This paper reports on a study that investigates the impact of learning multiple foreign languages on learners' social emotional competence development as mediated by the number of foreign languages and the recency of the learning experience. A questionnaire survey that involved 465 Chinese learners of foreign languages was administered that…

This systematic review aims to explore how task complexity and task sequencing affect the complexity, accuracy, and fluency (CAF) of second language performance. Through an analysis of studies conducted between 2012 and 2021, this review investigates the characteristics of the studies, operationalisation of task complexity, measurements of CAF,…

In this study, we investigated perceived social-emotional competence (PSEC) among 373 Australian secondary school students in relation to parent ratings of social-emotional skills, and perceived teacher and parental autonomy support. Using bifactor exploratory structural equation modelling, we examined five dimensions of PSEC (perceived competence…

The advancement of AI-generated content (AIGC) has made creating pedagogical agents (PAs) for multimedia learning increasingly realistic, simpler, and more efficient. However, little is known about the acceptance of AI-generated pedagogical agents (AIPAs) in picture book videos among young children aged 3-6. To address this, the present study…

In an era of constant digital distractions, maintaining attention is a growing challenge for young students. This paper explores how STEM education and AI-driven learning tools can enhance attention skills by fostering problem-solving, analytical thinking, and cognitive endurance. STEM disciplines require sustained focus, while AI-powered adaptive…

Estimating astronomical scales requires multiple complex mental processes, such as spatial thinking and interpreting large numbers. As such, it is a nontrivial question how these estimates can be most efficiently assessed. There is reason to believe that results from previous studies probing astronomical scale estimates are possibly susceptible to…

Critical thinking (CT) is an essential skill in today's ever-changing society. Yet, the influences of instructional strategy, a crucial factor of educational outcomes, on the development of CT remains unclear. We proposed that the instructional strategy played a significant role in fostering CT and aimed to explore the complex neural mechanisms…

Transforming educational technologies through the integration of large language models (LLMs) and virtual reality (VR) offers the potential for immersive and interactive learning experiences. However, the effects of LLMs on user engagement and attention in educational environments remain open questions. In this study, we utilized a fully…

This study explores final year Distance Education learners' self-regulated learning strategies in a blended learning environment at Ghanaian higher education institutions. This exploratory interpretivist study adopted a qualitative research approach, using a multiple case study design. The study sampled 12 purposively selected Distance Education…

Neural specialization for print can be indexed by the left-lateralized N1 response as a tuning gradient to visual words, indicated by sensitivity (character vs. visual control) and selectivity (character vs. character-like stimuli). Forty-five Chinese children (20 boys) were recorded with EEG twice with a 2-year interval during a character…

Background/purpose: Language is essential for communication and thought, enabling learners to convey ideas and emotions through structured speech supported by gestures, expressions, and intonation. Oral expression, a key educational skill, involves intellectual, linguistic, and physiological processes shaped by cultural and linguistic factors.…

A distinct feature of educational games using augmented reality (AR) is that the game is played through physically interacting with the environment, whereas physical interaction is typically rather limited in other digital games. Understanding and performing the interactive game mechanics can be cognitively demanding. Adding pre-training could…

Background/purpose: Academic reading presents significant challenges for English for Specific Purposes (ESP) learners, especially when processing structurally dense expository texts in STEM disciplines. This study aims to assess the impact of text-structure-aligned goals on students' reading comprehension and written summarization, while exploring…

In bilingual elementary classrooms where English is taught as a foreign language, science lessons often prioritize spoken interaction, while reading and writing receive less emphasis. This article explores how Cognitive Discourse Functions (CDFs)--such as defining, explaining, hypothesizing, and evaluating--can support disciplinary and…

This meta-analysis assessed the effectiveness of problem-posing interventions on learners' cognitive learning outcomes. We systematically reviewed 26 quantitative studies published between 2002 and 2024. The results show a large, positive, and significant effect (Hedges's [g-bar] = 0.53) of problem-posing interventions. A series of subgroup…