Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Pages: 977-992

Journal: Journal of Computer Assisted Learning

Volume number: 38

Issue number: 4

ISSN: 0266-4909

eISSN: 1365-2729

Open access status: Hybrid

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12671

Publisher: Wiley

Abstract: 
Background Previous research has shown that teachers hold misconceptions about multimedia learning (e.g., multimedia instruction needs to be adapted to students' learning styles), which may be at odds with evidence-based teaching. Objectives Refutation texts are a classical method to reduce misconceptions and thus to stimulate conceptual change. We wanted to know whether making use of a computer algorithm to personalize refutation texts would best initiate teachers' conceptual change. Methods We designed an online experiment, in which N = 129 in-service teachers read either (1) expository texts (without direct refutation), (2) common refutation texts, or (3) personalized refutation texts. The teachers filled in a misconception questionnaire pre and post to assess their conceptual change. Results and Conclusions Statistical analyses revealed that personalized refutation texts initiated the strongest conceptual change, which was driven by increased feelings of guilt and shame. Common refutation texts did not foster teachers' conceptual change as compared to expository texts. These findings indicate that refutation texts should be personalized for experienced practitioners such as teachers. Takeaways Personalized refutation seems to be promising in the context of online teacher training programs. Further research should test to which extent the present findings also apply to other groups of experienced learners or practitioners.

Harvard Citation style: Dersch, A., Renkl, A. and Eitel, A. (2022) Personalized refutation texts best stimulate teachers' conceptual change about multimedia learning, Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 38(4), pp. 977-992. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12671

APA Citation style: Dersch, A., Renkl, A., & Eitel, A. (2022). Personalized refutation texts best stimulate teachers' conceptual change about multimedia learning. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning. 38(4), 977-992. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12671