Using mobile applications for learning: Effects of simulation design, visual-motor integration, and spatial ability on high school students' conceptual understanding. (January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, June-Yi; Wu, Hsin-Kai; Hsu, Ying-Shao
• Is Part Of: Computers in human behavior. Volume 66(2017)
• Page Start: 103
• Page End: 113
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Subjects: Mobile apps -- Visual-motor integration -- Spatial ability -- Physics learning -- Computer simulation -- Conceptual understanding; Interactive computer systems -- Periodicals; Man-machine systems -- Periodicals; 004.019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2016.09.032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0747-5632

Abstract

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of simulation design, visual-motor integration, and spatial ability on students' conceptual understandings of projectile motion and collision. We developed three simulations including two mobile applications (app) and a computer simulation. One app (TA) employed the multi-touch feature for virtual manipulation, the other (TAG) implemented the multi-touch and tilt features, while the computer simulation (CS) was performed using a mouse. 211 10th graders were assigned to the three simulation groups. The results indicated that on the items of basic concepts, the CS and TA groups performed significantly better than the TAG group, whereas for the advanced concepts, the TA and TAG groups scored significantly higher than the CS group. Also, high visual-motor integration students did significantly better on the advanced concepts than low visual-motor integration students. Additionally, the interaction effect between simulation design and spatial ability showed that the two apps had a similar effect on students with different levels of spatial ability. The results suggest that mobile apps could narrow the performance gap between students with different levels of spatial ability, but effective interactions with the multi-touch interface of apps may require new skills such as visual-motor integration. Highlights: We examined the effects of simulation design and visual-motor integration (VMI). The groups using mobile apps scored significantly higher on advanced concepts. High VMI students did significantly better on the advanced concepts. Mobile apps could narrow the gap between students with different spatial ability.