Many modern anatomy curricula teach histology using virtual microscopes, where students inspect tissue slices in a computer program (e.g. a web browser). However, the educational data mining (EDM) potential of these virtual microscopes remains under-utilized. In this paper, we use EDM techniques to investigate three research questions on a virtual…

Theoretical background: Learning in virtual realities (VR) has become increasingly important. In this context, VR appears to be particularly conducive to affective learning objectives, such as perspective-taking in VR actors. Previous research has often focused on investigating cause-effect relationships that focus on the direct effects of…

As we talked with school teachers about the use of physical computing systems in class, one major drawback of these systems became obvious: almost nobody--next to enthusiastic autodidacts--has been able to tell us on an abstract basis for which educational purposes a certain physical computing system can be used, i.e. in a goal-oriented way. This…

Due the wideness of the term Physical Computing, there is a need for a better structure of this topic. This paper is about an approach of structuring this field by finding attributes of different physical computing devices which can be used in class. Those attributes are meant to enforce teachers as well as researchers to analyze different devices…

In this paper we compare the early years mathematics curricula of Germany, South Africa, and Australia in relation to the place value concept. Place value is an important topic as it underpins much of the number work completed by learners in the early years of schooling. We found that there were differences between the three curricula that could…

Given the key role of conversions of representations for mathematical understanding, it is highly relevant to investigate in detail competencies regarding conversions of representations. In particular, a corresponding competence model should not only be developed theoretically, but also examined empirically. However, such empirical studies are…

A teacher's instructional planning that is enacted in his classroom practice and that potentially impact on his students' knowledge and beliefs could be understood as an individual belief system dependent from his actual teaching and learning experience. Individual belief systems might be contradictory when we regard different teachers or one…

Teaching is characterized by high complexity (Doyle, 1986, 2006). Dealing with complexity is a major challenge, especially for those student teachers who do not yet have certain routines. So far, not much research has been conducted into how novices experience this complexity and how their attitudes toward this complexity change with teaching…

This chapter contributes to ongoing debates about approaches to modeling student learning. By providing a basis for individual diagnoses, such models can foster teaching that is responsive to students' learning needs. In addition, these models can inform the development of standards and curricula and advance theory and research about student…

This paper describes an existing web-based learning platform named "Third Place of Learning" (TPL)--"Dritter Lernort". This project's aim is to connect the system of vocational education with digital media by a web-based learning platform. TPL supports student's digital learning by means of interactive examples and exercises.…

This paper contributes to the discourse in stochastic education of how young students deal with learning settings that allow a data-based approach to probability. By using the micro-structure of arguments by Toulmin (1958), it explores which arguments students use and which role they play in the learning process. The data stems from design…

Initial and further education in the banking sector is becoming more and more important due to the fact that the regulations and the complexity in world of work and an international banking scene is increasing. In this article we provide the structures of and information on NetEnquiry, an innovative mobile learning environment in this field,…

What do citizens of the United States and Germany think about their schools and school policies? This paper offers the first broad comparison of public thinking on education in the two countries. We carried out opinion surveys of representative samples of the German and American adult populations in 2014 that included experiments in which we…

This paper looks at the Australian and German education systems using three key indicators - structures of educational opportunity, educational outcomes and the attitudes and behaviors of parents. The study is designed with the view that comparative research, which explores shared and unique system characteristics, underpins better explanations…

Teacher cognition is seen as an important factor for the quality of instruction and, accordingly, student learning of a subject. However, in-depth research on these relations can only be done if a sound theoretical model for subject-specific teacher cognition (knowledge and competence/practical skills) and corresponding measures are available.…