Computer-based Learning Activities Research Articles

False certainty as an unwanted side effect of knowledge acquisition in computer-based online search and content learning

Previous research has shown that learners’ subjective certainty in the assumed correctness of their false answers to a knowledge test increased after online learning. It is unclear, however, 1) whether this False Certainty Effect (FaCE) results from online learning per se, or 2) whether a FaCE results from people confusing their own knowledge with information available on the internet while searching the internet, and 3) whether any topic-directed activity can result in a FaCE, even if it is not obviously topic related. We conducted two computer-based experiments to answer these questions. In Experiment 1, participants (N = 135) were randomly assigned to either an online-search learning condition, a computer-based content-learning condition with pre-selected learning material, or a computer-based topic-exploration condition with no learning-relevant information. Across all conditions, there was an increase in false certainty after the activity. The FaCE was equally strong in the two learning conditions (online search and content learning) and minimal in the non-learning condition. In Experiment 2 (N = 87), we replicated the FaCE for a learning activity with pre-selected materials but did not find a spill-over effect to an unrelated topic. These results indicate that the FaCE is primarily an unwanted side effect of the knowledge acquisition that arises from brief computer-based learning activities.

Promoting online collaborative learning on moodle platform with the “quick chat” plugin

In recent years, several Vygotskian computer-based learning activities (VCBLAs) were designed in the context of (mathematics) education and implemented on Moodle platform. However, Moodle does not allow users to visualize all chats on a single browser page, and they are forced to open multiple browser windows and switch among them very frequently. This paper describes the features of a plugin for Moodle, called “Quick Chat,” which allows to manage in a single browser window both the narrative flow of a VCBLA and all chats. Some results of an experimentation with PhD students, engaged in solving two mathematical tasks, are shown.

The Effect of Hands-On and Computer-Based Learning Activities on Conceptual Understanding and Mathematical Reasoning

The Effect of Hands-On and Computer-Based Learning Activities on Conceptual Understanding and Mathematical Reasoning

Fun Learning Series

The aim of this study was to develop an interactive learning tool using computer with a view to enhance preschoolers’ reading ability in English class. This study adopted an action research methodology addressing the call for more authentic materials for preschoolers to sensitise their curiosity by using authentic objects. This study consisted of two phases; in phase 1, a teacher taught preschoolers basic reading skill by introducing letters and words via printed worksheets while in phase 2, the preschoolers learned the same content via computer. Twelve preschoolers (7 girls and 5 boys) and two teaching staff from Smart Reader Kids participated in this study. The results showed that computer-based learning activities created multi-trial opportunities without any negative interference to the preschoolers. This experiential learning that involved trial and error approach enabled preschoolers to learn independently and at the same time engage in fun-filled activities to self-regulate their learning. Classroom observation further indicated that the preschoolers enjoyed participating in the reading activities designed for them. The use of authentic photographs and visuals in the exercises were appealing and encouraged them to engage in meaningful communication with their peers. In addition, preschoolers displayed a high level of confidence during the lesson as the environment was encouraging without much intervention from the class teacher. This ultimately persuaded the preschoolers to give their own responses while creating opportunity for themselves to explore their own learning.

Improving child investigative interviewer performance through computer-based learning activities

The current study adopted a pre- versus post-training design and a standardised measure of performance to evaluate the effectiveness of a series of online computer-based learning activities designed to encourage open-ended question usage among investigative interviewers of children. Participants included 61 social workers, police and psychologists. The learning activities, organised into 12 modules of approximately 3 hours duration each, focused purely on the skill of eliciting a disclosure of sexual abuse and a narrative account of the offence from a young child. Results revealed a significant improvement in interview performance from pre-training to immediate post-training. For the 25 participants who also completed a follow-up assessment three to six months after completing the learning activities, performance was found to be maintained. The implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.

Risky business or sharing the load? – Social flow in collaborative mobile learning

Mobile learning has been built upon the premise that we can transform traditional classroom or computer-based learning activities into a more ubiquitous and connected form of learning. Tentative outcomes from this assertion have been witnessed in many collaborative learning activities, but few analytic observations on what triggers this collaboration have so far been made. However Social Flow, a concept framework that extends Csikszentmihalyi’s flow theory, may help us to partially explain the triggering mechanism of collaborative mobile learning. Our case study in this article, where learners together explore a built environment as part of a simulated security guard training programme, describes how the concept of social flow in a collaborative learning space might sketch out what triggers an optimal learning experience in collaboration and what can be additionally achieved in a collaborative learning experience. In this learning context, collaborative mobile learning might be seen to prompt more knowledge generation and extra learning tasks by fostering greater motivation than other learning environments. ► Social Flow , extending Flow theory , is used to see the benefits and the triggering mechanism of collaborative M-Learning. ► This case study showed social flow in collaborative learning might be a sufficient condition for mobile learning experience. ► Collaborative M-Learning prompts knowledge generation by higher motivation and ambitious behaviour (i.e., risk-taking).

Cognitive consequences of making computer-based learning activities more game-like

Some students (base group) played the Circuit Game, a 10-level computer-based learning activity intended to help students learn how electrical circuits work. Other students (competition group) played the same game but with competition features added – including a score bar showing performance on each level, the opportunity to earn one ticket per level if a performance criterion is met, and the opportunity to win a prize based on the number of tickets earned. On a retention test given after the game, the competition group remembered significantly more than the base group ( d = 0.47). On an embedded transfer test constituting the final level of the game, the groups did not differ significantly. However, on the transfer test there was a significant gender by group interaction in which men performed worse in the competition group than the base group ( d = −0.54) and women performed better in the competition group than the base group ( d = 0.24). Overall, adding game-like features to a computer-based learning activity caused students to pay attention to game details but did not motivate students – particularly men – to learn more deeply.

Utilizing Formative Assessments to Guide Student Learning in an Interactive Physics Learning Environment

In the last decades, many education researchers have been trying to use computerized learning environments to enhance student learning. Without proper instructional supports and guidance, however, students often failed to acquire knowledge from computer-based learning activities. The objective of this study was to demonstrate how research-based formative assessment questions could be used as a framework for providing appropriate scaffolding in a computerized physics learning environment. To achieve this goal, an interactive physics tutor named APT (Assessment-based interactive Physics Tutor) was developed using Java and Open Source Physics. Examples of learning activities in APT were presented in order to highlight how formative assessment questions could be utilized to provide various instructional supports and guidance (e.g., prompting questions, descriptive statements, and computer simulations) tailored to the student's misconceptions. Educational implications of using APT were also discussed.

A contribution to the understanding of what makes young students genuinely engaged in computer-based learning tasks

Students’ interest, motivation, attention and concentration, in one word their genuine engagement in learning activities, is largely considered as a potential gauge of future academic success. This paper, drawing on a research project dealing with the use of digital mind games for educational purposes in primary schools, puts forward some ideas for answering to a key research question: “Which factors may have a positive influence on young students’ involvement in computer based learning activities?” The project results suggest that student engagement is strongly related to the actual possession of the skills needed to perform the task.

Conventional Microscopy vs. Computer Imagery in Chiropractic Education

As human tissue pathology slides become increasingly difficult to obtain, other methods of teaching microscopy in educational laboratories must be considered. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our students' satisfaction with newly implemented computer imagery based laboratory instruction and to obtain input from their perspective on the advantages and disadvantages of computerized vs. traditional microscope laboratories. This undertaking involved the creation of a new computer laboratory. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 7(th)ed, was chosen as the required text which gave students access to the Robbins Pathology website, including complete content of text, Interactive Case Study Companion, and Virtual Microscope. Students had experience with traditional microscopes in their histology and microbiology laboratory courses. Student satisfaction with computer based learning was assessed using a 28 question survey which was administered to three successive trimesters of pathology students (n=193) using the computer survey website Zoomerang. Answers were given on a scale of 1-5 and statistically analyzed using weighted averages. The survey data indicated that students were satisfied with computer based learning activities during pathology laboratory instruction. The most favorable aspect to computer imagery was 24-7 availability (weighted avg. 4.16), followed by clarification offered by accompanying text and captions (weighted avg. 4.08). Although advantages and disadvantages exist in using conventional microscopy and computer imagery, current pathology teaching environments warrant investigation of replacing traditional microscope exercises with computer applications. Chiropractic students supported the adoption of computer-assisted instruction in pathology laboratories.

Student critical thinking is enhanced by developing exercise prescriptions using online learning modules.

Developing the ability to think critically is an important element of undergraduate physiology education and is influenced by many factors, including the learning environment, the social context of the learning environment, and the instructor's approach to teaching. In this work, we describe online learning modules (OLM) that were designed to promote higher-order critical thinking skills in students enrolled in an upper-division Exercise Testing and Prescription course. The OLM provided students with an online learning environment in which to review clinical physiological details from authentic patient case data and develop exercise prescriptions (ExRx), by requiring students to critically analyze authentic patient case histories and collaborate on computer-based learning activities. On the basis of assessment data, we conclude that the OLM helped exercise science students develop the critical thinking skills necessary for development of effective exercise prescriptions by requiring them to think critically while concurrently reinforcing lecture-presented exercise science content.

Minds in play: computer game design as a context for children's learning

Video games more than any other media have brought technology into children's homes and hearts. Educators, psychologists, and parents are struck by the quality of engagement that stands in stark contrast to children's usual interest in school homework and other activities. Whereas most research efforts have concentrated on discussing the effects of game playing, this book takes a different stance. It takes a close look at games as a context for learning by placing children in the roles of producers rather than consumers of games. Kafai presents a constructionist vision of computer-based learning activities in schools. She follows a class of sixteen fourth-grade students from an inner-city public elementary school as they were programming games in Logo to teach fractions to third graders. The children transformed their classroom into a game design studio for six months, learning programming, writing stories and dialogues, constructing representations of fractions, creating package designs and advertisements, considering interface design issues, and devising teaching strategies. In this context, programming became a medium for children's personal and creative expression; in the design of their games children engaged their fantasies and built relationships with other pockets of reality that went beyond traditional school approaches. The ideas and discussions presented in this book address educators, researchers, and software and curriculum designers interested in children's learning and thinking with educational technologies.

Computer Based At-Risk Instructional Model

Students are dropping out of high school at an increasing rate. Many students have dropped out because they have poor basic skills and therefore cannot succeed academically. This study developed a strategy whereby the classroom teacher was given the responsibility to manage all aspects of the instructional process, including the assignment of computer-based learning activities for low achieving At-Risk students and peer group learning. The research investigated the effectiveness of a computer-based instructional model for improving the ability of At-Risk students to read, write, and calculate. The model placed the microcomputer and related software in the hands of the classroom teacher to be used as a tool for the target students in grades 1–8. Besides increased performance in most grade level tests, students and teachers also demonstrate positive attitudes toward using computers as tools.