This study tested the notion that the impact of clarity (i.e., structure) on learning is indirect and occurs, in part, through the reduction of cognitive load and subsequently through students' motivation to process instructional information. Two hundred fifty-two students were randomly assigned to one of two text-based lessons (clear or unclear)…

Background: In recent years, immersive virtual reality in education has garnered attention, however, there have been mixed findings on the efficacy of IVR in education. Thus, exploring which strategies are effective in transferring learning from IVR to real-world applications is imperative. Objective: This study aims to investigate the efficacy of…

Self-explanation prompts in example-based learning are usually directed backwards: Learners are required to self-explain problem-solving steps just presented ("retrospective" prompts). However, it might also help to self-explain upcoming steps ("anticipatory" prompts). The effects of the prompt type may differ for learners with…

Students process qualitatively and quantitatively different information during the dynamic self-regulated learning (SRL) process, and thus they may experience varying cognitive load in different SRL behaviors. However, there is limited research on the role of cognitive load in SRL. This study examined students' cognitive load in micro-level SRL…

The present study investigated the potential of ChatGPT in enhancing the learning outcomes and engagement. Data were gathered from a survey of 687 university personnel and higher education students who utilized ChatGPT for educational purposes. The conceptual framework of the study was validated and analyzed using partial least squares structural…

Educational animation, recognized for its potential accessibility and engaging qualities, has become increasingly prevalent in classroom instruction. However, not all educational animations exhibit high quality or significantly enhance learning outcomes. This study addresses the need for optimizing educational animation design to enhance student…

According to Bandura's theory of reciprocal determinism, self-efficacy and academic achievement can have a mutual influence over one another. While empirical research generally supports this position, little focus has been given to within- and between-person factors that may moderate this relationship. The present study explored how initial…

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of integrating ultrasound into undergraduate medical curricula. However, empirical evidence is lacking as to its effect on anatomy learning and related student cognition. Therefore, the present study compared the impact of echocardiography-based instruction with narrated…

The goal of this study was to test whether cognitive load is associated with mindfulness and self-efficacy in students with and without learning disabilities. In this study, 60 students with learning disabilities and 60 students without learning disabilities were evaluated for cognitive load, mindfulness, and self-efficacy using three separate…

Research evidence indicated that a specific type of augmented reality-assisted (AR-assisted) science learning design or support might not suit or be effective for all students because students' cognitive load might differ according to their experiences and individual characteristics. Thus, this study aimed to identify undergraduate students'…

In ancient poetry courses, students are expected to learn literary skills and the ability for interpreting ancient poems, from which they can gain insight into the historical context and appreciate the beauty of the poems. However, due to the gaps between ancient and modern living contexts, students often encounter difficulties in comprehending…

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…

The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) was conducted in paper and online reading modes in 2016 using the same samples of students in a number of countries. Differences in reading literacy scores were found in several European countries. In some countries, the differences favored the electronic reading mode. Yet in others, the…

In an immersive virtual reality (IVR) environment, this study investigated: (1) the role of learner characteristics in various learning and psychological outcomes, including knowledge retention, perceived learning, cognitive load, self-efficacy, enjoyment, presence, and usefulness; and (2) the relationship among these intended outcomes. Forty…

Screen-based simulation (SBS) can complement traditional nursing courses. We compared the effect of innovative virtual environments not widespread in French nursing schools on self-efficacy, quiz performance, and self-regulated learning behaviors. This quasi-experimental study involved 1183 student nurses. Participants were divided into an…