Collaboration modality, cognitive load, and science inquiry learning in virtual inquiry environments |
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| Authors: | Benjamin E Erlandson Brian C Nelson and Wilhelmina C Savenye |
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| Institution: | (1) Educational Technology Program, College of Education, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 870611, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA |
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| Abstract: | Educational multi-user virtual environments (MUVEs) have been shown to be effective platforms for situated science inquiry
curricula. While researchers find MUVEs to be supportive of collaborative scientific inquiry processes, the complex mix of
multi-modal messages present in MUVEs can lead to cognitive overload, with learners unable to effectively process the rich
information encountered in virtual space. In this study, we investigated the effect of communication modality on cognitive
load and science inquiry learning in students completing a science inquiry curriculum in an educational MUVE. Seventy-eight
undergraduate education majors from a large southwestern university participated in this control-treatment study. Significant
positive results were found for reducing cognitive load for participants communicating through voice-based chat, although
this reduction was not found to influence learning outcomes. We conclude that use of voice-based communication can successfully
reduce cognitive load in MUVE-based inquiry curricula. |
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