Using a mathematical model of motivation,volition, and performance to examine students’ e-text learning experiences

This empirical study used Keller’s (Technol Instr Cogn Learn 16:79–104, 2008b) motivation, volition, and performance (MVP) theory to develop and statistically evaluate a mathematical MVP model that can serve as a research and policy tool for evaluating students’ learning experiences in digital environments. Specifically, it explored undergraduate biology students’ learning and attitudes toward e-texts using a MVP mathematical model in two different e-text environments. A data set (N = 1334) that included student motivation and e-text information processing, frustration with using e-texts, and student ability variables was used to evaluate e-text satisfaction. A regression analysis of these variables revealed a significant model that explained 77% of the variation in student e-text satisfaction in both e-text learning environments. Student motivation and intrinsic cognitive load were positive predictors of student satisfaction, while extraneous cognitive load and student prior knowledge and background variables were negative predictors. Practical implications for e-text learning and generalizability of a mathematical MVP model are discussed.     

Staff development ideas

Jerry Aldridge is an associate professor of Early Childhood Education and Special Education, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Alabama at Birmingham.     

Evaluation and the new curricula

A comparison of student performance on CHEM Study chemistry and conventional chemistry in terms of certain cognitive abilities.     

Analyzing time‐critical team motor skill performance: A case study

The ability to improve team motor skill performance is predicated on the corresponding ability to accurately identify areas for improvement. Unfortunately, in many time‐critical, rapid‐paced environments, accurately identifying areas for improvement is often problematic. The technique described in this case study seeks to overcome these difficulties in a systematic manner by employing a video‐recorded, mapping‐and‐measurement‐based approach that can discern details normally missed by human observation.     

The natural provenance: ecoliteracy in higher education in Mississippi

Researchers suggest there is an increasing apathy in the study of natural history in academic settings and in the scientific community. However, most studies of environmental knowledge do not address knowledge of local flora and fauna; they are concerned with the knowledge of environmental issues or broad ecological knowledge. Ecoliteracy established local natural history as fundamental to environmental knowledge and seeks to determine the knowledge of local environments and factors associated with that knowledge. This study investigated ecoliteracy in Mississippi, determining knowledge of local flora and fauna of undergraduate and graduate students at the largest universities. Ecoliteracy levels in Mississippi were low. Students had a rudimentary knowledge of local flora and fauna, despite coursework in natural history. Students majoring in wildlife and fisheries and biology had more advanced knowledge of local flora and fauna than non-biology majors. Students were most knowledgeable of reptiles and amphibians, and least of fish and endangered species. The number of environmental courses taken and environmental sensitivity were positively correlated with ecoliteracy, and were strong predictors of ecoliteracy. Ecoliteracy was influenced by coursework and experience with degree programs including fieldwork. Natural history knowledge was deficient at Mississippi universities. Researchers suggest reintroducing coursework focused on ecoliteracy.     

General Mass Communications

Jerry Robinson's The Comics: An Illustrated History of Comic Strip Art (New York: Putnam, 1974—$15.00)

A History of the Comic Strip [Crown, 1968—$3.95, paper]

Perry and Aldridge's The Penguin Book of Comics [Penguin, 1967—$4.95, paper]

Reitberger and Fuchs' Comics: Anatomy of a Mass Medium Little, Brown, 1972— 6.95, paper—this last is discussed in 4:6:4 ; of which the latter appears the best competition to this new volume)

Arthur Asa Berger's The Comic-Stripped American (Baltimore: Penguin Books, 1974—$2.95, paper)

Eli M. Oboler's The Fear of the Word: Censorship and Sex (Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow Press, 1974—$10.00)

The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science (3937 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19104—$4.00/3.00 per issue)

Ted Klein and Fred Danzig's How to Be Heard: Making the Media Work for You (New York: Macmillan, 1974—$9.95)

Douglas R. Berdie and John F. Anderson's Questionnaires: Design and Use (Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow Press, 1974—$7.50)

S.H. Steinberg's Five Hundred Years of Printing (Baltimore: Penguin Books, 1974— $3.25, paper)     

The Works of Orrin Dunlap

Julien Caunter's How to Make Movie Magic in Amateur Films (Philadelphia: Chilton Books, 1971---price not known)

Stanley J. Solomon The Film Idea (New York: Harcourt, Brace, Javanovich, March 1972---$4.95 paper)

Jerry Lewis' The Total Filmmaker (New York: Random House, 1971---$6.95)

William Bayer's Breaking Through, Selling Out, Dropping Dead, and Other Notes on Film Making (New York: Macmillan, 1971---$5.95)

Alan Rosenthal (ed.) The New Documentary in Action: A Casebook in Film Making (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1971---$11.95)     

Media Production

Mitchell V. Charnley and Blair Charnley, Reporting (New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1979—$9.95, paper)

Jerry McGuire's How to Write, Direct & Produce Effective Business Films and Documentaries (Blue Ridge Sunimit, Pa.: TAB Books, 1978—$14.95)

David W. Samuelson's Motion Picture Camera & Lighting Equipment: Choice & Technique (London and New York: Focal Press, 1977 (but not released in the US until February 1979)

David W. Samuelson's Motion Picture Camera Techniques (New York: Focal Press/Hastings House, 1978—$8.95, paper)

H. William Bockhus, Jr.'s Advertising Graphics (London: Collier Macmillan/New York: Macmillan, 1979—price not given, paper)

Stuart W. Hyde's Television and Radio Announcing (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1979-415.95)

Robert McLeish, The Technique of Radio Production (London and New York: Focal Press, 1979—$18.95)

David Lachenbruch's Videocassette Recorders: The Complete Home Guide (New York: Everest House, 1979—$6.95, paper)

Charles Bensinger, The Video Guide (Video-Info Publications, P.O. Box 1507, Santa Barbara, Calif. 93102—$14.95, paper)

Deirdre Boyle, ed. Expanding Media (Phoenix, Ar.: Oryx Press, 1977—$13.95)

Dan Poynter's The Self-Publishing Manual: How to Write, Print and Sell Your Own Book (Parachusting Publications, P.O. Box 4232, Santa Barbara, Calif. 93103—$14.95/9.95)