Research

The Lawson Learning Lab conducts research in three main areas: 1) learning strategies, 2) educational technology, and 3) individual differences. The approach taken by this lab is to apply the science of learning to educational environments.

Enhancing Learning with Strategies

Some of our work has focused on how we can improve learning across multiple platforms by integrated learning strategies, such as summarizing, into the lesson. Learning strategies are strategies students can use to help them select relevant information to focus on, organize that information into a coherent mental model, and integrate it into their existing knowledge

Comparing Different Forms of Mapping

We have done some collaborative work on investigating how different forms of mapping (i.e., concept mapping and knowledge mapping) compared to one another to benefit learning. Different types of mapping can have different impacts on learning due to several reasons, including the type of scaffolding it provides students, the impact on cognitive load, and the prior experience with mapping.

Immersive Virtual Reality

One technology that we investigate is immersive virtual reality. We have done some work on investigating whether immersive virtual reality can increase learning compared to more conventional types of learning environments, such as video lectures. Further, we have investigated how this type of technology can be better integrated into learning environments to enhance learning.

Generative AI

We have worked collaboratively on a critical analysis of research investigating media comparison literature on the impacts of ChatGPT use in education. In this research, we aimed to understand if the research on ChatGPT's use in educational contexts is well-designed and designed in a way that allows for strong causal conclusions.

Executive Function Differences

Much of the work we do in the lab includes a component of investigating the impact of individual differences, particularly in executive function. Because executive functioning (the 'manager' of our thoughts, actions, and emotions) varies from person to person, it is important to understand in the context of education. Our work investigates how different instructional designs and educational technologies can support and/or harm learners across the spectrum of executive function skill.

Neurodiversity

Some of the research we conduct in the lab relates to neurodiversity and neurodivergent individuals. Specifically, our research tends to investigate what types of learning experiences can support neurodivergent students better and how to best integrate these learning experiences into a classroom to support a wide range of students.

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