Active learning management for enhancing 5th graders’ reading literacy: A confirmatory factor analysis approach

The current study explored the effective pedagogical factors that distinguish high-achieving from low-achieving ESL (English as a second language) primary school learners in reading literacy in Canada. In total, 203 samples (167 high-achieving learners and 36 low-achieving learners from 128 primary schools) in the 4th grade were drawn from the public database of Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2016, which is the benchmark for large-scale assessments of reading literacy targeting fourth-grade students. For the first time in the ESL-related research, this study applied an artificial intelligence approach, support vector machine (SVM), to concurrently analyze 41 pedagogical factors associated with reading materials, classroom organization, reading strategies, in-class reading activities and post-reading activities. The overall 41 factors collectively distinguished the high-achieving readers from the low-achieving readers with a high accuracy score (0.793) via SVM. Then, these 41 factors were ranked according to their contribution to the SVM model through SVM-based recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE). Eventually, an optimal factor set was selected by the SVM-RFE cross validation, which contained 10 effective pedagogical factors centered on reading materials, reading strategies and in-class reading activities for fourth-grade high-achieving ESL learners in reading literacy. Suggestions based on solid data analysis would facilitate infrastructural and pedagogical improvements in ESL reading education.

This study aims to describe: 1) innovative, ideal, and fun classroom management plans to improve students' reading literacy in class IIB at MIN 2 Ambon, 2) The teacher's role in classroom management is innovative, ideal, and fun to improve students' reading literacy in class. IIB at MIN 2 Ambon, the role of the principal in supervising the management of innovative, ideal, and fun classrooms to improve students' reading literacy in class IIB at MIN 2 Ambon, and 4) supporting and inhibiting factors for innovative, ideal, and fun classroom management to improve reading literacy of students in class IIB at MIN 2 Ambon. This type of research is a qualitative research with a phenomenological research design. Data collection techniques using interviews, observation, and documentation. The results showed that in MIN 2 Ambon, innovative, ideal, and fun classroom management had been carried out well to improve students' reading literacy in class IIB at MIN 2 Ambon. Classroom management planning is carried out by arranging facilities, teaching management and student arrangements. The teacher's role in learning is to be a class manager or teaching manager, the teacher also acts as a facilitator, motivator, demonstrator, mediator, and evaluator. The principal's role is to monitor teacher performance continuously in literacy activities and programs in schools. The supporting factors and inhibiting factors for classroom management are the physical environment, social emotional condition and organization at the MIN 2 Ambon school

This study aims to systematically examine the integration of the Reading Workshop model and the Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) approach in enhancing reading literacy among elementary school students. Utilizing the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method, this research analyzed seven peer-reviewed articles published between 2019 and 2024 that focused on the development of reading literacy in primary education settings. The findings reveal that the Reading Workshop model, when combined with SRL strategies, significantly improves students' reading comprehension, autonomy, and motivation to read. This integrative approach supports students in setting reading goals, monitoring their comprehension, and reflecting on their reading practices. Additionally, the literature indicates that the incorporation of digital media, culturally responsive materials, and differentiated instruction further enhances literacy outcomes. Particularly, strategies such as Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) enable teachers to tailor reading instruction to students’ actual reading levels, addressing diverse learning needs. In the context of the Merdeka Curriculum in Indonesia, which promotes personalized and inclusive education, the application of SRL-based Reading Workshop becomes highly relevant. Moreover, embedding local cultural values within reading materials fosters a deeper emotional connection and cultural awareness among students, enriching their overall literacy experience. The review concludes that an integrative literacy instruction model combining Reading Workshop and SRL, enriched by digital tools and contextualized content, is effective in addressing the challenges of reading literacy in elementary education. Future studies are encouraged to develop and empirically test instructional designs that operationalize this integration in classroom settings.

The results of the Computer Based National Assessment (ANBK) indicate that students continue to experience difficulties in reading literacy, underscoring the need for more interactive digital-based learning media innovations. This study aims to develop open-source website literacy to enhance students' reading literacy, focusing on criteria such as feasibility, practicality, and effectiveness. The research method uses the ADDIE development model. The subjects in this study were divided into 2 two groups in the feasibility test and the practicality test. Data were collected through various methods, including both non-test and test-based approaches, using questionnaires and multiple-choice questions. The feasibility test was conducted using the BSNP instrument, the practicality test was assessed with the User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ), and the effectiveness test was evaluated through a one-group pretest-posttest design. The results showed that open-source website literacy had a feasibility test with an average score of 3.82 (feasible category). The practicality test by teachers obtained a score of 2.46 (very practical), while students gave a score of 1.75 (practical). The effectiveness test, using the SPSS 26 t-test, yielded significant results. (2-tailed) = 0.000 < 0.05, indicating a statistically significant increase in students' reading literacy scores from pretest to posttest. The study's conclusion demonstrates that open-source website literacy is a feasible, practical, and effective approach to improving the reading literacy of fifth-grade elementary school students. The implications of this study confirm that integrating technology into literacy learning can increase student engagement and provide a more engaging learning experience.

Reading literacy is not only central to students' academic success during their school years but also crucial to their personal development in their later life. The development of assessment instruments for reading literacy has been of interest to researchers, educators and educational administrators. The purpose of the present study was to construct and validate a comparable item bank for assessing fourth-grade students' reading literacy. One hundred fifteen reading comprehension items were developed and administered to 2,174 Grade 4 students to construct an item bank. Using the test equating technique and balanced incomplete block design, we divided participants into 10 subgroups, and the 115 items were further assigned into 10 test forms. Item response theory software was used to estimate discrimination, items' threshold parameters, and students' ability parameters. The criterion-related validity was also examined in 135 Grade 4 students who completed the reading literacy test and verbal self-description questionnaire. The final item bank included 99 reading performance indicators to express high achievement. The correlation between the students' reading literacy and the verbal self-description questionnaire was significant and demonstrated the item bank's good criterion-related validity. The item bank developed in this study shows good psychometric characteristics and can be used to assess the reading literacy of fourth graders.

This research investigates students' perspectives on utilizing video transcripts from YouTube videos to enhance student learning, particularly in Reading Literacy. This research used an experimental design with a quantitative approach. The research involved 30 eighth-grade students from junior high schools in Surabaya and Sidoarjo who experienced reading difficulties. The research aimed to explore whether using films with transcribed text on YouTube, known as transcribed video, can improve the reading literacy of grade eight students. The findings from this study showed a significant level of student interest in utilizing transcripts when viewing YouTube videos. As a result, their reading comprehension was also affected by this study. After watching the videos, the students also checked the text transcriptions available on their devices. This research shows that video transcripts are utilized in educational settings and general reading practice outside the traditional classroom environment

Reading literacy is a fundamental skill for primary school students; however, in practice, students’ reading abilities have not yet developed optimally. At SDN Wotangare 2, there are still students who experience difficulties in reading fluently, have low reading comprehension, and show inconsistent reading interest. This study aims to describe teachers’ strategies in improving students’ reading literacy at SDN Wotangare 2. The research employed a qualitative approach with a case study design. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation, while data analysis was conducted through data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The results indicate that teachers’ strategies for improving reading literacy include daily reading habituation, shared reading and guided reading activities, the integration of literacy into thematic learning, and the use of simple and contextual reading materials. These strategies have a positive impact on increasing students’ reading interest, self-confidence, reading comprehension, and learning engagement. The implications of this study suggest that improving reading literacy requires consistent strategies, a supportive learning environment, and sustained active involvement of both teachers and students.

This study aims to develop an assessment instrument for Arabic writing skills as a second language using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The instrument was developed based on the Oriondo and Antonio model, with a sample of 248 students who completed a writing test. Data were analyzed using R-Studio software for EFA, CFA, and descriptive statistics. The EFA results revealed one main factor, with eigenvalues and factor loadings above 0.6, indicating a consistent factor structure. In CFA, the four dimensions of writing skills Ideas and Content, Structure and Organization, Style and Rhetoric, and Language and Grammar demonstrated strong factor loadings and good model fit, confirming the robustness of the instrument. The instrument also showed high internal consistency and strong construct validity. This instrument can be practically used by educators and language program administrators to evaluate and enhance students’ writing proficiency in Arabic as a second language. This study produces a valid and reliable instrument for assessing Arabic writing skills as a second language in higher education.

Convergent, discriminant and concurrent validities of measures of the behavioural approach and behavioural inhibition systems: confirmatory factor analytic approach

Background and Aim: This study aims to explore the effectiveness of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) and active learning activities in enhancing English reading comprehension among Prathomsuksa 6 students at Ban Nasee School. Given the challenges students face in reading comprehension, it is essential to develop effective teaching methods to enhance their skills. The researcher is interested in examining whether CLT and active learning activities can enhance students' reading abilities and what students' attitudes are toward these approaches. This study will compare students' reading comprehension abilities before and after teaching English reading using CLT and active learning activities. Additionally, it will assess students' attitudes toward the learning process. Materials and Methods: This study employed a one-group pretest-posttest design to evaluate the effectiveness of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) and active learning activities in enhancing English reading comprehension among Prathomsuksa 6 students at Ban Nasee School. A total of 13 students were selected through cluster random sampling, and the study followed a one-group pretest-posttest design over 12 weeks. Thirteen students participated in 12 weeks of instruction, with two hours of class per week. The instruments used included 12 lesson plans, an English reading comprehension test, and an attitude questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (means, percentages, standard deviations) and inferential statistics (one-sample t-tests, dependent samples t-tests) to assess changes in reading comprehension and student attitudes. The findings provide insights into the potential of CLT and active learning to improve student engagement and reading comprehension in English. Results: The results of this study revealed a significant improvement in students' English reading comprehension after the implementation of CLT and active learning activities. The pretest mean score increased from 11.61 (29.05%) to 32.30 (80.77%) in the posttest, exceeding the criterion of 70%. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in scores, indicating that the teaching methods effectively enhanced reading comprehension. Additionally, students demonstrated a positive attitude toward the use of CLT and active learning, reflecting high levels of engagement and satisfaction with the learning process. These results suggest the effectiveness of CLT and active learning strategies in improving reading comprehension skills. Conclusion: The implementation of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) and active learning activities significantly improved English reading comprehension among Prathomsuksa 6 students. The results highlight both increased reading proficiency and positive student attitudes, demonstrating the effectiveness of these teaching methods.

The South African 2006 and 2011 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) findings continue to highlight major concerns about the quality of reading literacy teaching in primary schools. Of specific concern is the lack of representation of the sampled South African learners at the PIRLS international benchmarks, revealing a distinct lack of their development of thinking and reasoning abilities for reading comprehension. To shed light on potential reasons for learners’ reading comprehension difficulties, this article presents selected findings on teachers’ reading comprehension development practices emanating from the investigation of one KwaZulu-Natal and five Gauteng province case study schools from the national South African PIRLS 2006 Grade 4 sample. These cases represented a range of educational contexts across the South African PIRLS 2006 performance continuum and were sampled according to class average achievement aligned to the PIRLS international benchmarks and further South African benchmarks lower on the achievement scale. The findings juxtaposing teaching practices for reading comprehension development from case study schools with achievement profiles at the PIRLS international benchmarks against those of case study schools with less than optimal achievement at benchmarks lower on the achievement scale speak to key teaching and learning areas, which still need attention in terms of curriculum policy and teachers’ implementation thereof. Keywords : classroom practices, literacy, PIRLS, qualitative case studies, reading comprehension

The aim of this study was to develop and psychometrically test a shortened version of the Information Technology Attitude Scales for Health, in the investigation of nursing students with clinical placement experiences. Nurses and nursing students need to develop high levels of competency in information and communication technology. However, they encounter statistically significant barriers in the use of the technology. Although some instruments have been developed to measure factors that influence nurses' attitudes towards technology, the validity is questionable and few studies have been developed to test the attitudes of nursing students, in particular. A cross-sectional survey design was performed. The Information Technology Attitude Scales for Health was used to collect data from October 2012-December 2012. A panel of experts reviewed the content of the instrument and a pilot study was conducted. Following this, a total of 508 nursing students, who were engaged in clinical placements, were recruited from six universities in South Korea. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed and reliability and construct validity were assessed. The resulting instrument consisted of 19 items across four factors. Reliability of the four factors was acceptable and the validity was supported. The instrument was shown to be both valid and reliable for measuring nursing students' attitudes towards technology, thus aiding in the current understandings of this aspect. Through these measurements and understandings, nursing educators and students are able to be more reflexive of their attitudes and can thus seek to develop them positively.

All organisations is unique and thus practise different cultural values in the context of an organisation. Determination of values that constitute to the organisation is of challenging task. Therefore, this paper expounds the value-based culture that is related to the performance of the organisation based on the literature review and expert’s view. This study aimed at testing the psychometric properties of the questionnaire of value-based culture items of performance measurement based on the value-based total performance excellence model. 400 questionnaires were distributed to the selected Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) i.e, the public university of Malaysia. The data collected was analysed using predictive analytics software and analysis of moment structures software, both version 18. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique i.e., the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) approach was employed to test the 6-factor hypothesized model of the value-based cultures which consisted values of citizenship, consultation, caring, trust, respect and quality. The result suggested that 2 core values i.e., consultation and trust that dominantly explained the university’s culture in the selected university from the proposed of 6 core values in the hypothesized model. The findings also paved the way forward for empowering value-based cultures especially at the IHL. However, future research should be conducted to reaffirm this model to represent the values embraced by the universities in Malaysia.

This study investigated whether an English reading course integrated with the problem-based learning approach could foster foreign language learners’ reading comprehension ability, strategy use, and their active learning attitudes. The pedagogy was featured with the small group scaffolding. Two intact English classes in a Taiwanese university were randomly assigned to the experimental and control treatment conditions. The experimental group received problem-based learning instruction, whereas the control group did not. The reading comprehension pre- and post-tests and the English active learning questionnaire were employed to collect the data. The Independent Samples t test yielded a significant difference between the 2 groups in the total score of the reading comprehension post-test, indicating that the PBL approach significantly improved the participants’ reading comprehension ability, and the PBL participants’ strategy use for identifying the subject matter and supportive details was better than that of their counterparts. The t-test results of the questionnaire showed that the PBL participants exhibited a significantly higher degree of active English learning attitude than the non-PBL participants in terms of motivation intensity and desire to learn English. There was a significantly positive correlation between reading comprehension ability and English learning attitude. Finally, instructional recommendations are presented.

IntroductionTransition ratings (TRs) are single item measures which ask patients to report on their health change. They allow for a simple assessment of improvement or deterioration and are frequently used as an “anchor” to determine interpretation thresholds on a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM). Despite their widespread use, a routinely applicable method to assess their reliability is lacking. This paper introduces a method to estimate the reliability of TRs based on confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for categorical data. MethodWe modelled longitudinal PROM data as independent factors representing Time 1 and Time 2 in a CFA model. PROM items taken at Time 1 (T1) loaded on the first factor, although the same items taken at Time 2 (T2) loaded on the second. The TR item loaded onto both T1 and T2 factors. Three models with various constraints on the loadings and thresholds were examined. The communality (R2) statistic was used as a measure of the TR reliability. The approach was evaluated using simulated data and exemplified in four empirical datasets. ResultsThe simplest CFA model without constraints on the item loadings and thresholds performed equivalently to models with constraints on loadings and thresholds over time. Further constraints on the TR item loadings to be equal and opposite over time caused biased TR reliability estimates if the T1 and T2 loadings differed in magnitude. In the four empirical datasets, reliability of TRs ranged from 0.27 to 0.48. In three examples the TR had numerically stronger loading on T2 than on T1. Discussion and conclusionsResults support the use of the proposed method in understanding the reliability of TRs. Empirical study results reflect the typical range of reliability that has previously been reported for single items. Methodological considerations to improve TR reliability are presented, and developments of this method, are posited.