Dirk Ifenthaler

The acceptance of Tablet-PCs in classroom instruction: The teachers' perspectives

Limited research has been conducted on the integration of Tablet-PCs in classroom instruction. This paper reports a qualitative study which investigates the acceptance of Tablet-PCs, seen as technological innovation, amongst teachers. The research approach intends to complement research on the acceptance of technology through a more detailed qualitative examination. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 teachers during a pilot project introducing Tablet-PCs to classroom instruction at three different schools. The findings indicate diversity in the attitude of teachers towards the technology, but also with regards to the performance expectancy and the facilitating conditions.

Assessment in Game-Based Learning: Foundations, Innovations, and Perspectives

The capabilities and possibilities of emerging game-based learning technologies bring about a new perspective of learning and instruction. This, in turn, necessitates alternative ways to assess the kinds of learning that is taking place in the virtual worlds or informal settings. accordingly, aligning learning and assessment is the core for creating a favorable and effective learning environment. The edited volume will cover the current state of research, methodology, assessment, and technology of game-based learning. There will be contributions from international distinguished researchers which will present innovative work in the areas of educational psychology, educational diagnostics, educational technology, and learning sciences. The edited volume will be divided into four major parts.

Computer-Based Diagnostics and Systematic Analysis of Knowledge

What is knowledge? How can it be successfully assessed? How can we best use the results? As questions such as these continue to be discussed and the learning sciences continue to deal with expanding amounts of data, the challenge of applying theory to diagnostic methods takes on more complexity. Computer-Based Diagnostics and Systematic Analysis of Knowledge meets this challenge head-on as an international panel of experts reviews current and emerging assessment methodologies in the psychological and educational arenas. Emphasizing utility, effectiveness, and ease of interpretation, contributors critically discuss practical innovations and intriguing possibilities (including mental representations, automated knowledge visualization, modeling, and computer-based feedback) across fields ranging from mathematics education to medicine. These contents themselves model the steps of systematic inquiry, from theoretical construct to real-world application: Historical and theoretical foundations for the investigation of knowledge Current opportunities for understanding knowledge empirically Strategies for the aggregation and classification of knowledge Tools and methods for comparison and empirical testing Data interfaces between knowledge assessment tools Guidance in applying research results to particular fields Researchers and professionals in education psychology, instructional technology, computer science, and linguistics will find Computer-Based Diagnostics and Systematic Analysis of Knowledge a stimulating guide to a complex present and a rapidly evolving future.

Learning and Instruction in the Digital Age

Instruction tailored to the individual student, learning and teaching outside the limits of time and spaceideas that were once considered science fiction are now educational reality, with the prospect of an intelligent Web 3.0 not far distant. Alongside these innovations exists an emerging set of critical-thinking challenges, as Internet users create content and learners (and teachers) take increased responsibility in their work. Learning and Instruction in the Digital Age nimbly balances the technological and pedagogical aspects of these rapid changes, gathering papers from noted researchers on a wealth of topics relating to cognitive approaches to learning and teaching, mental models, online learning, communications, and innovative educational technologies, among them: Cognition and student-centered, Web-based learning, The progression of mental models throughout a course of instruction, Experiencing education with 3D virtual worlds, Expanding educational boundaries through multi-school collaboration, Adapting e-learning to different learning styles, The student blog as reflective diary. With its blend of timely ideas and forward thinking, Learning and Instruction in the Digital Age will enrich the work of researchers in educational psychology, educational technology, and cognitive science.

Understanding models for learning and instruction

Foundations and Methodologies of Mental Model Research.- The Fragmented Nature of Learning and Instruction.- Using an Evidence-Based Approach to Assess Mental Models.- Practical Solutions for the Diagnosis of Progressing Mental Models.- Constructing Mental Models during Learning from Science Text.- Progress in the Diagnostics of Mental Models.- Model-Based Theories of Instruction.- Rendezvous with a Quantum of Learning.- Externalizing Mental Models with Mindtools.- Model-Centered Instruction, the Design and the Designer.- Realizing Model-Based Instruction.- Engineering the Model Environment.- Developments in the Design of Instruction.- Bridging a Gap between Psychology and Instructional Practice.- Model-Based Learning Environments.- Model-Centered Learning and Instructional Design.- From Cognitive Theory to Instructional Practice: Technology and the Evolution of Anchored Instruction.- Complex Skills Development for Todays Workforce.

Cognitive, metacognitive and motivational perspectives on preflection in self-regulated online learning

The results complement research on self-regulated learning in online learning environments.Findings indicate the benefits of directed preflective prompts for novice learners.Personalisation and adaptation of prompting in online learning is crucial for future research. Self-regulated learning is regarded as a critical component of successful online education. Hence, the development of effective online education requires an orchestration of external control and freedom for self-regulation. Prompts are regarded as effective means for promoting such personalised and adaptive learning processes in online education. Within two experimental studies, the effectiveness of preflective and reflective prompts is tested. Additionally, personal characteristics such as motivation and learning preferences are controlled. Results indicate that directed preflective prompts work best for novice learners. Such prompts also activate positive motivation within online learning environments. Still, more research is needed for investigating personalised and adaptive realisation of preflective prompts as well as automated feedback for SRL.

Development and Validation of a Learning Analytics Framework: Two Case Studies Using Support Vector Machines

Interest in collecting and mining large sets of educational data on student background and performance to conduct research on learning and instruction has developed as an area generally referred to as learning analytics. Higher education leaders are recognizing the value of learning analytics for improving not only learning and teaching but also the entire educational arena. However, theoretical concepts and empirical evidence need to be generated within the fast evolving field of learning analytics. The purpose of the two reported cases studies is to identify alternative approaches to data analysis and to determine the validity and accuracy of a learning analytics framework and its corresponding student and learning profiles. The findings indicate that educational data for learning analytics is context specific and variables carry different meanings and can have different implications across educational institutions and area of studies. Benefits, concerns, and challenges of learning analytics are critically reflected, indicating that learning analytics frameworks need to be sensitive to idiosyncrasies of the educational institution and its stakeholders.

Automated Knowledge Visualization and Assessment

In this chapter we introduce a computer-based and highly automated measurement technique which enables us to analyze even large sets of data within a few seconds. Closely linked to the demand of new approaches for designing and developing up-to-date learning environments is the necessity of enhancing the design and delivery of assessment systems and automated computer-based diagnostics. In many settings, manual and therefore labor-intensive methods have limits. Hence, following a general assessment framework design, we introduce several automated and integrated tools which have helped us in many studies so far. The technologies which we discuss in this chapter aim at the assessment, re-representation, analysis, and comparison of knowledge. The tools were developed independently and then integrated step by step. The possible applications go beyond the structural and semantic analysis and comparison of knowledge. The tools also allow the development of self-assessment technologies which can be used directly by the learners.

Multiple perspectives on problem solving and learning in the digital age

Investigating an online museums information system.- A framework for matching aims, processes, learner expertise and technologies.- Web-based learning objects in school education.- A monitoring and experience sharing tool.- Constructing a knowledge base according to a text comprehension model.- First-person education and the nature of knowing, understanding, and affect.- Socio-cognitive regulation strategies in cooperative learning tasks in virtual contexts.- Collaborative cognitive tools for shared representations.- Automating the measurement of critical thinking for individuals particIpating in discussion forums.- Alternative assessment strategies for complex problem solving in game-based learning environments.- Concept map based intelligent knowledge assessment system: experience of development and practical use.- Technologies to support the assessment of complex learning in capstone units: Two case studies.- Text-guided automated self.- Comparing the impact of electronic performance support and web-based training.- Moving beyond teaching and learning into a human development paradigm.- Leaders for the 21st century: Preparation, experiences, and roles in technology implementation.- Pedagogy and content knowledge based podcasting project for preservice teachers.- Simulation game as a learning experience: An analysis of learning style and attitude.- Implementation of an online social annotation tool in a college english course.- Self-direction indicators for evaluating the design-based elearning course with social software.- Employing virtual collaborative exchanges to expand global awareness.- Ideas and concepts of ViCaDiS - A virtual learning environment for digital students.

Scope of Graphical Indices in Educational Diagnostics

Knowledge representation is a key concept in psychological and educational diagnostics. Graph theory is a promising approach and its fundamentals have been applied in various fields of research and practice, e.g., decision making, project management, network problems. A graph is constructed from a set of vertices whose relationships are represented by edges. We describe various graphical indices, e.g., average degree of vertices, connectedness, cycles of graphs, and link them with educational diagnostics. We then present and discuss experimental results. We conclude by outlining the immense field of applications for graphical indices in educational diagnostics and discussing future applications.