Assessing the Correlations Among Cognitive Overload, Online Course Design and Student Self-efficacy
Abstract: Online learning materials based on the cognitive theory of multimedia learning improves student-learning outcomes. A relationship between course design, cognitive overload and self-efficacy in the online environment has not been documented. This study examined the effect of online learning material designs on students’ cognitive load and self-efficacy. Course designs (with and without segmentation), self-efficacy and the perceived difficulty of the content were examined. Participants perceived segmented content as less difficult than non-segmented content. The results also indicated that the perceived difficulty of the learning materials reported by students in the segmented module condition does not correlate with their perceived self-efficacy. However, there was a strong, positive correlation between students’ perceived self-efficacy and course design. These findings support segmentation as a design technique to increase learners’ level of confidence in completing learning tasks.
Presider: Berhane Teclehaimanot, University of Toledo