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The use of social media for the collaboration of academics has been increasing in recent years. However, there are no reported studies on using Messenger as a collaborative platform to write and publish journal articles and apply for research and development grants. We use an auto-ethnography to reflect on our experiences over the last 3 years, using Messenger as our medium for our ongoing collaborative research activities. Our results highlight the benefits and challenges of using social media for this engagement. The capabilities of Messenger, as opposed to traditional correspondence through email, have paved our preference to use this platform. We can engage in dynamic collaboration and focussed discussion with less formal communication conventions through Messenger. In addition, the extra features, including easy phone calls, sending links, resources and screenshots, and using emojis and stickers for more socially cohesive interactions, are valued features of Messenger. We used the activity theory to highlight the interrelationships of factors (i.e., personal, social-emotional, structural, technological, and organisational) contributing to the success of collaborative academic activities, including the successful publication of journal articles and securing research and development grants. The findings of our study significantly contribute to understanding how social media can be effectively used for academic engagement.

The use of social media across the world is rapidly increasing, and schools are advancing its use for learning, teaching, and assessment activities. Despite growing evidence for their accessibility and affordances for educational purposes, very little attention has been paid to their use in assessment. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA), this paper is an initial step to explore how social media have been used and reported in the literature, and describe some key challenges. A total of 167 articles were initially accessed from three databases, but only 17 were relevant after applying the exclusion criteria. Results show that the most dominant social media used in assessment are Facebook and Twitter. Also, the assessment practices are limited to sending and discussing assessment tasks, following up on progress, giving feedback, and engaging in self and peer assessment. Key issues include the trustworthiness of the assessment process and outputs, limited features of social media platforms, technical support, time commitment between teachers and students, and intersections of social and academic engagements. We discuss the implications of these findings with the critical gaps in the theorisation of using social media for assessment purposes.

What is Happening In this Class? (WIHIC) is the widely used questionnaire to measure psycho-social aspects of the classroom and explore how these aspects affect student learning and achievement. The purpose of this study is to examine the cumulative estimates of reliability and conduct reliability generalization meta-analysis of Cronbach’s alpha for the WIHIC questionnaire. PRISMA framework is used to identify the papers in three major databases. Assuming a random-effects model, the average internal consistency reliability was 0.85, 95% CI [0.83; 0.87] for total scores and ranged from 0.80 to 0.88 for subscales. There was a substantial heterogeneity among the included articles (I2 = 99.04%, Q (23) = 1481.074, p < 0.001). According to mixed model analysis, school context has a significant effect on the total scale and subscales, including teacher support, involvement, investigation, cooperation, and equity. Overall, the reliability generalization analysis of pooling reliability estimates helps in understanding the psychometric properties of the WIHIC inventory in diverse populations.

Classroom assessment practices play a pivotal role in ensuring effective learning and teaching. One of the most desired attributes of teachers is the ability to gather and analyze assessment data to make trustworthy decisions leading to supporting student learning. However, this ability is often underdeveloped for a variety of reasons, including reports that teachers are overwhelmed by the complex process of data analysis and decision-making and that often there is insufficient attention to authentic assessment practices which focus on assessment for learning (AfL) in initial teacher education (ITE), so teachers are uncertain how to integrate assessment into teaching and make trustworthy assessment decisions to develop student learning. This paper reports on the results of a study of the process of pre-service teachers’ (PSTs) decision-making in assessment practices in Myanmar with real students and in real classroom conditions through the lens of teacher agency. Using a design-based research methodology, a needs-based professional development program for PSTs’ assessment literacy was developed and delivered in one university. Following the program, thirty PSTs in the intervention group were encouraged to implement selected assessment strategies during their practicum. Semi-structured individual interviews were undertaken with the intervention group before and after their practicum in schools. This data was analyzed together with data collected during their practicum, including lesson plans, observation checklists and audiotapes of lessons. The analysis showed that PSTs’ decision-making in the classroom was largely influenced by their beliefs of and values in using assessment strategies but, importantly, constrained by their supervising teachers. The PSTs who understood the principles of AfL and wanted to implement on-going assessment experienced tension with supervising teachers who wanted to retain high control of the practicum. As a result, most PSTs could not use assessment strategies effectively to inform their decisions about learning and teaching activities. Those PSTs who were allowed greater autonomy during their practicum and understood AfL assessment strategies had greater freedom to experiment, which allowed them multiple opportunities to apply the result of any assessment activity to improve both their own teaching and students’ learning. The paper concludes with a discussion of the kind of support PSTs need to develop their assessment decision-making knowledge and skills during their practicum.

This paper explores the impact of a tailored working memory training program on the mathematics achievement of secondary school students in Myanmar. While previous studies have investigated the relationship between working memory and mathematics, this study focuses on a context where computerized training programs are limited. Twelve Grade 8 students participated in a six-week program conducted via Zoom due to the pandemic. A Mathematics Achievement Test, aligned with the curriculum, assessed their performance before and after the program. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather insights into the students' experiences. Results showed significant improvements in mathematics achievement, particularly in geometry, after the training program. Working memory strategies such as chunking, visualization, and concentration were found to enhance problem-solving abilities. This study highlights the potential of working memory techniques for enhancing mathematics education, particularly in areas with limited technology access.

There are many varied approaches to involving parents in assessment, but a coherent knowledge base is lacking. To gain a deeper understanding of the role of parental involvement in student learning, we accessed journal articles from three databases following the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses" (PRISMA) guidelines. Two hundred and eleven articles were generated, but upon application of exclusion criteria, 25 articles remained for final analysis. We examined the outcomes and approaches for parental involvement in assessment, including the research focus, countries, school context, research design, the terminology used, definition, and challenges. The findings of our review highlight the competing understandings of parental involvement, geographical, theoretical, and practical gaps. We also highlighted significant areas for future investigations.

Integrating literacy in science and mathematics learning and teaching has been an ongoing endeavour. There are frameworks developed to guide teachers' practices, but little is reported on assessing literacy simultaneously with scientific or mathematical content knowledge. We reviewed the literature on assessing literacy in science and mathematics to develop a coherent knowledge base using the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses" (PRISMA). We accessed 683 peer-reviewed publications from three databases, and upon application of exclusion criteria, only 13 articles remained for full analysis. We report the macro skills focused, assessment tools and strategies used, and reported outcomes. We also discuss the geographical, practical, and theoretical gaps and highlight critical areas for future investigations.

There are many varied approaches to involving parents in assessment, but a coherent knowledge base is lacking. To gain a deeper understanding of the role of parental involvement in student learning, we accessed journal articles from three databases following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Two hundred and eleven articles were generated, but upon application of exclusion criteria, 25 articles remained for final analysis. We examined the outcomes and approaches for parental involvement in assessment, including the research focus, countries, school context, research design, the terminology used, definition, and challenges. The findings of our review highlight the competing understandings of parental involvement, geographical, theoretical, and practical gaps. We also highlighted significant areas for future investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]