Self-reported internet skills, previous knowledge and working memory in text comprehension in E-learning

Abstract

We examined the contribution of Internet operational and navigation skills, previous knowledge, and working memory capacity to expository text comprehension as a lesson within an e-learning course. As different from previous studies in controlled settings; this study addressed students' typical behavior in more ecological conditions. The first study tested self-reported Internet Skills Scale structure, reliability and concurrent validity, in a sample of 254 college students from a large Latin American public university. The second study addressed the contribution of selfreported Internet skills, previous domain knowledge, and working memory capacity to text comprehension in e-learning. Students (n = 125) read high or low previous knowledge expository science texts and answered questions about them, in an e-learning course specifically designed for research purposes, accessed remotely. They also completed working memory tests. Working memory and navigation were significantly associated with text comprehension: higher working memory, and lower scores in self-reported navigation behavior, led to better comprehension. These results have implications for instructional design and reading strategies interventions.

Expository multimedia comprehension in E‐learning: Presentation format, verbal ability and working memory capacity

“…Expository texts . Two expository texts about low previous knowledge content for the participants (Telescopes in Astronomy, Particle Physics) were employed (Burin et al, 2018).…”

Comprensión de texto en E-learning: estrategias de soporte y memoria de trabajo.

“…Este resultado se encuentra en línea con investigaciones previas sobre la asociación entre capacidad de memoria de trabajo y comprensión, tanto impresa como digital (e.g. Naumann et al, 2008;Burin et al, 2018). En cambio, los participantes que adoptaban alguna estrategia activa no presentaban diferencias en comprensión, resultado en línea con Irrazábal et al (2015), en donde se halló que las estrategias activas mejoraban la comprensión.…”

“…Comprensión de texto. Se emplearon dos textos expositivos de bajo conocimiento previo (Astronomía, Física) según investigaciones previas (Irrazábal et al, 2015;Burin et al, 2018). Los textos tienen similar estructura argumentativa (concepto general, dos conceptos subordinados, detalles de cada uno, conclusión general relacionando ambos conceptos) y longitud (1608-1684 palabras).…”

“…Para cada texto se completaba un cuestionario de comprensión, compuesto por diez preguntas tipo multiple choice de cuatro opciones, que cubrían información literal, inferencias puente, o elaboraciones sobre la base de la información presentada. Las preguntas fueron validadas en un estudio previo (Burin et al, 2018).…”

Digital Skills Of Economic Students In Russia

“…Digital skills are sometimes identified with Internet skills. Burin et al (2018) studied both directions: Digital skills include the basic and advanced operation, knowledge, and strategic use, of computers and digital devices in general, including offline (e.g. using a word processor, a spreadsheet, presentation software, or coding).…”