International Journal of Modern Education and Computer Science (IJMECS)

ISSN: 2075-0161 (Print)

ISSN: 2075-017X (Online)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs

Website: https://www.mecs-press.org/ijmecs

Published By: MECS Press

Frequency: 6 issues per year

Number(s) Available: 139

(IJMECS) in Google Scholar Citations / h5-index

IJMECS is committed to bridge the theory and practice of modern education and computer science. From innovative ideas to specific algorithms and full system implementations, IJMECS publishes original, peer-reviewed, and high quality articles in the areas of modern education and computer science. IJMECS is a well-indexed scholarly journal and is indispensable reading and references for people working at the cutting edge of computer science, modern education and applications.

 

IJMECS has been abstracted or indexed by several world class databases: Scopus, SCImago, Google Scholar, Microsoft Academic Search, CrossRef, Baidu Wenku, IndexCopernicus, IET Inspec, EBSCO, JournalSeek, ULRICH's Periodicals Directory, WorldCat, Scirus, Academic Journals Database, Stanford University Libraries, Cornell University Library, UniSA Library, CNKI Scholar, ProQuest, J-Gate, ZDB, BASE, OhioLINK, iThenticate, Open Access Articles, Open Science Directory, National Science Library of Chinese Academy of Sciences, The HKU Scholars Hub, etc..

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IJMECS Vol. 17, No. 6, Dec. 2025

REGULAR PAPERS

Eliciting Knowledge Transfer and Self-management Skill through the Effects of Cognitive Load Theory on Programming Learning

By Carlos Sandoval-Medina Estela L. Munoz-Andrade Carlos A. Arevalo-Mercado Jaime Munoz-Arteaga

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2025.06.01, Pub. Date: 8 Dec. 2025

Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) is an instructional design theory that aligns with human cognitive architecture for creating instructional materials, through the design guidelines of its 17 instructional effects. However, the Self-Management effect suggests that students can be instructed to manage their learning. The Collective Working Memory effect highlights how a group of students working together can foster a more effective learning environment than an individual student, resulting in better learning outcomes. This research explored applying the Self-Management effect of CLT alongside the Collective Working Memory effect learning data structures in basic programming and measuring their effectiveness regarding essential knowledge acquisition in declarative knowledge, knowledge transfer (near transfer) in procedural knowledge, and developing self-management skills. Cognitive load was measured to determine the difference between groups and to determine the correlation with learning outcomes. The study was carried out through a quasi-experimental design with homogeneous groups, involving students from the Autonomous University of Aguascalientes. The results suggest positive findings in knowledge transfer as well as the development of self-management skills. The cognitive load between the participating groups does not show any significant statistical difference, nor does it show any correlation with the learning results.

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Exploring Therapeutic Applications of Virtual Reality in Mental Health: A Bibliometric Analysis

By Sheena Angra Avinash Sharma Bhanu Sharma

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2025.06.02, Pub. Date: 8 Dec. 2025

This research explores the connection between interventions for mental well-being and Virtual Reality (VR). A bibliometric analysis was conducted to assess the state of the field, comparing mental health applications to understand VR's significance. The study revealed a limited but growing body of literature examining VR's effects on mental health, primarily targeting mood, stress, and anxiety disorders. Various approaches, including immersive VR experiences, were identified, offering unique therapeutic benefits. The comparative investigation across disorders underscored the potential of VR therapy to create synergistic effects when combined with other interventions. Immersive VR experiences were found to offer innovative ways to address emotional regulation and stress management, enhancing traditional therapeutic methods. The applications and techniques developed so far provide significant insights into the transformative role VR could play in mental health care. The findings emphasize the importance of further research to optimize and expand VR interventions for mental well-being. Such advancements could pave the way for more personalized, engaging, and effective mental health solutions, particularly for conditions resistant to conventional therapies. By leveraging VR’s immersive and interactive capabilities, mental health practitioners can create interventions that not only alleviate symptoms but also foster long-term psychological resilience. This study highlights the critical need to develop and implement VR-based interventions systematically, ensuring their accessibility and efficacy across diverse populations. By doing so, VR can serve as a cornerstone in the evolution of mental health care, bridging gaps and unlocking new possibilities for well-being.

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Factors Affecting the Needs of Learning English for Medical Purposes of Medical Students at Tay Nguyen University of Vietnam

By Pham Dac Quoc Phuong Doan Van Vu Vu Tran Thao Vy Phan Bao Chon Tran Huynh Thanh Nhat Dinh Huu Hung Phan Thi Kim Phung Le Thi Hong Van

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2025.06.03, Pub. Date: 8 Dec. 2025

At Tay Nguyen University in Vietnam, the English for Medical Purposes (EMP) course is tailored to address the specific language learning needs of medical students. Despite its aims, the course exhibits various limitations that hinder both teaching and learning processes. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among medical students in the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, encompassing cohorts from 2017 to 2022, to assess the interest levels and influencing factors related to learning EMP. A total of 258 students participated in the survey, revealing that only 31% expressed a preference for learning EMP. The study identified several key factors impacting the learning of EMP, including future career prospects, the learning environment, study materials, students' self-study habits, and specific teaching activities for medical purposes. This research provides valuable insights for both students and educational administrators at Tay Nguyen University, facilitating the development of effective strategies to enhance the efficiency and quality of EMP education.

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NeSy-Guidance: A Neuro-Symbolic Knowledge Graph for Academic Recommendations Combining Rule-Based Reasoning and Neural Inference

By Zineb Elkaimbillah Zineb Mcharfi Mohamed Khoual Bouchra El Asri

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2025.06.04, Pub. Date: 8 Dec. 2025

The growing complexity of academic and career decision-making requires intelligent systems that can deliver personalized recommendations while ensuring strict compliance with institutional policies and incorporating evolving contextual factors. This paper introduces NeSy-Guidance, a neuro-symbolic recommendation approach that combines symbolic rule reasoning with graph-based neural inference over a dynamic and time-aware academic Knowledge Graph (KG). The model encodes students, programs, and contextual entities including regions and emerging trends while integrating regulatory constraints derived from Moroccan admission policies. It applies a two-stage reasoning pipeline: a symbolic layer enforcing hard eligibility rules and soft preference-based adjustments mined automatically from the knowledge graph, and a Graph Convolutional Network (GCN) layer trained with a weighted loss to address class imbalance and capture latent student–program compatibility. A weighted score fusion mechanism integrates both inference outputs, achieving a balance between interpretability, adaptability, and predictive performance. Evaluated on a real-world dataset of 800 students and 325 academic programs, NeSy-Guidance outperforms three state-of-the-art baselines in both accuracy and policy compliance. It achieves 83.8% accuracy, 74.5% precision@5, 75.4% F1-score, and ensures 100% compliance with institutional eligibility rules. Furthermore, a qualitative survey confirmed positive student satisfaction regarding the clarity and relevance of recommendations. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of hybrid reasoning and validate NeSy-Guidance as a reliable, explainable, and regulation-aware academic guidance system capable of adapting to regional disparities, emerging academic trends, and evolving student preferences.

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Enhancing Information and Media Literacy: Evaluating the Impact of Webinars, Workshops, and Masterclasses

By Marina Drushlyak Olena Semenog Nataliia Ponomarenko Myroslava Vovk Dmytro Budianskyi Olena Semenikhina

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2025.06.05, Pub. Date: 8 Dec. 2025

The focus of the research is on the analysis of the effectiveness of different forms of educational activities in developing youth’s information and media literacy (IML), based on the results of the Ukrainian project “MEDIA & CAPSULES”, implemented within IREX’s “Learn and Discern” initiative. The study compared the impact of webinar sessions, masterclasses, and information and media workshops on three key IML indicators: information literacy, media literacy, and digital security. An empirical pre-post design was used to assess changes in participants’ competencies before and after each type of educational intervention. Statistical analysis revealed that information and media workshops had the strongest overall impact, particularly enhancing media literacy and digital security. Masterclasses were most effective in improving information literacy, while webinars showed moderate improvements across all indicators. The findings highlight the importance of aligning instructional formats with specific educational goals and provide practical implications for educators and curriculum developers working to strengthen youth resilience against misinformation and digital threats.

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A Structured Project-Based Learning Pedagogy to Bridge the Theory–Practical Gap in Blockchain Education

By Rachana Yogesh Patil Rahul Kulkarni

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2025.06.06, Pub. Date: 8 Dec. 2025

Traditional educational institutions prioritize theoretical education over hands-on practical skills which produce a gap between classroom learning and industry requirements particularly in the fast-growing blockchain sector. A structured case study demonstrates how Project-Based Learning (PBL) was implemented in an undergraduate engineering course which focused on blockchain technology. The educational approach evolved through four stages that combined theoretical instruction with collaborative solution creation and DApp programming and assessment evaluation. Performance metrics from students including testing coverage, GitHub contributions, documentation quality and research paper output are carefully analyzed through algorithmic guidance of each phase. The paper demonstrates the development of teaching methods through traditional practices and outcome-based instruction up to project-based learning supported by visual timeline comparisons. Student feedback demonstrates that the education methods led to enhanced technical abilities together with teamworking and increased student confidence. The case study demonstrates how PBL functions as an educational connection between academic learning and practical blockchain development needs because most teams (over 75%) finished functional DApps alongside several groups producing research suitable for publication.

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Emerging Themes and Research Directions in MOOCs and Micro-credentials

By K. S. Savita Pradeep Isawasan Muhammad Akmal Hakim Ahmad Asmawi Muhammad Shaheen Rabiya Ghafoor

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2025.06.07, Pub. Date: 8 Dec. 2025

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and micro-credentials have emerged as key innovations in modern education, offering scalable, flexible access to learning and skill development. Despite their potential, challenges such as low learner engagement, high dropout rates, and uncertainty over the value of digital credentials remain. This study analyzes 3,743 publications from 1970 to 2024 using bibliometric and text analytics to uncover research trends, influential studies, and dominant themes in the field. Results show a surge in research from 2014 to 2020 driven by digital technology adoption and the COVID-19 pandemic followed by a decline as hybrid learning models became normalized. Key themes include learner motivation, engagement strategies, digital badges, and ethical concerns tied to data-driven education. While advancements in learning analytics and personalization show promise, the study underscores the need for standardized credentialing, scalable engagement frameworks, and ethical governance in online education. Critical gaps remain, particularly in evaluating the long-term impact of micro-credentials on employability and understanding adoption differences across regions and socio-economic groups. Limitations include reliance on the Web of Science and author-provided keywords, which may narrow the scope. Despite this, the study provides a systematic overview and offers practical insights for improving MOOCs and micro-credentials as tools for lifelong learning and global educational equity.

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A Novel Multimodal Sarcasm Detection Methodology with Emotion Recognition Using E-RS-GRU and KLKI-FUZZY Techniques

By Ravi Teja Gedela J. N. V. R. Swarup Kumar Venkateswararao Kuna Sasibhushana Rao Pappu

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2025.06.08, Pub. Date: 8 Dec. 2025

Sarcasm, a subtle form of expression, is challenging to detect, especially in modern communication platforms where communication transcends text to encompass videos, images, and audio. Traditional sarcasm detection methods rely solely on textual data and often struggle to capture the nuanced emotional inconsistencies inherent in sarcastic remarks. To overcome these shortcomings, this paper introduces a novel multimodal framework incorporating text, audio, and emoji data for more effective sarcasm detection and emotion classification. A key component of this framework is the Contextualized Semantic Self-Guided BERT (CS-SGBERT) model, which generates efficient word embeddings. Primarily, frequency spectral analysis is performed on the audio data, followed by preprocessing and feature extraction, while text data undergoes preprocessing to extract lexicon and irony features. Meanwhile, emojis are analyzed for polarity scores, which provide a rich set of multimodal features. The fused features are then optimized using the Camberra-based Dingo Optimization Algorithm (C-DOA). The selected features and the embedded words from the preprocessed texts are given to Entropy-based Robust Scaling - Gated Recurrent Units (E-RS-GRU) for detecting sarcasm. Experimental results on the MUStARD dataset show that the proposed E-RS-GRU model achieves an accuracy of 76.65% and F1-score of 76.9%, with a relative improvement of 2.18% over the best-performing baseline and 1.25% over the best-performing state-of-the-art model. Additionally, KLKI-Fuzzy model is proposed for emotion recognition, which dynamically adjusts membership functions through Kullback-Leibler Kriging Interpolation (KLKI), enhancing emotion classification by processing features from all modalities. The KLKI-Fuzzy model exhibits enhanced emotion recognition performance with reduced fuzzification and defuzzification times.

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Dynamic Data Mining: Using Dynamic ID3 Algorithm to Solve Any Problem that Needs Decision Tree Support

By Amir Amjad Gharbi Bassel Alkhatib

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2025.06.09, Pub. Date: 8 Dec. 2025

Most programmers and users resort to find individual solution per problem depending on the data and nature of problem, that will lead to solve a specific problem using an algorithm without the ability of this solution to solve a new problem. This variance comes from the difference in algorithm parameters from one problem to another, as these parameters related to data nature, its size, and values it carried that can affect the way algorithm work. Individual solutions lead to increase in time cost and effort spent on solving a new problem, which the new problem requires to work on programming new criteria for algorithm solution. That is prompted us to highlight necessaries to develop main components for algorithms used in practical life, such as data mining algorithms so that a solution designed for one problem can be more easily adapted to new problems with different data structures, within the general scope of decision tree applicability. These algorithm components need control mechanism settings, so when using component to solve problem, there is no need to develop algorithm settings again, regardless data size and data structure. We found that the dynamic solution saves effort and time needed to solve problems with same algorithm. In this paper, we present our methodology for using ID3 decision tree algorithm to mine data dynamically, and the mechanism used to achieve the dynamic solution, that provides a flexible and reusable solution for a wide range of problems that require decision tree support, reducing the need to redesign or reimplement models for each new task The proposed model was tested on three datasets. The proposed model achieved an accuracy of 97%, 97%, and 93% on the breast cancer, heart disease, and diabetes datasets, respectively.

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Leveraging Convolutional Neural Network to Enhance the Performance of Ensemble Learning in Scientific Article Classification

By I Nyoman Switrayana Neny Sulistianingsih

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2025.06.10, Pub. Date: 8 Dec. 2025

The classification of scientific articles faces challenges due to the complexity and diversity of academic content. In response to this issue, a new approach is proposed, utilizing Ensemble Learning, specifically Decision Tree, Random Forest, AdaBoost, and XGBoost, along with Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) techniques. This study utilizes the arXiv dataset, comparing the effectiveness of Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency (TFIDF) and Sentence-BERT (SBERT) for text representation. To further refine feature extraction, vectors derived from SBERT are integrated into the CNN framework for dimensionality reduction and obtaining more representative feature maps named latent feature vectors. The study also observes the impact of incorporating both the title and abstract on performance, demonstrating that richer textual information enhances model accuracy. The hybrid model (CNN + Ensemble Learning) demonstrates a substantial improvement in classification accuracy compared to traditional Ensemble Learning. The evaluation shows that CNN + SBERT with XGBoost achieved the highest accuracy of 94.62%, showcasing the benefits of combining advanced feature extraction techniques with powerful models. This research emphasizes the potential of integrating CNN within the Ensemble Learning paradigm to enhance the performance of scientific article classification and provides insights into the crucial role of CNN in improving model accuracy. Additionally, the study highlights the superior performance of SBERT in feature extraction, contributing beneficially to the overall model. 

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Predicting College Students’ Placements Based on Academic Performance Using Machine Learning Approaches

By Mukesh Kumar Nidhi Walia Sushil Bansal Girish Kumar Korhan Cengiz

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2023.06.01, Pub. Date: 8 Dec. 2023

Predicting College placements based on academic performance is critical to supporting educational institutions and students in making informed decisions about future career paths. The present research investigates the use of Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to predict college students' placements using academic performance data. The study makes use of a dataset that includes a variety of academic markers, such as grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities, obtained from a varied sample of college students. To create predictive models, the study analyses numerous ML algorithms, including Logistic Regression, Gaussian Naive Bayes, Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, and K-Nearest Neighbour. The predictive models are evaluated using performance criteria such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score. The most effective machine learning method for forecasting students' placements based on academic achievement is identified through a comparative study. The findings show that Random Forest approaches have the potential to effectively forecast college student placements. The findings show that academic factors such as grades and test scores have a considerable impact on prediction accuracy. The findings of this study could be beneficial to educational institutions, students, and career counsellors.

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Teachers’ Use of Technology and Constructivism

By Abbas Pourhosein Gilakjani Lai-Mei Leong Hairul Nizam Ismail

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2013.04.07, Pub. Date: 8 Apr. 2013

Technology has changed the way we teach and the way we learn. Many learning theories can be used to apply and integrate this technology more effectively. There is a close relationship between technology and constructivism, the implementation of each one benefiting the other. Constructivism states that learning takes place in contexts, while technology refers to the designs and environments that engage learners. Recent efforts to integrate technology in the classroom have been within the context of a constructivist framework. The purpose of this paper is to examine the definition of constructivism, incorporating technology into the classroom, successful technology integration into the classroom, factors contributing to teachers’ use of technology, role of technology in a constructivist classroom, teacher’s use of learning theories to enable more effective use of technology, learning with technology: constructivist perspective, and constructivism as a framework for educational technology. This paper explains whether technology by itself can make the education process more effective or if technology needs an appropriate instructional theory to indicate its positive effect on the learner.

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House Price Prediction using a Machine Learning Model: A Survey of Literature

By Nor Hamizah Zulkifley Shuzlina Abdul Rahman Nor Hasbiah Ubaidullah Ismail Ibrahim

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2020.06.04, Pub. Date: 8 Dec. 2020

Data mining is now commonly applied in the real estate market. Data mining's ability to extract relevant knowledge from raw data makes it very useful to predict house prices, key housing attributes, and many more. Research has stated that the fluctuations in house prices are often a concern for house owners and the real estate market. A survey of literature is carried out to analyze the relevant attributes and the most efficient models to forecast the house prices. The findings of this analysis verified the use of the Artificial Neural Network, Support Vector Regression and XGBoost as the most efficient models compared to others. Moreover, our findings also suggest that locational attributes and structural attributes are prominent factors in predicting house prices. This study will be of tremendous benefit, especially to housing developers and researchers, to ascertain the most significant attributes to determine house prices and to acknowledge the best machine learning model to be used to conduct a study in this field.

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Project-based Learning in Vocational Education: A Bibliometric Approach

By Selamat Triono Ahmad Ronal Watrianthos Agariadne Dwinggo Samala Mukhlidi Muskhir Gimba Dogara

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2023.04.04, Pub. Date: 8 Aug. 2023

The project-based learning (PjBL) paradigm is often considered the most advanced in vocational education. The increasing use of the PjBL paradigm in vocational education is an intriguing topic of study. In line with the rapid growth of information technology, it enables PjBL in vocational education to help students develop problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork skills. In this study, a bibliometric method is used to provide insight into the structure of the subject, social networks, research trends, and issues reflecting project-based learning in vocational education. On November 27, 2022, the Scopus database was searched using project-based learning terms in the title. The second search field appears in the title, abstract, and keywords vocational education or TVET, restricted to journal articles or proceedings and in English to keep them current. This analysis revealed 60 articles in Scopus-indexed journals and proceedings between 2010 and 2022. Dwi Agus Sudjimat from Malang State University, Indonesia, was the most prolific author, having authored four articles on the subject. Indonesia is the nation investing the most in developing PjBL models. According to the thematic data, project-based learning is located in the first quadrant, has high centrality and density, and has well-developed questions related to the study topic. The results of this study show that the project-based learning model that is evolving in vocational education is likely to continue to be an important teaching approach in this field.

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LLMs Performance on Vietnamese High School Biology Examination

By Xuan-Quy Dao Ngoc-Bich Le

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2023.06.02, Pub. Date: 8 Dec. 2023

Large Language Models (LLMs) have received significant attention due to their potential to transform the field of education and assessment through the provision of automated responses to a diverse range of inquiries. The objective of this research is to examine the efficacy of three LLMs - ChatGPT, BingChat, and Bard - in relation to their performance on the Vietnamese High School Biology Examination dataset. This dataset consists of a wide range of biology questions that vary in difficulty and context. By conducting a thorough analysis, we are able to reveal the merits and drawbacks of each LLM, thereby providing valuable insights for their successful incorporation into educational platforms. This study examines the proficiency of LLMs in various levels of questioning, namely Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, and High Application. The findings of the study reveal complex and subtle patterns in performance. The versatility of ChatGPT is evident as it showcases potential across multiple levels. Nevertheless, it encounters difficulties in maintaining consistency and effectively addressing complex application queries. BingChat and Bard demonstrate strong performance in tasks related to factual recall, comprehension, and interpretation, indicating their effectiveness in facilitating fundamental learning. Additional investigation encompasses educational environments. The analysis indicates that the utilization of BingChat and Bard has the potential to augment factual and comprehension learning experiences. However, it is crucial to acknowledge the indispensable significance of human expertise in tackling complex application inquiries. The research conducted emphasizes the importance of adopting a well-rounded approach to the integration of LLMs, taking into account their capabilities while also recognizing their limitations. The refinement of LLM capabilities and the resolution of challenges in addressing advanced application scenarios can be achieved through collaboration among educators, developers, and AI researchers.

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Analyzing Students’ Performance Using Fuzzy Logic and Hierarchical Linear Regression

By Dao Thi Thanh Loan Nguyen Duy Tho Nguyen Huu Nghia Vu Dinh Chien Tran Anh Tuan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2024.01.01, Pub. Date: 8 Feb. 2024

Due to the COVID-19 situation, all activities, including education, were shifted to online platforms. Consequently, instructors encountered increased challenges in evaluating students. In traditional assessment methods, instructors often face ambiguous cases when evaluating students’ competencies. Recent research has focused on the effectiveness of fuzzy logic in assessing students’ competencies, considering the presence of uncertain factors or multiple variables. Additionally, demographic characteristics, which can potentially influence students’ performance, are not typically utilized as inputs in the fuzzy logic method. Therefore, analyzing students’ performance by incorporating these factors is crucial in suggesting adjustments to teaching and learning strategies. In this study, we employ a combination of fuzzy logic and hierarchical linear regression to analyze students’ performance. The experiment involved 318 students from various programs and showed that the hybrid approach assessed students’ performance with greater nuance and adaptability when compared to a traditional method. Moreover, the findings in this study revealed the following: 1) There are differences in students’ performance between traditional and fuzzy evaluation methods; 2) The learning method is an impact on students’ fuzzy grades; 3) Students studying online do not perform better than those studying onsite. These findings suggest that instructors and educators should explore effective strategies being fair and suitable in assessment and learning.

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Project-Based Learning with Gallery Walk: The Association with the Learning Motivation and Achievement

By Zamree Che-aron Wannisa Matcha

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2023.05.01, Pub. Date: 8 Oct. 2023

With the rapid and constant changes in computer and information technology, the content and learning methods in Computer Science related courses need to be continuously adapted and consistently aligned with the latest developments in the field. This paper proposes a learning approach called the Gallery-walk integrated Project-Based Learning (G-PBL) which can develop students’ lifelong learning skills that are extremely crucial for Computer Science students. The G-PBL was designed by incorporating the advantages of Project-Based Learning (PBL) and gallery walk learning strategy. In contrast to traditional PBL where students may present their project work to instructors only, students have to present their project work to their classmates as part of the G-PBL approach. All students are required to evaluate their peers’ project work and then give feedback and suggestions. For the research experiments, the G-PBL was implemented as an instructional approach in two Computer Science related courses. This study focuses on exploring the differences in knowledge gain, learning motivation, and perceived usefulness when learning by using the teacher-centered and G-PBL approach. Moreover, the impact of gender differences on learning outcomes is also investigated. The results reveal that using the G-PBL approach helps students to gain more knowledge significantly, for both male and female students. In terms of motivation, female students are more favorable toward the G-PBL approach. On the contrary, male students prefer learning via a teacher-centered approach. Regarding the perceived usefulness, female students strongly view the G-PBL as a highly effective learning approach, whereas male students are more prone to concur that the teacher-centered approach is a more effective learning method.

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A Study on the Role of Motivation in Foreign Language Learning and Teaching

By Abbas Pourhosein Gilakjani Lai-Mei Leong Narjes Banou Sabouri

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2012.07.02, Pub. Date: 8 Jul. 2012

Motivation has been called the “neglected heart” of language teaching. As teachers, we often forget that all of our learning activities are filtered through our students’ motivation. In this sense, students control the flow of the classroom. Without student motivation, there is no pulse, there is no life in the class. When we learn to incorporate direct approaches to generating student motivation in our teaching, we will become happier and more successful teachers. This paper is an attempt to look at EFL learners’ motivation in learning a foreign language from a theoretical approach. It includes a definition of the concept, the importance of motivation, specific approaches for generating motivation, difference between integrative and instrumental motivation, difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, factors influencing motivation, and adopting motivational teaching practice.

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A Match or Mismatch Between Learning Styles of the Learners and Teaching Styles of the Teachers

By Abbas Pourhosein Gilakjani

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2012.11.05, Pub. Date: 8 Nov. 2012

It is important to study learning styles because recent studies have shown that a match between teaching and learning styles helps to motivate students´ process of learning. That is why teachers should identify their own teaching styles as well as their learning styles to obtain better results in the classroom. The aim is to have a balanced teaching style and to adapt activities to meet students´ style and to involve teachers in this type of research to assure the results found in this research study. Over 100 students complete a questionnaire to determine if their learning styles are auditory, visual, or kinesthetic. Discovering these learning styles will allow the students to determine their own personal strengths and weaknesses and learn from them. Teachers can incorporate learning styles into their classroom by identifying the learning styles of each of their students, matching teaching styles to learning styles for difficult tasks, strengthening weaker learning styles. The purpose of this study is to explain learning styles, teaching styles match or mismatch between learning and teaching styles, visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles among Iranian learners, and pedagogical implications for the EFL/ESL classroom. A review of the literature along with analysis of the data will determine how learning styles match the teaching styles.

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Factors Affecting Entrepreneurial Motivation and Intention of University Students in Hanoi, Vietnam

By Do Thi Minh Hue Tran Phuong Thao Pham Canh Toan Hoang Dinh Luong Phan Thi Hao Do Thi Huyen Nguyen Thi Hoa

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2022.02.01, Pub. Date: 8 Apr. 2022

Entrepreneurship is the key driver of economic progress in many countries; thus, many countries have introduced policies to promote a more entrepreneurial environment. This study assesses the impact of factors affecting entrepreneurial intention of university students. The data was collected through a survey of 341 students at 09 leading universities in Hanoi, Vietnam and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with SPSS and Amos software. The research results show that entrepreneurial skills, entrepreneurial environment and subjective norms either directly or indirectly affect business motivation and entrepreneurial intention of university students. Thus, it is suggested that university and other educational institutions should provide more activities and taught courses that help students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for entrepreneurship.

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Predicting College Students’ Placements Based on Academic Performance Using Machine Learning Approaches

By Mukesh Kumar Nidhi Walia Sushil Bansal Girish Kumar Korhan Cengiz

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2023.06.01, Pub. Date: 8 Dec. 2023

Predicting College placements based on academic performance is critical to supporting educational institutions and students in making informed decisions about future career paths. The present research investigates the use of Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to predict college students' placements using academic performance data. The study makes use of a dataset that includes a variety of academic markers, such as grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities, obtained from a varied sample of college students. To create predictive models, the study analyses numerous ML algorithms, including Logistic Regression, Gaussian Naive Bayes, Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, and K-Nearest Neighbour. The predictive models are evaluated using performance criteria such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score. The most effective machine learning method for forecasting students' placements based on academic achievement is identified through a comparative study. The findings show that Random Forest approaches have the potential to effectively forecast college student placements. The findings show that academic factors such as grades and test scores have a considerable impact on prediction accuracy. The findings of this study could be beneficial to educational institutions, students, and career counsellors.

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Development of Collaborative Learning and Programming (CLP): A Learning Model on Object Oriented Programming Course

By Efan Efan Krismadinata Krismadinata Cherifa Boudia Muhammad Giatman Mukhlidi Muskhir Hasan Maksum

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2024.03.01, Pub. Date: 8 Jun. 2024

There appears to be a tendency for the strategies and methods that have been offered in OOP course learning to affect the improvement of individual skills only. There is a significant need for learning strategies which are relevant and able of improving collaborative working skills. The purpose of this study is to develop a Collaborative Learning and Programming model suitable for Object-Oriented Programming courses and assess its validity, practicality, and effectiveness. The implementation of the CLP model was conducted using the ADDIE development procedure by involving 7 experts, 35 experimental class students, 23 control class students and 4 lecturers of the Object-Oriented Programming course. The survey results showed that the CLP model was valid, practical, and effective in achieving these goals. The validity test results were verified based on experts' assessment, indicating that the aspects contained in the CLP model were valid with an Aiken's value V =0.89. The practicality test results indicated that the model was highly practical with the practicality value of 89.95% from students and 89.67% from lecturers. Finally, using the CLP model demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing the abstraction and complexity of OOP courses and improving student collaboration, particularly in programming tasks. The significance of conducting this survey is that it provides evidence for the effectiveness of the CLP model in achieving its intended goals and can inform the development of future OOP courses and programming tasks. The survey was conducted well, as it used both expert assessment and student and lecturer feedback to assess the validity, practicality, and effectiveness of the CLP model.

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Project-Based Learning with Gallery Walk: The Association with the Learning Motivation and Achievement

By Zamree Che-aron Wannisa Matcha

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2023.05.01, Pub. Date: 8 Oct. 2023

With the rapid and constant changes in computer and information technology, the content and learning methods in Computer Science related courses need to be continuously adapted and consistently aligned with the latest developments in the field. This paper proposes a learning approach called the Gallery-walk integrated Project-Based Learning (G-PBL) which can develop students’ lifelong learning skills that are extremely crucial for Computer Science students. The G-PBL was designed by incorporating the advantages of Project-Based Learning (PBL) and gallery walk learning strategy. In contrast to traditional PBL where students may present their project work to instructors only, students have to present their project work to their classmates as part of the G-PBL approach. All students are required to evaluate their peers’ project work and then give feedback and suggestions. For the research experiments, the G-PBL was implemented as an instructional approach in two Computer Science related courses. This study focuses on exploring the differences in knowledge gain, learning motivation, and perceived usefulness when learning by using the teacher-centered and G-PBL approach. Moreover, the impact of gender differences on learning outcomes is also investigated. The results reveal that using the G-PBL approach helps students to gain more knowledge significantly, for both male and female students. In terms of motivation, female students are more favorable toward the G-PBL approach. On the contrary, male students prefer learning via a teacher-centered approach. Regarding the perceived usefulness, female students strongly view the G-PBL as a highly effective learning approach, whereas male students are more prone to concur that the teacher-centered approach is a more effective learning method.

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Analyzing Students’ Performance Using Fuzzy Logic and Hierarchical Linear Regression

By Dao Thi Thanh Loan Nguyen Duy Tho Nguyen Huu Nghia Vu Dinh Chien Tran Anh Tuan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2024.01.01, Pub. Date: 8 Feb. 2024

Due to the COVID-19 situation, all activities, including education, were shifted to online platforms. Consequently, instructors encountered increased challenges in evaluating students. In traditional assessment methods, instructors often face ambiguous cases when evaluating students’ competencies. Recent research has focused on the effectiveness of fuzzy logic in assessing students’ competencies, considering the presence of uncertain factors or multiple variables. Additionally, demographic characteristics, which can potentially influence students’ performance, are not typically utilized as inputs in the fuzzy logic method. Therefore, analyzing students’ performance by incorporating these factors is crucial in suggesting adjustments to teaching and learning strategies. In this study, we employ a combination of fuzzy logic and hierarchical linear regression to analyze students’ performance. The experiment involved 318 students from various programs and showed that the hybrid approach assessed students’ performance with greater nuance and adaptability when compared to a traditional method. Moreover, the findings in this study revealed the following: 1) There are differences in students’ performance between traditional and fuzzy evaluation methods; 2) The learning method is an impact on students’ fuzzy grades; 3) Students studying online do not perform better than those studying onsite. These findings suggest that instructors and educators should explore effective strategies being fair and suitable in assessment and learning.

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Project-based Learning in Vocational Education: A Bibliometric Approach

By Selamat Triono Ahmad Ronal Watrianthos Agariadne Dwinggo Samala Mukhlidi Muskhir Gimba Dogara

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2023.04.04, Pub. Date: 8 Aug. 2023

The project-based learning (PjBL) paradigm is often considered the most advanced in vocational education. The increasing use of the PjBL paradigm in vocational education is an intriguing topic of study. In line with the rapid growth of information technology, it enables PjBL in vocational education to help students develop problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork skills. In this study, a bibliometric method is used to provide insight into the structure of the subject, social networks, research trends, and issues reflecting project-based learning in vocational education. On November 27, 2022, the Scopus database was searched using project-based learning terms in the title. The second search field appears in the title, abstract, and keywords vocational education or TVET, restricted to journal articles or proceedings and in English to keep them current. This analysis revealed 60 articles in Scopus-indexed journals and proceedings between 2010 and 2022. Dwi Agus Sudjimat from Malang State University, Indonesia, was the most prolific author, having authored four articles on the subject. Indonesia is the nation investing the most in developing PjBL models. According to the thematic data, project-based learning is located in the first quadrant, has high centrality and density, and has well-developed questions related to the study topic. The results of this study show that the project-based learning model that is evolving in vocational education is likely to continue to be an important teaching approach in this field.

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House Price Prediction using a Machine Learning Model: A Survey of Literature

By Nor Hamizah Zulkifley Shuzlina Abdul Rahman Nor Hasbiah Ubaidullah Ismail Ibrahim

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2020.06.04, Pub. Date: 8 Dec. 2020

Data mining is now commonly applied in the real estate market. Data mining's ability to extract relevant knowledge from raw data makes it very useful to predict house prices, key housing attributes, and many more. Research has stated that the fluctuations in house prices are often a concern for house owners and the real estate market. A survey of literature is carried out to analyze the relevant attributes and the most efficient models to forecast the house prices. The findings of this analysis verified the use of the Artificial Neural Network, Support Vector Regression and XGBoost as the most efficient models compared to others. Moreover, our findings also suggest that locational attributes and structural attributes are prominent factors in predicting house prices. This study will be of tremendous benefit, especially to housing developers and researchers, to ascertain the most significant attributes to determine house prices and to acknowledge the best machine learning model to be used to conduct a study in this field.

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Factors Affecting Entrepreneurial Motivation and Intention of University Students in Hanoi, Vietnam

By Do Thi Minh Hue Tran Phuong Thao Pham Canh Toan Hoang Dinh Luong Phan Thi Hao Do Thi Huyen Nguyen Thi Hoa

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2022.02.01, Pub. Date: 8 Apr. 2022

Entrepreneurship is the key driver of economic progress in many countries; thus, many countries have introduced policies to promote a more entrepreneurial environment. This study assesses the impact of factors affecting entrepreneurial intention of university students. The data was collected through a survey of 341 students at 09 leading universities in Hanoi, Vietnam and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with SPSS and Amos software. The research results show that entrepreneurial skills, entrepreneurial environment and subjective norms either directly or indirectly affect business motivation and entrepreneurial intention of university students. Thus, it is suggested that university and other educational institutions should provide more activities and taught courses that help students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for entrepreneurship.

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Analysis of Student’s Academic Performance based on their Time Spent on Extra-Curricular Activities using Machine Learning Techniques

By Neeta Sharma Shanmuganathan Appukutti Umang Garg Jayati Mukherjee Sneha Mishra

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2023.01.04, Pub. Date: 8 Feb. 2023

The foundational tenet of any nation's prosperity, character, and progress is education. Thus, a lot of emphasis is laid on quality of education and education delivery system in India with current financial year (2022-23) education budget outlay of Rs. 1,04,277.72 crores. This research contributes in analyzing how students perform in academics depending upon the time spent on their extracurricular activities with the help of three Machine Learning prediction algorithms namely Decision Tree, Random Forest and KNN. Additionally, in order to comprehend the underlying causes of the shortcomings in each machine learning technique, comparisons of the prediction outcomes obtained by these various techniques are made. On our dataset, the Decision Tree outscored all other algorithms, achieving F1 84 and an accuracy of 85%. The research, which is at an introductory level, is meant to open the door for more complexes, specialised, and in-depth studies in the area of predicting the performance in academics.

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Comparison of Simple Additive Weighting Method and Weighted Performance Indicator Method for Lecturer Performance Assessment

By Terttiaavini Yusuf Hartono Ermatita Dian Palupi Rini

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2023.02.01, Pub. Date: 8 Apr. 2023

The development of methods for assessing lecturers' performance is needed to motivate lecturers to achieve institutional targets. Currently, lecturers are required to be able to adapt to the rapid development of technology. Lecturer performance assessment must be done periodically. Competence is measured as a basis for planning resource development activities. The method that is often used for assessing lecturer performance is the Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) method. However, the SAW method has drawbacks, namely 1) the process of determining criteria is only carried out by the leadership (subjective); 2) The SAW method can only be applied to multi-criteria data ; 3) Data ranking problems. Based on this deficiency, a new method was built, namely, the Weighted Performance Indicator (WPI) method using respondents’ opinion to determine the criteria. This study aims to compare the performance of the two methods. Testing criteria using SPPS application dan WPI method, while testing methods utilized the SAW method and the WPI method. The results of the criterion test show the Percentage of Similarity of data validity = 96.7 % witht the minimum percentage limit (MPL) = 40%. While the results of the SAW method and WPI method testing resulted in the highest score in the 13th alternative, namely SAW score (v13) = 793.76 and WP score (WP13) = 0.928, and the lowest value in the 30th alternative, SAW score (v30) = 18.60 and WP score (WP30) = 0.140. the ranking positions in these two methods show similarities. However, for other alternatives, the rating value can be different. 
The WPI method is a scientific development in the field of decision support systems that can be applied to other performance assessments, such other human resources, system performance assesment etc. 
The results of this study prove that the WPI method can be used as a performance assessment method with different characteristics from the SAW method.

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Enhancing Math-class Experience throughout Digital Game-based Learning, the case of Moroccan Elementary Public Schools

By Tariq Bouzid Fatiha Kaddari Hassane Darhmaoui El Ghazi Bouzid

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2021.05.01, Pub. Date: 8 Oct. 2021

There is a growing interest in integrating active learning and computer-based approaches in the teaching and learning of mathematics in elementary schools. In this study, we introduce Digital Game-Based Learning (DGBL) of Mathematics targeting students in the 5th and 6th grades following a design-to-implementation strategy. We first developed an edutainment Mathematics game and then tested it with 196 pupils from 9 public elementary schools in Morocco. The rationale of the study is to probe the effect of DGBL in lessening pupils’ mathematical anxiety and improving classroom experience.
Students in our study were more engaged and less anxious towards learning Mathematics. Our designed pedagogical edutainment game made students more comfortable when dealing with numerical arithmetic assignments. The study suggests that edutainment games lead to positive individual attitudes towards mathematics and to a better math classroom experience, thus more effective teaching and learning of mathematics.

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