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Understanding Student
Understanding Student Learning Experience Using Learning Experience Using
Technological Toolsechnological Tools
T
Wilfred W.F. Lau
by Professor

Assistant Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Learning sciences studies teaching and learning Professor Lau will explore how adaptive instruction Lau observed that teachers are often too busy to
from an interdisciplinary perspective. It draws on or learning environments can enhance student do research yet the need for more educational
expertise from cognitive science, computer science, learning. This is important in view of the learner research to inform frontline teachers is crucial.
educational psychology, anthropology, sociology, diversity found within and between classes. For From the practitioner’s perspective, best practices
neuroscience and other fields. The goal of research instance, can differentiated instruction or adaptive can often be developed through the accumulation
in learning sciences is to design more effective hypermedia systems help students learn more of direct experience and also an examination and
learning environments in school classrooms and effectively? He would also like to investigate the application of research findings. The application of
other informal settings. cognitive process that occurs during learning. This research findings to improve professional practices
includes the application of cognitive learning theories is commonly called evidence-based practice and
Learning technology fosters scholarly research to understand cognition and how neuroscience can it is argued that effective research studies should
in theories of learning and instruction and their advance our knowledge of student learning. For be grounded in this design approach. In university,
application in the use of new and emergent instance, can cognitive load theory help educators Professor Lau aims to conduct academic research
technology. Over the years, research themes better understand student learning difficulties? Can that can improve educational practices through
such as instructional theories, learning theories, neuroscience provide further evidence to understand collaboration between researchers and practitioners
instructional systems design, the application of the learning of students with special educational in authentic settings and leads to contextually-
advanced technology in education, the use of media needs such as dyscalculia? What are the impacts sensitive pedagogical ideas and principles. This is in
in teaching and learning, educational system design, of technology on student cognitive, affective, and line with advocacy for design-based research and
and distance education through online learning have psychomotor learning outcomes? is a proactive response to bridge the gap between
39 emerged. With the advancement of technology, it research and practice. 40
is anticipated that there will be trends toward the Although using quantitative methodology to analyse
increased adoption of mobile devices, the use of and interpret data is common in research, some
blended learning environments, the integration studies merely regard quantitative methods as a
of Web 2.0 technologies, and the development technical panacea for data analysis. Few researchers
of immersive technologies in the field of learning exercise caution and devote energy to design
technology. statistical methods that are appropriate in the contexts
being studied. This results in many misconceptions
Professor Lau is interested in understanding the in the way that analysis is conducted and reported in
student learning experience using technological academic publications. As a quantitative researcher,
tools including student perceptions on teaching Professor Lau believes that meticulous use of
and learning, learning process and outcomes, and quantitative methods is of paramount importance.
factors influencing academic achievement. This line In view of this, he has strong interest in examining
of research was conducted in a doctoral study. In commonly used or new statistical methods, analysing
the study, Professor Lau used a computer-assisted data from suitable quantitative perspectives, and
assessment tool, the Personal Computer Knowledge interpreting them in order to answer the research
Network Organizing Tool (PCKNOT) software, to questions. His work in this area includes investigating
assess student mental models in learning sorting factorial invariance across gender of a perceived
algorithms and demonstrated that structures revealed ICT literacy scale, dyadic analysis of student and
in mental models can be associated quantitatively parent perceived technological efficacy, social uses
with two variables, gender and learning style. This of technology, technological contribution, and latent
finding suggests that gender and learning style can class analysis of the VARK (visual, aural, read/write,
be meaningfully related to mental models in order to and kinesthetic) learning style inventory.
provide a group-based instead of individual-based
diagnosis and thus help promote conceptual change Most importantly, having spent extensive time
in learning. as a practitioner in secondary schools, Professor