Retrieval practice typically benefits later memory more than restudy (i.e., the testing effect). The benefits of retrieval-based learning generalize across a range of materials and contexts, leading many cognitive scientists to advocate for broad educational implementation. However, educators and practitioners call for more research on factors…

In a previous study, DeLeeuw and Mayer (2008) found support for the triarchic model of cognitive load (Sweller, Van Merriënboer, & Paas, 1998, 2019) by showing that three different metrics could be used to independently measure 3 hypothesized types of cognitive load: intrinsic, extraneous, and germane. However, 2 of the 3 metrics that the…

Previous studies have shown that students learn better from an online lesson when a gesturing pedagogical agent is added (Mayer & DaPra, 2012; Wang, Li, Mayer, & Liu, 2018). The goal of this study is to pinpoint which aspect of a gesturing pedagogical agent causes an improvement in learning from an online lesson. College students learned…

A rising number of (online) learning scenarios feature video-based worked examples. We analyzed the effects of the presentation mode of worked examples on their effectiveness and efficiency in two experiments with university students (N[subscript 1] = 57; N[subscript 2] = 43). The students acquired argumentation knowledge by self-explaining…

Context personalization--the incorporation of students' out-of-school interests into learning tasks--has recently been shown to positively affect students' situational interest and their performance and learning in mathematics. However, few studies have shown effects on both interest and achievement, drawing into question whether context…

Using a computer assisted learning task, subjects were assigned to an example-only, objective-example, rule-example, or objective-rule-example treatment. The subjects were required to meet minimum criterion performance at each level of the task. The findings discuss the use of objectives, rules, and examples on student performance. (Author/SE)

In order to examine the influence of interactive media on children's story memory, first-grade children experienced a computer-based story in one of four presentation modes, two of which were interactive. In the interaction groups, there was no relation between the amount of interaction with the story and subsequent memory. (Author)

For ninth graders studying three biological concepts via computer-based instruction, decreasing display time of interrogatory examples for incorrect answers and increasing display time for correct answers was the best procedure for two-stage concept learning. Information processing theory and instructional display time as an adaptive design…

The assumption that learners are the best judges of learning needs in computer-assisted instruction was tested by assigning 55 eleventh graders to learner-control or program-control conditions. Results indicate that efficiency of the learner-control strategy cannot be taken for granted and emphasize the importance of prior knowledge. (SLD)