Bridging the Dual Nature: How Integrated Explanations Enhance Understanding of Technical Artifacts
This research addresses the problem of enhancing practical understanding for technology learners and explainable AI users, though it is incremental as it builds on established Dual Nature Theory.
The study tackled how explanations addressing both internal structure (Architecture) and purpose (Relevance) affect understanding of technical artifacts, finding that integrated explanations significantly improved enabledness (ability to apply knowledge) compared to focused ones, with F(1, 102)=4.83, p=.030, η²p=.045, but no difference in comprehension.
Purpose: Understanding a technical artifact requires grasping both its internal structure (Architecture) and its purpose and significance (Relevance), as formalized by Dual Nature Theory. This controlled experimental study investigates whether how explainers address these perspectives affects explainees' understanding. Methods: In a between-subjects experiment, 104 participants received explanations of the board game Quarto! from trained confederates in one of three conditions: Architecture-focused (A), Relevance-focused (R), or Integrated (AR). Understanding was assessed on comprehension (knowing that) and enabledness (knowing how). Results: The A and R conditions produced equivalent understanding despite different explanation content. The AR condition yielded significantly higher enabledness than the focused conditions combined $\mathrm{F}(1, 102) = 4.83$, $p = .030$, $η^2_p = .045$}, while no differences emerged for comprehension. Conclusion: Integrating Architecture and Relevance specifically enhances explainees' ability to apply their understanding in practice, suggesting that fostering agency with technical artifacts requires bridging both perspectives. This has implications for technology education and explainable AI design.