Iranian Journal of Learning and Memory

Abstract The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of gamification-based instruction on the executive functions of secondary school students. This research employed a semi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest and control group. The statistical population included all 12th-grade mathematics students in District 3 of Tehran during the 2023–2024 academic year. The sample consisted of 30 students (15 in each group) selected through cluster random sampling; two schools were randomly chosen from among the 12th-grade mathematics students. Data were collected using the Executive Functions Questionnaire by Gioia et al. (2000), the Digit Span subscale of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, and the Cattell Intelligence Test was administered to control for intelligence across groups. The experimental group received gamification-based mathematics instruction once a week for ten 70-minute sessions, while the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). The results indicated that gamification-based instruction had a significant effect on students’ executive brain functions and memory span (P ≤ 0.05). Specifically, the experimental group outperformed the control group in key components of executive functioning — including inhibition, shifting attention, emotional control, task initiation, working memory, planning, organization, and monitoring — as well as in both forward and backward digit span.

Abstract Objective: This study investigated the effect of wisdom therapy (general and personal) on academic procrastination among elementary school students.
Method: This quasi-experimental study used a pre-test-post-test design with two experimental groups and a control group. The population included 230 female students from Pardis 2 Primary School (grades 4–6) in Songhor Kolyaei city in 2021–2022. Fifty-one students identified as high academic procrastinators (top 25% in delayed homework submission) were randomly selected and assigned to experimental group A (n = 17), experimental group B (n = 17), and a control group (n = 17). Academic procrastination was assessed behaviorally through direct observation and systematic recording of delays in submitting a non-curricular assignment over three stages.
The experimental groups received six weekly 60-minute wisdom therapy sessions based on Dr. Kord Noqabi’s Wisdom Therapy (protocol year 2020), focusing on reflective thinking, identifying cognitive distortions, clarifying personal values, and creating action plans. The control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) in SPSS version 22.
Results: Both experimental groups showed a significant reduction in academic procrastination (p < 0.01), with personal wisdom therapy demonstrating a stronger effect than general wisdom therapy (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Wisdom therapy effectively reduces academic procrastination among elementary students. Incorporating wisdom-based strategies into educational programs is recommended to enhance academic responsibility and student performance.

Abstract The aim of this research was to model the structural equations of students' sense of responsibility and formative assessment by teachers, with the mediating role of self-regulated learning strategies among students. The research method was applied in terms of purpose, descriptive-correlational in terms of data collection, and quantitative in nature. The statistical population included all students in the Zanjanrud region for the academic year 2023-2024, totaling 258 individuals. For sampling, a proportional stratified method was used, and based on the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) table, 152 individuals (139 female students and 119 male students) were randomly selected for this study. The research tool consisted of three types of questionnaires: the formative assessment questionnaire by Yusefi Afrashteh and colleagues (2014), the sense of responsibility questionnaire by Kordloo (2008), and the self-regulated learning strategies questionnaire by Pintrich and De Groot (1990). For data analysis, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test, Bartlett's test of sphericity, and structural equation modeling were employed. The findings of the study indicated that self-regulated learning strategies play a mediating role between teachers' formative assessment and students' sense of responsibility. Therefore, it can be concluded that self-regulated learning strategies act as a mediator in the relationship between formative assessment and students' sense of responsibility, and that formative assessment, through continuous feedback, helps to enhance their sense of responsibility and improve their learning strategies. Accordingly, it is recommended that educational programs and interventions be designed based on formative assessment to strengthen self-regulated learning strategies and sense of responsibility among students.

Abstract This study addresses the academic challenges faced by students with learning difficulties by examining the mediating role of psychological capital and achievement goals (mastery and performance) in the relationship between family emotional climate (FEC) and academic well-being. The study utilized a cross-sectional correlational design to assess contemporaneous associations between the investigated variables. The sample consisted of 150 high school students with a history of learning difficulties, selected from those who had recorded at special education centers in four districts of Ahvaz during elementary school. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires assessing FEC, psychological capital, achievement goals, and academic well-being. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the hypothesized relationships. This study identified positive associations between psychological capital, mastery goals, and academic well-being (p<0.01), while performance goals showed a negative link to well-being (p<0.01). Interestingly, a positive FEC fostered psychological capital and mastery goals but discouraged performance goals, with no direct effect on well-being (p<0.01). results revealed that psychological capital and achievement goals significantly mediated the positive relationship between FEC and academic well-being (p<0.01). In other words, FEC fostered students' psychological capital and mastery goals, which in turn, led to greater academic well-being. Interestingly, this analysis suggests that the beneficial effect of a positive family environment on academic well-being is achieved indirectly, through its influence on these psychological resources. These results suggest that supportive family environments promote academic success by fostering specific psychological resources, rather than directly impacting well-being.

Abstract The present study was conducted to investigate the mediating role of achievement anxiety in the relationship between perfectionism and cognitive flexibility in math learning in students. The study was correlational using structural equation modeling. The statistical population included senior high school female students in the academic year of 2022-2023. According to the obvious variables, allocation of 25 coefficients, and taking into account the incomplete questionnaires, 231 students were selected by convenience sampling. The instruments included Hewitt and Flett’s perfectionism (1991) questionnaire, Dennis and Vander Wal's cognitive flexibility (2010) questionnaire, and Alpert and Haber's achievement anxiety (1960) questionnaire. Also, the students’ math scores at the end of the semester were used to measure their math learning. The data were analyzed by Pearson's correlation coefficient test and structural equation modeling using SPSS18 and AMOS24 software. The results showed that perfectionism and achievement anxiety have a negative direct effect, and cognitive flexibility has a positive direct effect on math learning. Also, perfectionism and cognitive flexibility have an indirect effect on math learning through achievement anxiety. The research model was also confirmed and the result showed that the variable measurement models have a good fit and 41% of the math learning variance is explained by the research variables. The findings of this research can be beneficial for teaching and learning of students. With educational planning and helping students, their cognitive capacities and competencies can be increased and their mathematical learning can be effectively improved.

Abstract The purpose of this research was to design a personal brand digital storytelling learning model.
The present research was conducted with a qualitative approach and research methods of content analysis and theme analysis. The research community is all the written sources, articles, books and researches related to the digital storytelling of personal brands in various scientific bases in the years 2000 to 2024 and all specialists and experts in the field of personal branding. The purposeful sampling method is of the criterion type and the criterion for determining the sample size is to reach the saturation volume. The data collection tool was a semi-structured interview and a researcher-made questionnaire. Qualitative analysis and thematic analysis were used to collect data. In this way, the theoretical foundations of storytelling were studied and analyzed, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 experts from educational, commercial, and industrial fields familiar with personal brand storytelling at Allameh Tabataba'i University, and thematic analysis was done, and finally based on The model was created based on the data of content analysis and theme analysis.
The research findings showed that the personal brand digital storytelling learning model has 4 dimensions: personal branding, personal brand storytelling, personal brand story content production, and personal brand story content evaluation, and includes 15 components and 57 indicators.
The results showed that the personal brand digital storytelling learning model for students is a multi-dimensional and multi-component process and its realization demands the comprehensive attention of higher education officials and students.

Abstract The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of metacognitive learning strategies in working memory among university students. This quasi-experimental research adopted a pretest-posttest control group design with follow-up. The statistical population included 268 students at Applied Sciences and Technology University in Tehran in 2022. The convenience sampling method was employed to select 30 students randomly assigned to two groups with 15 participants, i.e., the metacognitive training (experimental) and the control groups. The experimental group received 10 sessions of metacognitive strategy training based on the protocol of Wells (2011). Daneman and Carpenter's (1980) working memory test was conducted to collect data which were then analyzed using the repeated measures analysis of variance in SPSS. According to the findings, the pretest mean scores of the experimental group for storage and processing differed significantly from those of the posttest and follow-up stages (p<0.01). Furthermore, in terms of information storage and processing, there was a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of the experimental group and those of the control group (p<0.05). Thus, it can be stated that metacognitive learning strategies had a positive effect on improving the working memory of university students. University instructors can enhance students’ learning by creating conducive conditions for acquiring metacognitive strategies and fostering an engaging and appropriate educational environment.

Abstract Educational self-efficacy and its relationship with learners' different psychological traits can have a tremendous effect on the success or failure of the students. Thus, the present research sought to investigate whether academic self-efficacy has an effect on the students' stress derived from the education expectations based on such mediating factor as the difficulty of emotion regulation. The research method was descriptive-correlational based on structural equations. The statistical population consisted of all 800 junior female high-school students, 9th grade, from 16 State schools in the third district of Tehran. To decide on the sample size according to the number of observed variables, assigning a coefficient of 25 for each (7 variables in the model), and taking the possibility of incomplete questionnaires into account, 200 people were chosen by cluster sampling method. The data were gathered using three questionnaires: self-efficacy (Jinks & Morgan, 1999), difficulty in emotion regulation (Gross & John, 2003), and educational expectation (Ang & Huan, 2006). Using the structural equation modelling, the data analysis revealed that educational self-efficacy and difficulty in emotion regulation had a direct and significant effect on the stress caused by educational expectations. Also, an indirect effect of educational self-efficacy with the mediation of difficulty in emotion regulation was captured and the research model was revealed to predict 63% of the stress variable due to educational expectations. The study revealed the importance of cognitive factors in explaining the stress caused by academic expectations.

Abstract Given that academic procrastination originates from various factors, two of the most important factors in this field are cyberspace addiction and executive functions. Therefore, this research aims to model structural equations for predicting academic procrastination based on cyberspace addiction and executive functions. The research method is a descriptive-correlation type of structural equation modeling. The statistical population of this research includes 8150 female first-secondary school students in the city of Kerman in the academic year 2022-2023; according to Morgan's table, 384 people have been selected as a sample using stratified random sampling. Widyanto and McMorran's (2004) cyberspace dependence, Brief's (2000) executive functions, and Solomon and Rothbloom's (1984) academic procrastination questionnaires were used to collect data. Data analysis was done with SPSS25 and AMOS24 software, and descriptive and inferential statistics such as mean, standard deviation, and structural equation modeling were used. The research results showed that the model for predicting academic procrastination based on dependence on cyberspace and executive functions has an acceptable fit. There is a significant relationship between cyberspace addiction, executive functions, and academic procrastination (p<0.05), so cyberspace addiction and executive functions simultaneously explain 0.70 of the variance of academic procrastination. Therefore, it can be concluded that the high dependence on cyberspace and spending much time aimlessly in this space cause students to procrastinate in doing their homework and to suffer from a kind of procrastination in academic subjects. Also, defects in executive functions aggravate the academic procrastination of students.

Abstract The current study aims to investigate the impact of the flipped classroom on creativity, accountability, and math anxiety among female elementary students. This quasi-experimental research employed a pretest-posttest control group design. The statistical population for this study encompassed all female elementary students in Isfahan, Iran, during the first semester of the academic year 2021-2022. The convenience sampling method was utilized to select 30 students who were then divided into experimental and control groups (n = 15 per group). The experimental group received 16 online sessions using the flipped classroom approach, while the control group continued with regular educational practices at the same time. The research instruments consisted of the Home–School Accountability Questionnaire, Standard Creativity Scale, and Math Anxiety Scale. Analysis of covariance was employed for inferential analysis. The results revealed that the flipped classroom approach yielded positive effects on creativity (F = 6.15, p < 0.05, η² = 0.18), accountability (F = 6.75, p < 0.05, η² = 0.20), and math anxiety (F = 4.74, p < 0.05, η² = 0.15).

Abstract This study aimed to investigate mindfulness's effectiveness on the problem-solving styles of secondary school students of Garmsar city. The statistical population of this research was all second-year high school students of Garmsar city in the academic year 2022-2023. The sample included 341 students who were selected by random cluster sampling. The research tools included a standard questionnaire on mindfulness and a questionnaire on problem-solving styles. The data was analyzed by Lisrel and SPSS software. Considering that the effect of the mediator variable is considered, structural equation modeling was used for data analysis. The results showed that the five components of observation, description, action, awareness, non-judgment, and non-reaction affected the problem-solving styles of secondary school students of Garmsar city. Based on the obtained results, mindfulness can affect problem-solving techniques. Based on the obtained results, mindfulness can influence problem-solving styles. Therefore, the results of this study can have important implications in the field of education, such as the effectiveness of mindfulness on problem-solving for educational professionals.

Abstract Students with specific learning disorders (SLD) have major difficulties in learning and using listening, speaking, reading, writing, and math skills. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of proprioception-enhancing exercises on dyslexia and dysgraphia in students with SLD. The research method was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest design and a control group. The study population consisted of all girl and boy elementary school students (2nd and 3rd grades) with SLD who received educational and rehabilitation services from public and private centers for learning disorders in Ahvaz, Iran in 2022. Using convenience sampling, 30 students were selected and randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups (n= 15 per group). The participants in the experimental group received proprioception-enhancing exercises in twelve 45-minute sessions, whereas those in the control group received no intervention. The research instruments included the Reading and Dyslexia Test and Dysgraphia Test. The data were statistically analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). According to the demographic results, the mean age of the students in the experimental and control groups was 8.64±2.31 and 8.30±2.47 years, respectively. The results showed that proprioception-enhancing exercises were effective in improving dyslexia and dysgraphia in students with SLD (p<0.01). It can be hence concluded that proprioception-enhancing exercises improve not only dyslexia and dysgraphia in students with SLD but also their academic performance.

Abstract The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the Delis–Kaplan Executive Function System (D–KEFS) and Dawson–Guare program on neuropsychological functions in students with dyslexia. This was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design, a control group, and a follow-up period. The statistical population included all boy and girl third-graders in Tehran within the 2018–2019 academic year. Based on the inclusion criteria, convenience sampling was employed to select 45 dyslexic students from all the boy and girl third-graders with dyslexia. The Raven IQ Test for Children (1983) and the Reading and Dyslexia Test (2016) was conducted for screening, and the Conners’ Continuous Performance Test (2004) was utilized for assessment before and after interventions. The first experimental group received 17 sessions based on the D–KEFS, whereas the second experimental group received 17 sessions in the Dawson–Guare Program. The ANCOVA was then used in SPSS-24 for data analysis. The mean of the post-test and follow-up scores of neuropsychological functions in the D–KEFS and Dawson–Guare Program groups significantly decreased compared to the control group (p<0.01). Moreover, the D–KEFS intervention improved neuropsychological functions further than the Dawson–Guare Program (p<0.05). Based on the findings, it can be concluded that there is a high correlation between enhancing executive skills in dyslexic children and improving their neuropsychological functions. It is possible to enhance neuropsychological functions, which underlie the reading skill, in dyslexic children through interventions that target a wide variety of executive functions.

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a Philosophy for Children Course on aspects of students' school engagement. School engagement is a structure indicating that students can create personal relationships with their teachers in addition to the educational content. For this purpose, a quasi-experimental study was conducted on 7th-grade students (n=128) from 4 classes at the same school as the intervention and control groups. In the current quasi-experimental, pre-test, and post-test study, the independent variable was the philosophy for children (P4C) program (ten 60 minute sessions) and the dependent variables were the school engagement aspects including behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and agency engagements. To analyze the data ANOVA was used. The findings indicated that the score of all four aspects of school engagement were significantly higher in the intervention group who attended the Philosophy for Children Program  than those of the control group. Based on the obtained results, 28.2% of changes in total school engagement were attributed to the P4C program. The results show a significant increase in school engagement and its aspects. Philosophy for Children Program can be used to create an educational atmosphere with the highest relationship to students’ curriculum in which the students can rule out their learning behaviors with high motivation.

Abstract The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between math anxiety with optimism and perceived classroom structure through mediating role of mathematics attitudes in female high school students. The statistical population of this descriptive correlational study comprised all the female high-school students in Ahvaz (Iran) in the academic year 2020-2021. A sample of 237 students was randomly selected via single-stage cluster sampling. In this study, the sample size was determined based on the number of predictor variables in the structural equation analysis. The research instruments included the Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale (MARS), the Life Orientation Test (LOT), Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM), and the Mathematics Attitude Scale (MAS). The proposed model was evaluated by structural equation modeling (SEM). The results showed that all direct paths except perceived classroom structure to math anxiety were significant (p< 0.01). The indirect paths from optimism to math anxiety mediated by mathematics attitude, and the path from perceived classroom structure to math anxiety mediated by mathematics attitude were significant (p< 0.01). The proposed method, therefore, has an optimal fit and is a major step towards identifying the factor affecting students’ math anxiety.

Abstract A flipped classroom, as one of the participatory learning techniques, is based on group dynamics and social interactions. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the flipped classroom technique in promoting academic motivation and self-efficacy among high school students. The research method was quasi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test design and a control group. The statistical population included all female high school students in Ahvaz city in the academic year 2019-2020. Using the purposive sampling method, 30 ones were selected and divided into experimental and control groups (n=15 per group). The research instrument included the Academic Motivation Questionnaire and Student Self-Efficacy Scale. The experimental group received the flipped teaching program during eight 90-minute sessions; however, the control group received the traditional teaching method. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to analyze the data. The results indicated that there was a significant difference between the flipped and traditional teaching methods in experimental and control groups (p<0.0001). The flipped classroom technique was effective in increasing academic motivation and self-efficacy among students. The study findings indicate that the flipped classroom method can be used to promote academic motivation and self-efficacy and decrease academic failure among students.

Abstract   The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediation role of study habits in the relationship between progressive motivation and self-regulated learning in first-grade students. The research method was descriptive and correlational. The statistical population of this study included all the high school students in the second district of Kerman consisting of 3900 students in the academic year of 2018. According to the Morgan table, 350 students selected through stratified random sampling methods were selected as the sample. To collect the data, Buffard et al. (1994) self-regulation questionnaire, as well as Kazemi's Educational Achievement Motivation (2007) and Pulessani and Sharma (1989) study habit questionnaires were used. According to the results of the study, there is a significant relationship between progressive motivation and self-regulation (p <0.05); a significant relationship between the developmental motivation and the study habits (p <0.05); and between the study habits and the self- regulation (p <0.05). Also, it was found that study habits have a mediator role in the relationship between progress and self-regulation (p <0.05).