by 275 people (93 teachers and 182 students). The results showed that 58% of teachers and 55% of students believe that mobile learning does not contribute to the development of critical thinking. The test results showed that the study participants who pre-listened to the course of lectures on their mobile devices did not cope with the questions well enough, and cognitive errors were identified. The research has shown that improving the skills of interpreting, analyzing, evaluating and explaining information can increase the effectiveness of mobile learning. The research is a contribution to the study of various aspects of the impact of mobile learning on students and will be of interest to teachers, students, academic administration, parents, as well as to those who are interested in modern pedagogy and educational psychology.

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The development of the stem (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) attitude and motivation survey towards secondary school students

The development of the stem (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) attitude and motivation survey towards secondary school students

Tolga Gok

Scientific article

The purpose of the research was to determine the secondary school students’ attitude and motivation toward STEM. For this purpose, two field studies for developing a survey were conducted. The first field study, pilot study, was performed for collecting the research data and making statistical analysis of the research data. After completing statistical analysis procedures (Explanatory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis) of the pilot survey, the reliability and validity of the pilot survey was calculated. The statistical results indicated that the pilot survey was reliable and it also had four sub-factors. The second field study, main study, was performed for comparing and discussing the research data. The research was applied to 2912 students at different 14 secondary schools during the academic year of 2018-2019 at Izmir, Turkey. The students’ results in the metropolitan and suburban regions of the city were compared. The results indicated the decrease in the attitude and motivation of students at higher levels in both regions toward STEM. When the results of the research were evaluated in terms of the sub-factors, the science and engineering values of secondary school students in the suburban were higher than the values of the students in metropolitan. It was not found a significant difference between the students’ technology and mathematics values for both metropolitan and suburban. There was a significant difference between the 7th grade students’ science, technology, engineering, and mathematics values instructed in metropolitan and suburban in favor of the students instructed in suburban. It was calculated that there was not a significant difference between the 6th and 8th grade students’ all values for both the regions. It was only calculated that there was a significant difference between the 5th grade students’ mathematics value. Investigations on gender factors showed that the female students’ science, technology, engineering, and mathematics values were generally lower than the male students’ values for both the regions.

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The effect of a reading comprehension software program on student achievement in mathematics

The effect of a reading comprehension software program on student achievement in mathematics

David E. Proudfoot

Scientific article

In an effort to increase student achievement, research was conducted to determine the degree in which a reading comprehension software program effected the reading and math abilities of fourth and fifth grade students. Cognitive and educational studies were examined to select a reading comprehension software program as an intervention that would produce positive results in reading comprehension and possibly transfer positive results to achievement in other academic areas, specifically in math. The effects of the intervention were measured by assigning subjects to an experimental group. The total sample consisted of 39 students who were deficient in reading comprehension, and also exposed a significant weakness with word problem items on mathematical assessments. Four instruments were used to collect data before and after the treatment to measure student achievement. To determine the degree to which the software program effected student achievement, data from the four instruments were analyzed using SPSS software. A paired-samples dependent t test and a Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was computed with ratio level data to test for a correlation between increased math scores and reading comprehension scores. Results yielded statistically significant and positive results in increasing reading comprehension skills that could possibly benefit students in reading and understanding mathematical problems. Results did not conclusively support that the increase of reading-comprehension skills had a collateral effect on students scoring higher with math word problems. The results are conducive to providing insight to educational leaders who plan to implement software as a means for increasing student achievement.

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The effects and effectiveness of an adaptive e-learning system on the learning process and performance of students

The effects and effectiveness of an adaptive e-learning system on the learning process and performance of students

Igor Ristić, Marija Runić-Ristić, Tijana Savić Tot, Vilmos Tot, Momčilo Bajac

Scientific article

Students acquire learning material in different ways. Some prefer to read, some prefer to listen, others use the third type of sense. Traditional teaching uses only one of these teaching strategies since it is impossible to use all of them in the classroom. However, these days, adaptive e-learning systems enable learning material to be customized to the individual needs of learners. For the purpose of this paper, the researchers designed a model of the adaptive learning management system and implemented it in Moodle. The system was evaluated on 228 students. The incorporation of learning styles in Moodle is based on the VAK learning style model. The authors analysed the effects and effectiveness of an adaptive e-learning system. It was discovered that there are significant differences in learning effectiveness, satisfaction and motivation when students use an adaptive e-learning module in comparison to a standard e-learning module. Moreover, we investigated the durability of knowledge acquired with an adaptive e-learning system by comparing the performance of students not only after the completion of the course but also a month after the course. The results of the research confirmed the authors’ expectations and showed that an adaptive e-learning system can increase students’ learning results. So far, to our knowledge, no study has evaluated the performance between a control and experiment group a few months after the completion of the course, i.e. by analysing the durability of knowledge acquired through an adaptive e-learning system. Moreover, the motivation of students to continue using an adaptive e-learning system hasn’t been analysed until now.

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The effects of the pedagogical experience on the quality of teacher education

The effects of the pedagogical experience on the quality of teacher education

Tatjana Koteva-Mojsovska, Suzana Nikodinovska Bancotovska

Scientific article

Faculties should ensure integration of science and teaching: science that constantly evolves following the changes in scientific thought and teaching that incorporates these changes in their own organization. So there is a need of including the students, who are prepare for teachers, in the process of pedagogical experience during their study. Pedagogical experience is a completed with a pedagogical practice and hospitation on one side and theoretical knowledge on the other side. Pedagogical experience is a kind of activities that students are involved in the educational process. Considering the importance of these activities, we made a research to determine the effects of pedagogical experience of students in the fourth year of studies at the Pedagogical Faculty in Skopje. This research is guided by two assumptions: 1. Pedagogical experience as an integral part of studies has positive effects on the quality of initial teacher education and educators; 2. The organization of pedagogical internship does not fully satisfy the educational-applicative needs of students and objectives of the internship. During the survey, we have found that the students have good theoretical knowledge about the educational process and are successful in selecting topics for discussion with the competent persons in institutions. But they are not initiative enough and they are not sufficiently active in the process that have no direct obligation to implement and to record. Because of that, students have to be well prepared and instructed for all activities through the practice that will relate to their overall engagement as teachers.It shows that there is a necessity to redefine the structure, objectives, content and organization of the internship.

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The emotional analysis of children with special needs during tablet usage in education

The emotional analysis of children with special needs during tablet usage in education

Emrah Soykan, Fezile Özdamlı, Deniz Özcan

Scientific article

The aim of this research is to determine the emotions of the students who need special education during the teaching process through Tablet. Document analysis method was used to determine the emotions of the students who need of special education in the process of teaching through tablet. Five years old, three mentally retarded students were involved in the process of using the software. In the study, descriptive analysis method of Strauss & Corbin was used for the analysis of data obtained through interviews and observation forms. According to the results of the artificial intelligence emotions analysis, it is seen that the students are happy and eager to learn in the process of teaching with tablet. Another common point is that they are a bit confused sometimes, although they are eager in the initial teaching sessions. As a result, it can be said that the positive results of the emotional analysis and positive results obtained from the teaching sessions with the tablet support each other.

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The evaluation of primary school teacher role on research activities

The evaluation of primary school teacher role on research activities

Akhatayeva Ulsana Borashkyzy, Amirova Amina, Sydykova Zukhra Eshtayevna, Karabayeva Kulzariya Userkhanovna, Dauletaliyeva Dinara Myktybaevna, Bulshekbayeva Assem Issaevna

Scientific article

Many primary education programs, including the updated educational program in Kazakhstan, involve the creation and implementation of thematic units to prepare younger students for research activities. This approach is reflected in the integrated method of teaching and learning in primary classes. However, in cases where the research-based pedagogical approach is not used, it has become an urgent problem because it cannot meet the interest of students. Therefore, this article intends to study theoretical works on the preparation of primary school students for research, conduct experimental work on a small experimental site, and consider specific results. In theoretical terms, such works as content analysis, synthesis, generalization, survey, and diagnostics were organized. Analyzing the experimental work on the stages of identification and formation. Based on methodological materials to prepare students for research, we offer percentages.

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The expert opinion on quality of family functioning in Croatia

The expert opinion on quality of family functioning in Croatia

Ivana Visković, Maja Ljubetić

Scientific article

A number of recent studies found the link between the quality of family functioning, welfare and children’s achievement. In the absence of longitudinal studies on the quality of family functioning in Croatia, the expert opinion on family functions and the educational aspects of family life was explored. The data was obtained by classic Delphi method, in three cycles. Anonymous discussion was accepted as a quality manner of idea generating and analysis. Socio-emotional and upbringing functions have been singled out as the most significant permanent family functions, while the educational function is gradually taken over by the society. The expert opinion on family functions and the educational aspects of family life in Croatia was explored. The development of self-esteem and self-respect in children has been identified as the most important aspect of the upbringing function of family. It is assumed that the quality of growing up is related to growing up in families with family functioning. Research participants anticipate further changes in the family structure and the way that family functions. There was no consensus on the unambiguous definition of the family as a concept. There was no statistically significant difference between the opinions of the research participants on the importance of individual family functions in the modern society, and the predictors of the quality of family life. Due to the long-term economic crisis, there is a justified concern about the quality of parenting and, subsequently, the current and long-term welfare of children.

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The game - a real chance of modern education

The game - a real chance of modern education

Sonja Veličković

Scientific article

The purpose of the present paper is to show the need and the potential of play activities in the elementary grades so that children quickly and easily overcome fitness problems in the transition from pre-school to the school system of education, and to at least partially alleviate the existing problem of discontinuity. The sudden transition from the system of playing activities in the system of learning activities, based on the implementation of tasks under strict guidelines, can hardly match the current developmental abilities and needs of children. Therefore, various problems occur in the work of first-graders: it is difficult to attract his attention, he finds it difficult to work and school homework, forgets what he just heard, does not concentrate long enough, soon he gets bored in class activities, fidget, real careless mistakes, constantly repeating the same mistakes. At the very beginning of their education, which in some ways represents a transitional period, a part of learning activities should be organized through the game, in order to overcome resistance to school. To make it faster and easier to overcome adaptive problems of children in the school environment and learning today in educational theory and practice, we try to find a solution for the organization of educational and play activities in the learning process, at least when it comes to the junior grade. Keywords: game, implementation, playful activity entered, educational activity

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The high school students attitudes towards peers with blindness

The high school students attitudes towards peers with blindness

Daniela Dimitrova-Radojičić

Scientific article

The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitudes of high school pupils toward peers with blindness. Using the CATCH-scale (Chedoke-McMaster Attitudes towards Children with Handicaps), 218 high school students’ attitudes were assessed. High school students generally had a positive attitude towards students with blindness. The total scores on the CATCH- scale was a little higher for female students, but with no statistically significant difference (p>.05). Generally, the implications of this research suggest that regular schools must implement coexistence programs that will lead to even better attitude in inclusive settings.

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The ideal L2 self as a factor of self-motivation in willingness to communicate

The ideal L2 self as a factor of self-motivation in willingness to communicate

Jelisaveta Šafranj, Aleksandra Gojkov Rajić, Vesna Bogdanović

Scientific article

Theoretical basis of this paper is the heuristic L2 Motivational Self System (L2MSS). The research aims to determine the degree to which the ideal L2 self can be regarded as a significant factor with regards to its power to make a difference in students’ actual motivated behaviour in L2 communication. The research sample consists of 396 students. The ideal L2 self is a predictor variable. Willingness to communicate and the obtained grades are criterion variables. Gender, period of time spent learning English / German, and whether students are residing in the country where the target language is spoken are all moderator variables. Systematic non-experimental observation method based on Dörnyei and Taguchi´s survey was used in this study. Cronbach’s alpha indicated high reliability in the presented sample (.92). Willingness to communicate was investigated using McCroskey´s questionnaire. The findings indicate a rather complex picture of the observed L2 MSS constructs and the importance of their components in the field of L2 learning. Therefore, for further research, it is suggested that the ideal L2 self should be divided into two constructs: obligations that the individual would like to comply with and obligations that others expect him/her to comply with. The contribution of the L2 learning experience should also be considered because otherwise, it is difficult to determine the progress of the model design and what to do with it in practice.

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The image of socially active individual in the representations of student youth

The image of socially active individual in the representations of student youth

Rail M. Shamionov, Anton V. Grigoryev

Scientific article

The study of students’ representations of a socially active individual is one of the major tasks of psychology of education. The purpose of the study is to carry out analysis of characteristics of an image of a socially active individual in the representations of student youth and to correlate them with self-assessment of social activity and assessment of real social activity. Students aged 17-23 years (n=251) took part in the study М=20.11, SD=1.2 (41% men). We used the polling method with the scales developed by the authors of the present study in order to identify self-assessment of social activity, to evaluate real activity; and the associative experiment method. In the study we analysed qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the image of a socially-active individual in the representations of university students. We have established major meaningful characteristics of representations (personal qualities, self-improvement and personal transformation, states, representation in the group, process and activity-related characteristics). Conclusion has been made about the connection between the intensity of students’ social activity and cognitive complexity of the image of a socially active individual and the content of subjective (initiative, confidence) and psychodynamic (vigour) categories in it.

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The impact of Slovenian qualifications framework: stakeholders' perspective

The impact of Slovenian qualifications framework: stakeholders' perspective

Borut Mikulec, Klara Skubic Ermenc, Nina Kristl

Scientific article

This paper examines the impact of the national qualifications framework on the education and training system in Slovenia in the context of the European qualifications framework for lifelong learning and its influence on the design of the Slovenian qualifications framework. Although the role of the European Union in educational policy-making has received considerable attention, of which national qualifications frameworks are part of, only a few studies have focused on measuring the impacts of the European qualifications framework influenced national qualifications frameworks in Europe. By drawing on the theoretical concept of policy transfer in the analysis of European/global education policies, the study shows how European qualifications framework policy transfer influenced Slovenian qualifications framework development through soft instruments. Furthermore, this study examined the extent to which the Slovenian qualifications framework's objectives have been achieved according to key stakeholders (n = 50) using a quantitative research approach. The findings indicate that, unlike objectives related to the Slovenian qualifications framework's reform role, i.e. support for lifelong learning, the objectives related to the Slovenian qualifications framework's communication role, i.e. recognisability, understanding and transparency of qualifications and coordination of the qualifications subsystems, are mostly being met from the stakeholders' perspective.

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The impact of peer and cyberbullying on elementary school children in the Republic of Serbia

The impact of peer and cyberbullying on elementary school children in the Republic of Serbia

Stoi L., Stoi I., Jankovi A.

Scientific article

This study examines the prevalence of various forms of peer bullying among elementary school children, with a particular focus on the rising issue of cyberbullying. Utilizing a specially constructed Likert scale, the research gathered data from a sample of 98 children, composed of 51 boys and 47 girls, across grades five to eight. The findings reveal that verbal abuse, such as name-calling, mocking, and insulting, is the most common form of bullying experienced by children. Physical bullying behaviors like hitting, pushing, and kicking are also prevalent. Furthermore, the study highlights the significant presence of cyberbullying, characterized by malicious online messaging and social media interactions, which often result in emotional distress and withdrawal from social activities. The reliability and internal consistency of the measurement scale were confirmed by a Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of 0.775. The results underscore the importance of addressing both traditional and cyber forms of bullying to ensure a safer school environment. The study advocates for comprehensive educational programs that promote digital literacy and empathy among children to mitigate the negative impacts of bullying. Additionally, the research suggests implementing effective intervention strategies that include prompt responses to reported bullying incidents and providing support to victims. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on bullying by offering insights into the dynamics of peer and cyberbullying, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring and preventive measures within educational settings.

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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on higher education students’ perceptions of educational applications and platforms

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on higher education students’ perceptions of educational applications and platforms

Katarina Rojko, Nuša Erman

Scientific article

The contemporary development of education is marked by the rapid expansion of online educational applications and platforms. Consequently, it is becoming clear that teachers must consider them and in light of their changing role, know what they can offer in their field to be able to recommend them to students to get additional knowledge or even to integrate them into their teaching. As students in the field of computer science and informatics are particularly accustomed to considering online knowledge resources, we decided to investigate their perception of educational applications and platforms. Based on the analysis of the results of their testing of educational platforms and applications, we found that for them the most important is content, followed by personal preferences, reason, user experience, price, etc., and only in the last place is a certificate. The most frequent word in their research reports proved to be knowledge, which we included under the code reason, followed by research, content, time, free, variety, and quality. It also turned out that students’ experience of testing educational applications and platforms is predominantly positive and has even improved over the course of the last three years, which we attribute to the effects of the Covid-19 coronavirus epidemic. The comparison of pre-pandemic and post-pandemic data also revealed that positive sentiment came to the front, while students now prioritize user experience, reason, and quality over the content and personal preferences compared to the pre-pandemic period, while they are still aware of the need for exploration.

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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the educational work of kindergarten teachers

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the educational work of kindergarten teachers

Časlav Stoiljković

Scientific article

The purpose of this paper is to consider the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the educational process from the perspective of kindergarten teachers. There is not enough research on the effects that the pandemic has caused in educational work with young children. The paper aims at better understanding of the realization of educational work during the state of emergency in Serbia, which came as a consequence of the unfavorable epidemiological situation. Teachers, children and parents are recognized in the paper as key determinants of educational quality. The results of the assessment of the attitudes of 168 teachers in Serbia on important aspects of the educational process during the state of emergency were statistically processed. Based on the obtained results, conclusions were made that show a sufficient degree of adaptability of teachers to the new situation as well as a significant role of teachers as factors of stability of educational work. The results emphasize a high degree of positive attitudes when it comes to cooperation between teachers and parents. The results show that there is a lot of room for improving the quality of educational work at a distance.

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The impact of using social media on academic achievement and attitudes of prospective teachers

The impact of using social media on academic achievement and attitudes of prospective teachers

Murat Tezer, Ata Taşpolat, Ömer Sami Kaya, Hamza Fatih Sapanca

Scientific article

The current study was conducted to investigate the impact of using social media and internet on the academic achievement of prospective teachers. Focus group of the research could be expressed as 204 prospective teachers that were studying in 2016-2017 fall semesters. To collect data, Attitudes Towards to Social Media Scale was employed. Result of the study revealed that, prospective teachers’ attitudes towards to social media had an influence on academic achievement. Furthermore, it could be stressed that prospective teachers with lower attitudes towards to social media were more likely to have lower academic success when compared with the prospective teachers with higher attitudes towards to social media. In addition to these, results of the current study also expressed that prospective teachers with social media accounts were achieved better grades when compared with the prospective teachers who did not have any social media account. Lastly, it could be indicated that prospective teachers’ attitudes towards to social media was at a moderate level.

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The importance of educational technology in teaching

The importance of educational technology in teaching

Lazar Stošić

Scientific article

Today, more than ever, the role of educational technology in teaching is of great importance because of the use of information and communication technologies. With the help of various applications for distance education, the Internet, teachers, and students themselves, they see the advantage of educational technology. The question is whether schools and teachers themselves are ready for the use of technology in education and whether they are aware of its benefits? In this paper, we try to give an overview of the importance and use of educational technology in the classroom.

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The importance of the digitization process for the promotion of cultural heritage of the Republic of Serbia: empirical and statistical findings

The importance of the digitization process for the promotion of cultural heritage of the Republic of Serbia: empirical and statistical findings

Branislav Sančanin, Aleksandra Penjišević

Scientific article

Timely, comprehensive, and continuous protection, as well as the use and presentation of authentic tangible and intangible cultural-historical heritage of a certain area can greatly contribute to the economic, ecological and social development of the community and the strengthening of the competitive position. Digitization should relax all previously known forms of cultural expression and enable access to the broadest audience and their participation in cultural life. This paper has the ambition to contribute to a more comprehensive appreciation of the digitization process, facilitate access to digital content and motivate new thinking about the continuous improvement of the availability of movable and immovable cultural assets, as well as intangible cultural heritage. A primary questionnaire was created in order to assess the views and opinions of the citizens of the Republic of Serbia on the importance of the digitization process for the promotion of cultural heritage. The research sample was an opportunistic, convenient sampling of residents of the Republic of Serbia from all 5 regions (n=138). The importance of the digitization process for the promotion and preservation of cultural heritage has been established. Modern technologies are insufficiently represented in the promotion and preservation of cultural heritage, while this attitude is supported by a slightly higher percentage of respondents with the highest level of education. The importance of the digitization process for the promotion and preservation of cultural heritage has been proven, and respondents with the highest level of education attach the highest degree of importance to it. The greatest contribution can be seen in the preservation of the national identity and cultural diversity of the national communities, of our region, with social networks being the media that can contribute the most to the promotion of cultural heritage.

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The influence of parents on preparing a child for school

The influence of parents on preparing a child for school

Sonja Velickovic

Scientific article

Starting school is an important developmental step / task not only for the child but also for their parents and family in which to grow up. The accomplishment of this task expands the boundaries of family / parent and the child’s functioning in social, emotional and cognitive sense. The aim of this paper is to highlight the need to educate the parents of the child going to school, which would contribute to parents with awareness and sensitivity to the nature of long-term process of entering the child’s entry into school, to a child’s socialization process related to school and proceeded in a favorable direction. The author emphasizes the importance of having a separate program prepares parents for the child starting school, as part of the annual program of preschools / schools that educators / teachers should realize and thus improve their educational work with one hand, while on the other hand its value will be reported in a balanced relation between child-school-family, but also to avert the potential emotional difficulties, or, the child’s dysfunctional behavior. Participation of professional services and school teachers / teachers in the implementation of such programs can enhance compliance of educational values that are placed in front of the child in the family and in the school environment.

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