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Abstract BackgroundUsing simulations in science instruction can help make abstract topics more concrete and boost students' understanding. AimsThe current research examined whether using a simulation as an exploratory learning activity before an accompanying lecture has additional learning and motivational benefits compared to a more common lecture‐then‐simulation approach. SamplesParticipants (Experiment 1,N = 168; Experiment 2,N = 357) were undergraduate students in several sections of a first‐year chemistry course. MethodsStudents were randomly assigned to explore a simulation on atomic structure either before a lecture (explore‐first condition) or after the lecture (instruct‐first condition). In Experiment 1, the simulation activity time was limited (15 min) and the activity varied in whether self‐explanation (‘why’) prompts were included. In Experiment 2, the activity time was lengthened (20 min), and only ‘why’ prompts were used. After the activity and lecture, students completed a survey and posttest. ResultsIn Experiment 1, students in the explore‐first condition scored lower on posttest conceptual knowledge scores and reported lower curiosity compared to students in the instruct‐first condition. Scores for basic facts and transfer knowledge, and self‐reported situational interest, self‐efficacy, and competence, were equal between conditions. No effects of prompt condition were found. In Experiment 2, with longer activity time, the results reversed. Students in the explore‐first condition scored equally on basic facts and higher on conceptual knowledge and transfer measures, while also reporting higher curiosity, situational interest, self‐efficacy, competence, and cognitive engagement. ConclusionWhen properly designed, placing simulations before—rather than after—lecture can deepen learning, motivation, and competence.
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Investigating the intensity and integration of active learning and lecture.
Given that the active learning literature lacks systematic investigations on how the intensity and integration of lecture and active learning affects learning, we conducted two experiments to examine the impact of these variables. The first experiment involved 146 participants who learned about biological taxonomies through pure lecture or pure active learning. Participants in the pure lecture condition scored significantly higher on a posttest than those in the pure active learning condition. The second experiment involved 219 participants who learned about biological taxonomies through pure lecture, a lecture and active learning activity that were interspersed, or a lecture and active learning activity that were blocked. Participants in the interspersed condition scored significantly higher than participants in the blocked and pure lecture conditions (which did not significantly differ). Based on these experiments, it may not be a question of either/or but rather a question of how to integrate lecture and active learning.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2222208
- PAR ID:
- 10537774
- Publisher / Repository:
- American Psychological Association
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition
- ISSN:
- 2211-3681
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1037/mac0000160
