Emotional Self-Assessment Scale And Early Warning System Design For Distance Learners

This paper focuses on the emotion loss of distance learners, and develops the Emotional Self-Assessment Scale for them based on the Literature Analysis and Empirical Research. First, figure out the emotional variables of distance learners. On the basis of the existing studies in academic emotions,10 mood variables were extracted, such as pleasure, proud, excited/confidential, satisfied, calm, helpless/lonely, boredom, depression/inferiority, nervous/anxiety and anger. Second, analyze the distance learners' learning activities. In this paper, we take the learners from Distance Education College of East China Normal University for reference, and make a depth interview with the distance educators, to make sure the 26 distance-learning activities. This scale mainly adopts a Self-Report Scale method for distance learners to measure the emotions in various learning activities. Third, to test the availability of the scale and revise it, we make a small sample prediction to the distance learners. By using of Exploratory Factor Analysis, Compare Means and Correlation Analysis, we delete two emotions:proud and calm, and select eight learning emotions:pleasure, excited/confidential, satisfied, helpless/lonely, boredom, depression/inferiority, nervous/anxiety and anger.In order to test the scale's effects in practical applications, two modules are selected, "Required Courses" and "Interaction" for a wider range of learners to test. Data shows that the learners' emotions are influenced evidently by their own computer skills and involvement degree, and also the teachers' level. It strengths the conclusion that the scale has good empirical validity and truly reflects the distance learners' emotional state. In addition, Reliability and Validity Analysis, and Exploratory Factor Analysis indicate that Emotional Self-Rating Scale for distance learners have good reliability and validity.Finally, based on the Emotional Self-Rating Scale, this study preliminary designs emotional early warning model for distance learners. In the Early warning model, the emotional state of distance learners are divided into four categories according to gradual advance:green state, blue state, red state and orange state. The green state is an ideal state that learners do not have obvious negative mood, the red state is that the learners have relatively strong negative emotions. Early warning system will judge the learner's state after he or she sends the emotional self-assessment scale. If the orange or red state, start the appropriate emotional warning alarm, and send the information to the appropriate learner's emotional decision-makers (emotional intervention implementer). Emotional decision-makers will identify problems and take the initiative to contact the learners to help them solve problems, guide them to turn the negative emotions to positive emotions.