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Enhancing Problem-Solving Skills for Word Problems: Impact of Diagram and Learner Expertise.

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Title: Enhancing Problem-Solving Skills for Word Problems: Impact of Diagram and Learner Expertise.
Authors: Ngu, Bing Hiong (AUTHOR), Phan, Huy P. (AUTHOR), Usop, Hasbee (AUTHOR), Anding, Philip Nuli (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Experimental Education. 2026, Vol. 94 Issue 3, p446-463. 18p.
Subjects: Word problems (Mathematics), Cognitive load, Problem solving, Prior learning, Ratio & proportion, Algebra, Teaching methods
Abstract: According to cognitive load theory, an expert learner can access prior knowledge to interpret a diagram with minimum effort. A novice learner who lacks prior knowledge, in contrast, would experience a high level of cognitive load when processing a diagram, which would interfere with learning. On learning to solve percentage problems, we investigated the effect of approach (non-algebra vs. algebra), with and without diagram support for two levels of learner expertise. Participants were 218 Asian students whose mean age was 15.00 (SD = 0.18). Contrary to our hypothesis, the presence or absence of a diagram may bore little, if any, benefit for students who were more knowledgeable. Considering two levels of learner expertise together, as hypothesized, performance outcomes favoring more knowledgeable students were greater for the unitary-pictorial approach than the equation-pictorial approach. Interestingly, the impact of a diagram was more pronounced for more knowledgeable students; however, with relevant prior algebra knowledge, the presence of a diagram (e.g., equation-pictorial approach) can also be helpful for less knowledgeable students. Overall, then, our research undertaking has yielded important implications for teaching and research purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Experimental Education is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: Enhancing Problem-Solving Skills for Word Problems: Impact of Diagram and Learner Expertise.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ngu%2C+Bing+Hiong%22">Ngu, Bing Hiong</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Phan%2C+Huy+P%2E%22">Phan, Huy P.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Usop%2C+Hasbee%22">Usop, Hasbee</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Anding%2C+Philip+Nuli%22">Anding, Philip Nuli</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Experimental+Education%22">Journal of Experimental Education</searchLink>. 2026, Vol. 94 Issue 3, p446-463. 18p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Word+problems+%28Mathematics%29%22">Word problems (Mathematics)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cognitive+load%22">Cognitive load</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Problem+solving%22">Problem solving</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Prior+learning%22">Prior learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ratio+%26+proportion%22">Ratio & proportion</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Algebra%22">Algebra</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teaching+methods%22">Teaching methods</searchLink>
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  Data: According to cognitive load theory, an expert learner can access prior knowledge to interpret a diagram with minimum effort. A novice learner who lacks prior knowledge, in contrast, would experience a high level of cognitive load when processing a diagram, which would interfere with learning. On learning to solve percentage problems, we investigated the effect of approach (non-algebra vs. algebra), with and without diagram support for two levels of learner expertise. Participants were 218 Asian students whose mean age was 15.00 (SD = 0.18). Contrary to our hypothesis, the presence or absence of a diagram may bore little, if any, benefit for students who were more knowledgeable. Considering two levels of learner expertise together, as hypothesized, performance outcomes favoring more knowledgeable students were greater for the unitary-pictorial approach than the equation-pictorial approach. Interestingly, the impact of a diagram was more pronounced for more knowledgeable students; however, with relevant prior algebra knowledge, the presence of a diagram (e.g., equation-pictorial approach) can also be helpful for less knowledgeable students. Overall, then, our research undertaking has yielded important implications for teaching and research purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Experimental Education is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1080/00220973.2024.2394956
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 18
        StartPage: 446
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        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cognitive load
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      – SubjectFull: Problem solving
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Prior learning
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      – SubjectFull: Ratio & proportion
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Algebra
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      – SubjectFull: Teaching methods
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      – TitleFull: Enhancing Problem-Solving Skills for Word Problems: Impact of Diagram and Learner Expertise.
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            NameFull: Phan, Huy P.
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            NameFull: Usop, Hasbee
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            NameFull: Anding, Philip Nuli
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              Text: 2026
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