Iranian Journal of Learning and Memory

Abstract Abstract:

Objectives: Recent developments in positive psychology emphasize leveraging individual strengths to improve personal and academic outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of structured group training in positive thinking on enhancing self-esteem and self-efficacy among male secondary school students in Javanrood.

Methods: Employing a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group, the study involved 30 first-year male students selected through multistage random cluster sampling from the 2024–2025 academic year. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 15) receiving the intervention or a control group (n = 15). Instruments included Sherer’s Self-Efficacy Scale and Coopersmith’s Self-Esteem Inventory. The experimental group participated in 8 sessions of positive thinking skills training, each lasting 90 minutes and conducted twice weekly. Post-intervention, the control group received the same training. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) via SPSS-21 to control for pretest differences.

Results: The ANCOVA results indicated that students who participated in the positive thinking training showed statistically significant improvements in both self-esteem and self-efficacy compared to the control group. These findings suggest that structured positive thinking interventions can effectively foster psychological resilience and personal competence in adolescent males.

Conclusion: Implementing positive thinking group training in school settings can serve as a practical and evidence-based approach to promote students' mental health, self-confidence, and academic performance. These interventions can be integrated into school counseling programs to support holistic student development.

Abstract Objective: This study examined whether blended learning (BL) enhances creative thinking and academic self-regulation in pre-service mathematics teachers compared to traditional instruction. The aim was to provide evidence for updating teacher education with methods that develop these essential skills for future educators.

Method: A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test design was implemented. Forty-five pre-service teachers were non-randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=22) receiving a 12-session BL course on Algebraic Structures, which integrated online modules with face-to-face collaboration, or a control group (n=23) receiving standard lecture-based instruction for identical content. Primary measures were the Welch & McDowall Creative Thinking Scale and the Bouffard Academic Self-Regulation Scale. Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) was used for analysis via SPSS-26, controlling for pre-test scores.

Results: The experimental group achieved substantially higher post-test scores in both creative thinking (P < .05, η² = .246) and academic self-regulation (P < .05, η² = .117) compared to the control group. A significant group × time interaction was observed for creative thinking (F = 12.04, P < .01, η² = .215) and academic self-regulation (F = 6.78, P < .05, η² = .133).

Conclusions: The findings indicated that a structured blended learning model is a more effective strategy than traditional methods for developing critical creative and self-regulatory skills in pre-service mathematics teachers, enhancing innovative thinking and metacognitive control, thus equipping educators for contemporary classroom demands.

Abstract Objective: This narrative review examines the emergence, psychological and social consequences, and mitigation strategies of cognitive dissonance in digital environments. As users increasingly encounter contradictory information, algorithmic content curation, and socially evaluative online spaces, cognitive dissonance has become a central factor shaping attitudes, behaviors, and patterns of digital engagement.
Method: Nineteen empirical and theoretical studies published between 2010 and 2024 were synthesized using a narrative review approach to identify core mechanisms, impacts, and explanatory models.
Results: Cognitive dissonance in digital contexts arises from informational conflict, cognitive–affective tension, social pressure, and algorithmic exposure. These mechanisms contribute to emotional strain, anxiety, information avoidance, polarization, and reduced dialogue quality. Three theoretical models—Expressed vs. Private Opinions, Social Network, and Social Evolution—explain how individual‑level dissonance can scale into collective and structural transformations. Although users employ strategies such as information management, cognitive literacy, and truth‑oriented messaging, many coping responses are short‑term and avoidance‑based.
Conclusions: Cognitive dissonance functions as a cumulative and evolving process in digital environments, influencing both individual well‑being and broader social dynamics. Future research should adopt longitudinal, cross‑cultural, and multi‑platform approaches and develop evidence‑based interventions to support healthier digital engagement.

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 review examined recent studies (2024–2025) to identify new conceptualizations of learning in the AI era, characterized by hybrid human-system collaboration, real-time personalization using multimodal data, interpretability, and a shift from teacher-centered to learner- and technology-driven approaches.
Method: Nine peer-reviewed studies from 2024–2025 were analyzed thematically, sourced from databases including Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate using keywords like "learning definition", "conceptualization of learning", "AI in education" and "hybrid intelligence."
Result: The findings reveal that learning in the AI era is conceptualized as a dynamic, adaptive, and multidimensional process integrating cognitive, emotional, social, and interactive elements. Emerging theoretical frameworks include hybrid intelligence emphasizing human-system co-evolution, the integration of cognitive load theory with AI and educational neuroscience, and generalized online learning models prioritizing interpretability and continuous autonomous learning. Key novel features encompass multimodal learning leveraging neurophysiological tools, real-time adaptive pathways, human-machine collaborative processes, incorporation of behavioral and interactional data alongside neurophysiological indicators, and a strong emphasis on transparency and interpretability
Conclusions: The core transformation is a paradigm shift toward learner- and technology-centered models, with social interaction gaining prominence in AI-mediated settings. While AI enables personalized feedback and dynamic adaptation, its limitations in context and causal reasoning underscore the necessity of human-AI synergy. Practical implications highlight the need for educator training in new technologies and careful attention to ethics and equitable access. These insights derive from a constrained sample of nine studies and may not encompass the entire scope of research on learning from 2024–2025.

Abstract Objective: University Professors feedback is a central component of pre-service teacher education, influencing not only performance but also emotional, cognitive, and relational experiences of learners. Despite extensive research on feedback, little is known about how pre-service teachers experience feedback as an emotional–cognitive phenomenon that affects learning, memory, and professional identity. This research aimed to conceptualize University Professors feedback as an “emotional–cognitive catalyst” and explore its role in shaping learning, memory consolidation, and professional identity formation in pre-service teachers.
Method: A qualitative approach grounded in Van Manen’s (2016) interpretive phenomenology was employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with pre-service teachers at Farhangian University. Data were analyzed to identify themes related to emotional, cognitive, relational, and memorization aspects of feedback experiences.
Results: Analysis revealed that feedback functions as a multidimensional and existential event. Meaning-making and relational feedback facilitated deep learning, long-term memory consolidation, intrinsic motivation, and professional self-image development. Conversely, controlling or harmful feedback led to superficial processing, reduced motivation, and disruption of educational memory. The findings highlight the mediating role of feedback in linking emotion, cognition, and professionalization.
Conclusions: Well-structured, emotionally supportive feedback is essential for enhancing learning outcomes and professional identity in teacher education. Attention to both content and relational quality is crucial for feedback to serve as an effective emotional–cognitive catalyst, suggesting practical strategies for teacher training and future research directions

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the impact of active learning, incorporating poetry recitation, picture reading, and drama, on enhancing the speaking skills of fourth-grade elementary students. The research was applied in purpose and employed a semi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest and a control group. The statistical population consisted of all male fourth-grade students in Nazarabad County during the 2024–2025 academic year. A convenience sampling method was used, and two classes of 20 students each were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups.The research instrument was a 20-item researcher-made checklist assessing speaking skills, whose validity was confirmed by five experts, and reliability was calculated with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.87. The experimental group participated in eight 60-minute sessions of active learning, including poetry recitation, picture reading, and drama. Sample activities involved performing poems with attention to tone and rhythm, analyzing and retelling images using the "See, Think, Say" approach, and performing short plays to strengthen public speaking and speech coherence.
Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS. The findings revealed that active learning based on these three approaches significantly improved the students’ performance in all components of speaking skills, including coherent speech, public speaking, context- and audience-appropriate communication, tone and rhythm, and comprehension of visual messages. These results highlight that active and interactive teaching methods are effective tools for empowering students’ oral communication skills.

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to examine whether metacognition mediates the relationship between self-regulated learning strategies and problem-solving skills among upper-secondary students in Khorramabad. Self-regulated learning and problem-solving are recognized as essential for academic achievement, yet many students have not fully developed effective strategies in these areas.
Method: A descriptive-correlational design using structural equation modeling was employed. The sample consisted of 384 secondary school students selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using three standardized instruments: the Self-Regulated Learning Strategies Questionnaire, the Problem-Solving Inventory, and the Meta-Cognitions Questionnaire—Adolescent Version. Reliability and validity of the instruments were confirmed prior to analysis. The study tested the direct effect of self-regulated learning on metacognition and the mediating role of metacognition in problem-solving.
Results: The results indicated a significant direct effect of self-regulated learning strategies on metacognition (β = 0.357, t = 5.785) and a significant indirect effect on problem-solving through metacognition (β = 0.528, t = 13.855). The measurement and structural models demonstrated strong psychometric properties, with satisfactory factor loadings, composite reliability, and goodness-of-fit indices, confirming the stability and robustness of the observed relationships. Conclusions: Findings confirm that metacognition serves as a key mediator in transmitting the influence of self-regulated learning strategies to problem-solving performance. The results underscore the importance of developing educational programs that simultaneously enhance self-regulatory and metacognitive skills to improve students’ problem-solving abilities and academic outcomes. Limitations include the cross-sectional design, reliance on self-report measures, and the focus on one city, suggesting directions for future longitudinal and multi-context research.

Abstract Objective: The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a multisensory educational intervention based on the Fernald method on the information processing speed of elementary school students with processing speed deficits.

Method: This applied research used a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest control group. The population included all third- to sixth-grade students in public schools in Kerman during the 2024–2025 academic year. After screening with the Processing Speed Index of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Fifth Edition (WISC-V), 30 students were selected through multistage cluster sampling. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). The experimental group received the Fernald multisensory intervention over one and a half months, consisting of 15 sessions of 45 minutes each, while the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance in SPSS 26.

Results: After controlling for pretest scores, MANCOVA indicated a significant difference between groups in posttest information processing speed scores (F = 96.52, p < 0.01). The adjusted mean of the experimental group (M = 105.72) was higher than that of the control group (M = 84.67), and the effect size (η² = 0.598) indicated a strong intervention effect.

Conclusion: The Fernald multisensory intervention effectively enhances information processing speed in elementary students with deficits in this domain. By simultaneously engaging visual, auditory, tactile, and motor modalities and leveraging neural plasticity, it provides a practical, evidence-based strategy for improving core cognitive functions in educational and rehabilitation settings.

Abstract Objective: This research aimed to study the components of wisdom in the content of Persian textbooks for the first grade of primary school based on the three wisdom models of Ardlet, Webster, and Sternberg.
Method: The method was a descriptive-qualitative systematic review through content analysis. In this regard, the text of all lessons related to the first, second, and third grade Persian textbooks was examined using the explicit content analysis method.
Results: The results showed that the components of wisdom include academic knowledge, cultural and historical identity, spirituality, ethics/compassionate love, love of homeland and national responsibility, learning from nature with an aesthetic perspective, acquiring knowledge, openness to experience, public good, reflective perspective, recognizing emotions, social/group interactions, family-orientedness, practical intelligence, learning and teaching, awakening and learning from history, and applicant of cognitive tools. Comparing these components with three theoretical models including Ardlet's three-dimensional model of wisdom (2011), Webster's five-factor model (2003), and Sternberg's balance theory (1998) showed that the components of wisdom in the Persian textbooks of the first grade overlap with many theoretical dimensions of wisdom, and in some cases, such as humor, reviewing memories and revising them.
Conclusions: However, it is noteworthy that components such as having an aesthetic view of nature and learning from it, spirituality, and learning from history have been given attention, which are not seen in the models of wisdom of Ardlet, Webster, and Sternberg, and this is one of the strengths of the Persian textbooks.

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness training and self-efficacy training on psychological well-being and job engagement among physical education teachers in Tabriz.
Method: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group was employed. The statistical population included all physical education teachers in Tabriz, from which 45 participants were selected via convenience sampling and randomly assigned to three groups: mindfulness training (n=15), self-efficacy training (n=15), and control (n=15). Data were collected using the Job Engagement Questionnaire (Schaufeli & Bakker, 2006) and the Psychological Well-being Questionnaire (Ryff et al., 2004). Interventions were applied to the experimental groups, followed by posttest assessments. Data were analyzed using MANCOVA, ANCOVA, and MANOVA with SPSS-22 software.
Results: Both mindfulness and self-efficacy training significantly improved psychological well-being compared to the control group (p<0.01, effect sizes: 21 and 22.88, respectively), with no significant difference between the two intervention groups. For job engagement, both interventions showed significant improvements over the control group (effect sizes: 18.40 for self-efficacy, 19.73 for mindfulness). Mindfulness training had a significantly greater effect on job engagement than self-efficacy training (p<0.05, effect size: 1.33).
Conclusions: Mindfulness and self-efficacy training both enhance psychological well-being and job engagement among physical education teachers, with mindfulness training demonstrating a superior effect on job engagement. These findings suggest that both interventions are effective, but mindfulness training may offer additional benefits for improving job engagement.

Abstract Objective: This study examined the effectiveness of water-based games in improving the reading skills of eight-year-old boys with dyslexia.
Method: A quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test measures and a control group was used. From a population of 150 second-grade boys referred to specialized learning disability centers in Hamadan in 2022, 30 students diagnosed with dyslexia were selected via convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (n=15 each). The experimental group received 15 sessions of structured water-based games (three times per week), while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Dyslexia Syndrome Checklist (Teacher Form; validity and reliability reported by Pakdaman Savoji, 2009), the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Revised (WISC-R; Wechsler, 1974), and the NEMA Dyslexia Scale (Karami-Nouri & Moradi, 2008). Statistical analysis was performed using MANCOVA.
Results: The results demonstrated that the experimental group achieved significantly higher overall reading performance than the control group (F = 45.09, p < 0.01; η² = 0.62). Significant improvements were also observed in reading-related skills, including word reading, rhyme, picture naming, text comprehension, and word understanding (p < 0.01). However, no significant progress was found in word strings, phoneme deletion, pseudoword reading, letter symbols, or category symbols (p > 0.05).
Conclusions: Overall, the findings suggest that structured water-based games can effectively enhance reading performance in children with dyslexia, particularly in comprehension and vocabulary-related skills. However, limited improvements in phonological processing indicate that such interventions are most beneficial when combined with explicit phonological instruction.

Abstract The Persian writing system is characterized by features such as the optional omission of short vowels (diacritics) and obligatory letter connectivity, which may increase its orthographic complexity. This study investigated the impact of this inherent complexity on working memory capacity and cognitive load during reading.
A within-subjects design was employed with 45 skilled adult Persian readers. Participants read texts under two conditions: (a) Vowelized (with full diacritics) and (b) Non-Vowelized (standard script). Working memory capacity was assessed using a reading span task administered after each condition. Cognitive load was measured via a self-report 9-point Likert scale and a dual-task paradigm (secondary reaction time task). Eye-tracking metrics (fixation duration and regressions) were also recorded.
Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant main effect of script type. Reading non-vowelized texts resulted in significantly higher cognitive load scores (p < .001), longer reaction times in the dual-task (p < .01), and poorer performance on the reading span task (p < .01) compared to the vowelized condition. Eye-tracking data showed significantly longer average fixation durations (p < .05) and a higher number of regressions (p < .01) for non-vowelized texts.
The findings indicate that the orthographic complexity of standard Persian script, primarily driven by short vowel omission, imposes a significant additional demand on working memory resources and increases cognitive load during reading. This suggests that visual word recognition in Persian is less automatic and requires more top-down processing, potentially affecting reading fluency and comprehension efficiency. Implications for educational practices and reading models are discussed.

Abstract ABSTRACT
Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of metacognitive strategies on improving educational processes. The study focused on reviewing prior research to highlight the effectiveness of these strategies in enhancing students' learning and academic performance. Specifically, it emphasized the roles of teachers, learners, and curriculum in this context.
Method: The present study employed a systematic review methodology, following a narrative structure. The review process adhered to the four-stage model proposed by Okoli and Schabram (2015), with the second stage involving Silva’s (2015) selection procedure for article inclusion. A total of 50 scholarly articles were systematically reviewed, sourced from international databases such as Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, JSTOR, Springer, ProQuest, and ERIC, as well as national databases, including IranDoc, Magiran, Noormags, and SID database.
Results: The findings of this study revealed several key results: 1) For learners, metacognitive strategies were found to significantly enhance academic performance, motivation, self-efficacy, reading comprehension, and problem-solving skills.2) For teachers, metacognitive awareness contributed to more effective classroom management, reflective teaching practices, and the ability to adapt instruction to students’ needs.3) For curriculum design, the integration of metacognitive strategies into learning objectives, teaching methods, assessments, and content areas led to improved instructional quality and adaptability.
Conclusions The study concluded that metacognitive strategies are essential not only for fostering self-regulated learners but also for improving instructional quality and promoting educational equity. The research recommends embedding explicit metacognitive training into teacher education programs and curriculum frameworks to support sustainable, student-centered learning environments.

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between self-directed learning (SDL) and problem solving, with a focus on the mediating role of self-regulated learning (SRL) and the moderating role of gender among Iraqi university students.
Method: A correlational research design was employed. The statistical population included all the students of Qadisiyah University in Iraq in the academic year 2023-2024. A sample of 300 students were selected using a convenience sampling method. Data were collected using the Problem-Solving Inventory (Cassidy & Long, 1996), The Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale (Cheng, Kuo, Lin & Lee-Hsieh, 2010), and the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (Pintrich & De Groot, 1990). Data was analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with SPSS and AMOS software.
Results: The results indicated a good model fit. SDL had a direct impact on problem solving. Additionally, SRL partially mediated the relationship between SDL and problem solving. However, gender did not significantly moderate the relationship between SRL and problem solving.
Conclusions: The findings suggest that increasing SDL and SRL among students can enhance their problem-solving skills.

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to examine the impact of rumination on both cognitive and sports performance, with sleep quality serving as a mediating factor.

Methods: The research was practical in purpose and employed a structural equation correlation design, conducted in a field setting. The statistical population consisted of all student athletes who participated in the table tennis tournaments in Khorasan in 2022, totaling 97 individuals. Sampling was performed using a census method, with 80 participants consenting to engage in the study. Data were collected using the rumination questionnaires developed by Nolen-Hoeksema and Morrow (1991), a sports performance scale by Charbonneau et al. (2001), a cognitive performance assessment by Folstein et al. (1975), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (1989). For data analysis, Pearson's correlation coefficient and path analysis modeling were utilized.
Results: The findings indicated that rumination has a direct influence on both cognitive and sports performance (P=0.01). Furthermore, rumination significantly affects these performances indirectly through the mediation of sleep quality (P=0.01) among student athletes.
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, rumination is correlated with cognitive and sports performance both directly and indirectly via sleep quality. It is recommended to engage a sports psychologist to conduct educational workshops on rumination management and to monitor and regulate the sleep patterns of student athletes.

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 Previous studies generally showed that achievement goals are linked with academic engagement. However, the association between the newly-developed model of achievement goals (i.e. the 3*2 model) and agentic engagement has received relatively little attention. Furthermore, the underlying mechanism of this relationship is unclear, more specifically, among university students. Guided by the assumptions of the control-value theory of emotions, epistemic curiosity could be a potential mediator. The current study aimed to explore the mediating role of epistemic curiosity in the relationship between achievement goals and agentic engagement among 350 university students from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in the academic year of 2019-2020. Participants completed the measures of the Achievement Goals Questionnaire, Epistemic Curiosity Scale, and Agentic Engagement Scale. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 24.0 and AMOS software. The findings showed that epistemic curiosity significantly mediated the association between approach goals and avoidance goals with agentic engagement (P<0.001). Overall, the findings offer new evidence on the association between variables of the present study and shed light on the underlying processes. Theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of math anxiety with math self-efficacy and math attitude, considering the mediating role of numerical memory via the structural equation modeling. The research adopted a correlational method. The statistical population of the study comprised secondary school students from Oshnavieh city in Iran (N= 4280) in 2019. From this statistical population, 200 students were selected as the sample using the cluster random sampling method, and were administered the Plack and Parker math anxiety tests (1982), Wechsler Numerical Memory Scale (2003), Liu and Koirala Math Self-Efficacy Scale (2009) and the Fennma-Sherman Math Attitude Scale (1976). The structural equation modeling approach was used to examine the data using SPSS 26 and AMOS 26 software. The findings of the study indicated that students' math anxiety is directly influenced by numerical memory (p= 0.001), mathematical self-efficacy (p=0.01), and mathematical attitude (p=0.1). Additionally, it was observed that mathematical self-efficacy indirectly influences students' math anxiety via numerical memory (p= 0.05). Furthermore, the indirect effect of math attitude via numerical memory on students' math anxiety was not confirmed (p=0.54).   Based on these findings, it can be concluded that it is imperative to address both math self-efficacy and math attitude to reduce students' math anxiety. Consequently, it is recommended that educators create an environment that fosters a positive attitude towards mathematics lessons and enhances students' self-efficacy in mathematics.

Abstract This research aimed to examine the effectiveness of a creativity training program on the executive functions of preschool children. The research method employed a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, one-month follow-up, and a control group. The population consisted of five to six-year-old children in the preschool stage in District One of Tehran during the academic year 2021-2022. The sample size was selected based on Cohen's table with an effect size of 0.5 and a test power of 0.8, equaling 15 participants for each group. 30 children who met the entry criteria were identified and randomly replaced in two control and experimental groups. Participants completed such computer-based tests as Hungry Donkey Task, Tower of Hanoi, Continuous Performance Test, and N-Back Spatial Working Memory. During this period, the control group followed their normal daily schedule. Data was analyzed using mixed analysis of variance. The results indicated that the creativity training program significantly influenced decision-making, problem-solving, continuous attention, and spatial working memory. It is suggested that child psychologists and people dealing with preschool children use creativity training to enhance executive functions in preschool children.
Keywords: Creativity training, Executive functions, Preschool children.

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 This research examined the effect of teaching art (motivational painting) on preschool students’ cognitive creativity and social skills. The research design of this quasi-experimental study includeda  pretest-posttest with a control group. 60 students aged  6 years old were selected by purposive sampling from all preschools and kindergartens in Tehran and divided into an experimental group (15 boys and 15 girls) and a control group (15 boys and 15 girls). The experimental group was subjected to the teaching art program of motivational paintings (Silver, 2000) for 12 sessions, two sessions a week, each 45 minutes. Cognitive creativity and social skills were measured by the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking [form B, 1974] and the Social Skills Rating Scale of Gresham and Elliot [parents' form, 1990]. The results were analyzed by Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), T-test, and Spearman's correlation coefficient. The findings indicated that motivational painting instruction had significant positive effects on the students’ cognitive creativity (p<0.01) and two subscales of social skills, namely cooperation and responsibility. The research showed that teaching motivational painting can be used by instructors as a useful and productive method to develop new curricula in order to escalate the positive creativity and social skills of learners in pedagogical institutions.

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a rapid shift to online learning, making the community of inquiry (COI) framework increasingly relevant for creating meaningful and effective online learning experiences. However, the impact of COI presences (i.e., teaching, social, and cognitive presence) on students' learning outcomes has been inconsistent in the literature, and a recent meta-analysis has identified a publication bias in this relationship suggesting the need for further investigation. This study aimed to enhance our understanding of how the COI presence influences college students' learning outcomes and whether it has a mediating role in the effect of self-efficacy and motivation on e-learner’s academic achievement. In this cross-sectional study, using a correlational research design, among all graduate students studying in online courses, a total of 269 graduate students were selected from online programs in seven public universities in Iran between April 2022 and June 2023, to be the sample of the study. The data were obtained from the answers to the community of inquiry (COI) scale, self- efficacy scale, academic motivation scale and students’ last semester grade point average. To examine the questions of the study, a path analysis was applied whose results showed that motivation and self-efficacy affected the community of inquiry positively (p<0.000). Also, the community of inquiry affected learning performance positively (p<0.000). The outcomes can provide significant theoretical and practical contributions to the key stakeholders to design a satisfying and successful online curriculum for the post-COVID-19 era and offer valuable insights into the design of productive online learning communities.