Faded Worked Examples

Summary: 
Faded worked examples are a series of worked examples in which the number of steps presented is gradually reduced throughout the series. The faded worked examples effect occurs when presenting faded worked examples results in greater learning than presenting all fully worked examples.
Dynamics: 

Worked examples demonstrate steps in a procedure.  As learners develop schemas for a procedure, they become less reliant on having fully worked examples showing them what to do.

Having learners complete partially worked examples enables them to apply parts of the solution.  As schemas develop, the number of steps presented is truncated, providing the learner with an increasing number of steps to complete, applying their developing knowledge base.

The steps of a worked example are scaffolding which is gradually removed as learners acquire schemas.

Strategy: 

When a series of worked examples is presented for a similar problem type, gradually remove the number of steps provided in the worked examples as a learner progresses through the sequence.

The first steps to remove are the last steps of the example.  Steps should be increasingly removed through such a ‘backwards fading’ process.

When the content area is of higher complexity or when the learners level of expertise is lower (or both), gradually remove the scaffold provided by the number of steps.

Instructional Design: 

Faded worked examples can be used in situations that present a series of paired worked examples followed by similar conventional problems.

Begin by displaying all steps in the worked example, followed by an equivalent problem to solve.

As the learner progresses through the series of paired presentations, gradually reduce the number of steps presented through ‘backwards fading’, thus requiring the learner to increasingly complete the 'back-end’ of the problem solution.

Gradually remove the number of steps presented throughout the series until all steps are removed.

Example 1: Faded Worked Examples in Algebra

Following the numbered sequence, first study the worked example, then cover it, and attempt to solve the associated problem. 

For each of the following, solve for 'a'.

 

1.     h ( c ( a + b ) / g - m )  =  f                                                             1.     e ( r ( a + y ) / d - n )  =  v
             c ( a + b ) / g - m    =  f / h
             c ( a + b ) / g           =  f / h + m
             c ( a + b )                 = g ( f / h + m )
                  a + b                   = ( g ( f / h + m ) )/ c
                  a                          = ( g ( f / h + m ) )/ c - b

2.     w ( x ( a + m ) / k - p )  =  f                                                             2.     v ( T ( a + s ) / H - w )  =  p
             x ( a + m ) / k - p    =  f / w
             x ( a + m ) / k           =  f / w + p
             x ( a + m )                 = k ( f / w + p )
                  a + m                   = ( k ( f / w + p ) )/ x

 

3.     y ( R ( a + s ) / k - p )  =  f                                                             3.     w ( q ( a + g ) / y - p )  =  r
             R ( a + s ) / k - p    =  f / y
             R ( a + s ) / k           =  f / y + p
             R ( a + s )                 = k ( f / y + p )


 

4.     y ( q ( a + s ) / k - p )  =  f                                                             4.     y ( w ( a + D ) / k - m )  =  F
             q ( a + s ) / k - p    =  f / y
             q ( a + s ) / k           =  f / y + p


 

5.     M ( e ( a + T ) / w - p )  =  f                                                             5.     k ( U ( a + c ) / r - y )  =  z
             e ( a + T ) / w - p    =  f / M


 

6.     h ( P ( a + w ) / d - Y )  =  f 


 

 

Example 2: Faded Worked Examples in the Kitchen

Each morning this week I am going to show you how to make scambled eggs. Each day, after I show you, you will make another batch in the same way.

Day 1: Watch Me                                                                                                                                             Day 1: Your turn to make it!
Demonstrate how to: Get bowl from cupboard
Demonstrate how to: Get eggs from fridge and crack into bowl
Demonstrate how to: Get some herbs from garden, cut up and add
Demonstrate how to: Add some salt and pepper
Demonstrate how to: Lightly whisk with a fork
Demonstrate how to: Place into microwave for 30 seconds
Demonstrate how to: Remove, whisk lightly, replace into microwave for 20 seconds
Demonstrate how to: Remove from microwave, whisk lightly, wait 30 seconds
Demonstrate how to: How to eat, adding bread or toast if desired

Day 2: Watch Me                                                                                                                                             Day 2: Your turn to make it!
Demonstrate how to: Get bowl from cupboard
Demonstrate how to: Get eggs from fridge and crack into bowl
Demonstrate how to: Get some herbs from garden, cut up and add
Demonstrate how to: Add some salt and pepper
Demonstrate how to: Lightly whisk with a fork
Demonstrate how to: Place into microwave for 30 seconds
Demonstrate how to: Remove, whisk lightly, replace into microwave for 20 seconds
Demonstrate how to: Remove from microwave, whisk lightly, wait 30 seconds
-

Day 3: Watch Me                                                                                                                                             Day 3: Your turn to make it!
Demonstrate how to: Get bowl from cupboard
Demonstrate how to: Get eggs from fridge and crack into bowl
Demonstrate how to: Get some herbs from garden, cut up and add
Demonstrate how to: Add some salt and pepper
Demonstrate how to: Lightly whisk with a fork
Demonstrate how to: Place into microwave for 30 seconds
Demonstrate how to: Remove, whisk lightly, replace into microwave for 20 seconds
-
 

Day 4: Watch Me                                                                                                                                             Day 4: Your turn to make it!
Demonstrate how to: Get bowl from cupboard
Demonstrate how to: Get eggs from fridge and crack into bowl
Demonstrate how to: Get some herbs from garden, cut up and add
Demonstrate how to: Add some salt and pepper
Demonstrate how to: Lightly whisk with a fork
Demonstrate how to: Place into microwave for 30 seconds
-
 

Day 5: Watch Me                                                                                                                                             Day 5: Your turn to make it!
Demonstrate how to: Get bowl from cupboard
Demonstrate how to: Get eggs from fridge and crack into bowl
Demonstrate how to: Get some herbs from garden, cut up and add
Demonstrate how to: Add some salt and pepper
Demonstrate how to: Lightly whisk with a fork
-

Day 6: Watch Me                                                                                                                                             Day 6: Your turn to make it!
Demonstrate how to: Get bowl from cupboard
Demonstrate how to: Get eggs from fridge and crack into bowl
Demonstrate how to: Get some herbs from garden, cut up and add
-

Day 7: Watch Me                                                                                                                                             Day 7: Your turn to make it!
Demonstrate how to: Get bowl from cupboard
-

 

References: 

Renkl, A., & Atkinson, R. (2003). Structuring the transition from example study to problem solving in cognitive skills acquisition: A cognitive load perspective. Educational Psychologist, 38, 15–22.

Renkl, A., Atkinson, R., & Grosse, C. (2004). How fading worked solution steps works—a cognitive load perspective. Instructional Science, 32, 59–82.