Exploring individual differences as factors to maximize interactive learning environments for future learning

ABSTRACT

Identifying characteristics of individuals who will be negatively impacted by interactive learning environments (ILE) was explored in a field study conducted among learners whose high-stakes performance depended upon grasping training scenarios quickly. Gauging the appropriateness of computer-based simulations for individuals became a pedagogical theme, and examining whether the history of technology usage was a factor revealed what may negatively impact an individual’s stress and workload and therefore hinder learning. This study found that individuals reporting higher frequency of computer usage experienced more temporal demand, and reported higher virtual world usage predicted a decrease in temporal demand. Implications suggest continual development of digital literacy skills to prepare for using ILEs especially for faculty and instructors. Establishment of consistent nomenclature of virtual technology terms will improve reliability and validity of measures. Areas of future research include inquiry into digital leadership for promoting metacognition and self-efficacy.

KEYWORDS:

• Information and communication technologies
• cognitive load
• workload stress
• digital literacy
• self-efficacy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes on contributors

Joelene Goh is an Industrial-Organizational master’s graduate student at the University of Central Florida and currently works as a research assistant in Prodigy Lab at the Institute for Simulation & Training. Joelene’s interests include maximizing training effectiveness and the impact of emerging technology on organizational benefit.

Barbara Truman is a Strategic Advisor for Immersive Learning & Collaboration, University of Central Florida’s Institute for Simulation & Training, Mixed Emerging Technology Integration Lab. At UCF, Barbara was a founding leader of online learning. Barbara’s background is in Instructional Systems Design, Human Performance Technology, and Computer Science, Emerging Media.

Daniel Barber is a Research Assistant Professor at UCF with extensive experience in the field of robotics, simulation development, training environments, and human state assessment. His current research focus is on Human System Interaction and Training Assessment including: multimodal communication, user interaction devices, teaming, and adaptive systems.

ORCID

Joelene Goh http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4095-1575

Barbara Truman http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7839-1772

Daniel Barber http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9263-3109

Additional information

Funding

This research was sponsored by the Army Research Laboratory and was accomplished under Cooperative Agreement Number W911NF-14-2-0012. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the author’s and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the Army Research Laboratory or the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for Government purposes notwithstanding any copyright notation herein.