Scaffolding Problem Solving with Annotated, Worked-Out Examples to Promote Deep Learning

This study seeks to compare the relative utility for learning college-level physics of intelligent tutoring systems that have procedural based hints and worked-out examples. In order to test which produced better gains, a modified version of Andes was used in which participants either received hints or annotated, worked-out examples in response to their help requests. We found that providing annotated, worked-out examples instead of hint sequences was more efficient in the number of problems it took to obtain basic mastery.