This study used network meta-analysis to investigate the impact of the use of interactive learning environments (ILE) tools (augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MIX), and interactive digital games (GAME)) in science education on learning outcomes. A total of 53 primary studies were retrieved from the literature according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria. According to this, MIX demonstrated the largest effect size compared to conventional teaching (CON) for both cognitive and affective outcomes. AR exhibited a larger effect size than VR for affective outcomes but did not differ significantly from VR or GAME for cognitive outcomes. GAME outperformed CON for cognitive outcomes but did not differ significantly from VR or GAME for either outcome. VR’s effect size on cognitive outcomes was not significantly different from CON but was significantly higher for affective outcomes. Indirect comparisons revealed no significant differences between MIX and the other ILE formats for either outcome. Network analysis ranked AR as the most effective format for both cognitive and affective outcomes. These findings highlight the potential of ILEs, particularly AR, for enhancing learning outcomes. Limitations of the study include the lack of direct comparisons for MIX, high heterogeneity, and publication bias in some binary comparisons. More primary studies are needed to address these limitations and increase the generalizability of the findings.
17 October 2019 in Contemporary Educational Technology
The purpose of this study is, by using meta-analysis method, to examine whether there is a significant difference in the effect size of the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) according to gender. For this purpose, it was examined whether both Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge and the knowledge types related to TPACK shows a statistically significant difference by gender. A total of 29 studies conducted both in Turkey and abroad between 2007 and 2017 and meet the inclusion criteria were synthesized by the meta-analysis method. “Cohen’s d” was chosen as the effect size index in order to examine the knowledge types related to TPACK by gender. Since the studies were obtained from the literature, primary studies were combined according to the Random Effects Model. It was concluded as a result of the analysis that there is a significant difference between the knowledge types about TPACK by gender, and in the sub-group analysis, technology knowledge, technological pedagogical knowledge and technological pedagogical content knowledge have a significant effect size in favor of male; on the other hand, content knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge, and technological content knowledge have an insignificant effect size in favor of male and pedagogical knowledge has an insignificant effect size in favor of female.
The Leadership for Learning (LfL) framework is often used to investigate the effect of leadership on student achievement (SA). This framework encompasses instructional leadership (IL), transformational leadership (TL), and distributed leadership (DL) qualities that are likely to influence teaching–learning processes at school. The existing literature indicates that LfL can influence both teacher performance and practices and students’ achievement significantly. The current study aims to investigate the mediating role of teacher performance in the relationship between LfL and student achievement using meta-analytical structural equation modeling (MASEM). Correlation values obtained from 60 studies (a total of 36,331 participants) investigating the relationship between these variables were used for the meta-analysis. The findings showed that all three types of leadership affected teacher performance directly, and teacher performance had a direct effect on student achievement. While the effect of IL on SA was mostly indirect, TL and DL were found to affect student achievement both directly and indirectly through teacher performance. Our findings suggest significant implications for not only researchers but also policy-makers and practitioners to improve school performance.
Principal instructional leadership (PIL) is significant for school effectiveness due to its direct and indirect influences on school-, teacher-, and student-level variables. A considerable number of studies have provided persuasive evidence that PIL is associated with both collective efficacy (CEF) and teacher self-efficacy (TSEF), two significant variables to sustain the quality of instruction. These studies were conducted with a variety of participants from various contexts. The current study aims to investigate the association between PIL and TSEF, and the mediating role of CEF in this association using meta-analytical structural equation modeling (MASEM). This analysis was conducted using the correlation values obtained from 26 studies focusing on their relationship and included data from a population of 19.584 participants from around the world, thus providing a more generalizable perspective on these variables. The results indicated that PIL was correlated with both CEF and TSEF, and the combined influence of PIL and CEF on TSEF was 31%. The study findings also showed that the scales used to measure PIL could produce different results regarding these relationships, while gender did not have a significant effect. These results suggest significant implications for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to sustain school effectiveness in the fast-changing context of schools in the twenty-first century.