Field dependence-independence and instructional-design effects on learners' performance with a computer-modeling tool

Authors:
Charoula Angeli;Nicos Valanides;Paul Kirschner
Affiliations:
Department of Education, University of Cyprus, 11-13 Dramas Street, Nicosia, CY-1678, Cyprus;Department of Education, University of Cyprus, 11-13 Dramas Street, Nicosia, CY-1678, Cyprus;Open University of the Netherlands, Prins Clausstraat 48, 6433JR Hoensbroek, The Netherlands
Venue:
Computers in Human Behavior
Year:
2009

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Abstract

The study investigated the extent to which two types of instructional materials and learner field dependence-independence affected learners' cognitive load, time spent on task, and problem-solving performance in a complex system with a computer-modeling tool. One hundred and one primary student teachers were initially categorized into field dependent, field mixed, and field-independent learners based on their performance on the Hidden Figures Test, and were then randomly assigned to two experimental conditions. One group received a static diagram and a textual description in a split format, and the second group received the same static diagram and textual description in an integrated format. MANOVA revealed that the split-format materials contributed to higher cognitive load, higher time spent on task, and lower problem-solving performance than the integrated-format materials. There was also an interaction effect, only in terms of students' problem-solving performance, between field dependence-independence and instructional materials, indicating that the facilitating effect of the integrated-format materials was restricted to the field-independent learners. Conclusions are drawn in terms of how the well-documented split-attention effect manifests itself irrespective of students' field dependence-independence. Implications of the effects of reduced extraneous cognitive load on students' problem-solving performance are also discussed.