Research studies in Educational Data Mining (EDM) often involve several variables related to student learning activities. As such, it may be necessary to run multiple statistical tests simultaneously, thereby leading to the problem of multiple comparisons. The Benjamini-Hochberg (BH) procedure is commonly used in EDM research to address this…

This study aims to compare the performance of different small sample equating methods in the presence and absence of differential item functioning (DIF) in common items. In this research, Tucker linear equating, Levine linear equating, unsmoothed and pre-smoothed (C=4) chained equipercentile equating, and simplified circle arc equating methods…

Online courses often include discussion forums, which provide a rich source of data to better understand and improve students' learning experiences. However, forum messages frequently contain private information that prevents researchers from analyzing these data. We present a method for discovering and redacting private information including…

The problem of mapping items to skills is gaining interest with the emergence of recent techniques that can use data for both defining this mapping, and for refining mappings given by experts. We investigate the problem of refining mapping from an expert by combining the output of different techniques. The combination is based on a partition tree…

We explored a series of feature selection methods for model-based Reinforcement Learning (RL). More specifically, we explored four common correlation metrics and based on them, we proposed the fifth one named Weighed Information Gain (WIG). While much existing correlation-based feature selection methods mostly explored high correlation by default,…

This study compares the four existing procedures handling the item selection in severely constrained computerized adaptive tests (CAT). These procedures include weighted deviation model (WDM), weighted penalty model (WPM), maximum priority index (MPI), and shadow test approach (STA). Severely constrained CAT refer to those adaptive tests seeking…

A challenge for educational employing authorities is the provision of high-quality, sustainable professional development opportunities that will lead to positive growth in teachers' pedagogical practices. The study reported here sought to devise and implement a model of teacher professional development that would result in such growth by…

(Purpose) The purpose of this paper is to present an easy-to-understand primer on three important concepts of factor analysis: Factor scores, structure coefficients, and communality coefficients. Given that statistical analyses are a part of a global general linear model (GLM), and utilize weights as an integral part of analyses (Thompson, 2006;…

This paper challenges the way in which we are inclined to treat theory and suggests that our tendency to privilege it over method is counterproductive. Some consequences of privileging theory are pointed out and a remedy is proposed. The remedy entails a number of "reversals" in the way we treat theory and method in maths education research, the…

This article is based on a keynote presentation at an international conference where the focus was cross-over career guidance. Simon and Garfunkel's popular song, "Bridge over troubled water", was used as a metaphor for exploring the cross-over theme. Some of the concepts under consideration included the working alliance, the importance of a…

The use of online learning (OL) has increased dramatically in the last decade; however, many instructional methods used in OL training design have not been appropriately applied or developed. Complicating this phenomenon, learners of different organizations often find the application of training content problematic in variable application…

Traditional data mining techniques have been extensively applied to find interesting patterns, build descriptive and predictive models from large volumes of data accumulated through the use of different information systems. The results of data mining can be used for getting a better understanding of the underlying educational processes, for…

School leadership has never been easy. However, some experts like Garcia (2005) wrote that current school leaders are facing a variety of difficulties that make sustaining school reform efforts exceedingly difficult. Collectively, these modern day challenges have the capacity to form the perfect storm. School leaders need effective strategies to…

The prime purpose of this experimental research was to determine whether learning Arabic as a foreign language can be effectively enhanced through traditional methodology. As such, this research carefully investigated and critically analyzed the effectiveness of the traditional paradigm in teaching Arabic as a foreign language to 3rd grade primary…

The construct of validity has received considerable attention in qualitative methods literature (Denzin, 1989; Erickson, 1986; Geertz, 1973; Goetz & LeCompte, 1984; Howe & Eisenhart, 1990; Maxwell, 1992; Smith & Glass, 1987). Much of the attention has been focused upon the issue of whether qualitative results and interpretations accurately reflect…