Project A06

Project A06

The Interplay of Cognitive Characteristics and Prior Knowledge in Simulated Learning Environments

Summary

Project A06 investigates how general cognitive abilities and domain-specific knowledge interact during diagnostic tasks in simulated learning environments. The central question is how prior knowledge moderates the relationship between cognitive abilities and diagnostic performance. The project examines this in two contexts: knowledge-lean MicroDYN tasks and a knowledge-rich simulation for diagnosing mathematical understanding. It analyses how prior knowledge can be inferred automatically from learners' diagnostic activities and how adaptive scaffolding in simulations can be designed on this basis.

Participants

Principal Investigators

Research associates

Collaboration partners

Goal

A06 investigates how general cognitive abilities and domain-specific knowledge interact during diagnostic tasks in simulated learning environments. The goal is to understand under which knowledge conditions cognitive abilities predict diagnostic performance and how adaptive scaffolding can be designed effectively on this basis.

Research Questions

  • How does domain-specific prior knowledge moderate the relationship between general cognitive abilities (e.g., intelligence and working memory capacity) and diagnostic performance in knowledge-lean and knowledge-rich simulations?

  • Which behavioural strategies can be identified from process data, and how are they related to prior knowledge and cognitive abilities?

  • Can learners' prior knowledge be inferred automatically from their diagnostic activities in simulations?

  • How effective are macro- and meso-adaptive scaffolding strategies based on inferred prior knowledge in supporting the acquisition of diagnostic competencies?

Methodology

The project combines quasi-experimental and experimental designs across two simulation contexts: MicroDYN tasks as a knowledge-lean environment and a simulation for diagnosing mathematical understanding as a knowledge-rich environment. Cognitive abilities are assessed using intelligence tests and working memory tasks, while diagnostic performance is measured through behavioural sequences and log data. A further study develops machine-learning methods to infer prior knowledge from process data. A final experimental study varies macro- and meso-adaptive scaffolding interventions and examines their effects on the acquisition of diagnostic competencies.

Role Within the Collaborative Research Center

  • Joint data collection with Project M.

  • Development of automated methods for prior knowledge inference in collaboration with Project INF.

  • A06, A03, and B03: Complex problem solving and its interaction with domain-specific knowledge.

  • A06 and B03: Interactions among case complexity, problem-solving behaviour, and prior knowledge.

  • A06 and A03: Shared measures of cognitive abilities and diagnostic performance.

Publications

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2013