Adaptive program vs. learner control strategy on computer aided learning of gravimetric stoichiometry problems

AbstractThe present study was designed to determine the relative effectiveness of two control strategies: learner control (LC) vs. adaptive program control (PC), in computer aided learning (CAL). The LC strategy allowed learners to decide on the learning sequence of the four tasks and the number of practice examples to work on their own. The PC strategy allowed them to work on an easy to difficult task sequence with the number of examples prescribed. A set of four CAL tasks developed and used involved four conceptual rules of converting (a) mole to mole, (b) mole to mass, (c) mass to mole, and (d) mass to mass units in gravimetric stoichiometry. Thirteen LC and 13 PC grade 11 students worked on the four tasks. LC students attempted significantly more practice examples for longer time than PC students, but less successfully. The less than optimal learning performance seems to be most likely due to the undisciplined sequencing of the tasks. The general and specific self-rating intended as indexing learners’...

[1]  Dean L. Christensen,et al.  Adaptive Control of Learning Time and Content Sequence in Concept Learning Using Computer-Based Instruction. , 1985 .

[2]  Robert M. Gagné,et al.  Is Educational Technology in Phase , 1980 .

[3]  V. Shipman,et al.  Chapter 7: Cognitive Styles: Some Conceptual, Methodological, and Applied Issues , 1985 .

[4]  Robert D. Tennyson,et al.  Management of Computer-Based Instruction: Design of an Adaptive Control Strategy. , 1979 .

[6]  Philippe C. Duchastel,et al.  Intelligent Computer Assisted Instruction Systems: The Nature of Learner Control , 1986 .

[7]  Carol A. Carrier,et al.  Do Learners Make Good Choices , 1984 .

[8]  M. Hannafin,et al.  The Effect of the Locus of CAI Control Strategies on the Learning of Mathematics Rules , 1985 .

[9]  Angela B. Garcia,et al.  Effects of Student Control and Choice on Engagement in a CAI Arithmetic Task in a Low-Income School. , 1975 .

[10]  Robert D. Tennyson,et al.  Adaptive design strategies for selecting number and presentation order of examples in coordinate concept acquisition. , 1980 .

[11]  R. Tennyson,et al.  Pretask and On-Task Adaptive Design Strategies for Selecting Number of Instances in Concept Acquisition. , 1977 .

[12]  Michael J. Hannafin,et al.  Guidelines for using locus of instructional control in the design of computer-assisted instruction , 1984 .

[13]  R. Tennyson.  Use of Adaptive Information for Advisement in Learning Concepts and Rules Using Computer-assisted Instruction , 1981 .

[14]  R. Snow.  Aptitude, learner control, and adaptive instruction , 1980 .

[15]  S. Ross,et al.  Learner control versus program control as adaptive strategies for selection of instructional support on math rules. , 1981 .