Using Smartphones as Experimental Tools—a Follow-up: Cognitive Effects by Video Analysis and Reduction of Cognitive Load by Multiple Representations

• DOI: 10.1007/s10956-020-09816-w
• Publication Date: 2020-02-19T10:02:33Z
• Authors: Katrin Hochberg; Sebastian Becker; Malte Louis; Pascal Klein; Jochen Kuhn
• Keywords: Curiosity; Cognitive Load

Abstract Mobile devices (smartphones or tablets) as experimental tools (METs) offer inspiring possibilities for science education, but until now, there has been little research studying this approach. Previous indicated that METs have positive effects on students’ interest and curiosity. The present investigation focuses potential cognitive of using video analyses tablets to investigate pendulum movements an instruction used before study smartphones’ acceleration sensors. In a quasi-experimental repeated-measurement design, treatment group uses (TG, N TG = 23) control works with traditional (CG, CG 28) the interest, curiosity, learning achievement. Moreover, various variables were taken into account. We suppose pupils in lower extraneous load higher achievement than those working tools. ANCOVAs showed significantly levels (medium effect size). No differences found load. This might be due smaller material context provided by tablets, comparison smartphones, more possess are familiar smartphones tablets. Another reason unchanged composition sample: While previous especially originally less-interested students profited most from METs, current sample contained only specialized courses, i.e., high original whom their is presumably smaller.