Taking a sociocultural approach, the goal of this qualitative study was to examine the "process" of implementing a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) initiative. The study examined how the construct of STEM was individually appropriated and collectively constructed within a rural school district during its launch year.…

Factors that influence the underrepresentation of females in STEM careers begin early in childhood when gender biases and stereotypes emerge. Stereotypes have a psychosocial effect on females that can lead to low self-efficacy and less interest in learning and pursuing STEM careers. This study investigated the effect of a STEM summer camp on K-12…

The interest in achieving improved acoustical conditions in classrooms has increased in the last years. Some experiments on acoustics phenomena using smartphone applications appear in the recent bibliography. In this paper, we present a proposal for active learning about room acoustics for high school and undergraduate students. Students work on…

Background: Though evidence-based policy (EBP) has attracted considerable attention from the public, academics, and governments, prior studies have revealed little about how political parties, institutions, and policy context shape the adoption and implementation of these policies in the American states. Aims and objectives: Develop objective…

Based on the reminiscence therapy, the research aimed to develop the horticultural program with life contexts for the elderly in southern Taiwan, and to explore the effect on overall cognitive function of the elderly. The participants were 17 seniors in one community care center. The research adopted quasi-experimental research of one group…

This article explores the significance of students' encounters with materiality in general and with crafting materials in particular when learning for sustainability. The aim of the explorative study is to illustrate a research approach that can show what students and the material do in correspondence and what stories emerge from this activity. An…

Annual teacher attrition hovers around 8% and causes of teacher attrition have been studied widely. However, more needs to be known about specific aspects of teacher preparation that can foster retention. The goal of this study was to understand the perspectives of veteran teachers regarding retention. This investigation employed semi-structured…

As technology develops in Higher Education (HE), distance learning has adopted many different guises and supports many different needs (Keane 2013). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of Double Robotics on a Doctoral (level 8) postgraduate course at a HE institution. The aim of this project was to generate an understanding of…

Measuring the implementation fidelity (IF) or integrity of interventions is crucial, otherwise a positive or negative outcome cannot be interpreted. Direct and indirect methods of IF measurement tend to over-emphasize teacher behaviour. This paper focuses on IF measured by student behaviour collected through computers. Attainment was measured by…

A summary of Carol Mutch's research into the role of schools in disaster response and recovery highlights the expectations that are placed on schools following a crisis. Her research shows that school staff undertake these extra demands willingly and conscientiously, despite the toll that it takes on their own health and wellbeing. In this article…

A self-report instrument was used to assess trends over time in student views of Developmental Assets in a rural Missouri county where youth report high rates of substance use. Based on 2012 survey results, a community/school-based prevention coalition provided intensive prevention education curricula integrated into the district's afterschool…

The quality of students' learning experience depends on the learning activities that their teachers plan prior to classroom delivery. This article characterises the lesson planning practices of a group of 27 mathematics teachers. The questionnaire and the associated information coding and analysis procedures designed for that purpose may be…

The challenges new rural teachers face often lead to stress and attrition. In response to a growing need to better prepare teachers to work in rural schools, teacher educators may consider incorporating Twitter chats into their coursework. Previous findings demonstrate Twitter chats enable preservice teachers to access new resources, direct their…

This study is one of the first to explore the use of (drawn) visual vignettes in qualitative research in Africa. The vignette method was used to discuss the sensitive topic of people's attitudes towards people with albinism in Tanzania among high school students. Focus was on two key questions: (i) To what extent was the vignette method…

In higher education, teaching and learning are undergoing a variety of innovations that involve the use of technology through blended learning. This pedagogical approach has been popular and expanding quickly in institutions internationally with a shift in focus from the technological aspects of learning management systems to theoretical…