TY - JOUR
T1 - The influence of prior knowledge on the retrieval-directed function of note taking in prior knowledge activation
AU - Wetzels, Sandra
AU - Kester, Liesbeth
AU - Van Merriënboer, Jeroen
AU - Broers, Nick
N1 - DS_Description: Wetzels, S. A. J., Kester, L., Van Merriënboer, J. J. G., & Broers, N. J. (2011). The influence of prior knowledge on the retrieval-directed function of note taking in prior knowledge activation. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 81(2), 274-291. doi: 10.1348/000709910X517425
PY - 2011/7
Y1 - 2011/7
N2 - Background. Prior knowledge activation facilitates learning. Note taking during prior knowledge activation (i.e., note taking directed at retrieving information from memory) might facilitate the activation process by enabling learners to build an external representation of their prior knowledge. However, taking notes might be less effective in supporting prior knowledge
activation if available prior knowledge is limited.
Aims. This study investigates the effects of the retrieval-directed function of note taking depending on learners’ level of prior knowledge. It is hypothesised that the effectiveness of note taking is influenced by the amount of prior knowledge learners already possess.
Sample. Sixty-one high school students participated in this study. A prior knowledge test was used to ascertain differences in level of prior knowledge and assign participants to a low or a
high prior knowledge group.
Method. A 2 x 2 factorial design was used to investigate the effects of note taking during prior knowledge activation (yes, no) depending on learners’ level of prior knowledge (low, high) on mental effort, performance, and mental efficiency.
Results. Note taking during prior knowledge activation lowered mental effort and increased mental efficiency for high prior knowledge learners. For low prior knowledge learners, note taking had the opposite effect on mental effort and mental efficiency.
Conclusions. The effects of the retrieval-directed function of note taking are influenced by learners’ level of prior knowledge. Learners with high prior knowledge benefit from taking notes
while activating prior knowledge, whereas note taking has no beneficial effects for learners with limited prior knowledge.
AB - Background. Prior knowledge activation facilitates learning. Note taking during prior knowledge activation (i.e., note taking directed at retrieving information from memory) might facilitate the activation process by enabling learners to build an external representation of their prior knowledge. However, taking notes might be less effective in supporting prior knowledge
activation if available prior knowledge is limited.
Aims. This study investigates the effects of the retrieval-directed function of note taking depending on learners’ level of prior knowledge. It is hypothesised that the effectiveness of note taking is influenced by the amount of prior knowledge learners already possess.
Sample. Sixty-one high school students participated in this study. A prior knowledge test was used to ascertain differences in level of prior knowledge and assign participants to a low or a
high prior knowledge group.
Method. A 2 x 2 factorial design was used to investigate the effects of note taking during prior knowledge activation (yes, no) depending on learners’ level of prior knowledge (low, high) on mental effort, performance, and mental efficiency.
Results. Note taking during prior knowledge activation lowered mental effort and increased mental efficiency for high prior knowledge learners. For low prior knowledge learners, note taking had the opposite effect on mental effort and mental efficiency.
Conclusions. The effects of the retrieval-directed function of note taking are influenced by learners’ level of prior knowledge. Learners with high prior knowledge benefit from taking notes
while activating prior knowledge, whereas note taking has no beneficial effects for learners with limited prior knowledge.
KW - prior knowledge
KW - retrieval-directed note taking
U2 - 10.1348/000709910X517425
DO - 10.1348/000709910X517425
M3 - Article
VL - 81
SP - 274
EP - 291
JO - British Journal of Educational Psychology
JF - British Journal of Educational Psychology
SN - 1476-9808
IS - 2
ER -