Improving problem solving performance in computer-based learning environments through subgoal labels

Abstract

Computer-based learning environments can provide valuable resources for learning at scale, but students in these environments might learn without an instructor. Subgoal labels have been used in worked examples in STEM domains to help a learner understand the purpose of a set of steps, and this feature has increased problem solving performance [1]. Subgoal labels, however, have not been tested in instructional text. The present study explored this intervention. The results of the present study show that learners who received subgoal labels in both the text and example outperformed those in other conditions. When subgoal labeled text is paired with an unlabeled example, however, performance does not improve. These findings indicate that subgoal labeled instructional text when paired with subgoal labeled examples can improve performance in a computer-based learning environment.