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In experimental research, internal validity refers to what extent researchers can conclude that changes in dependent variable (i.e. outcome) are caused by manipulations in independent variable. The causal inference permits researchers to meaningfully interpret research results. This article discusses (a) internal validity threats in social and educational research using examples from the contemporary literature, and (b) research designs in terms of their ability to control various internal...

The large and growing number of published studies, and their increasing rate of publication, makes the task of identifying relevant studies in an unbiased way for inclusion in systematic reviews both complex and time consuming. Text mining has been offered as a potential solution: through automating some of the screening process, reviewer time can be saved. The evidence base around the use of text mining for screening has not yet been pulled together systematically; this systematic review...

While the idea of plurilingual competence is widely established theoretically and promoted in European language policies, it is not implemented in educational practice, where separate plurilingualism is still dominant. The idea of languages as autonomous entities is e.g. reflected in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scales. The paper introduces to the Framework of Reference for Pluralistic Approaches to Languages and Cultures (FREPA). Pluralistic approaches use...

The recent rise of massive open online courses (MOOCs) has generated significant media attention for their potential to disrupt the traditional modes of education trough ease of access and free or low-cost content delivery. MOOCs offer the potential to enable access to high-quality education to students, even in the most underserved regions of the world. However, much of the excitement surrounding opportunities for MOOCs in non-OECD contexts remains unproven. Challenges with regard to...

Systematic reviews should build on a protocol that describes the rationale, hypothesis, and planned methods of the review; few reviews report whether a protocol exists. Detailed, well-described protocols can facilitate the understanding and appraisal of the review methods, as well as the detection of modifications to methods and selective reporting in completed reviews. We describe the development of a reporting guideline, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and...

Pedagogy continues to be a neglected priority in discussions on the post-2015 agenda for education. The article situates pedagogy generally and learner-centred pedagogy specifically within these current debates. The potential of learner-centred education (LCE) is considered in the light of the evidence of its promise also taking into consideration the historic record of implementation challenges where LCE has been part of a policy framework for improving the quality of education. The concept...

Pedagogy continues to be a neglected priority in discussions on the post-2015 agenda for education. The article situates pedagogy generally and learner-centred pedagogy specifically within these current debates. The potential of learner-centred education (LCE) is considered in the light of the evidence of its promise also taking into consideration the historic record of implementation challenges where LCE has been part of a policy framework for improving the quality of education. The concept...

Pedagogy continues to be a neglected priority in discussions on the post-2015 agenda for education. The article situates pedagogy generally and learner-centred pedagogy specifically within these current debates. The potential of learner-centred education (LCE) is considered in the light of the evidence of its promise also taking into consideration the historic record of implementation challenges where LCE has been part of a policy framework for improving the quality of education. The concept...

The purpose of the study reported on in this paper was to design and test multimedia for deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) learners. The study focused on counting, addition and subtraction with grade one (age 7) DHH learners in Thailand. The multimedia created for the study was informed by design considerations for DHH learners of arithmetic and aimed to minimize cognitive load. Testing took place over a period of 16 weeks during which learners alternated between 2 and 3 week sessions of one...

Futures thinking is used by governments to consider long-term strategic approaches and develop policies and practices that are potentially resilient to future uncertainty. English in Action (EIA), arguably the world's largest English language teacher professional development (TPD) project, used futures thinking to author possible, probable and preferable future scenarios to solve the project's greatest technological challenge: how to deliver audio-visual TPD materials and hundreds of...

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of dynamic mathematics software on the achievement of pre-service mathematics teachers in the topic of polar coordinates and to solicit their opinions about computer-assisted instruction. The study was conducted for 11 weeks with 33 pre-service teachers in the Department of Mathematics Education Program of a state university in Turkey. Data collection tools comprised a knowledge test of polar coordinates and administration of a...

Back to School After the Ebola Outbreak

Conducted conversationally with one respondent at a time, the semi-structured interview (SSI) employs a blend of closed- and open-ended questions, often accompanied by follow-up why or how questions. About one hour is considered a reasonable maximum length for SSIs in order to minimize fatigue for both interviewer and respondent. This chapter begins with a discussion on the disadvantages and advantages of SSIs. Despite the disadvantages and costs of SSIs, they offer some extraordinary...

This paper describes an evaluation study designed to investigate the impact of an ICT-Instructional digital innovation in teaching Mathematics, English and Integrated Science subjects from the teacher capacity building professional development programme to classroom implementation at senior high school levels in Ghana. Interviews and survey data were used for data collection following a week professional development programme on the instructional digital learning training. The study...

In this paper, we present the design and evaluation of culturally specific mobile learning applications, designed as a tool to encourage social interaction in autistic children. These applications were designed for Pakistani children keep their cultural context in mind. We performed longitudinal evaluation (around eight weeks) of these applications at an autistic school in Pakistan. Our initial results, based on pre and post evaluation questionnaires and video analysis of social...

Introduction: Deaf are not able to communicate with other community members due to hearing impaired. Providing health care for deaf is more complex because of their communication problems. Multimedia tools can provide multiple tangible concepts (movie, subtitles, and sign language) for the deaf and hard of hearing. In this study, identify the priority health needs of deaf students in primary schools and health education software has been created. Method: Priority health needs and software...

In this study, the researchers explored the state of the use of assistive technology (AT) in Nigeria through a survey of 165 special educators. The underlying structure of the respondents' perceptions, and their challenges and barriers to the use of AT, were examined. Among other findings, the largest proportion of students using AT are those with deafness or hearing impairment (53.3%), followed by those with a learning disability (40%). Training in the use of AT lags behind, with most...

The study was designed to engage prospective mathematics teachers in creating web learning modules. The aim was to examine the mathematical task and perceived pedagogical usability of the modules for mathematics instructions in Ghana. The study took place at University of Education, Winneba. Classes of 172 prospective mathematics teachers working in design groups were involved in the study. Data were collected using Mathematical Task Usability Scale and Pedagogical Usability Rubrics. The...