Anyone knows the usage of --how use of. I came across a sentence --Pinkwart et al. 2003 explored how PDAs could be used in co-operative learning--could any one explain it to me?

The sentence "Pinkwart et al. 2003 explored how PDAs could be used in co-operative learning" is using the phrase "how PDAs could be used" to highlight the research question of the study.

Here's a breakdown:

* Pinkwart et al. 2003: This refers to a research paper or publication by Pinkwart and their colleagues, published in 2003.

* explored: This means the researchers investigated or examined a particular topic.

* how PDAs could be used: This is the core of the research question. The researchers were interested in understanding the potential applications of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) in the context of cooperative learning.

* in co-operative learning: This specifies the context of the research. The study focused on how PDAs could be used to enhance or support collaborative learning experiences.

In simpler terms:

Pinkwart and their team in 2003 investigated how technology like PDAs could be helpful for students learning together in groups.

The sentence emphasizes the process of exploring the possibilities of using PDAs in cooperative learning, rather than stating specific conclusions or findings of the study.