Journal on Efficiency and Responsibility in Education and Science

Exploration of Spatial Abilities in Pre-Service Mathematics Teacher Education: Testing and Evaluation

2025-08-11T15:01:09+02:00

Pre-service mathematics teachers often struggle with spatial ability, which negatively affects their success in solving geometric problems. Evaluating and developing these abilities is therefore an essential part of their university education. This paper presents findings from the initial phase of a long-term study focused on assessing the spatial ability and conceptual knowledge of first-year pre-service teachers at Charles University. Each year from 2021 to 2023, newly enrolled students were tasked with completing tests focused on 2D and 3D geometry, classified according to specific subcomponents of spatial ability. The results show that the students were most successful in planar rotation tasks, with the tasks requiring spatial visualisation proving to be the most challenging. Conceptual misconceptions were identified as a key factor contributing to errors in solving geometric tasks. These findings highlight the need for targeted instruction and training to improve spatial thinking and conceptual understanding in teacher education, with a view to improving the quality of the geometry teaching they provide in the future.

Assessment of Information and Communication Competence of Future Teachers Based on Laboratory Work in Natural Sciences

2025-01-27T23:31:10+01:00

In the context of globalization and rapid advancement in information and communication technologies (ICT), ICT competence is crucial in professional training, including education. This study focuses on integrating ICT into the educational processes of future science teachers to enhance their ICT competence. The objective is to evaluate ICT's efficacy in laboratory work within natural sciences for developing ICT competence among prospective teachers.

The research methodology involved an experimental study at Zhetysu University with students in pedagogical physics, biology, and chemistry programs. Participants were divided into two groups: one followed a traditional pedagogical approach, and the other incorporated ICT into their lab work. Initial and final surveys measured the students' ICT competence levels.

The study's findings showed a significant improvement in ICT competence among students who used ICT in their studies, demonstrating the effectiveness of integrating modern technologies into education. The paper recommends that educational institutions incorporate ICT into their curricula and suggests directions for further research in this field.

The Role of Personal and Social Responsibility on Future Physical Education Teachers' Bullying Attitudes

2025-05-04T20:11:33+02:00

Although physical education provides significant opportunities to promote physical activity, the nature of movement-performance-based, multidimensional classroom dynamics can make students primary targets for bullying, particularly in areas such as gymnasiums or even changing rooms. Therefore, teachers' interventions and awareness are critical. To create effective anti-bullying programs for teacher candidates, this study examined the impact of personal responsibility (PR) and social responsibility (SR) on attitudes towards bullying. It also highlights the possible effects of gender, year of study, and teaching experience. A total of 164 Hungarian physical education teacher candidates (PETCS) studying in the 3^rd to 5^th years completed questionnaires. The majority of PETCs had a high level of positive bullying attitudes, PR, and SR. While there were significant differences in bullying attitudes at gender and year of study, no differences were found in teaching experience. A significantly strong relationship was found between SR and various attitude sub-dimensions. Analyses showed a predictive effect of SR, gender, and year of study on several bullying attitudes, while PR did not show any significant effect. Since attitudes are an important factor in creating a safe classroom environment, the focus of preventive and educational programs against bullying should include developing SR.

Predicting University Engagement of Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) Students via Three Positive Traits

2024-08-07T13:31:05+02:00

Previous studies have examined life satisfaction, academic resilience, and curiosity as individual predictors of student engagement. Yet, limited evidence addresses how these traits collectively relate to university engagement, particularly among Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) students. This study investigated the predictive roles of life satisfaction (LS), academic resilience (ARS), and curiosity and exploration (CUR) in relation to university engagement (UE) and its three dimensions: vigor (VI), dedication (DE), and absorption (ABS). A sample of 2,730 PETE students from higher education institutions across the Philippines participated, and regression analyses were conducted. Results showed that curiosity consistently demonstrated significant associations with overall university engagement and each dimension. Academic resilience related only to dedication, while life satisfaction revealed no significant links with any domain. These findings suggest that while LS and ARS may support broader well-being, curiosity is more directly tied to participation, emotional commitment, and cognitive immersion in university life. For PETE students, whose engagement spans academic and performance demands, cultivating curiosity may be vital. The study highlights the importance of fostering learning environments that encourage exploration and openness, thereby strengthening engagement and better preparing future educators to navigate the complexities of teaching and lifelong professional growth.

Enhancing Pre-service Mathematics Teachers' Proof-Writing Skills

2025-09-17T17:14:24+02:00

Mathematical proof, often regarded as the heart of mathematics, is essential for interconnected mathematical knowledge. However, proof-writing skills do not develop inherently. Effective learning environments are vital for university students to enhance these skills. This study investigates the impact of the ISMAT model on pre-service teachers' proof-writing skills. The model, based on quasi-experimental paradigms and arguments from Popper (1979) and Lakatos (1961, 1976), utilizes dynamic geometry software to enhance the understanding of proof functions. It is hypothesized that a social learning environment, augmented by dynamic geometry, will yield observable effects. The research employed a quasi-experimental design with experimental and control groups of pre-service mathematics teachers. The experimental group received 14 weeks of Euclidean geometry lessons using the ISMAT model, while the control group followed traditional methods. Data were collected through proof-writing tests administered pre- and post-instruction. The evaluations were conducted using Senk's (1983) framework for assessing proof-writing skills. Results indicated that the ISMAT model significantly enhanced proof-writing skills compared to traditional teaching methods. Such approaches are recommended to foster active student engagement in the proving process.

The Positive and Negative Impact of Online Social Ties on PA Behaviour

2025-03-12T18:11:53+01:00

The continuing downward trend in low physical activity levels among Chinese adolescents increases the risk of obesity and negative mood and is associated with poorer mental and physical health. Integrating physical activity within one’s social relationships influences physical activity behaviour. Although strong social ties, such as family members, peers, and educators, are influential on adolescents' physical activity, it is also acknowledged that adolescents may build social ties through social media, potentially impacting their physical activity behavior. The current study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese adolescents’ social ties in social media and how this might impact their physical activity behaviour. For this purpose, a qualitative study design was used. We conducted 13 qualitative focus groups that sampled 74 Chinese adolescents. Social support and perceived barriers were identified. Consistent with social ties-related theory (e.g., social integration theory, social engagement theory, etc.), our findings emphasize the need for incorporating the positive influences of strong social ties of peers and parents, as well as weak and peripheral ties of fitness influencers and people from the online PA community with similar PA interests, into the design of social media interventions.

The Role of Spatial Anxiety in The Relationship Between Mathematics Anxiety and Spatial Reasoning

2025-09-28T04:14:02+02:00

This study explored the connection between mathematics anxiety and spatial reasoning, examining potential mediating and moderating effects of spatial anxiety, as well as the roles of grade level and gender. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 477 elementary school students in Jakarta, selected through convenience sampling. Participants included 185 from grade 4, 179 from grade 5, and 113 from grade 6, with a gender distribution of 51.4% male and 48.6% female. Mediation and moderation analyses were performed using the PROCESS macro in SPSS. The findings revealed that (1) mathematics anxiety has a significant negative direct effect on spatial reasoning; (2) spatial anxiety mediates the relationship between mathematics anxiety and spatial reasoning; and (3) the strength of this relationship varies according to levels of spatial anxiety. These results suggest that students with higher mathematics anxiety may experience greater difficulty with spatial reasoning tasks. Accordingly, interventions targeting both mathematics and spatial anxiety could enhance spatial reasoning among those with elevated mathematics anxiety. Beyond these implications, the findings underscore the importance of improving educational efficiency through targeted interventions and strengthening educators' responsibility for addressing affective barriers that limit the development of spatial reasoning skills.