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Updated: May 20, 2026

Problem-Solving Before Instruction (PS-I): A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities
Published on: September 11, 2021
[Educational science, 'the hardest science of all']
J van Tartwijk1, E W Driessen, C P M van der Vleuten
1Faculteit Sociale Wetenschappen, Centrum voor Onderwijs en Leren, van de Universiteit Utrecht. j.vantartwijk@uu.nl
Abstract:
Educational research not only showed that student characteristics are of major importance for study success, but also that education does make a difference. Essentially, teaching is about stimulating students to invest time in learning and to use that time as effectively as possible. Assessment, goal-orientated work, and feedback have a major effect. The teacher is the key figure. With the aim to better understand teaching and learning, educational researchers usefindingsfrom other disciplines more and more often. A pitfall is to apply the findings of educational research without taking into consideration the context and the specific characteristics of students and teachers. Because of the large number offactors that influence the results ofeducation, educational science is referred as 'the hardest science of all'.
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