Trends and development of technology-enhanced personalized learning in science education: a systematic review of publications from 2010 to 2022

Abstract

Science education is a discipline to motivate students to inquire, observe, and conduct experiments to explain the natural system of the world. Technology has been recognized as a cognitive tool supporting science teaching and learning. However, finding an effective method for properly using technology to enhance individual learning in science is challenging. Therefore, this study reviewed research articles on technology-enhanced personalized learning in science education from 2010 to 2022. A coding scheme was used to frame analyzing the research trend of the application domain, personalized schemes, participants, research designs, and finding of research issues/dependent variables. The analysis results from 106 studies revealed that (1) technology-enhanced personalized learning was implemented for basic science learning at the beginning of the past decade, while for more applied science learning since the mid of the past decade. (2) Regarding personalized schema, providing personalized learning content and personalized diagnosis and suggestions was the popular personalization mode. The adaptation of profile/portfolio and platform or technical supports for personalization was less proposed in the science learning setting. (3) Most studies focused on experimental design methods and cognitive aspects, while only a few studies have been conducted on learning behavior, causal analysis, psychomotor, and qualitative analysis. The effectiveness of technology-enhanced personalized learning in science education needs the appropriate instructional design and transparent research methodology to investigate factors influencing learning performance.