Sudoku is a puzzle that has a unique solution. No matter how many methods are used, the result will always be the same. The player thought that the number of givens or clues, the initial value on the Sudoku puzzles, would significantly determine the difficulty level, which is not necessarily correct. This research uses two search algorithms,…

Background: Process data captured by computer-based assessments provide valuable insight into respondents' cognitive processes during problem-solving tasks. Although previous studies have utilized process data to analyse behavioural patterns or strategies in problem-solving tasks, the connection between latent cognitive states and their…

This study tested competing theories about the effectiveness of different instructional sequences for learners with different levels of prior knowledge. Across two classroom experiments, undergraduates learned about noncovalent interactions in biochemistry by either receiving explicit instruction before problem-solving (I-PS group) or engaging in…

This study investigated the effects of pre-training types on cognitive load, self-efficacy, and problem-solving in computer programming. Pre-training was provided to help learners acquire schemas related to problem-solving strategies. 84 undergraduate students were randomly assigned to one of three groups and each group received three different…

Every student comes to science class with unique skills and problem-solving abilities; unfortunately, there is limited research on how to differentiate instruction so that equitable progress can be made for every learner. We used a novel pedagogical approach to differentiate for a wide range of problem-solving abilities when students were learning…

Mathematical problem-solving places heavy demands on children's developing working memory capacity. This review examines how offloading numerical information using embodied (e.g. finger counting) or external tools (e.g. manipulatives) can reduce cognitive load and improve mathematical task performance. Strategic offloading emerges in childhood;…

In research practice, it is common to measure cognitive load after learning using self-report scales. This approach can be considered risky because it is unclear on what basis learners assess cognitive load, particularly when the learning material contains varying levels of complexity. This raises questions that have yet to be answered by…

The main purpose of this research is to examine the informal strategies of fifth and sixth grade students while solving inverse proportional word problems. Multiple case study was used in this study. The research was carried out in a public middle school from a southern city of Türkiye. The participants of the research consist of three fifth and…

This study investigates the effects of metacognitive and cognitive strategies for computational thinking (CT) on managing cognitive load and enhancing problem-solving skills in collaborative programming. Four different scaffolding conditions were provided to help learners optimize cognitive load and improve their problem-solving abilities. A total…

Productive struggle (PS) has emerged as a critical construct in mathematics education, emphasizing the importance of persistence, cognitive engagement, and conceptual understanding in problem-solving. However, inconsistencies in its conceptual and operational definitions have hindered its effective implementation and assessment. This study…

Example-based learning is a well-known instructional method for effective cognitive skill acquisition in complex domains. "(Contrasting) erroneous examples" are a promising extension that embed errors in instructional material, potentially fostering not only positive but negative knowledge. However, the mechanisms and conditions for…

Research suggests that collaborative learning may enhance the benefits to learners when solving cognitively demanding tasks. However, there are concerns about how students with different achievement and engagement levels perceive these benefits. This study examines how students with varying achievement and engagement levels respond to…

The aim of this study was to examine how pre-service teachers performed in tasks related to three specific aspects of curricular noticing. The participants completed a two-part written task in which they solved three pattern generalization problems and sequenced them for teaching purposes. Inductive content analysis was used to analyze the…

This study aimed to examine an assumption regarding whether generative artificial intelligence (GAI) tools can overcome the cognitive intensity that humans suffer when solving problems. We examine the performance of ChatGPT and GPT-4 on NAEP science assessments and compare their performance to students by cognitive demands of the items. Fifty-four…

The level of arithmetic knowledge of a high school student was explored when solving additive word problems considering the semantic structure and syntactic component. The methodology was qualitative and developed in four stages: the first is the selection of the participant, the second is the design of a questionnaire with twenty additive…