Role of Trait Cognitive Flexibility in Learning with Games and Conventional Media

• In Event: AERA Graduate Student Research-in-Progress Session 3
  In Roundtable Session: ChatGPT: Applications and Implications for Education Policy and Practice (Table 10)

Abstract

This study investigates how trait cognitive flexibility affects learning in a computer-based recycling game versus conventional media (Study 1), and the potential advantages of ChatGPT in game-based learning (Study 2). In Study 1, college students were assigned to the game group (CosmiClean), game-guidance group, or no-game group. Study 2 compared the game-guidance group with game-ChatGPT group. We anticipate that higher flexibility learners will outperform lower flexibility ones in problem-solving and posttests, especially in the game-guidance and game group, compared to no-game. Additionally, we expect improved learning from games, especially with added guidance, and superior performance in the game-ChatGPT group, particularly for students with higher cognitive flexibility. This research has implications for gaining a deeper insight in game-based learning.

Author

• Fangzheng Zhao, University of California - Santa Barbara