There is a need for effective methods to teach critical thinking. Many studies on other skills have demonstrated beneficial effects of practice that repeatedly induces retrieval processes (repeated retrieval practice). The present experiment investigated whether repeated retrieval practice is effective …

Problem-solving tasks form an important part of (higher education) curricula, especially in STEM-domains. For learners with little or no prior knowledge (novices), an effective way to learn new problem-solving tasks is by studying examples. These can be written out step-by-step solution procedures of …

There is a need for effective methods to teach critical thinking (CT). One instructional method that seems promising is comparing correct and erroneous worked examples (i.e., contrasting examples). The aim of the present study, therefore, was to investigate the effect of contrasting examples on learning …

Background: Practicing handwriting is important for learning reading and spelling. The Writing Readiness Inventory Tool In Context (WRITIC) is an occupation-based assessment that enables early identification of kindergarten children at risk for developing handwriting difficulties. For children with non-handwriting …

It is a challenge for mathematics teachers to provide activities for their students at a high level of cognitive demand. In this article, we explore the possibilities that history of mathematics has to offer to meet this challenge. History of mathematics can be applied in mathematics education in different …

The inclusive education debate is often framed as a choice between outmoded special schools and progressive inclusive general education schools. However, the rhetoric of ‘choice’ hides what is in reality a context of restricted resources, both in general education and in special congregated settings. …

Even learners with good language ability do not automatically engage in interactional encounters in the foreign language. Affective factors, such as speakers’ willingness to communicate (WTC), self-confidence and enjoyment of oral interaction play an important role in this (e.g. Dewaele & MacIntyre, …

Interaction in the target language (TL) is essential to foreign language development (Swain, 1985, Long, 1981). Meaningful tasks are thought to evoke interaction between learners (e.g. Pica, Kanagy & Falodun, 2009). However, even in a task-based curriculum for German, Dutch secondary school learners …

The catchment area of the Bovenmark has a total area of almost 40,000 hectares. The catchment area consists of a number of subsystems (Bavelse Leij, Chaamse beek, Galderse beek, Strijbeekse beek and 't Merkske) that together form the catchment area of the Bovenmark. In the 1990s, many development projects …

Autonomous robots require high degrees of cognitive and motoric intelligence to come into our everyday life. In non-structured environments and in the presence of uncertainties, such degrees of intelligence are not easy to obtain. Reinforcement learning algorithms have proven to be capable of solving …