The influence of flow on learning outcomes: An empirical study on the use of clickers

Abstract

Flow is a state of total absorption and concentration in an activity that is desirable for students, as it enhances the learning experience. Due to the importance of flow for learning, this research investigates the influence of three flow preconditions-namely balance of skill and challenge, feedback and goal clarity-on students' flow, operationalized as heightened concentration, sense of control and autotelic experience, while using clickers-a type of polling device. The study also explores the impact of concentration, sense of control and autotelic experience on students' perceived learning and satisfaction. Based on a survey of 204 undergraduate students who use clickers in the classroom, the findings show that balance of skill and challenge has a positive influence on students' concentration, sense of control and autotelic experience. Both feedback provided by clickers and goal clarity have a positive influence on concentration and sense of control, but do not influence the autotelic experience. Findings also corroborate the positive impact of concentration and sense of control experienced by students on perceived learning. Finally, autotelic experience predicts both perceived learning and satisfaction.Clickers-one of the most popular types of polling devices-are small, portable devices that look similar to a television remote control (Blasco-Arcas, Buil, Hern andez-Ortega, & Ses e, 2013) and that transmit and record students' responses to questions presented in the classroom. Besides the simplest way of using clickers to ask students to respond to questions individually, clickers can

Understanding online business simulation games: the role of flow experience, perceived enjoyment and personal innovativeness

“…People in a flow state become completely absorbed in their activity and, as they lose self-consciousness, perceive hardly any external stimulus because nothing else seems to matter (Gao et al, 2016;Hsu & Lu, 2004). Literature has shown that flow has a positive effect on learning results and must be considered when digital learning materials are designed (Buil, Catalán, & Martínez, 2017;Lai, Lim, & Wang, 2016).…”

Flow experiences in personalised e-learning environments and the role of gender and academic performance

“…A notion central to the flow theory is that individuals who feel confident that their skills will allow them to face highly demanding situations are more prone to experience flow (Buil, Catalán, & Martínez, 2017). That is to say, flow states occur when e-learning activities require the student to stretch his or her abilities to new levels.…”

Applying Kahoot in Thai Language and Culture Curriculum: Analysis of the Relationship among Online Cognitive Failure, Flow Experience, Gameplay Anxiety and Learning Performance

“…Buil et al (2019) stated that the flow experience is a state where students fully absorb and concentrate on an activity because it enhances the learning experience [48], while research by Erhel and Jamet (2019) showed that flow experience has a positive impact on memory and understanding [26]. In line with this, Su (2017) stated that when learners are actively engaged in learning, they will positively affect learning outcomes [13].…”

“…Flow is the state of complete absorption and concentration of an activity by the student as it enhances the learning experience [48]. Studies have shown that flow experience has a positive impact on memory and understanding [26], so when learners are actively engaged in learning, they can positively affect learning outcomes [13].…”