Search Results (375)

Addressing the urgent need for sustainable transformation in higher education, this paper explores how a collaborative action research group of teacher educators from different institutions contributed to higher education transformation through sustainable education approaches. Drawing on cultural–historical activity theory (CHAT), we analyze how cross-institutional partnerships fostered personal and professional development through digital collaboration, regular online meetings, and reflective dialogue. The study employed participatory action research, using weekly reflective journals and group meetings as mediating tools supporting sustained professional learning. Findings indicate that building common ground across institutional contexts and investing in trust-building cultivated a meaningful collaborative environment, a “third space” that mediated expansive learning and professional transformation. Within this space, the diversity of institutional backgrounds enriched the activity system, and productive contradictions served as generative mechanisms that catalyze expansive learning by exposing participants to diverse institutional perspectives. The study further shows that sustainable collaboration emerged not from formal institutional structures but from shared ownership, cultural alignment, and relational commitment. These social and cultural processes supported the development of systems-thinking, strategic-thinking, and interpersonal competencies supporting sustainable professional development. The study highlights the potential of sustainable cross-institutional spaces as a model for professional growth in higher education. Full article

In this article, the development of in-service teachers’ digital competence is examined within an AI-supported learning environment designed to enhance professional modeling skills and the creation of interactive AR-based instructional content. The study investigates how such an environment supports teachers in developing contextual digital skills that enable not only the use of emerging technologies but also their meaningful adaptation to pedagogical goals and instructional needs. A training program involving 916 in-service teachers from Kazakhstani secondary schools was implemented, and survey data were collected to assess changes in digital competence and readiness to integrate AI and AR tools into teaching practices. The findings demonstrate high levels of interest and engagement: 96% of participants expressed readiness for further learning, 86% reported satisfaction with the course content, and 84% showed contextual maturity in applying newly acquired technologies in their instructional processes. These results highlight the potential of AI-supported professional development to strengthen teachers’ capacity to design interactive learning environments, promote equity and quality in digital education, and enhance student engagement. Full article

Self-regulated learning (SRL) is crucial for effective learning, supporting academic achievement and lifelong competencies. Fostering SRL in primary education is important, yet teachers’ understanding and use of strategies are underexplored. This study provides an innovative, multi-method investigation of whether and how primary school teachers’ knowledge and beliefs about SRL align with their classroom practices. Video-based classroom observations were combined with semi-structured interviews to capture both what teachers think and what they do. The study addressed three research questions: (1) how and to what extent teachers implement SRL; (2) their knowledge and beliefs regarding SRL and alignment of these with classroom practice; (3) factors perceived as facilitating or constraining SRL implementation. Eight teachers participated, providing 16 h of observations and 11 h of interview data. Observations were analyzed using the ATES instrument, and interviews were coded thematically. Findings revealed variation in SRL implementation and misalignments between knowledge, beliefs, and practice. Teachers held misconceptions and focused mainly on metacognitive and motivational strategies in classroom practice. Limited self-efficacy and school- and classroom-level factors further constrained SRL implementation. Results indicate a need for professional development addressing knowledge gaps, misconceptions, and teachers’ self-efficacy, while encouraging school-wide reflective practices to support SRL in primary classrooms. Full article

At present, teachers face working environments characterised by high levels of stress, largely due to constant interaction with students and the multiple challenges inherent in the educational context. In this scenario, the development of socio-emotional competencies (SECs) becomes an essential component of their professional education, as it enables them to manage their emotions effectively and build positive interpersonal relationships within the educational community. Objective: The aim of this research was to analyse the dimensions, strategies, and success factors of education programmes in socio-emotional competencies (SECs) aimed at pre-service teachers. Method: A systematic literature review was carried out using the PRISMA method. Publications in English and Spanish, published between 2019 and 2024 in peer-reviewed academic journals and focused on the university level, were included. Conference proceedings, books, book chapters, and articles not centred on SECs were excluded. The search was conducted in the Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, and ERIC databases, with the final search date being 24 January 2025. After applying the inclusion criteria, eight empirical studies were selected. Results: The reviewed programmes demonstrated similarities in their methodological designs and in the socio-emotional competencies addressed. The practical sessions were based on cooperative methodologies that promoted experiential learning and reflection. The strategies used included video and text analysis, portfolios, role-playing, and simulations. The effectiveness of the programmes was assessed primarily through self-report techniques, such as questionnaires, scales, and interviews. In addition, some studies complemented these strategies with simulations using avatars, content analysis, and digital video recordings. This diversity of approaches reflects the absence of a uniform evaluation criterion; nevertheless, the findings consistently demonstrate the effectiveness of the programmes. Conclusion: The intervention programmes analysed proved effective in developing key competencies in future teachers, such as emotional awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and communication skills. Among the limitations identified in the intervention programmes are biases in sample selection, reflected in the participation of small or unrepresentative groups. This systematic review highlights the relevance of socio-emotional competences in pre-service teachers, addressing the gap caused by the limited number of longitudinal studies. The evidence consolidates current knowledge and underscores effective practices and interventions that enhance educational quality. Full article

Higher education faces increasing demands to address student diversity in engagement, learning preferences, and professional readiness. This study examined the feasibility of integrating personality-tailored case-based learning in teacher education. Building on the Big Five personality model and principles of differentiated, case-based pedagogy, we developed a prototype that generated individualized case descriptions using a personality inventory and generative AI. The intervention was implemented in a teacher education course, with 37 students (≈79%) completing an anonymous evaluation survey. Quantitative measures included emotion-word selections and Likert-type ratings of case relevance and group discussions; qualitative data were collected through open-ended reflections. Findings indicated that students experienced the intervention as engaging, relevant, and appropriately challenging. Group discussions received the highest ratings, with students emphasizing the value of peer dialogue for gaining new perspectives and making sense of the cases. Qualitative themes highlighted the realism of personalized scenarios, opportunities for reflection, and the importance of scaffolding, while challenges included unclear instructions and limited diversity among cases. The study demonstrates the feasibility and perceived pedagogical value of personality-tailored cases as a scalable model of differentiation in higher education. Future research should adopt controlled designs to disentangle the effects of personality instruction, feedback, and personalization, and systematically evaluate the distinctiveness of generated cases. By integrating psychological self-insight with authentic practice scenarios, personality-informed case-based learning shows promise for enhancing student agency, reflective competence, and readiness for professional practice. Full article

Background/Objectives: To address the inconsistent provision of specialist physical education (PE) in primary schools, this study investigated the comparative efficacy of distinct team teaching configurations. The objective was to compare these instructional models’ impact on students’ basic motor competencies (MC) and self-reported physical literacy (PL). Methods: This cluster-randomized trial involved N = 266 students (grades 1–4) in Slovakia, assigned to one of five instructional models (PE teacher; GT+PET; PET+AT; GT+C; and GT+AT). The five-month intervention included two 45 min PE lessons weekly. Given the cluster design and non-normal data, the Wilcoxon singed-rank test and Kruskal–Wallis H-test were applied to assess the differences, and Cohen’s r was applied to determine effect size. Results: Comparative analysis showed no significant differences across teaching models for Self-Movement (p = 0.544), Object-Movement (p = 0.138), or PL (p = 0.219). Significant within-group MC gains were found in 4 teaching models, yet the practical effect size was generally weak to moderate (r ranging from 0.21 to 0.69). The strongest practical improvement was observed in the AT+PET Self-Movement group (r = 0.69). In contrast, the GT+PET configuration achieved no significant MC gain. For PL, only the AT+PET and GT+PET models showed significantly positive but moderate changes (r = 0.32 and 0.37). Conversely, the GT+C model resulted in a moderately significant decline in PL (Δ = −9.16, r = 0.43). A positive but practically weak correlation emerged between the MC subscales and PL (ρ ranging from 0.135 to 0.238, p < 0.05), with the highest limited association for Catching (ρ = 0.377, p < 0.01). The frequency of organized out-of-school physical activity was positively correlated with MC subscales (ρ = 0.195–0.282, p < 0.01) but not significantly correlated with PL. Conclusions: No single teaching model proved superior for improving overall motor competence or self-perceived physical literacy. While most effective configurations yielded moderate practical gains, the GT+C model presents a key paradox: while effective for objective skills, it proved detrimental to self-perceived physical literacy. These findings lead to explicit policy and implementation recommendations focused on strengthening collaborative instruction. Policymakers should consider strategies to support the integration of specialist PE teachers (PETs), such as establishing co-teaching as a recommended practice and allocating dedicated resources for funding and collaborative planning time to leverage the specialized knowledge they bring. Furthermore, schools are encouraged to focus on the effective implementation of PET-involved team teaching approaches (e.g., AT+PET and GT+PET). These models are not only effective but also support the co-professionalization of the generalist teacher, which is essential for ensuring that high-quality, evidence-based PE practices are consistently embedded. Full article

This study examines university teachers’ digital competences during Emergency Remote Teaching at three Spanish institutions—the University of La Laguna, the University of Extremadura, and the University of Valladolid—and, from the faculty perspective, appraises hybrid teaching experiences and institutional support services. We employed a qualitative multi-case design using semi-structured focus-group interviews and discussion groups with 57 instructors from Social Sciences and Humanities, Engineering, and Health Sciences, selected via purposive sampling. Data were deductively coded in Atlas.ti 24. Faculty perceive hybrid teaching as useful for widening access and repositioning the virtual campus as a communicative hub; they highlight Moodle, videoconferencing, content-authoring tools such as H5P, and methodologies like gamification and flipped learning to enhance motivation. Nonetheless, generational gaps and concerns about the authenticity of online assessment persist, supporting continued reliance on in-person examinations. Technical and training support services are viewed positively, yet respondents call for more staffing and stronger dissemination of teaching resources. Consolidating teachers’ digital competences requires institutional policies that integrate robust infrastructure, contextualized continuous professional development, and communities of practice to ensure the sustainability of hybrid models in higher education at the national level. Full article

Active methodologies are consolidated as a key trend in education for the competence development of students at all educational stages, due to the academic, social, personal, and professional benefits that their implementation in the classroom provides. The profusion of systematic reviews on different types of active methodologies in recent years provides a high level of accumulated evidence. Therefore, a review of reviews allows comparing and contrasting different studies, offering a comprehensive perspective on their impact on Basic Education (Primary and Secondary Education). This study carries out an umbrella review through a qualitative systematic analysis using WoS, Scopus, and Dialnet databases. Reviews carried out in the last six years on the use of different active methodologies have been analysed, obtaining a total of 33 final references. The findings indicate that general research on active methodologies in Basic Education is limited, and these have a positive impact on students with favorable effects on their academic performance and comprehensive development. Despite their relevance, passive and directive methodologies remain predominant. Furthermore, the need for teacher training for effective implementation of active methodologies in the classroom is highlighted. Full article

This pilot study analyzes the level of development of personal and social competencies linked to Effective Personality in Early Childhood Education pre-service teachers, to provide evidence for the construction of an inclusive teaching profile. Using a quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional design, the Effective Personality Questionnaire in the University Context (PECED) questionnaire was administered to 107 teacher candidates at a university in southern Chile. The results show a positive profile in dimensions such as academic self-actualization and problem-solving self-efficacy, along with moderate levels of social self-actualization and aspects of self-esteem. Differences were identified according to age, but not according to cohort. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between self-esteem and problem-solving self-efficacy. The main contribution of this study lies in the application of the PECED instrument in a still largely unexplored educational context, revealing the need for intentional pedagogical interventions for pre-service teachers’ social–emotional development. The findings support the redesign of Early Childhood teacher education curriculum proposals with an inclusive approach and suggest extending the research to other academic programs and regions, validating the usefulness of the Effective Personality construct as a diagnostic and training tool in initial teacher education. Full article

This study examined changes in the attitudes of early childhood teachers resulting from their participation in the ONDAS Training Program, a Colombian government strategy designed to strengthen professional skills and dispositions through reflective practice and the integration of research into training. A quantitative, non-experimental longitudinal design with a descriptive-comparative scope was employed. The sample consisted of 56 female teachers evaluated before and after the program. The 12-month intervention combined a three-module virtual course on innovation, research, and academic writing with an editorial stage and expert mentoring. Data were collected through a validated survey on three dimensions: support and resources, research skills, and pedagogical appropriation. Analyses applied descriptive statistics and intra-group non-parametric tests, with the Benjamini–Hochberg adjustment used to control Type I error. The results revealed improvements in research skills, stronger pedagogical appropriation, and more positive evaluations of support and resources. These transformations also included shifts in teachers’ attitudes toward research, greater openness to feedback, and increased confidence in implementing innovative proposals. Findings confirm that early childhood teacher education is a complex process that benefits from reflective, collaborative, and situated approaches, underscoring the program’s role in strengthening professional competences and enhancing teachers’ ability to critically examine practice and adapt to diverse educational contexts. Importantly, these results provide evidence to inform national teacher training strategies in Colombia, offering practical guidance for policymakers and institutions seeking to strengthen research-based, reflective, and contextually responsive professional development programs. Full article

This study explores a six-month professional development program implemented in four schools offering prevocational education, a group often overlooked in literacy research. Over six months, teachers participated in structured training aimed at improving their competence in teaching reading and promoting students’ reading motivation. The program responded to international concerns about declining literacy and reading motivation among adolescents in vocational tracks. Data from pre- and post-program semi-structured group interviews were thematically analyzed to identify shifts in teachers’ knowledge and beliefs. Two key findings emerged. First, most schools showed noticeable growth in teachers’ understanding of reading comprehension and its instruction and evolving beliefs. Second, teachers continued to struggle with how to promote reading motivation both before and after the program, indicating a need for more targeted support in this area. These results highlight the importance of ongoing professional development focusing on both instructional strategies and motivational practices. Full article

The prevalence of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has steadily increased, posing new challenges for inclusive education and teacher preparation. Teaching competence, understood as a multidimensional construct integrating cognitive, attitudinal, motivational, and practical components, is key to ensuring high-quality educational responses. This study developed and preliminarily validated DocenTEA, a questionnaire designed to assess five interrelated dimensions of inclusive competence: training, knowledge, experience, socio-emotional skills, and inclusive pedagogical practices. The instrument, consisting of 25 Likert-type items (0–4), was administered to 270 teachers across different educational levels in Spain. Content validity was examined through expert judgment and Aiken’s V coefficient (≥0.70), while construct validity was assessed via exploratory factor analysis using ULS estimation and Promax rotation. The five-factor solution explained 60.43% of the variance and showed adequate reliability (α and ω ≥ 0.70). Overall, DocenTEA emerges as a useful tool to identify teachers’ strengths and training needs, and to guide professional development programs and inclusive practices aimed at supporting students with ASD. Full article

We aimed to explore the effects of hands-on STEM training on teachers’ attitudes toward STEM, their self-efficacy in implementing STEM methodologies, and their problem-solving skills. Additionally, we explored teachers’ professional competence in integrating STEM applications into their instructional practices and the impact of these applications on students’ 21st-century skills. The study involved 30 in-service teachers participating in a STEM training program. A nested-methods approach was adopted, combining quantitative and qualitative analyses. Pre- and post-training data were collected using Likert-type scales measuring teachers’ self-efficacy, problem-solving skills, and attitudes toward STEM. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted after the training to capture teachers’ perceptions and experiences. The findings indicated significant improvements in teachers’ self-efficacy and problem-solving skills. Thematic analysis of interview data identified key factors influencing successful STEM implementation, including collaboration, technology integration, and social-emotional learning. Teachers also reported that the training positively influenced their students’ problem-solving and critical thinking skills. This study highlights the importance of professional development in enhancing teachers’ competencies for effective STEM education. The findings contribute to the literature by providing insights into teachers’ first-hand experiences and perceptions regarding the impact of STEM training on their instructional practices and student learning outcomes. Full article

Background: Movement is crucial for human development, particularly during childhood. Fundamental movement skills (FMSs) are essential movement patterns that support physical, cognitive, and social development. Recent studies indicate an alarming worldwide decline in FMS acquisition, potentially impacting children’s long-term physical fitness and health. This scoping review explored FMSs, their relationship to motor competence and physical literacy, associations with physical activity and fitness, assessment methods, and effective interventions. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases. The search utilized key phrases related to FMSs, motor competence, and physical literacy. Initially, 2251 publications were identified. Results: After rigorous screening, 95 English-language literature reviews and meta-analyses focusing on FMSs in healthy children were selected for detailed analysis. The accepted publications were categorized into five thematic areas: FMSs and motor development (11 publications), conceptual terms in FMS context (8 publications), relationships between FMSs and other parameters (15 publications), FMS assessment tools (14 publications), and intervention effects on FMSs (47 publications). Conclusions: Effective FMS acquisition requires collaborative interventions involving teachers, parents, sports professionals, and healthcare providers. Future research should focus on developing standardized assessment tools, interpreting FMSs as part of physical literacy to understand their association with PA level and design efficient intervention strategies. Full article

Outdoor learning offers dynamic, real-world educational opportunities that extend beyond traditional classrooms and foster sustainability awareness. This quantitative study endeavors to assess teachers’ competency in facilitating outdoor learning, aiming for a more engaging and impactful introduction. Employing a relational survey design in the form of a multi-survey model, the research engaged 586 teachers representing diverse academic disciplines across public and private elementary and secondary schools. Central to the investigation was the utilization of the “Outdoor Learning Regulation Scale [OLRS]” as the primary data collection instrument. The evaluation of teachers’ aptitude in regulating outdoor learning encompassed various variables, including gender, subject specialization, prior online or in-person training in outdoor learning, use of non-school environments for teaching, childhood environment, and teaching location. To analyze the collected data, a nuanced approach to statistical analysis was undertaken, aiming to provide a clearer and more specific explanation of the data analysis methods employed. The findings of the study unveiled no significant disparities in teachers’ outdoor learning regulation capabilities based on gender, subject specialization, childhood environment, or teaching location. However, discernible differences surfaced in their proficiency in outdoor learning regulation concerning previous online or in-person training in outdoor learning and their utilization of outdoor environments for teaching, thus providing deeper insights into the factors shaping teachers’ efficacy in facilitating outdoor learning experiences. Additionally, the study emphasizes the link between outdoor learning and sustainability education. By equipping teachers with the skills to regulate outdoor learning, this research supports the integration of sustainability into educational practices, promoting students’ ecological awareness and sustainable thinking. These results highlight the importance of professional development and targeted training in outdoor education, with direct implications for strengthening sustainability-oriented teaching practices. Full article