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Background: Online collaboration tools have been identified as potentially effective means for enhancing student learning, motivation, and engagement in science education. However, their effectiveness in improving science education outcomes among middle school students remains uncertain. Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the impact of online collaboration tools on science education outcomes among middle school students, focusing on learning achievement, engagement, and motivation. Methods: A quasi‐experimental design with a pretest‐posttest control group was used in this study. A total of 60 eighth‐grade middle school students were involved in the study, with both the experimental and control groups comprising 30 students each. The experimental group incorporated the use of digital collaboration platforms, including Asana, Slack, and Team Viewer, as instrumental components of group project execution and discussion in their science lessons. Conversely, the control group adhered to the current educational approach in Turkey, characterized by the employment of an inquiry‐based learning strategy in their science instruction. Data was collected over eight weeks using a science achievement test, engagement scale, and science motivation scale. Results: The experimental group demonstrated significantly higher post‐test scores compared to the control group, suggesting that online collaboration tools positively impacted science education outcomes. Additionally, survey data indicated high levels of engagement and motivation among the experimental group students when using the online collaboration tools. Conclusions: The findings support the notion that online collaboration tools can effectively enhance learning, motivation, and engagement in science education among middle school students. These results have significant implications for educators, educational institutions, policymakers, and curriculum developers. Further research is needed to examine the potential of these tools in various educational contexts and with different student populations. This will help broaden the understanding of how online collaboration tools can be integrated into diverse learning environments, potentially benefiting a larger number of students and further improving science education outcomes. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Technology's role, particularly online collaboration tools, in enriching science education is undebatable (Donkin & Rasmussen, 2021; Rahmawati et al., 2022). Such tools have been theorized to bolster student learning outcomes, motivation, and engagement (Donnelly et al., 2013; Ekici, 2017; Khazanchi & Khazanchi, 2019). Yet, the empirical evidence validating their efficacy in science educational settings remains sparse. What this paper adds: This research delves into the influence of online collaboration tools on science learning outcomes among middle school learners. Data indicates that employing these digital tools substantially elevates student performance, as gauged by a science achievement test. Furthermore, students navigating through these online collaborative platforms recorded elevated levels of both engagement and motivation. The primary effectiveness of online collaboration tools stems from their ability to foster specific behaviours, such as increased communication frequency and structured task management, which can amplify learning and group collaboration through their facilitated structured interactions. Implications for practice and/or policy: This study's conclusions offer pivotal insights for educators, academic institutions, policy framers, and curriculum architects. Online collaborative platforms exhibit promise in amplifying student outcomes and engagement within the realm of science education. It is imperative to broaden this research scope to discern the tools' potential across varied educational environments and diverse student demographics. There is a compelling case for stakeholders, especially educators and policymakers, to contemplate incorporating these online tools into science pedagogy, aiming to magnify student learning experiences and engagement levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are deficiencies in ensuring the permanence of some theoretical information taught in nursing education and transferring it to practice environment. Mobile‐assisted teaching can be useful to eliminate deficiencies. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of mobile‐assisted teaching on nursing students' learning ventrogluteal injection. Methodology: The study was conducted in Turkey between February and June 2022. This study is a single group pre‐posttest intervention. The study sample consisted of 354 students studying in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades in Turkey. After the students completed the Introductory Characteristics Form and Ventrogluteal Region Information Suggestion Form in the pre‐test, the researchers sent a ventrogluteal injection animation video to their mobile phones. The students who watched the video completed the Ventrogluteal Region Information Suggestion Form and Mobile Education Activity Form in the final test. Results and Conclusion: There was a statistically significant difference between the pre‐posttest score medians of the students (p < 0.001). While the preference of the students for the ventrogluteal region in intramuscular injection was 28.5% before mobile learning, it increased to 51.1% after the training. In this study, after the training given through mobile learning, the knowledge level of the students about ventrogluteal injection and their preferences for ventrogluteal injection increased. In line with these results, mobile‐assisted education should be used in nursing education. Lay Description: What is already known about this topicDue to the high number of students per teaching staff in Turkey, it takes time for the theoretical education of the students to turn into practice.It is recommended that students prefer and use the ventrogluteal (VG) region for intramuscular drug injection.The students had difficulties because the nurses guiding them in clinical practice did not use the VG area.There are difficulties in applying the VG region injection in practice. What this paper addsMobile‐based intramuscular injection skill application increased the knowledge level of the students.Mobile applications make it easier to remember the learned information and apply it in the clinic. Implications for practice and/or policyMobile applications demonstrating skill practice provide a resource for nursing students to watch and learn whenever they want.It ensures that the student is always ready for invasive procedures to be performed on the patient in the clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Flipped classroom (FC) model has become increasingly popular in dental education (DE) with its strengths for students. However, major concerns are lack of interaction, unwillingness to complete the assignments, low engagement during the pre‐class activities because of an unwell‐designed instructional setting of FC. Objectives: The recent study aims to investigate the effects of video‐driven discussions integrated into the flipped classroom (VdDs‐FC) model on dental students' (DSs) learning achievement, practical performance, and higher‐order thinking skills in a restorative dentistry course. Methods: This study adopted a sequential explanatory design from mixed‐methods research. A total of 96 DSs participated in a dentistry faculty of Türkiye. They were randomly divided into two groups: VdDs‐FC group and the conventional flipped classroom (c‐FC) group. Results and conclusions: The results showed that the VdDs‐FC model had significant positive effects on the practical performance of DSs in practical subjects and their problem‐solving and critical thinking skills. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in learning achievement and creativity. The use of FC in the c‐FC group did not lead to any difference in the students' achievements. Moreover, the qualitative results indicated that the VdDs‐FC model has the potential for enhancing peer learning, practical classroom activities, and higher‐order thinking skills. Implications: This study also includes several instructional implications and suggestions for educators, researchers, and practitioners on use of FC in dentistry. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Flipped learning has become a rapidly growing area of dentistry research.Discussion board could be beneficial to increasing dental students' higher order thinking skills, especially problem solving and critical thinking.Video‐driven discussions into flipped classroom provide several opportunities for practical performance in dental education, not for theoretical knowledge. What this paper adds: Video‐driven discussions into flipped classroom model is proposed.We compared two learning environments by including traditional flipped classroom.We found that the integrated model with flipped classroom can have a positive impact on students' achievement.Online discussions usage contributed to higher cognitive, affective, and behavioural learning outcomes.Based on interview data, the proposed model supports peer learning. Implications for practice and/or policy: Dental educators should integrated the digital discussion boards as out‐of‐class activities in the pre‐clinical dental training.From dental educators' perspective, they should be carefully trained in FC design (interaction elements, material design, integration with different methods, etc.).From instructional design perspective, micro videos should have case‐based or problem‐based activities to discuss.From learner perspective, an integration of the flipped classroom with different technologies could have a positive effect on increasing learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a scarcity of studies on online flipped learning in teacher education classes. Many studies have found that student learning is improved in flipped learning environments; however, this is still an open question. Much of the literature employs quantitative methods to reveal the effect of flipped learning on certain variables such as engagement, performance, and so on, but there have been few studies that investigate the Community of Inquiry variables perceived by learners in flipped learning environments. Objectives: This study investigated the levels of teaching, social, and cognitive presence of teacher candidates in an online flipped learning community, whether these variables were related to academic achievement, and teacher candidates' experiences with the online flipped learning approach. Methods: A case study research design was used in this study. Without any face‐to‐face meetings, the course was delivered using an online flipped learning approach. While quantitative data were collected from 34 teacher candidates, 16 teacher candidates participated in the qualitative part of the study. Focus group interviews, an open‐ended questionnaire, a Community of Inquiry Scale, and teacher candidates' course grades were used to collect data. Both descriptive and content analysis were used to analyze the data. Results and Conclusions: In the current study, effective online flipped learning design fostered teaching presence, with perceived teaching presence having the highest mean and perceived social presence having the lowest. Course videos prepared by the instructor, as well as synchronous activities such as peer presentations, questions, and video discussion, all contributed to cognitive presence through the practice of theoretical knowledge. Although none of the variables in the community of inquiry were related to academic achievement, computer‐based games like Kahoot contribute to a positive online flipped learning community. Many benefits of online flipped learning have been stated, including providing active, flexible, autonomous, and interactive instruction through the use of technology, creating a fun learning environment, and increasing perceived learning and interaction with the instructor. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: The contribution of flipped learning to achievement is still an issue open to discussion.There are limited studies investigating the Community of Inquiry variables perceived by learners in flipped learning environments.Instructors need effective flipped learning designs, especially for teacher candidates as teachers teach the way they have been taught.Face‐to‐face learning activities are the driving force behind effective flipped learning which is replaced by synchronous meetings in online flipped learning. What this paper adds: This study adds to limited research related to the online flipped learning model in teacher training learning environments.This study uses both quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate how teacher candidates perceive Community of Inquiry variables (teaching presence, social presence, and cognitive presence) in the online flipped learning environment.This study designs an effective online flipped learning course with online plays and synchronous activities.This study reveals the experiences of teacher candidates in terms of activities, their contribution to learning, communication, and community of inquiry perceptions. Implications for practice and/or policy: Effective online flipped learning designs foster teacher presence.Synchronous activities should include peer presentations, questions, or jigsaw activities to increase social and cognitive presence.Course videos prepared by the instructor contribute to cognitive presence through the practice of theoretical knowledge in synchronous meetings.Computer‐based plays such as Kahoot contribute to a positive online flipped learning community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of using dynamic geometry software (GeoGebra) on the eighth‐grade students' conceptual understanding and the retention of learning regarding linear equations and slope. In this study, a quasi‐experimental design with pre‐test, post‐test and delayed post‐test was employed. This study was conducted with 52 eighth‐grade Turkish students (experimental group, n = 25; control group, n = 27). While GeoGebra software‐supported instruction was carried out in the experimental group, textbook‐based direct instruction was continued in the control group. Data were collected with the conceptual understanding test (CUT) which consists of 38 questions including open‐ended, multiple choice and fill in the blanks. CUT was applied to the experimental and control groups as a pre‐test and post‐test at both the beginning and the end of the instruction, respectively. Seven weeks after the instruction, CUT was applied to both groups as a retention test. Data were analysed through SPSS 17.0 statistical software by using a t‐test and ANCOVA test. It was indicated in the study results that GeoGebra software‐supported instruction for eighth‐grade students regarding linear equations and slope did significantly improve both their conceptual understanding and retention of learning in comparison to textbook‐based direct instruction. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic?: The subject of functions and their graphs are the basis of many mathematical concepts and subjects such as logarithm, limit, derivative and integral.It is indicated in many studies that middle‐grade students have some misconceptions and difficulties in learning the concept of a straight line and slope.It was determined in previous studies conducted at different grade level that using dynamic geometry software (DGS) increases students' mathematics achievement according to traditional instruction.There is a need for research investigating the effect of using GeoGebra software on eighth grade students' conceptual understanding and retention of learning regarding linear equations and slope. What this paper adds?: A quasi‐experimental design with pre‐test, post‐test and delayed post‐test was conducted.Using GeoGebra software had positive effects on eighth‐grade students' conceptual understanding regarding linear equations and slope.The learning environment with GeoGebra software increased the retention of learning. The implications of study findings for practitioners: This research provided evidence regarding the effects of using GeoGebra software on eighth‐grade students' conceptual understanding and retention of learning in mathematics.In future studies, the long‐term effects of GeoGebra on other mathematics topics and other learning outcomes within similar settings should be examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate how working memory (WM) performances and instructional strategy choices affect learners' complex cognitive task performance in online environments. Three different e-learning environments were designed based on Merrill's (2006a) model of instructional strategies. The lack of experimental research on his framework is the main argument of this paper. The participants' WM processes with the n-back task scores were used for defining their WM performances. This study is designed as repeated measures. Thirty-five undergraduate students completed complex cognitive tasks three times. According to their WM groups, the participants were assigned to experimental conditions randomly by counterbalancing. The main results of the study indicated that although no performance differences were observed in complex cognitive tasks across instructional strategies, there was a statistically significant change observed across WM groups in favour of those who had high WM performances. The interaction effect did not have an effect on participants' overall performance. These results indicate that cognitive differences lead to different outcomes when the instructional design is set to be the same for all. Therefore, it is concluded that instructional design choices could take individual cognitive differences into account when developing adaptive e-learning environments. Lay Description What is already known about this topic: E-learning environments are often considered to be complex environments mainly because of their navigational nature (i.e., design of hyperlinks and the tools embedded within the system for personal and collaborative use)., Yet, from the learners' perspective, it is not clear whether it is the content or merely the design choice that could make the online environment (more) complex., Moreover, cognitive differences play a crucial role during individuals' interactions with(in) the course materials., When measuring the performance on cognitive tasks, working memory (WM) performance is a strong predictor., What this paper adds: The literature on Merrill's instructional strategies which is one of the instructional models in designing how to teach complex tasks is mainly limited to conceptual discussions., Using different instructional strategies did not significantly change individuals' performances when dealing with complex cognitive tasks., Individuals with high level working memory performance performed significantly better., Implications for practice and/or policy: Cognitive differences lead to different outcomes when the instructional design is set to be the same for all., Studies in the field of mind, brain and education (MBE) may provide additional necessary tools not only for practitioners but also for instructional designers to better design personalized e-learning environments in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effects of augmented reality (AR) activities on students' academic achievement and motivation in a biology course. For this purpose, a mixed study was conducted, and a pretest and posttest control group model was used. In addition, the opinions of the experimental group students and the teacher about the AR activities were taken, and classroom observations were made during the study. The study group consisted of 40 (22 female and 18 male) ninth‐grade biology course students. The control group followed the biology course programme, whereas the experimental group students conducted AR activities in addition to the course programme using tablets. Consequently, it was found that the motivation of the students in the experimental group increased more than that of the students in the control group. However, no significant difference was found between the academic achievement scores of the groups. The teacher and the students stated that AR activities might be effective in increasing course success and motivation. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Biology is one of the fields that cover too many abstract and invisible contents.Abstract and invisible course contents cause misunderstandings and low academic achievement.Augmented reality (AR) technology stands out with its visualization feature.AR appears to be an effective technology for making invisible subjects visible and giving concrete examples for abstract content in biology education.What this paper adds: AR activities could positively affect students' motivation in biology courses.Students' perceptions of the augmented reality into classroom are highly positive.AR activities raise students' participation to the course.However, AR does not significantly affect students' academic achievement.Implications for practice and/or policy: More long‐term and interaction‐based AR activities in a school with proper infrastructure might influence students' academic achievement positively.AR materials that have better image quality, more interesting design for students, and more interactivity will increase the effectiveness of instruction.It could be beneficial to use more AR technology when preparing curricula and textbooks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learning letters is an important area of language learning, conducive to the beginning of reading and writing. Indeed, today's generation prefers to learn through digital games rather than through formal teaching processes. Inspired by this need, the researcher designed this study (a) to test the effectiveness of an instructional digital game, "Kes Sesi," designed to teach letter recognition skills and (b) to briefly present its instructional development process, which was based on the ADDIE model. This was a quasi‐experimental study with two treatment groups and a control group involving 87 kindergarteners. Treatment groups played the game for 12–6 weeks for learning, 6 weeks for practice. The control group continued with its regular class activities. One treatment group played the game based on predefined sound categorization, the other without any categorization. A test on children's sound recognition abilities was administered three times as a pretest, a midtest, and a posttest. The treatment groups performed significantly better than the control group. The game enhanced the kindergarteners' ability to practice uncategorized content while it enhanced their ability to learn categorized content. The results are promising in that Kes Sesi can be useful in self‐supported learning contexts with little adult input and with minimum outside interference. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Learning letters is an important area of language learning, conducive to the beginning of reading and writing.There is a variety of research studies on digital games for learning in the literature.It is a challenge to teach preschool children letters. What this paper adds: There seems to be a gap when it comes to experiments on kindergarteners' early reading skills.Although there are many relevant games in the market, there are no studies investigating kindergarteners' sound recognition skills through game playing on mobile technology.This study has its unique feature in terms of providing a sample article on "Design, development and application of learning tools and systems," which is a topic within the Journal's scope. Implications for practice and/or policy: Digital educational games such as "Kes Sesi" can be useful in self‐supported learning circumstances with little adult input or intervention.Similar educational games can be designed by taking the current research study as an example, and it is believed that it will encourage production of many similar games.Students' performances reach an optimal level when educational games are used after the teacher helps them construct their learning and guide them in this endeavor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of students' flipped learning readiness (FLR) on engagement, programming self‐efficacy, attitude towards programming, and interaction intensity in the information and technology classrooms where programming is taught with the flipped classroom (FC) model. The study group of this research, which is designed by the relational screening method, consists of 371 students studying in middle school. Structural equation model was used for the data analysis. The results of the study revealed that FLR and its indicators in the programming teaching conducted with the FC model are significant predictors of engagement, attitude, programming self‐efficacy, and interaction intensity. FLR is most strongly related to programming self‐efficacy, whereas it is most weakly related to interaction. The most striking result of this study is that the FC model is an effective option in terms of providing engagement, interaction, self‐efficacy, and learner attitude, which are the key components for the success of the instruction. It is thought that this study assists to create an awareness on the impact of FLR on students, on subjects that frame in‐class attitudes, and behaviours of students. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Programming skills are important for the acquisition of basic skills of the 21st century.Flipped learning is an opportunity for effective programming teaching.Flipped learning readiness (FLR) has an important role in FC.However, in order for effective face‐to‐face learning to take place, it is crucial that students are able to take on the responsibility of learning outside the classroom, that is, the e‐learning readiness of their students. What this paper adds: We use FC applications in teaching programming to children.We have examined the key variables to be successful in a course involving the teaching of complex skills such as programming with FC.We brought proposals for practical education and researchers to be carried out programming instruction in FC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of Facebook and WhatsApp on success in English vocabulary instruction and the learners' opinions about the implementation process. In the study, mixed method model, which combines both quantitative and qualitative data, was used. The success of the students in Facebook, WhatsApp, and control group showed a significant difference between the pretest and posttest, meaning that the learning environments had different effects on the increase of success of students. The analysis revealed that the difference in the mean scores of the students in WhatsApp, Facebook, and control group was significant, and WhatsApp has been more effective in the increase of the success. Although more increase in the mean scores of Facebook group was observed compared with control group, this increase was not found significant. Furthermore, students expressed their willingness to go on the practice not only in their present course, but also in their other courses as well. They also opined positive opinions that learning could also take place unconsciously. However, a few students reacted negatively against the unnecessary messages and the timing of some messages. The results indicated that, compared with Facebook, WhatsApp is more effective in teaching vocabulary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]