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Background: The present study analyses the design of programming literacy in the sixth grade of Primary Education, starting from the use of simple activities with visual block‐based programming, through Scratch, and progressively linking difficulty to the use of the Unity engine, and the C# language, with simple activities identical to those created in Scratch. Objectives: This research aims to evaluate future teachers' abilities and attitudes regarding programming and its educational possibilities. We intend to evaluate the viability of a teaching proposal that combines a visual block‐based programming environment and a more advanced one, based on C#. Method: In the settings of two public Spanish universities, we analyse the possibilities in the training of future teachers who are studying for a degree in Primary Education Teaching and a degree in Pedagogy. Based on a test and three scales, descriptive data and statistical inference are detailed through a quasi‐experimental design with a Student's t‐test in the first dimension, and a Wilcoxon test in the second dimension. Results: The participants improved their performance and attitudes towards programming with the intervention of the study in the use of coding. Conclusions: It can be concluded that coding is essential in teacher training, and that a greater presence of programming training in higher education is essential. The benefits are visible in the pedagogical approach of coding related to creativity, innovation, motivation, an active approach and interest, highlighting the fact that the implementation of visual block‐based programming by blocks and engines is feasible in Elementary Education. The training proposal—provided by appropriate progression, selection, and sequencing of content—fosters basic and practical teacher training, and this can be defined as an apt training solution. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Visual Programming Language (Scratch) provides benefits in educational contextsEducational Technology in classroom provides motivation and encouragement.Active methods and interactions are interesting and beneficial to elementary school students What this paper adds: Visual programming and game engine are feasible in Elementary Education, detailing significant improvements regarding academic outcomesWe found benefits in this pedagogical approach related to creativity, innovation, motivation, active approach and interest. Implications for practice and/or policy: Due to the benefits and positive results obtained in this research it is recommended to implement Visual Programming LanguageWe recommend the introduction to engine in educational settings in 6th grade in primary education though a cross‐curricular implementation.We recommend to apply an active approach, innovation, and learning computational concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a large volume of published studies describing the positive role of Augmented Reality (AR) in educational settings. However, there is a paucity of empirical work that explores its role in supporting primary school pupil's motivation and creativity. Moreover, numerous studies have confirmed that pupils have difficulties in learning geometry and thinking geometrically. In this context, this paper explores the possibility of using AR software for low‐grade primary school pupils to enhance their creative thinking and increase their motivation during the informal geometry training course. A research‐based design process is adopted to replicate the primary school pupil's learning in this study, where pupils in the experimental group used mobile application to access AR virtual manipulatives, pupils in the control group used physical manipulatives. The applied AR technology allows pupils to handle 2D and 3D rounded corners and simple closed curves to find the most effective solutions for some learning challenges. Sixty‐two pupils from the first‐grade primary school in Egypt have participated in this study with the aim of investigating: (a) the primary school pupil's achievements and creative thinking in using AR techniques, and (b) the specific strategies that can increase their motivation and engagement. The most obvious finding to emerge from this study is that there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in geometry learning achievement, while statistically significant differences were found between the groups in the motivation and creative thinking skills in favour of the experimental group. Lay Description: What is already known about this topicAugmented Reality must have three characteristics: combining the real and virtual worlds, having real‐time interaction with the user and is being registered in a 3D environment.There is a growing body of literature that recognizes the importance of the 21st century skills in the new global economy.There has been significant interest in utilized AR in higher education. However, limited research has been conducted about integrating AR techniques to enhance young children's creative thinking skills and motivation in informal learning scenarios.To date, there are few studies that have investigated the association between augmented environment and learning theories. What this paper addsIntroduced an iterative methodology based on the cognitive theory of multimedia learning integrating the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as the inclusive learning approach for creating Smart‐flashcard as a mobile AR applications for elementary school.Research studies on informal learning are particularly limited, so this study can fill a gap in the literature.This paper provides a conceptual approach for AR design, based on multimedia learning theory.AR Smart‐flashcard application represents a shift away from traditional textbooks, flashcards and other learning material where children are limited to viewing learning content passively towards a more dynamic and augmented one. Implications for practice and/or policyUsing AR applications, children interact with the 3D models, enhance creativity and collaboration in teams.The informal education can play a crucial role in developing some of the skills required for the 21st century.The study also highlights the need for new approaches combing the technical learning tools and pedagogical foundation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Educational robotics (ER) is a means of teaching technology and engineering to students that offers an active learning environment by encouraging them to create meaningful and unique products. ER also gives students the opportunity to work collaboratively. Objectives: In this study, elementary school students' behavioral patterns were explored while they were working on a collaborative robotics project. Additionally, behavioral patterns of higher‐achievement and lower‐achievement groups were compared. Methods: The participants of the study were a total of 18 students (aged 10–12), including 17 males and 1 female. A problem‐based robotics competition was designed within the scope of the study. The students were asked to design and program a robot based on certain rules in groups within four weeks for this competition. All robot design processes and the competition were video‐recorded. Quantitative content analysis and lag‐sequential analysis methods were used to analyze students' behaviors. Results and Conclusions: The results showed that ER improves collaborative learning, and behaviors in the contributing and planning categories were the dominant behaviors during the robotics project development. Grouping skills of higher‐achievement groups were better. Based on the significant collaborative behavioral patterns that emerged from the study, implications were discussed in terms of theoretical insights and collaborative educational robotics practices. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Studies have shown that educational robotics (ER) has a potential impact on students' collaborative learning (CL).Communication and collaboration skills stand out among the 21st century skills that students need to have.Knowledge‐construction behaviours are very important in CL, and researchers have conducted studies to determine behavioural patterns in different technological environments.Previous studies have highlighted the importance of understanding students' behavioural patterns in technology‐assisted learning environments. What this paper adds: This study aims at comprehensively examining collaborative behavioural patterns of elementary school students working on a robotics project.The results showed that behaviours in the contributing and planning categories were the dominant behaviours.Grouping skills of higher achievement groups were better. Implications for practice and/or policy: Our results suggest that ER activities can improve students' co‐regulation skills by supporting the problem‐solving process.ER could be considered as a tool able to contribute to collaborative learning.By using problem‐based collaborative educational robotic activities, students' interactions with their peers can be strengthened.Students' grouping skills should be taken into consideration when establishing groups in ER activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABRACADABRA (ABRA) is an evidence‐based suite of interactive multimedia that engages learners in the development of core reading skills. This meta‐analysis presents an update of the research evidence about the effectiveness of ABRA for elementary students. It reports 91 effect sizes in six reading‐related outcomes for a sample of 7,388 students. Regardless of context and measurement type, the studies yielded positive effects of ABRA, ranging in magnitude from g+ = 0.080 for Vocabulary Knowledge to g+ = 0.378 for Phonemic Awareness and reaching statistical significance in four outcome categories. This meta‐analysis adds to our understanding of the effectiveness of ABRA‐based reading instruction by exploring factors of research design, ABRA design and implementation contexts, and various student characteristics and offers implications for instructional practice. Lay Description: What is known about the subject matterIf well‐designed and ‐implemented, computer‐based instruction can have positive effects on learning.Early literacy instruction could substantially benefit from technology use.Among offline and online computer applications targeting literacy, ABRA is a top‐rated software.17 field studies of ABRA were completed in the UK, China, Hong Kong, Canada, Australia and Kenya.What paper addsThis paper summarizes 91 effect sizes in 6 reading‐related outcomes based on a sample of 7,388 students.Independent of design, context and measurement type, the studies yielded positive effects in 6 outcomes.The highest effects were for Phonics, Phonemic Awareness, Reading and Listening Comprehension.ABRA effects are consistent across different student categories implications of study.Findings for practitionersIn authentic classrooms where ABRA is in the hands of teachers, fidelity of implementation is critical.Quality implementation means teaching literacy in a balanced way with attention to decoding and comprehension.ABRA instruction is student‐centered where students interact with the tool individually, in pairs or small groups.Ideas on ABRA literacy instruction are at https://grover.concordia.ca/resources/abra/teacher/en/index.p [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the proliferation of multimedia devices in elementary classrooms, there is limited research examining teacher‐created video instruction, particularly regarding its effect on academic growth and engagement. This study investigated the effect of teacher‐created computer‐based video instruction (CBVI) using iPads on students' academic, behavioural and affective learning in elementary classrooms. The study used a repeated‐measures design with counterbalancing to measure the effects of CBVI during mathematics lessons on student achievement scores, time on‐task and attitudes towards learning. Three year three classes (n = 49) completed three lessons, each using a different mode of instruction: CBVI created by the class teacher, CBVI created by a stranger, and a traditional live lesson delivered by the class teacher. Results were analysed using a Linear Mixed Model. No significant growth in performance was detected during video instruction, however a significant growth result was achieved for the traditional live teaching mode (p < 0.001), possibly attributable to the longer duration of experimental session. Behavioural engagement was considerably higher during CBVI lessons than live lessons and students preferred their teacher's voice during CBVI. Three teachers were interviewed to examine how CBVI affected teaching and learning, with two main themes emerging: (1) positive impacts of CBVI upon students; and (2) positive impacts on teacher wellbeing. This research indicates benefits for students and teachers when using teacher‐created CBVI. Further research is needed to better understand the factors that influence cognitive development of students using CBVI and to also further explore the effect of CBVI on teacher wellbeing. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Video as an instructional method has been used to deliver content to learners for over 40 years.Current mobile technologies have the inbuilt capability to film, edit, upload and access custom‐made instructional videos.Learning through video instruction is enjoying renewed popularity due to Internet capability, increased connectivity and device affordances.Video can promote self‐paced, controlled, personalized learning experiences for students. What this paper adds: Teacher‐created video instruction has been an overlooked pedagogical approach in mainstream elementary classrooms.Students are highly engaged behaviourally when completing teacher‐created video lessons.Students prefer to hear their teacher's voice on the video, rather than a stranger's.Using teacher‐created video instruction in the classroom positively impacts on teacher wellbeing. Implications for practice and/or policy: Using teacher‐created video instruction in the classroom provides a way to deliver differentiated content to groups or individuals.Students have the autonomy to self‐pace and control their learning within the close proximity of the teacher.Teachers are able to provide individual support and attention to students during the video instruction without affecting general learning.High student engagement can positively impact the classroom dynamics and environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we review computer-based assessment for learning (CBAfL), in elementary and secondary education, as a viable way to merge instruction and assessment of students' developing proficiencies. We begin by contextualizing our topic relative to summative and formative assessment before presenting the current literature, which we categorized into the following: (a) supplementary use in classrooms, (b) web-based, and (c) data-driven, continuous CBAfL. Examples of research studies per category are provided. Findings show that using CBAfL in the classroom, via the Internet, or embedded in a game, generally enhances learning and other outcomes across a range of content areas (e.g. biology, math, and programming). One conclusion is that feedback, to be most beneficial to learning, should not be overly complex and must be used to be effective. Findings also showed that the quality of the assessment (i.e. validity, reliability, and efficiency) is unimpaired by the inclusion of feedback. The possibilities created by advances in the learning sciences, measurement, and technology have paved the way toward new assessment approaches that will support personalized learning and that can accurately measure and support complex competencies. The next steps involve evaluating the new assessments regarding their psychometric properties and support of learning. Lay Description What is currently known about computer-based assessment for learning (CBAfL)? Early CBAfL systems were divided into linear and branching programs with no diagnostics and evolved into systems possessing more personalized/adaptive remediation with AI., Current CBAfL can support a range of competencies in various digital environments., Advanced learning analytic methods include learning analytics and stealth assessment., What our paper adds to what is already known about CBA for learning? Trends in our review suggest CBAs will improve in personalizing learning in a variety of contexts., Innovative CBAfL techniques will move beyond the laboratory and into the mainstream., Boundaries between instruction, learning and assessment will eventually become blurred, thus removing the need for high-stake tests of learning., What are the implications of our topic for practitioners? With CBAfL advances, teachers will have more time to provide targeted support to learners., Students would not need to worry about taking exams if CBAfL is continuous and formative., Educators will be able to provide personalized learning experiences for diverse students., Students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the 21st century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For primary school students, mathematical word problems are often more difficult to solve than straightforward number problems. Word problems require reading and analysis skills, and in order to explain their situational contexts, the proper mathematical knowledge and number operations have to be selected. To improve students' ability in solving word problems, the problem solving process could be supported by procedural and content specific guidance or with only procedural support.. This paper evaluates the effect of two types of hints, procedural only and content-procedural, provided by a computer programme presented in two versions. Students of grade 6 were randomly assigned to these two versions, which offered five lesson units consisting of eight word problems each. The results indicate that on average the students in the procedural-content hints group ( n = 54) finished about just as many problems in the programme as their counterparts in the procedural-only condition ( n = 51). However, the participants in the first group solved more problems correctly and improved their problem-solving skills more as indicated by the scores on the problem-solving post-test. Apart from presenting our analysis of the findings of this study, also its limitations and its possible implications for future research are discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of a touch‐typing course on the spelling and narrative‐writing skills on the computer of elementary school students. Data of 207 students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 were analysed using a pretest–posttest design. Students in the experimental group (n = 154) followed a touch‐typing course, and those in the control group (n = 53) did not. The experimental group showed more progress in typing, spelling, and narrative‐writing skills on the computer than the control group. It can be concluded that the touch‐typing course had a positive effect, not only on typing skills but also on spelling and narrative‐writing skills on the computer. Lay Description: What is known Typing skills are important for the quality of the typewritten text output.In touch‐typing with automaticity of transcription, workting‐memory load is decreased.Studies on the effect of a touch‐typing course are rare. What this paper adds This study investigated the effect of a touch‐typing course on spelling and narrative writing.We used a design with an experimental (with typing‐course) and a control group (no course)The experimental group showed more improvement in typing, spelling and narrative writing. Implications for practitioners It is important for the quality of student's text output to learn how to touch‐typeTouch‐typing can be learned in a teacher-directed course, containing 15 training sessions of 1.5 hours eachPractice of 20 minutes a day is necessary [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews 12 research-based principles for how to design computer-based multimedia instructional materials to promote academic learning, starting with the multimedia principle (yielding a median effect size of d = 1.67 based on five experimental comparisons), which holds that people learn better from computer-based instruction containing words and graphics rather than words alone. Principles aimed at reducing extraneous processing (i.e., cognitive processing that is unrelated to the instructional objective) include coherence ( d = 0.70), signalling ( d = 0.46), redundancy ( d = 0.87), spatial contiguity ( d = 0.79) and temporal contiguity ( d = 1.30). Principles for managing essential processing (i.e., mentally representing the essential material) include segmenting ( d = 0.70), pre-training ( d = 0.46) and modality ( d = 0.72). Principles for fostering generative processing (i.e., cognitive processing aimed at making sense of the material) include personalization ( d = 0.79), voice ( d = 0.74) and embodiment ( d = 0.36). Some principles have boundary conditions, such as being stronger for low- rather than high-knowledge learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent government moves in many countries have seen coding included in school curricula, or promoted as part of computing, mathematics or science programmes. While these moves have generally been associated with a need to engage more young people in technology study, research has hinted at possible benefits from learning to program including fostering general thinking skills. However, little research has been carried out exploring these ideas. This study analysed data collected while 5- and 6-year-old students in a New Zealand primary school were using Scratch Jnr. to learn about basic shapes, as part of a numeracy topic. Analysis combined Brennan and Resnick's (2012) computational thinking skills framework and Krathwohl's (2002) revision of Bloom's Taxonomy to evaluate any role general thinking skills played in these students' coding work. Results suggest including basic coding in primary curricula provides teachers with an effective means of exercising their students' general and higher order thinking skills. They build on Brennan and Resnick's (2012) framework by including conceptualization as an important element in students' computational work and highlight the role of predictive thinking in debugging code. Findings support historical arguments that more needs to be done to investigate students' cognitive processes when undertaking computational work. Lay description What is already known about the topic: Computational learning is an emerging area of school curricula;, Limited research exists exploring thinking processes within computational learning;, Early studies challenge more recent claims of thinking skill transfer from computational work., What this paper adds: Computational work supports a range of general and higher order thinking skills;, Task design and teacher skills are critical to achieving higher order thinking outcomes from computational work;, Computational work in teams can support collaborative, cooperative and self-management key competencies., Implications for practice and/or policy: Findings broaden the base of empirical support for including computational work in school curricula;, Coding provides an engaging means of exercising complex thinking skills and key competencies in students;, The data methods used provide teachers with visible evidence of students' thinking processes during computational work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School-aged children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have delayed gestural development, in comparison with age-matched typically developing children. In this study, an intervention program taught children with low-functioning ASD gestural comprehension and production using video modelling (VM) by a computer-generated robot animation. Six to 12-year-old children with ASD ( N = 20; IQ < 70) were taught to recognize 20 gestures produced by the robot animation (phase I), to imitate these gestures (phase II) and to produce them in appropriate social contexts (phase III). Across the three phases, significant differences were found between the results of the pretest and the immediate and follow-up posttests; the results of both posttests were comparable, after controlling for the children's motor and visual memory skills. The children generalized their acquired gestural skills to a novel setting with a human researcher. These results suggest that VM by a robot animation is effective in teaching children with low-functioning ASD to recognize and produce gestures. Lay Description What is already known about this topic: Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have difficulties with nonverbal communication., Children with ASD have difficulties in recognizing and producing gestures., What this paper adds: A multiphase therapeutic intervention program using video modelling (VM) of robot animation is effective to promoting the gestural communication skills, both recognition and production, in children with low-functioning ASD., Children with ASD have improved their skills to recognize the taught gestures (phase I), imitate them (phase II) and produce them in appropriate social contexts (phase III)., Children with ASD are able to generalize the acquired skills to human-to-human interactions after the intervention program., Implications for practice and/or policy: VM of a robot animation is effective in teaching children with low-functioning ASD both gesture recognition and gesture production., The multiphase therapeutic intervention protocol can be recommended for clinicians or teachers in special schools to teach children with low-functioning ASD gestural communication skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports an empirical study that takes a multimodal analytical approach to examine how mobile technologies shape students' exploration and experience of place during a history learning activity in situ. In history education, mobile technologies provide opportunities for authentic experiential learning activities that have the potential to re-mediate students' understanding of space and place through enacted interaction, and to make the learning more memorable. A key question is how learners work with the physical and digital information in the context of that learning experience, and how this supports new experiences and understanding of space and place. Findings suggest that embodied mobile experiences foster the creation of both physical and digital markers, which were instrumental in concretizing the history experience and developing new narratives. The findings also show how different representational forms of digital information mediated interaction in specific ways and how digital augmentation can lead to conflation in student understanding of space and time. These findings inform our understanding of the value of mobile applications in supporting embodied learning experiences and provide key implications for pedagogical design, both in situ and back in the classroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to investigate how a gamified learning approach influences science learning, achievement and motivation, through a context-aware mobile learning environment, and explains the effects on motivation and student learning. A series of gamified learning activities, based on MGLS (Mobile Gamification Learning System), was developed and implemented in an elementary school science curriculum to improve student motivation and to help students engage more actively in their learning activities. The responses to our questionnaire indicate that students valued the outdoor learning activities made possible by the use of a smartphone and its functions. Pre- and post-test results demonstrated that incorporating mobile and gamification technologies into a botanical learning process could achieve a better learning performance and a higher degree of motivation than either non-gamified mobile learning or traditional instruction. Further, they revealed a positive relationship between learning achievement and motivation. The correlation coefficient for ARCS dimensions and post-test shows that the ARCS-A (attention) is greater than ARCS-R, ARCS-C and ARCS-S. This means that the attention (ARCS-A) of this system is an important dimension in this research. The results could provide parents, teachers and educational organizations with the necessary data to make more relevant educational decision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the findings of a research project in which we transformed a primary (grade) 3 science curriculum for delivery via mobile technologies, and a teacher enacted the lessons over the 2009 academic year in a class in a primary school in Singapore. The students had a total of 21 weeks of the mobilized lessons in science, which were co-designed by teachers and researchers by tapping into the affordances of mobile technologies for supporting inquiry learning in and outside of class. We examine the learning effectiveness of the enacted mobilized science curriculum. The results show that among the six mixed-ability classes in primary (grade) 3 in the school, the experimental class performed better than other classes as measured by traditional assessments in the science subject. With mobilized lessons, students were found to learn science in personal, deep and engaging ways as well as developed positive attitudes towards mobile learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of formative assessment and learning style on student achievement in a Web-based learning environment. A quasi-experimental research design was used. Participants were 455 seventh grade students from 12 classes of six junior high schools. A Web-based course, named BioCAL, combining three different formative assessment strategies was developed. The formative assessment strategies included Formative Assessment Module of the Web-Based Assessment and Test Analysis system (FAM-WATA) (with six Web-based formative assessment strategies), Normal Module of Web-Based Assessment and Test Analysis system (N-WATA) (only with partial Web-based formative assessment strategy) and Paper and Pencil Test (PPT) (without Web-based formative assessment strategy). Subjects were tested using Kolb's Learning Style Inventory, and assigned randomly by class into three groups. Each group took Web-based courses using one of the formative assessment strategies. Pre- and post-achievement testing was carried out. A one-way ANCOVA analysis showed that both learning style and formative assessment strategy are significant factors affecting student achievement in a Web-based learning environment. However, there is no interaction between these two factors. A post hoc comparison showed that performances of the FAM-WATA group are higher than the N-WATA and PPT groups. Learners with a ‘Diverger’ learning style performed best followed by, ‘Assimilator’, ‘Accommodator’, and ‘Converger’, respectively. Finally, FAM-WATA group students are satisfied with six strategies of the FAM-WATA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]