Why do learners who draw perform well? Investigating the role of visualization, generation and externalization in learner-generated drawing

Publication date: Available online 4 February 2018Source: Learning and InstructionAuthor(s): Steffen P. Schmidgall, Alexander Eitel, Katharina ScheiterAbstractIn two experiments, we investigated which of the factors generation, visualization, and externalization mainly contribute to the benefits of learner-generated drawing. We also examined whether benefits of drawing were more pronounced in delayed rather than in immediate testing. To this end, Experiment 1 (N = 121) focused on the comparison of the factors visualization and generation, whereas Experiment 2 (N = 204) focused on the role of externalization in generative learning activities. In both experiments, participants were asked to read an expository text about biomechanics in human swimming behavior. In Experiment 1, participants were instructed either to construct drawings, to write summaries, to learn with multimedia material, or to only read. In Experiment 2, participants were instructed either to construct drawings, to mentally imagine the content, or to observe a multimedia presentation evolving gradually. Learning outcomes were measured with a recognition, transfer, and drawing test. In Experiment 1, the tests were administered immediately and after one week (within-subjects), whereas in Experiment 2 time of testing was manipulated between subjects. The results of both experiments revealed effects of experimental conditions for transfer and drawing performance, but not for recognition performance. Taken ...
Source: Learning and Instruction - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research