Higher Education and Emerging Technologies: Shifting Trends in Student Usage     

Erin Dorris Cassidy  Angela Colmenares  Glenda Jones  Tyler Manolovitz  Lisa Shen  Scott Vieira 《The Journal of Academic Librarianship》2014

This study serves as an update to a previous study by Sam Houston State University librarians about the use and preferences of Internet, communication, and educational technologies among students. Since the previous study was initiated in 2010, the iPad has made its debut and significantly altered the educational technology landscape. In this new landscape, this study investigates student usage of such technologies as instant messaging, cell phones, e-readers, social networking, RSS feeds, podcasts, and tablets. In addition, this study aims to determine which technologies students prefer the library to utilize for a variety of services, such as reference assistance or book renewals, and which technologies may not be worth the investment, such as geosocial networking. The information gained from this survey is intended to provide guidance for libraries looking to provide services utilizing the most popular technologies with the most efficient use of resources. Survey results show an increasing use and dependence on educational technologies and a desire for basic library services to be available on a variety of platforms and technologies.  相似文献   

Modeling the Mediating Role of Volition in the Learning Process     

Teresa Garcia  Erin J. McCann  Jeannine E. Turner  Linda Roska 《Contemporary educational psychology》1998,23(4):392-418

According to action-control theory, volition plays a mediating role between the intention to learn (motivation) and goal-directed behavior (the use of learning strategies). Although extensive theoretical work has been done to document this flow of events, more empirical studies have been needed to identify the specific means by which volitional control protects the intention to learn and maintains the attempts to learn; our intention here was to address this gap in the literature. Using data from a sample of 487 college students in two different domains, we found that the positive effects of intrinsic goal orientation and self-efficacy on cognitive engagement were augmented by volitional control. We also found that the effects of volition differed by domain as well as by the type of learning strategy being considered. These results suggest that volitional control merits greater attention from those doing research in self-regulated learning.  相似文献   

Keep DRAGging ON: Is solving more problems in DragonBox 12+ associated with higher mathematical performance during the COVID-19 pandemic?     

Jenny Yun-Chen Chan  Chloe Byrne  Janette Jerusal  Allison S. Liu  Justin Roberts  Erin Ottmar 《British journal of educational technology : journal of the Council for Educational Technology》2023,54(4):943-966

Prior research has shown that game-based learning tools, such as DragonBox 12+, support algebraic understanding and that students' in-game progress positively predicts their later performance. Using data from 253 seventh-graders (12–13 years old) who played DragonBox as a part of technology intervention, we examined (a) the relations between students' progress within DragonBox and their algebraic knowledge and general mathematics achievement, (b) the moderating effects of students' prior performance on these relations and (c) the potential factors associated with students' in-game progress. Among students with higher prior algebraic knowledge, higher in-game progress was related to higher algebraic knowledge after the intervention. Higher in-game progress was also associated with higher end-of-year mathematics achievement, and this association was stronger among students with lower prior mathematics achievement. Students' demographic characteristics, prior knowledge and prior achievement did not significantly predict in-game progress beyond the number of intervention sessions students completed. These findings advance research on how, for whom and in what contexts game-based interventions, such as DragonBox, support mathematical learning and have implications for practice using game-based technologies to supplement instruction.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

• DragonBox 12+ may support students' understanding of algebra but the findings are mixed.
• Students who solve more problems within math games tend to show higher performance after gameplay.
• Students' engagement with mathematics is often related to their prior math performance.

What this paper adds

• For students with higher prior algebraic knowledge, solving more problems in DragonBox 12+ is related to higher algebraic performance after gameplay.
• Students who make more in-game progress also have higher mathematics achievement, especially for students with lower prior achievement.
• Students who spend more time playing DragonBox 12+ make more in-game progress; their demographic, prior knowledge and prior achievement are not related to in-game progress.

Implications for practice and/or policy

• DragonBox 12+ can be beneficial as a supplement to algebra instruction for students with some understanding of algebra.
• DragonBox 12+ can engage students with mathematics across achievement levels.
• Dedicating time and encouraging students to play DragonBox 12+ may help them make more in-game progress, and in turn, support math learning.

  相似文献   

Measuring The Business Impact of E‐Learning: An Empirical Study     

Greg Wang  Robert Von Der Linn  Diane Foucar‐Szocki  Oris Griffin  Erin Sceiford 《Performance Improvement Quarterly》2003,16(3):17-30

This study fills a gap in the current HRD literature of return on investment (ROI) analysis of technology‐based learning interventions. Using a Type IV control group method as defined by Wang (2002), the study empirically analyzed and measured the learning effectiveness and the business impact of an e‐learning system implemented in General Electric Company. The e‐learning system under study demonstrated significant economic returns in regard to reduced learning response time and reduced project cycle time. The study shows that e‐learning, as a means of technology‐based HRD intervention, can be highly effective as a performance support learning mechanism, although the results also suggest that e‐learning alone is not sufficient to replace the traditional face‐to‐face learning platforms.  相似文献   

Understanding how educational maths apps can enhance learning: A content analysis and qualitative comparative analysis     

Laura A. Outhwaite  Erin Early  Christothea Herodotou  Jo Van Herwegen 《British journal of educational technology : journal of the Council for Educational Technology》2023,54(5):1292-1313

Educational applications (apps) are ubiquitous within children's learning environments and emerging evidence has demonstrated their efficacy. However, it remains unclear what the active ingredients (ie, mechanisms), or combination of ingredients, of successful maths apps are. The current study developed a new, open-access, three-step framework for assessing the educational value of maths apps, comprised of type of app, mathematical content and app design features. When applied to a selection of available maths apps previously evaluated with children in the first 3 years of school (the final sample included 23 apps), results showed that practice-based apps were the most common app type tested (n = 15). Basic number skills, such as number representation and relationships, were the most common area of mathematics targeted by apps (n = 21). A follow-up qualitative comparative analysis showed observed learning outcomes with maths apps were enhanced when apps combined the following: a scaffolded and personalised learning journey (programmatic levelling) and explanations of why answers were right or wrong (explanatory feedback), as well as praise, such as ‘Great job!’ (motivational feedback). This novel evidence stresses the significance of feedback and levelling design features that teaching practitioners and other stakeholders should consider when deciding which apps to use with young children. Directions for future research are discussed.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

• Educational apps have been shown to support maths attainment in the first 3 years of school.
• Several existing frameworks have attempted to assess the educational value of some of these maths apps.
• Emerging experimental evidence also demonstrates the benefits of specific app design features, including feedback and levelling.

What this paper adds

• Practice-based maths apps are the most common type of app previously evaluated with young children.
• These evaluated maths apps have mostly focused on basic number skills.
• The combination of explanatory and motivational feedback, with programmatic levelling (either dynamic or static), was a necessary condition for enhancing learning outcomes with maths apps.

Implications for practice and policy

• The inclusion of feedback and levelling in maths apps should be considered by app developers when designing apps, and by educational practitioners and parents when deciding which apps to use with their children.
• Further consideration is also needed for the development of educational apps that include a broad range of maths skills.

  相似文献