TITLE

Computer-supported aids to making sense of scientific articles: cognitive, motivational, and attitudinal effects

AUTHOR(S)

Gegner, Julie; Mackay, Donald; Mayer, Richard

PUB. DATE

February 2009

SOURCE

Educational Technology Research & Development;Feb2009, Vol. 57 Issue 1, p79

SOURCE TYPE

Academic Journal

DOC. TYPE

Article

ABSTRACT

High school students can access original scientific research articles on the Internet, but may have trouble understanding them. To address this problem of online literacy, the authors developed a computer-based prototype for guiding students� comprehension of scientific articles. High school students were asked to read an original scientific research article about the effects of drug or alcohol abuse, which was presented on a computer screen either with computer-based comprehension aids or without aids. The aids provided background text and animations including answers given by the article authors. Across two experiments involving different schools and different research articles, the comprehension aids group performed better than the control group on a comprehension test concerning the article ( d = +0.79 in Experiment 1 and d = +0.82 in Experiment 2) and rated the content of article as less difficult to read ( d = +0.96 in Experiment 1 and d = +0.69 in Experiment 2). In addition, the comprehension aids group reported more positive motivational beliefs than the control group concerning understanding what scientists do ( d = +0.51 in Experiment 1 and d = +0.56 in Experiment 2), appraising the article as worthwhile ( d = +0.80 for Experiment 1 and d = +0.70 for Experiment 2), and being interested in reading another research article ( d = +0.19 in Experiment 1 and d = +0.58 in Experiment 2). The groups did not differ on their attitudes concerning a career as a scientist or about alcohol and drug abuse. Overall, computer-based comprehension aids can help guide students� comprehension processes for an original scientific research article, which in turn can improve their appreciation of what scientists do.

ACCESSION #

35858661

Tags: COMPUTER assisted instruction;  HIGH school students -- Attitudes;  SCIENTIFIC literature;  READING comprehension;  INTERNET literacy;  MOTIVATION in education

 

Related Articles

• Bimodal reading: Benefits of a talking computer for average and less skilled readers. Montali, Julie; Lewandowski, Lawrence // Journal of Learning Disabilities;May96, Vol. 29 Issue 3, p271 

  Demonstrates the efficacy of a bimodal approach to fostering reading comprehension. Advantages of bimodal presentation; Elements of computer assisted instruction; Preference for presentation modality.

• The Promise of Computers for Reluctant Readers. Chan, Julie M.T. // School Library Journal;Nov85, Vol. 32 Issue 3, p120 

  Describes how computers may be used to develop skill and comprehension in reading. Factors to be considered when selecting educational software; Selection of software for disabled and reluctant readers; Process of building a functional software collection.

• A model for motivationally adaptive computer-assisted instruction. Astleitner, Hermann; Keller, John M. // Journal of Research on Computing in Education;Spring95, Vol. 27 Issue 3, p270 

  Discusses how theories and empirical findings of research on motivation can be integrated in a formal model in order to describe and predict motivation within the framework of motivationally adaptive computer-assisted instruction (CAI). Problems in CAI; Components of a formal model to be...

• The effects of teaching a summary skills strategy to students identified as learning disabled on... Nelson, J. Ron; Smith, Deborah J. // Education & Treatment of Children (ETC);Aug92, Vol. 15 Issue 3, p228 

  Examines the effects of a summary skills learning strategy on the comprehension of science texts with elementary-age urban minority special education students in a summer remedial program. Effect on the overall completeness of the students' written summaries and the maintenance of the strategy;...

• Are We Creating An AP Bubble? Griffin, Christopher // District Administration;Apr2010, Vol. 46 Issue 4, p68 

  No abstract available.

• Software focus on Arts & Humanities. Kim, Anne // T H E Journal;Jan2002, Vol. 29 Issue 6, p33 

  Features the collection of tools designed to aid both teacher and student in acquiring and improving instruction of arts and humanities in the United States. Web site for budding artists by Crayon By Number 2.0; Multimedia reading comprehension program by the Educational Activities Software;...

• MICROZINE, A Computer Magazine. Furst, Miriam // Journal of Learning Disabilities;Dec84, Vol. 17 Issue 10 

  Features Microzine, a computer magazine for helping learning disabled students improve reading comprehension. Quality and variety of programs in the disk; Inclusion of student handbook and teacher's guide; Suitability of microzine for children and high school students.

• Motivations of the Online Student. Lukaitis, Audra; Davey, Bill // Issues in Informing Science & Information Technology;2010, Vol. 7, p25 

  When courses are offered in online teaching mode we lose the constant feedback available during face-to-face classes. We report on the results of a study of one course taken online over three semesters. Problems were identified that appear to be associated with the motivation for students to...

• Five Factors that Affect Online Learning Motivation. Kelly, Rob // Online Classroom;Sep2011, p1 

  The article focuses on associate professor of educational psychology Brett Jones' MUSIC model of student motivation. The model includes empowerment, usefulness, success, interest, and caring. According to Jones, the primary purpose of the model is to provide instructors with a guide that they...

Read the Article