Strategic training in the use of causal diagrams: Facilitation of superior mental models

This study focused on the influence of strategic learning on the construction of causal diagrams and their role in text learning. A causal diagram is an instructional adjunct designed to enhance text comprehension by providing a visual representation integrating elements of cause and effect. The Integrated Model of Text and Picture Comprehension (IMTPC) (Schnotz & Bannert, 1999) suggests that diagrams improve learning because they facilitate the construction of mental models via simultaneous comprehension of visual and text elements. However, there is no information on how to achieve this benefit consistently. Scevak, Moore, and Kirby (1993) have demonstrated that this benefit is enhanced by strategic training. The present research examined the effects of strategic training on causal diagrams to improve text learning. It was predicted that individuals who received training would perform better on measures of factual and conceptual learning than those with no training. These results supported the IMTPC model.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educational Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Year

2003

Author dc:creator

• Poliquin, Anne Seyer

Contributors dc:contributor

• Gregory Schraw

Statement dc:rights

• IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

https://oasis.library.unlv.edu/rtds/1540

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:oasis.library.unlv.edu:rtds-2539