In this digital ITEMS module, Dr. Jeffrey Harring and Ms. Tessa Johnson introduce the linear mixed effects (LME) model as a flexible general framework for simultaneously modeling continuous repeated measures data with a scientifically defensible function that adequately summarizes both individual change as well as the average response. The module…

Computational thinking has been taught in elementary classrooms in other countries for many years, but in the United States this has only been a focus recently due to the drastic shortage of computer scientists. Early exposure to computational thinking has been shown to motivate students to pursue STEM careers, especially computer science (Jin,…

This article introduces the use of "VPython" (the "Python" programming language plus a 3D graphics module called "Visual") as a potentially valuable tool in teaching aspects of secondary school chemistry, which also provides an opportunity for students to gain some experience with manipulating and/or writing computer…

A single laboratory exercise in introductory physics that includes a bit of calculus, a little programming, some breadboard wiring, and making mathematical connections between motion, net force, and power provides a nice STEM experience for students. If you can add in a biomechanics component you hopefully have something that overall can be an…

Studies of scientific practice demonstrate that the development of scientific models is an enactive and emergent process (e.g., Pickering 1995; Chandrasekharan and Nersessian 2017). Scientists make meaning through processes such as perspective taking, finding patterns, and following intuitions. In this paper, we focus on how a group of fourth…

Coding is defined as the "process of assigning a code (command/rule)" (http://Techopedia.com) that allows a machine or a person to act or move (McLennan, https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/tyc/feb2017/creating-coding-stories-and-games, 2017). Though machines operated by a coding system are common in children's everyday lives, there has…

Minority language communities lack access to educational technology that facilitates literacy skill building. The approach currently taken by most educational game app developers privileges widely spoken languages and often requires intensive resource investment. In response, a new game app was designed to provide easily localized, pedagogically…

Researchers in many disciplines work with ranking data. This data type is unique in that it is often deterministic in nature (the ranks of items "k"-1 determine the rank of item "k"), and the difference in a pair of rank scores separated by "k" units is equivalent regardless of the actual values of the two ranks in…

Data science and informatics tools are developing at a blistering rate, but their users often lack the educational background or resources to efficiently apply the methods to their research. Training resources and vignettes that accompany these tools often deprecate because their maintenance is not prioritized by funding, giving teams little time…

NP-complete problems such as the traveling salesman problem (TSP) play a prominent role in most advanced undergrad/graduate courses in discrete optimization modeling. Teaching such an important topic from a purely mathematical perspective without discussing specific applications may result in reduced student interest and motivation. The DeLand…

The current business trends, such as Industry 4.0, require a modern chemical engineer to know about programming, advanced computational tools, and holistic thinking. To this end, an integrated approach, where theoretical concepts are supplemented by computational lab-based exercises and team projects promoting "Design Thinking" is…

We have integrated computer programming instruction into the required courses of our mathematics major. Our majors take a sequence of four courses in their first 2 years, each of which is paired with a weekly 75-minute computer lab period that has a dual purpose of both computationally exploring the mathematical concepts from the lecture portion…

Electric potential is one of the most challenging concepts taught in high school physics classes due to the abstract nature of the concept. When taught, electric potential is often taught using a poorly triangulated set of instructional analogies, each possessing different strengths and limitations. Within this paper we share our learning from a…

Data analytics is undergoing an evolution through effective data use to support both operational and learning analytics models. However, this evolution will require that institutional leaders transform their data systems to best support the needs of application modeling and use their intuition to help drive the development of better analytical…

Since the publishing of Nolan and Temple Lang's "Computing in the Statistics Curriculum" in 2010, the American Statistical Association issued new recommendations in the revised GAISE college report. To reflect modern practice and technologies, they emphasize giving students experience with multivariable thinking. Students develop…