Reflection has recently been emphasized as a constructive pedagogical activity. However, little attention has been given to the quality of reflections that students write. In this study, we explored the reflections that students make about their knowledge organization as part of a formative learning activity. More specifically, we assessed the…

This study evaluates the use of a hierarchical classification approach to automated assessment of essays. Automated essay scoring (AES) generally relies onmachine learning techniques that compute essay scores using a set of text variables. Unlike previous studies that rely on regression models, this study computes essay scores using a hierarchical…

The topic of pressure and buoyancy is one that encompasses both invisible and abstract conceptions and about which students have misconceptions. The purpose of this research was to research the effectiveness of three different methods of teaching physics (conceptual change-based, real life context-based and traditional learning on upper-secondary…

The authors examined whether students' epistemic and learning beliefs varied across different knowledge types in physics. On the basis of various beliefs frameworks, the authors predicted that individuals' beliefs would vary within a domain across the same content when presented conceptually versus procedurally. Participants were 81 high…

Despite their apparent simplicity, the concepts of square numbers and square roots are problematic for high school students. I inquired into students' understanding of these concepts, focusing on obstacles that students face while attempting to solve square number problems. The study followed a modified analytic induction methodology that included…

The development of alternate assessments for students with disabilities plays a pivotal role in state and national accountability systems. An important assumption in the use of alternate assessments in these accountability systems is that scores are comparable on different test forms across diverse groups of students over time. The use of test…

This study examined the reflection interview as a tool for assessing and facilitating the use of "systems language" amongst 11th grade students who have recently completed their first year of high school biology. Eighty-three students composed two concept maps in the 10th grade--one at the beginning of the school year and one at its end.…

A positive self-concept supposedly affects a student's well-being as well as his or her perception of individual competence at school. As computer-based learning is becoming increasingly important in school, a positive computer-related self-concept (CSC) might help to enhance cognitive achievement. Consequently, we focused on establishing a short,…

To date, there is a paucity of empirical evidence that examines gang membership in schools. Using statewide data of 7th-, 9th-, and 11th-grade students from California, this study focuses on the prevalence of gang membership by county, region, ethnicity, and grade level. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed with…

In this paper I describe and analyse how critical pedagogy, an approach to teaching and learning that encourages students to reflect on their socio-political contexts, may stimulate critical consciousness and dialogue at a youth radio show. The participants, who attended four diverse Cape Town high schools and predominantly lived in poor…

Science and technology are argued to have controversial consequences on individuals, societies and environments. Citizens' socio-political activism seems paramount to address these consequences. This paper reports on Venezuelan students' socio-political actions on socioscientific issues highly relevant to them. It particularly focuses on students'…

This report provides key research findings from a recent analysis of 51,831 students who first entered grade 8 in the B.C. K-12 education system in academic year 2004/2005. These students who entered B.C. public and independent schools were tracked over a period of ten years, to the end of the Fall 2014 term. The numerous and diverse education…

In the United States, the American College Test (ACT) is a standardized test that is used primarily as an indicator of college readiness and as a gauge for college admission. The governing bodies for Louisiana's public schools--The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE)--made the ACT a…

This study aimed at improving the decision-making (DM) skills of 11th graders by incorporating a DM framework, visualisation tools, collaboration, and metacognitive guidance into a socioscientific issue context. Two classes, the experimental group (embedded metacognitive guidance, N = 42) and the comparison group (no metacognitive guidance, N =…

Purpose: Regarded as an important means of career development, preparation, and transition, career adaptability is a lifelong skill that can enable individuals to overcome 21st-century work--life requirements and challenges. This study aims to investigate the factors contributing career adaptability of high-school students, which pose beneficial…