{
  "schema_version": 1,
  "id": "self-explanation-digital-learning-boundary-2025",
  "canonical_url": "https://brali-lifeos.github.io/evidence/self-explanation-digital-learning-boundary-2025/",
  "json_url": "https://brali-lifeos.github.io/evidence/self-explanation-digital-learning-boundary-2025/index.json",
  "decision": "propose-protocol",
  "decision_label": "Protocol candidate",
  "reviewed_at": "2026-09-15",
  "reviewed_by": "Brali Evidence Reviewer",
  "source": {
    "title": "Enhancing Academic Performance Through Self-Explanation in Digital Learning Environments (DLEs): A Three-Level Meta-Analysis",
    "url": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-025-10001-x",
    "type": "meta-analysis",
    "doi": "10.1007/s10648-025-10001-x",
    "citation_text": "Tan LP, Gong SY, Wang YJ, Guo XR, Xu XZ, Wang YQ. Educational Psychology Review. 2025;37:20.",
    "study_design": "Three-level meta-analysis of 204 effect sizes extracted from 56 studies comparing self-explanation with no-self-explanation conditions in digital learning environments.",
    "population": "Learners in digital learning environments across the included studies. Effects varied with learning-environment and material characteristics.",
    "intervention_or_exposure": "Self-explanation prompts or activities during digital learning, compared with conditions without self-explanation.",
    "outcomes": [
      "Academic performance",
      "Retention",
      "Transfer"
    ]
  },
  "supported_claim": "Self-explanation in digital learning environments had a positive average effect on academic performance (reported g = 0.46), with positive average effects for retention and transfer. Effects were moderated by pacing and knowledge type, with larger effects reported for learner-centered pacing and conceptual or mixed knowledge than for procedural knowledge.",
  "unsupported_or_overstated_claims": [
    "Self-explanation is always better than other learning strategies.",
    "One explanation prompt or modality is universally optimal.",
    "Every paragraph should be self-explained.",
    "The average effect applies unchanged outside digital learning environments.",
    "A fluent explanation is accurate without checking it against the source."
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "The reviewed evidence is specifically about digital learning environments.",
    "The meta-analysis reports heterogeneity and moderation rather than a uniform effect across all settings.",
    "The authors identify the quality and standardization of self-explanations as areas needing further research."
  ],
  "target_hack_ids": [
    "self-explain-what-you-learn"
  ],
  "target_protocol_ids": [
    "brali:self-explain-what-you-learn"
  ],
  "risk_flags": [],
  "notes": "Editorial action: publish a new Skill Sprint protocol built around generate -> inspect gap -> source check -> correct. Preserve digital-learning scope and moderation rather than presenting self-explanation as a universal study rule."
}