It is well-established that emotions affect human cognition. Since cognition is vital to learning and memory, it means that emotions can affect how a person grasps and retains concepts. On that note, this article review will focus on the specific mechanisms of how emotion affects learning and memory
Summary of Article
The article centers on how emotions affect learners in the context of an online learning environment. Emotions are a vital part of a person’s learning experience since they affect the working memory ( Gluck et al. , 2020). Although many students are transitioning to online learning, details about the effect of this transition are scarce. Since students engage in the use of novel technologies when in online learning, it leads to the development of new competencies. Such a change may induce an emotional response, which may affect the experience of online learning.
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Review of Article
The article’s thesis articulates that the transition to online learning elicits an emotional response that may affect the learning experience of a student. To determine the thesis, the researchers engaged in a qualitative study featuring a sample of online students. In particular, the participants were enrolled in two graduate programs at a single mode distance education university ( Cleveland-Innes & Campbell, 2020) . The sample size included 217 students from 19 courses. Data was collected using a modified CoI instrument. The instrument includes indicators for social, cognitive, emotional, and teaching response to determine the emotional experience of a learner. The main finding was that emotions may hinder learning as a distractor; however, if it well-managed, it may act as an enabler to reinforce thinking, directing, simulation, and decision making ( Cleveland-Innes et al., 2020) . Essentially, the participants who managed their emotions were able to engage in a positive and meaningful online learning experience. The findings lead that emotions should be considered as part of the learning experience for online learners. Emotion is a fundamental part of learning, even in an online setting. It is important to consider emotions in an online learning environment since it affects a person’s cognition and ultimate learning experience.
Personal Experience
I selected the article due to its specific focus on the effect of emotions on an online learning environment. The topic is relevant to me since I am an online learner. Therefore, the article was useful in providing insights regarding how my emotions affect my learning experience. On a wider scale, the Covid-19 pandemic has forced many institutions to turn to online learning. It means that the study reveals useful insights regarding the perceptions of learners engaging in online learning after the Coronavirus pandemic. Besides, there is a dearth of studies that examine the effect of emotions on online learners as most focus on the traditional learning environment.
The article is applicable to learning and memory since it demonstrates that emotions is a vital part of a student’s learning experience, whether in a traditional classroom or online setup. I have learnt the management of emotions is vital to enable a positive learning experience for a student. Students should be taught self-management techniques to enable a rich learning experience. The article has left me with two important questions. First, what techniques can be used to regulate emotions in a learning environment? Second, how can emotion management be included in courses to aid learning and cognition?
Conclusion
The article is useful since it affirms that emotions affect learning and environment since it affects cognition. Its particular focus on the effect of emotions in an online learning environment is vital since more and more learners are transitioning to online learning. While the authors do not discuss the techniques that learners can use to manage emotions to aid memory and learning, it forms the basis of future research.
References
Cleveland-Innes, M., & Campbell, P. (2012). Emotional presence, learning, and the online learning environment. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning , 13 (4), 269-292. Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/download/1234/2347
Gluck, M. A., Mercado, E., & Myers, C. E. (2020). Learning And Memory: From Brain To Behavior (New York: Worth Publishers.
