The objective of this study, in the Student Approaches to Learning (SAL) perspective, was to test a computer-assisted intervention that seeks to promote awareness and self-regulation of learning strategies, aiming at improving the quality of learning. The intervention involved the use, by a sample of higher education students, of purposely…

Personalizing learning with technology in secondary schools is a way to empower students to take control of their learning. The more learners can direct their own learning experiences, including path, pace and instructional approach, the more they may learn what they want and need to learn. In a quasi-experimental design, data about the…

Discrepant events are surprising occurrences that challenge learners' preconceptions. These events puzzle students because the results are contrary to what they believe should happen. Due to the unexpected outcome, students experience cognitive disequilibrium, and this often leads to a desire to solve the problem. Discrepant events are great…

Using pre-training and post-training paired surveys in e-learning based training courses, we have compared the "expectations of utility," measured at the beginning of an e-learning course, with the "perceptions of utility," measured at the end of the course, and related it with the trainees' motivation. We have concluded that…

This commentary reviews seven papers that study motivation with new media, contained in this special issue of "Educational Technology Research & Development" edited by Ruth Small. For each paper, this commentary summarizes exemplary contributions, offers an assessment of what is exciting, and suggests directions for future research. Some exciting…

The advancement of game-based learning has encouraged many related studies, such that students could better learn curriculum by 3-dimension virtual reality. To enhance software engineering learning, this paper develops a 3D game-based learning system to assist teaching and assess the students' motivation, satisfaction and learning achievement. A…

Cognizant of the research gap in the theorization of mobile learning, this paper conceptually explores how the theories and methodology of self-regulated learning (SRL), an active area in contemporary educational psychology, are inherently suited to address the issues originating from the defining characteristics of mobile learning: enabling…

Web-based communication technologies that enable collaboration and sharing of information among users - such as podcasts, wikis, blogs, message boards, and others--are used commonly in contemporary organizations to increase and manage employee learning. In this investigation, we identify which of these collaborative communication technologies are…

Despite the increased use of new learning technologies, there is still much to be learned about the role of learner characteristics in online learning. The purpose of this study was to examine how subjects' characteristics normally associated with effective training (i.e., initial motivation to learn and self-efficacy) related to learning in a…

In this article, the authors discuss how Google Earth provides more than a geography lesson. For starters, Google Earth is perfect for teaching geography. Subscribe to Where in the World, for example, and have their students listen to podcast clues in a find-the-location game created by students worldwide. Clues relate to math (the population of…

It is frequently held forth, within the area of virtual pedagogical characters, that such characters are beneficial for learning as they strengthen the social dimension of electronic learning environments. This article presents more details on this proposal together with a survey of corresponding empirical evidence. In addition, materials from a…

This brief article describes how one young man who once was unmotivated and uninterested in learning more than just the minimum required for graduation transformed into an active, motivated student through a program called MOUSE (Making Opportunities for Upgrading Schools and Education), a NYC based non-profit dedicated to empowering students…

Analyzes seven characteristics of childhood play and describes way in which current computer technology for young children either allows for, or detracts from, creative play experiences. Argues that refinements are necessary before the computer can approach the effectiveness of more traditional materials in stimulating creative play experiences…

Describes a study of the multimedia constructions of children 8-10 years of age, composed of both acoustic and visual elements. Suggested that arts provide a great deal of interest to children in the acquisition of computer literacy and that links need to be made between existing curricula and corresponding computer applications. (AA)

Explores the development of a literature-based writing unit with computers for at-risk students through the creation of a Literacy Club. Suggests that current technology can provide the incentive required before at-risk students become willing participants in literary experiences. Literary Clubs can provide a rich context for learning to write…