Effectiveness of a Visual Comparative Advance Organizer in Teaching Biology

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of a visual advance organizer on a biology concept learning task among fifth graders. The following hypotheses were tested: (1) a visual advance organizer will facilitate the acquisition of concepts, especially when the material to be learned has visual components; (2) the organizer will be more effective in enhancing transfer than facilitating acquisition of verbal information; and (3) the organizer will produce greater benefits over long‐term retention of content. Three treatments were administered to 48 fifth graders, ranging from 10 to 11 years. In two of the treatments, subjects were exposed to a visual organizer either before or after the completion of a self‐instructional unit on ‘Fungi’. In the third treatment (control group), students were not given any organizer. Two parallel‐form post‐tests‐‐immediate and delayed‐‐were administered, consisting of three levels of learning outcomes: knowledge, comprehension and application. Results of MANCOVA on performance showed a slight but non‐significant difference in delayed post‐test scores. An interaction between the levels of learning and time of test factor also emerged. Findings of the study are discussed in terms of the assimilation theory, and aptitude‐treatment interactions observed between prior knowledge and level of instructional support.