CEP 909 Cognition and Technology

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CEP 909 - Cognition and Technology

• Final Presentations
• Dec 11, 2003

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Context for the Study

• Tried to explore the learning afforded by newer
  technologies
• Simulations
• Hypermedia
• Computer-Mediated Communication
• Using a cognitive lens for viewing learning

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Context for the Study

• Throughout the semester, we collaboratively
  designed to examine the potential of hypermedia.
• Starting with early claims in the literature, we
  tried to figure how (or if) hypermedia is
  better than more traditional texts.

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Context for the Study

• We used some traditional and non-traditional
  educational psychology constructs to
  operationalize potential ways it might be better
• Knowledge acquisition
• Knowledge application
• Knowledge organization
• Motivation and Engagement

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Context for the Study

• And, we use some educational psychology
  constructs to help figure out for whom hypermedia
  might be better (individual differences)
• Learning style implication
• Reading strategy preferences
• Age / Gender / Education level
• Technology experience

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Context for the Study

• Much of the work of the class was defining these
  constructs, and making assessment instruments to
  measure them.
• Most of this work is behind the scenes, and wont
  be represented in the presentations

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Design of the Experiment

• We made two versions of a website about the
  multiple, inter-related causes of the U.S. Civil
  War.
• One linear
• The other hypermedia
• We randomly assigned 20 participants to study
  with one of the web-site versions.

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Design of the Experiment

• We collected pre-test data for each participant,
  including
• Demographic information
• Knowledge of the causes of the civil war
• Facts - Multiple choice, fill in the blanks
• Comprehension - Multiple choice, fill in the
  blanks
• Knowledge organization - Concept map
• Knowledge application - Relate how the causes of
  the civil war map onto some other event
• Motivation
• Interest in the Civil War
• Learning Style Inventory
• Locus of control
• Reading strategies / preferences
• Computer experience

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Design of the Experiment

• Participants studies with the materials for 30
  minutes (the computer tracked their activities
  for later analysis)
• Completed post-test measures
• Knowledge (facts, comprehension, organization,
  application -- as before)
• Interest in the Civil War
• Reading Speed

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Student presentations

• Each student in this class chose a question (or
  two or more) that would interest them from this
  data set and study
• They formalized their question, analyzed data,
  and reached conclusions
• That they wish to share with you today