The impact of different types of self-regulation scaffolds on learning science with hypermedia

Effective use of scaffolds in hypermedia should support students' self-regulated learning while considering their individual differences. Metacognitive and cognitive scaffolds, but not motivational scaffolds, have been extensively researched. There is no clear evidence that using only one type of scaffold is more effective than combining different types. The aim of this study was to determine if the use of different types of scaffolds and their combination in hypermedia predicts learning achievement over and above individual student differences. In the first phase of our quasi-experimental study, 443 ninth graders learned about visual perception in hypermedia. We measured their individual characteristics (grade point average [GPA], intelligence [IQ], learning time, and the number of learning strategies used) and their learning achievement and divided them into six comparable groups. In the second phase, the groups learned about olfactory perception using different scaffolds embedded in hypermedia: 6 cognitive, 6 metacognitive, 6 motivational, all 18 scaffolds together, a selected subset of 6 mixed scaffolds, and no scaffolds. We administered a pre-test and a post-test to assess what students learned, and collected data on students’ note-taking, self-reported use of learning strategies, and interest in the topic. Hierarchical regression analysis of data from 288 students revealed that students with a higher GPA, specific prior knowledge and interest in the topic, and those who used more self-regulation strategies learned more. Scaffolds did not significantly contribute to the prediction of learning outcomes. Implications for the research design of studies investigating the effects of learning scaffolds in hypermedia are discussed. • This quasi-experimental study examined hypermedia self-regulated learning. • Impacts of cognitive, metacognitive, motivational, and mixed scaffolds were compared. • The impact of scaffolds was controlled for individual learning characteristics. • Embedded scaffolds do not impact learning outcomes beyond individual characteristics. • School settings hinder scaffolded SRL research because it is difficult to control.