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Robert Zheng

Bio: Robert Zheng is an academic researcher from University of Utah. The author has contributed to research in topics: Cognition & Educational technology. The author has an hindex of 16, co-authored 67 publications receiving 882 citations.


Papers
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Book
10 Nov 2008
TL;DR: Cognitive Effects of Multimedia Learning identifies the role and function of multimedia in learning through a collection of research studies focusing on cognitive functionality.
Abstract: Now established as an effective tool in the instructional process, multimedia has penetrated educational systems at almost every level of study. In their quest to maximize educational outcomes and identify best practices, multimedia researchers are now expanding their examinations to extend towards the cognitive functionality of multimedia.Cognitive Effects of Multimedia Learning identifies the role and function of multimedia in learning through a collection of research studies focusing on cognitive functionality. An advanced collection of critical theories and practices, this much needed contribution to the research is an essential holding for academic libraries, and will benefit researchers, practitioners and students in basic and applied fields ranging from education to cognitive sciences.

73 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: WebQuest is an instructional tool for inquiry-oriented learning in which learners interact with resources on the Internet, develop small group skills in collaborative learning and engage in higher level thinking as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: T he WebQuest as an inquiry-oriented approach in web learning has gained considerable attention from educators and has been integrated widely into curricula in K-12 and higher education (Dutt-Doner, Wilmer, Stevens, & Hartmann, 2000; Joseph, 2000; Pohan & Mathison, 1998). It is considered to be an effective way to organize chaotic internet resources and help learners gain new knowledge through a guided learning environment (Patterson & Pipkin, 2001). Originated by Bernie Dodge and Tom March in 1995, the WebQuest is an instructional tool for inquiry-oriented learning in which learners interact with resources on the Internet, develop small group skills in collaborative learning and engage in higher level thinking. The WebQuest can be designed within a single discipline or be interdisciplinary. Two levels of WebQuests exist: short term and long term. Short term WebQuests focus on learners' knowledge acquisition and integration that can be completed in one to three class hours, whereas long term WebQuests emphasize learners' ability to extend and refine knowledge. Long term WebQuests may take between one week and a month in a classroom setting. A well designed WebQuest typically contains six parts: (a) introduction; (b) task; (c) information sources; (d) description of process; (e) guidance; and (f) conclusion (Dodge, 1995). These segments guide learners through WebQuest activities by providing descriptive background information, defining tasks, supplying information resources needed to complete tasks and offering a description of the process learners should go through in accomplishing tasks. Although WebQuests have been adopted in K-12 schools and universities, their functionality and underlying principles are often not well-understood. Vidoni and Maddux (2002) pointed out that WebQuests are sometimes used as "a panacea for all manner of educational ills" (p.ll3). Dodge (2001) expressed his concern that some WebQuests "do not represent the model well at all and are merely worksheets with URLs" (p.7). The existing body of research on WebQuests is mainly focused on their design and development (Gohagan, 1999; Joseph, 2000; Pohan et al, 1998; Seamon, 2001). Little is known about how learners perceive the WebQuest as an instructional and learning tool. Research suggests that perceptions can influence exit behavior and should become part of the design process (Blose & Fisher, 2003; Sahin, 2003). Sahin (2003) observed that student teachers' perceptions of instructional technology, for example, may influence the way they "incorporate technology for teaching and learning across the curriculum" (p. 67). Wheeler (2002) asserted that student perceptions, such as their perceptions of learning and social support, can affect the way that distance learning is designed and implemented. This paper offers a discussion of the underlying constructs of WebQuests followed by the report ofa study examining existing issues regarding WebQuest learning. Implications for teaching and learning with WebQuests will be made, along with suggestions for future research. "Little is known about how learners perceive the WebQuest as an instructional and learning tool"

71 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The findings reveal three constructs perceived by teachers as critical to WebQuests: constructivist problem solving, social interaction and scaffolded learning.
Abstract: The WebQuest as an instructional tool has recently been widely adopted in K-16 education. However, its underlying principles and functionality are not well understood, which has resulted in an inconsistency in practice. This study identifies the underlying constructs of WebQuests as perceived by teachers and variables affecting their perceptions on WebQuests. A survey was conducted on teachers (n = 226) recruited from one large research university in the USA and a professional listserv. The findings reveal three constructs perceived by teachers as critical to WebQuests: constructivist problem solving, social interaction and scaffolded learning. Results also show that variables like purpose of WebQuest use, years of teaching, years of WebQuest use and gender predict, at various degrees, teachers' perceptions on WebQuests. Discussions are made on how the constructs identified can be used to improve online teaching and learning. Suggestions for future study are included by examining the influences of social, psychological and affective factors on learners' learning in WebQuests.

71 citations

Book
23 Nov 2009
TL;DR: Adolescent Online Social Communication and Behavior: Relationship Formation on the Internet identifies the role and function of shared contact behavior of youth on the Web as mentioned in this paper with an emphasis on diverse aspects of social and cognitive development, communication characteristics, and modes of communication.
Abstract: The use of social media has gained a greater foothold in teen life as they embrace the conversational nature of interactive online media. However, general concerns exist among the public, community, schools, and administration that online social communication may pose more threats than benefits to adolescents. Adolescent Online Social Communication and Behavior: Relationship Formation on the Internet identifies the role and function of shared contact behavior of youth on the Web. With expert international contributions, this publication provides a deep understanding on various issues of adolescent Internet use with an emphasis on diverse aspects of social and cognitive development, communication characteristics, and modes of communication.

56 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The findings show that schema induced analogical reasoning can significantly improve science learning and that multimedia becomes more effective when it is integrated with an instructional method such as analogy and less so when it was used only as a visual tool.
Abstract: The present study investigates the effects of multimedia and schema induced analogical reasoning on science learning It involves 89 fourth grade elementary students in the north-east of the United States Participants are randomly assigned into four conditions: (a) multimedia with analogy; (b) multimedia without analogy; (c) analogy without multimedia; and (d) non-multimedia and non-analogy The multivariate analyses of covariance reveal significant main effects for multimedia and analogy learning as well as a significant interaction between multimedia and analogy The findings show that schema induced analogical reasoning can significantly improve science learning and that multimedia becomes more effective when it is integrated with an instructional method such as analogy and less so when it is used only as a visual tool The study also shows the field dependence/independence as a significant covariate that influences learners' schema induced analogical reasoning in learning Discussions pertaining to the significance of the findings and their implications for teaching and learning are made Suggestions for future research are included with an emphasis on developing multimedia supported analogical reasoning for science learning

54 citations


Cited by
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Christopher M. Bishop1
01 Jan 2006
TL;DR: Probability distributions of linear models for regression and classification are given in this article, along with a discussion of combining models and combining models in the context of machine learning and classification.
Abstract: Probability Distributions.- Linear Models for Regression.- Linear Models for Classification.- Neural Networks.- Kernel Methods.- Sparse Kernel Machines.- Graphical Models.- Mixture Models and EM.- Approximate Inference.- Sampling Methods.- Continuous Latent Variables.- Sequential Data.- Combining Models.

10,141 citations

Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2001
TL;DR: A wide variety of media can be used in learning, including distance learning, such as print, lectures, conference sections, tutors, pictures, video, sound, and computers.
Abstract: A wide variety of media can be used in learning, including distance learning, such as print, lectures, conference sections, tutors, pictures, video, sound, and computers. Any one instance of distance learning will make choices among these media, perhaps using several.

2,940 citations

01 Jan 2016
TL;DR: The mental representations a dual coding approach is universally compatible with any devices to read, and is available in the digital library an online access to it is set as public so you can download it instantly.
Abstract: mental representations a dual coding approach is available in our digital library an online access to it is set as public so you can download it instantly. Our digital library saves in multiple countries, allowing you to get the most less latency time to download any of our books like this one. Kindly say, the mental representations a dual coding approach is universally compatible with any devices to read.

963 citations

01 Jan 2008
TL;DR: By J. Biggs and C. Tang, Maidenhead, England; Open University Press, 2007.
Abstract: by J. Biggs and C. Tang, Maidenhead, England, Open University Press, 2007, 360 pp., £29.99, ISBN-13: 978-0-335-22126-4

938 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
Ton de Jong1
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the open questions and the boundaries of cognitive load theory by identifying a number of problematic conceptual, methodological and application-related issues, and conclude by presenting a research agenda for future studies on cognitive load.
Abstract: Cognitive load is a theoretical notion with an increasingly central role in the educational research literature. The basic idea of cognitive load theory is that cognitive capacity in working memory is limited, so that if a learning task requires too much capacity, learning will be hampered. The recommended remedy is to design instructional systems that optimize the use of working memory capacity and avoid cognitive overload. Cognitive load theory has advanced educational research considerably and has been used to explain a large set of experimental findings. This article sets out to explore the open questions and the boundaries of cognitive load theory by identifying a number of problematic conceptual, methodological and application-related issues. It concludes by presenting a research agenda for future studies of cognitive load.

808 citations