Web-Based Module: Improving APA Referencing Skills
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Introduction – Why this topic? • American Psychological Association style widely used • Unfamiliar with updated APA guidelines • Exisiting resources inaccurate or tedious • Popularity of electronic resources • APA skills limit quality of research (Lewis, 2008) • Personal Experience
Introduction – Why this topic? Lusk, D., Evans, A., Jeffrey, T., Palmer, K., Wikstrom, C., & Doolittle, P. (2009, July). Multimedia learning and individual differences: Mediating the effects of working memory capacity with segmentation. British Journal of Educational Technology, 40(4), 636-651. Retrieved August 10, 2009, doi:10.1111/j.1467-8535.2008.00848.x
Introduction – Why this topic? Lusk, D., Evans, A., Jeffrey, T., Palmer, K., Wikstrom, C., & Doolittle, P. (2009). Multimedia learning and individual differences: Mediating the effects of working memory capacity with segmentation. British Journal of Educational Technology, 40(4), 636-651. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8535.2008.00848.x.
Introduction – Why this topic? Lusk, D., Evans, A., Jeffrey, T., Palmer, K., Wikstrom, C., & Doolittle, P. (2009). Multimedia learning and individual differences: Mediating the effects of working memory capacity with segmentation. British Journal of Educational Technology, 40(4), 636-651. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8535.2008.00848.x.
Introduction – Why this topic? • Purpose: Develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based, interactive instructional module on APA style referencing for college students
Background • Animation speed control and simple user interface allows deeper understanding (Chandler, 2009) • Multimedia makes learning engaging and interactive (Huang, 2005) • Segmentation enhances retention (Lusk, Evans, Jeffrey, Palmer, Wikstrom, & Doolittle, 2009) • Presenting in audio and visual modes prevents split attention phenomenon (Mayer, 2008)
Design Methodology Web-Based module with videos
Design Methodology Web-Based module with videos
Design Methodology Web-Based module with videos
Design Methodology Web-Based module with videos
Design Methodology Interactive tutorial
Design Methodology Interactive tutorial
Design Methodology Interactive tutorial
Design Methodology Tests with feedback
Design Methodology Tests with feedback
Formative Evaluation Methodology • One to one with peers and expert • Small group test with 42 students (30 completed) • Pre-, practice, and posttest • Demographic and attitudinal surveys
Results and Findings • Undergraduate and graduate students • 14 male and 16 female • Some to no experience with APA • Age 19-52 years • Different fields of study • Use computer daily
Results and Findings • 100% felt module was accessible • 100% felt instruction was clear • 100% thought information was manageable • 96% agreed media was NOT overwhelming • 96% agreed learning at own pace was helpful • 96% thought interactive exercises were helpful
Results and Findings • Participants responded positively • “I liked being able to learn at my own leisure” • “Interactive tutorial was helpful. I learn by doing” • “The practice test prepared me for the posttest” • “Fun and engaging” • “Narration synchronized with visuals” • “Reviews at the end of each video were helpful”
Results and Findings • Areas for improvement • “Videos could have more animation.” • “Add more interactive exercises.” • “Make the font on the tests bigger.” • “The ‘submit’ buttons on the surveys easily confused with ‘next page’ buttons.”
Results and Findings • Areas for improvement • “Submit” button easily overlooked
Results and Findings • Areas for improvement • Link doesn’t stand out
Limitations • Module was limited to referencing for electronic periodicals • Referencing for other types of resources not covered • Formatting for writing reports not included • Technology used may have limited data collection
Recommendations • Add audio to interactive exercises • Add more exercises to interactive portion • Add more animation to videos • Larger font on tests • Larger “submit” buttons • Larger links to direct from test to module • Face to face session
Conclusion • Increase in all 30 of 30 participants’ pretest to posttest scores suggests instruction was effective • More research must be done to determine if this module’s success may be repeated
Conclusion • Valuable • 88% agreed information learned will be useful • “This was definitely helpful, and I know I will be able to use this as I move forward in my own research.”
Thank you! ? e-mail: lyndah@hawaii.edu Module: http://www.apareferencing.weebly.com/