The authors' objective was to uncover the difference in competency when teaching Excel to undergraduate students on two distinct and discrete operating platforms. The authors calibrated competency by comparing scores of MOS-EXCEL Certification Test results. The authors conclude that the null hypothesis indicating no difference in mean scores of…

Purpose: This article reviews the development of quantitative methods in educational research in China since 1978. Design/Approach/Methods: For this summary and literature review, we used data from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), relevant books, and research output from the Graduate School of Education, Peking University.…

Visualisation is a necessary ability for students' mathematical education. The appearance of multiple Dynamic Geometry Software (DGS) has a stronger impact each day, and it raises many questions in the minds of researchers. In this paper, we present the findings of our exploratory case study in which a student preferring visual problem solving…

Model selection is important in any statistical analysis, and the primary goal is to find the preferred (or most parsimonious) model, based on certain criteria, from a set of candidate models given data. Several recent publications have employed the deviance information criterion (DIC) to do model selection among different forms of multilevel item…

One of the main challenges to be confronted by Higher Educational Institutions (HEI), so as to increase quality, is the provision of personalized education services in a wide range of educational settings, often beyond the course sequences historically offered to students. However, this personalization requires the continuous reconfiguration and…

In recent years the possibility of observing by microscopy the dynamic activity of living cells has been largely pursued. We have developed a low-cost (~ 260 euros) on-stage cell incubator for inverted optical microscopes. This device allows to keep cells in good conditions for their survival and proliferation. The device is based on the use of…

This paper shows how a freely downloadable and powerful software package, "SMath Studio," can be used to model physical systems in physics teaching. The software can form the basis of lecture demonstrations by teachers or can be used individually by students working in an educational environment or on their own home computers.

Computer adaptive testing is an important research field in educational measurement, and simulation studies play a critically important role in CAT development and evaluation. Both Monte Carlo and Post Hoc simulations are frequently used in CAT studies in order to investigate the effects of different factors on test efficiency and to compare…

A comprehensive, accessible introduction to educational research "Educational Research: Competencies for Analysis and Applications" uses engaging, straightforward language to introduce students to the information and skills required to successfully conduct research and to competently evaluate research. Long known for their clear and at…

Model selection is important in any statistical analysis, and the primary goal is to find the preferred (or most parsimonious) model, based on certain criteria, from a set of candidate models given data. Several recent publications have employed the deviance information criterion (DIC) to do model selection among different forms of multilevel item…

Web application software uses new technologies that have novel methods for integration and state maintenance that amount to new control flow mechanisms and new variables scoping. While modern web development technologies enhance the capabilities of web applications, they introduce challenges that current testing techniques do not adequately test…

This study compared five common multilevel software packages via Monte Carlo simulation: HLM 7, M"plus" 7.4, R (lme4 V1.1-12), Stata 14.1, and SAS 9.4 to determine how the programs differ in estimation accuracy and speed, as well as convergence, when modeling multiple randomly varying slopes of different magnitudes. Simulated data…

This longitudinal study explores how the language proficiency of eight (N = 8) US-affiliated university students developed relative to their smartphone usage during study abroad (SA) in Paris. Phone usage was tracked daily with Space, proficiency weekly using NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do statements, and language use monthly via a Language Engagement…

Academic writing is a key determinant to be successful in higher education institutions, and graduation requirements often involve students producing theses and dissertations using academic writing skills after conducting research. The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected pre-service teachers' learning in higher education institutions, and with…

This systematic review provides an overview of existing evidence regarding the effect of touchscreen technology on young children's learning. Using PRISMA principles, we identified 53 studies in our review. The literature generally advocated positive effects of touchscreen devices on young children's learning with 34 studies reporting positive…