Share Paper: Beyond the Foundations: Improving Higher-Order Understanding Through Foundational Knowledge

  1. Iain Harlow, Cerego, United States
  2. Lane Fischer, Brigham Young University, United States
  3. Liang Wang, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, United States
Wednesday, November 6 11:30-11:50 AM Galerie 4

Abstract: To what extent can foundational knowledge improve higher-order understanding? Students at the University of Hawaii used Cerego, a learning platform designed to build retention for foundational knowledge. After accounting for prior educational attainment, students showed a 12-point improvement in final exam score per level of knowledge retention built, but a larger 16-point improvement on questions testing higher-level understanding and analytical skills. This knowledge-related improvement grew significantly over the 15-week course and was also linked to better lecture comprehension, suggesting a compounding effect of knowledge on higher-order understanding.