Training students to use elaboration learning strategies

Abstract

The feasibility of creating a training program to facilitate the development of a generalized ability to use elaboration as an individual learning strategy was investigated. Seventy-five ninth graders were randomly assigned to a training/ experimental, control, or posttest-only group. Data analyses for the immediate posttest revealed significant mean differences favoring the experimental group on the free recall and Trial 2 of the paired-associate learning tasks. On the delayed posttest, significant differences favoring the experimental group were obtained for the reading comprehension task and Trial 1 of the serial learning task. These results provide evidence that students can be trained to use elaboration to enhance learning.