Computer technology has been introduced into the field of language education for more than three decades. However, how individual learners interact with language learning multimedia programmes in different ways is not yet understood. A possible explanation is related to the learners� variables. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of cognitive style, one of these variables, on the language learning process. The participants of this study were a group of ESL university students from Malaysia, who interacted with a language instruction CD-ROM. This study focuses on investigating the interaction process from the students� perspective. Riding�s Cognitive Style Analysis, a computer software that measures individual�s cognitive style, was used to assist in identifying and categorizing students� cognitive style. Thirty students� cognitive style was measured before each student spent an average of three hours interacting with a language instruction CD-ROM. This study adopts the case study approach. The primary method of collecting data involved semi-structured interviews with students that focused on their experiences and preferences while interacting with language instruction CD-ROM. Factors that affected the interaction process were then examined to detect whether they were linked to the differences of students� cognitive orientation. The findings of this study reflect the mixed results that previous researchers have found regarding the effect of cognitive style on students� language learning experiences. Although responses toward the content, graphics and vocabulary items did partially reflect their cognitive orientation, cognitive style was not the only factor that influenced these students� behaviours or preferences as they interacted with the language instruction CD-ROM. The study found factors that were not linked to the students� cognitive styles, yet these also influenced the interaction process. These non-cognitive-style factors consisted of students� language learning motivation, social presence, and their conception of language learning and cultural influence, which resulted in teacher-centeredness. As a result of these findings, theoretical, research and pedagogical implications are discussed. Recommendations and limitations of the study are also presented.

The purpose of the present study is to identify 10th grade students&rsquo / use of proof schemes in geometry questions and to investigate the differences in the use of proof schemes with respect to their cognitive style and gender. The sample of the study was 224 tenth grade students from four secondary schools. Of those, 126 participants were female and 98 participants were males. Data was collected at the end of the academic year 2005-2006 through uses of two data collection instruments: Geometry Proof Test (GPT) and Group Embedded Figure Test (GEFT). GPT, included eleven open-ended questions on triangle concept, was developed by researcher to investigate students&rsquo / use of proof schemes. The proof schemes reported by Harel and Sowder (1998) were used as a framework while categorizing the students&rsquo / responses. GEFT developed by Witkin, Oltman, Raskin and Karp (1971) was used to determine cognitive styles of the students as field dependent (FD), field independent (FI) and field mix (FM). To analyze data, descriptive analyses, repeated measure ANOVA with three proof schemes use scores as the dependent variables and a 2 (gender) x 3 (cognitive styles: FD, FM, FI) multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) with three proof schemes use scores as the dependent variables was employed. The results revealed that students used externally based proof schemes and empirical proof schemes significantly more than analytical proof schemes. Furthermore, females used empirical proof schemes significantly more than the males. Moreover, field dependent students used externally based proof schemes in GPT significantly more than field independent students. Also, field independent students use analytical proof schemes significantly more than field dependent mix students. There was no significant interaction between gender and cognitive style in the use of proof schemes. The significant differences in students&rsquo / use of proof schemes with respect to their gender and FDI cognitive style connote that gender and FDI cognitive styles are important individual differences and should be taken into consideration as instructional variables, while teaching and engaging in proof in geometry and in mathematics.

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

Computer technology has been introduced into the field of language education for more than three decades. However, how individual learners interact with language learning multimedia programmes in different ways is not yet understood. A possible explanation is related to the learners� variables. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of cognitive style, one of these variables, on the language learning process. The participants of this study were a group of ESL university students from Malaysia, who interacted with a language instruction CD-ROM. This study focuses on investigating the interaction process from the students� perspective. Riding�s Cognitive Style Analysis, a computer software that measures individual�s cognitive style, was used to assist in identifying and categorizing students� cognitive style. Thirty students� cognitive style was measured before each student spent an average of three hours interacting with a language instruction CD-ROM. This study adopts the case study approach. The primary method of collecting data involved semi-structured interviews with students that focused on their experiences and preferences while interacting with language instruction CD-ROM. Factors that affected the interaction process were then examined to detect whether they were linked to the differences of students� cognitive orientation. The findings of this study reflect the mixed results that previous researchers have found regarding the effect of cognitive style on students� language learning experiences. Although responses toward the content, graphics and vocabulary items did partially reflect their cognitive orientation, cognitive style was not the only factor that influenced these students� behaviours or preferences as they interacted with the language instruction CD-ROM. The study found factors that were not linked to the students� cognitive styles, yet these also influenced the interaction process. These non-cognitive-style factors consisted of students� language learning motivation, social presence, and their conception of language learning and cultural influence, which resulted in teacher-centeredness. As a result of these findings, theoretical, research and pedagogical implications are discussed. Recommendations and limitations of the study are also presented.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 154-163).

The work aimed at identifying indicators for the adaptation of the virtual learning environment Mobile Learning Engine Moodle (MLE Moodle) to the cognitive styles of students through a system created to diagnose learning styles (SEDECA), developed to support the proposed adjustment. The research presented had as an objective to gather data about the main categories, predominating cognitive styles of the participants and their actions on the virtual learning environment MLE Moodle. The analysis of these categories allowed the definition of indicators, which made possible the adaptation of the virtual learning environment MLE Moodle to the different cognitive styles utilizing the adaptive hypermedia. The validation of the system was done in two groups where a course on educational softwares was taught. The materials and activities proposed on the adapted environment were presented according to the four most present cognitive styles in the research: Holist, Serialist, Divergent and Reflexive. Results show that the AVA MLE MOODLE with environment and content adapted to the different cognitive styles has influenced positively on the students learning process and also on their cognitive structure. This work stands out because it implements SEDECA integrated to the mobile virtual learning environment MLE Moodle accessed on a mobile device as well as on a desktop. / O trabalho desenvolvido objetivou identificar indicadores para a adaptação do Ambiente Virtual de Aprendizagem Mobile Learning Engine Moodle (MLE Moodle) ao estilo cognitivo do aluno por meio do Sistema criado para diagnosticar estilos de aprendizagem (SEDECA), desenvolvido para dar suporte à adaptação proposta. A pesquisa apresentada teve por objetivo realizar um levantamento de dados sobre principais categorias, estilos cognitivos predominantes dos participantes e ação dos mesmos no ambiente virtual de aprendizagem MLE Moodle. A análise dessas categorias permitiu definir indicadores, que possibilitaram a adaptação do ambiente virtual de aprendizagem MLE Moodle a esses diferentes estilos cognitivos utilizando a hipermídia adaptativa. A validação do sistema foi realizada em duas turmas, onde foi ministrado um Curso sobre Softwares Educativos. Os materiais e atividades propostas no ambiente adaptado foram apresentados de acordo com os quatro Estilos cognitivos que mais se destacaram na pesquisa: Holista, Serialista, Divergente e Reflexivo. Os resultados inferidos mostram que o AVA Mle Moodle adaptado (adaptação do ambiente e conteúdo) aos diferentes estilos cognitivos influenciou positivamente no processo de aprendizagem dos alunos e consequentemente na sua estrutura cognitiva. Este trabalho diferencia-se por implementar o SEDECA integrado ao ambiente virtual de aprendizagem móvel MLE Moodle acessado via dispositivo móvel, como também, ao ambiente Moodle acessado via desktop.

Com o significativo crescimento da Educação a Distância (EAD) surge uma preocupação, que é a validação da qualidade dos cursos e da aprendizagem dos alunos. Uma alternativa promissora é a criação de cursos mais customizados, mas para isso é necessário conhecer as preferências individuais dos alunos, e uma das ferramentas é a identificação de seus estilos cognitivos. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência dos estilos cognitivos no perfil do aluno de cursos da modalidade a distância. Optou-se por uma pesquisa exploratório-descritiva, visando obter maior familiaridade com o problema e possibilidades para descrever o fenômeno dos estilos cognitivos na EAD, utilizando um instrumento psicométrico traduzido. A amostra foi constituída por 103 alunos, distribuídos entre os cursos de Administração, Tecnólogo em Gestão Financeira e Computação. Os resultados confirmam que os alunos possuem estilos cognitivos diferentes, o que reforça a necessidade de cursos mais individualizados, com estratégias de aprendizagem diversificadas, respeitando e valorizando as características individuais dos estudantes. São discutidas as implicações dos achados, bem como as diferenças significativas entre os estilos cognitivos e o perfil dos alunos nos três cursos estudados. / With the significant increase in Distance Learning (DL), a new concern arises: the validation of programs\' quality standards and students\' learning. A promising alternative is the design of more customized programs for which purpose it is necessary to learn about students\' individual preferences, and one of the tools that can be used is the identification of cognitive styles. Hence, this study aimed at evaluating the influence of cognitive styles on the profile of students in DL programs. An exploratory descriptive investigation was conducted for better acquaintance with the problem and the possibility to describe the cognitive style phenomenon in DL by using a translated psychometric instrument. The sample consisted of 103 students from the Business Administration, Financial Management and Information Technology DL programs. The results confirmed that students have different cognitive styles, which reinforces the need for more individualized programs with diversified learning strategies that respect and value students\' individual characteristics. Implications of the findings as well as the significant differences between cognitive styles and the profiles of students from the three programs studied are discussed.

Notre thèse s’inscrit dans le courant théorique de la linguistique cognitive et énonciative ; elle s’appuiera également pour sa partie pratique et de développement sur le e-learning et les TIC. Ce projet cherchera à conjuguer ces deux aspects dans le domaine de la didactique des langues, en particulier pour la conception d’outils pour les apprentissages linguistiques. Cette étude visera d’une part à analyser les différentes formes de l’activité langagière au travers de la description et de l’analyse de ce que l’on nomme « genres discursifs » ; d’autre part, elle cherchera à mettre au jour, grâce à l’élaboration d’outils logiciels spécifiques d’apprentissage linguistique, des styles d’apprentissage liés à des profils cognitifs d’apprenants. L’identification de ces styles d’apprentissage (ou profils cognitifs), doit permettre une définition de stratégie d’apprentissage conduisant à un processus d’autonomisation de l’apprenant en tant que sujet cognitif – acteur de son apprentissage. En toile de fond, nous recourrons à une conception néo-vygotskienne des apprentissages et notamment à l’un des concepts qu’elle nous fournit : la collaboration. Dans ce but, l’utilisation d’une plate-forme d’apprentissage, désignée en anglais par Learning Management System et des outils logiciels dédiés divers qui lui sont associés (glossaire, carte conceptuelles/heuristiques, logiciels collaboratifs) doit permettre une expérimentation de séquences de micro-activités langagières ayant pour but la construction d’une compétence linguistique globale par l’apprenant (qui est un positionnement de l’étudiant, acteur institutionnel). En outre, le recours aux genres discursifs, en inscrivant cette thèse dans une analyse de type fonctionnel comme le Task Based Learning (Rod Ellis) permettra une évaluation théorique du CECRL (Cadre Européen Commun de Référence pour les Langues), référentiel en vigueur dans la didactique des langues étrangères ou secondes. / My thesis is positioned within the theoretical framework of cognitive and speaker-oriented linguistics; it also relies on e-learning and ICT in the sections on applications and development. This project endeavours to combine these two aspects in the field of language teaching, especially with a view to developing tools for language learning. This study firstly aims at analysing the different forms of language activity through the description and analysis of what is called "discursive genres" and, secondly, it seeks to bring to light styles in the ways of learning which are associated with learners’ cognitive profiles through the development of specific software tools for language learning.The identification of these learning styles (or cognitive profiles) should enable us to define learning strategies – processes that make learners more autonomous as cognitive subjects – in other words, they become the agent of their own learning. The backdrop for my analysis is a neo-vygotskian conception of learning and in particular one of the concepts it provides us with: collaboration.For this purpose, the use of a learning platform, known in English as 'Learning Management System' and of various dedicated software tools associated with it (glossary, mind mapping, collaborative software) gives me the possibility to experiment sequences of language micro-activities aimed at building a comprehensive language competence by the learner (which is a positioning of the student as an institutional actor). In addition, as the use of discourse types grounds this thesis in a functional type analysis such as 'Task Based Learning' (Rod Ellis), it will allow a theoretical evaluation of CEFRL (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), which is the current reference in the didactics of foreign or second language teaching.

This study sought to determine if the dominant learning styles of high school teachers is related to the amount of time computers are used in the classroom by students. It also examined the types of software used by those teachers, and their levels of technology adoption. Subjects (N=177) were from high schools in a large urban school district. Instrumentation included the Gregorc Style Delineator, a modified version of the Snapshot Survey and the Stages of Adoption of Technology. An ANOVA showed no statistical significance between teachers with different dominant learning styles in the numbers of minutes per week that computers were utilized in their classrooms with students. A chi square test showed no statistical significance in the types of software used in the classrooms of teachers with different dominant learning styles. A chi square test showed no statistical significance in the Stages of Technology Adoption of teachers with different dominant learning styles.