These days, many schools are reviewing their curricula, and Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) education is one area where these changes are being applied. Because STEAM education integrates five subjects, it requires an approach in which teachers from these subjects work collaboratively. However, applying traditional assessment methods in STEAM education is challenging, as it requires teachers to jointly decide on appropriate assessment strategies. At present, no clear framework exists to support this process. This study examined the potential of the ordinal priority approach (OPA), a recently introduced method for multi-criteria decision-making, to facilitate teachers’ collaborative selection of assessment methods for STEAM education. It further explored the extent to which subject differences affect collaboration by comparing the decision-making of two groups: a homogeneous group (teachers of the same subject) and a heterogeneous group (teachers of different subjects). Pre- and post-questionnaires were administered to both groups to determine how the OPA can assist teachers in jointly developing a STEAM assessment method. Analyses of the responses identified differences in each group’s consensus-building process. The study revealed three key contributions of OPA to teacher collaboration in STEAM education: 1) it ensures that teachers from diverse subjects have their opinions considered; 2) its transparent decision-making process helps mitigate distrust during discussions; and 3) it promotes fair decision-making, unaffected by social power differences within the group. Based on these findings, OPA appears effective in converging diverse expert opinions through a clear decision-making process.

Within the context of investigating belief systems, this work exemplifies a mixed-method approach. Two approaches are utilized to explore the philosophical, ontological, and epistemological assumptions that university students foster regarding the relationships between knowledge and reality. In the first step, written materials that elaborated on the matter at hand were subjected to content analysis with the assistance of Leximancer, a software that recognizes themes and concepts and turns textual data into concept maps that express networks of meaning. The second step involved conducting a cluster analysis on the data obtained from the questionnaire to identify distinct groups of participants who shared consistent epistemological viewpoints. The results obtained from the two approaches are in agreement and shed light on the prevalent epistemic inclination that favors a constructivist viewpoint. Discussion on the ramifications of the findings, as well as the methodological issues that are pertinent to the present illustration, is provided.

Analysis of student grades and demographic data to understand the effects of modality and Covid-19 on academic performance is important for universities to understand the impact these factors may have on course grades. This study analyzes all the 615,964 complete undergraduate student-course records from Kennesaw State University (KSU) spanning from 2015 to 2024 to examine the impact of course modality and the Covid-19 pandemic on academic performance. The population dataset includes student demographics (e.g., sex, age, ethnicity), prior GPA, and course characteristics (e.g., department, modality). Descriptive statistics and trend analyses were employed to evaluate grade outcomes across in-person, online, and hybrid modalities over the 9-year period. Results indicate a temporary increase in mean course grades during the Covid-19 period, followed by a return to the pre-pandemic upward trend. Hybrid courses consistently exhibited the highest mean grades throughout the study period. However, consistent patterns across modalities, demographics, and academic units suggest that these factors have limited influence on grade outcomes. These findings raise questions about the reliability of GPA and course grades as indicators of learning success across different instructional contexts and student populations.

This study examines the transition challenges faced by students with learning disabilities (LD) from primary to secondary school, focusing on emotional, behavioral, and social aspects. Using a sample of 168 special education teachers, the study employs the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ-Hel) to assess emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, peer relationship difficulties, and prosocial behavior before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Statistical analyses, including t-tests and repeated measures ANOVA, reveal significant increases in emotional and behavioral challenges post-pandemic. Effect sizes (Cohen’s d) indicate moderate to strong impacts in key areas, with emotional symptoms (η² = .06) and hyperactivity/inattention (η² = .05) exhibiting notable changes. The findings highlight the necessity for targeted interventions, such as teacher training on emotional regulation strategies and structured transition programs. Implications for educators and policymakers include the implementation of inclusive practices and specialized transition support structures to mitigate these challenges and enhance the overall well-being of students with LD.

In recent decades, the work of teachers has been carried out in classrooms characterised by a high degree of diversity, necessitating the provision of pedagogical responses that promote the inclusion of students. This article is derived from the research, development and innovation (R+D+I) project 'Intergenerational Professional Development in Education Implications for the Professional Initiation of Teachers (DePrInED) and aims to analyse how teachers at compulsory education recognise, characterise and conceptualise the diversity and needs of students. A mixed methodological approach was employed, with information collected through focus groups and interviews with a total sample of 147 teachers from different educational levels (young, senior and retired). Thematic analysis, combined with a comparative analysis, was employed to analyse the data using ATLAS.ti software. The main categories analysed dealt with students' needs and their own diversity. The study's primary findings suggest that, in comparison to their retired counterparts, both young and veteran teachers make greater reference to the diversity and needs of students, and emphasise the scarcity of resources and support to effectively address the diversity of students in the classroom. Experienced teachers are found to make more frequent references to diversity and students' needs, while retired teachers make these references less often. This finding assumes particular significance in light of the paucity of studies that adopt a generational perspective to analyse how teachers perceive diversity.

The viva examination or ‘defence’ is a pivotal moment in a student’s or researcher’s career. It marks the conclusion of one stage and the beginning of another, whether during the study period or when competing for research funding. Unlike many other formal assessments, the viva is an oral performance. Its form may strongly depend on the domain of science or knowledge sector, on the university or even on faculty. The rituals of interaction between jurors and candidates may differ in many cultural contexts. Yet, the core elements of the defence are the debate, the use of evidence, and the justification for a statement or opinion delivered orally, are common to all. Accordingly, although a successful defence is about content, it is also about language and attitude. In academic education, there is insufficient preparation for this moment when one is in front of jurors, a commission, and even a wider audience. We draw on our combined experience in our own careers and in their coaching of students to present an analysis of the ‘viva’ process. Our findings may help candidates position themselves in the viva context and offer practical advice on how to prepare, define an attitude, and structure answers and responses in general.

<p style="text-align:justify">The main purpose of this study is to present the practice, opportunities, and challenges of fine art education activities in a prison setting. Prison is primarily a form of punishment, a place where prisoners are disempowered and excluded from the outside world. Art is, therefore, extremely useful as it empowers prisoners and brings them contentedness and relaxation. In this research, we present a case study of Hungary and Slovenia. Through meaningful fine art education support activities, we can impact the awareness of the personal situation of prisoners and empower them to cope with various emotional and social challenges. By systematically incorporating fine art concepts, diverse and user-friendly fine art techniques, and content that can engage users where emotional and social skills are identified, strengthened, and indirectly reinforced, it is easier and better to endure the daily challenges of the prison environment. The presented fine art activities in prisons show that it would be useful to think in the direction of systematic involvement of artist teachers or students of fine art education within practical training to create a stimulating environment that helps to strengthen the affective, psychomotor, and cognitive development of juvenile and adult prisoners.</p>

<p style="text-align:justify">This descriptive phenomenological study looks into the lived experiences of teacher education college students on what it is like to learn math online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the pandemic, online math learning may pose even more significant challenges. Hence, the researchers conducted the study to better understand and support the students in these challenging times. They interviewed 16 college student participants, who consented to participate in the study, to share their actual experiences - the challenges, struggles, and opportunities – in learning math online during the pandemic. The interview transcripts were analyzed following Colaizzi's method. Results revealed the following themes: (a) The hurdles: poor internet connection, unconducive learning space, difficulty in understanding the topics, financial problems, and health problems; (b) The upper hands: ease of access to varied resources, staying at home, and flexibility of the teaching and learning process; (c) The key takeaways: improved time management, self-discipline, resourcefulness, and growth mindset. The researchers recommend that the management of educational institutions consider the students' demographic data, financial level, available resources, and mental and emotional health while designing and implementing online programs. Further, future research may be conducted on the teachers' concerns that may influence students' online learning experiences with Math and other disciplines.</p>

<p style="text-align:justify">The iNaturalist application has been gaining traction in both biodiversity research and education. Increasingly more research is being carried out, looking into using the iNaturalist application in biology education, to promote biodiversity and educate students about this topic. We used the PRISMA systematic literature review method to examine research carried out using the iNaturalist application in biology education by searching Web of Science and Scopus, and including citizen science in the process. We searched through the iNaturalist forum, where users contribute research performed using iNaturalist. We found that an increasing number of articles have been published on this topic over the years. Researchers are using iNaturalist to improve BioBlitz activities, to enhance outdoor education activities, and to help make herbaria. Summarizing the work performed in this area, we suggest guidelines for including and preparing the iNaturalist application in a school context to be used by teachers and researchers alike.</p>