Emotional self-regulation is an aspect of interest in mathematics learning given the emotional experiences associated with difficulties and errors; therefore, the study aimed to understand educational professionals’ perceptions of this phenomenon. The research was conducted using a qualitative approach, within the interpretive paradigm, and employing a descriptive-interpretive design. It involved a mathematics teacher, a psychologist, and an educational psychologist, who participated in asynchronous, semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed through coding and triangulation of sources. The findings showed that the professionals attribute significance to emotional experiences in the face of mathematical difficulties and recognize resources related to academic coping and self-confidence, in addition to situating emotional support, guidance, feedback, and the learning environment within these experiences. These results align with previous studies that acknowledge emotional and pedagogical components related to mathematics learning, although the present study interprets them from the perspective of professional perceptions. It is concluded that participants understand emotional self-regulation as a process related to managing emotional responses to mathematical challenges, situated within a context of personal, academic, and pedagogical support resources.
Foundational literacy is central to participation and subsequent learning, yet the instructional routes through which beginning readers encounter print are not equally accessible to all learners. In Tanzania, renewed attention to systematic phonics and early-grade reading has increased the relevance of decodable texts: texts designed to give learners opportunities to apply previously taught grapheme–phoneme correspondences. Their instructional value, however, cannot be assessed only in terms of the linguistic structure of the text. Classroom activities, teacher directions, response requirements, assessment procedures, and available formats can either widen or restrict access. This scoping review maps literature and policy- and curriculum-related evidence concerning decodable or phonics-oriented early reading in Tanzanian primary education and examines the extent to which the evidence engages with accessibility, learner variability, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). The review follows PRISMA-ScR and considers literature published between 2014 and 2026. The synthesis indicates a plausible pedagogical alignment between controlled text and the development of decoding, while also revealing a major gap in directly tested evidence on inclusive adaptations of decodable materials in Tanzania. Across the mapped literature, accessibility is more often treated as an implementation concern than as a design principle embedded in reading materials from the outset. The review therefore advances the concept of inclusive decodable-text pedagogy, in which systematic phonics is retained while unnecessary sensory, motor, speech, and communication barriers are reduced through multiple means of representation, action and expression, and engagement. Implications are developed for curriculum design, teacher education, classroom practice, formative assessment, and future research. The central conclusion is that decodability and accessibility should be treated as complementary properties: a text may be linguistically decodable yet still be instructionally inaccessible if participation depends on a single route that is unrelated to the intended literacy skill.
This study examined the use of digitized game-based learning activities to support Grade 7 students’ interest and mathematics achievement at Demetrio L. Alviola National High School, Bindoy, Negros Oriental, during school year 2025–2026. A quantitative quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a survey component involved 120 learners, consisting of 60 in the control group and 60 in the experimental group. The control group received conventional mathematics instruction, while the experimental group participated in a four-week digitized game-based approach. A 48-item competency test, an adapted 20-item mathematics-interest questionnaire, and a learning-style inventory informed data collection. Frequency, percentage, mean percentage scores, descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon tests, and Mann–Whitney U tests were used for analysis. The experimental group’s overall mathematics mean percentage score increased from 70.11% to 79.13%, compared with 68.20% to 74.55% in the control group. The experimental group’s composite interest rating rose from 3.33 (moderate) to 3.86 (high), with significant pre–post differences reported across all four interest dimensions. However, the between-group difference in learning gains was significant only for the bar-models-and-equations competency (p = .021); the other three competencies showed no significant between-group differences. The reported interest–competence association was nonsignificant (p = .875). The findings support digitized game-based activities as a supplementary strategy for improving students’ mathematics interest, while indicating more limited evidence of advantages in achievement across all targeted competencies.
Abstract Despite decades of effort to improve mathematical outcomes, studies examining the integrated roles of affective dimensions such as confidence, perceived value, and motivation in relation to mathematics achievement among Senior High School students in Ghana remain relatively limited. In this study, confidence was operationalised through items reflecting students’ domain-specific mathematics self-efficacy beliefs. This study examines the structural associations of confidence, perceived value, and motivation with self-reported mathematics achievement among final-year students in a selected Senior High School in the Atwima Nwabiagya North Municipal Assembly of Ghana. A quantitative descriptive correlational design was employed, and data were collected from 296 students using a structured questionnaire. Self-reported mathematics achievement was measured using students’ responses to items concerning their perceived achievement in mathematics, rather than standardised test scores or school achievement records. The hypothesised structural relationships among confidence, perceived value, motivation, and self-reported mathematics achievement were examined using structural equation modelling (SEM). Within the participating school, the results showed that confidence, perceived value, and motivation were each positively and significantly associated with self-reported mathematics achievement, with confidence having the largest standardised coefficient, followed by motivation and value. Given these findings, instructional practices that support students’ confidence may be considered in mathematics teaching. Likewise, opportunities to connect mathematics with real-world applications may help students recognise its value, while supportive learning environments may provide conditions conducive to sustained engagement with mathematics learning.
The article substantiates the potential and pedagogical conditions for using loose parts to develop mathematical competence in preschool and primary school children. Loose parts are defined as natural, household, manufactured, or recycled materials with which children can engage in a variety of practical activities, including those involving mathematical content. These may include stones, sand, water, branches, leaves, seeds, shells, pieces of fabric, threads, cardboard boxes, bottle caps, containers, sticks, and other materials. It has been established that, at preschool age, the use of loose parts provides a sensory basis for developing concepts of quantity, number, shape, size, space, and patterns. In primary school, in addition to deepening this knowledge, the same materials can be used to support modeling, solving problems in several ways, testing assumptions, justifying strategies, and working with data. This enables continuity between preschool and primary education in the development of children’s mathematical competence. The potential of loose parts for developing mathematical competence in preschool and primary school children lies in the fact that they enable the practical acquisition of concepts related to number, shape, size, spatial relationships, and patterns, while stimulating the development of skills in counting, comparing, classifying, measuring, modeling, and problem-solving. Their use encourages learners’ independence, investigative activity, and the development of mathematical language. The following pedagogical conditions for using loose parts to develop mathematical competence in preschool and primary school children have been identified: ensuring the purposeful selection and diversification of materials; combining support for children’s initiative with the implementation of pedagogical intentions; and organizing mathematical reflection among preschool and primary school learners.
Although classical poetry is central to Chinese language education, how poetry learning is linked to writing development has rarely been characterized empirically. This one-year longitudinal study followed 1,920 students in Grades 3–6 from 48 classes in 12 primary schools across four waves and applied a four-level growth model (measurement occasions nested within students, students within classes, and classes within schools). The cognitive load components were indexed provisionally by NASA-TLX subscales, and results that depend on their distinction are interpreted as preliminary. Eight confirmatory tests were controlled with the Holm procedure and all remaining analyses were reported as exploratory with Benjamini-Hochberg control; a random-intercept cross-lagged panel model examined within-person lagged associations, which inform rather than establish the ordering of the modeled associations; and the 12-school highest level was examined with leave-one-school-out refits, a wild cluster bootstrap, prior sensitivity analyses, a school fixed-effects model, and a calibrated Monte Carlo simulation. Intrinsic (β = −0.41) and extraneous (β = −0.49) cognitive load were negatively and germane cognitive load (β = 0.45) positively associated with writing ability (Holm-adjusted p < .001), and schema construction, imagery processing, and emotional resonance carried statistical indirect associations totaling 0.587 (76.2% of the total association). The interaction of teaching method with cognitive load ( γ = 0.47, Holm-adjusted p = .011) was retained under all small-cluster sensitivity analyses, whereas the interactions with grade and class environment were exploratory and the school-level variance component was imprecisely estimated, and writing ability followed a mildly decelerating quadratic trajectory ( π 2 = −0.17 points per wave², Holm-adjusted p < .001). With imputation, centering, model reselection, refitting, and BLUP computation confined to the training folds, prediction for new students in the sampled classes and schools reached R 2 = 0.847 and RMSE = 4.28, meeting the preset RMSE target, whereas three-band accuracy (80.3%) fell short of the preset 85% target, and prediction for unseen classes and schools reached R 2 = 0.768 and 0.656. The findings characterize the multilevel associations between classical poetry learning and writing development and support instructional recommendations restricted to the confirmatory results.
Parental education is one of the most visible predictors of children's socio-emotional and academic trajectories, though its influence on their school adjustment and mathematical reasoning is rarely examined together. This review is intended to synthesize theoretical and empirical literature about how parental education level influences adaptation of children at school and their mathematical thinking. There are several pathways through which parental education influences their children's academic behaviour, home environment stimulation for mathematical tasks, and educational expectations. Literature evidence shows that higher parental education is associated with richer home numeracy and literacy environments. More homework involvement, and smooth behavioural and emotional adjustment to school are also positively correlated to higher parental education, whereas lower parental education is associated with socioeconomic disadvantage and lack of access to resources for their children both at home and school. The review is particularly focussed in Indian context covering the National Education Policy 2020 and its emphasis on foundational literacy and numeracy, implications of parental involvement , teacher practices, and policy interventions.
This action research study examined the relationship between social–emotional learning (SEL) and early mathematical achievement among transitional kindergarten and kindergarten students in a large urban Title I elementary school. National organizations emphasize that high-quality mathematics instruction for young children must consider cognitive, linguistic, physical, and social–emotional development. Guided by this framework, the study investigated whether systematic SEL instruction using the district adopted Second Step curriculum would increase students’ SEL competencies and support growth in foundational math skills measured by the Eureka Math Module 4 assessment. Using a pre- and post-test design, data were collected from eight students who received structured SEL and mathematics instruction over one semester. Results indicated consistent improvement in students’ SEL competencies, including executive functioning skills, alongside significant gains in mathematical performance. These findings align with prior research suggesting that SEL supports school readiness, adaptive learning behaviors, and academic achievement.
Understanding dynamic electricity is important because students often experience difficulties in understanding the relationships among electric current, voltage, and resistance in series and parallel circuits. This study aimed to analyze changes in students’ conceptual understanding before and after learning with the Physics Education Technology (PhET) virtual laboratory supported by student worksheets (LKPD), test the statistical significance of these changes, and determine the magnitude of improvement. The study employed a quantitative approach using a one-group pretest-posttest design without a comparison group. The participants were 20 eighth-grade students at MTs Alkhairaat Biromaru. Data were collected through conceptual understanding tests administered before and after instruction and an observation checklist assessing implementation. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, a paired-samples t-test, and N-Gain. The results showed that the mean score increased from 43.75 to 53.75, with a statistically significant difference (t(19) = −5.210; p < 0.001). Cohen’s dz was 1.17, indicating a large effect size, whereas the N-Gain of 0.18 was categorized as low. All instructional stages were implemented as planned. Thus, students’ scores increased following the intervention; however, the effectiveness of PhET supported by LKPD cannot be conclusively established without a comparison group. Future research should include a comparison group and a longer instructional period. ABSTRAK Pemahaman konsep listrik dinamis penting dikembangkan karena peserta didik sering mengalami kesulitan memahami hubungan antara arus, tegangan, dan hambatan dalam rangkaian seri maupun paralel. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis perubahan pemahaman konsep peserta didik sebelum dan sesudah pembelajaran menggunakan laboratorium virtual Physics Education Technology (PhET) berbantuan Lembar Kerja Peserta Didik (LKPD), menguji signifikansi perubahannya, serta menentukan besarnya peningkatan. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan desain one-group pretest-posttest tanpa kelas pembanding. Subjek penelitian terdiri atas 20 peserta didik kelas VIII MTs Alkhairaat Biromaru. Data dikumpulkan melalui tes pemahaman konsep sebelum dan sesudah pembelajaran serta lembar observasi keterlaksanaan kegiatan. Data dianalisis menggunakan statistik deskriptif, uji-t berpasangan, dan N-Gain. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa rata-rata skor meningkat dari 43,75 menjadi 53,75, dengan perbedaan yang signifikan secara statistik (t19 = −5,210; p < 0,001). Ukuran efek Cohen’s dz sebesar 1,17 termasuk kategori besar, sedangkan N-Gain sebesar 0,18 termasuk kategori rendah. Seluruh tahapan pembelajaran terlaksana sesuai rencana. Dengan demikian, terdapat peningkatan skor setelah pembelajaran, tetapi efektivitas PhET berbantuan LKPD belum dapat dipastikan tanpa kelas pembanding. Penelitian selanjutnya disarankan melibatkan kelas pembanding dan durasi pembelajaran yang lebih panjang.
This action research study examined the impact of interactive math games on engagement and achievement in a second-grade classroom at an urban Title I elementary school. Fourteen students participated in a six-week multiplication unit that integrated weekly math games alongside standard instruction. Data sources included pre- and post-tests, interest surveys, and understanding surveys. Results showed very high student engagement, moderate gains in conceptual understanding, and a positive trend in achievement scores, with most students demonstrating growth. Results suggest that game-based learning can support mathematical practices and may help address achievement gaps for students of color when thoughtfully implemented.
Background: Strategic vocabulary acquisition is a significant factor in the development of reading comprehension during secondary education, as it facilitates meaning construction, access to academic vocabulary, and the effective interpretation of increasingly complex texts. Objective: To determine the relationship between vocabulary acquisition strategies and reading comprehension among first-year secondary school students at an educational institution in Lima, Peru. Methodology: A quantitative approach was employed using a non-experimental, correlational, and cross-sectional design to analyze the relationship between vocabulary acquisition strategies and reading comprehension in secondary school students. The sample consisted of 50 students. Results: Vocabulary acquisition strategies were the dimension most closely associated with reading comprehension (ρ = .693; p < .001), surpassing the relationship observed for overall vocabulary development (ρ = .630; p < .001). Furthermore, vocabulary mastery and functional vocabulary use showed moderate positive correlations (ρ = .401; p = .004), demonstrating the contribution of various lexical dimensions to reading comprehension performance. Conclusion: Vocabulary acquisition strategies play a significant role in reading comprehension; therefore, strengthening these strategies in secondary education represents a relevant pedagogical approach to fostering meaning construction and the development of reading competencies.
This study aims to analyze the alignment of the attained curriculum in Japanese elementary school arithmetic and junior high school mathematics, based on the results of the National Assessment of Academic Ability. To achieve this, data from the assessment were used to compare mean correct response rates across groups defined by the degree of implementation of each instructional practice, using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). These rates were considered both overall and by specific domains and evaluative perspectives. The analysis of alignment revealed several instructional practices that showed tendencies of alignment with attained learning outcomes. In elementary school arithmetic, alignment was observed in practices that encouraged students to write notes in ways that made the processes of problem solving and reasoning visible. In junior high school mathematics, alignment was evident in lessons that emphasized connections between mathematical concepts and real-life phenomena, as well as in instructional approaches that ensured students understood the rationale behind formulas and rules. These findings suggest that instructional practices explicitly fostering students’ comprehension of problem-solving processes, contextual relevance, and conceptual justification tend to show greater alignment with attained learning outcomes. However, as this study did not control for confounding variables, the observed associations should be interpreted as exploratory rather than causal. The study contributes to curriculum research by identifying associations between specific pedagogical practices and attained learning outcomes, thereby offering insights into effective instructional design in mathematics education.
Proving is a fundamental skill that pre-service mathematics teachers are expected to develop and to support in their future students. This study aimed to examine the proving processes of pre-service middle school mathematics teachers. To this end, a total of 30 participants were selected through maximum variation sampling from among pre-service teachers who had just been admitted to a middle school mathematics teacher education program and pre-service mathematics teachers at all year levels of the program, with six participants from each level, and the data of this qualitative study were collected through clinical interviews. The data were collected in the context of the concepts of function and number. According to the results of the study, participants at the higher year levels generally showed greater success in constructing the formal-rhetorical part of a proof and in solving its problem-centered part, indicating a cross-year pattern rather than individual longitudinal change. It was also concluded that even when participants in the upper years possessed knowledge of proof methods, either their lack of sufficient conceptual knowledge to solve the problem-centered part or their deficiencies in the use of mathematical language hindered the proving process. Furthermore, it was observed that the participants were unable to use the full range of proof methods; whereas proof by counterexample showed the highest success in the proving process at every level, participants experienced difficulties in the direct proof and proof by contraposition processes. The findings suggest that the formal-rhetorical and problem-centered parts of proof should be addressed explicitly and systematically across all year levels of mathematics teacher education programs.
The article examines the impact of information and communication technologies (ICT) on the development of mathematical abilities and geometric concepts in preschool children. The object of the research is the process of developing mathematical abilities and geometric concepts in older preschool children. The aim of the article is to identify the pedagogical potential of ICT and evaluate its effectiveness in developing these abilities. The research methods include the analysis of scientific and methodological literature, pedagogical observation, game-based learning, pedagogical experimentation, and comparative analysis of the results. Multimedia presentations, interactive games, and electronic educational resources were used during the experimental activities. The methodologies of ICT-mediated learning and game-based learning were applied. The research outcomes indicate that the purposeful use of ICT contributes to the development of children's abilities to recognize, name, compare, and classify geometric shapes. It also promotes children's cognitive engagement, logical and spatial thinking, attention, and memory. The experimental results further revealed increased children's engagement and learning motivation. The conclusion of the study is that the pedagogically justified integration of information and communication technologies into game-based learning is an effective means of developing mathematical abilities and geometric concepts in preschool children, facilitating a more visual, interactive, and child-centered learning process.
Mathematics achievement remains a major concern in Ghanaian senior high schools despite the increasing emphasis on effective classroom assessment and instructional quality. This study examined the relationship between formative assessment practices and perceived students’ mathematical achievement, while investigating the mediating role of cognitive activation-oriented instruction. The study adopted a positivist paradigm with a quantitative cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected from 320 Senior High School students selected through a multistage sampling procedure from two public senior high schools in Ghana. A structured questionnaire measured formative assessment practices, cognitive activation-oriented instruction, and perceived students’ mathematical achievement. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23 and AMOS version 23. Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modelling were employed to test the measurement and structural models. The findings revealed that formative assessment practices significantly predicted perceived students’ mathematical achievement and were positively associated with cognitive activation-oriented instruction. Cognitive activation-oriented instruction was also positively associated with perceived students’ mathematical achievement and statistically mediated the relationship between formative assessment practices and perceived students’ mathematical achievement. The findings suggest that formative assessment practices and cognitive activation-oriented instruction are positively associated with students’ perceptions of their mathematical achievement.
