Purpose: This study aims to explore the effects of an alternative learning environment, such as the video game making (VGM) within science content, on computational thinking (CT) skills development and student performance. Design/methodology/approach: A didactic intervention was performed for five weeks. Two student groups were taught the same…

Fractals are geometric objects used to describe irregular shapes that have a fractional dimension and commonly appear in nature. Although several proposals for the study of perfect fractals at the basic level are present in the literature, only few proposals for the study of real fractals exist, which does not seem reasonable considering the…

Felix Klein's Erlangen program classifies geometries based on the kinds of geometric transformations that preserve key properties of their figures, rather than focusing on the geometric figures themselves. This shift in perspective, from figurative to operative, fits Piaget's characterization of mathematical development. This paper considers how…

Undergraduate quantum mechanics (QM) uses a variety of notations, each with their own advantages and constraints, for representing quantum states and carrying out individual calculations. An example of this can be seen when calculating expectation values, which can be solved using several different methods. Analysis of written exam data given at…

This study investigates the impact of different modes and tailor-made response enhancing measures (TMREM)--such as bilingual interviewers with a shared ethnic background and translated questionnaires--on the measurement of substantive variables in surveys among minority ethnic groups in the Netherlands. It also provides insight into the ability to…

Whole Number Arithmetic (WNA) appears as the very first topic in school mathematics and establishes the foundation for later mathematical content. Without solid mastery of WNA, students may experience difficulties in learning fractions, ratio and proportion, and algebra. The challenge of students' learning and mastery of fractions, decimals, ratio…

This paper makes a proposal, from the perspective of a research mathematician interested in mathematics education, for broadening and deepening whole number arithmetic instruction, to make it more relevant for the twenty-first century, in particular, to enable students to deal with large numbers, arguably an essential skill for modern citizenship.…

Predictability of behavior is an important characteristic in many fields including biology, medicine, marketing, and education. When a sequence of actions performed by an individual can be modeled as a stationary time-homogeneous Markov chain the predictability of the individual's behavior can be quantified by the entropy rate of the process. This…

This paper develops the ideas of "The Pedagogical Power of Context: Iterative Calculus Methods and the Epidemiology of Eyam" (French "et al." 2018 "J. Phys. Educ."), where we considered the application of the Euler method to solve epidemiological problems. Our purpose was to convey some examples of school level work…

Since 2006, there has been an ever-increasing momentum in computational thinking educational policy initiatives (CTEPI) across the globe. In this paper, the representative CT educational policy initiatives viewed through the lens of international perspectives and cultural contexts were examined, compared and discussed. Reports, white papers, and…

A series of computational laboratory experiments aimed at teaching students principles of rational drug design are described and evaluated. These experiments range from an introduction to viewing protein-ligand complexes to optimizing geometries of potential drugs with quantum chemistry and automated docking. Student feedback indicates that such a…

All studies with randomized controlled experiments (scientific studies) on the effectiveness of SAT test preparation courses were analyzed to find SAT prep's true effectiveness (the average point change to average course hours ratio). The scientific studies complete with both known average point change and known average course length (complete…

Although for most of the time the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN collides protons, for around one month every year lead ions are collided, to expand the diversity of the LHC research programme. Furthermore, in an effort not originally foreseen, proton-lead collisions are also taking place, with results of high interest to the physics…

The purpose of this article is twofold. The first is to provide evaluative information on the recovery of model parameters and their standard errors for the two-parameter item response theory (IRT) model using different estimation methods by Mplus. The second is to provide easily accessible information for practitioners, instructors, and students…

This paper uses the lens of a calculus student to examine different solutions to a weekly puzzler from the radio show "Car Talk," hosted by Tom and Ray Magliozzi. The puzzler describes an automobile that is traveling 75 miles per hour and is 75 miles from its destination. The trip is completed by traveling 1 mile at 75 miles per hour, 1…