درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

This study investigated the impact of juiciness-enhanced gamified leaderboards on learning, fun, and learning interest in fourth-grade literature education. the research employed a quasi-experimental, applied quantitative pretest–posttest design with a control group. A sample of 75 fourth-grade female students from a school in District 18 of Tehran was selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to three groups: the Juiciness Leaderboard group (JLG), the Simple Leaderboard group (SLG), and the Control Group (CG). Research instruments included a 16-item parallel-form learning test, the 18-item Fun Questionnaire (FunQ), and a 9-item learning interest questionnaire. The intervention lasted six weeks, using standard literature curriculum materials. Statistical analyses with pairwise comparisons showed that the JLG significantly outperformed both the SLG and CG in learning outcomes, fun, and learning interest, while the SLG also performed significantly better than the CG across all variables. The findings indicate that the design of leaderboards plays a critical role in shaping students’ educational experiences. Specifically, the Juiciness Leaderboard intervention consistently produced superior outcomes compared to both the Simple Leaderboard and the Control group, highlighting the added value of sensory-rich features in fostering fun, learning interest, and academic achievement. This study contributes to the growing literature on gamification by emphasizing the importance of incorporating juiciness-enhanced elements into educational environments. By leveraging such strategies, educators can create more dynamic and immersive learning contexts that not only boost short-term performance but also nurture sustained motivation and a lifelong interest in learning.

Numerous experts have underscored the need of fairness in National Entrance Examination items. This study examines whether examinees' performance on items of the National University Entrance Exam for Foreign Languages (NUEEFL), known as “Konkour,” varies based on background, specifically gender, school type, and ethnicity, rather than language proficiency, as the detection of differential item functioning (DIF) may enhance the fairness of high-stakes tests. The research employed a quantitative non-experimental, cross-sectional design. The participants included 200 male and female students, who were chosen randomly from students studying at Islamic Azad University, Science and Research branch in Tehran, Iran. The instruments consisted of a mock NUEEFL test and a researcher-made questionnaire. Upon taking the participants’ consent, the researcher took the mock version of NUEEFL. Next, the participants were asked to answer the questionnaire about their demographic information, including their gender, school type, and ethnicity. A three-phase DIF analysis was conducted to explore examinees' performance across these demographic variables. The results indicated that school type exhibited the most significant DIF, particularly in grammar and cloze assessments, whereas gender DIF was mostly seen in grammar and language function. Moreover, ethnically differential item functioning was significant in vocabulary and cloze assessments. Furthermore, reading comprehension was mostly impartial, with the exception of school type. The results underscore the need for test developers to consider demographic factors to ensure fairness and validity in high-stakes testing contexts.