Collaborative Problem Solving Research Articles

Undergraduate Translation Courses: Students' Perceptions at Prince Sattam Universities

The primary goal of this research was to investigate students' perceptions of translation classes in the English language department at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University. The obtained data underwent fundamental analysis to determine students' concerns and identify components needing alteration to align with their learning objectives. According to the study, students developed an intellectual inclination, focused on recent discoveries, and were motivated to learn more about translation. They comprehended the course's learning objectives, believed it enhanced their professional development, and found it to meet their expectations. Students gained knowledge of translation concerns and key concepts, along with proficiency in translation processes and problem-solving techniques. According to students, the course was thorough, with an appropriate workload, fair evaluation, clear test requirements, and valuable feedback. They appreciated open communication, interaction with tutors, and collaborative problem-solving in translation challenges. The study suggests investigating students' impressions of web-based distance learning courses and how these attitudes evolve during translation courses. Recommendations include faculty training and incentives to participate. This training would assist instructors in becoming more familiar with the material and building effective teaching strategies. It would also guide academics in applying their own research and/or clinical practice, serving as a model for students' reflective practice. It is recommended that students hear from graduates currently applying this knowledge. Finally, future research may focus on translation programs at other universities in Saudi Arabia.

Promoting health literacy in school: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Health literacy is the capacity of an individual to locate, read, comprehend, and internalize health-related information in their environment. This study aims to: (1) identify the design of health literacy learning in Biology subjects at the high school level, (2) map out learning designs that can affect students' health literacy in Biology subjects at the high school level, (3) analyzing the design learning can affect students' health literacy in Biology subjects at the high school level. The chosen research methodology involves a systematic literature review of articles released between 2011 and 2021. This comprehensive analysis encompasses 20 articles and adheres to the established PRISMA guidelines. The data analysis technique uses thematic analysis, which includes methods to identify, analyze, and report themes in the data. The results of the distribution visualization show that the research topics are grouped into four clusters: PBL, media, school policies, and curriculum. The results of the research topic test were based on the highest Cohens'd criteria, namely PBL topics, curriculum, school policies, and media. The PBL variable with the media, school policy with the media, and school policy with the curriculum have the most vital relationships in the correlation test between concerns. We can use educational techniques like PBL and practical, theoretical tasks to improve health literacy. Due to its student-centered design, which encouraged collaborative problem-solving by utilizing knowledge and information from many sources, the learning model received higher results.

‘Guys, guys, guys, do you think this is important?’: a case study of successful remote collaborative problem-solving in two primary schools using multitouch technology

ABSTRACT This study explores the interactions of two groups of three pupils, based on primary schools two hundred miles apart in the United Kingdom, working on the same history problem. Using information on a multi-touch table and communicating via a video link, the groups worked together to solve the problem by reading, evaluating and sharing clues using a flick gesture to construct a shared explanation within a history-based activity. Audio and visual data were recorded in both schools capturing the dialogue, gestures and interactions by both groups. Findings suggest that pupils shared their ideas intra-group by resizing clues on the screen; they also shared ideas inter-group by flicking clues between the schools. The intra- and inter-group talk was analysed to explore the construction of knowledge within and between the groups. The affordances and constraints of the multi-touch table and flick gesture both scaffolded and shaped the construction of knowledge. Building on Hakkarainen’s trialogical approach to learning, we suggest a ‘quadralogical’ approach that builds on the existing model and highlights the potential for remote collaboration between geographically distanced classrooms.

Development of Lighting System Simulator Student Worksheet to Improve CPS Skills of Vocational Students

This research aims to develop and test the feasibility of the student worksheet lighting system to improve collaborative problem solving (CPS) skills of vocational students. This research method used research and development with the 4D model consists of stages, namely Define, Design, Develop, and Disseminate. The developmental research was conducted at class XI Vocational High School Muhammadiyah 1 Bambanglipuro, with teachers and students as the research subjects. Techniques in collecting data in this study used interviews, questionnaires, and documentation. This research instrument used consists of interview sheets, validation sheets for material experts and media experts, and student response questionnaires. Data analysis techniques use quantitative descriptive. The results of this research and development obtained student worksheet lighting system products that can improve CPS skills. The final results of the feasibility of the student worksheet information system show the following numbers: 90% by material experts, 83% by media experts so that they are included in the "Very Feasible" category. The results of student responses in trials and usage trials get a figure of 86% in product trials and 87% in usage trials, so it is included in the "Very Feasible" category. Based on these results, the student worksheet lighting system developed can be said to be suitable for use as teaching materials in schools.

ENHANCING L2 LEARNERS' WRITING: IMPACT OF PRODUCT AND PROCESS APPROACHES

This study investigated the effects of two approaches to teaching writing (product and process) on the development of writing skills of Moroccan EFL high-school students. Two intact classes of 86 third-year high-school students participated in the present study. A pre-test was administered to all participants to measure their writing competence in expository essay writing. Each group was then subjected to a specific treatment. The experimental group was instructed to use a process-based syllabus, while the control group followed the original product-based syllabus. In the process-oriented syllabus, students were guided through various stages of the writing process via activities like brainstorming, collaborative problem-solving, free writing, multiple drafting, structured peer feedback, and teacher-student conferences. Conversely, the product-oriented syllabus focused on teaching writing through model analysis, writing exercises, and structured feedback sessions with teachers. Following the instructional period, participants underwent a post-test to assess the impact of each approach on their writing proficiency. Statistical analyses, including Paired Samples T-test and Independent Samples T-test, demonstrated that both approaches led to improvements in students' writing performance, with the process-based approach being more effective. Participant feedback on the questionnaire also supported these findings. The study concludes by outlining implications for the teaching of writing in second language (L2) contexts.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/lit/0757/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

초ㆍ중등 미디어 리터러시 교육을 위한 프레임워크 연구

This study aims to develop a framework for teaching media literacy in elementary, secondary, and high schools by considering the rapidly changing characteristics of learners’ mediaenvironments and various related fields of this subject. The research method includes literature research, expert advice, and researcher meetings. We conducted literature research to revealthe sub-elements constituting media literacy and the hierarchically constructed relationships between these elements. Furthermore, the review opinions of 11 expert advisors from the media communication and subject education domains were collected and analyzed. A two-dimensional expansion structure with vertical and horizontal axes is characteristic of the framework developed in this study. Moreover, the media literacy framework’s content areas are divided into “consuming”, “prosuming”, and “being”. For each area, detailed core competencies organized into functional and critical literacy were established. The consuming area includes “functional consumption → analysis → evaluation”; the prosuming area consists of “functional expression → diffusion/sharing → participatory creation”; and the being area includes “self-regulation and safety → digital self-building → digital rights understanding and reflection → collaborative problem solving”. The media literacy framework developed in this study can be used to organize a media literacy curriculum. Particularly, the results are expected to be useful in systematically designing and implementing media literacy education in schools as media-related educational content is significantly expanded in the national curriculum, which was revised in 2022, and related educational content is ubiquitous in all subjects and grades.

국내 초⋅중등 수학교육에서 협력학습 연구에 관한 체계적 문헌 고찰

This study aims to conduct a systematic literature review on collaborative learning research in elementary and secondary mathematics education in Korea, explore various characteristics related to the research, and discuss areas for improvement. To achieve this, this study presents a protocol for analyzing research in mathematics education with a focus on collaboration and cooperation, following a systematic literature review methodology. Then analyze the selected studies based on the themes derived from the protocol. As a result of the systematic literature review, research characteristics on collaborative learning were categorized into eight main themes: keywords, small group composition methods, sampling methods, sample size, analysis methods, analytical frameworks, domains of educational goal, and collaborative mathematical competencies in collaborative learning. The research findings revealed several key points: First, many studies conducted at the various school grades and methodologies, help to understand various classroom environments that implement collaborative learning. Second, it was found that the researcher's subjective characteristics were largely reflected in the selection of the sample extraction method and sample size. Third, as the cognitive domain of collaborative learning mainly presents changes as results through pre- and post-academic achievement, in relation to mathematics subject competency, there have been many studies that have derived results in relation to collaborative mathematical problem solving.

Improving participation equity in dialogic collaborative problem solving: A participatory visual learning analytical approach

AbstractBackgroundThe existing research on dialogue‐based learning and teaching predominantly highlights its capacity to yield productive educational outcomes, yet it often overlooks the pivotal factor of participation equity, which is fundamental to ensuring the efficacy of dialogic teaching and learning.ObjectivesIn this study, participation equity refers to a condition in which participation itself and opportunities to participate are fairly distributed among participants and all participants are equally listened to and respected. We designed a technology‐enhanced participatory visual learning analytical approach to promote equitable participation in dialogic collaborative problem solving from four dimensions: participation (i.e., ensuring equal contributions from all participants), opportunity (i.e., promoting equal engagement with others), responsiveness (i.e., encouraging equal attentiveness and responsiveness to others' input), and respect (i.e., cultivating a respectful communication style).MethodsThe intervention class of fourth‐grade students (n = 59) interacted with a participatory visual learning analytical tool to reflect on their participation equity and learn productive peer talk moves to address equity issues concerning the four dimensions, while a comparison class (n = 59) only received simple feedback on participation and respect.ResultsThe results indicated that equal participation rates among group members were insufficient to secure participation equity. The intervention was effective in helping students realize and address equity‐related issues. Intervention students were more equitable regarding responsiveness and participation opportunity than the comparison students.ConclusionsThe proposed multidimensional participation equity framework has the potential to deepen the understanding of equity and promote equitable learning interactions.

Development of Electronic Modules Based on Collaborative Problem Solving on Buffer Solution Materials

The aim of developing an electronic module based on Collaborative Problem Solving is to determine the characteristics and quality of an e-module based on Collaborative Problem Solving on buffer solution material. This research is motivated by the lack of learning processes that utilize e-learning; one e-learning application is electronic modules based on Collaborative Problem Solving. This development research design uses the 4-D model, namely Define, Design, Develop, and Disseminate. The type of data obtained is qualitative data, which contains interview results, comments, suggestions, or input regarding the development of electronic modules. In contrast, quantitative data is obtained using questionnaire scores, which include four categories, namely strongly agree, agree, disagree, and strongly disagree. The quality of electronic modules is assessed based on expert assessments, chemistry teacher assessments, and student assessments. The results of the expert assessment were 96%, the Quality Assessment by the Chemistry Teacher was 86.77%, and the Student Assessment was 81.94%, obtaining very high validity results, so it can be concluded that the development of electronic modules can be used in schools on buffer solution materials.

Collaborating with Families for Innovative School Mental Health

In this study, a comprehensive narrative literature review is presented, examining the cross-section between family engagement and student mental health. Guided by two research questions and grounded in resiliency theory, the overlapping spheres of influence framework, and the literature on protective factors and positive childhood experiences, this study unveiled five primary themes: emphasizing the importance of educators promoting supportive relationships at home, engaging families in building teacher–student connections, collaborating to establish routines and rituals, nurturing a sense of belonging at home and at school, and fostering collaborative problem solving and self-regulation. These themes are illuminated through practical vignettes. This study guides school-based mental health practitioners and educators and provides a roadmap for future research in family–school partnership for enhancing student well-being.

DISTANCE LEARNING METHODS FOR INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL STUDENTS

In response to contemporary challenges and the imperative to adapt medical education to a distance learning format, particularly for international students, there arises a pressing need to develop and implement effective teaching methodologies. This article is aimed at investigating and discussing modern approaches to distance learning tailored for medical students, especially those from abroad. The highlights recent literature sources exploring current teaching methods in distance education for international medical students and outlining the most promising strategies for ensuring high-quality medical education through online platforms. For this analysis, a variety of sources including scientific articles, pedagogical reports, and personal experiences in teaching medical disciplines such as general surgery, nursing practice in surgery, and patient care with a surgical focus in an online format were consulted. It is imperative to underscore that the success of distance education for medical professionals hinges not only on the utilization of technology but also on the cultivation of interactive medical communities. Collaborative problem-solving of clinical tasks and case discussions foster the development of professional identity. The analysis indicates that employing interactive virtual lectures, online simulation workshops, and virtual clinical cases enables medical students to acquire practical skills in real-time. Based on this analysis, it can be inferred that effective distance education for foreign medical practitioners demands a comprehensive approach. Interactive methodologies, teacher support, and the integration of virtual tools facilitate not only the assimilation of theoretical knowledge but also the development of practical skills essential for future medical professionals. The conclusions of this work can be used for the further development of distance medical education, ensuring the high quality of training of specialists in the field of medicine.

The effects of online simulation-based collaborative problem-solving on students’ problem-solving, communication and collaboration attitudes

AbstractDespite national curricula and instructional reforms calling for collaborative problem-solving skills (CPS), however, there is an absence of a theory-laden model showing how to effectively construct CPS for science learning. We therefore developed and validated a simulation-based CPS model that exploits its constructs, sequences, and causal relationships, and evaluating its effectiveness on students’ problem-solving. Over the span of a two-week physics science course, 57 ninth-grade students were recruited from two intact middle school classes to engage in this online simulation-based collaborative problem-solving (CPS) program. This program consisted of nine electrochemistry problem-solving lessons spread across four class sessions, each lasting 45 min. Results indicated that the simulation-based CPS model was validated and proven to contribute to effective problem-solving by linking PS solution proposing, peer communication, implementing PS solutions with simulation, and providing evidence-based explanations. The simulation-based CPS model successfully improved the performance of both high- and low-achieving students. With the support and presence of high-achievers, low-achievers’ collaboration attitude was boosted, which lead them to achieve similar learning success.

Exploring Collaborative Problem Solving in STEM Contexts for Middle School Students

In the 21st century, advances in science and technology require students to adapt. Classroom dynamics are still often dominated by passive learning methods, such as lectures, which result in a lack of student participation. PISA evaluation shows the low problems-solving abilities of Indonesian students. Therefore, the STEM approach emerged as a solution with a focus on essential 21st century skills, such as collaborative problem solving. The aim of the research is to investigate and analyze the collaborative problem solving process of junior high school students in solving STEM problems. The research method used is a case study with a qualitative approach. The research population included all students of SMP PGRI 13 Surabaya. Data collection techniques include observation, interviews, and questionnaires. Research instruments include questionnaires, observation sheets, and structured interviews. The research results show that collaborative learning in STEM context problem solving can help students develop problem solving skills. Students demonstrate good collaborative skills and their response to this learning is very positive. Evaluation of student learning outcomes also shows an increase, indicating the success of STEM-based learning methods in increasing student motivation. This research contributes to the understanding of the importance of learning approaches that integrate STEM with collaborative problem solving.

Online Problem-Based Learning (PBL) during COVID-19 Pandemic: Trial at the Libyan International Medical University

Background Online courses that utilize problem-based learning (PBL) are widely recognized as an effective educational method that blends self-directed learning with collaborative problem-solving. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the satisfaction of students from the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences (BMS) at Libyan International Medical University (LIMU) with an online PBL course during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020. Method This is a cross-sectional study performed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, involving a total of 293 students from four different classes of Faculty of BMS. Each online PBL session ran for 2 hours and was arranged independently for each year group. Students had access to a seven-closed-question questionnaire for a few hours after the end of the session. The questions were of three different categories. The first category was related to the online organization of the session, tutor control, and instructions provided in the applied Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment (Moodle). The second category involves questions related to online communication problems, the facility of the Google Hangouts application used, and the time allocated for the session. The third category was the cooperation of the PBL group. The student was asked to answer agree or disagree for each question. If the student did not choose one of the answers, his response was recorded as (no response). The scores of (agree), (disagree), or (no response) for each student were transferred to a Microsoft Office (2021) Excel file and were displayed as frequency and percentages. A two-way analysis of variance without replication was performed to analyze the differences in student responses across various groups using Excel statistics. The proportion test was utilized to determine whether the proportion of positive responses (agree) in any group significantly differed from a specified level of 0.75 (75%). The acceptable proportion of no response was set at 0.2 (20%). The significant level was set at p-value less than 0.05. Results For the first category, the highest level of student satisfaction (79.9%) was associated with Moodle instructions, followed by tutor control (79.5%), and online organization (72%). However, students in the third year of medicine demonstrated significantly lower satisfaction with online organizations compared with other groups (62.3%, p < 0.05). For the second category, all groups, except first-year medicine students, reported significantly low satisfaction with online access (58% p < 0.05). All groups expressed satisfaction with the time allotted for the session (74%) and the online Google Hangouts application used (71%), except for third-year medicine students, who exhibited a notable level of dissatisfaction with the use of online Google Hangouts application (7%, p < 0.05). Lastly, the third category focused on group cooperation and reflected an overall student satisfaction rate of 80%. Conclusion BMS students responded positively regarding their first online PBL session during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study displayed that the availability of online communication, the clarity of instructions, good session organization, and control are important factors that will determine the effectiveness of online PBL.

Exploring the effects of roles and group compositions on social and cognitive interaction structures in online collaborative problem-solving

Exploring the effects of roles and group compositions on social and cognitive interaction structures in online collaborative problem-solving

Developing Integrated STEM Teacher Identity Using Guided Curation of K-12 Engineering Activities

Abstract This qualitative study examines how guided curation develops practicing teachers’ task perception as a dimension of integrated STEM teacher identity. Task perception is defined as teachers’ beliefs about their roles and responsibilities as integrated STEM educators. Analysis of teachers’ (n = 22) guided curation assignments from a graduate STEM education course revealed how teachers perceived their roles and responsibilities as integrated STEM educators and potential challenges to integrating STEM. These beliefs included the importance of centering the engineering design process, encouraging collaborative problem solving, providing productive mistake-making opportunities, and connecting mathematics and engineering. Teacher educators’ adaptation of a freely available STEM lesson specification tool scaffolded the collection and analysis of curriculum resources. This adaptation was instrumental in developing task perception. Implications for building elementary teachers’ capacity to implement and sustain innovative integrated STEM instruction are offered.

Why death and aging ? All memories are imperfect

Recent papers have emphasized the primary role of cellular information management in biological and evolutionary development. In this framework, intelligent cells collectively measure environmental cues to improve informational validity to support natural cellular engineering as collaborative decision-making and problem-solving in confrontation with environmental stresses. These collective actions are crucially dependent on cell-based memories as acquired patterns of response to environmental stressors. Notably, in a cellular self-referential framework, all biological information is ambiguous. This conditional requirement imposes a previously unexplored derivative. All cellular memories are imperfect. From this atypical background, a novel theory of aging and death is proposed. Since cellular decision-making is memory-dependent and biology is a continuous natural learning system, the accumulation of previously acquired imperfect memories eventually overwhelms the flexibility cells require to react adroitly to contemporaneous stresses to support continued cellular homeorhetic balance. The result is a gradual breakdown of the critical ability to efficiently measure environmental information and effect cell-cell communication. This age-dependent accretion governs senescence, ultimately ending in death as an organism-wide failure of cellular networking. This approach to aging and death is compatible with all prior theories. Each earlier approach illuminates different pertinent cellular signatures of this ongoing, obliged, living process.

Promoting Students’ Conceptual Understanding through Directive Teacher Guidance and Non-directive Teaching Model in a Collaborative Problem Solving

This study examined and aimed to promote students’ level of conceptual understanding in problem-solving through Directive Teacher Guidance (DTG) and the Non-directive Teaching Model (NDTM).  The study employed sequential-explanatory mixed research using quasi-experimental switching replication treatment involving quantitative and qualitative data. Two groups of Grade 8 high school students were used as participants in the study. One group had 36 students, and the other had 38 students exposed to DTG and NDTM approaches. Quantitative data were obtained from the scores of students from the pretest, first posttest, and second posttest about the topics in Mathematics subject. Qualitative data were from the analysis of participants’ responses in problem-solving, focus group discussion, and classroom observation. The t-test for the dependent sample was utilized to determine the significant change in students’ level of conceptual understanding after the first and second implementation phases, while the t-test for the independent sample was used to find out the significant difference between the pretest and posttests between the two groups. Results showed that students’ conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills significantly improved after exposure to the two approaches. The two groups’ levels of conceptual understanding in switching replication treatment are found to have no significant difference. Moreover, participants preferred guided questions and guided directions and believed in the importance of attaining a conceptual understanding of the lesson. It is suggested to integrate DTG and NDTM as teaching strategies and conduct a study considering a longer span of implementation to determine the effectiveness of the two approaches.

Innovative Practices in Teachers’ and Students’ Trainings

The present work is dedicated to innovative educational practices, that are based on teaching and learning through the methods of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), combined with the use of various digital tools. These project activities are suitable for implementation in the learning process both in face-to-face and distance learning. They enable the development of communication and collaboration skills, critical thinking and problem solving, creativity and innovation, as well as the creation of digital content. The described practices and digital tools are used in the preparation of teachers in various qualification courses conducted by the Department for Qualification and Professional Development of Pedagogical Specialists at University of Plovdiv “Paisii Hilendarski”. They are used and implemented also in education of students in lower-secondary schools (5th – 7th grade). The teaching practices are based on the results of a three-year study of already trained Bulgarian teachers, who try them daily in the learning process and notice their positive impact on students. The article describes a realized STEM project, named “European countries”.

Impact of Problem-Based Learning on the Perception, Understanding, and Application of Statistical Concepts in Business Administration and Management Students

We investigate the impact of the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) approach supplemented by student-created videos on the teaching of Probability Calculation and Inference Statistics in Business Administration and Management Studies. To that aim, we analyse survey results gathered from a sample of students from the Business Administration and Management and Law-Business Administration and Management degrees at the University of Zaragoza who participated in the PBL experience, focusing on their perceptions, skill development, dynamics of collaboration, and communication with teachers and classmates. Additionally, a comparative study of their final grades is conducted, comparing them with that obtained by students who did not engage in PBL. Our findings reveal that PBL significantly enhances students’ understanding and motivation, along with their communication with teachers, particularly among repeating students, and teamwork skills, particularly among beginners. Furthermore, students participating in PBL activities tended to achieve significantly higher grades than their nonparticipating counterparts did. Moreover, our study contributes to the discourse on sustainable education by highlighting the potential of PBL as a pedagogical approach aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. By promoting active learning, collaborative problem solving, and communication skills, PBL fosters a culture of lifelong learning and empowers students to address real-world challenges in a sustainable manner. These findings have implications for educators, policymakers, and researchers seeking to promote sustainability in higher education through effective pedagogical practices.