We investigated the processes that make seductive details (i.e., interesting but irrelevant pictures and text passages in learning materials) harmful for learning scientific concepts and principles. In our experiment, students (N = 113) learned without seductive details (control condition) or with seductive details, and afterwards worked on a…

Learning from examples is a very effective means of initial cognitive skill acquisition. There is an enormous body of research on the specifics of this learning method. This article presents an instructionally oriented theory of example-based learning that integrates theoretical assumptions and findings from three research areas: learning from…

The purpose of the study was to investigate the efficacy of using faded worked examples presented in matrices with problem structure variability to enhance learners' ability to recognize the underlying structure of the problems. Specifically, this study compared the effects of matrix-format versus linear-format faded worked examples combined with…

The worked example effect within cognitive load theory is a very well-established finding. The concrete effectiveness of worked examples in a learning situation, however, heavily depends on further moderating factors. For example, if learners improve their processing of worked examples by actively explaining the worked examples to themselves, they…

Describes a replication study that explored differences between intermediate experts and novices mastering recurrent demands using a computer-based simulation. Functionality of mental models, declarative knowledge, acceptance of the learning environment, and intrinsic motivation to learn are discussed, and results that show no advantage for…

Reanalyzed findings of an earlier study on learning with worked-out examples (n=56 vocational school students) and identified different ways of dealing with worked-out examples and related them to learning outcomes and learners' mental efforts. Results show that elaboration training had a positive effect on the quality of example elaboration.…

The extent to which the expectancy of a teaching demand influences learning results was studied with 36 education majors who learned from worked-out examples with or without the expectation that they would have to teach similar examples. Teaching expectancy decreased the superficiality of studying the worked-out examples. (SLD)

Proposed a successive integration of problem-solving elements into example study until learners solved problems on their own and tested the effectiveness of this "fading" method against a traditional method of using example-problem pairs. Results with 20 ninth graders in Germany, 54 U.S. college students, and 45 U.S. college students…

The influence of multiple learning contexts and problem solving guidance on the acquisition of applicable knowledge and subjective learning outcomes in complex learning was studied with 60 economics students from a vocational school. No single learning condition was superior with regard to all learning outcomes. The problem of self-evaluation of…