Name: Tiffany Nguyen

Master’s Thesis Proposal Meeting

Date: Thursday, June 27, 2024

Time: 11:00 - 12:00 PM 

Via Teams: click here

Thesis Chair/Advisor: Eric Schumacher, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech) 

Thesis Committee Members:

Eric Schumacher, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech) 

Stephen Harmon, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech) 

Paul Verhaeghen Ph.D. (Georgia Tech)

Title: Understanding Neural Mechanisms of Learning During Gagné’s Instructional Events

Abstract: In digital education, maintaining learner engagement and promoting long-term memory retention are key challenges (González-Gómez, Jeong, & Picado, 2020; Hodges, 2018). However, the relationship between the cognitive processes that underlie effective learning, moment to moment engagement of course content, and the instructional conditions to support learning in digital learning contexts remains under-explored (Brame, 2016; Spector, 2016). This study aims to bridge this gap by investigating whether brain activation patterns consistent with increased suspense and narrative engagement (Bezdek et al., 2015, 2017) can be replicated with learner engagement in an educational context. Additionally, this study will explore the impact of Gagné’s events of instruction on engagement and memory retention. By examining the potential unique relationships between these learning outcomes and Gagné's events of instruction, this study aims to contribute to the development of more effective and engaging learning experiences that cater to the evolving needs of learners in general, inform best practices for instructional design specifically for digital learning environments, and enhance educational equity and access for diverse learner populations—including disabled and/or neurodivergent individuals and those facing financial constraints.