Reliability Generalization Meta-analyses in Mathematics Education Research: A Research Synthesis

The purpose of this systematic review was to characterize the implementation of reliability generalization meta-analytic (RGM) practices within mathematics education-related empirical research. RGM studies are used to investigate and generalize the reliability of a measure across various studies. An exhaustive literature search was conducted to locate studies related to mathematics education, including RGM studies of psychological tests. The literature search included articles as well as grey literature (e.g., conference proceedings, dissertations, theses). Of the 27 RGM studies examined, five were on scales that related to mathematics education research, five were on scales related to motivation and/or learning, four related to self-esteem, self-concept, and/or self-efficacy, six related to perceptions, well-being, and/or anxiety, and seven related to personality or behavior. Of the mathematics education-related RGM studies, 85.5% (N=9,184) of the articles examined across studies had no mention of reliability or fell into the convention of citing previously reported reliabilities. Increasing awareness of RGM studies could lead to an increase in RGM studies conducted on mathematics education research scales, leading to increased understanding of mathematics education scales. This paper contributes to the literature on the practical and empirical importance of RGM for mathematics and STEM education praxis.

Effect of Technology Integration on Middle School Math Proficiency: A Multiple Linear Regression Study

Mandates to improve curriculum and instruction and incorporate technology in teaching U.S. K-12 students have failed to improve math proficiency as measured by standardized assessments. Still, 40–60% need remedial coursework in college. Past efforts have focused on incorporating specific technologies. The SAMR approach redirects the effort to focus on how technology is used, aligning with Bloom’s taxonomy. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis was used to quantify the contribution of Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition to MAP Growth in math for 644 students taught by eight teachers across 36 class sections at a single Indiana middle school. A wide range in teacher use of technology corresponded to significant (p .05) differences in MAP Growth. Hierarchical multiple linear regression revealed that incorporation of SAMR elements above Substitution explained a small, 2.0%, yet significant (p = .001) part of variation in MAP Growth. At least Most Weeks use of Augmentation added 1.06 points (p = .008), Modification an additional 2.12 points (p = .002), and Redefinition an additional 1.19 points (p = .003) for a combined significant net 4.37-point increase. With all teachers from the same school and only some using technology at high learning levels, the findings led to a recommendation for investment in professional development training rather than focusing on adding specific technology tools.

Flipped Learning and Communicative Competence: An Experimental Study of English Learners

Notwithstanding the fact that extensive studies have highlighted the positive impact of flipped learning on developing learners’ skills, the literature has still been silent on its effect on Indonesian English learners’ communicative competence. To address this issue, this experimental study sheds some light on the significant impact of flipped learning method on developing English learners’ communicative competence. A total of 40 English learners of a university in Indonesia were grouped into flipped and non-flipped classrooms. Through the flipped learning, the course materials were delivered by means of Google classroom platform prior to the class, and the classroom activities were mostly allocated for communicative practices. To obtain the data, this study employed a Discourse Completion Task (DCT) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) questionnaire. Drawing on paired sample t-test and descriptive statistics, the results depicted that there was a significant difference between the learners’ pre-test and post-test scores of DCTs in the flipped group, and it significantly outperformed the non-flipped group. The results of TAM questionnaire further indicated that most of the learners appreciated the learning activities conducted in the flipped learning environment, and positively perceived Google classroom as an online platform for language learning. As the conclusion, it is a worth saying that flipped learning by means of Google classroom is an effective method to develop English learners’ pragmatic competence.

Evaluation of Field Practices of Building Education Program

This research aims to find out the process of implementing field practices in Building Education Program of Faculty of Engineering at Medan State University. The implementation of field practice is one of the implementation of vocational education. Field practice activities for building education programs are conducted through observation and analysis of various problems in building and civil construction observation and analysis of various problems in building and civil construction work. The subjects of the study were students of Building Education Program of Faculty of Engineering at Medan State University who had conducted field practice as many as 34 people in 2019. Based on the results of research and discussion of the implementation of field practice in building education, it is necessary to improve, namely: 1) acceleration of completion, because the average length of field practice is 6.88 months, 2) acceleration of administration process such as correspondence, 3) implementation of field practice conducted during college holidays to be more efficient, 4) The focus of field practice report is quickly determined when guidance with each student, and 5) field practice exam materials around the student's written report. Overall, the results show that the implementation of field practice can improve competence and attitude towards the world of work especially in the field of construction. The implementation of field practice in Building Education Program still needs attention to prepare more competent graduates in the field of building and civil construction.

Taxonomy of Key Terms for Mathematics Education

We present the process of developing a taxonomy of key terms for Mathematics Education. We build on the existing taxonomy of key terms that has been used in an open access document repository. Additionally, we took into account terms that have been established in encyclopedias of the discipline and the frequency of use of keywords in specialized journals that were indexed in Scopus and Web of Science. We made a review of synonymy between these terms and the terms of the existing taxonomy. We included in our proposal the terms that are relevant given their frequency of use in the journals. We removed from the existing taxonomy the terms that are little used in practice. The new taxonomy is organized in six main categories: approach, educational level, foundations of Mathematics Education, research in Mathematics Education, pedagogical notions and mathematical content. This proposal was validated in three phases by researchers, innovators in Mathematics Education, and editors of specialized journals and experts who lead associations and events in the discipline.

Improvement Efforts for Student Learning Outcomes and Motivation using Edmodo during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study aims to improve students' motivation and learning outcomes by applying Edmodo-based e-learning model in the Biology Education Study Program of Medan State University. The research method used is class action research with the application of two cycles. The subjects of this study were 17 students who took basic accounting courses and research objects of activities that took place during the learning process. Data analysis techniques used are descriptive quantitative with percentages used to measure the level of motivation of students, for the results of learning is evaluated at the end of each learning. The results of class action research obtained by the application of Edmodo can improve students' motivation and learning outcomes. This is evident from the implementation of actions starting from pre-action, cycle I, and cycle II. Student learning motivation is said to succeed with an average of 75-100%. The results obtained in cycle action I were 84.11% and 88.11% in cycle II. While the percentage of student learning outcomes also increased. The increase in pre-action from 50.75 to 73.53 in cycle I increased by 22.77, from 73.53 to 87.35 in cycle II which means an increase of 13.82.

Prediction of Physics Lesson Learning Level by Students’ Characteristics and Teaching-Learning Process

The aim of this study is to determine the predictive strength of the students’ characteristics and their teaching-learning process on the physics course learning level. The variables were also examined according to the academic achievement levels. The study is a descriptive study in survey model. Purposive sampling method was used in the formation of the study group, and 621 ninth grade students were selected for the study group. Cognitive Entry Behaviors (CEB) test, Academic Self-Concept (ASC) scale, Perception of Teaching Service Adequacy (PTSA) scale, Time Allotted to Learning (TAL) form and Learning Level (LL) test were used to collect the data. One-way variance, simple linear regression, and stepwise regression technique were used in the data analysis. The results of the study showed that the predictive strength of the variables examined about the student and the teaching-learning process was significant. The variability in the learning level is 59.9% in CEB, 18.1% in ASC, and 17.1% in PTSA. The relationship between the individual time allocated to learning and the learning level is negative, and has the power to explain the variability in learning level by 2.9%. All variables have the power to explain the variability in learning level by 62.7% together. One of the most important results of this study is that the magnitude of the predictive power of cognitive entry behaviors on the learning level has been revealed. It is thought that the results of the study will contribute to the literature aimed at increasing the learning level of the physics course.

Digital Competences of Prospective Engineers and Science Teachers: A Latent Profile and Correspondence Analysis

In the light of ubiquitous information and communication technologies (ICT) it is essential for everyone to be digitally competent. This is particularly true for prospective engineers and teachers since their jobs play an important role in shaping our common future. We assessed engineering and science teacher students’ (n=180) digital competences at two higher education institutions in Germany using the DigComp framework. Applying a group comparison using t-Test analysis we found no differences in the level of digital competences. However, the subsequent latent profile analysis followed by correspondence analysis revealed that high digital competences correspond with a frequent use of various ICT, supporting the theory of the importance of implicit learning. Secondly, the data points towards a reproduction of the patterns of the digital divide showing the influence of socio-economic background and gender on the expression of digital competences. Recommendations for agents (student advisory services, companies, etc.) that wish to support and improve students’ digital competences are incorporated in the conclusions.

A Study on the Development of Map and Globe Reading and Interpretation Skills in Early Childhood Education

In this study, the impact of the Map and Globe Use Training Program on the map and globe reading and interpretation skills of five-year-olds continuing to a preschool program was examined. A semi-experimental model with a pre-test/post-test control group was used to assess the impact of a 10-week map and globe use-training program in the preschools of three educational institutions in Turkey. In addition to the daily life experiences of the children selected for the experimental group in the study, the researchers applied the Education Program on the Use of Map and Globe, while the children in the control group continued to be given regular daily education programs by their teachers. The data were collected using the “Map and Globe Reading and Interpretation Skills Assessment Test for Children Aged Five.” As a result of the study, a statistically significant difference at the level of 0.05 was observed between the mean scores of the experimental and control group members’ map and globe reading and interpretation skills. The result reveals that the applied program is effective and permanent in providing children with map and globe reading and interpretation skills.

A Field Guide to Whole Number Representations in Children’s Books

Trade books are a common resource used to teach children mathematical ideas. Yet, detailed analyses of the mathematics content of such books to determine potential impacts on learning are needed. This study investigated how trade books represent whole numbers. A two-pronged approach was used a) one team documented every way 197 books represented numerical ideas and b) another team used standards to identify ideal representations. A third team validated the traits on 67 books. Greater variation than expected was documented (103 traits identified) and organized into a field guide for researchers to consult to design studies about how particular traits influence number learning. Studies could investigate how a particular trait supports learning or experimentally compare a selected combination of the 45 pictorial, 45 written symbol, 10 tactile, 2 kinesthetic, and 1 auditory trait. Implications for practice include recognizing what representations are present or missing from books used in classrooms. The study also serves as an example of how the field of mathematics education would benefit from adopting structures from disciplinary science, such as field guides, to inform how we organize phenomena of mathematics learning.