To help young students succeed in problem-based learning (PBL), researchers suggested investigating students' need for cognition (NFC), one's inclination to exert mental effort during learning. How one puts mental effort into a learning task is related to motivation. If motivated, students are more likely to engage in challenging tasks, put in…

In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of cooperative learning on the computational thinking skills and academic performances of middle school students in the computational problem-solving approach. We used the pretest-posttest control group design of the quasiexperimental method. In the research, computational problem-solving…

Grounded in problem-based learning and with respect to four mathematics domains (arithmetic, random events and counting, number theory, and geometry), we designed a series of programming-based learning tasks for middle school students to co-develop computational thinking (CT) and corresponding mathematical thinking. Various CT concepts and…

As problem posing has been shown to foster students' problem-solving abilities, problem posing might serve as an innovative teaching approach for improving students' modelling performance. However, there is little research on problem posing regarding real-world situations. The present paper addresses this research gap by using a modelling…

This study investigates the impact of the problem-based learning (PBL) model on middle school students' environmental literacy and problem-solving skills. A quantitative research study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design for this aim. The sample comprises 114 8th-grade students from a public middle school in Sanliurfa, Turkey. Four…

This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to explore middle school students' perceptions of using the school-based cooperative problem-based learning (SB-CPBL) approach in learning science. The study examined how SB-CPBL differs from the students' usual learning, how the new approach affects their learning process and the main challenges of…

Creativity, one of the cornerstones of students' 21st-century skills, is regarded as an important learning outcome of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education. Meanwhile, problem-based digital making (DM), which combines the child-friendly programming activities of DM with problem-solving elements, is an emerging…

The purpose of this action research study was to explore the impact of problem-based learning on science instruction in my eighth-grade college preparatory classroom. Constructivism was the framework for this study. Problem-based learning is based on constructivist principles, and it served as the instructional model for this study. PBL can foster…

The effectiveness of science problem-based learning (PBL) is highly dependent on individual students' variability. Researchers have shown the need for cognition (NFC) and motivation are significant factors. Despite the acknowledged impact of these constructs, there is a gap in understanding the relationships among NFC, motivation, and learning…

Scaffolding is one of the critical features in a problem-based learning environment to address challenges associated with problem solving. While transfer of responsibility is considered as an ultimate goal in scaffolding that is adaptive and contingent, it is rarely studied and practiced. Thus, the purpose of this study was to inform a deeper…

This research aimed to explore the effect of problem-based STEM activities on middle school students' perceptions related to problem-solving skills and their critical thinking tendencies. The sample consisted of 81 students. A mixed method was employed in the research. The quantitative data collection tools were the "Critical Thinking…

As digital games become more integrated into education, striking a balance between technology and pedagogy is essential. This study investigates digital games as contexts for problem-based learning (PBL) to actively involve students in problem-solving in a Korean middle school. This study examined two cases (Social Studies and Science) where…

"Human Impacts on Our Climate" outlines a journey that will steer your students toward authentic problem solving while grounding them in integrated STEM disciplines. Like the other volumes in the series, this book is designed to meet the growing need to infuse real-world learning into K-12 classrooms. This interdisciplinary, three-lesson…

Amid the maker movement, educators are proposing various making activities with programmable artifacts to prepare students for coping with the challenges in the twenty-first century. Today, the "4C" skills--critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration--are regarded as significant learning outcomes in Science,…

This paper provides an experience report on a co-design approach with teachers to co-create learning analytics-based technology to support problem-based learning in middle school science classrooms. We have mapped out a workflow for such applications and developed design narratives to investigate the implementation, modifications and temporal…