Students in secondary vocational education often have to learn and practice their skills in potentially dangerous situations, operating complex machinery or working in hazardous conditions. As a consequence, they need to be trained on how to work safely, to respect safety regulations, to wear protective gear and related equipment, to consider…

Online teaching and learning has become more prominent and prevalent with digital platforms becoming the only means of communication in lessons. The resulting limited teacher-student interactions can be an important contributing factor in the rise of ineffective learning. Therefore, it has become necessary to enhance these interactions during…

This study examines the impact of gamification elements, in particular leaderboards, badges, and eBucks, on the cognitive engagement (CE), intrinsic motivation (IM), and self-efficacy (SE) of English Language Learners (ELLs) at a high school in the Southeastern United States. The investigation, conducted during optional weekly readings, utilizes a…

Secondary students' perceptions of learning science and mathematics have been researched internationally, but less in the global South. This study investigated Grades 9 and 10 students' experiences of learning biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics in Bhutanese secondary schools. A mixed-methods sequential design was used. First, 524 students…

While student engagement is important for meaningful learning experiences in school, vocational students are known to perceive general subjects, such as languages, as irrelevant and unengaging. For this reason, general subjects are often taught in a manner adapted to the students' vocational education. In Norway, such teaching is known as the…

Algebra is critical in shaping future mathematics success and is integral to the K-12 curriculum. Despite its inclusion, a common challenge arises as students' progress to higher grades without a solid foundation, resulting in challenging learning experiences. This action research study focuses on the algebraic learning experience of a Grade 7…

How can teachers engage students in participatory civic education in a state like Texas where education policy is interfering with the Rights of the Learner by refusing to allow educators to support students in becoming active participants in vital democratic processes? Texas Senate Bill 3, passed in 2021, prohibits teachers from directly…

The present study investigates the impact of the educational game Sociopolis on student engagement in the context of tenth-grade social science education. Employing a mixed-methods approach, this research examines engagement behaviors quantitatively and categorically. The participant pool consists of 183 students from four public schools in…

This study presents a collaborative learning experience design aimed to promote Algorithmic Literacy (AL) among middle school students. Developed in partnership with middle school teachers and students, the design addresses the need to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate an algorithm-driven digital landscape. The…

STEM education equips students with critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation skills necessary for success. This Spotlight will help readers analyze research-backed strategies to bolster the STEM teacher pipeline; learn how teachers can build student confidence and motivation in STEM; discover how hands-on learning can increase engagement…

In the growing body of research on individual differences in second language (L2) acquisition, this study aims to explore the relationships among the emotions of foreign language enjoyment, anxiety, and willingness to communicate (WTC) among Korean secondary learners. A total of 111 participants completed a questionnaire with closed- and…

Referring to the advantages of intelligent personal assistants, or virtual agents, Charades can be implemented with a Chatbot to enhance students' vocabulary mastery. However, only a few studies have addressed the effectiveness of learning through practice with chatbots based on the Charades approach. We designed a Charades game using Google…

This study aimed at exploring students' engagement, difficulties, and meaningful learning experiences in Biology class relative to the use of the intervention material developed--the digitized concept stories. Students' engagement towards learning Biology and difficulties experienced in class were revealed through in-depth interviews with 20 Grade…

Online learning has become the new educational pattern during the COVID-19 pandemic and is likely to supplement conventional schooling in the post-pandemic world. Lacking prior online learning experiences, the population of K-12 students deserves our special attention. Using purposeful sampling, this study investigated K-12 online learning…

This autobiographical study of teaching and learning Algebra 1 was developed to examine classroom experiences through the lens of the researcher and to explore the perceptions of teachers and students involved in the study. The goal was to identify the quality, meaningful educational experiences in the classroom which led to the development of…