Cognitive Load in Asynchronous Discussions of an Online Undergraduate STEM Course

Autor/inn/en	Faulconer, Emily K.; Bolch, Charlotte; Wood, Beverly
Titel	Cognitive Load in Asynchronous Discussions of an Online Undergraduate STEM Course
Quelle	In: Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning, 16 (2023) 2, S.268-280 (13 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Faulconer, Emily K.)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1947-1017
DOI	10.1108/JRIT-02-2022-0010
Schlagwörter	Cognitive Processes; Difficulty Level; Asynchronous Communication; Undergraduate Students; Computer Mediated Communication; Discussion; STEM Education; Online Courses; Private Colleges; Physics + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Cognitive process; Kognitiver Prozess; Schwierigkeitsgrad; Computerkonferenz; Diskussion; STEM; Online course; Online-Kurs; Privathochschule; Physik
Abstract	Purpose: As online course enrollments increase, it is important to understand how common course features influence students' behaviors and performance. Asynchronous online courses often include a discussion forum to promote community through interaction between students and instructors. Students interact both socially and cognitively; instructors' engagement often demonstrates social or teaching presence. Students' engagement in the discussions introduces both intrinsic and extraneous cognitive load. The purpose of this study is to validate an instrument for measuring cognitive load in asynchronous online discussions. Design/methodology/approach: This study presents the validation of the NASA-TLX instrument for measuring cognitive load in asynchronous online discussions in an introductory physics course. Findings: The instrument demonstrated reliability for a model with four subscales for all five discrete tasks. This study is foundational for future work that aims at testing the efficacy of interventions, and reducing extraneous cognitive load in asynchronous online discussions. Research limitations/implications: Nonresponse error due to the unincentivized, voluntary nature of the survey introduces a sample-related limitation. Practical implications: This study provides a strong foundation for future research focused on testing the effects of interventions aimed at reducing extraneous cognitive load in asynchronous online discussions. Originality/value: This is a novel application of the NASA-TLX instrument for measuring cognitive load in asynchronous online discussions. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01