Research Behind Apangea
Apangea Learning is based on both theoretical and applied research about student learning. The theoretical research from cognitive science includes principles of active problem solving and mastery learning. The applied research, conducted over a 10 year period, involved nearly 3,000 students and demonstrates the efficacy of Apangea Learning's problem solving approach.
Apangea Learning's Model
Apangea Learning's tutorial model is based upon the largest body of cognitive tutoring research in the world, led by the US Air Force Research Laboratory with funding from the Air Force, NSF, and others. Overall, $12M was invested to develop the cognitive tutorial process for math, writing, and science. Several major field studies were conducted which included over 30,000 public school students in 7 states. The purpose of the study was to develop the proper cognitive thinking processes and intervention methods for students struggling with academics.
Research has allowed Apangea Learning to help students learn to analyze and solve word problems by applying a pedagogy derived from contemporary cognitive science, including principles of active problem solving (Anderson, 1994), elaboration theory (Riegeluth, 1987, 1992), categorization by prototype (Rosch, 1988a, 1988b), mastery learning (Bloom, 1984), and worked examples (Wards & Sweller, 1990).
