This study examined if the number of interruptions caused by interesting side notes in learning text is critical for the detrimental effect that is generally found when such seductive details are included, and consequently, if this effect can be mitigated by grouping these details together instead of interspersing them. Results confirmed that…

Although programming is often learned through formal instruction or self-paced tutorials, informal learning, for example, through publicly available online documentation, is also a significant resource for skill development among novices. However, many novices struggle to extract useful information from documentation. This work aims to answer two…

In research practice, it is common to measure cognitive load after learning using self-report scales. This approach can be considered risky because it is unclear on what basis learners assess cognitive load, particularly when the learning material contains varying levels of complexity. This raises questions that have yet to be answered by…

Are video tutorials better teachers? This pilot study examined the effects of video tutorials on different types of cognitive load. Participating students (N = 45) attended two classrooms: a video tutorial-based classroom, and a traditional instruction-based classroom. The cognitive load scales indicated differences in cognitive load between the…

Git, as the leading version-control system, is frequently employed by software developers, digital product managers, and knowledge workers. Information systems (IS) students aspiring to fill software engineering, management, or research positions would therefore benefit from familiarity with Git. However, teaching Git effectively can be…

The split-attention effect posits that learning outcomes are negatively impacted when interrelated text and graphics are spatially segregated rather than cohesively integrated. This study explored how the instructional material's presentation size influences the manifestation of the split-attention effect. Based on cognitive load theory and…

The coherence principle suggests removing unnecessary--or seductive--content from educational texts to reduce cognitive load. However, the binary proposition that all seductive details should be excluded neglects images' potential to prime semantically related concepts, which makes texts easier to process. It was hypothesized that this priming…

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is widely recognized as one of the most influential technologies for the future, having sparked a paradigm shift in scientific research. The field of education has also been greatly impacted by this transformative technology, with researchers exploring the applications of generative AI, particularly ChatGPT,…

Several studies in multimedia learning have examined the effect of emotional design. Recent findings from cognitive psychology provide opportunities for educators to use more direct ways of manipulating emotion to enhance learning. These studies have shown that emotionally arousing words and pictures are remembered better than neutral ones.…

With the developments in digital technologies, the increase in the amount of accessible information and the multimedia concept, it has become necessary to present complex information in a simplified manner. Along with this requirement, one of the current concepts that draw attention within the scope of multimedia concept is the infographic. The…

The biology material on the excretory system has a high level of learning difficulty, including the complexity of the material and the high level of abstraction, which can affect students' learning process and outcomes. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the internal and external sources causing learning difficulties by conducting research that…

Researchers of cognitive load theory and the cognitive theory of multimedia learning have identified several strategies to optimize instructional materials. In this review article we focus on five of these strategies or solutions to problematic instructional designs in multimedia learning: (a) the multimedia principle (use visualizations and…

The lightboard, an affordable and readily accessible tool, has become a promising approach for enhancing engagement in instructional videos. Despite its potential, previous studies have primarily highlighted the benefits of lightboard videos by evaluating learners' subjective experiences, with limited empirical research examining their impact on…

Selecting the appropriate texts as the authentic material for English teaching, particularly at the university level, matched with students' mastery level is still challenging. This study attempts to investigate the readability level of reading texts through the framework of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) issued by ChatGPT, focused on…

It is a challenge for mathematics teachers to provide activities for their students at a high level of cognitive demand. In this article, we explore the possibilities that history of mathematics has to offer to meet this challenge. History of mathematics can be applied in mathematics education in different ways. We offer a framework for describing…