On the Relationship Between Learners’ Emotions and Cognition in the Technology-Enhanced Learning Environment: The Mediating Role of Learners’ Learning Styles and Situational Motivation

Language teachers cannot ignore the role of technology in young language learners’ lives to engage and motivate them. Therefore, the current research investigated the mediating effect of students’ learning and cognitive styles on the relationship between their emotions and situational motivation. 1089 respondents were selected from different colleges and universities, with different ages, genders, and levels. Four questionnaires (Cognitive Scale of the Human–Nature Relationship, Learners’ Emotion Questionnaire, The Situational Motivation Scale, and Learning Style Questionnaire) were employed to collect the data. The researcher used Tencent QQ, a widely used communication platform in China, in conjunction with Wenjuanxing, an online survey tool, to distribute the questionnaire to all participants. The results showed that 54% of changes in students’ situational motivation can be explained by interaction among their emotions, learning, and cognitive styles. In addition, it was revealed that less attention is paid to the mental and psychological aspects of students in technology-enhanced learning environments, and most educational environments do not have the necessary compatibility with the psychological characteristics of students. Implications are presented.