Contribution: This research illuminates information entropy's efficacy as a pivotal educational tool in programming, enabling the precise quantification of algorithmic complexity and student abstraction levels for solving problems. This approach can provide students quantitative, comparative insights into the differences between optimal and…

Background: Evidence exists that some aspects of engineering as a disciplinary culture are problematic for students' mental health and help-seeking attitude (HSAs). In order to promote positive cultural change, it is critical to further characterize those problematic aspects of engineering culture. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to expand…

Although research demonstrates benefits of collaboration in problem-solving, less is known about how different formats impact learning and cognitive engagement. This study compared in-person and virtual collaboration to individual problem-solving by measuring performance and cognitive engagement, using heart rate variability (HRV). Participants…

Previous research shows that children evaluate the competence of others based on how effectively someone accomplished a goal, that is, based on the observed outcome of an action (e.g., number of attempts needed). Here, we investigate whether 5- to 10-year-old children and adults infer competence from how efficiently someone solves a task by…

Mathematical reasoning, a fundamental aspect of human cognition, poses significant challenges for artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Despite recent advancements in natural language processing (NLP) and large language models (LLMs), AI's ability to replicate human-like reasoning, generalization, and efficiency remains an ongoing research…

In this paper, we present a case study of a secondary mathematics teacher, Isaac (pseudonym), and his considerations for teaching with multiple methods for solving missing-value problems. While his students preferred methods that drew more closely on their intuitive understanding of proportionality, Isaac emphasised the algorithmic…

Background: Scholars have confirmed the vital roles of self-regulated learning (SRL) behaviours in predicting task performance, especially within non-linear technology-rich learning environments (TREs). However, few studies focused on the learning costs (e.g., study effort and time-on-task) related to SRL and the efficiency outcome of SRL (i.e.,…

Problem-solving frameworks have the potential to promote objective data-based decisions that increase the likelihood students are matched to appropriate evidence-based interventions. Unfortunately, cognitive biases, heuristics, and fallacies can lead to erroneous conclusions within problem-solving frameworks. Some of these effects have been…

New Public Management (NPM)-inspired higher education (HE) governance has become increasingly topical in recent years. However, while existing research provides an overall understanding of relevant changes, it does not offer a complete analysis of complex governance and falls prey to deterministic and relatively narrow ideological impositions.…

Novice programmers need well-designed instruction and assessment informed by research and critical perspectives to conquer the historical challenges associated with completing introductory computer programming courses successfully. These issues include high dropout and failure rates, the struggle to acquire and retain basic programming knowledge,…

The relationship between education and organizational financial efficiency can be described as tense and ambiguous. Therefore, issues of educational leadership inspired by models stemming from the business sector are currently hardly dealt with. Consequently, not much attention has been given to findings from the field of Business Financial…

Skilled Technical Sciences (STS) programs prepare students for success through academic integration and technical skill development. This fact sheet from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of College and Career Readiness, Skilled Technical Sciences provides information on these programs.