Difference between revisions of "Worked examples"

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Step-by-step solutions to problems presented in textual, graphical, or video format.  Worked examples sometimes provide explanations of each step and sometimes withhold them so as to encourage student [[self-explanation]].
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Worked examples are a kind of [[example]] involving step-by-step solutions to problems typically presented in textual, graphical, video, or face-to-face format.  Worked examples sometimes provide explanations of each step and sometimes withhold them so as to encourage student [[self-explanation]].
  
An worked example is a problem plus the [[step]]s leading up to its solution.  For instance, if the problem is "Solve 12+2*x=15 for x" then one worked example is:
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A worked example is a problem plus the [[step]]s leading up to its solution.  For instance, if the problem is "Solve 12+2*x=15 for x" then one worked example is:
  
 
In order to solve 12+2*x=15 for x, we write
 
In order to solve 12+2*x=15 for x, we write
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There are 4 steps in this solution.
 
There are 4 steps in this solution.
  
A large body of literature, much due to John Sweller and his [[cognitive load]] theory, has investigated the benefits of interleaving worked examples with problem-solving practice.  Such interleaving seems to provide a good balance of [[assistance]] between assistance-giving examples and assistance-withholding problems.
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A large body of literature, much due to John Sweller (see relevant references below) and his [[cognitive load]] theory, has investigated the benefits of interleaving worked examples with problem-solving practice.  Such interleaving seems to provide a good balance of [[assistance]] between assistance-giving examples and assistance-withholding problems.
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A worked example is sometimes called a "model", particularly when presented by expert in face-to-face or video format.  Such a demonstration is the first step in the model-scaffold-face approach recommended by Collins et al. (1989).  
  
 
For illustrative studies see the [[Does learning from worked-out examples improve tutored problem solving? | Renkl et al. study]] of faded worked-out examples in geometry and the [[Stoichiometry_Study | McLaren et al. study]] of interleaved worked examples in Chemistry.  A number of other studies involving manipulations in the distribution of, presentation of, or supporting instruction around worked examples can be found in the [[Coordinative Learning]] and [[Interactive Communication]] clusters.
 
For illustrative studies see the [[Does learning from worked-out examples improve tutored problem solving? | Renkl et al. study]] of faded worked-out examples in geometry and the [[Stoichiometry_Study | McLaren et al. study]] of interleaved worked examples in Chemistry.  A number of other studies involving manipulations in the distribution of, presentation of, or supporting instruction around worked examples can be found in the [[Coordinative Learning]] and [[Interactive Communication]] clusters.
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=== References ===
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* Collins, A., Brown, J. S., & Newman, S. E. (1989). Cognitive apprenticeship: Teaching the craft of reading, writing and  mathematics. In L. B. Resnick (Ed.), ''Knowing, learning and instruction: Essays in honor of Robert Glaser'' (pp. 453-494). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
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* Sweller, J. (1999). ''Instructional design in technical areas.'' Australian Council for Education Press.
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* Sweller, J., & Cooper, G. A. (1985). The use of worked examples as a substitute for problem solving in learning algebra. ''Cognition and Instruction, 2'', 59–89.
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* Trafton, J. G., & Reiser, B.J. (1993). The contributions of studying examples and solving problems to skill acquisition. In M. Polson (Ed.), ''Proceedings of the Fifteenth annual conference of the Cognitive Science Society'' (1017-1022). Hillsdale, N.J.: Erlbaum.
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* Ward, M., & Sweller, J. (1990). Structuring effective worked examples. ''Cognition and Instruction, 7'', 1-39.
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* Zhu, X., & Simon, H. A. (1987). Learning mathematics from examples and by doing. ''Cognition and Instruction, 4''(3), 137-166.
  
 
[[Category:Glossary]]
 
[[Category:Glossary]]

Revision as of 16:18, 10 April 2007

Worked examples are a kind of example involving step-by-step solutions to problems typically presented in textual, graphical, video, or face-to-face format. Worked examples sometimes provide explanations of each step and sometimes withhold them so as to encourage student self-explanation.

A worked example is a problem plus the steps leading up to its solution. For instance, if the problem is "Solve 12+2*x=15 for x" then one worked example is:

In order to solve 12+2*x=15 for x, we write

2*x = 15-12
2*x = 3
x = 3/2
x = 1.5

There are 4 steps in this solution.

A large body of literature, much due to John Sweller (see relevant references below) and his cognitive load theory, has investigated the benefits of interleaving worked examples with problem-solving practice. Such interleaving seems to provide a good balance of assistance between assistance-giving examples and assistance-withholding problems.

A worked example is sometimes called a "model", particularly when presented by expert in face-to-face or video format. Such a demonstration is the first step in the model-scaffold-face approach recommended by Collins et al. (1989).

For illustrative studies see the Renkl et al. study of faded worked-out examples in geometry and the McLaren et al. study of interleaved worked examples in Chemistry. A number of other studies involving manipulations in the distribution of, presentation of, or supporting instruction around worked examples can be found in the Coordinative Learning and Interactive Communication clusters.

References

  • Collins, A., Brown, J. S., & Newman, S. E. (1989). Cognitive apprenticeship: Teaching the craft of reading, writing and mathematics. In L. B. Resnick (Ed.), Knowing, learning and instruction: Essays in honor of Robert Glaser (pp. 453-494). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
  • Sweller, J. (1999). Instructional design in technical areas. Australian Council for Education Press.
  • Sweller, J., & Cooper, G. A. (1985). The use of worked examples as a substitute for problem solving in learning algebra. Cognition and Instruction, 2, 59–89.
  • Trafton, J. G., & Reiser, B.J. (1993). The contributions of studying examples and solving problems to skill acquisition. In M. Polson (Ed.), Proceedings of the Fifteenth annual conference of the Cognitive Science Society (1017-1022). Hillsdale, N.J.: Erlbaum.
  • Ward, M., & Sweller, J. (1990). Structuring effective worked examples. Cognition and Instruction, 7, 1-39.
  • Zhu, X., & Simon, H. A. (1987). Learning mathematics from examples and by doing. Cognition and Instruction, 4(3), 137-166.