This meta-analysis integrates outcomes of experimental and quasi-experimental studies to analyze ... more This meta-analysis integrates outcomes of experimental and quasi-experimental studies to analyze the effects of background music (BM) on learning. Research articles, dissertations, and conference proceedings published in or before 2021 were examined. Seventy-one effect sizes from 47 studies were integrated using a random-effects model and subgroup analyses. Five key results were found: (a) a small and positive mean effect size ( d = 0.314) in favor of the BM condition, (b) a positive and medium effect size for studies that implemented BM before the learning assessment, (c) a positive and small effect size for factual knowledge retention, (d) a positive and small effect size for classical music compared with other music genres, and (e) individuals’ age can potentially moderate the impact of BM on learning. The results suggest a revised explanation of how the BM may affect learning, refuting existing cognitive load and multimedia learning theories that discourage the use of BM during ...
ABSTRACT A frequent concern raised by distance educators is that e-learning takes more time to fa... more ABSTRACT A frequent concern raised by distance educators is that e-learning takes more time to facilitate than traditional classroom instruction. The simple fact that it takes more time to read and write than to speak and listen warrants consideration. To establish viable e-learning programs, we need to optimize the amount of time educators spend online. This article posits five tactics for optimizing time spent facilitating the e-learning process and one tactic for optimizing time spent developing e-learning materials. Together, the tactics applied within the context of an overall systematic instructional design process yield replicable results. The investment in systematic design is thought worthwhile because the materials are reusable and allow instructors to focus their attention on facilitating, rather than directing and clarifying, the e-learning process.
ABSTRACT Storytelling may be a powerful instructional approach for engaging learners and facilita... more ABSTRACT Storytelling may be a powerful instructional approach for engaging learners and facilitating e-learning. However, relatively little is known about how to apply story within the context of systematic instructional design processes and claims for the effectiveness of storytelling in training and education have been primarily anecdotal and descriptive in nature, with little to no empirical data to support related claims. In this article, we describe the design, development and testing of two online courses that applied an innovative, storytelling approach to instructional design, including Level I and Level II training evaluation data gathered from over 100 educators who completed the two courses over a nine month period. Descriptions of the systematic process illustrate how a needs assessment, task analysis, and a unique StoryLearnTM method were applied to design and develop the two courses. Level I and II training evaluation data are analyzed and reported for the field-test. Results indicate that (a) learners' perceived levels of attention, relevance, confidence, satisfaction (ARCS), and overall motivation were higher for the two online courses than for two prior online courses that applied more conventional online course designs, (b) learners' perceived levels of ARCS, and overall motivation remained high throughout the two online courses that applied the storytelling approach, (c) factors, such as age, gender, technology proficiency, and educational level, had no effect on learners' reported levels of ARCS, and overall motivation, (d) learners' performance in both courses was consistent with expected performance rates in graduate courses, and (e) learner reported levels of ARCS, and overall motivation were unable to predict scores on course tests, assignments and activities. The findings suggest that storytelling may be a powerful approach for engaging learners and facilitating e-learning worth further investigation.
This meta-analysis integrates outcomes of experimental and quasi-experimental studies to analyze ... more This meta-analysis integrates outcomes of experimental and quasi-experimental studies to analyze the effects of background music (BM) on learning. Research articles, dissertations, and conference proceedings published in or before 2021 were examined. Seventy-one effect sizes from 47 studies were integrated using a random-effects model and subgroup analyses. Five key results were found: (a) a small and positive mean effect size ( d = 0.314) in favor of the BM condition, (b) a positive and medium effect size for studies that implemented BM before the learning assessment, (c) a positive and small effect size for factual knowledge retention, (d) a positive and small effect size for classical music compared with other music genres, and (e) individuals’ age can potentially moderate the impact of BM on learning. The results suggest a revised explanation of how the BM may affect learning, refuting existing cognitive load and multimedia learning theories that discourage the use of BM during ...
ABSTRACT A frequent concern raised by distance educators is that e-learning takes more time to fa... more ABSTRACT A frequent concern raised by distance educators is that e-learning takes more time to facilitate than traditional classroom instruction. The simple fact that it takes more time to read and write than to speak and listen warrants consideration. To establish viable e-learning programs, we need to optimize the amount of time educators spend online. This article posits five tactics for optimizing time spent facilitating the e-learning process and one tactic for optimizing time spent developing e-learning materials. Together, the tactics applied within the context of an overall systematic instructional design process yield replicable results. The investment in systematic design is thought worthwhile because the materials are reusable and allow instructors to focus their attention on facilitating, rather than directing and clarifying, the e-learning process.
ABSTRACT Storytelling may be a powerful instructional approach for engaging learners and facilita... more ABSTRACT Storytelling may be a powerful instructional approach for engaging learners and facilitating e-learning. However, relatively little is known about how to apply story within the context of systematic instructional design processes and claims for the effectiveness of storytelling in training and education have been primarily anecdotal and descriptive in nature, with little to no empirical data to support related claims. In this article, we describe the design, development and testing of two online courses that applied an innovative, storytelling approach to instructional design, including Level I and Level II training evaluation data gathered from over 100 educators who completed the two courses over a nine month period. Descriptions of the systematic process illustrate how a needs assessment, task analysis, and a unique StoryLearnTM method were applied to design and develop the two courses. Level I and II training evaluation data are analyzed and reported for the field-test. Results indicate that (a) learners' perceived levels of attention, relevance, confidence, satisfaction (ARCS), and overall motivation were higher for the two online courses than for two prior online courses that applied more conventional online course designs, (b) learners' perceived levels of ARCS, and overall motivation remained high throughout the two online courses that applied the storytelling approach, (c) factors, such as age, gender, technology proficiency, and educational level, had no effect on learners' reported levels of ARCS, and overall motivation, (d) learners' performance in both courses was consistent with expected performance rates in graduate courses, and (e) learner reported levels of ARCS, and overall motivation were unable to predict scores on course tests, assignments and activities. The findings suggest that storytelling may be a powerful approach for engaging learners and facilitating e-learning worth further investigation.
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