Motivation, Emotion, and Attention to Feedback in a Computer-Based Learning Environment for Clinical Reasoning

• In Event: Improving Education Through Technological Innovation

Abstract

This study examined motivational and emotional influences on medical and dental students' (N = 30) attention to feedback in a computer-based learning environment for clinical reasoning. Participants thought aloud while solving three patient cases and reviewing their expert solutions. Questionnaires were used to measure participants’ achievement goal orientations and their achievement emotions in response to the feedback provided. To measure attention, participants’ think-aloud protocols were recorded, transcribed, and systematically searched for verbal utterances that matched the expert solutions. Logistic regression analyses using the method of generalized estimating equations (GEE) then modelled participants’ attention to individual idea units. Results showed that achievement goal orientation and achievement emotions jointly influenced participants’ attention to feedback.

Authors

• Laura Naismith, University Health Network

• Susanne P. Lajoie, McGill University