The effects of need satisfaction on EFL online learner satisfaction

This study explored the effects of need satisfaction (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) on English as a foreign language (EFL) online learner satisfaction and validated the Chinese versions of the need satisfaction scale (NSS) and online learner satisfaction scale (OLSS). We collected data from a questionnaire administered to 199 EFL students at a Taiwanese university. The Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient for NSS was .90 and .91 for OLSS. For NSS, the principal component analysis (PCA) resulted in a three-factor solution that accounted for 61.31% of the variance. Regarding OLSS, PCA resulted in a two-factor solution that accounted for 63.17% of the variance. A multiple regression analysis revealed that three independent variables (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) were predictors of EFL online learner satisfaction (F(3,?191) = 85.14, P < .001, R² = .57), with competence the best predictor of online learner satisfaction, followed by relatedness and autonomy. The paper concludes with implications of these results.     

Predictors of learner satisfaction in an academic computer conference

This study tested the Adult Distance Study Through Computer Conferencing (ADSCC) model developed by Eastmond (1994), to determine if learner readiness, online features, and CMC‐related learning approaches are associated with learner satisfaction in an academic computer conference. All three variables were correlated with learner satisfaction and online features emerged as the best predictor of learner satisfaction. Results indicate interrelationships between the three variables. The ADSCC model was a good predictor of learner satisfaction. It provided a useful framework for understanding learner satisfaction by showing how to categorise the different components that influence satisfaction in an academic computer conference.     

The forgotten minority: examining religious affiliation and university satisfaction

Researchers and practitioners generally discuss disparities in university student satisfaction and graduation rates in terms of race/ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status. However, religious affiliation constitutes another important—yet often overlooked—form of identity that may be associated with student outcomes. In the context of Christian privilege in the United States, students from marginalized religions and those who do not identify with any organized religion can face significant challenges on university campuses and throughout society. Using a 4-year longitudinal sample of 3,098 undergraduates at 28 institutions, this study conducted hierarchical linear modeling analyses to examine the extent to which university satisfaction varies as a function of students’ religious affiliation (or lack thereof). Even when controlling for various individual and institutional characteristics, students who do not identify with any religious group have the lowest university satisfaction, whereas Protestant students have the highest satisfaction. Group disparities in satisfaction are also observed for race/ethnicity, gender, parental education, and academic preparation. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.     

Effects of organizational pictures and modality as a feedback strategy on learner comprehension and satisfaction

One of the strongest instructional interventions documented in educational literature is the use of feedback to influence learning outcomes. However, there is lack of empirical research specifically pertaining to the use of multimedia in the feedback message. The purpose of this research was to test whether organizational pictures and modality as a feedback strategy had an effect on learner comprehension and satisfaction. The research design was a 2 Multimedia (Picture Present vs. Picture Absent) × 2 Modality (Narration vs. On-screen Text) × Trial (Trial 1 vs. Trial 2) with Multimedia and Modality serving as between-subject conditions and Trial serving as a repeated measure. One-hundred fifteen university students participated in the study. Findings show statistically significant increases in comprehension scores from Trial 1 to Trial 2 assessments for all four treatment conditions. Learners in the Picture present conditions were statistically more satisfied with the learning experience. Additionally, we used eye-tracking to verify the extent to which the pictures were used in the feedback message. A discussion and recommendations for future research and feedback design are provided.     

Instructional support for distance education and faculty motivation, commitment, satisfaction

The purpose of this study is to examine the faculty perceptions of instructional support in relation to faculty members' motivation, commitment, and satisfaction associated with distance teaching. Findings indicated that faculty motivation and commitment toward distance teaching were strong in general. However, faculty motivation and commitment were higher in the institutions with well-provided instructional support.     

Integrating self-paced mobile learning into language instruction: impact on reading comprehension and learner satisfaction

The study integrated self-paced mobile learning (m-learning) into a language course, and examined what impacts were being produced on learners’ reading comprehension and student satisfaction resulting from the instruction with m-learning integration. The self-paced, learner-centered mobile learning integration instruction (MLI) was compared with group-oriented, teacher-centered instruction without m-learning integration. Six classes of students from three different departments participated in the study. One class from each department received MLI, while the other class from each department was involved in traditional learning instruction (TLI). Evaluation of the instruction was based upon data from the post-treatment reading test and one questionnaire related to learner satisfaction. The results revealed that the learners exposing to the MLI scored higher in the test than those with TLI, and they showed great satisfaction with the instruction integrating m-learning. Particularly, the students from the Department of Information Management receiving instruction supported by mobile technologies performed best in the reading test and gained the highest score on the satisfaction questionnaire.     

Tutoring styles that encourage learner satisfaction,academic engagement,and achievement in an online environment

This study was aimed to find which tutoring styles significantly predict learners’ satisfaction with an e-learning service, academic involvement, and academic achievement. The tutoring styles included subject expert, facilitator, guider, and administrator. In this study, 818 Korean sixth-grade students (ages 11–12 years), enrolled in the e-study program, and completed tutoring style and academic satisfaction evaluation surveys. Students’ login and posting frequency in the e-study program were measured to assess their academic involvement. Academic achievement was computed using completion rates and assessment scores. Multiple regression analyses indicated that there is some association between tutoring styles and academic outcomes. Of the four tutoring styles, facilitating tutoring styles particularly showed strong associations with the three outcome variables. Tutors’ guiding activities as opposed to facilitating were not significant contributors to students’ academic outcomes. The effect of tutors’ facilitating styles in an online learning environment was significant as being found in the existent literature.     

Guiding the older learner

The literature of gerontology provides compelling evidence that the adult learner has more than sufficient residual potential to profit from instruction and/or novel experience. A number of educational delivery models, with diverse philosophical-theoretical cores, were discussed through which the adult might realize maximum potential, thereby adapting successfully to the contingencies of survival. Aids in learning coupled with teaching strategies were suggested for inclusion in the design of learning environments. The emphasis throughout is on maximization of capacity through recognition of individual differences observed along the entire age continuum.     

Instructional Design and the Importance of Instructional Alignment

This paper highlights the instructional design process followed by the Maricopa Community College faculty in the creation of instructional modules in Digital Visual Literacy. The paper categorizes 10 tasks that an instructional designer, a teacher, or a trainer performs during the design phase of the instructional design process. The importance of alignment between each of these 10 instructional elements is stressed in the paper. Also described are two different design models (top-down model and the matrix model) that were used by the faculty in the design of instructional materials. The matrix model has been found to be more effective in aligning the 10 instructional elements. Also included are survey results on the importance of the instructional design elements and if instructors include these elements in their lesson design in a community college setting.     

Educational psychology and the adult learner

The middle years of life, from the 20s through the 50s, have been neglected by psychology in general and educational psychology in particular. The current increase in numbers of mature learners calls for more, better, and better-understood psychological data so that learning can be enhanced in this age group. This issue of Contemporary Educational Psychology addresses five relevant questions: (1) What does research tell us about the capacities of adults to learn and retain? (2) What factors other than cognitive functioning affect adult performance? (3) How and in what ways does the adult wish to involve himself as a learner? (4) How might we go about guiding the mature learner, using present knowledge? (5) What theoretical concerns arise from consideration of the foregoing?     

教学过程与教学情境

借鉴系统工程的思想方法切入教学过程 ,对它进行层次分析 ,将教学过程分为“教”和“学”两个过程 ,在“学”的过程中 ,学生为主体 ,学习情境 (教学情境 )为客体 ;在“教”的过程中 ,教师为主体 ,教学情境为客体。教师的主导性、创造性、艺术性……无不反映在教师对教学情境的创设上 ,而学生的学习更是不能脱离“环境”———教学情境的认识过程。     

A predictive study of learner satisfaction and outcomes in face-to-face,satellite broadcast,and live video-streaming learning environments

This study was conducted to assess the predictive relationships among delivery mode (DM), self-perceived learner-to-teacher interaction, self-rated computer skill, prior distance learning experience, and learners' satisfaction and outcomes. Participants were enrolled in courses which used three different DMs: face-to-face, satellite broadcasting, and live video-streaming (LVS). In each case, the course was offered simultaneously by the same teacher via all three formats. The results indicated no predictive utility of delivery mode for self-perceived learner-to-teacher interaction. On the other hand, the results supported the validity of self-perceived learner-to-teacher interaction as a predictor for student satisfaction and learning outcomes (measured by course final grades). To a lesser extent, self-rated computer skills and the number of distance learning courses taken played a weak role in learning outcomes and students' satisfaction. Overall, findings from the study support prior research that has reported the importance of learner-to-teacher interaction in learning outcomes and satisfaction of distance education students.     

Dynamic learner profiling and automatic learner classification for adaptive e-learning environment

E-learning allows learners individually to learn “anywhere, anytime” and offers immediate access to specific information. However, learners have different behaviors, learning styles, attitudes, and aptitudes, which affect their learning process, and therefore learning environments need to adapt according to these differences, so as to increase the results of the learning process. In addition, providing the same learning content to all the learners may lead to a reduction in the learner's performance. Hence, there is a need to classify the learners based on their performance and knowledge level. Learner profiles play an important role in making the e-learning environment adaptive. Providing an adaptive learning environment, catering to the changing needs and behavior of the learner can be achieved by evolving dynamic learner profiles. Navigation logs can be used to analyze learners’ behavior over a period of time. In this work, we propose dynamic learner profiling to cater to changing learner behaviors, styles, goals, preferences, performances, knowledge level, learner's state, content difficulty, and feedbacks. Based on the continuous observation of learner preferences and requirements, the learner profile is dynamically updated. Furthermore, we propose an automatic learner classification to construct the learner profile and identify the complexity level of learning content, using the Bayesian belief network and decision tree techniques. We evaluated our system with two traditional adaptive e-learning systems, using static profiles and behavioral aspects, through our performance evaluation method of different learner types. In addition, we compared the actual learners’ data with the system generated results for various types of learners, and showed the increased interest in their learning outcomes.     

An apple for the learner

We all know that apples are delicious and nutritious, but do you know all the ways they can be used in learning activities with young children? Following are some ideas for incorporating this favorite fruit into your curriculum.