Innovative use of mobile video conferencing in face-to-face collaborative science learning: The case of reflection in optics

Multimedia learning environments facilitate the construction of certain forms of representations and allow users to combine forms of representation that address different modalities. A promising approach entails having students construct representations of the domain. The process of constructing a representation elicits self-explanation effects and consists of dynamic iterations and interactions between the constructed representations and mental representations, and therefore helps students to refine and disambiguate their domain knowledge. Because mobile multimedia learning environments have enabled numerous new forms of presenting and communicating information, this study restores interest in the method of adopting mobile video conferencing in learning, and proposes its use in face-to-face collaborative learning of the first law of reflection in optics with the aim of harnessing the synergy of both communication modes. A total of 34 junior high school students participated in the study. The results showed that the participants acquired a new aspect of learning regarding the law of reflection, and their metacognitive awareness increased as a result of using the mobile video, which regulated their explorative learning process. This study provided an unprecedented and meaningful learning experience to students and stimulated teachers to explore the full potential of technologies around them in education.