Using Data Visualizations to Foster Emotion Regulation During Self-Regulated Learning with Advanced Learning Technologies

Abstract

Emotions play a critical role during learning and problem solving with advanced learning technologies. However, learners typically do not accurately monitor and regulate their emotions and may therefore not learn as much, disengage from the task, and not optimize their learning of the instructional material. Despite their importance, relatively few attempts have been made to understand learners’ emotional monitoring and regulation during learning with advanced learning technologies by using data visualizations of their own (and others’) cognitive, affective, metacognitive, and motivational (CAMM) self-regulated learning (SRL) processes to potentially foster their emotion regulation during learning with advanced learning technologies. We present a theoretically-based and empirically-driven conceptual framework that addresses emotion regulation by proposing the use of visualizations of one’s and others’ CAMM-SRL multichannel data (e.g., cognitive strategy use, metacognitive monitoring accuracy, facial expressions of emotions, physiological arousal, eye-movement behaviors, etc.) to facilitate learners’ monitoring and regulation of their emotions during learning with advanced learning technologies. We use examples from several of our laboratory and classroom studies to illustrate a possible mapping between theoretical assumptions, emotion-regulation strategies, and the types of data visualizations that can be used to enhance and scaffold learners’ emotion regulation, including key processes such as emotion flexibility, emotion adaptivity, and emotion efficacy. We conclude with future directions that can lead to a systematic interdisciplinary research agenda that addresses outstanding emotion regulation-related issues by integrating models, theories, methods, and analytical techniques for the areas of cognitive, learning, and affective sciences, human computer interaction, data visualization, big data, data mining, data science, learning analytics, open learner models, and SRL.