Abstract: Educational videogames can be designed to provide instructional feedback that is responsive to specific actions. However, existing research indicates that students tend to ignore videogame feedback and subsequently use less effective help-seeking strategies. Research on help-seeking in learning environments has primarily focused on the role of cognitive factors, the nature of the help, or issues of timing and frequency. There is a noticeable gap in understanding regarding how to motivate and increase the use of feedback for improved learning. Using a pre-algebra videogame, this study examined the relationship between an incentive to use feedback and math achievement. A randomized-control design was employed, which compared learning outcomes of students who received the incentive to those who did not. Results indicated that students given the incentive to use feedback had significantly higher normalized change scores on math items (d = .53), with stronger effects for students with low academic intrinsic motivation (d = .88 - 1.17).
Abstract: "Why do people contribute content to communities of question-
answering, such as Yahoo!Answers? We investigated this
issue on MathOverflow, a site dedicated to research-level
mathematics, in which users ask and answer questions. Math-
Overflow is the first in a growing number of specialized Q&A
sites using the Stack Exchange platform for scientific collab-
oration. In this study we combine responses to a survey with
collected data on posting behavior on the site. User behavior
suggests that building reputation is an important incentive,
even though users do not report this in the survey. Level of
expertise affects users' reported motivation to help others,
but does not affect the importance of reputation building.
We discuss the implications for the design of communities
to target and encourage more contributions."