Web‐based reading annotation system with an attention‐based self‐regulated learning mechanism for promoting reading performance

Due to the rapid development of information technology, web‐based learning has become a dominant trend. That is, learners can often learn anytime and anywhere without being restricted by time and space. Autonomic learning primarily occurs in web‐based learning environments, and self‐regulated learning (SRL) is key to autonomic learning performance. Moreover, sustained attention to web‐based learning activities can be challenging for students. Therefore, a web‐based reading annotation system with an attention‐based self‐regulated learning mechanism (ASRLM), which is based on brainwave detection, is designed to enhance the sustained attention of learners while reading annotated English texts online, and thereby promote online reading performance. In total, 126 Grade 7 students in four classes at a junior high school in New Taipei City, Taiwan, are the participants. Among the four classes, two classes are randomly distributed to the experimental group and the other two classes are randomly distributed to the control group. The experimental group utilizes the ASRLM to support their reading of annotated English texts online, whereas the control group is not supported by the ASRLM while reading annotated English texts online. Experimental results show that sustained attention and reading comprehension of the experimental group are better than those of the control group. Moreover, the web‐based reading system with ASRLM support promotes the sustained attention and reading comprehension of female learners more than those of male learners while reading annotated English texts online. Additionally, learners with high‐SRL ability in the experimental group have better sustained attention and reading comprehension than those learners with low‐SRL ability. Furthermore, the sustained attention and reading comprehension of the experimental group are strongly correlated, and the duration of sustained attention strongly predicts their reading comprehension performance.     

Modeling collective attention in online and flexible learning environments

Understanding how collective attention flow circulates amid an over-abundance of knowledge is a key to designing new and better forms of online and flexible learning experiences. This study adopted an open flow network model and the associated distance metrics to gain an understanding of collective attention flow using clickstream data in a massive open online course. Various patterns and dynamics of attention flow were identified and are discussed here in relation to learning performance. The results show that the effective accumulation, circulation, and dissipation of attention flow are important contributors to academic attainment. Understanding the patterns and dynamics of attention flow will allow us to design cost-effective learning resources to prevent learners from becoming overloaded.     

学历继续教育学习者在线自我调节学习现状与影响因素研究

在线自我调节学习是增强学习者在线学习投入、提升学习绩效的重要保障。当下在线开放课程在各级各类教育中广泛深度应用,国内外学者主要关注高等教育全日制学习者在线自我调节学习的相关研究,对学历继续教育学习者的关注较为罕见。采用混合研究法,对疫情防控期间,陕西、广东、云南等三省参与在线课程学习的学历继续教育学习者在线自我调节学习的现状、影响因素及优化策略进行了系统研究,结果发现:研究样本在线自我调节学习现状不是很理想,主要受个人因素、课程因素、文化因素和管理因素的影响,最终从优化课程、重构学习空间、加强过程监控等三个方面提出了调节和优化策略。     

Improving effectiveness of learners’ review of video lectures by using an attention-based video lecture review mechanism based on brainwave signals

Online video-based learning has been increasingly used in educational settings. However, students usually do not have enough cognitive capacity and metacognition skills to diagnose and record their attention status during learning tasks by themselves. This study thus presents an attention-based video lecture review mechanism (AVLRM) that can generate video segments for review based on students’ sustained attention status, as determined using brainwave signal detection technology. A quasi-experiment nonequivalent control group design was utilized to divide 55 participants from two classes of an elementary school in New Taipei City, Taiwan, into two groups. One class was randomly assigned to the experimental group, and used video lectures with the AVLRM support for learning. The other class was assigned to the control group, and used video lectures with autonomous review for learning. Analytical results indicate that students in the experimental group exhibited significantly better review effectiveness than did the control group, and this difference was especially marked for students who had a low attention level, were field-dependent, or were female. The findings show that AVLRM based on brainwave signal detection technology can precisely identify video segments that are more useful for effective review than those picked by student themselves. This study contributes to the design of learning tools that aim to support independent learning and effective review in online or video-based learning environments.     

Community detection with opinion leaders’ identification for promoting collaborative problem-based learning performance

In the 21st century when knowledge-based economy is emphasized, the cultivation of autonomous learning and problem-solving abilities presents the importance. With web-based collaborative problem-based learning (CPBL), learners could more conveniently cultivate their problem-solving abilities through autonomous learning. Nevertheless, learners are often guided to solve a target problem by the information announced by teachers during the CPBL processes. Individual learners often could not effectively absorb such standard information, thus ignoring the important information from teachers. In the information communication theory, the two-step flow of communication through opinion leaders has been proved that it can better change audiences’ attitudes than the one-step flow of communication through mass media. This study thus employs the modularity Q function as the fitness function of genetic algorithm to optimally detect learning communities and uses PageRank measure to accurately find out community opinion leaders according to the social network interaction data of learners in the CPBL process. Based on quasi-experimental design, this study examines whether learners in the experimental group using the two-step flow of communication through opinion leaders to convey information for solving the target CPBL missions could more significantly enhance web-based CPBL performance, social network interaction and group cohesion than learners in the control group using the one-step flow of communication through teachers’ information. Analytical results show learners in the experimental group remarkably outperform those in the control group on learning performance and peer interaction under a CPBL environment. Particularly, female learners in the experimental group notably outperform female learners in the control group on learning performance, while there is no significant difference in male learners between both groups. More importantly, learners in the experimental group present significantly higher group cohesion than those in the control group. This study confirms that using the two-step flow of communication instead of the one-step flow of communication traditionally used in web-based learning environments could significantly promote web-based CPBL performance, social network interaction and group cohesion.     

Effects of different text display types on reading comprehension,sustained attention and cognitive load in mobile reading contexts

Despite the popularity of mobile reading devices, many studies have indicated that small screens restrict information transmission, adversely affecting reading performance on mobile devices. Moreover, mobile reading typically occurs in different reading contexts. Therefore, suitable text display type for mobile reading in different reading contexts should be considered, such that learners can effectively read content. This work selected the frequently used static and dynamic text display types (i.e. Paging and Auto-scrolling) and assessed their effects on mobile reading performance. Furthermore, the features of static and dynamic text display types were considered when designing a mixed text display type for mobile reading. Based on brainwave detector, reading-comprehension test sheet, and cognitive-load scale, this work designed a mobile reading experiment with a two-factor experimental design to assess the effects of the selected static, dynamic, and designed text display types, which were respectively presented in sitting, standing, and walking contexts, on reading comprehension, sustained attention, and cognitive load of learners. Experimental results show that sitting obtained the highest sustained attention and the mixed text garnered lowest sustained attention. Moreover, although analytical results show that no significant difference existed in overall reading comprehension with each text type presented with the mobile reading contexts, reading comprehension (i.e. memory, comprehension, and application types) was significantly affected by the reading context, and to some degree, the text display type. This work also found that the text display type is a major factor affecting learners' cognitive load; however, learners' cognitive load is not be affected by the considered reading contexts. Among the three text display types, the mixed type generates the highest cognitive load, followed by the dynamic type, and then the static type. In conclusion, the three reading contexts with the three text display types have both advantages and disadvantages for reading comprehension, sustained attention, and cognitive load. As a result, text display type for mobile reading on small screens should be adjusted according to reading context or to improve reading comprehension, attention, or cognitive load.     

Blending Synchronous Face-to-face and Computer-Supported Cooperative Learning in a Hybrid Doctoral Seminar

Online education is often assumed to be synonymous with asynchronous instruction, existing apart from or supplementary to face-to-face instruction in traditional bricks-and-mortar classrooms. However, expanding access to computer- mediated communication technologies now make new models possible, including distance learners synchronous online attendance of face-to-face courses. Going beyond traditional uses of videoconferencing (e.g., real-time remote viewing with limited student interaction), this article describes the use of freely available technologies to support synchronous cooperative learning activities involving both face-to-face and hybrid doctoral students. Specifically, we describe the rationale behind pedagogical choices and specify how various technologies were re-purposed to create a virtual classroom space in which all possible combinations of face-to-face and hybrid students worked together in multiple small-groups across single class sessions. Implications for course development, the implementation of cooperative learning activities in online settings, and the use of both synchronous and asynchronous methods of online instruction are discussed.     

基于 MOOC 课程评论的话题挖掘与情感分析研究

为了深入挖掘与分析在线课程评论文本,探索学习者参与在线课程学习时关注的话题及其情感态度,为提高在线课程质量提供帮助。首先采用词频分析方法,实现对学习者在线课程评论内容的整体认识|然后利用非监督学习方法潜在狄利克雷分布主题模型对评论文本信息的特征结构、语义内容进行自动挖掘和分析,得到学习者的关注话题|最后对每个话题的课程评论文本进行情感倾向分析,得到学习者的情感倾向分布。实验结果表明,在参与课程学习的过程中,学习者主要关注教师授课、课程内容和学习资源 3 个话题。情感分析结果显示,学习者对于该课程普遍表示满意和赞赏,但是对于该课程学习资源表达了较多负面情感。     

"合作学习"教学模式理念与综合英语课堂情感焦虑的实验探索

本文是一项有关综合英语课堂上情感焦虑和合作学习的实证行研究.近年来,合作学习和外语学习焦虑在国内外受到广泛关注.但目前还很少有研究就利用合作学习减轻外语学习焦虑并最终提高学习者英语语言水平问题进行实证调查.针对这一问题,笔者采用前后测现场教学实验的方法对外语水平相同的两组(实验组采用合作学习方法而控制组采用传统的教学方法)--英语专业大二本科生进行了一项实验,调查和测试结果表明,试验组学生的外语学习焦虑得到有效减轻,其英语语言水平有明显提高.     

“合作学习”教学模式理念与综合英语课堂情感焦虑的实验探索

本文是一项有关综合英语课堂上情感焦虑和合作学习的实证行研究。近年来,合作学习和外语学习焦虑在国内外受到广泛关注。但目前还很少有研究就利用合作学习减轻外语学习焦虑并最终提高学习者英语语言水平问题进行实证调查。针对这一问题,笔者采用前后测现场教学实验的方法对外语水平相同的两组(实验组采用合作学习方法而控制组采用传统的教学方法)——英语专业大二本科生进行了一项实验,调查和测试结果表明,试验组学生的外语学习焦虑得到有效减轻,其英语语言水平有明显提高。     

大学英语双语教学对学习者的影响——以黄淮学院国际学院大学英语教学为例

本文以黄淮学院为例,对比研究了实验组和普通组中学生学习大学英语的不同,探索双语教学对大学英语学习者学习兴趣、学习环境和学习动机的影响,进而论证了双语教学是促进大学英语学习的一种有效手段。     

How Adults Learn from Self‐Paced,Technology‐Based Corporate Training: New focus for learners,new focus for designers

How do adults learn from self‐paced, technology‐based corporate training, which they select based on its relevance to their current employment responsibilities? Specifically, how do adults use the following learning strategies: prior experience, reflection, metacognition, conversations, generative learning strategies, and authentic experiences? Based on a recent dissertation research investigation, the author found that learning starts with, and is sustained by, metacognition which was defined as self‐assessment and self‐correction. While learners using metacognition is by no means a new phenomenon, learners using metacognition significantly more often than other learning strategies has important implications for the design of new generations of online distance instruction. Similarly, that learners frequently use conversations to learn from self‐paced, technology‐based training strongly suggests that dialogs and discussions are important in the design of these new ways of learning.     

在线学习活动本质及理论基础探究

在线学习活动研究已经成为远程教育领域的研究热点.然而,对于在线学习活动的本质.以及该领域研究所应遵循的理论基础,目前还缺乏针对性的研究.本研究建立在广泛调研在线学习活动领域国内外学术期刊文献的基础上.通过归纳国内外相关研究成果,尝试探究在线学习活动的本质、内在属性及其基本要素,并对在线学习活动研究的重要理论依据进行阐述,探究在线学习活动研究的理论基础.作为在线学习活动领域的基础研究,本研究旨在为该领域后续研究提供必要的理论依据.     

A closer look at split visual attention in system- and self-paced instruction in multimedia learning

Two experiments examined visual attention distribution in learning from text and pictures. Participants watched a 16-step multimedia instruction on the formation of lightning. In Experiment 1 (N = 90) the instruction was system-paced (fast, medium, slow pace), while it was self-paced in Experiment 2 (N = 31). In both experiments the text modality was varied (written, spoken). During learning, the participants’ eye movements were recorded. Results from both experiments revealed that learners spent more time studying the visualizations with spoken text than those with written text. In written text conditions learners consistently started reading before alternating between text and visualization; moreover, they spent more time reading the text than inspecting the visualizations. While in Experiment 1 additional time that was made available in conditions with a slow or medium instruction pace was spent inspecting visualizations, in Experiment 2 longer learning times resulted from reading the text more intensively. With respect to learning outcomes (retention, transfer, and visual memory) Experiment 1 revealed an effect of text modality for visual memory only. In Experiment 2 no modality effects were found. Instruction pace was hardly related to learning outcomes. Overall, the results confirm prior findings suggesting that the distribution of visual attention in multimedia learning is largely guided by the text.     

引导学员上网学习的策略

“在开放教育中,网络学习是一种非常重要的学习方式,但是学员进入到以网络学习为重要方式的自主学习,需要经历一个适应过程,为了促进学员更好地适应。还必须运用相应的策略：首先,作好心理准备、思想准备和技术准备,这是引导学员上网学习的前提;其次,要多方引导、全员指导、全程督导,这是促进学员上网学习的有效手段;第三,必须制度保证、管理创新,监控落实,这是促使学员上网学习的保证．     

University students' self‐efficacy and their attitudes toward the Internet: the role of students' perceptions of the Internet

The attitudes and the self‐efficacy that characterize learners relative to the Internet have been identified as important factors that affect learners’ motivation, interests and performance in Internet‐based learning environments. Meanwhile, learners’ perceptions of the Internet may shape learners’ attitudes and online behaviours. This study investigates university students’ attitudes and self‐efficacy towards the Internet, and explores the role that university students’ perceptions of the Internet may play in their Internet attitudes and self‐efficacy. The results indicate that university students demonstrate positive attitudes and adequate Internet self‐efficacy and that these students are more inclined to view the Internet as a functional tool—a functional technology. Gender differences exist in university students’ attitudes towards, and perceptions of, the Internet; that is, male students demonstrate Internet attitudes that are more positive than those of their female peers. Furthermore, students who perceive the Internet as a leisure tool (e.g. as a tour or a toy) show more positive attitudes and communicative self‐efficacy than students who use the Internet as a functional technology. Educators and researchers need to be aware of these differences and to take them into consideration in their instruction. Lastly, this study serves as a starting‐point for research that more broadly explores learners’ perceptions of the Internet.     

语用意识增进教学与二语语用能力关系的实验研究——以传闻性据素为例

文章以传闻性据素为例,采用显性教学手段（即激发正确使用语用形式意识的学习手段）,或称语用意识增进教学（Pragmatic Consciousness-Raising,以下简称为PCR教学）,对中国英语学习者在PCR教学引导之下和传统的教学方式之下,学习者对于传闻性据素的使用的掌握结果进行了实验比较,探讨意识对于二语语用学习是否是必要的,是如何影响学习者使用传闻性据素的。实验结果表明：相对于传统教学的控制组,PCR教学组在实验中以及实验后对于传闻性据素的掌握都表现出更高的语用能力,通过PCR教学,他们的语用能力成功地得到提高。     

远程学习者学习困难量表的编制与初步分析

在网络教育中远程学习者会遇到很多学习困难,科学了解远程学习者的学习困难分布及困难水平可以帮助教育机构采取更有针对性的措施改进网络教学,降低远程学习者学习困难水平,保证远程学习质量.网上人大经过多年的研究与实践,开发出一份专门针对远程学习环境和成人学习者特点的学习困难量表,可从多方面测评远程学习者的学习困难水平.本文对该量表的形成过程进行了详细介绍.     

Effects of learning analytics dashboard: analyzing the relations among dashboard utilization,satisfaction, and learning achievement

The learning analytics dashboard (LAD) is a newly developed learning support tool for virtual classrooms that is believed to allow students to review their online learning behavior patterns intuitively through the provision of visual information. The purpose of this study was to empirically validate the effects of LAD. An experimental study was conducted with a dashboard treatment group and a control group. The researchers developed a LAD and evaluated its effectiveness on the sample of 151 college students at a private university located in Korea, who were taking the online course titled “Management Statistics” in the first semester of 2014. The following results were obtained. First, the students who received dashboard treatment presented higher final score than those who did not. Second, the dashboard usage frequency, as measured by the number of times the dashboard was opened, did not have a significant impact on learning achievement. However, a slightly positive correlation between satisfaction with LAD and learning achievement was observed. Further analysis indicated that learners who used the dashboard only a few times showed relatively high satisfaction with LAD. On the other hand, high academic achievers who opened LAD relatively frequently showed lower satisfaction with dashboard. The results guide that LAD should be revised in a way to motivate learners consistently and support learners who have different academic achievement levels. The study discusses the further research tasks in terms of LAD development as an effective and personalized feedback tool to improve learners’ academic achievement.     

The Use of Additional Information in Problem-Oriented Learning Environments

Self-directed learning with authentic and complex problems (problem-oriented learning) requires that learners observe their own learning and use additional information when it is appropriate (e.g. hypertextual information in computer-supported learning environments). Research results indicate that learners in problem-oriented learning environments often have difficulties using additional information adequately, and that they should be supported. Two studies with a computer-supported problem-oriented learning environment in the domain of medicine analysed the effects of strategy instruction on the use of additional information and the quality of the problem representation. In Study 1, an expert model was used for strategy instruction. Two groups were compared: one group with strategy modelling and one group without. Strategy modelling influenced the frequency of looked-up hypertextual information, but did not influence the quality of learners' problem representations. This could be explained by difficulties in applying the general hypertext information to the problem. In Study 2, the additional information was presented in a more contextualised way as graphical representation of the case and its relevant concepts. Again, two groups were compared: one with a strategy instruction text and one without. Strategy instruction texts supported an adequate use of this graphical information by learners and had an effect on the quality of their problem representations. These findings are discussed with respect to the design of additional help systems in problem-oriented learning environments. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.