Education Commons^™

An Evaluation Of Game Fiction-Enhanced Training: Using Narrative To Improve Trainee Reactions And Learning, Michael Beaumont Armstrong

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Gamification is growing in popularity in instructional contexts like education and workplace training, but it is unclear which game elements are specifically conducive to improve learning outcomes. Narratives, which represent one way the game element “game fiction” is commonly implemented, have been used to improve learning outcomes over expository texts in the context of psycholinguistics, whereas the Technology-Enhanced Training Effectiveness Model (TETEM) proposes that certain individual differences impact the relationships between technology-enhanced training and learning outcomes. From this theoretical basis, this study gamified a training session with game fiction in order to improve reactions to training and learning over the …

Signaling Instructional Video For Mathematics, Kimberly W. Milner

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

Video provides an increasingly valuable medium for delivery of instruction in a growing number of content areas. Growth of online instructional applications has been prompted by expansion of the Internet and video streaming technology, adding to the need for design practices that produce more effective and efficient instructional videos. This study examined the use of signaling for multimedia to reduce cognitive overload and increase mental effort when learning mathematical concepts and procedures from instructional video. Signaling addresses the issue of directing the learner's attention by using visual or verbal cues that stress importance and organization (Mayer, 2009). Effectively signaled instructional …

The Effect Of Preferred Visual Aesthetic On Focused Attention, Use Intention, And Persistence In An Instructional Simulation, Don Grady Robison

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

Three experiments were conducted investigating the motivational effects of attractive visual aesthetic on focused attention, future use intentions, and discretionary use of a desktop instructional simulation. Participants included 90 ship-handling students from a Merchant Marine academy in the northeastern United States; 91% of the participants were male, and 9% were female, the mean age for participants was 20.97 years. Employing a pc-based desktop ship-handling training simulation, a "preferred aesthetic" was identified using paired comparisons with a relevant target audience. Two identical simulations were then developed, one incorporating the preferred visual aesthetic and one incorporating a neutral visual aesthetic treatment. Both …

Effect Of An Adaptive Thinking Training Methodology On Critical Thinking Disposition Using Human Patient Simulators: A Catalyst For Preparing Advanced Nursing Students, Robert Joseph Fitkin Jr.

Teaching & Learning Theses & Dissertations

Critical thinking decision making is the foundation for effective, safe, nursing practice. Nurses have to assess patient issues rapidly regardless of whether it is emotional, psychological, or physical, and then sort through "rapid fire" questions resulting in invisible sorting, discerning, and drawing of conclusions. Doing this "invisible sorting" well requires practice. Nursing education provides practice through preceptors or scenarios-driven human patient simulators to practice critical thinking. This study examines Adaptive Thinking Training Methodology with simulation exercises as a possible catalyst for growth in critical thinking disposition, and help in addressing the preparation-practice gap for novice nurses.

A class of advanced …

Questions As A Generative Strategy For Knowledge Transfer And Problem Solving, Brett Howard Cook-Snell

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

Consistent with generative learning theory, Grabowski (1996) suggests the use of questions may serve as an effective generative strategy for learning. However, the learning effects of questions have produced conflicting results (Bulu & Pedersen, 2010; Chen & Bradshaw, 2007; Choi, Land, & Turgeon, 2005; Chou & Liang, 2009; Davis & Linn, 2000; Dornisch & Sperling, 2008; Ge & Land, 2003). Similarly, there are five basic challenges inherent in question research (Andre, 1979). These include lack of intentional and consistent question design, lack of detail making it difficult to replicate studies, lack of control groups against which to measure differences, aggregation …