Gender bias, reduced sense of belonging, and lower physics self-efficacy are among the challenges faced by women who choose to study physics. Prior studies focusing on this underrepresented group have examined the experiences and impacts of formal educational settings, leaving the impact of informal physics programs, frequently called outreach…

Some approaches to teaching mathematics have led to decreased student motivation. Gamification is an application of game elements within nongame settings. While gamification may increase motivation in other contexts, its effective use in digital mathematics instruction to motivate elementary students is undetermined. Based on the constructs of…

Background: The constructs of interest and motivation are often identified as factors that contribute to the persistence of undergraduate college women in physics, mathematics, engineering, engineering technology, and computer science. A review of the literature regarding interest development and motivation as related to women as science,…

Middle schools often turn to computer-assisted reading intervention programs to improve student reading. The questions guiding this study are (a) in what ways are computer-assisted reading intervention programs utilized, and (b) what are teachers' perceptions about these intervention programs? Nineteen secondary reading teachers were interviewed…

Researchers found that student-centered, technology-integrated learning environments help to produce students who are better able to think critically, solve problems, collaborate with others, and engage deeply in the learning process. Understanding the impact of technology and finding the best ways to integrate technology into the classroom is…

This qualitative study explored the perceptions that instructors and students have of online learning in a Texas-Mexico border community college. Use of the interpretive approach and dialogical exchange through semi-structured interviews conducted with both instructors and students from a rural, border community college revealed multiple and…

Educators face decisions when incorporating an expanding array of technological resources in mathematics education and interventions. Guided by Bandura's theory of self-efficacy, which holds that self-efficacy augments personal accomplishments, this quantitative study explored the relationship of Web 2.0 technology use and the development of…

Using longitudinal student data from 15 four-year (n = 3,072) and 13 (n = 788) two-year postsecondary institutions, the authors tested the effects of interest-major congruence, motivation, and 1st-year academic performance on timely degree completion. Findings suggest that interest-major congruence has a direct effect on timely degree completion…

Student demand and budget shortages have influenced the need for land-grant institutions to offer online courses. Research has identified that online courses broaden the reach of land-grant institutions to students who may not have access to campus. Literature indicated student satisfaction in online courses should be routinely assessed in order…

Attitudes toward foreign language study of 200 high school students in the Panhandle (northwest) section of Texas were surveyed. In this rural and agricultural area, the percentage of Mexican Americans and Blacks is quite low. Forty-eight percent of the students believed foreign language study was more difficult than other areas, and 57 percent…