The effect of a pretest in an interactive, multimodal pretraining system for learning science concepts

Abstract

In line with the cognitive theory of multimedia learning by Moreno and Mayer (2007), an interactive, multimodal learning environment was designed for the pretraining of science concepts in the joint area of physics, chemistry, biology, applied mathematics, and computer sciences. In the experimental set up, a pretest was embedded in order to increase the effect of the treatment. The pretest consisted of short-answer and multiple-choice questions. The results show a high learning gain, especially after applying a pretest. The learning gain was insignificant if no treatment followed the pretest. The pretest effect did not depend on the question type. Time on task was not a significant variable.

Keywords:

• pretraining principle
• pretest effect
• science concepts
• question format
• learning gain

Notes

1. BINAS is a 300 page, full colour science data book. It is the primary information source for pre-university students during national examinations.