The effect of different chunking strategies in complementing animated instruction

The purpose of this exploratory and small‐scale study was to examine the instructional effects of different chunking strategies used to complement animated instruction in terms of facilitating achievement of higher order learning objectives. Eighty‐five students were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: animated program instruction, simple visual‐text (static images and verbal explanation) chunked animated program instruction and the animated complex visual‐text chunked program instruction. The difference between simple and complex chunked instructions is the content. Simple chunks only deal with one content area while the complex chunks explain two or more related content areas. Students interacted with their respective web‐based instructional treatments and completed four criterion measures. Results (ANOVA) indicated that significant differences in achievement were found to exist in facilitating higher order learning objectives when chunking strategies were specifically designed and positioned to complement the animated instruction. Results also indicated that complex chunking is more effective in reducing the cognitive load present in an animated instructional environment, and that students need prerequisite knowledge before being able to profit from animated instruction designed to facilitate higher order learning outcomes.     

Effects of postquestions on learning and learning efficiency from fixed-pace,fixed-sequence media

Nearly 400 junior high school and college students participated in 3 experiments that explored the effects of postquestion treatments on learning from slide/tape presentations. It appears that inserted postquestions can increase the learning of question-relevant information without impairing learning efficiency. The effects of grouped postquestions are unclear, but apparently such questions can impair learning efficiency. The learning of information not directly related to the postquestions was not enhanced by inserted or grouped postquestions and the efficiency of that learning was significantly reduced. No evidence of interac tions with individual differences was found.     

Retrieval-Based Learning: A Perspective for Enhancing Meaningful Learning

Learning is often identified with the acquisition, encoding, or construction of new knowledge, while retrieval is often considered only a means of assessing knowledge, not a process that contributes to learning. Here, we make the case that retrieval is the key process for understanding and for promoting learning. We provide an overview of recent research showing that active retrieval enhances learning, and we highlight ways researchers have sought to extend research on active retrieval to meaningful learning—the learning of complex educational materials as assessed on measures of inference making and knowledge application. However, many students lack metacognitive awareness of the benefits of practicing active retrieval. We describe two approaches to addressing this problem: classroom quizzing and a computer-based learning program that guides students to practice retrieval. Retrieval processes must be considered in any analysis of learning, and incorporating retrieval into educational activities represents a powerful way to enhance learning.     

Investigating the testing effect: Retrieval as a characteristic of effective study strategies

Presently, the most common approach to examining the testing effect is using a free recall form of retrieval practice. In this experiment, we compared free recall to other retrieval-based study strategies including practice quizzing, test-generation, and keyword. We also examined the possible benefit of coupling these retrieval-based strategies with free recall. A total of 338 undergraduates were randomly assigned to one of the nine conditions: a repeated retrieval (study-test) learning condition paired with one of the four retrieval-based strategies, a single retrieval (study-study) learning condition paired with a retrieval-based strategy, or a rehearsal (study-study-study) condition. Following a 7-day delay, students completed a test assessing retention of information learned. There was a significant interaction between learning condition (repeated vs. single retrieval practice) and type of retrieval-based strategy. Free recall and practice quizzing were the most effective types of retrieval practice, and coupling testgeneration and practice quizzing with free recall led to significant benefits in performance.     

认知策略在英美文学教学中的应用

在英美文学教学中,教师应有意识地贯彻科学的认知策略,包括注意策略、编码与组织策略、精细加工策略、复述策略等。将认知策略有机运用于英美文学教学中,能显著提高教师的教学效果,促进学生的学习效率,实现师生之间信息交流的畅通,在拓宽学生知识视野的同时培养其创新思维能力。     

The effects of computer-supported self-regulation in science inquiry on learning outcomes,learning processes,and self-efficacy

Recently, researchers have demonstrated the benefits of technology-enhanced science inquiry activities. To improve students’ self-regulation and assist them in controlling their own learning pace through inquiry activities, in this study, a self-regulated science inquiry approach was developed to assist them in organizing information from their real-world exploration. A quasi-experimental design was conducted in an elementary school natural science course to evaluate the students’ performance using the proposed learning approach. One class assigned as the treatment group learned with the self-regulated science inquiry approach, while the other class assigned as the control group learned with the conventional science inquiry approach. The students’ learning achievement, tendency of information help seeking, tendency of self-regulation, and self-efficacy were evaluated. The results of the study revealed that the self-regulated science inquiry approach improved the students’ learning achievement, especially for those students with higher self-regulation. In addition, the students who conducted inquiry with the self-regulated learning strategy increased their tendency of information help seeking, self-efficacy, and several aspects of self-regulation, including time management, help seeking, and self-evaluation. Accordingly, this study demonstrated the effectiveness of the self-regulated learning strategy, an approach with high learner control, in terms of improving students’ learning achievement and their self-regulation.     

An examination of undergraduates’ metacognitive strategies in pre-class asynchronous activity in a flipped classroom

The aim of the study is to examine undergraduate students’ awareness of metacognition, the metacognitive strategies they use in their learning and their learning performance in pre-class asynchronous activity in a flipped classroom. The sample consisted of 47 undergraduate students. Eleven students were not included in this study since they did not participate in all quizzes and most of the metacognitive strategy activities. Metacognitive Awareness Inventory and Metacognitive Strategies Evaluation Activities were used as data collection tools. The results showed that Computer Education and Instructional Technology students’ metacognitive awareness was at a high level and their metacognitive strategy levels and learning performances differed weekly. Post hoc results indicated no difference between metacognitive strategy and learning performance in the first three weeks. However, the results of the first 3 weeks differed from those of the 4th and 5th weeks. In addition, our regression analysis result indicated that using metacognitive strategies predicted 80% of students’ learning performance. This rate shows the importance of using metacognitive strategies for the learning process in pre-class asynchronous activity in the flipped classroom.     

Impact of Adding Internet Technology on Student Performance and Perception of Autonomy in Fundamentals of Electronics Course

The coupling of the traditional classroom instruction and a virtual learning environment (VLE) in an engineering course is critical to stimulating the learning process and to encouraging students to develop competencies outside of the classroom. This can be achieved through planned activities and the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs), resources designed to complement students’ autonomous learning needs. A quantitative analysis of students’ academic performance using final course grades was performed for a fundamentals of electronics course and we examine students’ perception of their autonomy using surveys. The students’ progress and attitudes were monitored over four consecutive semesters. The first began with the design of the intervention and the following three consisted in the implementation. The strategy was focused on the development of course competencies through autonomous learning with ICT tools presented in the VLE. Findings indicate that the students who did the activities in the VLE showed an increase in performance scores in comparison with students who did not do them. The strategy used in this study, which enhanced perceived autonomy, was associated with a positive effect on their learning process. This research shows that a technology-enhanced course supported by ICT activities can both improve academic performance and foster autonomy in students.     

An interactive problem-posing guiding approach to bridging and facilitating pre- and in-class learning for flipped classrooms

ABSTRACT

Educators have indicated that a good flipped learning design has the potential to enable teachers to use the class time effectively for conducting higher-order thinking activities and enhancing the interactions among peers and teachers. Several previous studies have also pointed out the importance of employing proper learning strategies, such that students’ learning performance would meet the expectations of both the pre- and in-class activities of flipped learning. In this study, an interactive problem-posing guiding strategy was proposed to guide students to understand the concepts of problem-posing by the use of multiple choice options before class, and to engage them in effective problem-posing activities during class. To examine the effectiveness of the proposed learning mode, a flipped learning system was developed and an experiment was conducted in a natural science learning activity in an elementary school. The participants were two classes of fifth graders of an elementary school, a total of 56 students, with one class as the experimental group and the other as the control group. The students in the experimental group adopted the interactive problem-posing guiding strategy in the flipped learning mode, while the control group used the conventional flipped learning mode. The experimental results confirmed that the flipped learning activity with the interactive problem-posing guiding strategy was more effective in terms of learning achievement, self-efficacy, and deep approaches to learning science in the natural science course than the conventional flipped learning method. It also confirmed the importance of integrating the stepwise learning strategy (e.g. guided problem-posing and collaborative problem-posing) into flipped learning to support students’ pre- and in-class learning.     

Assessing Learning across Pedagogical Modalities and Learning Retrieval Conditions for College Learners in Introductory Psychology

The present study attempted to explore if learning is as effective in the web-based platform as it is in the traditional or web-enhanced modalities. Unlike prior studies that measured learning using course grades and subjective student reporting, this study used an empirical method to develop a valid and reliable measure of learning. Data from 346 college students participating in an introductory psychology course were compared across the three instructional modalities. Consistent with prior research, the results revealed no significant differences on a measure of learning effectiveness between the three learning modalities. Additional analysis of the results was conducted based on the ‘specificity of encoding’ model and indicated that students who retrieved the information in a context congruent with where encoding took place scored significantly lower than those who retrieved the information in an incongruent context. Whereas prior models of learning placed the encoding of information squarely in the classroom context, these results suggested that encoding takes place primarily in the cyber online context. This reconceptualization of the context of encoding suggests that congruous context for encoding and retrieval is when both processes reside in the cyber online context.     

Segmenting Educational Content: Long-Form vs. Short-Form Online Learning Modules

This article studies the differences in student learning outcomes associated with changes in the format of online learning resources. We compare completion rates and degrees of student achievement across several economic education learning modules produced by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Initially designed as a long-form online learning module focused on unemployment, the virtual lecture “The Story of Unemployment” was later chunked into four separate short-form learning modules. We find across-the-board evidence of increased completion rates among registered students and statistically significant increases in average differences between pre-test and post-test scores. We also study how the increases in scores are distributed across students by comparing pre-test grade quartiles. Finally, we document that chunking online instructional materials increases retained learning and consistently boosts information absorption at the item level.     

COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT AND STUDENT ATTITUDE

A mastery learning strategy was used to teach undergraduate microbiology to part‐time HNC and BSc students. Their performance was cognitively assessed in terms of Bloom's taxonomy. Their changes of attitude were measured by comparison of questionnaires after the introduction to the strategy and after the return of the assessed post‐test. Two performance groups were discovered. Both groups showed positive attitude changes toward the tutor controlling the learning experience and toward the quality of the learning materials. The low group showed negative change toward the strategy and expressed a preference for more traditional teaching, whilst the high group did the reverse. The students’ conception of the academic level of the package and its level of assessment appeared to be canalised by their knowledge of their course status in the academic hierarchy and not by their performance. It was concluded that cognitive assessment more clearly detects students failing to achieve mastery whilst indicating cognitive areas needing remedial tuition and that mastery strategies should be carefully introduced to students to avoid de‐motivating their learning. The difficulty of constructing such strategies and the time taken is compensated for by their ability to teach broader academic groups.     

A Pedagogical Strategy for Gradual Enhancement of Creative Performance of the Students

The objective of this paper is to describe a pedagogical strategy for gradual enhancement of creative performance among students by using interdisciplinary hands-on projects. A study was conducted comparing 66 students' performances on creativity in three classes—Fall 1996, Spring 1997 and Fall 1997—consisting of juniors and seniors at Temple University. All the students were tested on the creative opportunities actually taught by the projects presented to the students, theoretical aspects of creativity on a specially designed test and the learning process. The results of evaluation on the creativity of the models, the theory tests and the learning process indicated that the pedagogical strategy did help in gradually enhancing the creativity performance of the students.     

Inner speech in the learning context and the prediction of students’ learning strategy and academic performance

Abstract

The present study investigated whether and how learning-specific inner speech predicted students’ learning strategy and academic performance. Frequencies of inner speech use in specific learning settings were assessed. Four dimensions of inner speech including self-criticism, self-reinforcement, self-management, and social assessment were investigated and linked to the learning strategy and academic performance. Data were collected from both secondary school students and university students. The results indicated that both the cognitive regulative function (self-management) and the affective regulatory function (self-criticism or self-reinforcement) of inner speech contributed to students’ learning strategy, while only the cognitive regulative function of inner speech significantly predicted students’ academic performance. Furthermore, the prediction of inner speech to academic performance was partly mediated by the learning strategy.     

Using predictions to learn about the self-efficacy of early adolescents with and without learning disabilities

This study used conventional self-efficacy measures as well as predictions of performance to examine the spelling and writing efficacy beliefs of early adolescents with and without learning disabilities (LD). In addition, the study examined two types of global efficacy—self-efficacy for self-regulated learning and general self-efficacy. The students with LD over-estimated their spelling performance by 52% and their writing performance by 19%, whereas the non-LD students were generally accurate in their performance estimates. Students’ performance predictions and self-efficacy ratings were strong predictors of a composite writing performance, but the self-efficacy for self-regulated learning and general self-efficacy scores did not predict writing performance. The article concludes with a discussion of recommendations to improve the calibration and academic functioning of adolescents with learning disabilities.     

高职生英语学习动机、策略与成绩的相关研究

采用问卷法调查某职业技术学院252名学生的英语学习动机、学习策略和成绩。结果显示：高职生的英语学习动机以融合型动机和工具型动机为主,最常用的学习策略是补偿策略和情感策略,最不常用的是元认知策略和社会策略;成绩优等生有更强的融合型动机和内部动机,更频繁地使用补偿策略、元认知策略和认知策略;高职生融合型动机和内部动机与其英语成绩呈显著性正相关;各种学习策略与其英语成绩都呈显著正相关。     

Some factors influencing student performance in laboratory experimental work in physiology with implications for curriculum deliberations and instructional design

A class of 1st-year medical students was divided into a control group who performed a laboratory experiment for themselves, and an experimental group who were given a demonstrationdata interpretation exercise. Prior to the practical session the experimental group were given a programmed text covering the underlying theoretical principles, to use in their private study. The control group were instructed to do their private study in the usual way using only their lecture notes and textbooks. Prior knowledge and the gain resulting from practical instruction were assessed using pre- and post-tests.The conventional laboratory method was ineffective and did not facilitate conceptual understanding. The post-test performance and gain of the experimental group was significantly better than that of the control group, but this result did not appear to be dependent upon greater prior knowledge. The pretest performance of both treatment groups revealed that many students were inadequately prepared for the practical exercise. Many students did not appear to study the programmed text conscientiously, probably because they were accustomed to the traditional method of teaching and adopted a surface, reproductive approach to all learning. Furthermore, the students had difficulty linking their prior knowledge to the experiment, suggesting the need for pre-laboratory exercises designed to achieve closer integration between theory and experimentation.It is clear that in order to achieve more meaningful learning there is a need for the students to change their attitudes and approaches to learning and for active, student-centred teaching-learning experiences to be incorporated into the curriculum.     

对外汉语本科专业不同性格类型学生英语学习策略差异研究

通过采用了北京师范大学外语系的程晓堂和郑敏两位学者的英语学习策略调查表对新疆师范大学汉语教育学院的对外汉语本科05级的同学进行了英语学习策略的诊断;用文秋芳博士的性格测量表对该班同学的性格特点进行了分析。结果发现不同性格的学生学习策略的使用情况也各不相同;而通过皮尔逊相关系数的计算发现学习策略与学习成绩两个变量的相关性很强,即:学习策略使用得越多,学习成绩越好。     

What limits the encoding effect of note-taking? A meta-analytic examination

Previous meta-analyses indicate that the overall encoding effect of note-taking is positive but modest. This meta-analysis of 57 note-taking versus no note-taking comparison studies explored what limits the encoding effect by examining the moderating influence of seven variables: intervention, schooling level, presentation mode and length, test mode, and publication year and source. It was found that (a) either positive interventions or rise in schooling level did not enhance the benefits of note-taking; (b) visual presentation of learning material interfered with the note-taking process, whereas longer presentation did not; (c) recall test detected the encoding effect more than recognition and higher-order performance tests; and (d) publication year and source contributed to the variation in effect sizes. These results suggest that the modest encoding effect is not due to the incompleteness of students’ spontaneous note-taking procedures, but mechanical demands of note-taking, type of learning outcome measure, and publication characteristics.     

以策略训练为基础的阅读教学对阅读水平影响

借鉴西方显性学习策略训练模式,采用书面问卷、策略教学及阅读测试等调查方法,对以策略训练为基础的阅读教学的影响进行探讨和研究。结果表明:系统地接受显性策略训练的学生在阅读成绩方面明显优于对照组;以策略为基础的阅读教学增强了学生的策略使用意识;通过对成功和非成功阅读者的比较,发现策略的运用与阅读水平的提高间有显著相关性。问卷调查显示,学生对策略训练普遍持认同态度,说明这类策略训练活动应用于大学外语课堂阅读教学是可行的、有效的。