e-Learning and the Science of Instruction

GLOSSARY

Active Observation

Learning by watching a human tutor explain a problem to the student. Most effective when observing an explanation of an assigned problem with a partner. Encourages self-explanations and deeper processing.

Active Processing

A psychological principle stating that learning occurs when people engage in appropriate cognitive processing during learning such as attending to relevant materials, responding to practice exercises, reflecting on examples.

Adaptive Control

A process in which learners are directed or branched to different instructional materials in a lesson or course based on the program’s evaluation of their responses to lesson exercises. Also called personalized instruction or user modeling.

Advance Organizer

A device placed in the start of a learning event designed to provide an overview or big picture of the lesson content. May take the form of a graphic or table.

Advisement

After completing an online task, the system offers suggestions regarding what the learner should do next. Research has not yet defined when or how advisement is most beneficial.

Agents

On-screen characters who help guide the learning process during an e-learning episode. Also called pedagogical agents or on-screen coaches. Agents are most effective when they serve a relevant instructional purpose, such as to give hints and feedback, communicate through audio narration in a conversational friendly voice, and exhibit human-like movement such as gestures and eye gazes. ...