Effects of creating video-based modeling examples on learning and transfer

Abstract

Two experiments investigated whether acting as a peer model for a video-based modeling example, which entails studying a text with the intention to explain it to others and then actually explaining it on video, would foster learning and transfer. In both experiments, novices were instructed to study a text, either with the intention of being able to complete a test (condition A), or being able to explain the content to others (condition B and C). Moreover, students in condition C actually had to explain the text by creating a webcam-video. In Experiment 1 (N=76 secondary education students) there was no effect of study intention on learning (A=B), but explaining during video creation significantly fostered transfer performance (C>B; C>A). In Experiment 2 (N=95 university students), study intention did have an effect on learning (C>A; B>A), but only actual video creation significantly fostered transfer performance (C>A).