Cognitive Mechanisms of Learning

7Acquiring Knowledge in a Specific Domain

In this chapter, we shall present two teaching methods based on knowledge acquired through fundamental research in a laboratory setting and from controlled experimentation, relating to the acquisition of knowledge and skills in complex domains such as physics and biology. This type of learning is time-consuming and involves a variety of different learning situations (individual contact with the outside world, classroom-based learning, etc.), and thus draws on a variety of different mechanisms.

Two of the most widely recognized and widely used methods for acquiring complex knowledge are presented below: learning through explanation (section 7.1) and learning through problem-solving (section 7.2).

7.1. Learning through (self-)explanation

In a given knowledge acquisition situation, a learner may attempt to explain to him or herself why and/or how a given action is adequate. The expression “learning through self-explanation” was used to denote observable behavior in pioneering research by Chi et al. (1989), which will be presented below. The first research project, which we shall present, is an exploratory investigation, inspired by an intuition concerning the way in which learners understand examples of solutions to problems when attempting to learn by studying these examples. The two projects that will be presented are examples of highly elaborate, costly and rigorous experimental approaches.

7.1.1. Learning to solve problems by studying ...