Informatics in Education

Transcripts play a crucial role in qualitative research in computing education, with significant implications for the credibility and reproducibility of findings. However, unreflective and inconsistent transcription standards may unintentionally introduce biases, potentially undermining the validity of research outcomes and the collective progress of the field. In this article, we introduce transcription as a theoretically guided process rather than a mere preparatory step, illustrating its role using a case example. Additionally, through a systematic review of 107 qualitative research articles in computing education, we identify widespread shortcomings in the reporting and implementation of transcription practices, revealing a need for greater intentionality and transparency. To address these challenges, we propose a three-step framework for selecting, applying, and documenting transcription standards that align with the specific context and goals of a study. Rather than advocating for overly complex, one-size-fits-all transcription strategies, we emphasize the importance of a context-appropriate approach that is clearly communicated to foster trust and reproducibility. By advancing a more robust transcription culture, this work aims to support computing education researchers in adopting standards that enhance the quality and reliability of qualitative research in the field.

This review paper presents a systematic literature review on the use of Augmented Reality (AR) in engineering education, and specifically in student’s spatial ability training, for the last decade. Researchers have explored the benefits of AR, and its application has been of increasing interest in all levels of education. Engineering students tend to have difficulties in acquiring visualization skills, and hence, AR is gaining momentum in enhancing students’ learning achievements. This paper aims to present valuable information to researchers, tutors and software developers of learning technology systems concerning the advantages and limitations of AR in spatial ability training, the incorporation of adaptivity and personalization in AR applications as well as the aspects of spatial ability having been evaluated using AR and the prevalent evaluation methods for AR applications. To this direction, a total of thirty-two (32) studies were reviewed, having been published since 2010. The findings reveal an increase in the number of studies during the last three years. One major conclusion is the improvement of learners’ spatial ability using AR in educational settings, and the noted challenge is the need for more learning content. One research gap that has been identified is the lack of personalization in the developed applications, offering space for future research. Concluding, this area is under-researched, and thus, there is scope for a lot of improvement.