- Models such as ICAP hypothesize that effects of technology-enhanced learning (TEL) are mediated by the learning activity that is facilitated by technology. In this systematic review of meta-analyses and second-order meta-analysis, we examined effects of instruction with versus without digital technology in higher education while considering students' learning activities in the technology and nontechnology conditions. Based on NES = 45 eligible effects from NMA = 28 meta-analyses (that include Nprimary = 1286 effect sizes from primary studies), our results showed that when digital technology instruction was used as a substitute for nontechnology instruction, there was no substantial change in students' cognitive learning outcomes. However, cognitive learning outcomes improved when the technology provided learning-activity-specific support. Further, digital technologies that offered more advanced learning activities resulted in higher cognitive learning outcomes for students. Our resultsModels such as ICAP hypothesize that effects of technology-enhanced learning (TEL) are mediated by the learning activity that is facilitated by technology. In this systematic review of meta-analyses and second-order meta-analysis, we examined effects of instruction with versus without digital technology in higher education while considering students' learning activities in the technology and nontechnology conditions. Based on NES = 45 eligible effects from NMA = 28 meta-analyses (that include Nprimary = 1286 effect sizes from primary studies), our results showed that when digital technology instruction was used as a substitute for nontechnology instruction, there was no substantial change in students' cognitive learning outcomes. However, cognitive learning outcomes improved when the technology provided learning-activity-specific support. Further, digital technologies that offered more advanced learning activities resulted in higher cognitive learning outcomes for students. Our results indicate that effects of TEL are mediated by the learning activity that is facilitated by technology.…
