Studying Examples and Solving Problems: Contributions to Skill Acquisition

Abstract

There is little doubt that examples play a major role in acquiring a new skill. How examples improve learning, however, is subject to some debate. Recently, two different classes of theories have been proposed to explain why examples are such an effective manner of learning. Example Generalization models suggest that problem solving rules are acquired while studying examples. Knowledge Compilation models, on the other hand, suggest that examples are useful because they guide future problem solving, where the necessary rules are created. General support for the knowledge compilation model was found and tradeoffs between studying examples and solving problems are discussed. Guidelines for when to study examples and when to solve problems are also presented. Introduction Typical instruction in problem solving domains includes expository text, annotated examples, and problems to solve. Text expositions usually consist of history, terminology, and descriptions of procedures for solving p..