Difference between revisions of "All Content In One Place"

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===Literature===
===Literature===
Task switching usually results in slower response times compared to performing a single task and error-rate is usually higher after the switch <ref name="Monsell:2003">Monsell, S. (2003). [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364661303000287 Task switching]. Trends in cognitive sciences, 7(3), 134-140.</ref>. Some of the switch cost sources identified include: time taken by control operations, transient task-set inertia, associative retrieval, or a mix of the three.
Several studies have shown that split-attention increases cognitive load and have negative effects on learning in various settings such as: instructional manual usage while learning to use computer software<ref>Cerpa, N., Chandler, P., & Sweller, J. (1996). [http://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ549323 Some conditions under which integrated computer-based training software can facilitate learning]. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 15, 345-368.</ref>, split-attention worked examples for geometry<ref>Sweller, J., Chandler, P., Tierney, P., & Cooper, M. (1990). [http://psycnet.apa.org/psycinfo/1990-26863-001 Cognitive load as a factor in the structuring of technical material.] Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 119(2), 176.</ref>, and split-attention worked examples in math word problems<ref>Mwangi, W., & Sweller, J. (1998). [http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s1532690xci1602_2#.VZv3QBNVhBc Learning to solve compare word problems: The effect of example format and generating self-explanations]. Cognition and instruction, 16(2), 173-199.</ref>.
 
Task switching has also been show to result in slower response times compared to performing a single task, and error-rate is usually higher after the switch<ref name="Monsell:2003">Monsell, S. (2003). [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364661303000287 Task switching]. Trends in cognitive sciences, 7(3), 134-140.</ref>. Some of the switch cost sources identified include: time taken by control operations, transient task-set inertia, associative retrieval, or a mix of the three.


===Data===
===Data===

Revision as of 07:58, 7 July 2015

All Content In One Place
All content in one place.png
Contributors
Last modification July 7, 2015
Source {{{source}}}
Pattern formats OPR Alexandrian
Usability
Learning domain General
Stakeholders Teachers
Students
Confidence
Evaluation PLoP 2015 writing workshop
Talk:ASSISTments
Application ASSISTments
Applied evaluation ASSISTments

If students become bored or disengaged when they are asked to split their attention across multiple resources to solve a problem, then consolidate all necessary references or resources needed to solve the problem in one place for easy access.

Context

Students are asked to answer problems in class or at home in an online learning system. Teachers have control over the content and presentation of each problem in the online learning system.

Problem

Students become bored or disengaged when asked to split their attention across multiple resources to solve a problem.

Forces

  1. Accessibility. Students may lack access to resources used in the problem (e.g., forgetting to bring their textbook, finding internet access, having access to a computer)
  2. Split-attention effect. Unnecessary processing of information imposes a cognitive load that interferes with learning. High cognitive load impairs performance, which could increase the difficulty of a learning task (Sweller, 2004[1]).
  3. Affect. When students experience too much difficulty or get stuck in trying to solve a problem, they are likely to disengage from the activity (D’Mello and Graesser 2012[2]).

Solution

Therefore, consolidate all necessary references or resources needed to solve the problem in one place for easy access.

Resources could be presented in the same page as the problem if it does not up take too much space to display. If the problem uses too many resources, the problem author could Keep it simple by splitting it into multiple problems.

Consequences

Benefits

  • Students can access all necessary resources used in the problem.
  • Students do not switch between the problem and additional resources.
  • Students focus better on problems that are simple and complete.

Liabilities

  • Content writers will spend more time and effort in encoding resources into the online learning system.

Evidence

Literature

Several studies have shown that split-attention increases cognitive load and have negative effects on learning in various settings such as: instructional manual usage while learning to use computer software[3], split-attention worked examples for geometry[4], and split-attention worked examples in math word problems[5].

Task switching has also been show to result in slower response times compared to performing a single task, and error-rate is usually higher after the switch[6]. Some of the switch cost sources identified include: time taken by control operations, transient task-set inertia, associative retrieval, or a mix of the three.

Data

Analysis of ASSISTments' data showed correlation between boredom and gaming, and math problems that required students to refer to their textbook to see the actual question.

Related patterns

This uses the same concept as Keep It Simple[1]. Using a single source for instruction makes math problems easier to understand.

Example

When a teacher creates a problem in the online learning system, he/she encodes the entire content instead of asking students to browse their book (e.g., Answer problem #48 in page 587 of your textbook). Students will experience less cognitive load compared to constantly switching between reading the problem in the book and the online learning system interface.

All content in one place ex.png

References

  1. Sweller, J. (2004). Instructional design consequences of an analogy between evolution by natural selection and human cognitive architecture. Instructional science, 32(1-2), 9-31.
  2. D’Mello, S., and Graesser, A. (2012). Dynamics of affective states during complex learning. Learning and Instruction, 22(2), 145-157.
  3. Cerpa, N., Chandler, P., & Sweller, J. (1996). Some conditions under which integrated computer-based training software can facilitate learning. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 15, 345-368.
  4. Sweller, J., Chandler, P., Tierney, P., & Cooper, M. (1990). Cognitive load as a factor in the structuring of technical material. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 119(2), 176.
  5. Mwangi, W., & Sweller, J. (1998). Learning to solve compare word problems: The effect of example format and generating self-explanations. Cognition and instruction, 16(2), 173-199.
  6. Monsell, S. (2003). Task switching. Trends in cognitive sciences, 7(3), 134-140.