Worked examples are fully solved demonstrations of problem-solving procedures, presented with explicit reasoning at each step. The parameters that define it are: (1) a target skill or domain, (2) a complete solution path shown step-by-step with explanatory notes, (3) a progression from highly scaffolded examples to partially completed problems to independent practice. The persistence mechanism is instructional design — the technique is embedded in textbooks, training materials, and curriculum frameworks through systematic documentation of effective example sequences. [formal: exemplum | substrate: mind | horizon: hours | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.54]
Accepted ontology entry
worked-examples
Worked examples are fully solved demonstrations of problem-solving procedures, presented with explicit reasoning at each step. The parameters that define it are: (1) a target skill or domain, (2) a complete solution path shown step-by-step…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A pedagogical technique in which learners study step-by-step solutions to problems before attempting similar problems independently. Human-made as a structured instructional method designed to reduce cognitive load during skill acquisition.
Names and aliases
- worked-examplesen · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmrf51qwi005rcqqtmpyziy84DEPENDS_ON →
Worked examples — step-by-step model solutions used in pedagogy — require memory (working memory) to operate. The learner must hold the example in memory to compare against their own problem-solving schema. Without memory, worked examples cannot function.
- cmrye41vk00qyekkxydrw82kiDEPENDS_ON →
Remove conceptual-model and worked-examples stop operating as an instructional construct: they become bare step sequences without the domain model that gives those steps meaning and transfer value. The dependency is constitutive — worked examples derive their pedagogical function from instantiating a conceptual model, not merely mentioning it incidentally.
- cmrqv20ov0agqd1nltrb8s4srINSTANCE_OF →
Worked-examples IS a specific kind of pedagogy: a structured instructional method presenting solved problem examples to learners. Competent-speaker test: 'worked-examples IS a pedagogy / a pedagogical technique.' Pedagogy is the nearest accepted kind — instructional-technique doesn't exist yet.
- cmrhajc2b015x8aehc613gx7cSERVES →
Law 8d: worked-examples (solved-model problems shown to learners) is an instructional design maintained for the sake of learning. The technique's designed purpose is to improve understanding and transfer by providing worked solutions for learners to study.
Relations to this entry
No accepted relations in this direction.
Record identity
- Created
- Jul 17, 2026, 10:24 PM UTC
- Content hash
- baf5476a076d233c8b4f9211fec040d95bb9f1758c3c2135cdab09364aca18d2