When Best Intentions Go Awry: The Failures of Concrete Representations to Help Solve Probability Word Problems.
Brian D. Beitzel, Richard K. Staley, Nelson F. DuBois · 2011
Abstract: We replicated the general results of two previous experiments showing that external representations hinder college students ’ ability to solve probability word problems. In the present experiment, we converted our training and a portion of our practice materials to a multimedia format. The concrete-representations group was instructed in how to use Venn diagrams to solve probability problems involving non-mutually exclusive events; the control group was instructed only in the formulation of equations. Results indicated that the control group outperformed the concrete-representations group on transfer problems; additionally, there was a main effect for performance on transfer problems, favoring near-transfer problems over far-transfer problems. Contrary to our previous findings, in the present study cognitive load did not appear to be a factor in the lower performance of the concrete-representations condition.