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Background: In the digital environment, users' academic reading behaviour has changed, working with many articles simultaneously to search, filter, scan, link, annotate and analyse content fragments. The semantic enhancement environment has been widely set with semantic technologies to offer additional and handy support for users and thus facilitate the reading process. Despite many efforts devoted to developing a semantic enhancement environment, less attention has been paid to its actual effects. Objectives: This study aims to explore the effects of a semantic enhancement environment. Methods: Elaborating on cognitive load theory and focusing on academic reading, this study compared users' cognitive load and reading effect under the semantic enhancement environment and plain text environment and verified the three hypotheses. Results and conclusions: Through experiments and statistical analysis, this study found that, under a semantic enhancement environment, users had their cognitive load reduced and their reading effect improved. Consequently, a semantic enhancement environment promotes academic reading. Takeaways: This study adds to previous literature on semantic publishing by empirically corroborating the conducive effects of semantic enhancement environment in academic reading. Additionally, it justifies semantic publishing and provides a reference for the future design of semantically enhanced reading environments. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic?: The effects of a semantic enhancement environment are open to discuss.Academic reading is fundamental to researches and hence needs promotion.Limited studies investigated the effects of a semantic enhancement environment on academic reading.Publishers require effective reading environment designs. What this paper adds?: This study constructed a semantic enhancement reading environment to conduct a reading experiment.The experiment tested cognitive load, by using WP scale, and reading effects, by answer time and answer score.Semantic enhancement environment reduces users' cognitive load, promotes users' reading effects, and bolsters users' understanding of academic reading materials, especially in microstructure content.The design of semantic enhancement reading environments needs to fully consider the features of reading materials and give users a controllable way of interaction. The implications of study findings for practitioners: Compared to plain text environment, semantic enhancement environment is preferred in academic reading.Publishers are encouraged to add semantic enhancements to their publications.This study discussed how to design an effective learning and reading environment from the perspectives of reading resources, media forms of resources, and interaction modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The impact of mobile technology usage on student learning in various educational stages has been the subject of ongoing empirical and review research. The most recent meta‐analyses on various types of mobile technology use for potential benefits of learning covered the empirical studies up to about nine years ago. Since then, the use of mobile technology in primary and secondary education has increased tremendously, and numerous empirical studies have been conducted on this topic, but their conclusions were inconsistent. Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review is to re‐examine this issue by meta‐analyzing the empirical research studies from the last nine years, with a focus on cognitive, affective, and behavioral learning outcomes in primary and secondary education, and to examine the potential moderators that may have contributed to the heterogeneity across findings. Methods: Based on our inclusion and exclusion criteria, we found 85 studies of 78 peer‐reviewed papers (N = 9157) from electronic databases and major journals in educational technology and mobile learning between 2014 and 2022. We then examined 15 moderators that were expected to affect student learning outcomes. Results and Conclusions: Compared with traditional technology and non‐technology groups, using mobile technology produced medium positive and statistically significant effects on primary and secondary students' learning, in terms of cognitive (g = 0.498, 95% CI [0.382, 0.614]), affective (g = 0.449, 95% CI [0.301, 0.598]) and behavioural (g = 0.339, 95% CI [0.051, 0.627]) learning outcomes. Further moderator analyses revealed that student factors (i.e., community type, students' socioeconomic status), learning process (i.e., hardware used, student‐to‐hardware ratio, teaching method) and study quality (i.e., learning topic/content equivalence, degree of technology use in the control group) were among the variables that moderated the summary effect sizes for at least one learning outcome dimension significantly. The findings and their implications for researchers, policymakers and practitioners are discussed. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Mobile learning has become a fast‐growing research field.The benefits of mobile technology usage are related to learning outcomes.The pooled effects of mobile learning have been limited to cognitive learning. What this paper adds: This meta‐analysis focused on mobile learning versus traditional learning.The population was composed of students in primary and secondary education.Mobile technology usage contributed to higher cognitive, affective, and behavioural learning outcomes.Students from low socioeconomic backgrounds and rural areas benefited less from mobile technology interventions. Implications for practice and/or policy: Educational stakeholders need to take actions to adopt and support mobile technology usage in education.Mobile‐learning researchers need to optimize the quality of experimental studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In example‐based learning, examples are often combined with generative activities, such as comparative self‐explanations of example cases. Comparisons induce heavy demands on working memory, especially in complex domains. Hence, only stronger learners may benefit from comparative self‐explanations. While static text‐based examples can be compared easily, this is challenging for transient video‐based modelling examples used in complex domains because simultaneous processing of two videos is not feasible. Objectives: To allow for such comparisons, we combined video‐based modelling examples with static representations (i.e., summarizing tables) of the observed optimal and a suboptimal solution of the problem‐solving process. A comparative self‐explanation prompt asked learners to compare the different solution approaches. Our study investigated the impact of video‐based modelling examples versus independent problem‐solving on cognitive load and problem‐solving skill development. Moreover, we investigated the effects of comparative versus sequential self‐explanation prompts, depending on learners' prior knowledge. Methods: In an experiment, 118 automotive apprentices learned a car malfunction diagnosis strategy. Apprentices were divided into three groups: (1) modelling examples with comparative self‐explanation prompts, (2) modelling examples with sequential prompts, and (3) no examples or prompts. Diagnostic knowledge and skills were assessed before and after the intervention. Cognitive load was measured retrospectively. Results and conclusions: Despite no observed effects on cognitive load, modelling examples enhanced diagnostic knowledge and diagnostic skills with scaffolds, though not independent diagnostic skills without scaffolds. The need for more practice opportunities to foster independent diagnostic skills is assumed. Additionally, comparative prompts seem promising for learners with higher prior knowledge. Takeaways: Video‐based modelling examples were more beneficial for learning than practising to apply the diagnostic strategy. Static representations allow for comparisons of video examples and comparative prompts are promising for learners with higher prior knowledge (cf. expertise‐reversal effect). Further research, especially on the effects on cognitive load, is necessary. Lay Description: What is already known about the topic?: Text and video examples that model how to solve a problem are widely used in education.Text examples often include self‐explanation prompts that ask learners to compare several examples.For video examples, such comparison prompts have seldom been investigated, because comparisons are difficult to implement for transient videos. What does this paper add?: This paper shows that video examples combined with static summaries of processes that have been shown in the video example are effective and allow for comparisons of video examples.Such comparisons seem to be more promising for learners with higher prior knowledge. Implications for practice: Practitioners could combine video examples with static summaries of the processes shown in the video examples to allow for comparisons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This paper examines the use of augmented reality (AR) as a concept‐association tool in schools, with the aim of enhancing primary school students' learning outcomes and engagement. Conflicting findings exist in previous studies regarding the cognitive load of AR‐enriched learning, with some reporting reduced load and others indicating increased demand and poorer performance. Understanding these implications is essential for effectively leveraging AR in education. The study offers a fresh perspective on the potential of AR technology in improving educational experiences. Objectives: The primary goal of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of an AR‐assisted concept‐association strategy for improving essential knowledge acquisition and skills outcomes, increasing cognitive load, and increasing self‐efficacy and learning motivation among primary school students. Methods: A quasi‐experimental design with a control group was employed to investigate the effectiveness of the intervention. Results and Conclusions: The results demonstrate that the implementation of the AR‐assisted concept‐association strategy effectively enhanced essential knowledge acquisition and skills outcomes, increased cognitive load, and increased self‐efficacy and learning motivation among primary school students. These findings highlight the potential of AR technology to improve the learning experience and engagement of primary school students. The study contributes to the existing literature on the effectiveness of AR technology in education, suggesting future research directions. Ultimately, it offers a practical solution for improving the learning experience by presenting a new approach for teaching using AR technology. Lay Description: What is currently known about this topic: Augmented reality (AR) technology has been increasingly explored in educational settings.Previous research has shown that AR can enhance learning outcomes and engagement among students.AR applications have the potential to serve as concept‐association tools to improve the learning experience. What this paper adds: This paper investigates the effectiveness of using an AR application as a mobile concept‐association tool in school settings.The study demonstrates that the AR‐assisted concept‐association strategy effectively enhances knowledge acquisition, skills outcomes, cognitive load, self‐efficacy, and learning motivation among primary school students.The findings highlight the potential of AR technology in improving learning experiences and engagement for primary school students.The study offers practical implications for integrating AR technology into educational settings, and suggests avenues for future research in this area. Implications for practice and/or policy: Incorporating AR applications as concept‐association tools can enhance learning outcomes and engagement in primary school settings.AR technology can be used to increase cognitive load, and to increase self‐efficacy and motivation among students.Educators and policymakers should consider integrating AR technology into teaching practices to improve the overall learning experience.Future research and exploration should be conducted to understand the full potential and limitations of AR technology in education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Both socially regulated learning and cognitive quality are important factors affecting collaborative knowledge building, but the current research lacks a joint quantified evaluation method that combines these two aspects. Objectives: Based on the existing framework, we proposed a joint evaluation method for regulated learning and cognitive quality in collaborative knowledge building, and further extracted the evaluation indicators. Methods: This study involved 74 learners enrolled in a course named 'the Application of Modern Educational Technology' as the subject of study, and made a case analysis with this method. Results and Conclusions: First, the indicators of this joint evaluation method could complement the indicators of traditional frequency statistics methods and facilitate an analysis of regulated learning and cognitive quality in collaborative knowledge building. Second, the group with a higher proportion of high‐level cognitive quality and socially shared regulation in collaborative knowledge building achieved better final scores. Finally, four types of groups were obtained through clustering: excellent, risky, mixed group, and highly collaborative group. This study introduced a joint evaluation method for regulated learning and cognitive quality in collaborative knowledge building and provides suggestions for future research. Lay Description: What is currently known about this topic?: Online collaborative knowledge building is increasingly important.Regulated learning and cognitive quality are considered very important for successful collaborative learning.Without quantitative methods, it is difficult to assess regulated learning and cognitive quality during collaborative knowledge building in a timely manner. What does this paper add?: This paper provided a joint evaluation method of regulated learning and cognitive quality (JERC) for online collaborative knowledge building.A case study was conducted to identify JERC's usefulness. Using descriptive statistics and visualization, it was determined that indicators of JERC can not only capture the state of cognitive quality and regulated learning status, but also elucidate the nature of that status (i.e., comprehensive, dynamic, cyclical).Through clustering analysis, four distinct groups were identified, each exhibiting different characteristics and moving patterns of regulated learning and cognitive quality over time. These patterns indicate that the quality of cognitive and regulatory learning cannot be determined solely by behavioural frequency. Moreover, an excessive proportion of individual regulation cannot predict better learning performance. Implications for practice: A computable representation model of regulated learning and cognitive quality was constructed to support automated perception and intervention in regulated learning and cognitive processing.With JERC, it is possible for researchers to capture, process, analyse and predict dynamic data to examine online collaborative knowledge building combined with shared physiological arousal events.The results of JERC can be used by researchers to develop advanced techniques, such as AI deep learning, for designing adaptive supports that can foster students' online collaborative knowledge building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Learner profiles detected from digital trace data are typically triangulated with survey data to explain those profiles based on learners' internal conditions (e.g., motivation). However, survey data are often analysed with limited consideration of the interconnected nature of learners' internal conditions. Objectives: Aiming to enable a thorough understanding of trace‐based learner profiles, this paper presents and evaluates a comprehensive approach to analysis of learners' self‐reports, which extends conventional statistical methods with psychological networks analysis. Methods: The study context is a massive open online course (MOOC) aimed at promoting physical activity (PA) for health. Learners' (N = 497) perceptions related to PA, as well as their self‐efficacy and intentions to increase the level of PA were collected before and after the MOOC, while their interactions with the course were logged as digital traces. Learner profiles derived from trace data were further examined and interpreted through a combined use of conventional statistical methods and psychological networks analysis. Results and Conclusions: The inclusion of psychological networks in the analysis of learners' self‐reports collected before the start of the MOOC offers better understanding of trace‐based learner profiles, compared to the conventional statistical analysis only. Likewise, the combined use of conventional statistical methods and psychological networks in the analysis of learners' self‐reports before and after the MOOC provided more comprehensive insights about changes in the constructs measured in each learner profile. Major Takeaways: The combined use of conventional statistical methods and psychological networks presented in this paper sets a path for a comprehensive analysis of survey data. The insights it offers complement the information about learner profiles derived from trace data, thus allowing for a more thorough understanding of learners' course engagement than any individual method or data source would allow. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Researchers have made extensive use of data from online learning platforms—often referred to as learning trace data—to understand how learners engage in online learning activities.Surveys are often used to gather information about learners' motivation, perceptions, and other internal factors, to complement the insight gleaned from learning traces and thus create a more complete picture of the learning behaviour.When analysing survey data, the focus is usually on individual factors without considering how different factors are connected and affect one another.Psychological networks analysis is a novel analytic approach to studying complex phenomena both in psychology and education. What this paper adds: The paper uses psychological networks as a method for examining mutual relations among learners' internal factors (e.g., motivation, perceptions) measured through self‐reports before and after a course.By combining conventional statistical analysis of self‐reports with psychological networks analysis, the paper develops a comprehensive picture of learners' internal factors measured through self‐reports, one that accounts for both individual and interconnected nature of those factors.This comprehensive approach to information extraction from surveys allows for better understanding of trace‐based learner profiles, that is, profiles mined from data about learners' interaction with online learning activities. Implications for practice and/or policy: The presented method paves a way for a comprehensive analysis of the data collected from learners through surveys.It helps us gain a better understanding of learners' engagement with online learning activities.It can advance the evaluation of digital educational programs that aim to encourage changes in health‐related behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Social annotation has emerged as a promising educational technology that fosters collaborative reading and discussion of digital resources among learners. While the positive impact of social annotation on students' learning process and performance is widely acknowledged, students' behavioural patterns in social annotation are underexplored. Objectives: This study investigated patterns in students' use of annotation and response behaviours in social annotation activities. We also explored how students' performance in the behavioural, cognitive, emotional, and social dimensions varied based on their behavioural patterns. Methods: We recruited 93 undergraduates who were enrolled in an elective course at a large North American University. Students were tasked with collaboratively annotating the class readings uploaded to Perusall, a social annotation platform, over 7 weeks. We used metaclustering to determine the optimal number of clusters pertaining to student behaviours. We compared the differences among clusters across multiple performance dimensions. Results and Conclusions: Two distinct clusters were identified and defined as initiators and responders. We found that responders had significantly longer active reading time and exhibited greater social annotation effort compared to initiators. However, initiators received more peer acknowledgement, as evidenced by higher upvotes. No significant difference was found in cognitive insight between initiators and responders, but responders demonstrated significantly higher cognitive discrepancy. Additionally, there were no significant differences in positive and negative tones between initiators and responders; however, responders displayed higher levels of prosocial behaviours than initiators. This study has significant practical implications regarding promoting students' collaborative learning experience in social annotation. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Annotation and response behaviours are two primary actions in social annotation.Understanding how students navigate through annotations and respond to their peers' contributions is essential for optimizing their learning experience.Social annotation outcomes can be assessed in the behavioural, cognitive, emotional, and social dimensions. What this paper adds: This paper revealed students' behavioural patterns in social annotation activities.This study offered a comprehensive understanding of the various dimensions of performance among students with different behavioural tendencies. Implications for practice and/or policy: The two student clusters, initiators and responders, revealed distinct engagement patterns in social annotation and informed the design of targeted scaffoldings.Responders were not passive learners since they demonstrated significantly longer active reading time, greater social annotation effort, and higher level of prosocial behaviours.Educators might not need to place significant emphasis on monitoring participants' emotional expressions in social annotation.Social annotation platforms should incorporate features that encourage and reward both initiation and response behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A practical test that measures the information and communication technology (ICT) skills students need for effectively using ICT in primary education has yet to be developed (Oh et al., 2021). This paper reports on the development, validation, and reliability of a test measuring primary school students' ICT skills required for effectively using ICT (the ECC‐ICT test). Objectives: Based on existing literature, three ICT use domains were identified for effectively using ICT: Effective, collaborative, and creativeuse of ICT. For these three domains, 24 corresponding teaching objectives were identified from a widely used digital literacy framework. Thirty‐four test items cover these teaching objectives in an online test. Methods: A mixed‐method approach was used for the ECC‐ICT test. Four pilot rounds (n=25) implemented qualitative interviews for cognitive validity and refining the test items, followed by a qualitative usability study(n=6). Confirmatory factor analysis and ANOVA provided quantitative insight into the large‐scale test administration(n=575). Results and Conclusions: Composite reliability of our conceptual 3‐factor confirmatory model showed that the test reliably measured primary school effective use of ICT (ω = 0.82), collaborative use of ICT (ω = 0.80) and creative use of ICT (ω = 0.64). Convergent validity (ranging from 0.41 to 0.46) was acceptable. Internal consistency (ranging from 0.84 to 0.91) and discriminant validity (HTMT values below 0.90) are good. ANOVA results show that mean test scores are higher for students in higher grade levels (p < 0.001). The post hoc Bonferroni results show that most grade‐by‐grade comparisons are significant (p < 0.001). Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Information and communication technology (ICT) skills are finding their way into national curriculums as teachers implement more digital learning environments.Teachers currently do not have a measurement instrument for the ICT skills primary education students need to learn in a personalised way. What this paper adds: This paper gives teachers a test that reliably measures the effective, collaborative, and creative ICT skills required for primary school students to learn using ICT.To our knowledge, this test is the first of its kind.Al materials to reproduce the test are available digitally for teachers. The implications of study findings for practitioners: For policy, this test can be used to check if a student is ready to use ICT in a self‐regulated setting.With this test, teachers can assess and support students' growth on the effective, collaborative, and creative ICT skills required for primary school students using ICT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are only few guidelines on how instructional videos should be designed to optimize learning. Recently, the effects of social cues on attention allocation and learning in instructional videos have been investigated. Due to inconsistent results, it has been suggested that the visual complexity of a video influences the effect of social cues on learning. Objectives: Therefore, this study compared the effects of social cues (i.e., gaze & gesture) in low and high visual complexity videos on attention, perceived cognitive load, and learning outcomes. Methods: Participants (N = 71) were allocated to a social cue or no social cue condition and watched both a low and a high visual complexity video. After each video, participants completed a knowledge test. Results and Conclusions: Results showed that participants looked faster at referenced information and had higher learning outcomes in the low visual complexity condition. Social cues did not affect any of the dependent variables, except when including prior knowledge in the analysis: In this exploratory analysis, the inclusion of gaze and gesture cues in the videos did lead to better learning outcomes. Takeaways: Our results show that the visual complexity of instructional videos and prior knowledge are important to take into account in future research on attention and learning from instructional videos. Lay Description: What is already known about the topic: Instructional videos are widely used in education.Learners need to timely attend to relevant content to learn successfully.Learners' attention might be guided towards relevant content with social cues (gaze and gesture of a presenter or instructor) but findings regarding learning outcomes are inconclusive. What does this paper add: This paper is the first to examine the role of the visual complexity of an instructional video in the interplay between social cues (gaze and gesture), learners' attention allocation, and learning outcomes. Implications for practice: The results show that visual complexity influences the learners' attention allocation and learning outcomes.Social cues (i.e., gaze & gesture) improved learning outcomes when controlling for learners' prior knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many learners struggle to productively self‐regulate their learning. To support the learners' self‐regulated learning (SRL) and boost their achievement, it is essential to understand the cognitive and metacognitive processes that underlie SRL. To measure these processes, contemporary SRL researchers have largely utilized think aloud or trace data, however, not without challenges. Objectives: In this paper, we present the findings of a study that investigated how concurrent analysis and integration of think aloud and trace data could advance the measurement of SRL and assist in better understanding the mechanisms of SRL processes, especially those details that remain obscured by observing each data channel individually. Methods: We concurrently collected think aloud and trace data generated by 44 university students in a laboratory setting and analysed those data relative to the same timeline. Results: We found that the two data channels could be interchangeably used to measure SRL processes for only 17.18% of all the time segments identified in a learning task. Moreover, SRL processes for around 45% of all the time segments could be detected via either trace data or think aloud data. For another 27.17% of all the time segments, different SRL processes were detected in both data channels. Conclusions: Our results largely suggest that the two data collection methods can be used to complement each other in measuring SRL. In particular, we found that think aloud and trace data could provide different perspectives on SRL. The integration of the two methods further allowed us to reveal a more complex and more comprehensive temporal associations among SRL processes compared to using a single data collection method. In future research, the integrated measurement of SRL can be used to improve the detection of SRL processes and provide a fuller picture of SRL. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: To support the learners' self‐regulated learning (SRL) and boost their achievement, it is essential to understand the cognitive and metacognitive processes that underlie SRL.To measure SRL processes, contemporary researchers have largely utilized think aloud or trace data, however, not without challenges.Think aloud and trace data should complement each other and, when analysed concurrently, can provide a more valid and fuller picture of SRL than when analysed separately, which is typically the case in the SRL research to date. What this paper adds: We proposed a novel alignment approach to triangulate the measurement of self‐regulated learning (SRL) based on trace and think aloud data.We defined integration rules to integrate the measurement results from trace data and think aloud, which helped to provide a fuller picture of SRL.The integrated results revealed a more complex, complete and comprehensive SRL process map compared to using a single method. Implications for practice and/or policy: First, our results suggest that using a single measurement method can often reveal SRL processes only partially.Second, our findings indicated that the integration of the two measurement methods could not address all their methodological shortcomings and more research is needed towards new integrative approaches that can further reduce the number of misaligned results.In future research, the integrated measurement of SRL can be used to improve the detection of SRL processes and provide a fuller picture of SRL.More specifically, the integrated measurement of SRL can be used in the future to better (1) test the effects of instructional SRL interventions, for example, scaffolding; and (2) evaluate how learners use specific learning tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Studies: Captioning and repetition are widely used multimedia instructional devices for non‐native students. Generally, studies in this area have tended to focus on second language literacy skills rather than on learning new content knowledge. Additionally, posttests were administered immediately after the treatments, while the delayed influences of captioning and repetition have never been investigated. Objectives: This paper addressed these research gaps in two separate studies. More specifically, this study attempted to examine the influences of captioning and repetition on non‐native students' immediate and relayed retention. Methods: In Study One, three captioning conditions; word‐by‐word captions, closed captions, and no‐captions; were compared to examine their efficacies in immediate and delayed content knowledge retention on 82 Chinese university students. To address the limitations in Study One as the multimedia lesson was short and played only once, Study Two incorporated captioning and two repetition types in its design. One hundred and eleven Chinese university students watch a video lesson in one of four captioning and repetition conditions. Results: The statistical analyses of Study One indicated that there were no significant differences in both immediate and delayed retention test scores across the three captioning condition. Similarly, in Study Two, there were no significant differences in retention tests scores across the four captioning and repetition conditions. Findings: Neither the availability of captions nor the repetition types had any impact on the Chinese students' immediate or delayed content knowledge retention, which lent support to existing studies. Based on the research results, the limitations and future study possibilities are discussed. Lay Description: What Is Already Known About This TopicEmpirical studies on captioning have focused on immediate learning right after the treatment, so have studies on repetition.Empirical studies on multimedia lessons for non‐native students have focused on English language learning. What This Paper AddsThree types of captioning were compared to examine their efficacies in both immediate and delayed content retention of Chinese students.Two types of repetition were compared to examine their efficacies in both immediate and delayed content retention of Chinese students. Implications for Practice and/or Policy:Neither the availability of captions nor the repetition types had any impact on the Chinese students' immediate or delayed content knowledge retention.The availability of textual keywords adjacent to their corresponding graphics might have compromised the efficacy of captioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Providing adaptive scaffolds to help learners develop effective self‐regulated learning (SRL) behaviours has been an important goal for intelligent learning environments. Adaptive scaffolding is especially important in open‐ended learning environments (OELE), where novice learners often face difficulties in completing their learning tasks. Objectives: This paper presents a systematic framework for adaptive scaffolding in Betty's Brain, a learning‐by‐teaching OELE for middle school science, where students construct a causal model to teach a virtual agent, generically named Betty. We evaluate the adaptive scaffolding framework and discuss its implications on the development of more effective scaffolds for SRL in OELEs. Methods: We detect key cognitive/metacognitive inflection points, that is, moments where students' behaviours and performance change during learning, often suggesting an inability to apply effective learning strategies. At inflection points, Mr. Davis (a mentor agent in Betty's Brain) or Betty (the teachable agent) provides context‐specific conversational feedback, focusing on strategies to help the student become a more productive learner, or encouragement to support positive emotions. We conduct a classroom study with 98 middle schoolers to analyse the impact of adaptive scaffolds on students' learning behaviours and performance. We analyse how students with differential pre‐to‐post learning outcomes receive and use the scaffolds to support their subsequent learning process in Betty's Brain. Results and Conclusions: Adaptive scaffolding produced mixed results, with some scaffolds (viz., strategic hints that supported debugging and assessment of causal models) being generally more useful to students than others (viz., encouragement prompts). Additionally, there were differences in how students with high versus low learning outcomes responded to some hints, as suggested by the differences in their learning behaviours and performance in the intervals after scaffolding. Overall, our findings suggest how adaptive scaffolding in OELEs like Betty's Brain can be further improved to better support SRL behaviours and narrow the learning outcomes gap between high and low performing students. Implications: This paper contributes to our understanding and impact of adaptive scaffolding in OELEs. The results of our study indicate that successful scaffolding has to combine context‐sensitive inflection points with conversational feedback that is tailored to the students' current proficiency levels and needs. Also, our conceptual framework can be used to design adaptive scaffolds that help students develop and apply SRL behaviours in other computer‐based learning environments. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: SRL, which involves the regulation of cognitive, affective, metacognitive and motivational (CAMM) processes, is an important construct for effective learning.Novice learners in open‐ended learning environments (OELEs) often engage in sub‐optimal SRL strategies and encounter learning and problem‐solving difficulties.These students are likely to benefit from in‐the‐moment scaffolding, but designing adaptive scaffolds for SRL in OELEs is a challenging task. What this paper adds: The design and implementation of an adaptive scaffolding framework in the Betty's Brain OELE, that (a) detects key cognitive‐metacognitive inflection points during learning, and (b) provides feedback (strategic hints and encouragements) to help students overcome their learning difficulties at the inflection points and develop more effective SRL behaviors.A method to evaluate the adaptive scaffolding framework by analyzing log data collected from a classroom experiment.Findings from the data analysis that provide evidence on scaffold effectiveness and inform future design of adaptive scaffolds in OELEs. Implications of study findings for practitioners: The adaptive scaffolding framework developed in this paper can be extended to other OELEs.The findings from scaffold evaluation can be used to improve the design of the adaptive scaffolding framework in OELEs, for example, by considering affect transitions and cognitive‐affective relationships to build more effective scaffolds for affect regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As one of the mainstream forms of programming education, educational robotics (ER) have been a crucial way to develop K‐12 students' programming ability. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to clarify the content of programming ability, to verify the effectiveness of ER as a teaching method to improve students' programming abilities and the conditions for more effective instructional design. Methods: The method of meta‐analysis was adopted to conduct this study. 4180 K‐12 students from 36 studies with a total of 85 effect sizes were captured. Based on the contents of included literature, an ER programming ability model was put forward, which was composed of essential ability and generative ability. The meta‐analysis of essential ability (N = 22) and generative ability (N = 64) was carried out respectively. Results and conclusion: The results showed that ER activity has a positive effect on the essential ability (Hedges' g = 0.539 CI [0.327, 0.752], p < 0.001) and generative ability (Hedges' g = 0.535 CI [0.426, 0.643], p < 0.001). Additionally, the results of moderator analysis showed that utilizing ER to solve mathematics problems is able to more effectively develop students' essential ability, while the STEM interdisciplinary ER instruction had the largest effect on generative ability. Simultaneously, the individual programming form is conducive to students' essential ability, while the generative ability is significantly affected by the cooperative programming form. No matter for the evaluation of essential ability or generative ability, ER had the greatest effect on kindergarten children' programming ability. Moreover, the intervention duration ranging from 1 to 5 weeks, the samples size less than 50 and the choice of measurement scale can effectively improve students' programming ability. Implications: This research enriched the theoretical basis of programming ability, and provided reference and guidance for K‐12 programming teaching practitioners and researchers in ER teaching design and practise. Lay Description: What is (not) known about the subject matter?: Educational robotics (ER) is one of the mainstream form of K‐12 programming education.K‐12 students develop various abilities by coding ER.Different instruction conditions in ER education may affect the teaching effect. What is the contribution of this paper?: This study sorted out the specific content of programming ability in ER activities, and classified programming ability into essential ability and generative ability.This study respectively validated the effectiveness of ER activity on improving essential ability and generative ability of K‐12 students.This study considered discipline integration, cooperation degree, grade level, intervention duration, sample size and assessment tools as moderator variables, and analyzed their effects sizes on ER developing programming ability. What are the implications for practitioners?: This paper clarified the specific content of programming ability in K‐12 ER education, and enriched the theoretical basis of programming ability.It provided evidence for the effectiveness of K‐12 ER education.This study provided an reference and guidance for ER instructional design for K‐12 programming teachers and researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Academic dishonesty (AD) and trustworthy assessment (TA) are fundamental issues in the context of an online assessment. However, little systematic work currently exists on how researchers have explored AD and TA issues in online assessment practice. Objectives: Hence, this research aimed at investigating the latest findings regarding AD forms, factors affecting AD and TA, and solutions to reduce AD and increase TA to maintain the quality of online assessment. Methods: We reviewed 52 articles in Scopus and Web of Science databases from January 2017 to April 2021 using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses model as a guideline to perform a systematic literature review that included three stages, namely planning, conducting, and reporting. Results and conclusions: Our review found that there were different forms of AD among students in online learning namely plagiarism, cheating, collusion, and using jockeys. Individual factors such as being lazy to learn, lack of ability, and poor awareness as well as situational factors including the influence of friends, the pressure of the courses, and ease of access to information were strongly associated with AD. A technology‐based approach such as using plagiarism‐checking software, multi‐artificial intelligence (AI) in a learning management system, computer adaptive tests, and online proctoring as well as pedagogical‐based approaches, such as implementing a research ethics course programme, and a re‐design assessment form such as oral‐based and dynamic assessment to reduce cheating behaviour and also sociocultural and sociotechnical adjustment related to the online assessment are reported to reduce AD and increase TA. Implications: Educators should adjust the design of online learning and assessment methods as soon as possible. The identified gaps point towards unexplored study on AI, machine learning, learning analytics tools, and related issues of AD and TA in K12 education could motivated future work in the field. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Online assessment has become a global trend in the last 10 years, especially since PISA (2015) and TIMSS (2019) were adopted, then, the increasing adoption of MOOCs and online learning due to the COVID‐19 pandemic.Academic dishonesty (AD) and trustworthy assessment (TA) are hot issues in online assessment practices that are interesting to study.Research findings on the associated factors of AD and efforts to increase TA in online assessments are still inconclusive.Contemporary research on AD and TA in online assessment lacks of comprehensive systematic review. What this paper adds: This paper systematically reviewed 5 years of empirical research (2017–2021) on AD and TA in online assessment in both K‐12 and higher education.This paper revealed the most recent trends developing in the literature regarding the factors contributing to the appearance of AD in online assessment.This paper revealed a recent report on efforts to improve TA in online assessment.This paper recommended several new pedagogical and technological approaches to reduce AD and increase TA in online assessment. Implications for practice: Education managers, professional associations, teachers, and lecturers need to reeducate the academic community about the risks of AD in online assessments.Teachers need to redesign the form of online assessment to achieve HOTs and reduce multiple‐choice questions. On the other hand, oral‐based, project‐based assessments, and student work portfolios are encouraged to be adopted.Online assessment using an adaptive and intelligent online assessment approach, randomization of delivery question systems, smart proctoring, AI for online assessment, and learning analytic technology is recommended to be studied massively.Research on AD and TA at the K‐12 and higher education levels needs to be intensified considering online learning programs in the era of the COVID‐19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many instructors transitioned their courses from face‐to‐face environments to computer‐mediated learning environments (CMLEs) following the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. However, little was known about how teleconferencing platforms and their corresponding functions affect student learning when the COVID‐19 pandemic began. Objectives: The aim of this study was to provide more clarity on the conditions through which online teleconferencing platforms influence student achievement. More specifically, this study investigated how displaying lecture‐relevant and lecture‐irrelevant messages in a chat box during a video lecture delivered via the Zoom teleconferencing platform affected student learning and note taking. Methods: Participants viewed the video lecture either with (relevant or irrelevant) or without messages appearing in the chat box of the Zoom window. Participants completed a learning test immediately following the lecture. Results and Conclusions: No difference regarding student achievement was observed between the three groups. However, results revealed that students in the relevant‐lecture messages group reported a higher extraneous cognitive load than the other groups even if they reported positive attitudes about the messages appearing on the chat box. Students in the lecture‐relevant group also recorded more notes during the lecture compared to the two other groups, but this result did not reach significance. This study extends previous research that investigated how messaging influences learning in classroom settings. Findings suggest that allowing relevant discussions is not the best strategy to promote learning in CMLEs as this information seems to compete with the other relevant information being presented during the ongoing lecture. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: In video lectures, the chat box has been identified as the function most often used to support students' learning.Responding to lecture‐relevant messages can enhance students' learning.However, it remains unknown how simply reading, but not responding to, lecture‐relevant and lecture‐irrelevant messages can affect learning and note taking. What this paper adds: In previous studies, researchers examined how messaging affects learning in a classroom setting, but not within a computer‐mediated lecture environment.The present study extends previous research that investigated how messaging influences learning in classroom settings.This study provides more clarity on the conditions through which online teleconferencing platforms affect student learning and note taking.Findings suggest that allowing relevant discussions is not the best strategy to promote learning in CMLEs as this information seems to compete with the other relevant information being presented during the ongoing lecture. Implications for practitioners: The features of video lectures are critical factors, as they influence students' learning and should therefore be taken into account when designing educational materials.Instructors should not allow students to engage in lecture‐relevant and irrelevant messaging and discussion during video lectures as it competes with the other relevant information being presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Virtual reality (VR) offers significant potential for hands‐on learning environments by providing immersive and visually stimulating experiences. Interacting with such environments can bring numerous benefits to learning, including enhanced engagement, knowledge construction, and higher‐order thinking. However, many current VR studies in hands‐on learning tend to utilise one‐way learning materials, limiting participants' ability to interact with and reflect on their actions and learning experiences. Moreover, these studies often neglect to assess learners' capacity to transfer their skills from VR learning to real‐world scenarios. Therefore, this study aims to investigate participants' engagement, learning outcomes, higher‐order thinking, and their ability to apply acquired skills in real‐world contexts. Method and Objective: Participants were immersed in a hands‐on learning environment in VR, where they received feedback and engaged in reflection during the learning process. This study recruited 68 university students to participate in the experiment, employing a quasi‐experimental design. Participants experienced learning units both with and without reflection on the feedback. The theme of these learning units was related to embedded systems, encompassing topics such as the assembly of embedded components and Python programming. The investigation aimed to assess whether reflection in VR could enhance cognitive levels, engagement, real‐world hands‐on tasks abilities, and higher‐order thinking. Results: The research results indicate that in the VR hands‐on learning environment, participants engage in reflection through the provided feedback, effectively enhancing their engagement, cognitive levels, and hands‐on task abilities. Simultaneously, it also successfully assists participants in developing problem‐solving skills and critical thinking in higher‐order thinking. Conclusions: Participants actively engaged in reflection on their own learning tasks and actions within the hands‐on learning environment, enabling them to develop a deeper understanding of the learning material and enhance their real‐world hands‐on tasks abilities, we encourage the integration of reflection strategies in VR learning environments for hands‐on learning, as they can yield positive benefits for learners. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Virtual reality learning environments can enhance students' cognitive levels.Higher‐order thinking has a significant impact on hands‐on learning.Reflection has an important influence on the cognitive process. What this paper adds: Providing reflection through feedback in a virtual reality environment increases learning engagement and promotes higher‐order thinking.Reflection in virtual reality enhances cognitive levels and practical abilities. Implications for practice and/or policy: We demonstrated the effectiveness of providing reflection through feedback in a VR hands‐on learning environment.Learners, through reflection in VR, enhance higher‐order thinking, engagement, cognitive levels, and practical abilities. What are the 1 or 2 major takeaways from the study: Providing reflection in VR learning environments used for training or hands‐on learning can effectively promote cognitive levels, engagement, higher‐order thinking abilities, and practical skills.Through VR reflection, we reveal the potential of cultivating higher‐order thinking through VR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Data literacy (DL) is vital for teachers, as it enables them to build on data and improve teaching and learning. Therefore, developing DL among pre‐service teachers is critical. Objectives: The purpose of this study is threefold: to evaluate whether a feedback visualisation of peer assessment‐based teaching approach (FVPA‐based teaching approach) can (1) promote pre‐service teachers' DL; (2) enhance their learning motivation; and (3) improve their cognitive load. Methods: The research was conducted based on a pre‐test‐post‐test control group quasi‐experimental design. With 20 participants in the experimental group and 21 in the control group, a total of 41 pre‐service teachers were included in the study. The pre‐service teachers in the experimental group adopted the FVPA‐based teaching approach, and those in the control group adopted the traditional peer assessment‐based learning approach. Results and Conclusions: The experimental group participants outperformed the control group participants in DL, learning motivation, and cognitive load. FVPA was conducive to helping pre‐service teachers critically interpret data, understand their teaching and learning issues, and improve self‐reflection. The findings indicate a reciprocal relationship between learning motivation and DL; improving the learning motivation of pre‐service teachers could promote their DL. Implications: This study contributes to current knowledge by providing empirical evidence on the benefits of an FVPA‐based teaching approach in improving pre‐service teachers' DL, motivation, and cognitive load. The study findings, limitations, and prospects for future research are discussed. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic?: Teacher data literacy has emerged as a crucial competency for the forthcoming generation of educators, gaining attention from education institutions globally.Peer assessment, a well‐established practice in pre‐service teacher education, has proven effective in enhancing the learning experience for disadvantaged students by fostering motivation and improving academic performance.Despite the acknowledged benefits of feedback visualisation in facilitating self‐reflection, motivation, and academic performance, creating meaningful visualisations remains a challenge for educators and learners. What this paper adds?: This study introduces feedback visualisation in peer assessment to enhance comprehension of feedback information among pre‐service teachers.Feedback visualisation augments the benefits derived from peer assessment, refining data literacy, improving learning motivation, and alleviating cognitive load among pre‐service educators.The analysis of data directly relevant to pre‐service teachers and the provision of timely feedback can motivate critical analysis and utilisation of data, facilitating the identification of pedagogical and learning challenges.The study explores intricate interactions among learning motivation, data literacy, and cognitive load within the context of peer assessment visual feedback. The implications of study findings for practitioners: We encourage teacher educators to implement peer assessment instruction grounded in visual feedback for a comprehensive understanding of learning outcomes, identification of pedagogical challenges, determination of causes, and evidence‐informed instructional decision‐making.Teacher educator should diversify strategies to augment the motivation of pre‐service teachers, cultivating their proactive engagement in data analysis, interpretation, and application to enhance overall data literacy.We recommend that teacher educators provide rich visual feedback or present complex data in a visually accessible format for pre‐service teachers who need additional assistance to mitigate cognitive load and facilitate successful learning outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As a result of the COVID‐19 pandemic, many teachers found themselves making a rapid and often challenging shift from in‐person classroom teaching to teaching in an online environment. As teachers continue to learn about working in this new environment, research in cognitive and learning sciences, specifically findings from cognitive load theory and related areas, can provide meaningful strategies for teaching in this 'new normal'. Objectives: This paper describes 12 tips derived from contemporary research in educational psychology, focusing particularly on empirically supported strategies that teachers may apply in their online classroom to ensure that learning is optimized. Implications for Practice: These strategies are generalizable across age groups and learning areas, and are categorized into one of two themes: approaches to optimize the design of online learning materials, and instructional strategies to support student learning. A discussion follows, outlining how teachers may apply these strategies in different contexts, with a brief overview of emerging efforts that aim to bridge cognitive load theory and self‐regulated learning research. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic?: Online teaching and learning have become more prevalent due to the COVID‐19 pandemicScientific research provides guidelines for how to optimize (online) learningA key leading theory that can inform teachers is cognitive load theory (CLT)CLT‐inspired research presents guidelines for improving students' learning What this paper adds?: 12 empirically supported tips are presented to inform online teaching and learning practiceAll 12 tips are inspired by and can be explained by CLTEight tips focus on optimizing the design of online learning materialsFour tips cover instructional strategies that can support students' learning Implications for practitioners: Teachers can use these tips when they design their online learning experiencesAppropriate use of these tips should support the learning processUsing these tips should enhance students' retention and understanding of the materialTherefore, these tips should help students perform better on tests [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Educational technology designs in developing countries mostly focus on making knowledge resources widely available, through MOOCs, repositories and computer‐based tutoring. The use of digital media for cognitive augmentation, particularly interactive designs that help learners understand modelling topics in STEM, is underexplored. We report a 3‐year design study examining this potential in the Indian context, testing two iterations of an interactive system, Touchy‐Feely Vectors (TFV). The design supports learning vectors, a modelling topic pre‐university students struggle with. Virtual lesson‐plans were co‐designed with teachers to augment — but not replace — their existing practices, and to address classroom and resource constraints. Pre‐post testing of TFV‐1 (a computer‐based prototype) showed that it helped students develop a more integrated vector concept, and improved their reasoning. Field‐implementation of TFV‐2 (a textbook‐linked touch‐screen based design) in 6‐classrooms (3‐Control, N=135; 3‐Experimental, N=131) showed that it fostered cognitive engagement in average‐students and geometry‐algebra integration (model‐based reasoning) in good‐students. These results, along with a requirements analysis based on textbooks, indicate that the interaction possibilities supported by different representational media critically shape student reasoning. The study also illustrates a systematic approach to design and test digital media systems that support cognitive augmentation in developing countries. Lay description: What is already known about this topic: Computational modelling is central to model‐based reasoning (MBR) in contemporary scientific practice. Education needs to change to support this new way of thinking. However, it is not clear how this could be done systematically in developing countries.Textbooks are thus not replaceable in developing nation contexts, and any digital media designed to help develop model‐based reasoning in students would need to work with textbooks and existing teaching/learning practice. It is unclear how this could be done.When learning basic model‐based reasoning using static textbook media, students struggle with core MBR topics like vectors. What this paper adds: The paper reports a 3‐year design‐based study, where a vector simulation system was developed (Touchy‐Feely Vectors), which addressed the following issues. Addressing 2 above, the study illustrates a design that builds on static textbook media and associated practices.Addressing 3 above, a 2‐phase field test of the design (N = 266) showed that the system changes student reasoning, towards better integration of algebra and geometry, while reasoning with vectors.Addressing 1 above, the study provides a new model to implement the learning of modelling using interactive simulations, in developing country classrooms.Addressing 1 above, the study offers a clear model for designing such interventions in developing country contexts.More broadly, the study reveals how the nature of the medium used to present science content changes student cognition and reasoning. Implications for practice and/or policy: For curricula: The design we present can be extended easily, to develop similar systems for other topics. The design also illustrates how teachers adopt technology when they participate in the design.For policy: This design provides a workable policy alternative to the costly model of the digital medium replacing current media and its teaching/learning practices.For Research and Pedagogy: Our results suggest that researchers and teachers need to examine the capabilities and constraints of different media while analysing learning difficulties, and develop ways to address these issues [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Socially shared regulation is a vital factor that affects students' collaborative programming performance. However, students' weak group metacognitive skills or inability to adopt shared regulation mechanisms lead to unsatisfactory collaborative programming learning. Objectives: This study proposes an approach to support socially shared regulation in collaborative programming learning in order to enhance students' programming achievements and group metacognition. Methods: A quasi‐experimental study was conducted in a junior high school over a 10‐week period to investigate the impact of the proposed approach on programming achievements, group metacognition, and cognitive load. Forty eighth‐grade students participated in the study, with the experimental group learning via the proposed approach, while the control group used the conventional collaborative programming learning approach. Results and Conclusions: The analysis included data from 38 participants. The experimental results showed that the programming achievements and group metacognition of the experimental group were significantly better than those of the control group. Additionally, the proposed approach did not increase the cognitive load of the students. Implications: This study has important implications for teachers, learners, and researchers in collaborative programming and social regulation. Our proposed collaborative programming learning approach enhances learners' social regulation and performance, providing teachers with an effective tool for improving collaborative programming learning. This study also extends the field of socially shared regulation of learning (SSRL), demonstrating its potential to improve the effectiveness of collaborative programming learning and highlighting the need for future research to explore the mechanisms of SSRL in this context. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic?: Programming learning is difficult for most learners.Collaborative programming is an effective method of programming learning.Students' weak group metacognitive skills or inability to adopt shared regulation mechanisms lead to unsatisfactory collaborative programming learning. What this paper adds?: This study proposes a method to enhance collaborative programming learning by supporting socially shared regulation among students.The study utilized a quasi‐experimental to demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach in improving students' programming learning performance.The shared regulation approach was found to significantly improve students' programming achievements and group metacognition when compared to conventional collaborative programming approaches.Importantly, the shared regulation approach did not increase the cognitive load of the students, indicating its potential for practical implementation in programming education. The implications of study findings for practitioners: This study has shown that an approach that supports social shared regulation can improve student performance in collaborative programming learning, and that teachers can use this approach to help students learn programming better collaboratively.This study also contributes to the field of social shared regulated learning by demonstrating how it can support collaborative programming and improve its effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Social network awareness (SNA) enables students to know the online learning context of peers in computer‐supported collaborative learning (CSCL) and it has been used to improve peer interaction and participation in collaborative learning tasks. Mobile learning enables students to access learning content and discuss content with peers regardless of location or time. Because almost every college student has their own mobile device and social networks are ubiquitous in their daily lives, a mobile learning application with social networking is promising for promoting effective learning if students are willing to continually use the application. However, few studies have investigated this. Objectives: In this study, SNA was integrated into a mobile‐based assessment (MBA–SNA). The study investigated whether students were willing to persist in the use of MBA–SNA and the factors influencing this intention. Methods: A 1‐month experiment was conducted to investigate the research question on the basis of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT). Results: The results demonstrated that (1) students were willing to continue using the MBA–SNA, (2) the incentives influencing behavioural intention (BI) in initial use and continual use differed, and (3) social influence (SI) and perceived playfulness (PP) were the two key determinants of continual use. Implications: The SNA increases the positive impact of SI and PP on MBA continual use so that continual use can be assured. Future research should integrate SNA into other mobile learning apps (e.g., mobile collaborative writing or discussion apps) to enhance continued system use and learning effectiveness. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: A number of studies have investigated the use of mobile devices to collaborate digitally within small teams and larger classes whilst providing knowledge‐sharing features.Social network awareness (SNA) mechanism can enhance the participation of collaborative learning task and knowledge sharing.However, few research explores the potentials and benefits of the combination of SNA with mobile apps. What this paper adds: This study firstly integrates the SNA into a mobile collaborative APP, namely mobile‐based assessment with SNA (MBA‐SNA).Students are willing to continuously use the MBA‐SNA.The incentive factors influencing behavioural intention at the initial use and continuous use slightly differ.Social influence (SI) and perceived playfulness (PP) are the most crucial determinants to continuous use. Implications for practice and/or policy: It should be investigated whether students are willing to continuously use a new e‐learning system and the factors influencing this intention.SNA increased the effects of SI and PP on MBA continual use, thereby ensuring MBA continual use.Future studies can combine SNA with other mobile learning apps (e.g., mobile collaborative writing or discussion apps) to enhance continued system use and learning effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Owing to the exponential growth of three‐dimensional (3D) environments amongst researchers and educators to create simulation games (SGs) in primary education, there is a growing interest to examine their potential support in computer science courses instead of visual programming environments. Objectives: This study explores the relationships between students' learning performance, focusing on computational thinking (CT) and programming skills development, in association with their cognitive load (mental load and mental effort) and emotions (happiness, anger, anxiety, sadness) by playing SGs. Methods: A total of two hundred and ninety participants (n = 290) in fifth‐grade classes (10–11 years old) of Greek primary schools completed all pre‐and post‐intervention tests. A quasi‐experimental study was conducted over a 14‐week timetable course and in two comparison conditions, in which a SG was created by using OpenSimulator&Scratch4SL and Scratch for the experimental group (n = 145) and the control group (n = 145), respectively. To further investigate the effectiveness of the proposed SG in each teaching intervention, an exploration of relationships between students' learning performance, cognitive load, and emotions through multiple analyses, depending on correlation, t‐tests, correlation, and hierarchal regression was delivered. Results and Conclusions: The findings indicate that the proposed SG created by using OpenSimulator&Scratch4SL positively affected students' emotions and cognitive load, whereas there was no significant difference in learning gain between the two groups. Implications: The study provides empirical evidence on the effects of SGs on students' knowledge acquisition, highlighting the importance of considering both cognitive and emotional components in the design of these games. The findings also offer valuable insights for implications policy and practice. Lay Description: What is already known: Interactive environments can support the development of students' computational thinking (CT) and programming skills due to a wide range of digital elements/features that expand the boundaries where learning can happen.CT is a 21st‐century skill to be on top with others, such as reading, writing, and arithmetic for future generations of students to tackle real‐life problems.Despite a broad consensus on the increasing number of interactive environments, there is no dedicated measurement of their effects on students' performance and their possible association with psychological constructs. What this paper adds: This study explores any possible relationships amongst students' CT skills, emotions, and cognitive load for programming courses in fifth‐grade (10–11 years old) classes of primary education by playing a simulation game (SG).The proposed SG was created by using two interactive environments that project different 2D/3D user interface and game elements (e.g., special effects, scenes, animations, feedback, challenges, goal clarity, and scripted interaction).A quasi‐experimental study was conducted over a 14‐week timetable course and in two comparison conditions, in which the proposed SG was created by using OpenSimulator&Scratch4SL and Scratch for the experimental group (n = 145) and the control group (n = 145), respectively. Implications for practice and/or policy: In‐game scenario and students' embodied experiences can increase CT vocabulary acquisition, understanding, and expression of solution plans via visual coding.A practical roadmap for practitioners and instructors proposed how to purposefully integrate elements/features into interactive environments.Problem‐solving exercises in a simulated reality can become interesting and reduce students' cognitive load, when they are taking part in enjoyable and playful settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Screen‐sharing technologies enable applications such as screen mirroring, video streaming and instant messaging across multiple device screens. Despite their increasing use in many contemporary classrooms, there is a paucity of research directly examining pedagogical benefits and issues of these technologies. Objectives: This study investigated the influence of screen‐sharing technologies on teachers' practices, highlighting pedagogical benefits and issues encountered. Methods: The paper drew on a sample of 321 K‐12 teachers and utilised principal components analysis, descriptive statistics and inductive coding. Results and Conclusions: Teachers reported greater mobility, increased ease of content sharing and deeper learner cognition as attributes of improved learning and teaching with the technologies. However, a minority highlighted technical issues such as network and hardware problems affecting their confidence. Despite increased mobility as an affordance, teachers' perceptions about mobility largely appeared to be predicated on assumptions that the technologies were intended for didactic instruction. Takeaways: The study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of screen‐sharing affordances while underscoring learner‐led screensharing as a focus for future research and practice. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Screen‐sharing technologies are becoming commonplace in many contemporary educational settings.The technologies represent integrated systems that enable functions such as mirroring, video streaming, online polls, real‐time editing, screen‐capturing and learner analytics.Screen‐sharing is indirectly examined in several studies with findings indicating improvements in group awareness, emotional engagement, learner confidence to share ideas and teachers' visualization of concepts.Existing findings are largely anecdotal and there are very few studies that have focused directly on screen‐sharing affordances. What this paper adds: An empirical study directly examining teachers' first‐hand perspectives of using screen‐sharing technologies.Benefits relate to greater task focus, deeper thinking, improvements to teaching practice and ease of sharing content.A minority of teachers experienced issues such as technical problems, inappropriate sharing and distraction.Mobility was recognized as a key affordance though remained underutilized by many teachers. Implications for practice and/or policy: Professional learning accompanying the use of screen‐sharing technologies can support teachers to take advantage of all features of screen sharing such as enhanced teacher mobility.Institutions need to provide requisite technical and professional support for teachers to effectively and reliably leverage screen‐sharing in the classroom.There is a need to explore teacher's and learner's screen‐sharing uses in situ to more fully understand issues and possibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The most challenging task in eye‐tracking‐based multimedia research is to establish a relationship between eye‐tracking metrics (or cognitive processes) and learners' performance scores. Additionally, there are current debates about the effectiveness of animations (or simulations) in promoting learning in multimedia settings. Objectives: As a result, the current study aimed to review eye tracking‐based research on learners' cognitive processes in the animated/simulated multimedia learning domain. Method: For this purpose, fifty‐seven (57) studies were systematically determined based on PRISMA guidelines, and they were synthesized. Results and Conclusions: The notable findings are that (1) most of the reviewed studies have tried to relate eye‐tracking measures to at least one cognitive process (e.g., selecting, organizing, and integrating) which are assumed to take place during multimedia learning; (2) eye‐tracking measurements show whether design features of animation are successful in directing learners' attention; (3) the success of animation in attention‐guiding to the relevant parts may not have a positive impact on learning because individual differences (e.g., prior knowledge, spatial ability, or working capacity) and animation content are the other factors that directly affect the effectiveness of animation over learning. Implications: The current study implies that (i) use of signaling cues in animated multimedia settings diminish visual search and promote higher learning scores, (ii) giving users control over animations causes negative outcomes (e.g., missing micro or macro events); (iii) research on animated multimedia learning should be replicated with the participant group from K‐12, special education (e.g., autistic children), and elders. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: The use of animation in educational/non‐educational settings has been increased in recent times.Eye‐tracking technology has become a novel tool to understand learners' cognitive processes in animated multimedia learning settings.There are contradicted results regarding the effectiveness of animations over static displays in multimedia learning settings.It isn't easy to establish the relationship between eye movement measurements and learning performance scores. What this paper adds: The paper explores the relationship between learners' cognitive processes and their gaze behaviors in animated multimedia learning settings.The paper demonstrates literature gaps in animated multimedia settings.The paper shows the main reasons for failure in establishing the relationship between eye tracking metrics and learning performance scores.The paper recommends instructional design guidelines for researchers and professionals. Implications for practice and/or policy: Relational‐event, arrow, spreading‐color, and synchronized cueing are effective instructional ways to direct learners' attention to the relevant parts (e.g., animations, text, visuals).Employing narration in animated eBooks has positive impacts on children's learning.Giving learners too much freedom does not always promote learning performance in animated multimedia settings.The cognitive cue may be an alternative way for better visual search and learning performance in animated pedagogical agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many researchers have explored the impact of various technologies in museums on learning effects. Whether the application of technology in informal museum learning is effective, is the current issue that scholars pay more attention to. Objectives: This study will find the evidence to determine the effects of technology use on museum learning outcomes, and identify the future research trends in the field of technology application in museum learning. Methods: This study used a meta‐analysis method to statistically analyse the experimental and quasi‐experimental research in this field, and explored the effect sizes of technology application on the learning effect of museums. And the co‐citation network analysis method was used to analyse the distribution of academic groups and research institutions in this field and the changes in research hotspots. Results and Conclusions: The results show that technologies significantly enhance noncognitive learning. Significant differences exist in the effects of the moderating variables on the influence of technology on the learning outcomes of museum learning. The scholars engaged in this research field come from various countries or regions and institutions. The research hotspots of and extended research on technically supported museum learning have changed continually in the past decade. Major Takeaways: This study answers the question of "whether, how, and to what extent does the application of technology affect the learning effect of museums". According to the research conclusions, certain suggestions are proposed in this paper from the perspectives of researchers and museum institutions for the effective application of museum technology. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: The formal learning in the classroom has been unable to meet the learners' thirst for knowledge, and the museums have become the main educational battlegrounds for inheriting history and culture and popularizing scientific knowledge.Some studies have proved that the use of some technologies in the museum can affect the learning effect of learners.The application of technology is an important part of the physical situation among the three major situations of museum influencing factors. What this paper adds: This paper integrated meta‐analysis with co‐citation network analysis method is used to analyse and evaluate the 34 experimental or quasi‐experimental studies and 572 citations.The contextual model of learning was used as a theoretical framework to construct the meta‐analysis framework.The moderating effects of technology category, museum category, learner category and visiting mode on museum learning effect were significantly different. Implications for practice and/or policy: Researchers in museum learning must strengthen academic exchange and cooperation and explore a new path for museum technology integration.The administrative organizations of museum institutions must accelerate the construction of museum resources and implement the "new normal" of the integration of exhibition and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies on augmented reality‐enriched learning and training indicated conflicting results regarding the cognitive load involved: some authors report that AR can reduce cognitive load, others have shown that AR is perceived as cognitively demanding and can lead to poorer performance. Objectives: The aim of this study is to systematically analyse previous research on AR and cognitive load, including performance, and thus to be able to contribute to answering the question of the impact of AR on cognitive load when used in learning environments. Methods: This study applied the systematic review method. A total of 58 studies were identified and analysed using rigorously defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results are now reported as a synthesis. Results and Conclusions: Compared to other technologies, AR seems to be less cognitively demanding and also leads to higher performance. However, these results are based on media comparison studies that have been criticized for years. The spatial AR type is better compared to see‐through AR. However, the latter can be improved by visual cues and the addition of learning activities, such as value‐added studies have revealed. Major takeaways: The essential findings of this study are that the technology used, for example, AR glasses, can unnecessarily increase cognitive load and that still many studies focus on the comparison of AR with more traditional media. Less studies applied alternative research designs, for example, value‐added comparisons. However, such designs are better suited to investigate design principles for AR‐enriched learning environments, which can then in turn reduce cognitive load as well as positively affect performance. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Augmented reality can be an effective technology for learning and training purposes.However, findings with regard to cognitive load levels in AR‐enriched learning environments are contradictory. What this paper adds: AR can be superior with regard to cognitive load and performance compared to other media.Spatial AR is perceived less cognitively demanding compared to see‐through AR.The effect of AR‐enriched learning and training on cognitive load and performance is more clearly for procedural knowledge acquisition.Research on AR and cognitive load is merely based on media comparison studies, while value‐added studies might better contribute to the question how to use AR for teaching and learning. Implications for practice and/or policy: AR is well suited to assist and support procedural knowledge acquisition and tasks.Currently, spatial AR should be preferred over see‐through AR, since see‐through AR still leads to a high cognitive load.If see‐through AR is still used, visual cues and learning activities should be employed as a supplement, as these can reduce cognitive load and thus contribute to better performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Immersive virtual reality (IVR) is a new technology that could motivate learners, but also could contain distracting elements that increase cognitive demands on learners. In contrast, learning with conventional media, such as a narrated slideshow could be less motivating, but also less distracting. Objectives: This experiment investigates: (1) in what situations executive function and working memory capacity play a role in learning in IVR and a slideshow lesson and (2) whether people learn science content better with IVR or with a narrated slideshow lesson. Method: Participants watched a lesson on ocean acidification either using a head‐mounted display IVR device or a pre‐recorded narrated slideshow lesson. A week later, they took a test on this material and completed tasks to assess executive function and working memory capacity. Results and Conclusion: On a post‐test, there was no difference between IVR and slideshow lessons, but there were differences in the role of executive function in learning with these two media. For students learning in IVR, executive function correlated significantly with post‐test scores, such that learners with stronger executive function did better on the posttest than those with weaker executive function, while for students learning with a slideshow lesson, executive function and working memory capacity did not correlate significantly with posttest scores. This research indicates that it is important to understand how a learner's attentional controls impact their understanding when using IVR for learning. Lay Description: What is already know about this topic: Immersive virtual reality increases demands on cognition for learners.Immersive virtual reality for learning has inconsistent effects in prior research.Executive function and working memory capacity are important components in processing material while learning. What this paper adds: Research focused on the role individual differences play in learning with technology.Using common cognitive assessments to understand the process of learning better. Implications for practice and/or policy: Executive function predicted test score for an immersive virtual reality lesson.Use of immersive technology needs to take into account executive function to reduce potential inequity in learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Introducing new technologies in education sparks debates, disrupting traditional practices, and requiring teacher adaptation. ChatGPT is an example. Research explores its benefits and concerns in education, with recommendations for classroom use. Nevertheless, limited evidence supports ChatGPT as a tool for supporting English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students' research competency. Moreover, while the literature primarily focuses on the perspectives of scholars and teachers, it is essential to incorporate students' viewpoints in order to maximize the potential of this technology. Objectives: The present study investigated EFL undergraduates' perceptions and practices of ChatGPT as a tool for promoting their research competency. Additionally, the study examined the potential influence of metacognitive awareness (MA) levels in this context. Methods: The study utilized a mixed‐method research design, collecting quantitative and qualitative data from 27 EFL undergraduates (12 with low MA and 15 with high MA) over one semester. Data sources included a self‐report questionnaire, self‐study log, and semi‐structured interviews. Results and conclusions: Quantitative analysis showed significant differences between low and high MA groups in their perceptions of ChatGPT (U = 37.500, Z = 2.570). Regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between MA scores and students' perceptions and practices of ChatGPT. Qualitative analysis revealed diverse perceptions and practices of ChatGPT between the high MA and low MA groups, showcasing behaviours ranging from replication to using ChatGPT as a thought‐stimulating and supportive tool, accessing supplementary information, and seeking guidance. Key factors for effective ChatGPT use included prompt formulation, systematic thinking, self‐regulation strategies, and trust in AI. Lay Description: What is currently known about this topic: Research competency and metacognitive awareness are important for EFL undergraduates.Technology has been explored for promoting research competency.ChatGPT is used as a learning tool in EFL instruction contexts. What does this paper add: It provides a deeper understanding of the practical application of AI tools like ChatGPT for developing research competency among EFL students.It enhances understanding of metacognition's role in successful learning in digital environments by exploring MA's impact on using ChatGPT for research purposes. Implications for practice/policy: Provide explicit instructions and guidelines for EFL students to effectively use ChatGPT for research competency, emphasizing clear prompt design and fostering responsible use through critical thinking and awareness of biases and limitations.Enhance EFL students' metacognitive awareness through scaffolding, explicit instruction, and activities.Implement assessments and monitoring mechanisms to track metacognitive development and guide instructional interventions.Offer professional development opportunities for EFL teachers to enhance their understanding and skills in integrating AI tools into research instruction and other EFL aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although research on mathematics learning programs has taken off in recent years, little is known about how different person characteristics are related to practice behaviour with such programs. When implementing a mathematics learning program in the classroom, it might be important to know whether students with specific characteristics need more encouragement to make use of this learning opportunity. Objectives: Using a supply‐use model, we analysed the predictive power of students' cognitive characteristics (prior mathematics knowledge), personality traits (conscientiousness), motivational‐affective characteristics (mathematics self‐concept and mathematics anxiety), and family background characteristics (socioeconomic status and migration background) for practising with an adaptive arithmetic learning program. Methods: We used longitudinal data from 203 fifth graders from seven non‐academic‐track schools in Germany. Practice behaviour, measured by completed tasks in the learning program, was recorded weekly for every student over a period of 22 weeks. Results and Conclusions: The results of our multilevel analyses showed that mathematics anxious students practised less with the program. We did not find any relationship with the other characteristics. Takeaways: Our results suggest that mathematics anxious students need more encouragement when practising with a mathematics learning program; otherwise, they do not get the chance to benefit from the use. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: The use of mathematics learning programmes in mathematics education has recently intensified.It is important that students practice with such learning programmes regularly over a longer period of time in order for them to achieve learning success.Students differ in their mathematics learning behaviour. What this paper adds: Little is known about how person characteristics are related to practice behaviour with mathematics learning programmes.Students may differ in their use of a mathematics learning programme, which is why cognitive characteristics, personality traits, motivational‐affective characteristics, and family background characteristics may affect students' practice behaviour. Implications for practice: Mathematics anxious students practiced less with a mathematics learning program, and need more encouragement to benefit equally from the implementation in school.Teachers should keep in mind that after the initial enthusiasm, practice with a programme may decrease over time, especially after school holidays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a strong association between interactions and cognitive engagement, which is crucial for constructing new cognition and knowledge. Although interactions and cognitive engagement have attracted extensive attention in online learning environments, few studies have revealed the evolution of cognitive engagement with interaction levels. Objectives: The study aims to automatically identify learners' interactions and cognitive engagement and then analyse the evolution of learners' cognitive engagement with interaction levels and during different stages of online learning. Methods: The participants of the study were learners who participated in an online open course. Their text data from discussion forums on five learning themes were collected. Data were analysed using text mining and ENA. Results: Learners' cognitive engagement in online learning was related to interaction levels. As learners' online interaction levels changed from surface to deep, cognitive engagement levels changed from low to high. With the continuous occurrence of deep interactions, cognitive feedback became more complex. At the social–emotional interaction level, although learners' cognitive engagement levels began to change from low to high, complex cognitive feedback was still insufficient. In addition, the analysis of the evolution of cognitive engagement during different stages of online learning showed that learners' patterns of cognitive engagement changed significantly as the learning process continued, from initially dynamic and complex to a stable development pattern. Implications: The results of the study are of theoretical significance and practical guidance for further understanding the relationship between online interaction levels and cognitive engagement as well as the process of online collaborative knowledge exploration, construction, and even connectivity. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Interactions and cognitive engagement are crucial for constructing new cognition and knowledge.Several studies have examined learners' interactions and cognitive engagement in online learning environments using subjective, time‐consuming analysis methods such as self‐reporting and manual coding.Although the relationship between interactions and cognitive engagement has attracted extensive attention in online learning environments, few studies have revealed the evolution of cognitive engagement with interaction levels. What this paper adds: Learning analytics can be used to automatically identify interactions and cognitive engagement in online discussion forums, which improves the classification performance.Learners' cognitive engagement in online learning is related to interaction levels. As learners' online interaction levels changed from surface to deep, cognitive engagement levels changed from low to high, and cognitive feedback became more complex, however, at the social–emotional interaction level, complex cognitive feedback was insufficient. Learners' patterns of cognitive engagement changed significantly as the learning process continued, from initially dynamic and complex to a stable development pattern during different stages of online learning. Implications for practice and/or policy: The evolution of cognitive engagement with interaction levels is helpful for knowledge construction, production and even connectivity in open learning environments.Learners should actively participate in discussions to provide complex cognitive feedback in an open online learning environment.When the discussion is off‐topic, instructors need to promptly remind learners and gradually guide it back or clear rules and requirements should be set before the topic discussion begins to minimize the contribution of low‐quality knowledge.Instructors can design tasks with high‐value attributes in an open online learning environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Covid‐19 pandemic has created significant challenges for the global higher education community. Understanding of students' perception has important implications for the quality of the learning process, as it affects students' engagement in learning, helps educators rethink the principles of the learning design and further improve the developed programs. Objectives: Understanding of how rapid and necessary changes of learning caused by the pandemic are related to students' intrinsic motivation and awareness. Methods: There were 832 participants in this study. Quantitative and qualitative research methods employing relevant statistical techniques were used to research students' opinions regarding the distance learning process. Results and Conclusions: Our analysis showed that first‐year students were significantly less motivated during the learning process than older students, they saw distance learning as less valuable and less interesting than the others. Our research found several positive consequences of the pandemic: working according to students' own schedule in a relaxed environment, looking at the lecture again if necessary, feeling free to ask questions and communicate with teachers and saving travel time. Implications: Teachers should have more understanding for the first‐year students who are threatened when it comes to developing motivation to learn and help them cope with learning anxieties, encourage their self‐belief and give them extra support during the learning process. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Intrinsic motivation is an important predictor of learning success, satisfaction and outcome in higher education.The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid‐19) outbreak has rapidly shifted classrooms to the Internet and distance learning. What this paper adds: The paper provides empirical evidence on how different demographic factors can be linked to students' motivation for learning in a changed educational environment.The paper also analyse students' perceptions of distance learning in regards to the positive and negative aspects of educational environment. Implications for practice and/or policy: Previous students' online learning experiences influence positively motivation for learning in a changed educational environment.First‐year students were less motivated during distance learning than older students.Students with a higher academic performance have put more effort in distance learning than other students.Benefits of distance learning perceived by students were: (a) working by their own schedule; (b) re‐watching the lecture; (c) feeling free to ask question and (d) saving travel time.Negative traits were: (a) lack of motivation and study focus; (b) anxiety as the change was unexpected and (c) lack of social and socio‐emotional aspect of learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The growth of teaching practices conducted to promote cognitive activation and active participation in the classroom in recent years has become the epicentre of an active debate regarding their effectiveness. Objectives: This study is aimed to shed some light on this topic by empirically analysing the causes and consequences of more modern strategies in Spanish secondary schools. Methods: The database used in the study was PISA 2018. In order to analyse the causes behind the teaching style followed by teachers, a logit model was used. Likewise, to analyze the consequences that a modern teaching style has on students at the age of 15, we used propensity score analysis techniques. Results and Conclusions: Regarding the results obtained through a logit model, it is shown that the likelihood of a modern teaching style decreases if teachers work for a state school or if they usually apply traditional strategies. Similarly, this series of practices are shown to be more common in schools where teachers and students make greater use of digital devices. The second section of results, focused on analysing the effect this type of teaching strategies has on cognitive, non‐cognitive and wellbeing among students, show that, on the one hand, modern teaching style negatively affects students' performance in mathematics, science or language. On the other hand, modern teaching style has been shown to contribute to improving the students' well‐being, motivation and cooperation, only being significant the latter. Moreover, this teaching style contributes to reducing bullying among students. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Modern teaching style is gaining increased popularity.Teaching style is determined by students characteristics, performance and characteristics of the teacher and the class in general.There is not an agreed‐upon hypothesis on the impact of a modern teaching style on the academic results obtained by students. What this paper adds: This study analyses empirically the factors that explain modern teaching practices at secondary schools.Modern teaching practices are negative associated with more traditional practices, being more common this style between teachers that work at private school or use more digital services, among others.Reports the first analysis, taking into account teacher and students responses about teacher style, on the effects of modern teaching practice on cognitive, non‐cognitive and wellbeing among students. Implications for practice and/or policy: Knowing the factors behind the teaching style followed by teachers can be useful in trying to adapt teaching strategies to the needs of students.Modern teaching style can be good ally to promote collaborative practices among students.Modern teaching style should be complemented with traditional practices, like summaries previous class or advice students to achieve goals, which the literature has demonstrated to be effective to improve mathematics or reading competences.Teaching style adopted by the teachers can be decisive in improving the educational system as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to integrate the theories of social presence and social identity to examine the effectiveness of group‐based problem‐based learning (PBL) in learning communities. Social presence is a critical factor in determining the success of collaborative learning in group‐based PBL activities. Although several studies have investigated the effects of using self‐directed and collaborative learning, they present weak evidence within those studies to explain the impact of social interaction on perceived PBL performance in nursing internship programs. Objectives: This study develops a second‐order formative model to examine the relationship between social presence, trust, social identification and students' perceived PBL performance. Methods: The partial least squares technique is used to analyse data from 409 nursing interns who studied at seven medical universities or nursing colleges. Results and Conclusions: The results indicate that all hypotheses are supported, which is an underaddressed topic in the nursing internship education literature. Notably, the findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of the interns' perceived PBL performance during the internship. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic?: Previous studies have confirmed that social presence significantly affects learning performance.In learning communities, social interaction depends on the development of trust networks. What this paper adds?: This study reveals that students' perceived problem‐based learning (PBL) performance can be measured by the four primary of independent study, group interaction, reasoning skills and active participation. Accordingly, social presence, social identification and trust can significantly influence these four dimensions of learning performance.The social interaction in community‐based PBL contexts was observed, and it is found that students' level of social presence have a positive influence on their social identification, trust and perceived PBL performance. The implications of study findings for practitioners: The interpersonal interaction among students in the online PBL communities improves the students' understanding of PBL processes and enhances their learning outcomes in nursing internship programs.The findings of this study can effectively guide educators and instructors to develop effective approaches to organize and manage PBL‐based nursing internship programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing popularity of Facebook has prompted scholars and educators to explore its potentials as a learning environment for various fields of education. Along this line, several reviews of literature have been written about the educational use of Facebook; however, none of them have focused on a specific field of interest such as language pedagogy. Thus, this paper defines the contour of scholarly literature on Facebook as a technology‐enhanced learning environment in language teaching and learning. Using Scopus database as a source, 41 scholarly documents were retrieved and analysed. The demographics of the selected studies show that most of the published research came from Asia and were conducted in the higher education context. In terms of foci of interest, most of the studies focused on developing students' general language proficiency and productive skills. Although a great majority of the studies relied on self‐report data and preexperimental research, the current literature suggests the viability of integrating Facebook into language pedagogy. Suggestions for future studies are discussed. Lay Description: What is currently known about the subject matter: Facebook remains to be the most popular social networking site.A significant number of research have been published about Facebook as a learning environment.Interest in Facebook for educational purposes has been increasing.At least five reviews on Facebook as a learning environment has been published since 2011. What this paper adds: The current study zeroes in on a specific field of study (i.e., language teaching and learning).The current study takes into account studies published between 2010 and 2017.The current study analyses the studies in terms of demographics and foci of interest.The current study attempts to define the contour of scholarly literature on Facebook as a technology‐enhanced learning environment in language teaching and learning. Implications of study findings for practitioners: The findings provide various ways on how Facebook can be implemented for pedagogical purposes.The findings present challenges and issues that need to be confronted for efficient use of Facebook pedagogical affordances.Facebook is a viable tool for technology‐enhanced assessment.Future Facebook‐related studies may embark on underexplored areas of language pedagogy such as teacher cognition, language learning strategies, and development of multiliteracies and pragmatic competence of students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Digital texts are progressively becoming the medium of learning for students, but research has indicated that students tend to process information more superficially while reading on screen. It is therefore relevant to examine what strategies can support digital text comprehension. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of highlighting—both learner generated and experimenter provided—when reading digitally. Methods: University students (N = 170) were randomly assigned to the condition of learner‐generated highlighting, experimenter‐provided highlighting, or control. Reading outcomes were measured as literal and inferential text comprehension, transfer of knowledge, and metacognitive calibration of comprehension performance at immediate and delayed post‐tests. Individual differences in prior knowledge, cognitive reflection, and reading self‐efficacy were taken into account. The quality of the information highlighted by students in the condition of active highlighting was also measured. Results: From linear mixed‐effects models, the main effect of condition did not emerge for any of the outcomes. However, an interactive effect of condition and cognitive reflection emerged for literal text comprehension that favoured readers in the condition of experimenter‐provided highlighting with higher ability to resist automatic thinking. Inferential text comprehension, transfer of knowledge, and calibration of performance were only predicted by cognitive reflection or reading self‐efficacy. Finally, the quality of information highlighted significantly contributed to students' literal text comprehension and transfer of knowledge in the learner‐generated highlighting condition. Takeaways: Active highlighting is not effective per se during digital reading. The "amplification" effect of already highlighted text and higher cognitive reflection suggests that readers who are more able to resist automatic thinking may also invest more effort in the task, taking more advantage of the provided support. Even if active highlighting may not be effective per se compared to other reading conditions, what students highlight contributes to literal text comprehension and their learning from text. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Reading on a screen to learn new content for academic assignments is a typical learning activity for todays' students.For digital reading students tend to adopt a more superficial approach compared to traditional reading.Reading strategies can help readers to comprehend complex digital texts.Highlighting is a technically simple strategy to use for digital reading, which can at least support the selection of relevant information for text comprehension. What this paper adds: When considering digital reading neither learner‐generated highlighting nor experimenter‐provided highlighting is effective by itself.Experimenter‐provided highlighting is more effective for literal text comprehension than learner‐generated highlighting when combined with readers' ability to cognitively reflect and resist more automatic responses.The individual differences of cognitive reflection and reading self‐efficacy predicted inferential text comprehension and transfer of knowledge.Reading self‐efficacy also predicted readers' metacognitive calibration of comprehension performance (accuracy of self‐judgements of comprehension performance). The implications of study findings for practitioners: The effective use of highlighting for text comprehension probably requires some explicit instruction and practice in learning devices.The potential benefits of either learner‐generated highlighting or experimenter‐provided highlighting should be considered in relation to cognitive and motivational individual differences.It is important to create or refine readers' awareness that the quality of the information they highlight matters as it is associated with their text literal text comprehension and transfer of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Formative online multiple‐choice tests are ubiquitous in higher education and potentially powerful learning tools. However, commonly used feedback approaches in online multiple‐choice tests can discourage meaningful engagement and enable strategies, such as trial‐and‐error, that circumvent intended learning outcomes. These strategies will not prepare graduates as self‐regulated learners, nor for the complexities of contemporary work settings. Objectives: To investigate whether providing only a score after formative online multiple‐choice test attempts (score‐only feedback) increases the likelihood of students to engage in self‐regulated learning compared with more directive feedback. Measurable outcomes included deeper learning, collaboration, information seeking, and satisfaction. Methods: Data in this mixed methods study were collected from nursing students through surveys, test results, focus groups, and student discussion board contributions. A quasi‐experimental design was used for quantitative data, and qualitative data were analysed thematically against domains of self‐regulated learning. Results and Conclusions: Students receiving score‐only feedback were more cognitively engaged with the content, collaborated constructively, and sought out richer sources of information. However, it was also associated with lower satisfaction. In this study, minimal feedback created states of uncertainty, which resulted in the activation of self‐regulatory actions. Implications for Practice: Providing overly directive feedback for formative online multiple‐choice tests is conducive to surface‐level learning strategies. By minimising feedback and allowing for extended states of uncertainty, students are more likely to regulate their learning through self‐assessment and problem‐solving strategies, all of which are required by graduates to meet the challenges of real‐world work settings. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Formative online multiple‐choice tests are widely used in higher education.Feedback is a critical element in the design of effective online multiple‐choice tests.Formative feedback should promote self‐regulated learning.Feedback types used in multiple‐choice tests facilitate strategies not conducive to self‐regulation. What this paper adds: Online multiple‐choice test feedback can influence how students self‐regulate their learning.Less feedback can result in greater self‐evaluation and performance in summative assessment.Less feedback can encourage richer help‐seeking strategies (collaboration and information seeking).However, less feedback can result in student dissatisfaction. Implications for practice and/or policy: Judicious use of feedback is required in the design of online multiple‐choice tests.Educators should consider providing less feedback to promote learner self‐regulation.Satisfaction with online multiple‐choice tests does not necessarily equate to greater learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In today's society, a growing body of literature attests to the importance of young children's early digital literacy skills in their home environments and how acquisition of these digital literacy skills relates to their future learning and digital literacy. Objectives: Research on young children's digital literacy practices at home was reviewed to explore the positive and negative influences on early learning. This is important due to the children's rapid uptake of online digital technologies over the past decade. Methods: Peer‐reviewed research articles on home digital literacy practices of children (aged 0–8 years old) published between 2010 and 2021 from four education databases were carefully selected based upon pre‐determined criteria and examined using content analysis. Results and Conclusion: A high proportion of studies (29 of the 31; 93.5%) demonstrated significant benefits of young children gaining a range of skills, including digital operational, early literacy and language, socio‐emotional, and STEM, through the use of digital technologies at home. Five of the 31 (16.12%) studies reported negative effects of digital technologies in the home context, including distraction, aggressive behaviour, and false self‐confidence. Tablets and smartphone use gained greater momentum in the home context, especially between 2015 and 2021, and there was a positive shift in parental mediation, family involvement, and the children's home digital literacy practices. Implications: By leveraging children's acquisition of digital literacy skills in the home and taking into account the sociocultural context, we can enhance young children's preparation for the future and provide opportunities for skill development across various learning domains. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: The literature shows use of tablets in the home by children have gained momentum.Parents have different attitudes towards using digital technologies in the home context.Parents have used different mediation strategies to control, supervise and support their children's home digital literacy practices. What this paper adds: Within the past decade, parents have extended their mediation strategies to support their children's home digital literacy practices.Young children move from early digital literacy to proficient digital literacy within the home.Home digital literacy practices can foster important skills in young children such as language and literacy, operational, socio‐emotional, and STEM.Artificial intelligence devices such as smart robots are extending children's home digital literacy practices. Implications for practice and/or policy: Understanding the sociocultural differences of young children can help parents, teachers, and policymakers to facilitate digital literacy skill acquisition.Fostering young children's basic language literacy, operational, socio‐emotional, and STEM skills through technology use in the home before formal education is essential.Extending young children's home digital literacy practices to other contexts such as the classroom is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Blended online courses, which combine synchronous and asynchronous online activities, have expanded rapidly in higher education. How to enhance student engagement in such courses is unclear, although it is recognized that student engagement is malleable through instructional strategies. Objectives: Given the above, this study aims to examine the influence of categories of strategies on student engagement in blended online courses. Methods: A conceptual framework of instructional strategies indicated as fostering student engagement in the relevant literature was first presented, divided in eight categories (structure, pace, relevance, active, choice, relationships, explanations, guide). Then a research framework linking the categories of strategies to student engagement dimensions (emotional‐cognitive, social, behavioral) was built and tested in blended online courses. Data collected in various disciplines and university levels at four universities (n = 482) were examined using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Results and Conclusions: The structural model examination confirmed the combined effects of categories of instructional strategies on student engagement in such courses in all disciplines. Particularly, this study revealed that 1) establishing trusting relationships, 2) demonstrating the relevance of activities, content, and resources, and 3) maintaining a sustained course pace significantly impacted student engagement in blended online courses in all disciplines. Takeaways: This study draws upon the blended learning literature to bring together key instructional strategies that foster student engagement while highlighting empirical quantitative evidence of their effects on student engagement in blended online courses. Detailed measures of categories of instructional strategies and student engagement dimensions also provide reliable instruments for future research. Lay Description: What is currently known about the subject matter?: Student engagement has important repercussions on perseverance, in‐depth learning, satisfaction, and academic success.Blended online courses merge the benefits of synchronous interactions and online flexibility in terms of time, place, or even study pace.Student engagement is influenced by contextual variations like course modalities and instructional strategies.The literature lacks a quantitative large‐scale portrait of how instructional strategies influence student engagement in blended online courses in higher education. What does this paper add to the existing body of research?: Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to examine the effects of eight categories of instructional strategies on emotional‐cognitive, social, and behavioural dimensions of student engagement.Emotional‐cognitive engagement is largely affected by instructional strategies, while social and behavioural engagement are moderately affected by these.Establishing trusting relationships; demonstrating the relevance of activities, content, and resources; and maintaining a sustained course pace have the most significant effects on student engagement in blended online courses. Implications of study findings for practitioners: Teachers should explicitly support students in the process of developing interpersonal relationships in blended online courses to foster student social engagement, that is, interactions and sense of connectedness between them.Ensuring a sustained pace, dynamism, and a diversity of teaching and learning activities, both synchronously and asynchronously, promotes student engagement in blended online courses.Highlighting or demonstrating the relevance of activities and contents fosters emotional‐cognitive and behavioural student engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multimedia instruction, the combination of pictures and words to produce meaningful learning, involves attention, selection, organization, and integration of new information with previously learned information. Because there is a large, theory‐based literature supporting the effectiveness of multimedia instruction, we proposed that multimedia instruction could be leveraged to address issues in health communication. The cognitive theory of multimedia learning outlines techniques to improve meaningful learning when the processing load of essential information exceeds the cognitive capacity of the learner (Mayer, 2014). Specifically, segmentation, or presentation of the material in a learner paced fashion, results in deeper learning of the material than continuous presentation (Mayer & Chandler, 2001). We proposed a conceptual replication of the segmentation effect with multimedia materials relevant in a health communication context. We hypothesized that transfer of information from a multimedia presentation about kidney function would be improved in a segmented, versus continuous, condition. Additionally, we hypothesized that participants' perceived cognitive load during the learning task would be lower in the segmented, versus continuous, presentation condition. We were unable to replicate either of these advantages for the use of segmentation with health‐related materials. Lay Description: What We Know: A large portion of the population is low in health literacy.Current suggestions to improve physician‐patient communication involve removing information that is essential for patients to be engaged in their own healthcare decision‐making.Few suggestions to improve physician‐patient communication are based on systematic evaluation of what works for which patients.From cognitive psychology, we know that learner‐paced multimedia presentations can improve meaningful learning. What This Paper Contributes: This paper draws on the cognitive theory of multimedia learning to improve health communications.This research is a conceptual replication of previous research in multimedia learning testing the segmentation effect (a benefit from learner‐paced presentations) with materials that would be relevant in a healthcare setting (kidney function). Implications: If segmented presentations result in deeper learning, then patient education materials could be readily adapted to this format.Segmented multimedia presentations, perhaps available to patients online, could help address issues of low health literacy and improve patient engagement. What We Found: Segmentation of a multimedia presentation of information relevant in a healthcare setting did not lead to a significant reduction in cognitive load or a benefit for remembering basic facts or transfer of the information to new problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Eye movement modelling examples (EMME) are demonstrations in which learners' not only see a model's (e.g., a teacher's) task performance on a computer screen (as in regular video examples) but also the model's eye movements (represented as moving coloured dots overlaid on the screen). Thereby EMME help guide learners' attention towards the relevant information and can model cognitive strategies which are otherwise unobservable for learners. Objectives: This study investigated whether EMME can help to learn deductive reasoning strategies and how the presence/absence of a teacher's verbal explanation affects learning from EMME. Methods: Secondary education students (N = 137) were randomly assigned to study video examples under one of four conditions in a 2 (EMME: yes/no) x 2 (verbal explanations: yes/no) between‐subjects design. Results and Conclusions: Results revealed only a beneficial effect of the presence of verbal explanations on performance on the practice problems, but no pretest‐to‐posttest learning gains. Implications: Seeing the teacher's eye movements does not appear to enhance learning of deductive reasoning. The presence/absence of the teacher's verbal explanation does not seem to affect learning deductive reasoning. Lay Description: What is currently known about the subject matter?: Eye movement modelling examples (EMME) are demonstrations in which learners not only see a teacher's task execution on a computer screen (as in video examples) but also the teacher's eye movements.The eye movements in EMME were visualized as moving coloured dots overlaid on the screen recording.EMME help direct attention to relevant information and enhance learning; it is not yet known if this also applies to reasoning problems.It is unknown if and how presence/absence of a teacher's verbal explanation affects learning from EMME. What our paper adds to this?: Secondary education students watched EMME or regular video examples with/without a teacher's verbal explanation.The examples demonstrated how to solve deductive reasoning problems (adapted version of the Mastermind game).Performance and learning gains were examined and revealed no differences between conditions. The implications of study findings for practitioners: Seeing the teacher's eye movements does not appear to enhance learning of deductive reasoning.The presence/absence of the teacher's verbal explanation does not seem to affect learning deductive reasoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Immersive virtual reality (IVR) applications that support student learning have gained increasing interest. However, empirical studies exploring the educational potential of using IVR in primary school science classrooms are lacking. Objectives: This study developed a series of IVR science lessons for primary school students and examined the effects of these lessons on learning outcomes. Methods: Our mixed‐method approach employed pre‐ and post‐tests to measure academic achievement, questionnaires to measure motivation and cognitive load, and semi‐structured interviews to further explore students' feelings and attitudes about IVR science lessons. Participants included 362 Grade 4 students assigned to either the experimental (IVR‐based classroom) or control (traditional classroom) groups. The experimental group engaged in IVR science lessons using Head‐Mounted Displays; the control group learned the same material through traditional methods. Results and conclusions: The results showed that the IVR‐based classroom significantly improved primary students' academic achievement and science motivation and decreased their cognitive load. Moreover, the experimental group reported positive experiences with the IVR science lessons. Takeaways: These findings help unpack the relationships between IVR and academic achievement, science motivation, and cognitive load in primary school science lessons, thus providing insight on integrating IVR into existing classrooms. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Non‐immersive virtual reality (IVR) has been used effectively in science learning.The 2D nature of non‐IVR can limit VR technology's educational effectiveness. What this paper adds: Evidence that IVR allows students to more fully engage in science educational subjects.Evidence that IVR can increase primary students' academic achievement.Evidence that IVR can increase primary students' science motivation.Evidence that IVR can decrease primary students' cognitive load. Implications for practice and/or policy: Adding IVR in primary classrooms can enhance science learning.Implementing IVR with head‐mounted displays can enrich primary school education.IVR‐based lessons can support primary students' successful learning in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Learners in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are presented with great autonomy over their learning process. Learners must engage in self‐regulated learning (SRL) to handle this autonomy. It is assumed that learners' SRL, through monitoring and control, influences learners' behaviour within the MOOC environment (e.g., watching videos). The exact relationship between SRL and learner behaviour has however not been investigated. Objectives: We explored whether differences in SRL are related to differences in learner behaviour in a MOOC. As insight in this relationship could improve our understanding of the influence of SRL on behaviour, could help explain the variety in online learner behaviour, and could be useful for the development of successful SRL support for learners. Methods: MOOC learners were grouped based on their self‐reported SRL. Next, we used process mining to create process models of learners' activities. These process models were compared between groups of learners. Results and conclusions: Four clusters emerged: average regulators, help seekers, self‐regulators, and weak regulators. Learners in all clusters closely followed the designed course structure. However, the process models also showed differences which could be linked to differences in the SRL scores between clusters. Takeaways: The study shows that SRL may explain part of the variability in online learner behaviour. Implications for the design of SRL interventions include the necessity to integrate support for weak regulators in the course structure. Lay Description: Practitioners Notes: What is currently known:Learners' self‐regulated learning (SRL) is related to learner behaviour.Inadequate SRL may result in learner dropout in MOOCs.Learners in open online education behave in a variety of ways.What this paper adds:Most learners follow the designed course structure.Learners' SRL influences learner behaviour in a MOOC.Low SRL activity is related to adherence to the course structure.High SRL activity is related to more variety in learner behaviour.Implications for practitioners:SRL support should be integrated in the course structure.Results of process mining can inform instructional design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Online game communities are inhabited by millions of players daily with relevant learning opportunities and dynamics. However, little efforts have been done for exploring their potential. Objectives: The goal of this study is to explore if and how social learning processes are occurring in online game communities. Methods: n = 480 adult players completed a questionnaire including demographics, game community habits, and the game community of inquiry scale. Results were analysed by referring to social learning theory's processes and factors. Results and Conclusions: Online game communities provide relevant instances of social learning, with an emphasis on soft skills and application to off‐game contexts. Moreover, the more a community is inclusive and supporting, the more individuals learn and benefit from it from a cognitive perspective. Major takeaways: This study provides a wide overview of the processes through which players observe, filter, and reproduce behaviours from their game communities of reference. Moreover, findings point at which malleable factors should be considered for facilitate this social learning dynamic, which are active participation, community receptiveness, and being aware of the learning process itself. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Online gaming presents both premises and concerns in terms of social dynamics.There is preliminary evidence that gaming related outlets may host meaningful interactions.Social learning on online game communities is still poorly analysed. What this paper adds: Gaming virtual outlets are key settings for developing social learning instances beyond play.Malleable factors to endorse for improving social learning via online gaming are active participation, community receptiveness, and learning awareness. Implications for practice and/or policy: More attention must be given to game communities' moderation, related members' engagement, and inclusion.Additional efforts should address how players transfer knowledge from game communities to everyday life contexts and vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Processing and comprehending information from multiple sources have been a primary means of learning and are essential 21st‐century skills to construct knowledge for a deeper understanding. Objectives: This study examined students' individual differences in search strategies and internet epistemic beliefs as well as the effect of distinct note‐taking formats on students' online multiple‐document reading about measurement scales and statistical graphs, considering students' gender and prior knowledge. Methods: Participants were 124 Taiwanese university students (79% female) taking the Educational Statistics course in three different classes. I used a quasi‐experimental design to test the effect of different note‐taking formats on online multiple document reading. Three classes of students were randomly assigned to one of the experimental conditions with sourcing cues: the individual note taking with multiple tabs, the collaborative note taking with multiple tabs, or the individual note taking in a single tab. Results and conclusion: The study showed that the uncertainty belief about Internet‐based information and note‐taking formats predicted students' online multiple document reading. A stronger belief that the internet information is uncertain and may change with time positively predict online multiple document reading comprehension. Moreover, individuals taking notes in a single tab outperformed those taking notes individually in separate tabs. Major takeaways from the study: Implications for instruction were made to foster students' uncertainty belief and teach them how to construct pre‐outlined tables with sourcing cues to collect the contextual information and reflect on the source information to streamline learners' online multiple document reading comprehension. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic?: Online multiple document reading comprehension (OMDRC) is a complex mental process, which involves locating relevant information from the Internet, evaluating the quality and credibility of the online information, and constructing and reconciling conflicting views across multiple sources.Better Internet search skills predicted higher online reading outcomes.Internet epistemic beliefs or one's epistemic processing to acquire, justify, and use knowledge during the online learning task is associated with more experienced online search behaviour and quality of argumentation. What this paper adds?: This study adds to the literature in OMDRC to investigate how Internet epistemic beliefs and formats of note taking with sourcing cues will affect OMDRC, beyond learners' online search strategies, gender, and prior knowledge.This study shows that more adaptive Internet epistemic beliefs (particularly the uncertainty beliefs) and a coherent presentation in note taking will contribute to better OMDRC. Implications for practice and/or policy: Interventions (such as modelling and collaborative discussion) targeting students' awareness of the uncertainty about the Internet information can be applied to encourage them to examine the information from different perspectives.Effective pedagogical support, such as pre‐outline note‐taking devices with sourcing cues can help learners' multiple text integration from the Internet and benefit their OMDRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Guidance has showed positive effects on promoting inquiry‐based learning in science education. While an increasing number of studies focus on the design of guidance in simulation‐based inquiry learning due to recent technology developments, how different designs of a same type of guidance affect learning remains a question. Objectives: This study reviews the (quasi‐)experimental research on the learning effects of differently designed guidance in simulation‐based inquiry learning in the past decade (2011–2020). The investigation is guided by two questions: how differently designed guidance affects inquiry‐based learning in simulated environments in terms of learning process and learning outcomes, and what role technology plays in the design of guidance. In particular, we report on studies that compares the effects of a same type (process constraints/prompts/heuristics/scaffolds/metacognitive supports/direct presentation of information) of guidance with different instructional designs, and select a total of 28 peer‐reviewed journal articles. The results indicate no equivocal tendency of effectiveness towards a specific design. Instead, each type of guidance has related factors that may influence its effectiveness. Three major factors that related to optimization of inquiry learning guidance in simulation‐based environments are identified: the learner factor, the pedagogical factor, and the technological factor. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic?: Inquiry learning is an active learning approach that involves learners in self‐directed scientific discovery process to acquire knowledge.Technology provides alternative environments and unique features to support inquiry learning.Proper guidance could improve learning outcomes of inquiry‐based learning. What this paper adds?: Regarding to effectiveness, there is no equivocal tendency towards a specific design in each guidance type in simulation‐based inquiry learning.Technology plays multiple roles in the design of guidance in simulation‐based inquiry learning. Implications for practice: In the design of guidance in simulation‐based inquiry learning, learner factors, pedagogical factors, and technological factors should all be considered together.The teacher's role in providing guidance needs further exploration in simulation‐based inquiry learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the training of academic skills, digital educational games with integrated adaptivity are promising. Adaptive games are considered superior to non‐adaptive games, because they constantly assess children's performance, and accordingly adapt the difficulty of the tasks corresponding to the children's individual level. However, empirical evidence with regard to the effectivity of adaptive compared to non‐adaptive games is limited. A study was conducted with 191 children from the third year of Kinder garten who were enrolled in one of three conditions, that is, playing an adaptive version of the reading game (RG), a non‐adaptive version of the RG or training with pen‐and‐paper exercises. In all three conditions, children trained emergent reading (phonological awareness and letter knowledge) once a week for 30 min over a period of 5 weeks. Children's performance on cognitive (phonological awareness, letter knowledge, reading fluency) and non‐cognitive (motivation, self‐concept) factors was assessed. Results revealed a significant improvement in phonological awareness and letter knowledge in all conditions. However, no differences between the conditions were observed with respect to children's improvement on phonological awareness and letter knowledge or on their post‐test scores for reading fluency. With regard to motivation and self‐concept, again, no differences in these non‐cognitive factors were observed across conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the widespread use of touch screen devices, the effect of the users' fingers on information processing and learning is of growing interest. The present study drew on cognitive load theory and embodied cognition perspectives to investigate the effects of pointing and tracing gestures on the surface of a multimedia learning instruction. Learning performance, cognitive load and visual attention were examined in a one‐factorial experimental design with the between‐subject factor pointing and tracing gestures. The pointing and tracing group were instructed to use their fingers during the learning phase to make connections between corresponding text and picture information, whereas the control group was instructed not to use their hands for learning. The results showed a beneficial effect of pointing and tracing gestures on learning performance, a significant shift in visual attention and deeper processing of information by the pointing and tracing group, but no effect on subjective ratings of cognitive load. Implications for future research and practice are discussed. Lay Description: What is currently known about the subject matter? Pointing and tracing gestures enhance learning with multimediaThe effect is true for paper based and digital learning instructionsLess is known about the cause of this effect with regard to complex learningDifferent theoretical explanations are currently discussed What our paper adds to this A detailed analysis of the effect using eye‐tracking and touch screen dataEvidence that the effect of pointing and tracing is mediated by eye‐movementsRelevant information concerning the discussion about theoretical explanations The implications of study findings for practitioners Pointing and tracing gestures can guide the learners' visual focus of attentionPointing and tracing gestures can increase the learners' visual attentionPointing and tracing gestures foster information processing when learning with multimediaLearners can or even should use pointing and tracing gestures to support learning [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study presented in this paper aimed to examine the effect of visual and verbal cognitive style on learning from different types of visualization and modalities of explanatory text. Learning materials in the form of either computer‐based animation or a series of static pictures with written or spoken explanations were presented to 197 students. We found that a more developed visual cognitive style was related to a better learning outcome, when learning from a combination of static pictures and written text. Higher developed visualizers achieved poorer learning outcomes when learning with an animation and written text. The results are partially in line with an ability‐as‐compensator effect and the expertise reversal effect. Additionally, we found a modality effect as the versions with spoken text provided better results on learning outcome than the versions with written text regardless of the prominence of visual cognitive style. No significant interaction effects were found regarding verbal cognitive style. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Combining text and pictures supports learning and deepens understanding.Learning differs with respect to individual differences and the type of visualization.Visualizers profit from pictorial information more than verbalizers.Unclear what type of visualization and modality is beneficial to visualizers. What this paper adds: Influence of cognitive style on learning differs with regard to text modality.Visual cognitive style moderates multimedia learning with written text.Higher visual cognitive style leads to better learning with pictures and written text.Higher visual cognitive style leads to poorer learning with animations and written text. Implications for practice and/or policy: Contributes to empirical findings on how people learn from text and visuals.Broadens discussion on cognitive style and its impact on the learning process.Modality of the explanatory text has an impact on the learning outcome.Implement the written modality with caution during multimedia learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the golden rules in instructional design methods is to optimize the use of working memory capacity and avoid cognitive overload. The study of cognitive load has historically relied on one's introspection. However, it is difficult to capture changes in cognitive load levels during learning sensitively. This paper suggests an approach to investigating dynamic changes in cognitive load by using a pupillometry. With the method, this study explores the effects of learners' prior knowledge and task complexity on cognitive load. An experiment was conducted on two groups of students (N = 19) with distinct levels of prior knowledge. In the experimental session, participants watched a video lecture on a mathematics proposition, while being eye‐tracked. The lecture consists of sections, which can be either a high task complexity or a low task complexity based on elements they have. Pupil dilations acquired in each section were used to explore the time course of cognitive load. To formulate cognitive load patterns, a time‐series clustering was used. The research conducted a chi‐square analysis to test differences in cognitive load patterns by prior knowledge and task complexity. Results show that pupil dilation patterns can be applied to monitor changes in cognitive load during learning. What is already known about this topic? Cognitive load is a dynamic construct so that it can be changed during learning.Pupil dilation is a valid indicator of showing changes in cognitive load during learning. What this paper adds? The study proposes a novel method to capture dynamic changes in cognitive load in video‐based learning by using a time‐series clustering.The proposed approach detected the changes in cognitive load as a function of learner's level of prior knowledge and task complexity in learning.The proposed approach found seven different types of cognitive load patterns during learning. Implications for practice and/or policy: The use of temporal approach can be a technique to capture dynamics of cognitive load learners are experiencing during learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Japanese EFL learners often fail to identify and categorise the different degrees of certainty associated with CERTAIN, PROBABLE, and POSSIBLE items. This computer‐mediated study evaluated the relative effects of animated versus static illustrations on stimulating the spatial concept of distance for the acquisition of this knowledge. Objectives: This study aimed to: (1) discover whether the spatial concept of distance captured by three‐dimensional (3D) images in animated or static illustrations help learners understand spatial relationships more clearly, and (2) whether a static illustration is sufficient for learning the different degrees of certainty. Method: Animated and static visualisation groups used 3D images of animated versus static illustrations that capture the spatial concept of distance, and a contrasting group did not use illustrations. The former applied the spatial concept of distance to learn the degrees of certainty, using animated or static illustrations. A spatial concept‐oriented approach that visualises concepts of distance enabled participants to understand the degrees of certainty. The contrasting approach involved rote learning of a list of target expressions for the different degrees of certainty in English. Results and Conclusions: Both the animated and static versions of the spatial concept‐oriented approaches were equally effective. The difference between the two versions did not significantly impact the overall performance of the groups. Takeaways: Regardless of the type of effect, the spatial concept of distance captured in words and illustrations helped the participants (1) process the different degrees of certainty cognitively in terms of distances and (2) retain them in long‐term memory. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Understanding our experiences in terms of metaphors based on spatially visualised concepts of the physical world leads to mapping the embodied concepts onto non‐embodied concepts and retaining these in long‐lasting memory.3D descriptions direct people's attention to the spatially visualised concepts, which influences people to internalise them with ease.The lack of consensus (in previous studies) on the effect of animated versus static versions of the metaphor awareness‐raising approach with either 2D or 3D images has some relevance to the cognitive theory of multimedia learning. What this paper adds: Computer‐generated 3D images were used to help participants in the metaphor‐based groups understand spatial relationships related to the degrees of certainty among certain, probable, and possible items.This study evaluated the relative effects of animated versus static illustrations on stimulating the spatial concept of distance for the acquisition of this knowledge.The animated and static version of the metaphor‐based approach groups outperformed those in the non‐metaphor‐based and control groups. Implications for practice and/or policy: It is necessary to consider all possible confounding variables and control for their effects when designing future animation versus static studies.Further analysis of the spatial concept‐oriented metaphor‐based approach from the perspectives of the cognitive theory of multimedia learning combined with cognitive linguistic theory would be beneficial for fellow researchers and teachers to gain insight into the nuances of the approach and expand its application in the EFL context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]