Providing pre-training on new material can simplify complex content for learners who may need guidance to understand basic facts and organize their efforts. However, the effect of pre-training on learning outcomes is controversial because it tends to vary by context. Our aim was to investigate the effectiveness of pre-training in reducing…

Background: There are two major types of pictures that have been the focus of multimedia learning research, namely, seductive and interpretational pictures. Despite an increasing body of literature documenting the effects of either seductive or interpretational pictures added to text-based materials, there is a paucity of research explicitly…

This study examines the impact of instructor presence on cognitive load and learning outcomes in video-based learning environments, addressing a significant gap in optimising instructional design for digital education. Utilising eyetracking technology to measure pupil dilation, a reliable proxy for cognitive load, this research compares three…

Background: Learning to use software using screencast videos with worked examples in the corresponding practice files presents a classic split-attention problem that requires learners to mentally integrate information from the video with a target application. While there is evidence that splitting attention either temporally or spatially adversely…

This study was conducted to optimize the designs of learning guides embedded in a computer-based simulation environment. The research was based on the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning and Cognitive Load Theory. We investigated computer simulations under four conditions that combined representation and imagination learning strategies. This…

Virtual Chemistry Laboratories (VCLs) are used as an alternative to the physical laboratories, where users can enhance their performance for hands-on chemistry experiments. However, cognitive load and other issues make the VCLs impractical. The issue of cognitive load arises due to the complexity of the environment by displaying a number of…

The adoption of virtual learning environments (VLEs) in education has grown significantly due to their potential to enhance learning. Effective learning in VLEs depends on managing cognitive load and sustaining motivation, particularly for complex tasks like developing teachers' professional vision -- the ability to notice and interpret classroom…

E-learning systems, which are used for teaching complex software, can facilitate learning if they provide an appropriate teaching approach that decreases learners' cognitive load in addition to providing practical knowledge. We believe there is lack of cognitively guided educational recommendations on how to effectively and efficiently design such…

Synchrony, or the timing of information as it is exchanged between participants, has garnered increasing study in online learning. Within this domain is bichronous online learning (BOL), the blending of asynchronous and synchronous elements within one learning environment. Some research has identified mobile instant messaging as quasi-synchronous…

Collaboration scripts are widely employed in online collaborative learning to enhance student engagement and facilitate collaboration. However, the optimal level of scripting remains a subject of debate. This study aims to address this issue by designing and developing different types of collaborative scripts implemented through conversational…

Gamifying online homework activities and learning assignments is an effective approach to facilitate students' engagement and enjoyment. While incorporating game elements to gamify homework and learning assignments promoted positive psychological and learning outcomes, the mere use of these elements brings several flaws associated with the gameful…

The goal of this qualitative study was to answer the question: How do educators make sense of learning in virtual reality? This study utilized multimedia learning theory and cognitive load theory to explore how educators understand virtual reality in education. Pre- and post-interviews as well as a VR experience were conducted with 13 educators…

Online learning has been widely discussed in education research, and open educational resources have become an increasingly popular way to help learners acquire knowledge. However, these resources contain massive amounts of information, making it difficult for learners to identify Web articles that refer to computer science knowledge. This study…

The term metaverse appeared for the first time in a novel published in 1992. Since the early 2000s, researchers have started to use this term to refer to digital technologies for learners to interact with other users with avatars. The term came to prominence in around 2020 due to the rebranding of Facebook. However, there was no consensus on what…

Background: Self-management of cognitive load is a recent development in cognitive load theory. Finger pointing has been shown to be a potential self-management strategy to support learning from spatially separated, but mutually referring text and pictures (i.e., split-attention examples). Aims: The present study aimed to extend the prior research…