This study reviews existing research on the use of large language models (LLMs) for automatic item generation (AIG). We performed a comprehensive literature search across seven research databases, selected studies based on predefined criteria, and summarized 60 relevant studies that employed LLMs in the AIG process. We identified the most commonly used LLMs in current AIG literature, their specific applications in the AIG process, and the characteristics of the generated items. We found that LLMs are flexible and effective in generating various types of items across different languages and subject domains. However, many studies have overlooked the quality of the generated items, indicating a lack of a solid educational foundation. Therefore, we share two suggestions to enhance the educational foundation for leveraging LLMs in AIG, advocating for interdisciplinary collaborations to exploit the utility and potential of LLMs.

Over a decade ago, automatic item generation (AIG) was introduced to meet the increasing need for high-quality items in educational measurement. Around the same time, a new area of research in computer science began to develop questions for educational use. Historically, researchers from these two domains had little knowledge or communication with one another. However, the development of pre-trained large language models (LLMs) has sparked the interest of researchers from both domains in applying these models for automatically creating items. With similar objectives and methodologies, these two research domains appear to be converging on how to address the problems in this field. The purpose of this study is to provide a review of the current state of research by synthesizing existing studies on the use of LLMs for AIG. By combining research from both domains, we examine the utility and potential of LLMs for AIG. We performed a comprehensive literature review in seven research databases, selected studies based on predefined criteria, and summarized 60 relevant studies that employed LLMs in the AIG process. We identified the most commonly used LLMs in current AIG literature, their specific applications in the AIG process, and the characteristics of the generated items. We found that LLMs are flexible and effective in generating various types of items based on different languages and subject domains. However, many studies have overlooked the quality of the generated items, indicating a lack of a solid educational foundation. This review emphasizes the urgent need for greater integration of learning and measurement theories in future AIG research. We share two suggestions to enhance the educational foundation for leveraging LLMs in AIG, advocating for interdisciplinary collaborations to exploit the utility and potential of LLMs.

African immigrant parents face unique challenges when raising their children in a new sociocultural environment. Parenting approaches that they experienced as children may no longer be feasible in their new context and often require adaptation. Informed by transnationalism, this qualitative study explored the parenting values of African immigrants living in Alberta, Canada. Interviews were conducted with 32 African immigrant parents and 14 community leaders. Guided by a critical ethnographic approach, we collected and analyzed data to understand how these parents navigate parenting in a new context. Participants highlighted key challenges in parenting, including: 1) conflicts between African cultural and religious norms and Canadian culture; 2) struggles surrounding children’s identity, belonging, and value formation; and 3) the diminished role of elders in child-rearing. These findings offer important implications for public policy, education, immigration, and community services.

Refugee-serving primary health centres/clinics (PHCs) provide culturally safe, integrated care for refugee children, yet little is known about how their health conditions and outcomes are assessed. This scoping review examines the current literature on the health conditions and outcomes of refugee children aged 0–5 years and how they are measured in refugee-serving PHCs in Canada. In partnership with the New Canadians Health Centre and guided by Joanna Briggs Institute methodological guidelines, we systematically searched Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, and Embase. Included studies focused on refugee children in Canada and reported health conditions, outcomes, and their measurements within PHCs. Twenty-five studies (2008–2024) met the inclusion criteria, most from Ontario (n = 11), followed by Alberta and Saskatchewan (n = 4 each). Reported health conditions or outcomes (n = 24) spanned the physical (n = 19), developmental, and mental health domains (n = 5). Communicable (e.g., gastrointestinal infections, hepatitis) and non-communicable conditions (e.g., malnutrition, vitamin D deficiency) were mostly reported. Although some standardized approaches were used, substantial variability exists across provinces and conditions or outcomes measured. Findings reveal a disproportionate focus on physical health and notable variability and gaps in child health measures, limited cultural adaptation, and lack of longitudinal data. Standardized, culturally responsive, and age-appropriate measurement approaches are needed to enhance health equity and inform evidence-based policy for refugee children in Canada.

Refugee-serving primary health centres/clinics (PHCs) provide culturally safe, integrated care for refugee children, yet little is known about how their health conditions and outcomes are assessed. This scoping review examined the health conditions and outcomes of refugee children aged 0-5 years and how they are measured in refugee-serving PHCs in Canada. Conducted in partnership with the New Canadians Health Centre and guided by Joanna Briggs Institute methodological guidelines, we systematically searched Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, and Embase. Included studies focused on refugee children in Canada and reported health conditions, outcomes, and their measurements within PHCs. Twenty-five studies (2008–2024) met the inclusion criteria, most from Ontario (n=11), followed by Alberta and Saskatchewan (n=4 each). Reported health conditions or outcomes (n=24) spanned physical (n=19), developmental, and mental health domains (n=5). Communicable (e.g., gastrointestinal infections, hepatitis) and non-communicable conditions (e.g., malnutrition, vitamin D deficiency) were mostly reported. Although some standardized approaches were used, variability exists across provinces and conditions or outcomes measured. Findings reveal disproportionate focus on physical health and notable variability and gaps in child health measures, limited cultural adaptation, and lack of longitudinal data. Standardized, culturally responsive, and age-appropriate measurement approaches are needed to enhance health equity and inform evidence-based policy for refugee children in Canada.