Impact du mode d’organisation de la tâche en résolution de problèmes sur la réussite et l’apprentissage. Résolution de problèmes et apprentissage

This research studies the impact of the instructional design in problems solving. Across several studies, Sweller, 1988, Sweller, 2003, Sweller, 2004 develop the Cognitive Load Theory. In this theory, the interrelationships between instructional variable, problem solving and learning are supported. But, these researches are concentrated on the aspect of problem itself. Others studies, in instructional design, wonder about the organization of a complete task (Paas et al., 2003). It seems of these researches that the mode of organization of a task influences the success of the task and more widely the quality of the knowledge, which can be elaborated during the realization of this task. The objective of our work is to bring to light all the importance of the design in a task with several problems. For that purpose, we compared a design based on a hierarchical organization of the difficulty of the problems (from the easiest to the most difficult) and a random presentation of the same problems. We present here three experiments using logical problems stemming from the minesweeper game. The results of the first experiment suggest that an organized mode of presentation compensates for the increase of the difficulty and facilitates a better success of the problems. The second experiment uses the same protocol, as the first one to which are added new problems as well as one paradigm of double task. The results show that the orderly mode of presentation also facilitates the elaboration of transferable knowledge with new problems. However, the distances from performances do not seem to be attributable in the cognitive load of the task. The third experiment brings more qualitative data, which come to support the first results. The verbalization of rules elaborated during the signing shows prevalence of the organized design. The subjective evaluation of the supplied mental effort confirms the insensitivity of the cognitive load in the mode of presentation of the task. So, the impact of the mode of presentation does not seem to ensue from a too important cognitive load during a random presentation but a lot of interest of an organized design.     

Effets du soutien organisationnel perçu et des caractéristiques de l’emploi sur l’anxiété au travail et l’épuisement professionnel : le rôle médiateur de la satisfaction des besoins psychologiques

Based on organizational support theory, job characteristics model, and self-determination theory, we examined the mechanisms that underlie the relations between organizational factors and ill-being. Specifically, the main purpose of the present study was to demonstrate the mediating role of the psychological needs for autonomy (i.e., the need for individuals to feel volitional and responsible for their own behavior), competence (i.e., the need for individuals to interact effectively with their environment), and relatedness (i.e., the need for individuals to feel connected and accepted by others), in the relationships of perceived organizational support (i.e., the degree to which employees believe that their organization values their contributions and cares about their well-being) and three motivational job characteristics (i.e., task identity, task significance, and work scheduling autonomy) to job anxiety and burnout. This is the first research, to the best of our knowledge, to test for the joint effects of perceived organizational support and motivational job characteristics on job anxiety and burnout through psychological need satisfaction. Four hundred and fifty-seven employees (216 men and 241 women) from different sectors (i.e., industry, trade, crafts) took part in the study. Fifty-seven participants worked in companies with less than 10 employees, 105 in companies with 11–49 employees, 138 in companies with 50–249 employees, 33 in companies with 250–499 employees, and 124 in companies with more than 500 employees. The hypothesized model was tested with structural equation modeling analyses. Results provided support for our hypotheses and revealed that all hypothesized paths were significant. Specifically, our results showed that perceived organizational support and job characteristics were positively related to psychological need satisfaction. In addition, satisfaction of these psychological needs was negatively associated with job anxiety and burnout. Therefore, feelings of autonomy, competence, and relatedness play a central role in the development or reduction of well- and ill-being at work. These results are consistent with previous research in the work context, which has shown that social factors (e.g., autonomy-supportive behaviors) have significant effects on workplace mental health through their influence on psychological need satisfaction. Practical and research implications as well as suggestions for future research are discussed.