This empirical study investigates the impact of metacognitive strategies and self-regulating processes in learners' achievement on solving math word problems. It specifically analyzes the impact of the linguistic factor and the number of steps and arithmetical operations that learners need to apply during the process of solving math word problems. Two hundred sixty-three learners, of three classes of third graders (N=130) and four classes of fifth graders (N=133) of the elementary cycle from two urban schools of Kosovo, participated in the study. Almost half of the total number of the third and fifth-graders were exposed to metacognitive instruction. The rest of the learners were included in control classes in which they performed tasks without having been given any specific guidance, based exclusively on traditional methods and respective textbooks. All the learners were tested in math word problems twice, before the intervention and after it. Research findings have shown that metacognitive strategies and self-regulating processes that learners use to control their actions, to reason, and to reflect, are one of the main resources that influence their success in solving a math word problem. Although the difference between the pre-test and the post-test results was statistically significant solely with the fifth-grade experimental classes, yet an improved performance was observed in third-grade experimental learners' classes compared to control classes. Theoretical and practical implications of the research are discussed in the end of the study.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) integrated curricular approach has become the leading type of education reform worldwide. This paper presents a STEM integrated collaborative activity to enhance STEM knowledge among pre-service mathematics and chemistry teachers. Well-structured and planned on-site workshops on STEM activities were delivered to pre-service teachers while growing mathematics and science content knowledge and pedagogical practices. The qualitative content analysis research methodology was used to identify relevant topics related to post reflective questions regarding pre-service teacher perspectives on the experience gained through the collaborative practices at the STEM workshop. The results show that the workshop had a positive effect on pre-service teachers’ conceptualization of STEM—through collaborative, participatory practices, an effective learning environment while bringing attention to teacher professional development and education policymakers. Key elements of this study approach included: (1) collaboration between university professors to teach and incorporate STEM in higher education; (2) unique partnership among mathematical and chemistry pre-service teachers; and (3) professional development, which is devoted and adopted into a study course.

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This study explores the perception of student teachers on their role as researchers and the impact of action research in their professional development. The study involves the master level student teachers of the Faculty of Education at the University of Prishtina in Kosovo.Qualitative data collected through reflective writing, open-ended questionnaires and research reports developed by student teachers were analyzed through the inductive method. The study suggests that teacher research has a major impact not only on the improvement of teaching practices and increasing student achievement, but also on increasing the collaboration among peers and fostering a new culture where teachers assume their responsibilities to apply action research in their own classrooms as a tool for classroom transformation. Teacher education and school context are crucial in this matter and the need arises to avoid viewing the development of teacher research as an isolated activity. Keywords: Action research, professional development, student teacher, environment1 The initial findings of the study were presented in the form of a paper conference at the "1st International Albanian Education Conference held in Tirana (Albania) on 7-8th December 2012.

The article analyzes the current status, development trends and challenges of teacher education in Kosovo and Albania in their efforts to be aligned with current trends of a more research-based, practice and skills oriented teacher education system. The article compares the provision of pre-service teacher education and draws conclusions related to future development trends of the two countries as they aim to meet the best international standards and practices in shaping pre-service teacher education from a research-based and practice orientation. This article is based primarily on findings from desk research conducted at public universities in Kosovo and Albania, more specifically analyzing the university curricula and other documents related to the provision of teacher education courses. In addition, the research involves the analysis of work completed and documents produced as a result of the 2009-2011 Trans-European Mobility Program for University Studies (TEMPUS) Project “Development of Master Study Programs in Education” (DEMED). The article outlines the similarities and differences of teacher education systems in Kosovo and Albania and emphasizes the need for small countries to co-operate on joint reform that leads to wider regional impact and facilitates mobility of staff and students. Identifying common goals is thus important. The two priority goals for these two countries are: development of practice and research-based teacher education. Conclusions are presented with the intent of findings being extrapolated to similar small, developing countries.