Cognition and Learning Lab

Cognition & Learning Lab

Conference Presentations

Paek, S., Hoffman, D. L., & Black, J. B. (2023). Shaping the sensory experience in digital environments: modality, congruency, and learning. Interactive Learning Environments31(9), 5665-5681.

Ahn, J., Sung, W., & Black, J. B. (2022). Unplugged debugging activities for developing young learners’ debugging skills. Journal of Research in Childhood Education36(3), 421-437.

Sung, W., Ahn, J., & Black, J. B. (2022). Elementary students’ performance and perceptions of robot coding and debugging: Embodied approach in practice. Journal of Research in Childhood Education36(4), 681-696.

Woonhee Sung & John B. Black (2020): Factors to consider when designing effective learning: Infusing computational thinking in mathematics to support thinking-doing, Journal of Research on Technology in Education, DOI: 10.1080/15391523.2020.1784066

Lyashevsky, I. , Cesarano, M. , and Black, J. (2019) To understand is to forgive: Learning a simple model of appraisal leads to emotion knowledge transfer and enhances emotion acceptance.  American Education Research Journal. Doi.org/10.3102/0002831219865220.

Sung, W., Ahn, J., Mao, Y., & Black, J. B. (2017). Introducing computational thinking to young learners: Practicing computational perspectives through embodiment in mathematics education. Technology, Knowledge and Learning. 22,  135-155.

Swart, M.I., Kornkasem, S., Hachigian, A., Colon-Costa, N., Black, J.B., and Vitale, J.M., (2017). From Abstract to Concrete: Evidence for designing learning platforms that adapt to user's proficiencies.  In G. Gunzelmann, A. Howes, T. Tenbrink and E. Davelaar (Eds.),  Proceedings of the 39th Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society ,1163-1168. Austin, TX: Cognitive Science Society.

Sung, W., Ahn, J., Kai, S., & Black, J. B. (2017). Effective planning strategy in robotics education: An embodied approach. In P. Resta & S. Smith (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2017 (pp. 754-760). Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE).

Ahn, J., Mao, Y., Sung, W., & Black, J. B. (2017). “Supporting debugging skills: Using embodied instructions in children’s programming education.” In P. Resta & S. Smith (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2017 (pp. 9-16). Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE).

Jang, S., Vitale, J. Jyung. R. & Black, J. (2017) Direct Manipulation is better than passive viewing for learning anatomy in a three-dimensional virtual reality environment. Computers and Education, 106, 150-165.

Lee, A., & Black, J. (2016) How’d that happen?! Failure in game spaces to prepare students for future learning. In Hardin, C. and Steinkuehler, C. (Eds.), Proceedings of GLS 12 Games + Learning + Society Conference (pp. 299-305).  Madison, WI: ETC Press.

Li, N., & Black, J. (2016) Inter-Level scaffolding and sequences of representational activities in teaching a chemical system with graphical simulations.  Journal of Science Education and Technology. 25, 715-730.

Sung, W., Choi, A., & Black, J. (2016) Incorporating touch-based tablets into classroom activities: Fostering children’s computational T\thinking through iPad integrated instruction. D. Mentor (Ed.) Handbook of Research in Mobile Learning in Contemporary Classrooms

Paek, S., Hoffman, D. & Black, J. (2016) Perceptual factors and learning in digital environments.  Educational Technology Research & Development. DOI 10.1007/s11423-016-9427-8

Kornkasem, S., & Black, J.B. (2016). Spatial Thinking Learning Using Explicit Spatial Language. in Spatial Cognition (SC2016). Philadelphia, PA.

Kornkasem, S., & Black, J. B. (2015). Formation of spatial thinking skills through different training methods.  Presented at the International Conference on Spatial Cognition, Rome, Italy.

Kornkasem, S., & Black, J.B. (2015). The Effects of Differences of Process-based Mental Simulation on Developing Spatial Thinking Skills. Presented at the Association for Psychological Science (APS 2015)

Lee, A., Friedman, B.P., Compres, L., and Black, J.B. (2015, May). Conceptual Congruency Impacts Comprehension and Attention Allocation in Educational Simulation Use. Paper to be presented at the AERA Annual Meeting 2015, Chicago, Il.

Friedman, B.P., Lee, A., Compres, L., and Black, J.B. (2015, April). Manipulating Multimedia: How Gestural Control Impacts Attention and Learning. Presented at the AERA Annual Meeting 2015, Chicago, Il.

Choi, A., Marks, J., Lee, A., Ahn, J., & Black, J. B. (2015, April). The effect of cognitive embodiment on children’s problem solving in robotics education. Paper presented at the annual meeting of American Educational Researchers Association, Chicago, Il.

Lee, A., Friedman, B.P., Compres, L., and Black, J.B. (2015, April). User Control: An Eye-Tracking Study on Late Elementary Science Learning in Interactive Environments. Presented at the AERA Annual Meeting 2015, Chicago, Il.

Lee, A., Friedman, B.P., and Black, J.B. (2014, October). How Interactive Environments Impact Attention and Learning. Paper presented at the Norwegian Research and Educational Network, New York, NY.

Swart, M. I, Friedman, B., Kornkasem, S., Hollenburg, S., Lowes, S., Black, J.B., Vitale, J.M., Sheppard, S., & Nankin, F. (2014). Mobile Movement Mathematics: Exploring the gestures students make while explaining FrActions. Presented at the 2014 AERA National Conference, Philadelphia, PA. [PDF]

Khan, S. A., & Black, J. B. (2013). Enhancing Learning and Motivation through Positive Embodied Affect and Surrogate Embodiment in Virtual

Fadjo, C., & Black, J., (2012). “Code Literacy: Developing Computational Literacy Skills Through Artifact Construction.” Symposium: Examining Computational Thinking in the Field. To be presented at the annual conference of the American Educational Research Association, Vancouver, Canada.

Fadjo, C., & Black, J., (2012). “Combining Movement and Imagination with Story Development: Using Direct Embodiment to Construct Narrative-Driven Computational Artifacts.” To be presented at the annual conference of the American Educational Research Association, Vancouver, Canada.

Fadjo, C., Black, J., & Kirsh, D. (2012). Roundtable: Grounded Embodied Cognition in the K-12 Classroom: Innovations and Explorations in Practice. To be presented at the annual conference of the American Educational Research Association, Vancouver, Canada.

Huang, S., Black, J. & Vea, T. (2012). “The Use of a 3-D Force Feedback Joystick in Abstract Physics System Learning.” To be presented at the annual conference of the American Educational Research Association, Vancouver, Canada.

Huang, S., Black, J. & Vea, T. (2012). “The Age Limitation on Applying Embodied Cognition Using a 3-D Force Feedback Joystick in Abstract Concept Learning.” To be presented at the annual conference of the American Educational Research Association, Vancouver, Canada.

Lowes, S., Hamilton, G., Hochstetler, V., & Lower, J. (2012). “On the Internet, no one knows you’re a dog: Training medical students to communicate through role-plays in Second Life.” Symposium: Affordances and Constraints of Virtual Worlds for Formal and Informal Learning. To be presented at the annual conference of the American Educational Research Association, Vancouver, Canada.

Lu, C., Black, J., Kang, S. & Huang, S. (2012). “Embodiment in Physical Science Learning through Robotics Activities.” To be presented at the annual conference of the American Educational Research Association, Vancouver, Canada.

Vitale, J. (2012). “Tracking Relationships between Game-play and Conceptual Knowledge in a Dynamic Geometry Game.” To be presented at the annual conference of the American Educational Research Association, Vancouver, Canada.

Virk, S. (2012). “Fully Iterative versus Partially Iterative Visuo-Spatial External Representations of Abstract Physics Concepts.” To be presented at the annual conference of the American Educational Research Association, Vancouver, Canada.

Fadjo, C.L., & Black, J.B. (2011). “A Grounded Embodied Approach to the Instruction of Computational Thinking.” Paper presented at the annual conference of the Association of Computing Machinery Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education (ACM SIGCSE), Dallas, TX.

Fadjo, C.L., Black, J.B., Chang, C., & Lee, J. (2011). “Instructional Embodiment: Incorporating Embodied Cognition in the Learning of Abstract Computer Programming Concepts.” Paper presented at the annual conference of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans, LA.

Black, J. (2006). “Designing Games with Explanatory Transparency for Better Learning and Understanding.” Paper presented at the 2006 Game Developer’s Conference , March 20-24, San Jose, California.

Chan, M., Fadjo, C.L., Lu, P., & Shin, J. (2008) “Synergistic effect of enacting, visualizing, and manipulating codes in Scratch to promote understanding of programming and mathematical concepts.” Brief paper presented at the Scratch@MIT Conference, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA

Bai, X., Black, J. B., Vitale, J. (2007). REAL: An agent-based learning environment. Paper presented at the Agent-Based Systems for Human Learning Conference, Hawaii.

Bai, X., Black, J.B., Vikaros L., Vitale, J, Li, D., Xia, Q., Kim, S., Kang, S. (2007). Learning in One’s Own Imaginary World. Paper presented at the Annual Meetings of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago.

Bai, X., & Black, J. B. (2006). REAL: An agent-based learning environment. Paper presented at the Agent-Based Systems for Human Learning Conference, Hakodate, Japan.

Bai, X. (2006). Modeling Users Through Self-Reflection in Simulation Games. Paper presented at the Association for Psychological Science. 18th Annual Convention, New York, NY.

Chan, M., and Black, J. (2006). “Learning Newtonian mechanics with an animation game: The role of presentation format on mental model acquisition.” Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), San Francisco.

Publications

Kang, S., Hallman, G.L., Son, L.K. and Black, J.B. ( in press). The different benefits from different gestures in understanding a concept. Journal of Science Education and Technology. [PDF]

Khan, S.A. and Black, J.B. (in press) Surrogate embodied learning in MUVEs: Enhancing memory and motivation through embodiment. Journal of Immersive Education. [PDF]

Vitale, J.M., Black, J.B., Swart, M.I. (in press) Applying grounded coordination challenges to concrete learning materials: A study of number line estimation. Journal of Educational Psychology. [PDF]

Vitale, J., Swart, M. and Black, J. (in press) Promoting the development of embodied and Integrated geometry concepts: Gestural depictions in a computer game environment. Computers and Education. [DOCX]

Kornkasem, S., & Black, J. B. (2015). Formation of spatial thinking skills through different training methods. Cognitive processing, 16(1), 281-285.

Kornkasem, S., & Black, J. B. (2015). CAAD, Cognition & Spatial Thinking Training. In Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, Korea.

Swart, M.I., Vitale, J.M., Friedman, B., Kornkasem, S. & Black, J.B. (2015). M3-Situating Embodied Learning: Embedding Gestures in Narratives to learn Mathematical Fractions in a digital tablet environment. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of Cognitive Science, July 2015. Pasadena, California.

Swart, M.I., Vitale, J.M., Friedman, B., Kornkasem, S. & Black, J.B. (2015). Mobile Movement Mathematics (M3): Discussing Iterative (re)Design of a Digital Tablet Tutor-Game for Learning Fractions. Proceedings of the Games for Learning Summit, July 2015. Madison, Wisconsin.

Kornkasem, S., & Black, J. B. (2014). Spatial thinking training using geometry and architectural artifacts. In Proceedings of the London International Conference on Education.

Black, J.B., Khan, S.A. and Huang, S.C.D. (2014). Video games as grounding experiences for learning. In F. C. Blumberg (Ed.) Learning by playing: Frontiers of videogaming in education. New York: Oxford University Press. [DOC]

Li, Na and Black, J.B. (2013). Proper sequencing and level-bridging scaffolding in learning a chemical system with graphical simulations. In M. Knauff, M. Pauen, N. Sebanz and I. Wachsmuth (Eds.), Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society. Austin, TX: Cognitive Science Society. [PDF]

Lu, M.T.P., Hallman, G.L. and Black J.B. (2013) Chinese character learning: Using embodied animation in initial stages. Journal of Technology and Chinese Language Teaching, 4, 1-24. [PDF]

Black, J.B., Segal, A., Vitale, J. and Fadjo, C. (2012). Embodied cognition and learning environment design. In D. Jonassen and S. Lamb (Eds.) Theoretical foundations of student-centered learning environments. New York: Routledge. [DOCX]

Fadjo, C.L. and Black, J.B. (2012). You’re in the game. In M.J. Jacobson and P.Reimann (Ed.) Proceedings of the International Conference of the Learning Sciences 2012. New York: Routledge. [PDF]

Kang, S., Black, J.B. and Tversky, B. (2012). From hands to minds: Gestures affect action understanding. In N. Miyako, D. Peebles, and R. Cooper (Eds.) Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society. Austin, TX: Cognitive Science Society. [PDF]

Kang, S., Hallman, G.L. Jr., and Black, J.B. (2012). The Role of Imagination in Augmenting Perceptual Representation. In N. Miyako, D. Peebles, and R. Cooper (Eds.) Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society. Austin, TX: Cognitive Science Society. [PDF]

Li, Na, Black, J.B., Gao, M. (2012) Designing Better Scaffolding in Simulation-based Learning Environments Teaching Complex Systems. In N. Miyako, D. Peebles, and R. Cooper (Eds.) Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society. Austin, TX: Cognitive Science Society. [PDF]

Pusic, M.V., MacDonald,, W.A. Eisman, H.O. and Black, J.B. (2012) Reinforcing outpatient medical student learning using brief computer tutorials: the Patient-Teacher-Tutorial sequence. BMC Medical Education. 12, 70-79 [PDF]

Huang, S., Vea, T. & Black, J. (2011). “Learning Classic Mechanics with Embodied Cognition.” World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2011. [PDF]

Huang, S., Vea, T. & Black, J. (2011). “Learning Abstract Physics System with a 3-D Force Feedback Joystick.” In Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2011.

Lu, C.M, Kang, S., Huang, S.C. & Black, J. B. (2011). “Building Student Understanding and Interest in Science through Embodied Experiences with LEGO Robotics.” In Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2011.Chesapeake, VA: AACE. [PDF]

Vitale, J., Black, J. B., & Swart, M. (2011). “Promoting development of geometry concepts: Interfacing multiple embodied representations with a computer game.” Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society. Austin, TX: Cognitive Science Society. [PDF]

Bai, X. and Black, J.B. (2010). “Enhancing intelligent tutoring systems with the agent paradigm. In S. Stankov, M. Rosov, and V. Glavinic (Eds.), Intelligent tutoring systems in eLearning environments: Design, implementation and evaluation. Hershey, PA: IGI Global Publishing.

Lu, C.M, Kang, S., Huang, S.C. & Black, J. B. (2010). “Using Embodiment with LEGO Robotics to Enhance Physics Understanding in Elementary School Students.” In Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2010 (pp. 2989-2992). Chesapeake, VA: AACE. [PDF]

Black, J.B. (2010). “An embodied/grounded cognition perspective on educational technology.” In M.S. Khine and I. Saleh (Eds.), New science of learning: Cognition, Computers and Collaboration in Education. Springer Publishing. [PDF]

Fadjo, C.L., Hong, J., Chang, C., Geist, E., Lee, J., & Black, J.B. (2010). Pedagogy and Curriculum for Video Game Programming Using Scratch. Scratch@MIT Conference, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA. [PDF]

Fadjo, C.L., Black, J.B., Chang, C., & Hong, J. (2010). “Using Embodied Cognition in the Instruction of Abstract Programming Concepts.” The Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society, Portland, OR. (p. 653)

Fadjo, C.L., Hong, J., Chang, C., & Black, J.B. (2010). “An Embodied Approach to the Instruction of Conditional Logic in Video Game Programming.” Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia, and Telecommunications, Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education, Charlottesville, VA. (pp. 2672 – 2679) [PDF]

Hong, J., Fadjo, C.L., Chang, C., Geist, E., & Black, J.B. (2010). “Urban Culture and Constructing Video Games.” Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia, and Telecommunications, Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education, Charlottesville, VA. (pp. 1334 – 1337) [PDF]

Fadjo, C.L. (2009). Mathematics Through Video Game Programming. The 23rd Annual New England Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference, Nashua, NH.

Fadjo, C.L., Lu, M.T., & Black, J.B. (2009). “Instructional Embodiment and Video Game Programming in an After School Program.” Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia, and Telecommunications, Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education, Charlottesville, VA. (pp. 4041 – 4046)

Fadjo, C.L., Hallman, G., Harris, R., & Black J.B. (2009). “Surrogate Embodiment, Mathematics Instruction, and Video Game Programming.” Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia, and Telecommunications, Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education, Charlottesville, VA. (pp. 2787 – 2792)

Fadjo, C.L., Shin, J., Lu, P., Chan, M., & Black, J.B. (2008). “Embodied Cognition and Video Game Programming.” Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia, and Telecommunications, Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education, Charlottesville, VA. (pp. 5749 – 5756)

Chan, M., Black, J., Han, I., Vitale, J., Xia, Q., Subramanian, M., Du, M. & Kang, S. (2007). “Look, it’s turning!” Factors Affecting Structural and Functional Knowledge Acquistion in an Elementary School Robotics Classroom. In C. Montgomerie & J. Seale (Eds.), Conference Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2007 (pp. 1626-1631). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.

Chan, M. and Black, J. (2006). “Direct-manipulation animation: incorporating the haptic channel in the learning process to support middle school students in science learning and mental model acquisition.” Proceedings of the International Conference of the Learning Sciences.

Bai, X., and Black, J. B. (2005). REAL: A Generic Intelligent Tutoring System Framework. In C. Crawford et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2005 (pp. 1279-1283). Chesapeake, AACE.

Bai, X., Saravanos, A. & Black, J. (2005). REAL: Facilitate Thinking in an Object-oriented Way. In Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2005 (pp. 3383-3387). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.

Chan, M. and Black, J. (2005). “When can animation improve learning? Some implications for human computer interaction and learning.” In Conference Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia, and Telecommunications 2005. Chesapeake, VA: AACE. [PDF]

Bai, X., and Black, J. (2004). TALE: A Teachable Agent Embedded in an Intelligent Tutoring System. In G. Richards (Ed.), Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2004 (pp. 1070-1072). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.

Black, J. and McClintock, R. (1995). “An Interpretation Construction Approach to Constructivist Design – [The “ICON Paper”] In B. Wilson (Ed.), Constructivist learning environments. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Educational Technology Publications.

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