Post on 18-Feb-2017
The effect of medium of learning and levels of processing on test performance
Flying Circus
Topic and Rationale•Technology is
common place •Computers and
tablets commonly used to study
•Exams still done on paper
Topic and Rationale•Students are studying
using on screen learning (OSL) but taking exams on paper
•Exam scores are lower for OSL versus on paper learning (OPL)
•The difference is due to metacognitive learning regulation (MLR)
Previous Research•Ackerman and
Lauterman (2012) •OSL promotes
shallow processing•Lower retention
rates
Previous Research• Ackerman and
Goldsmith (2011)• screen use cues
us to shallow processing
Previous Research• Craik and Lockhart
(1972) • Levels Of Processing
Theory• How one
processes information is what matters
• Retention depends on depth of processing
Research Question•Are the negative
effects of OSL on test performance due to the nature of screen devices, or is it the learning behaviors that are commonly employed when using screen devices?
Design• Independent Variables
• Level of Processing
• Shallow or Deep
• Medium of Word List
• Computer or Paper
• Dependent Variable
• Performance on a free recall task
Predictions• Main effect of level of
processing• deep = higher
retention• shallow = lower
retention• No main effect of
medium of word list• There will be no
interaction
Method
Participants• 39 undergrad
students at WWU• Obtained from
university’s psychology research pool
Materials• 20 words• Nouns• Priming questions
• 20 2-digit math problems
• Less words recalled equals shallow processing
In what instance would this be most useful?
How many vowels are in this word?
Sound
Procedure• Assigned to one of four
conditions
• Computer & shallow processing
• Computer & deep processing
• Paper & shallow processing
• Paper & deep processing
Procedure• Signed consent form
• Given 15 minutes to:
• study flash cards
• Solve math problems
• Free recall task
• Demographic questionnaire
• Debriefed and dismissed
Results
Results• 2x2 ANOVA• Between subjects
design• Alpha level of .05
Results• Main effect of level of
processing
• F(1, 35) = 30.095, p < .001, η2 = .43
• Main effect of medium of study
• F(1, 35) = 5.06, p = .03, η2 = .07
• No interaction
• F(1, 35) = .256, p = .616, η2 = .004
Results
Discussion
Research Question•Are the negative
effects of OSL on test performance due to the nature of screen devices, or is it the learning behaviors that are commonly employed when using screen devices?
Predictions• main effects of level of
processing• Results DID support this
hypothesis• No main effects of medium
of study• Results DID NOT support
this hypothesis• No interaction
• Results DID support this hypothesis
Limitations• Sample population may have consisted of
particularly tech-savvy students
• Generational
• Canvas
• Eco-friendly
• If students were not equally tech-savvy, there may not have been a main effect of medium of study (consistent with our predictions)
Limitations• Nature of paper conditions
• More material
• Greater cognitive load, decreases working memory
• Less room for learning and memorizing material
• If the tasks were equally difficult, there may not have been a main effect of medium of study (consistent with our predictions)
Future Directions• Are there different effects of
medium of study on test performance between individuals of different levels of technological skill?• Low skill vs. High skill
• Do individuals of different populations have varying effects of medium of study on test performance?• Age• Socio-economic status• Culture
Any questions?
Thank you!