Mathematical confidence and critical thinking are essential in preparing preservice teachers. Thus, this study explored the perceived confidence and critical thinking levels in mathematics of elementary and secondary preservice teachers. A descriptive-correlational-comparative research design was employed, with a sample of 107 randomly selected preservice teachers enrolled in the Bachelor in Elementary and Secondary Education programs of a state university in West Philippines. The study used arithmetic mean, standard deviation, Spearman’s rank-order correlation, and independent samples t-test to analyze and draw conclusions from the data. The findings revealed that the preservice teachers have high confidence and critical thinking skills. Their program significantly correlates with their perceived critical thinking and confidence level. Besides, the preservice teachers’ confidence levels and perceived critical thinking skills significantly correlate. Further analysis found significant confidence and critical thinking differences favoring the secondary over the elementary preservice teachers. These findings provide insights that would benefit mathematics educators in providing priority programs to enhance the preparation of future math teachers.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has affected the educational sector globally. One of the impacts of this outbreak is observed in the implementation of digital learning, which involves problems such as poor internet connection and a lack of information technology facilities. However, university youth could be seen as resilient if they could keep up with good academic performance despite going through various challenges of digital learning. Thus, this research would like to explore the resilience of university youth while undergoing the challenges of digital learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research adopted a qualitative approach, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling was used, where five respondents among the University Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) youth with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.50 and above were selected in this research. The research found that the challenges faced by the majority of the respondents during digital learning were the non-conducive learning environment and the poor internet connection. In addition, findings also found two protective factors that helped the respondents be resilient, identified as the internal factor (i.e., self-concept and cultural sensitivity) and the external factor (i.e., parents' support and positive peer relationships). The research findings showed that the university youth also need support and help from various parties alongside their own efforts in academics in order to face any kinds of risky situations and grow as resilient youth.

Online learning has become increasingly popular, making the learning process more attractive. One of the most popular learning media is artificial intelligence (AI). However, students do not accept this technology at all. Therefore, this study examined the factors influencing accounting students' acceptance of AI in learning. The survey was conducted with 147 higher-education students who use AI as a learning medium. The data were analyzed using SmartPLS 4.0 with the partial least square approach. The results showed that perceived usefulness influenced behavioral intention to use and satisfaction. However, perceived ease of use was only significant for satisfaction. Similarly, perceived confidence must be consistent with intention. Although it may influence perceived usefulness, other constructs, such as AI quality and personal innovativeness, can increase students' perceptions of the benefits and convenience of adopting AI in learning. Thus, this study contributes to the development of the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the information systems success model and is helpful to scholars, especially in applying AI in learning. They need to pay attention to the quality of AI, such as the accuracy of the information produced. Thus, the need to control the information from the AI only serves as a reference without requiring you to trust it completely.

Existing studies have explored the repercussions of school closures. The researchers were interested in exploring the virtual health and physical education program (VHPEP) by identifying existing practices, drawing a more profound understanding of teachers’ experiences, identifying parents’ roles played in support of their children and teachers, and finally recommending inputs for a better VHPEP. Using a criterion-based selection, twenty participants, encompassing ten teachers and ten parents, were recruited for this study. The study employed a qualitative case study design. The results found that implementing VHPEP involved various issues and challenges in class management, including limited student interaction, difficulty sustaining interest, ineffective assessment methods, and instances of student cheating. These challenges prompted teachers to shift their pedagogical practices, focusing on making adjustments and developing new strategies to ensure student participation. Additionally, the study found that teachers experienced anxieties and realized the importance of self-reflection, including the importance of implementing measures to mitigate anxieties, gaining new perspectives on teaching, and grappling with the unique difficulties and opportunities of the virtual teaching modality. This study also shed light on the diverse roles that parents played in supporting their children and collaborating with teachers. Lastly, the study identified crucial aspects for improving VHPEP. While this study gives much attention to valuable insights provided by teachers and parents as collaborative partners for a quality VHPEP, caution should be exercised because the research is based on specific contexts and individual experiences.

Flipped learning (FL) is one of the recent pedagogical models that seeks to promote student agency and hone 21st century skills for lifelong learning through its emphasis on collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and autonomy. However, only some physical education (PE) classes globally have adopted this method and researched its effectiveness. Thus, this qualitative study discovered how the SPRING online FL model helped enhance the 21st century skills of college PE students. From the students’ responses in the questionnaire and the teacher-researchers observation notes, it was revealed that FL aids in the students’ 21st century skills as it allows the students to collaborate and improve their social skills; analyze people, tasks, and situations to create an output that is not only ingenuous and entertaining but beneficial to all; and study and master the skills independently at their own pace. Future studies can explore testing the SPRING model's effectiveness in younger students and other learning contexts.

It is known that the COVID-19 pandemic led to learning losses among students both domestically and internationally. Therefore, situational and casual factors were examined to discover and understand them so that learning loss could be reduced or recovered from. This research aimed to: (a) study learning loss situation; and (b) develop and examine the causal model of learning loss among lower secondary school students affected by the pandemic. The sample included 650 Grade 7-9 students selected by multi-stage random sampling. The data was collected using a self-developing questionnaire as a research instrument. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, ANOVA, and structural equation modeling (SEM) through the LISREL program. The findings were: (a) Lower secondary school students had an average academic achievement learning loss at the moderate level with the highest mean of learning loss in mathematics (M=3.012, SD=1.074), and an average learning characteristics learning loss at the medium level (M=2.824, SD=0.842). Several situational factors had a different effect depending on the school size with a statistical significance of .05.; and (b) the causal model showed the learning loss of grade 7-9 students was consistent with the empirical data (χ2=46.885, df=34, p= .069, GFI=0.991, AGFI=0.964, CFI=0.999, RMSEA=0.024, SRMR=0.014).

Mathematics test items in International Large-Scale Assessments (ILSAs) such as the Programme of International Student Assessment (PISA) and the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) are nested in contexts defined in their assessment framework (e.g., the Personal, Occupational, Societal, and Scientific contexts in PISA). This study followed the item-writing activities of four tertiary mathematics instructors in the Philippines as they constructed context-based mathematics items. They were tasked to write four items each, following a set of specifications for PISA content and context categories. The data consisted of transcripts from the focus-group discussion which was conducted days after the task. The transcripts were then analyzed using thematic analysis. The results of this study showed that the phenomenon of item-writing in the context of writing PISA-like mathematics items had two themes: the phases of item-writing and the dimensions of item-writing. Findings showed that the respondents struggled to find realistic contexts and that they engaged in a problem-solving task likened to solving a puzzle as they attempted to satisfy the content, context, and process categories in the table of specifications (TOS). This study contributes to filling in the research gap on item-writing activities, particularly those of mathematics teachers in the Philippines- a country whose recent mathematical performance in the PISA 2018, TIMSS 2019, and PISA 2022 was nothing short of dismal.

This study is an attempt to develop a grounded theory on how adult education in higher education (AEHE hereafter) programs in the Philippines are created and maintained. The grounded theory illustrates the interrelation of factors that stimulate or serve as the drivers of AEHE in higher education institutions in the Philippines as well as the management and maintenance of AEHE at the operational and strategic levels, hence illustrating the bigger picture of adult education in higher education in the Philippines. Funded by the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) of the Philippines, this study was part of a larger research project that investigated adult education in Philippine higher education institutions, that is, State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs). The data were derived from focus group discussions (FGD) with 43 participants from eight SUCs and nine private HEIs that have adult education programs that are regularly offered every academic year. The grounded theory drawn from the study pointed to the contextual – personal and institutional – factors, strategic and operational levels of management as well as the critical role of academic policy for the implementation and maintenance of AEHE programs, collaboration, and a compelling vision to ensure that adult education in higher education in the Philippines is prioritized in the country with involvement of relevant government agencies that will draw definite agendas and priorities to attain the goals of AEHE through a structure and management to carry out its functions and realize its compelling objective of creating a cadre of AEHE educators and specialists and adults suited for the demands of a knowledge-driven economy.

Faculty members’ beliefs in their ability to conduct research and publish research outputs are expected to impact research productivity directly. Thus, the study described the research self-efficacy and productivity among faculty members, their research self-efficacy influence on productivity, and their challenges in research writing and publication. The study utilized a mixed-method sequential explanatory research design, with 36 and nine faculty member-participants for the quantitative and qualitative study. For the quantitative study, the faculty members’ research self-efficacy was ascertained using a validated questionnaire, and their research productivity was determined through a researcher-made survey instrument. Meanwhile, the qualitative study focused on the faculty members’ research writing and publication challenges, which were gathered through focus group discussions. Results showed average research self-efficacy and low research productivity among faculty members. Research self-efficacy significantly predicted research productivity regarding refereed and indexed publications, paper presentations, and bibliometrics. Further, themed findings showed that the faculty members encountered challenges such as a lack of research exposure, time constraints, lack of institutional support, and publication pressure. The study may serve as an inference for higher education institutions in designing faculty development plans and in-service training programs to capacitate its members.

The wide use of the Internet of Things (IoT) in all spheres of life has led to a surge of cyberbullying among learners worldwide. That is why it cannot be denied that underlying factors, manifestations, consequences, and preventive measures of cyberbullying improve the welfare and overall mental development of students. This systematic literature review examines the causes, effects, and preventive measures of cyberbullying based on empirical studies conducted on learners in various situations. The review will focus on existing material published between 2015 and April 2024. For the inclusion and exclusion of literature, the Scopus online database was employed, along with the guidelines of the PRISMA model. Of 1004 studies, 51 were closely reviewed to determine the responses to the objectives of this study. NVIVO-12 was used for both thematic and content analysis in this study. The results show that there are 29 causes, 12 forms, 31 effects, and 41 different preventives for cyberbullying. The results of this study will not only enhance the comprehension of various concerns for parents, guardians, policymakers, educators, and governments but also provide valuable insights to researchers for addressing this issue.

This article aims to answer the research question: How do 5th grade students experience the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to create a comic strip describing the survival struggle between the Myna and the Lesser Kestrel? This study utilized a case-study approach to examine the advantages and challenges experienced by 5th grade students using AI tools to create a comic strip about the Lesser Kestrel's survival struggle. Data were collected through qualitative methods, including student reflections, drawings, and analyses of the comic strips they created. Additionally, a questionnaire was used to assess students' attitudes towards the four components of 21st century skills: Creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. The study indicates that the development of 21st century skills among students requires a collaborative effort involving both parents and teachers. It is not sufficient to rely solely on technological tools; there must be intermediary processes and support from teachers, who are obliged to adjust their teaching methods. Additionally, a teaching approach that supports the creation of a future citizen with a humanistic outlook and awareness of the complexity of life, is essential. This approach develops students' environmental citizenship, which is also an important 21st century skill. This involves integrating ethical, inclusive, and holistic perspectives to address complex problems, such as the survival struggle between the Lesser Kestrel and Myna.

This study examines the impact of Project-Based Learning (PjBL) on developing metacognitive skills among preservice science teachers (PSTs) in Northeast Thailand. A sample of 143 PSTs, including first-year students in General Biology 1, second-year students in General Physics 1, and third-year students in Basic Organic Chemistry, participated in an 18-week programme. The study aimed to assess changes in metacognitive skills before and after PjBL implementation, evaluate differences among academic years, and identify predictors of skill development. The methodology included a six-hour orientation workshop and a collaborative, project-based curriculum. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed, with the item-objective congruence index (IOC) for content validity, paired samples t-tests for pre- and post-intervention comparisons, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to examine differences across academic years. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify significant predictors of metacognitive skill development. Results showed significant improvements in metacognitive skills post-PjBL, with substantial enhancements across all subjects. ANOVA indicated significant differences among academic years, with third-year students demonstrating the highest metacognitive skill levels. Multiple regression analysis identified participation in PjBL and academic level as significant predictors of metacognitive skill development. These findings highlight the effectiveness of PjBL in enhancing metacognitive skills and underscore the importance of active learning and reflective practices in teacher education programmes. This study provides valuable insights into the impact of PjBL on PSTs' professional growth and instructional efficacy, preparing them for modern classroom challenges.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of cooperative learning models in improving critical reading skills. This study uses a meta-analysis study method by analyzing 28 articles extracted from the databases of Scopus, Google Scholar, EBSCO, EmeraldInsight, Science & Direct, SpringerLink, Taylor & Francis, and ProQuest. The meta-analysis allows researchers to combine the results of previous research, providing a more comprehensive picture of how effective a particular approach is in teaching critical reading. The research findings show that cooperative learning models significantly improve essential skills of reading more effectively than traditional ones. This is shown by the effect sizes based on the fixed model, showing the overall standard difference in the mean is 0.784 (95% CI, 0.689 to 0.880) with p-values = 0.00 (<0.05). Using a cooperative learning model, The measure showed positive effect sizes on critical reading learning. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the cooperative learning model effectively improves essential reading skills. However, several factors, such as the quality of the facilitators and the teaching methods, influence the results. The implications of this study show the need for a broader application of cooperative learning models to improve critical reading skills in schools and other educational institutions, with adjustments to the needs and characteristics of students.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized higher education. The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence in education (AIED) tools has significantly transformed educational management, specifically in self-directed learning (SDL). This study examines the factors influencing Indonesian higher education students' intention to adopt AIED tools for self-directed learning using a combination of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) with additional theories. A total of 322 university students from diverse academic backgrounds participated in the structured survey. This study utilized machine learning it was Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to analyze nine factors, including attitude (AT), subjective norms (SN), perceived behavioral control (PBC), optimism (OP), user innovativeness (UI), perceived usefulness (PUF), facilitating conditions (FC), perception towards ai (PTA), and intention (IT) with a total of 41 items in the questionnaire. The model demonstrated high predictive accuracy, with SN emerging as the most significant factor to IT, followed by AT, PBC, PUF, FC, OP, and PTA. User innovativeness was the least influential factor due to the lowest accuracy. This study provides actionable insights for educators, policymakers, and technology developers by highlighting the critical roles of social influence, supportive infrastructure, and student beliefs in shaping AIED adoption for self-directed learning (SDL). This research not only fills an important gap in the literature but also offers a roadmap for designing inclusive, student-centered AI learning environments that empower learners and support the future of SDL in digital education.