Search

The rapid development of e-learning has drawn increasing attention to the issue of how learners’ learning activities can be better structured using technologies. This study focuses on how to improve e-learning performance by optimizing the structuring of learning sessions from the perspective of interleaving (i.e., mixing different topics in a learning session). Following the design science paradigm, this study chooses cognitive load theory as the kernel theory and proposes a new interleaving design—related-interleaving —that populates an interleaved session with related topics as a way of reducing cognitive load during an interleaved session. Drawing on the theoretical predictions, we design and instantiate a personalized learning system with the related-interleaving strategy by fusing educational strategies and machine learning techniques. The results from a two-month field experiment confirm that related-interleaving outperforms non-interleaving and unrelated-interleaving. Our findings also reveal that compared with unrelated-interleaving, related-interleaving benefits weak learners more and thus helps reduce learning performance disparities. This study demonstrates how personalized e-learning systems can be further improved from the perspective of interleaving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The imagination effect occurs when learners who imagine a procedure perform better on a subsequent test than learners who study it. The present study explored whether this effect is restricted to short-term learning or whether it also applies when learning is tested after a delay. Forty novices and forty experts learned about a basketball game system and were instructed to either listen and memorize (no-imagination condition) or imagine and memorize (imagination condition) the tactical instructions given orally. The results indicated that experts who imagined the material performed better in both immediate and delayed knowledge tests than experts who simply studied the same material, indicating a robust effect of the imagination in experts. However, the results showed that novices performed well in the immediate knowledge test under the no-imagination condition, but this effect was reversed in the delayed knowledge test, making imagination more beneficial. These findings indicate that the effectiveness of imagination over time depends on the level of expertise of the players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While training design choices seem amoral, they interact to determine training (in)effectiveness, potentially harming/benefiting trainees and organizations. These moral implications intensify when training is administered at scale (e.g., e-training) and focuses on social issues like sexual harassment (hereafter, SH). In fact, research on SH training shows it can elicit trainees' gender-based biases against content messengers. We suggest that one such bias, resulting from messenger gender-occupation incongruence and influencing training effectiveness, is lowered perceptions of the messenger's integrity. We also investigate whether rich media will increase or decrease this perceived integrity penalty. Using an excerpt from real SH e-training and a sample [N = 210] consistent with the targeted training audience, we conducted a 2 × 2 × 2 relative comparison experiment (messenger gender x messenger occupation x media richness) and tested a moderated mediation model of the interactive effects of messenger gender-occupation incongruence and media richness on trainees' perceptions of messenger integrity and training outcomes. Results suggest that trainees' perceptions of messenger integrity decrease when the messenger's gender is incongruent with their occupation, leading to worse outcomes in text-based training. These effects, however, are mitigated by increased media richness, providing support for media richness theory. Implications for researchers and practitioners are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractCognitive load theory (CLT), a construct of instructional psychologist John Sweller, has long been a mainstay of educational psychology and university educational technology courses, regionally and internationally. Although aspects of this cognitivist theory have been severely criticised, including its insistence on direct instruction in opposition to inquiry-based pedagogies, a comprehensive philosophical, neurobiological, and education critique has been missing. This paper fills the gap, by subjecting the main theoretical and pedagogical claims of CLT to close and searching scrutiny, in part, utilising a newly emerging synthesis of philosophy and cognitive brain science, appropriately known as Cognitive Philosophy. The paper pushes past CLT, with its emphasis on the transient nature of working memory and core notion of cognitive ‘load’, to propose an account of the learning brain that is predictive (not reactive), embodied, neuronally plastic, non-linear, dynamically self-organising, and inherently emotional. This alternative account immediately problematises Sweller’s understanding of working memory and his account of language learning, based on Geary’s questionable epistemological claims, while keeping the practical needs of teachers and teacher educators firmly in view. Armed with this alternative, teachers can move beyond the theoretical and pedagogical constraints of CLT, including trying to mitigate a putative ‘load’ in working memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of investigations in science teaching is both common and commonly advocated for in science education literature. We suggest that the use of investigations should differ depending on the complexity of the subject matter. That complexity can vary depending on both the nature of the information and students' expertise levels. The present study used Cognitive Load Theory and tested a hypothesis that the sequential order of having investigations first followed by explicit instruction only is more effective than that of having explicit instruction first when students have acquired sufficiently high levels of knowledge. This hypothesis was tested with 85 middle school students. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the two sequences. The results indicated that for sufficiently knowledgeable students, a dis-ordinal knowledge level by sequence interaction was obtained. There was an advantage to the explicit instruction first approach for the less knowledgeable students for whom element interactivity was high but an advantage to the investigation first approach for the more knowledgeable students for whom element interactivity was lower. The results were discussed in light of a recent debate between the authors and De Jong et al. (Educational Research Review, 39, 1-14, 2023) on the role of investigations and explicit instruction in science education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to assess the difficulty levels of mathematical tasks in relation to the appearance of unconscious patterns of thinking in students' cognitive processes that play a role in learning. The data analyzed using a mixed-methods approach was collected from a population of undergraduate engineering and science students enrolled in Calculus courses at the university while answering three questionnaires as part of their online class activities. Two criteria were used to find categories of difficulty levels: one subjective, given by an evaluation carried out by the subjects, and another behavioral, related to obtaining the correct answers. The relationships of these criteria with the appearance of these unconscious patterns of thinking were identified: a significant and strong correlation was noticed between the number of erroneous unconscious patterns detected and task difficulty levels determined by the percentage of correct answers, as well as a significant and strong correlation between task difficulty levels determined by the subjective evaluation and the number of these patterns recognized. Based on the results obtained, it can be stated that these unconscious erroneous patterns in students' reasoning about a mathematical concept are related to the index of the difficulty of a task and could be considered indicators of mental effort according to the cognitive load theory. The analysis showed the recognition of these unconscious patterns in students' cognitive mechanisms is relevant when solving mathematical tasks that require information processing at a higher level and could play a role in assessing the difficulty levels of a task related to the study of mathematical concepts in Calculus courses, which constitutes the main novelty of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of intercultural learning, from the perspective of home versus host country, on the academic performance of Chinese students in an Australian university’s transnational education program. It integrates transformative learning theory and cognitive load theory as the conceptual framework and compares the academic performance of students who remained in China with those who went to Australia to complete the same Australian university degree. Using a difference-in-differences approach, our analysis revealed a significant performance difference between the Australia-based and China-based groups by year level after controlling for academic ability. The findings have practical and policy implications for student support and transnational education program management in Australian universities. The study highlights the need for tailored support to help Chinese (and possibly other international) students during their first year of arrival in Australia. It also calls for embedding intercultural learning into discipline-specific programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Worked examples support initial skill acquisition. They often show skill application on content knowledge from another, "exemplifying" domain (e.g., argumentation skills have to be applied to some contents). Although learners' focus should remain on the skill, learners need to understand the content knowledge to benefit from worked examples. Previous studies relied on exemplifying domains that are familiar and contain simple topics, to keep learners' focus on skill acquisition. Aim: We examined whether using a relevant exemplifying domain would allow learners to acquire both skills and content knowledge simultaneously, or whether relevant content distracts from the main learning goal of skill acquisition. Methods and results: In a training study with 142 psychology students, we used example-based learning materials with an exemplifying domain that was either relevant or irrelevant for participants' course outcomes. We assessed cognitive load, declarative knowledge about skills and course-related content knowledge, and argumentation quality. Incorporating relevant content knowledge in worked examples did not reduce learning outcomes compared to a condition using an irrelevant exemplifying domain. Discussion: Contrary to previous research, the results suggest that worked examples with a relevant exemplifying domain could possibly be an efficient teaching method for fostering skills and content knowledge simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Working memory (WM) is a crucial cognitive function, and a deficit in this function is a critical factor in learning difficulties (LDs). As a result, there is growing interest in exploring different approaches to training WM to support students with LDs. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this systematic review aims to identify current computer-based WM training applications and their theoretical foundations, explore their effects on improving WM capacity and other cognitive/academic abilities, and extract design principles for creating an effective WM application for children with LDs. The 22 studies selected for this review provide strong evidence that children with LDs have low WM capacity and that their WM functions can be trained. The findings revealed four commercial WM training applications—COGMED, Jungle, BrainWare Safari, and N-back—that were utilized in 16 studies. However, these studies focused on suggesting different types of WM tasks and examining their effects rather than making those tasks user-friendly or providing practical guidelines for the end-user. To address this gap, the principles of the Human–Computer Interaction, with a focus on usability and user experience as well as relevant cognitive theories, and the design recommendations from the selected studies have been reviewed to extract a set of proposed guidelines. A total of 15 guidelines have been extracted that can be utilized to design WM training programs specifically for children with LDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive load theory focuses on the limited capacity of working memory (WM) to encapsulate information. While the original theory postulated a fixed capacity of working memory, research in the last decade has provided evidence for the depletion hypothesis. This hypothesis holds that WM becomes depleted after effortful cognitive operations that reduce its capacity, providing a framework for the restorative effects of rest periods. Rest periods during which natural scenery is observed have been found to replenish working memory after it has been subjected to depletion. In the present study, participants observed pictures depicting either a natural or an urban environment, after completing a cognitively depleting task. For this study, we obtained EEG measures of working memory by analyzing alpha and theta wave amplitudes. The motivation behind this choice was to derive a continuous index of WM capacity and address the lack of electrophysiological data regarding the depletion hypothesis. Previous research identified a decrease in alpha amplitude, and a simultaneous increase in theta activity with increasing WM load. Our findings partially replicated these results, as we observed a decrease in alpha amplitude with increasing cognitive load but no significant difference in theta power. Moreover, average signal amplitudes did not differ between the natural and the urban conditions, contrary to our hypothesis. These results suggest an absence of the expected environmental effect, opposing the outcome of existing research on the topic. The absence of this effect could also be attributed to similarities between the two conditions in certain factors thought to elicit differential physiological responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In research practice, it is common to measure cognitive load after learning using self-report scales. This approach can be considered risky because it is unclear on what basis learners assess cognitive load, particularly when the learning material contains varying levels of complexity. This raises questions that have yet to be answered by educational psychology research: Does measuring cognitive load during and after learning lead to comparable assessments of cognitive load depending on the sequence of complexity? Do learners rely on their first or last impression of complexity of a learning material when reporting the cognitive load of the entire learning material after learning? To address these issues, three learning units were created, differing in terms of intrinsic cognitive load (low, medium, or high complexity) as verified by a pre-study (N = 67). In the main-study (N = 100), the three learning units were studied in two sequences (increasing vs. decreasing complexity) and learners were asked to report cognitive load after each learning unit and after learning as an overall assessment. The results demonstrated that the first impression of complexity is the most accurate predictor of the overall cognitive load associated with the learning material, indicating a primacy effect. This finding contrasts with previous studies on problem-solving tasks, which have identified the most complex task as the primary determinant of the overall assessment. This study suggests that, during learning, the assessment of the overall cognitive load is influenced primarily by the timing of measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resumen: Introducción: Entre el 30% y el 50% de las prescripciones anuales de antimicrobianos son incorrectas o innecesarias, potenciando el desarrollo de resistencia bacteriana. Se ha propuesto enfatizar su uso responsable en pregrado. Sin embargo, los docentes generalmente no manejan estrategias efectivas para ello. Objetivos: i. Desarrollar el diseño instruccional, guiado por la teoría de carga cognitiva, de un módulo de enseñanza-aprendizaje para la promoción del uso responsable de antimicrobianos. ii. Evaluar el impacto educacional del módulo en estudiantes de tercer año de odontología. Métodos: Investigación-acción y metodología mixta en cuatro fases: i. identificación de necesidades y objetivos de aprendizaje; ii. diseño instruccional guiado por la teoría de carga cognitiva; iii. implementación del módulo y; iv. evaluación del impacto educacional en los estudiantes utilizando encuestas de satisfacción, autorreportes de alcance de objetivos de aprendizaje y de una prueba pre-post de conocimientos. Se realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo y analítico (test Wilcoxon) y de contenido cualitativo. Resultados: Se diseñó un módulo de antimicrobianos en Canvas (LMS), asignando tiempo protegido para estudio y una jornada presencial. Se evaluó el impacto educacional en 48 estudiantes. La encuesta de satisfacción reportó resultados positivos en sus 10 ítems (mínimo 81,3%). Tanto los resultados de autorreportes de alcance de 7 objetivos de aprendizaje como de la prueba pre-post de 18 preguntas fueron estadísticamente significativos (p

Abstract Background While game-based learning has demonstrated positive outcomes for some learners, its efficacy remains variable. Adaptive scaffolding may improve performance and self-regulation during training by optimizing cognitive load. Informed by cognitive load theory, this study investigates whether adaptive scaffolding based on interaction trace data influences learning performance, self-regulation, cognitive load, test performance, and engagement in a medical emergency game. Methods Sixty-two medical students from three Dutch universities played six game scenarios. They received either adaptive or nonadaptive scaffolding in a randomized double-blinded matched pairs yoked control design. During gameplay, we measured learning performance (accuracy, speed, systematicity), self-regulation (self-monitoring, help-seeking), and cognitive load. Test performance was assessed in a live scenario assessment at 2- and 6–12-week intervals. Engagement was measured after completing all game scenarios. Results Surprisingly, the results unveiled no discernible differences between the groups experiencing adaptive and nonadaptive scaffolding. This finding is attributed to the unexpected alignment between the nonadaptive scaffolding and the needs of the participants in 64.9% of the scenarios, resulting in coincidentally tailored scaffolding. Exploratory analyses suggest that, compared to nontailored scaffolding, tailored scaffolding improved speed, reduced self-regulation, and lowered cognitive load. No differences in test performance or engagement were found. Discussion Our results suggest adaptive scaffolding may enhance learning by optimizing cognitive load. These findings underscore the potential of adaptive scaffolding within GBL environments, cultivating a more tailored and effective learning experience. To leverage this potential effectively, researchers, educators, and developers are recommended to collaborate from the outset of designing adaptive GBL or computer-based simulation experiences. This collaborative approach facilitates the establishment of reliable performance indicators and enables the design of suitable, preferably real-time, scaffolding interventions. Future research should confirm the effects of adaptive scaffolding on self-regulation and learning, taking care to avoid unintended tailored scaffolding in the research design. Trial registration This study was preregistered with the Center for Open Science prior to data collection. The registry may be found at https://osf.io/7ztws/ .

The paper examined the relations among problem solving, automaticity, and working memory load (WML) by changing the difficulty level of task characteristics through two applications. In Study 1, involving 68 engineering students, a 2 (automaticity) × 2 (WML) design was utilized for arithmetic problems. In Study 2, involving 76 engineering students, a 2 (automaticity) × 2 (WML) design was used for linear algebra tasks. In both studies, there were statistically significant main effects and interaction effects of automaticity and WML on the variable of response time, concurring with the cognitive load theory. The simple effect of WML rendered a larger effect size under the conditions with low automaticity. When the testing condition was easy but contained more steps, the students were more accurate, and response times were faster. When the testing condition was difficult but contained fewer steps, the students were less accurate, and response times were slower. The findings underscore the important role of automaticity in helping engineering students bypass the limits of working memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on cognitive load theory has historically focused on identifying the processes and strategies that enhance learning outcomes. Less attention has been given to the ways in which cognitive load may interact with the motivational and emotional aspects of learning. The aim of the present study is to examine the extent to which experienced cognitive load directly impacts self-efficacy during course-based instruction, after controlling for learning. In Study 1, results showed that within-time measurements of undergraduate students (n = 390) revealed a strong negative association between reported cognitive load and self-efficacy. However, across-time measurements revealed a positive relationship in which higher load predicted increased self-efficacy at later time points. Study 2 (n = 281) showed similar results using a different measure of cognitive load. Findings point to increases in self-efficacy being a consequence of the cognitive load imposed by instruction, rather than a precursor of the decision to invest mental effort. Furthermore, the differential relationships between cognitive load and self-efficacy within and across time highlight different types of motivational costs associated with invested mental effort as perceived by students. As a result, within and across time impacts of cognitive load offer both an enhanced understanding of cognition–motivation interactions and a potentially new approach to empirically differentiating between and quantifying intrinsic and extraneous load types. Educational Impact and Implications Statement: Cognition and motivation have traditionally been examined separately with little attention paid to how the cognitive processing of information itself may influence motivational beliefs. This study uses cognitive load theory to analyze the ways in which mental effort shapes concurrent and subsequent self-efficacy. Findings indicate that effort allocated to content difficulty positively predicts self-efficacy across time, and effort allocated to other factors such as unhelpful features of instruction and instructional materials negatively predicts concurrent self-efficacy. These results suggest that effort allocation due to instructional features has an important role to play on learners' motivation, independent of how much they learn, so instructional design decisions are important to consider even when they do not seem to directly impact learning outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experts perceive and evaluate domain‐specific visual information with high accuracy. In doing so, they exhibit eye movements referred to as "expert gaze" to rapidly focus on task‐relevant areas. Using eye tracking, it is possible to record these implicit gaze patterns and present them to histology novice learners during training. This article presents a comprehensive evaluation of such expert gaze cueing on pattern recognition of medical students in histology. For this purpose, 53 students were randomized into two groups over eight histology sessions. The control group was presented with an instructional histology video featuring voice commentary. The gaze cueing group was presented the same video, but with an additional overlay of a live recording of the expert's eye movements. Afterward, students' pattern recognition was assessed through 20 image‐based tasks (5 retention, 15 transfer) and their cognitive load with the Paas scale. Results showed that gaze cueing significantly outperformed the control group (p = 0.007; d = 0.40). This effect was evident for both, retention (p = 0.003) and transfer tasks (p = 0.046), and generalized across different histological contexts. The cognitive load was similar in both groups. In conclusion, gaze cueing helps histology novice learners to develop their pattern recognition skills, offering a promising method for histology education. Histology educators could benefit from this instructional strategy to provide new forms of attentional guidance to learners in visually complex learning environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphic Organizers are visual and graphic display that illustrates the correlations between facts, terms, and ideas with a learning task. Integrating Graphic Organizers can enhance the efficiency of the teacher's delivery of lessons and students' learning. However, no study had been conducted in using graphic organizers in the process of teaching and learning. Therefore, this explanatory mixed-method study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Graphic Organizers in teaching Chemical Bonding to grade nine (n=98) students in Samtse Dzongkhag, Bhutan. The study's main objective was to compare the academic achievement of the control group (n=53) and experimental group (n=45) and also to investigate students' and teachers' (n=6) perceptions of using Graphic Organizers in teaching and learning Chemistry over four weeks. Learning achievement tests (pre-test and post-test), semi structured interviews, and survey questionnaires were used to collect the quantitative data and qualitative data. The independent sample t-test analysis of the post-test scores revealed a statistically significant difference between the control group and the experimental group with a mean difference value of 1.17 (p=0.017), indicating that the use of Graphic Organizers improved the students' learning achievement which was also reflected in the qualitative data gathered through interview and survey questionnaire. As a result, this study strongly suggests the use of graphic Organizers as a teaching and learning tool to improve students' academic performance in Chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study investigates support strategies to enhance basic software education as a liberal arts course at Konkuk University, South Korea, by integrating design thinking and computational thinking to mitigate the cognitive load of programming. Methods: A study with 190 students utilized a learner-centered approach, incorporating design thinking and computational problem-solving, and evaluated its effectiveness through pre-and post-tests and structural equation modeling. Results: The intervention successfully reduced the cognitive load associated with programming tasks and led to positive changes in computational thinking factors. Our analysis also revealed that cognitive load negatively impacted all computational thinking factors and that improvements in computational thinking factors were sustained into subsequent stages of the learning process. Conclusion: The findings suggest that as differences in student learning capabilities become more pronounced, a variety of tailored learning strategies must be employed. Software education should incorporate computational thinking factors such as problem decomposition, abstraction, and algorithmic procedures to lower cognitive load. Additionally, it is crucial to foster immersion in learning by implementing attention, relevance, confidence, and achievement strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the teaching innovations resulting from the Bologna Process, focusing on problem-based learning and gamification, both of which emphasize the importance of autonomous learning. It reviews metaanalyses and prominent articles in the field of education and educational research from the last 5 years. Using a biomedical analogy, it identifies the active principles of discovery-based learning innovations, highlighting the subordination of theoretical content to practical skills and the disruption of the teacher-student dichotomy. Adverse effects are noted, such as the devaluation of lectures, the discrediting of teacher authority, and the infantilization of students. The effectiveness of discovery-based learning in higher education is considered weak and inconsistent, and caution is advised in its implementation, together with the preservation of the university's social function of transmitting knowledge at advanced levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measuring cognitive load and its different types is a significant challenge that is closely related to the development of cognitive load theory (CLT). Previous research has shown that students have difficulty assessing cognitive load after learning or problem‐solving. Accordingly, they may not reliably differentiate between the different types of cognitive load. Moreover, students may not consider the entire problem‐solving process in their overall cognitive load assessment. The purpose of this work was to examine two training interventions designed to assist students in making informed cognitive load assessments. Study 1 (N = 99) included pre‐training with a theoretical introduction to CLT to improve differentiation between cognitive load types. Study 2 (N = 80) implemented post‐training by instructing students to consider all impressions during problem‐solving for the overall load assessment. As both interventions were unsuccessful, further research is needed to assist students in assessing cognitive load in an informed manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research suggests that providing children with activities that involve using their bodies to form the shapes of letters can help them acquire pre-reading skills. Little is known, however, as to the extent to which such embodied learning interventions are superior to more traditional pencil-and-paper activities, which of specific arm or body movements are most effective, and whether this approach compensates or exacerbates the learning gap between high- and low-skilled pre-readers. Using a preregistered randomized-controlled experiment (N = 160 kindergarten students, M = 5.18 years, 54% girls), the present study assessed the educational effects of 6-week-long training sessions with increasing degrees of bodily movement integration (pencil-and-paper training vs. arm training vs. arm-body training) on five measures of letter knowledge and script. Aligning with theories of embodied cognition and cognitive load in instructional designs, results showed that integrating arm movement exercises into handwriting training bore the greatest acquisitions in pre-reading skills overall and were most beneficial to students with initially low pre-reading skills (compensatory effect against learning inequalities). Implications are drawn on the need to consolidate and replicate present findings, while highlighting their potential for supporting educational effectiveness and equity in kindergarten. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Médica Clínica Las Condes is the property of Editorial Sanchez y Barcelo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cognitive load is the amount of effort the mind makes to process information. When the cognitive load is high or excessive, it leads to consequences such as unwillingness to learn, inability to recall information from long-term memory, and understanding information.The main objective of this study was to consider a cognitive load for online classrooms in an EFL context using a qualitative study. This study made use of qualitative approach through grounded theory (1967). Population were all EFL learners of Tabriz Azad University students among them 16 EFL learners selected as sample size using purposefully non-randomly method who participated in our study voluntary. To gather data, a semi-structured interviews designed with learners to identify the items and components of their cognitive load in online classes. To determine the validity and reliability of interviews process, we made use of Lincoln & Guba (1985) method and kappa coefficient (0.663). Results showed that in general 27 codes were identified as components of cognitive load in online classes which are categorized under 6 core components as learning process, doing tasks, class time, environment, software quality and suitable load. In turn, these core components were categorized as selective components including intrinsic, extraneous and germane cognitive loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality mathematics learning is more than just the acquisition of mastery in different topical themes; rather, it involves successful acquisition of mathematical proficiency, which espouses a number of cognitive attributes—for example, a student's critical insight of a mathematical concept (e.g., productive disposition). Despite the pivotal role of mathematical proficiency in mathematics curriculum, syllabus requirements fall short of highlighting the design of appropriate instructional approaches that could specifically facilitate the acquisition of different mathematical proficiency strands. The present conceptual analysis article discusses the design of comparative instructional approaches that are based on two well-documented learning theories: (1) learning by comparison theory, such as the active comparison of isomorphic example pairs, and (2) cognitive load theory, such as the use of worked examples to reduce the negative impact of cognitive load imposition on learning. We premise that appropriate instructional approaches, informed by the use of both learning by comparison theory and cognitive load theory, may help to facilitate successful acquisition of multifaceted proficiency strands in mathematics learning. As revealed in the latter sections of the article, our proposed theoretical contention is significant, potentially establishing grounding for future research development and to help complement constructivist learning in the acquisition of mathematical proficiency strands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within chemistry education, methods for effectively teaching students the three-dimensional spatial arrangements of matter at the molecular level remains a topical issue. As a form of geometric problem solving, it requires learners to apply mental rotation abilities as an evolved visuospatial skill to obtain subject-specific content knowledge. Recent research into the use of Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) as a framework for instructional design in conjunction with augmented reality (AR) technology as a learning tool has begun to show promise in reducing unnecessary cognitive activity to improve learning. Yet, broader conclusions remain inconclusive, especially within the context of a learner's mental rotation abilities. This study investigated the relationship between these factors by collecting data using a 2 × 3 experimental design that divided a sample of Year 10 students (n = 42) into two groups. The intervention group (n = 24) used mobile devices utilising AR technology with instructional 3D molecular geometry content featuring design principles based on CLT to encourage hand movements to rotate three-dimensional molecular structures. The non-AR-based control group (n = 18) was taught using traditional methods. Analysis of the data revealed participants using AR technology that featured CLT design principles experienced less cognitive load and improved achievement in post-testing compared to those taught using traditional methods, suggesting under certain conditions, the use of hand movement applied to AR design material improves learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In two experiments, we compared the effects of practice (real and imitative) with no practice on the observational learning of hand motor skills from animated videos. Experiment 1 investigated learning to play a series of piano clips of varying complexity. Results demonstrated improved learning efficiency with imitative practice compared to no practice. Experiment 2 featured a paper-folding task, and results indicated that real practice led to significantly greater learning than no practice. Furthermore, a significant interaction was found with gender and practice, where females learned best with both real and imitative practice, but males did not benefit from these interventions. However, males outperformed females in the no practice condition. Overall, we found benefits of practice versus no practice for both tasks. However, the most effective type of practice was dependent upon the task: imitative practice for piano playing, and real practice for paper folding. Task complexity and gender were also found to be moderating factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information that is complicated and ambiguous entails high cognitive load. Trying to understand such information can involve a lot of cognitive effort. An alternative to expending a lot of cognitive effort is to engage in motivated cognition, which can involve selective attention to new information that matches existing beliefs. In accordance with principles of least action related to management of cognitive effort, another alternative is to give up trying to understand new information with high cognitive load. In either case, high cognitive load can limit potential for understanding of new information and learning from new information. Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) provides a framework for relating the characteristics of information to human cognitive load. Although CLT has been developed through more than three decades of scientific research, it has not been applied comprehensively to improve the explainability, transparency, interpretability, and shared interpretability (ETISI) of machine learning models and their outputs. Here, in order to illustrate the broad relevance of CLT to ETISI, it is applied to analyze a type of hybrid machine learning called Algebraic Machine Learning (AML). This is the example because AML has characteristics that offer high potential for ETISI. However, application of CLT reveals potential for high cognitive load that can limit ETISI even when AML is used in conjunction with decision trees. Following the AML example, the general relevance of CLT to machine learning ETISI is discussed with the examples of SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations (LIME), and the Contextual Importance and Utility (CIU) method. Overall, it is argued in this Perspective paper that CLT can provide science-based design principles that can contribute to improving the ETISI of all types of machine learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While game-based learning has demonstrated positive outcomes for some learners, its efficacy remains variable. Adaptive scaffolding may improve performance and self-regulation during training by optimizing cognitive load. Informed by cognitive load theory, this study investigates whether adaptive scaffolding based on interaction trace data influences learning performance, self-regulation, cognitive load, test performance, and engagement in a medical emergency game. Methods: Sixty-two medical students from three Dutch universities played six game scenarios. They received either adaptive or nonadaptive scaffolding in a randomized double-blinded matched pairs yoked control design. During gameplay, we measured learning performance (accuracy, speed, systematicity), self-regulation (self-monitoring, help-seeking), and cognitive load. Test performance was assessed in a live scenario assessment at 2- and 6–12-week intervals. Engagement was measured after completing all game scenarios. Results: Surprisingly, the results unveiled no discernible differences between the groups experiencing adaptive and nonadaptive scaffolding. This finding is attributed to the unexpected alignment between the nonadaptive scaffolding and the needs of the participants in 64.9% of the scenarios, resulting in coincidentally tailored scaffolding. Exploratory analyses suggest that, compared to nontailored scaffolding, tailored scaffolding improved speed, reduced self-regulation, and lowered cognitive load. No differences in test performance or engagement were found. Discussion: Our results suggest adaptive scaffolding may enhance learning by optimizing cognitive load. These findings underscore the potential of adaptive scaffolding within GBL environments, cultivating a more tailored and effective learning experience. To leverage this potential effectively, researchers, educators, and developers are recommended to collaborate from the outset of designing adaptive GBL or computer-based simulation experiences. This collaborative approach facilitates the establishment of reliable performance indicators and enables the design of suitable, preferably real-time, scaffolding interventions. Future research should confirm the effects of adaptive scaffolding on self-regulation and learning, taking care to avoid unintended tailored scaffolding in the research design. Trial registration: This study was preregistered with the Center for Open Science prior to data collection. The registry may be found at https://osf.io/7ztws/. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extant literature indicates that blended learning leads to better outcomes compared to traditional lectures in management education. However, the working memory, which processes all incoming information, can be assumed to already work at capacity in traditional lectures. As blended environments cannot extend this capacity, they can only improve learning effectiveness if they can influence the mechanics underlying the working memory. Drawing on cognitive load theory from educational psychology, we posit that blended learning, by using technology as a differentiator, provides instructional designers with additional options and tools. When utilized effectively, these choices can reduce learners' cognitive load related to the design and increase cognitive load related to learning. Our assumptions are based on a case study with two different learning formats, including a blended environment that actively integrates technologies into the curriculum. Empirical evidence supports our hypotheses. We contribute to educational technology research in management education by explicitly considering the mechanics of the cognitive system and the effects of instructional design, curriculum choice, and related technology use. Our results suggest that blended environments can improve learning effectiveness if technologies are well integrated into curricula. Educational technologies, thus, provide entirely new opportunities for management educators but also require faculty development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive load theory (CLT) has driven numerous empirical studies for over 30 years and is a major theme in many of the most cited articles published between 1988 and 2023. However, CLT articles have not been compared to other educational psychology research in terms of the research designs used and the extent to which recommendations for practice are justified. As Brady and colleagues found, a large percentage of the educational psychology articles reviewed were not experimental and yet frequently made specific recommendations from observational/correlational data. Therefore, in this review, CLT articles were examined with regard to the types of research methodology employed and whether recommendations for practice were justified. Across several educational psychology journals in 2020 and 2023, 16 articles were determined to directly test CLT. In contrast to other articles, which employed mostly observational methods, all but two of the CLT articles employed experimental or intervention designs. For the two CLT articles that were observational, recommendations for practice were not made. Reasons for the importance of experimental work are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within this integrative review, cognitive load theory (CLT) is asserted as a powerful framework for conceptualizing human cognitive processes within learning. The relationship between cognition and emotion is then examined and further integrated within the scope of CLT. Emotion regulation strategies are discussed and adaptive strategies are proposed as being of particular relevance to broadening the theoretical and practical impacts of CLT. Central to the argument of this review is the use of cognitive reappraisal as a potential mitigator of cognitive load. Cognitive reappraisal involves reframing or reassessing understandings or beliefs that underlie an emotional response, which may mitigate cognitive load imposed by maladaptive emotion. It is proposed that effectively integrating adaptive emotion regulation strategies such as cognitive reappraisal in our pursuit of more effective cognitive functioning will aid in the development of a more integrated model of cognition and emotion within CLT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learner control allows for greater autonomy and is supposed to benefit learning motivation, but it might be more advantageous for students with specific learner characteristics. The current study looks into the relationships between self-regulated learning, cognitive load, and performance within learner-controlled environments. The research was conducted in an asynchronous online setting, allowing for learner control. Cognitive load and self-regulated learning were measured using self-report questionnaires. Performance was assessed through case solutions. The participants were 97 graduate law students studying the civil code. Analysis based on structural equation modeling showed that both prior knowledge and self-regulated learning skills significantly contribute to the increase in germane cognitive load and are positively correlated with performance. The implications of these findings underscore the critical role of prior knowledge and self-regulated learning skills in shaping the cognitive processes involved in learning, ultimately impacting academic achievement. These results emphasize the need for careful consideration of learner-control options in asynchronous online environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive load, or the mental effort required to process and retain information, is a critical factor in high-stakes environments where task demands often exceed working memory capacity, leading to performance declines and errors. However, most cognitive load research has relied on controlled, single-task paradigms, limiting its applicability to real-world multitasking situations. Addressing this gap, we used a mobile, two-channel functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) device to measure cognitive load in a complex multitasking environment, simulating real-world cognitive demands. Thirty-one undergraduate participants engaged in single-task and multitask conditions to simulate real-world cognitive demands. Results showed that subjective cognitive load ratings were higher, performance scores were lower, and error rates increased in the multitask condition compared to the single-task condition. However, contrary to expectations, prefrontal cortex activation did not increase in the multitask condition, suggesting a ''cognitive disengagement'' effect, where the brain limits engagement to manage overload. This finding challenges the traditional one-to-one association between cognitive load and prefrontal activation, as seen in simpler validation studies. Our study highlights the value of mobile fNIRS for assessing cognitive load in ecologically valid settings and provides insights that could inform strategies for optimizing performance in high-stakes environments like aviation and healthcare.

Abstract Cognitive load theory (CLT) provides strategies for tailoring clinical reasoning training for novice medical students. This commentary highlights the importance of adapting training to the level of preclinical medical students and explores these methods from a CLT perspective to help medical educators apply them effectively in classroom settings.

Information that is complicated and ambiguous entails high cognitive load. Trying to understand such information can involve a lot of cognitive effort. An alternative to expending a lot of cognitive effort is to engage in motivated cognition, which can involve selective attention to new information that matches existing beliefs. In accordance with principles of least action related to management of cognitive effort, another alternative is to give up trying to understand new information with high cognitive load. In either case, high cognitive load can limit potential for understanding of new information and learning from new information. Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) provides a framework for relating the characteristics of information to human cognitive load. Although CLT has been developed through more than three decades of scientific research, it has not been applied comprehensively to improve the explainability, transparency, interpretability, and shared interpretability (ETISI) of machine learning models and their outputs. Here, in order to illustrate the broad relevance of CLT to ETISI, it is applied to analyze a type of hybrid machine learning called Algebraic Machine Learning (AML). This is the example because AML has characteristics that offer high potential for ETISI. However, application of CLT reveals potential for high cognitive load that can limit ETISI even when AML is used in conjunction with decision trees. Following the AML example, the general relevance of CLT to machine learning ETISI is discussed with the examples of SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations (LIME), and the Contextual Importance and Utility (CIU) method. Overall, it is argued in this Perspective paper that CLT can provide science-based design principles that can contribute to improving the ETISI of all types of machine learning.

Purpose This study developed and implemented case-based flipped learning using illness script worksheets and investigated the responses of preclinical students and professors to the intervention in terms of its effectiveness, design, and implementation. Methods The study was conducted at a medical school in Korea, where the “clinical reasoning method” course, originally a lecture-oriented course, was redesigned into a flipped learning. In total, 42 second-year medical students and 15 professors participated in this course. After the class, online surveys were conducted, and a focus group interview was held with seven students to explore the students’ experiences in more detail. Results In total, 37 students and seven professors participated in the survey. The mean score for all items is 3.12/4 for the student survey and 3.43/4 for the professor survey. The focus group interview results were categorized as the beneficial aspects and challenges for the development of clinical reasoning. Conclusion The findings indicated that their responses to the intervention were generally positive, and it is thought to be an effective instructional method for fostering clinical reasoning skills in preclinical medical students.

Abstract Background Cognitive load impacts performance of debriefers and learners during simulations, but limited data exists examining debriefer cognitive load. The aim of this study is to compare the cognitive load of the debriefers during simulation-based team training (SbTT) with Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice (RCDP) debriefing and Traditional Reflective Debriefing (TRD). We hypothesize that cognitive load will be reduced during RCDP compared to TRD. Methods This study was part of a large-scale, interdisciplinary team training program at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Egleston Pediatric Emergency Department, with 164 learners (physicians, nurses, medical technicians, paramedics, and respiratory therapists (RTs)). Eight debriefers (main facilitators and discipline-specific coaches) led 28 workshops, which were quasi-randomized to either RCDP or TRD. Each session began with a baseline medical resuscitation scenario and cognitive load measurement using the NASA Task Load Index (TLX), and the NASA TLX was repeated immediately following either TRD or RCDP debriefing. Raw scores of the NASA TLX before and after intervention were compared. ANOVA tests were used to compare differences in NASA TLX scores before and after intervention between the RCDP and TRD groups. Results For all debriefers, mean NASA TLX scores for physical demands and frustration significantly decreased (− 0.8, p = 0.004 and − 1.3, p = 0.002) in TRD and mean perceived performance success significantly increased (+ 2.4, p

The split‐attention effect posits that learning outcomes are negatively impacted when interrelated text and graphics are spatially segregated rather than cohesively integrated. This study explored how the instructional material's presentation size influences the manifestation of the split‐attention effect. Based on cognitive load theory and perceptual load theory, we hypothesized that elevated information density in a compact presentation format would attenuate the advantage of integrated text and graphics, thereby diminishing the salience of the split‐attention effect relative to a more expansive presentation size. University students (n = 146) studied a split‐attention format or integrated format in either large or small presentation size. Results on retention and comprehension tests and extraneous cognitive load ratings revealed no effects of instructional format, presentation size or their interaction. The present results call for a more nuanced understanding of the split‐attention effect and suggest additional research to explore its cognitive foundations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPhenomenon: Pharmacology is a fundamental healthcare discipline, but it can be difficult and counterintuitive for learners to learn. Navigation toward understanding pharmacology can be troublesome, but once the threshold to comprehension is crossed, learners can experience a transformative shift in their ways of thinking and practicing. We conducted an in-depth examination of threshold concepts within pharmacology, aiming to identify and prioritize their learning to improve the medical curriculum and enhance medical treatment and patient safety. Approach: We carried out a consensus generation process using the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) to identify potential threshold concepts in pharmacology. Participant groups of pharmacology experts and medical students considered, identified, reviewed, and ranked potential pharmacology threshold concepts within their own group. Then, using a logical, step-by-step approach, we combined the final ranked data from these multiple NGT sessions. We further analyzed these data using an abductive analysis approach; data were coded, categorized, reorganized, and conceptually mapped after critical evaluation. Conceptual themes were established corresponding to different phases of cognitive schema development. Findings: Six comprehensive conceptual themes were identified: Drug Mechanism of Action; Pharmacotherapeutics; Pharmacokinetics; Drug Receptor Interactions; Drug Terminology and Nomenclature; and Signaling Pathways. These concepts align with many of the key attributes of threshold concepts (e.g., troublesome, integrative and transformative). The cognitive schematic themes generated were (i) acquisition-troublesome; (ii) acquisition-transformative; (iii) automation-troublesome; (iv) automation-transformative. Insights: Transformative learning involves different stages of cognitive schema evolution, including acquisition, elaboration, and automation, and is influenced by both the inherent challenges of the concepts and limitations of human cognition. The high interactivity of these troublesome concepts challenge schema acquisition and automation. Troublesome concepts underpinning procedures or skills, while not easily explained by cognitive rules, can lead to slow, awkward, error-prone performance, creating additional barriers for practice. Integrating concepts into a coherent structure leads to the irreversible assimilation of knowledge and the transferability of both knowledge and skills, influencing learners’ epistemological transitions and ontological transformations at theoretical and professional levels. Further work on designing instructional models around assisting and automating schemas around identified troublesome knowledge, while addressing the impact of cognitive load, has the potential to promote transformational learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open science skills are increasingly important for a career in ecology and evolutionary biology (EEB) as efforts to make data and analyses publicly available continue to become more commonplace. While learning core concepts in EEB, students are also expected to gain skills in conducting open science to prepare for future careers. Core open science skills like programming, data sharing, and practices that promote reproducibility can be taught to undergraduate students alongside core concepts in EEB. Yet, these skills are not always taught in biology undergraduate programs, and a major challenge in developing open science skills and learning EEB concepts simultaneously is the high cognitive load associated with learning multiple disparate concepts at the same time. One solution is to provide students with easily digestible, scaffolded, pre‐formatted code in the form of vignettes and interactive tutorials. Here, we present six open source teaching tutorials for undergraduate students in EEB. These tutorials teach fundamental ecological concepts, data literacy, programming (using R software), and analysis skills using publicly available datasets while introducing students to open science concepts and tools. Spanning a variety of EEB topics and skill levels, these tutorials serve as examples and resources for educators to integrate open science tools, programming, and data literacy into teaching EEB at the undergraduate level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study developed and implemented case-based flipped learning using illness script worksheets and investigated the responses of preclinical students and professors to the intervention in terms of its effectiveness, design, and implementation. Methods: The study was conducted at a medical school in Korea, where the “clinical reasoning method” course, originally a lecture-oriented course, was redesigned into a flipped learning. In total, 42 second-year medical students and 15 professors participated in this course. After the class, online surveys were conducted, and a focus group interview was held with seven students to explore the students’ experiences in more detail. Results: In total, 37 students and seven professors participated in the survey. The mean score for all items is 3.12/4 for the student survey and 3.43/4 for the professor survey. The focus group interview results were categorized as the beneficial aspects and challenges for the development of clinical reasoning. Conclusion: The findings indicated that their responses to the intervention were generally positive, and it is thought to be an effective instructional method for fostering clinical reasoning skills in preclinical medical students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many traditional field-courses for intercultural education were suspended. In response, we developed and implemented an innovative online field course that leveraged live online field experiences. Drawing from Cognitive Load Theory and Four Components Instructional Design, our aim was to create an engaging online intercultural course that addressed the challenges of remote instruction. The course focused on introducing students to field challenges in rural India, equipping them with the necessary skills for conducting online field research. Throughout the course, we employed Action Research methodologies to study and refine our approach while monitoring student's progress towards achieving the course objectives. While physical presence in the field is valuable for certain aspects of intercultural education, we found that online field courses, supported by live virtual field visits and online fieldwork, can provide students with a meaningful intercultural experience. To manage the cognitive load experienced by students, we emphasised carefully designed and flexible course content, as well as providing close supervision and feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When faced with challenging thinking tasks accompanied by a feeling of uncertainty, people often prefer to opt out (e.g., replying “I don’t know”, seeking advice) over giving low-confidence responses. In professions with high-stakes decisions (e.g., judges, medical practitioners), opting out is generally seen as preferable to making unreliable decisions. Contrarily, in educational settings, despite being designed to prepare students for real-life challenges, opting out is often viewed as an indication of low motivation or an avoidance of challenges. Presenting a complementary perspective, metacognitive research dealing with knowledge management and problem-solving shows substantial empirical evidence that both adults and children can use opt-out options to enhance the quality of their responses. Moreover, there are initial signs that strategic opting out can increase the efficiency of self-regulated effort. These opportunities to improve self-regulated learning have yet to be exploited in instructional design. Research guided by Cognitive Load Theory (CLT), which focuses on effort allocation in the face of cognitive challenges, has largely ignored the benefits of opting out as a strategy for improving effort allocation. The present review summarizes advantages and pitfalls within the current state of knowledge. Furthermore, we propose new avenues of inquiry for examining the impact of incorporating explicit opt-out options in instructional design to support knowledge and skill acquisition. As a novel avenue, we urge educators to develop effective opting-out skills in students to prepare them for real-life challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research in cognitive load theory is increasingly recognizing the importance of motivational influences on students’ (willingness to invest) mental effort, in particular in the context of self-regulated learning. Consequently, next to addressing effects of instructional conditions and contexts on groups of learners, there is a need to start investigating individual differences in motivational variables. We propose here that the biopsychosocial model of challenge and threat may offer a useful model to study the motivational antecedents of (anticipated) mental effort. We also report four experiments as initial tests of these ideas, exploring how feedback valence affects students’ challenge/threat experiences, self-efficacy, and mental effort investment. The results showed that negative feedback leads participants to expect that they will have to invest significantly more effort in future problems than positive feedback (Experiments 1, 2, and 3) or no feedback (Experiment 3). Had we not considered the motivational variables in investigating the effect of feedback conditions on effort investment, we would not have known that this effect was fully mediated and thus explained by participants’ feelings of self-efficacy (Experiments 1/2) and threat (Experiment 1). We would also have concluded that feedback does not affect the willingness to invest effort in future problems (all four experiments), whereas actually, there were significant indirect effects of feedback on willingness to invest effort via challenge (in Experiments 1/2) and threat (in all experiments). Thus, our findings demonstrate the added value of considering challenge and threat motivational states to explain individual differences in effort investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates English as a Second Language (ESL) learners' challenges in understanding academic science vocabulary in Malaysian secondary schools' English-medium instruction (EMI) classrooms. Based on cognitive load theory, the research explores ESL learners' strategies to acquire scientific terminology and manage the associated cognitive difficulties. Previous research on EMI across different subjects has often overlooked the specific hurdles presented by technical terms in the scientific vocabulary, creating a knowledge gap that impedes the development of effective teaching methods for science educators in EMI settings. In response, the study adopts a two-stage qualitative design, commencing with an online survey involving 103 participants, followed by group interviews with individuals from diverse linguistic backgrounds. The findings indicate that ESL learners in EMI science classrooms encounter significant obstacles due to unfamiliar scientific terminology, abstract concepts, and limited prior exposure to the subject matter. This results in a high cognitive load that inhibits comprehension. Nevertheless, the research identifies various vocabulary learning strategies students employ, including contextual clues and active engagement with scientific vocabulary within relevant contexts. These findings underscore the need for more inclusive learning environments supporting vocabulary development for ESL learners in EMI settings. Recommendations encompass creating instructional materials featuring clear and concise language and integrating scaffolding strategies to simplify complex scientific terms. This comprehensive approach has the potential to facilitate successful vocabulary development and enhance the overall learning experience for ESL learners in EMI science classrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the impact of a mastery approach goal orientation (MAGO) on learning from worked examples. In this experiment (N = 98, mean age = 13.9 years), learners had their MAGO measured, and received instruction in mathematics, either through a worked-example or a problem-solving strategy. The study demonstrated that the worked-examples approach resulted in enhanced retention (but not transfer) and decreased cognitive load when compared to the problem-solving approach. However, there was a significant interaction between instructional strategy and the MAGO, indicating that only learners with a high MAGO benefited from worked examples. Learners with higher MAGO levels also experienced less cognitive load than learners with a lower MAGO. These results indicate a moderating role of MGO in enhancing the effectiveness of worked examples. This study also found that prior knowledge was the only factor influencing transfer performance, highlighting the importance of studying its impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of RED - Revista de Educación a Distancia is the property of Universidad de Murcia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)