Titel Deelnemers "Korte inhoud" "Measuring the sociability of virtual learning environments for interdisciplinary student teams" "Ela Sjølie, Peter Van Petegem" "The reliance on the use of virtual learning environments, particularly computer-supported collaborative learning environments, is increasing in higher education institutions. This paper explores the perceived sociability of a virtual learning environment after it was implemented in an interdisciplinary project-based course in a higher education institute in Norway due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It describes the validation of a sociability scale in a sample of 1,611 students. The paper also reports on differences in perceived sociability according to gender, field of study and personality and the extent to which perceptions of sociability relate to the experience of a sudden change from a real-life learning environment to a virtual one. The results of this large-scale study suggest that the Norwegian version of the sociability scale can be used as a valid and reliable instrument to measure the perceived sociability of a virtual learning environment in the context of self-organized student project teams." "Empowering vocational students" "Seppe Hermans, Tom Neutens, Francis Wyffels, Peter Van Petegem" "Vocational Education and Training (VET) faces significant challenges in equipping individuals for modern workplaces, which increasingly require digital literacy and Computational Thinking (CT) skills. This paper addresses the imperative of integrating CT into VET programs and outlines key research questions. Our methodology primarily involves a systematic literature review, resulting in the identification of 29 relevant papers. Through qualitative content analysis, we develop a CT integration framework that connects CT practices and integration elements to the engineering design process, while highlighting the VET context. Arguably, the innovative aspect of this framework lies in its core dimensions of harnessing computational power for enhanced efficiency. Raising the question of whether computers can optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of specific tasks is paramount for addressing challenges in technology-rich environments. Therefore, this inquiry merits unwavering attention at every stage of the process. The proposed framework provides educators with a structured approach to identify integration opportunities and help prepare students for multifaceted vocational careers. Furthermore, other key findings underscore the inherently interdisciplinary nature of VET, the growing demand for STEM competencies, and the transformative potential of CT integration. Implications emphasize the need for further research, supportive policies, and practical CT integration. Despite limitations, this study strongly advocates for CT integration, empowering VET students for success in the contemporary workforce." "Twee jaar na TIMSS-2019" "Dries Verhelst, Marijn Gijsen, Lies Appels, Sven De Maeyer, Peter Van Petegem" "Integrated STEM professional development in interdisciplinary teacher design teams" "Seppe Hermans, Natacha Gesquiere, Francis Wyffels, Peter Van Petegem" "This study examined teachers’ self-efficacy in STEM and computational thinking (CT) and identified distinct profiles based on their self-efficacy ratings. Most teachers recognized the relevance of STEM integration, problem-based learning, computational thinking, and teamwork. However, variations in self-efficacy were observed across specific areas. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions, particularly for teachers in cluster 3, to enhance self-efficacy in STEM and CT education. Gender differences in profile membership were also noted. This study informs effective professional development programs in these domains." "Teachers' profiles in education for sustainable development" "Eleni Sinakou, Vincent Donche, Peter Van Petegem" "Teachers’ instructional beliefs and interests in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) are related to holistic, pluralistic, and action-oriented instructional practices in ESD teaching. To explore this hypothesis, we examine teachers’ ESD teaching profiles based on their instructional beliefs, interests, and instructional practices in ESD. We apply a mixed method design using a survey (quantitative data) and vignettes with open accompanying questions (qualitative data). Our sample consists of 535 Flemish elementary and secondary school teachers for the scales. A subsample of 187 teachers responded to the vignettes. Our analysis indicates two teachers’ ESD teaching profiles: the lower ESD practice-oriented teachers who hold several instructional beliefs about holistic and pluralistic instructional practices, are interested in action-orientation in ESD, but do not apply the practices in class; and the higher ESD practice-oriented teachers who also have varying instructional beliefs about holistic and pluralistic instructional practices but are not very interested in action-orientation in ESD. However, they use holistic, pluralistic, or action-oriented practices in ESD teaching." "Effectiveness of education for sustainability" "Wanda Sass, Sven De Maeyer, Jelle Boeve-de Pauw, Peter Van Petegem" "Science education is increasingly integrating a focus on socio-scientific issues. Policy makers and scholars also suggest education for sustainable development (ESD) is important for tackling current and future sustainability issues. ESD may foster students' action competence in sustainable development (ACiSD; knowledgeability, willingness, capacity expectations and outcome expectancy) regarding contributing to sustainability action. However, reports on effectiveness research relating to ACiSD as a learning outcome of action-oriented ESD are scarce. The current study explores (1) how early adolescents perceive their teachers' ESD implementation and (2) whether perceived ESD (holism, pluralism, and action-orientedness) affects students' self-reported ACiSD. We administered two questionnaires to 12-16 year-old secondary school students, tapping into (1) their self-reported ACiSD and (2) their perceptions of teachers' ESD implementation efforts. Students' ESD perceptions were measured through descriptive statistics. Next, multilevel linear models were estimated to explore whether ESD and its components affect students' ACiSD. Our results suggest students did not distinctly perceive ESD implementation (esp. a participative approach). Holism and action-orientedness were neither perceived to be completely present nor completely missing. However, action-orientedness significantly affected students' reported ACiSD. While confirming the challenge an ESD implementation poses, our results may support efforts made. Implications for education and teacher development are discussed." "Minoritized pupils' reflections on their student-teacher relationship in mainstream and supplementary schools" "Noel Clycq, Jan Vanhoof" "This paper investigates the student-teacher relationship among minoritized primary school pupils in Flanders, Belgium, who attend both mainstream and supplementary schools, educational initiatives organized by their communities in the weekend. Despite the recognized significance of this relationship, research often overlooks the experiences of students with migration backgrounds, and especially those of primary school pupils. This study aims to comprehensively understand the student-teacher dynamic by exploring both the academic and the affective side of the relationship from the perspective of the children. While prior research mainly focuses on secondary school students and mainly uses quantitative data, this qualitative study delves into the primary school context. Minoritized pupils, who attend supplementary schools in addition to their mainstream schools, provide a unique opportunity to examine student-teacher relationships across varied educational settings. Through 13 open ended in-depth interviews with a total of 29 pupils aged 9 to 12 attending both types of schools, the study uncovers which aspects of their student-teacher relationships the pupils perceive as supportive, in each setting. The findings reveal both shared and distinct experiences within different contexts, shedding light on the intricate interplay of expectations, teacher attitudes, and relationships. By investigating affective and academic dimensions of the student-teacher relationship from the experience of minoritized pupils, this paper adds to our understanding of the student teacher relationship. The insights emphasize the need to support the diverse needs of minoritized pupils in complex educational environments, offering recommendations for policymakers and suggesting future research directions." "Principals' and teachers' comprehension of school performance feedback reports" "Evelyn Goffin, R. Janssen, Jan Vanhoof" "School performance feedback can be a tool for school improvement. However, when educational professionals do not comprehend the data they are provided with, they will not arrive at valid inferences and correct diagnoses. We interviewed 23 Flemish primary school teachers and principals, asking them to explain authentic feedback from a national assessment. Framework analysis of think-aloud data reveals that participants’ comprehension of typical concepts is clouded by a range of misconceptions. We observed that that visual, verbal and mathematical building blocks in the report can become stumbling blocks. Moreover, misconceptions can be attributed to a certain extent to disconnects between feedback providers’ and feedback users’ frames of reference. These findings have important implications for data providers, considering they have a responsibility to cater to the interpretability of the data they provide." "'To teach or not to teach?'" "Tine Mombaers, Roos Van Gasse, Kristin Vanlommel, Peter Van Petegem" "This study contributes to the field of educational careers by exploring all educational career choices, whereas existing literature has focused on only a few. Deploying the push-pull-mooring framework (PPM), several undiscovered influential factors regarding educational career choices were captured. Using qualitative research methods, more particularly throughinterviews and focus groups, we revealed PPM factors towards different career choices educational professionals make. Moreover, this study sheds light on what considerations ultimately precede these career decisions. Findings show that influential factors such as support, workload, autonomy, self-efficacy, general job motivation and commitment to students play a relevant role across several educational career choices." "Instrument teachers' practices, beliefs, and barriers regarding musical creativity" "Jo Stijnen, Luc Nijs, Peter Van Petegem" "Instrumental music teaching traditionally emphasizes the cognitive, motor, and motivational processes of score reproduction, often at the expense of creative musical activities, such as improvisation or composition. Since today’s international art school curricula prominently include creativity competencies, opportunities to integrate creativity in instrumental lessons must be explored. This study investigates instrument teachers’ conception of musical creativity: its scope, opportunities, and risks. About 273 teachers completed an online questionnaire on their use of creative class time, beliefs, and barriers to creative instrument teaching. Although the majority acknowledged the benefits of creative activities for score-playing, they invested little in improvisation and composition due to a lack of time and training in musical creativity. Teachers considered interpretation a valuable form of musical creativity, next to improvisation and composition, but questioned its feasibility in instrument lessons. Implications for instrument-teacher training are discussed."