THE UNRAVELING OF TOOL USE: ANSWERING THE UNANSWERED?

This paper summarizes the results of four experiments exploring the use of tools. The first experiment shows that the use of tools is not only problematic in computer-based learning environments (CBLEs) and that the functionality of tools is relevant. The following experiments explored the impact of tools (concept maps, adjunct questions), tool-related characteristics (tool delivery mode: non-/embedded tool), tool advice (non- /explained tool functionality) and learner-related characteristics (prior knowledge, self-efficacy, goal orientation, perceptions, self-regulation) on tool use in a CBLE. Tool use on performance was also studied. The results indicate that all aforementioned characteristics influence tool use; there seems to be an interaction between the tool and the learner, and time spent on the tool seems crucial to determine performance.