When
Assistant Professor
Human-Computer Interaction Institute
Beyond Lectures: How Practice-Centered Learning Enhances Mastery, Metacognition, and Motivation
Abstract: Can students learn effectively without lectures? In this talk I will present evidence that structured practice with targeted feedback can outperform traditional lectures in promoting learning, metacognition, and motivation. I will show that when students engage in challenging practice supported by AI-generated feedback, they develop better awareness of their knowledge gaps (metacognitive calibration), which in turn boosts their interest and persistence, creating a reinforcing cycle that sustains learning. Drawing on experimental studies examining how metacognitive calibration and motivation interact to support durable learning, I will demonstrate how large language models enable personalized, scalable feedback and share evidence-based principles for designing effective practice-centered learning environments.