Model authenticity in learning mathematical experimentation: how students perceive and learn from scientist and peer models

The implementation of video modeling examples of mathematical hands-on experimentation may provide students with authentic and, at the same time, not too cognitively overwhelming experiences. However, the effectiveness of video modeling examples can be influenced by different characteristics of the observed models. On the one hand, based on the model-observer similarity hypothesis, it is likely that the observation of peers is particularly conducive to learning. On the other hand, from an authentic learning perspective, the presence of experts is considered to constitute a core design element of authentic learning settings which may foster motivational and cognitive learning outcomes. Against the background of these contradictory assumptions, the present study investigates the effects of observing models with different degrees of authenticity on students’ perceived authenticity, their situational interest, and their knowledge acquisition. We conducted an experimental study with 105 10th graders who observed either peer or scientist models performing a mathematical hands-on experiment in a video recording. As expected, the results show that students perceived the scientist models as more authentic than the peer models. Furthermore, we found neither a direct effect of condition nor an indirect effect mediated by students’ perceived authenticity of the observed models on students’ situational interest and knowledge acquisition. With this study, we contribute to the literature on the conditions and effects of authentic learning.