In this issue, we focus on learning technologies, science and mathematics education, online learning, and several additional topics. We begin with four articles related to learning technology. The articles include an examination of the ways to integrate immersive-learning tools into practice-oriented learning, a bibliometric analysis of global trends in learning technology within the field of psychology, the intersection of generational characteristics and AI integration in master’s education, and a description of an innovative initiative that created a publicly accessible e-book comprising digital media research assignments. Then, we present two articles on science and mathematics education, including one that discusses the results of an environmental scan of secondary science education programs across Canada regarding the inclusion of the nature, history, and philosophy of science in course descriptions, and another that presents a meta-analysis examining the effect of technology on statistics learning. We then share two articles on online learning, including one that reviews the obstacles students and lecturers faced during the COVID-19 pandemic regarding online learning and teaching at two institutions in Afghanistan and Indonesia, and another that examines the factors affecting the effectiveness of online learning. Four additional articles are presented on chronic absenteeism, teacher professional development, cross-cultural competence within teacher education programs, and the perspectives of early-career teachers on well-being practices. This issue concludes with four book reviews.

The urgency of this research stems from the growing use of learning technology in psychology, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote and technology-based learning. Although numerous studies have been conducted, the understanding of global trends in this topic remains limited. This study aims to analyze global trends related to learning technology in psychology using bibliometric methods. The methodology employed in this research is bibliometric analysis, using VOSviewer software to map prominent topics frequently discussed in academic literature from 2004 to 2024. The findings reveal that deep learning, self-efficacy, social relationships, and the impact of COVID-19 are dominant themes within learning technology in psychology. Additionally, a significant increase in publications and citations on this topic has been observed over the past two decades. The study also identifies six main clusters that illustrate interconnections among themes. In conclusion, learning technology is increasingly vital in educational psychology, particularly in student motivation, engagement, and performance. This research comprehensively maps global trends in learning technology within psychology. It identifies opportunities for further study, particularly regarding the impact of technology in the post-pandemic era.

This study investigates the transition of pre-service English teachers from university to high-school teaching, focusing on the challenges of applying theoretical knowledge in practical classroom settings. The research highlights how the integration of experiential learning and mentorship can effectively bridge the gap between theory and practice. Through a qualitative analysis of pre-service teachers in the Mekong Delta region of south-western Vietnam, this study identifies key challenges such as classroom management, student engagement, and the implementation of student-centred teaching methods. It also explores the transformative impact of hands-on teaching experiences and mentor guidance on the professional development of these teachers. The findings suggest that incorporating more experiential learning opportunities and structured mentorship into teacher-education programs can significantly improve pre-service teachers' preparedness for high-school teaching. This study underscores the need for educational reforms that emphasize practical training, alongside theoretical instruction, to enhance the effectiveness of teacher education.

This study aims to analyze the supervision strategies implemented by the principal at SD Negeri Medangharuman in an effort to improve student learning achievement. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, this study explores various types of supervision carried out, namely academic, administrative, and personal supervision. The results of the study show that academic supervision carried out through classroom observation and constructive feedback improves the quality of teacher teaching and student learning outcomes. Administrative supervision involving the management of work programs and transparent evaluations also contributes to more structured learning management. In addition, personal supervision that pays attention to the welfare of teachers helps create motivation in teaching. However, there are several challenges faced by school principals, such as time constraints, resistance from teachers, and low parental participation. This research suggests the importance of better time management, more open relationships with teachers, and increased parental involvement in supporting student achievement.

The application of GeoGebra in teaching still faces challenges such as teacher readiness and the availability of technology in schools, especially in mathematics learning. This research examines the correlation of the GeoGebra application to the mathematics learning outcomes of students whose learning uses the Realistic Mathematic Education learning model. This research was conducted at SDN 074 Ayudia, Bandung City using quantitative methods with a non-experimental approach. The population in this study were all students at SDN 074 Ayudia with a sample of 27 students in class VI B and the instruments used were questionnaires and tests. The sampling technique was carried out using a probability sampling technique based on cluster sampling. Meanwhile, the swimmer test from the data analysis carried out was a normality test using Kolmogorov-Smirnov assisted by the SPSS application. In this research, it can be concluded that there is no significant correlation between the application of Geogebra to the mathematics learning outcomes of students whose learning uses the Realistic Mathematic Education (RME) model, and the correlation is classified as very low. For further research, it is hoped that we can use other learning models to see the influence that occurs between the application of the Geogebra application in mathematics learning to see special equations in simple linear regression to be able to know the probability of the independent variable and the dependent variable.

The objective of this study is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of student delinquency at MTs Al-Iman Mukomuko and to examine the effectiveness of the efforts made by Guidance and Counseling (BK) teachers in addressing these issues. This research adopts a qualitative descriptive methodology. The subjects of the study include BK teachers, students, and related parties at MTs Al-Iman Mukomuko. Additional data collection methods used in this study are observation, interviews, documentation, and questionnaires. Data analysis involves data collection, reduction, presentation, and verification. The researcher acts as the primary instrument, supported by tools such as interview guidelines, observation sheets, and questionnaires. At MTs Al-Iman Mukomuko, guidance and counseling (BK) management has demonstrated positive results in addressing student delinquency. This indicates that the approaches employed by BK teachers are effective in dealing with various issues faced by students. However, this study also highlights that increasing parental involvement is crucial for the success of the BK program. Parents who actively participate in the guidance and counseling process can provide additional support to students, enhance their sense of care, and contribute to emotional stability. To achieve better outcomes, it is also essential to optimize available resources, including community support and facilities.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, online learning became the predominant mode of learning for 33 to 54% of students in Canada’s three largest school boards. As inclusive practices continue to grow and online learning is now part of the Ontario curriculum, educators need guidance on how to support K-12 students with diverse learning needs in online and inclusive classrooms. This case study attends to the voice of elementary and high-school students, with and without disabilities who shared their experiences of online learning during the pandemic. It explored the impacts of integrating multiple methods of instruction, assessment, and technology to accommodate diverse learning needs. Results indicated that limited opportunity for connections and lack of structure and guidance were key factors that impacted the students’ motivation and ability to learn in the online environment, and age was a determining factor in technology use preferences.

While many previous studies focused on English-as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) teachers’ teaching practices in urban schools, little study has been indulged regarding pre-service English teachers’ (PSTs) challenges and experiences to practice teaching in a rural school. This study aimed to explore various difficulties encountered by urban PSTs during teaching practicum (TP) in rural schools. A total of seven PSTs enrolled in urban universities were voluntarily involved in a study that involves people’s senses and perceptions, rather than scientific evidence, also known as a phenomenological study. Data were collected through multiple semi-structured interviews, followed by a photovoice approach through which the participants were asked to take emotional photos. The results revealed that the PSTs encountered four main challenges during TP in rural schools, including changes in teacher identity construction, intercultural sensitivity barriers, a lack of supporting resources, and limited teacher professional development. Each challenge was accomplished by photographs representing PSTs’ emotions and feelings, such as a collection of dolls, natural scenery, old-printed books, and blank paper. In conclusion, integrating emotional photos into descriptive exploration is paramount evidence of how the challenges were encountered, managed, and solved for better future teaching and learning practices.

This research investigated preservice teachers’ (PSTs) experiences with productive struggle in an online environment, and how it influenced their pedagogical knowledge. This action research study reports on secondary mathematics pre-service teachers (PSTs) who completed mathematical tasks in weekly synchronous Zoom sessions to develop their understanding of productive struggle. Vygotsky’s (1978) Social Constructivist Theory and the growth mindset framework (Boaler, 2016; Dweck 2006; 2008) provided the lenses through which the research was designed and analyzed. Findings show that presenting opportunities for PSTs to experience productive struggle informs their pedagogical practice, and that providing this experience in an online environment is possible. PSTs gained an increased understanding of the importance of collaborative work, asking purposeful questions, and the alignment between productive struggle and improved mathematical understanding.

This article recommends institutional changes to higher education related to time, learning, and risk that would better serve the contemporary student population and increase opportunities for life-long and interdisciplinary learning. To begin, the changing demographic of university students will be outlined, along with suggestions about how traditional institutional arrangements are no longer conducive to optimal learning environments. Next, a review of the history of the academic year will be provided, that will show a snapshot of post-secondary academic calendars in Canada. Relatedly, a discussion of the potential drawbacks and benefits to accelerated courses will be deliberated, as well as the role of risk in terms of how this shapes students’ course selection. Finally, an example of a pilot program at McMaster University, a large research-intensive university in Ontario, Canada, which is specifically designed to account for the pitfalls outlined above, will be discussed. Taken together, it will be argued that having full-course offerings on a year-round basis, providing various options for course lengths, and adjusting evaluations to reduce students’ conceptions of ‘risk’ will better adapt institutes of higher education for the twenty-first century.