Advanced Studies in Educational Psychology and Innovative Methodologies: The Key Role of the Digital Issue

A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 July 2023) | Viewed by 12121

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Institute for Educational Research, University of Girona, 17004 Girona, Spain
Interests: educational technologies; digital literacy; transmedia learning

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Although digital technologies (DTs) are becoming increasingly prevalent (and even transparent) in learning processes in formal education, research often does not delve into their real meaning beyond their instrumental role. We use technologies in education because we live in a digital world, and therefore learning about technology is a way of understanding it; furthermore, DTs are important tools that facilitate the development of learning experiences (or allow these experiences to be carried out in contexts or in ways that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to achieve). We know that, from the teachers' perspective, technology stimulates innovation; from the students' perspective, technology is motivating, enables ubiquitous learning and integrates harmoniously into their informal learning spaces. Beyond this, however, research has shed little light on how learning occurs when technology is involved. Questions such as the following remain: how we learn in formal contexts (school, high school, college, university) when learning experiences involve the use of digital technologies? What opportunities do they offer, and what are the limits of technology? What types of learning styles benefit most from the integration of technology, and what cognitive activities are less favoured? What role do digital technologies play in empowering students in terms of self-regulation of learning or metacognition? What distractions do they pose in self-directed learning processes? In this context, this Special Issue aims to present research results that allow us to learn more about the role of the “digital issue” in innovative formal learning, as this knowledge can contribute to better decision making by teachers and educational institutions in planning innovation processes.

Prof. Dr. Juan González-Martínez
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • digital learning
  • ICTs
  • transmedia learning
  • multimodal education
  • digital environments

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 1329 KiB  
Article
Using Learner Reviews to Inform Instructional Video Design in MOOCs
by Ruiqi Deng and Yifan Gao
Behav. Sci. 2023, 13(4), 330; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13040330 - 13 Apr 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2632
Abstract
Videos are arguably the most important and frequently used instructional resource in massive open online courses (MOOCs). Recent research has explored learners’ perceptions and preferences regarding MOOC instructional videos. However, these studies are often limited to a small number of specific courses, and [...] Read more.
Videos are arguably the most important and frequently used instructional resource in massive open online courses (MOOCs). Recent research has explored learners’ perceptions and preferences regarding MOOC instructional videos. However, these studies are often limited to a small number of specific courses, and few grounded theory studies have been undertaken to investigate this topic. In the present study, a multiple-coder research methodology was adopted to analyze 4534 learner reviews of MOOCs in 14 categories. The study aimed to identify key characteristics associated with learners’ favorable perceptions of MOOC videos, types of supplemental or in-video resources learners perceive helpful to support MOOC video use, and video production features learners value. Results revealed that (a) “organized”, “detailed”, “comprehensible”, “interesting”, and “practical” were the top five important characteristics associated with learners’ favorable perceptions of MOOC videos; (b) learners perceived “presentation slides”, “reading materials”, “post-video assessments”, “embedded questions”, and “case studies” as helpful resources to support their utilization of MOOC videos; and (c) learners found “duration” a more salient production feature than “editing”, “resolution”, “subtitles”, “music”, or “voice”. The findings present implications for MOOC video design and foundations for future research avenues. Full article
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12 pages, 501 KiB  
Article
Relevance of Students’ Goals for Learning Engagement and Knowledge Gains in an Online Learning Course
by Martin Daumiller, Raven Rinas and Markus Dresel
Behav. Sci. 2023, 13(2), 161; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13020161 - 12 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2099
Abstract
Online courses are an important form of educational delivery worldwide, yet students differ in how well they learn from them. Following psychological and educational research, students’ goals can be considered relevant personal predictors of these differences. In the present study, we strive to [...] Read more.
Online courses are an important form of educational delivery worldwide, yet students differ in how well they learn from them. Following psychological and educational research, students’ goals can be considered relevant personal predictors of these differences. In the present study, we strive to better understand differences in students’ learning engagement and learning gains and investigate how they are related to their achievement goals. We distinguish between two types of mastery goals (task and learning goals) along with performance approach goals and performance avoidance goals. We constructed an online course and assessed 182 undergraduates’ goals and prior knowledge before, as well as their knowledge gains after learning with the course. Through learning analytics, we measured learning engagement during the course based on nine objective indicators concerning usage, time, and clicks. Structural equation modelling showed that task goals but not learning goals were beneficial for learning engagement and, in turn, learning gains. This paints a more nuanced picture of how mastery goals matter and illuminates how students’ goals form a relevant premise for successful online learning. While online courses may differ in design and support provided, our findings imply that personal learner characteristics, such as student motivations, should also be acknowledged. Full article
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16 pages, 988 KiB  
Article
On the Technology Acceptance Behavior of Romanian Preschool Teachers
by Dana Rad, Anca Egerău, Alina Roman, Tiberiu Dughi, Gabriela Kelemen, Evelina Balaș, Adela Redeș, Maria-Doina Schipor, Otilia Clipa, Liliana Mâță, Roxana Maier, Gavril Rad, Remus Runcan and Csaba Kiss
Behav. Sci. 2023, 13(2), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13020133 - 5 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2119
Abstract
This study investigates how compatibility and perceived enjoyment affect the link between intention to use and actual technology use in Romanian preschool education, building on earlier studies. Methods: 300 participants were invited to participate in this research from 15 Romanian counties. 182 preschool [...] Read more.
This study investigates how compatibility and perceived enjoyment affect the link between intention to use and actual technology use in Romanian preschool education, building on earlier studies. Methods: 300 participants were invited to participate in this research from 15 Romanian counties. 182 preschool teachers’ questionnaires were utilized for data analysis after the return and screening of responses. A valid and accurate scale evaluating preschool teachers’ behavior towards technology adoption was included in the questionnaire, along with self-reported demographic data, professional identification, and other information. Data was analyzed using SPSS V.16. Results: (1) Intention to use, compatibility, perceived enjoyment, and actual use were positively associated. (2) The effect of compatibility and perceived enjoyment on the link between intention to use and actual technology use was carried out in the following way: Intention to use → Compatibility with technology → Perceived enjoyment → Actual use. We hypothesize that intention to use affects compatibility, compatibility affects perceived enjoyment, and, lastly, perceived enjoyment affects actual use. For a more robust validation of results, we have also modelled this relationship with the Radial Basis Function (RBF) neural network. Conclusion: Compatibility and perceived enjoyment partially mediate the relationship between intention to use and actual technology use in class by Romanian preschool teachers. According to the theory of planned behavior, this study brought to light the intricacy of the relationship between preschool teachers’ intention to utilize technology in the classroom and their actual usage of it. Limitations and implications are discussed. Full article
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16 pages, 751 KiB  
Article
Metamemory: Metacognitive Strategies for Improved Memory Operations and the Role of VR and Mobiles
by Athanasios Drigas, Eleni Mitsea and Charalabos Skianis
Behav. Sci. 2022, 12(11), 450; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12110450 - 14 Nov 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4487
Abstract
Memory is one of the most vital cognitive functions, affecting almost all aspects of human life. Meta-memory is considered a special part of metacognition that enables humans to acquire mnemonic knowledge and meta-skills to take control of their memory functions. In the digital [...] Read more.
Memory is one of the most vital cognitive functions, affecting almost all aspects of human life. Meta-memory is considered a special part of metacognition that enables humans to acquire mnemonic knowledge and meta-skills to take control of their memory functions. In the digital era, the use of mobile applications to improve memory is constantly gaining ground, while virtual reality is considered a promising technology for memory rehabilitation. The current study aimed to present a metamemory framework based on eight fundamental principles of metacognition. The theoretical model is complemented by a set of meta-mnemonic strategies while emphasizing the role of virtual reality and mobile applications in metamemory skills training. The metamemory strategies framework supported by virtual reality and mobile applications provides a training paradigm for implementation in general, special, and vocational education. Full article
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