Comparison between behavioral and structural explanation in learning by model-building

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Table 1 Result of tests

	Pre-test	Post-test	Delayed post-test	Simple main effect of test	Increase between pre and post-test	Increase between post and delayed post-test	Increase between pre and delayed post-test
Structural explanation (n = 8)	15.50	20.75	22.63	F = 23.783	t = 4.764	t = 1.701	t = 6.465
Structural explanation (n = 8)	(4.42)	(4.97)	(3.77)	p < .01**	p < .01**	p < .10^†	p < .01**
Behavioral explanation (n = 9)	17.67	19.33	21.67	F = 7.039	t = 1.604	t = 2.246	t = 3.850
Behavioral explanation (n = 9)	(5.31)	(4.74)	(6.73)	p < .01**	p > .10	p < .05*	p < .01**

†p < .10, *p < .05 and **p < .01
This is the average scores of tests and the result of statistical analysis. In two-way mixed ANOVA of 2 (explanation: structural/behavioral) × 3 (test: pre-/post-/ delayed post-test), because the interaction of the factors was significant, we tested the simple main effect of each factor. As a result, the factor “explanation” was not significant while the factor “test” was significant (test(structural): F = 23.783; p < .01, test(behavioral): F = 7.039; p < .01). Multiple comparison revealed the following facts: In the structural explanation group, there were significant differences between pre- and post-test (p < .01) and between pre- and delayed post-test (p < .01). In the behavioral explanation group, there were significant differences between post- and delayed post-test (p < .05) and between pre- and delayed post-test (p < .01)