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]].
 
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]].
  
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.
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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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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 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.
 +
 +
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.
  
 
[[Category:Glossary]]
 
[[Category:Glossary]]
 
[[Category:Independent Variables]]
 
[[Category:Independent Variables]]
 
[[Category:Coordinative Learning]]
 
[[Category:Coordinative Learning]]
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[[Category:Interactive Communication]]
 
[[Category:PSLC General]]
 
[[Category:PSLC General]]

Revision as of 15:58, 10 April 2007

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.

An 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 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.

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.