Home PublicationsJRTEPast IssuesVolume 35 Number 2

	Edited by Dr. David J. Ayersman, Mary Washington College, and Dr. W. Michael Reed, New York University Incoming editor: Dr. Lynne Schrum, University of Georgia
formerly Journal of Research on Computing in Education

Volume 35 Number 2 Winter 2002—2003

The Transfer of Problem-Solving Skills from a Problem-Based Learning Environment: The Effect of Modeling an Expert’s Cognitive Processes
Susan Pedersen
Texas A&M University
Min Liu
The University of Texas at Austin

Abstract
This study examined students’ transfer of strategies modeled during a problem-based learning (PBL) unit to a novel problem situation. A hypermedia-based tool offered video segments of an expert as he engaged in the same tasks as students during PBL. Three conditions were compared. In the modeling condition, the expert “thought aloud” as he engaged in the same tasks as students. In the didactic condition, the expert gave tips and examples of how to work effectively. In the help condition, the expert explained tool functionality but did not provide support for problem solving. The results suggest that the modeling condition provided the most effective support, and that modeling an expert’s cognitive processes during PBL leads to improved performance on a transfer task.

Contributors
Susan Pedersen is an assistant professor of educational technology at Texas A&M University. She was the lead instructional designer on Alien Rescue, the software program used in this study. Her research focuses on the use of technology to facilitate student-centered learning environments. Min Liu is an associate professor of instructional technology at the University of Texas at Austin. Her current research interests include the impact of interactive multimedia and hypermedia on learning at all age levels, designing effective learning environments using such technology, and the impact of using multimedia assessment as a teaching and learning tool.

Contact
Susan Pedersen
Texas A&M University
Department of Educational Psychology
4225 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-42225
spedersen@coe.tamu.edu

A PDF file of the full articles is available. Contact: jrte@iste.org. Please specifiy Volume and Issue number and article name.

Copyright © 2002, ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education). All rights reserved.