The students were tested in two different ways. One was on their sort of feeling of learning. The other was an actual test of learning, so a knowledge-based test. In all cases, students preferred that approach where this engaging lecturer explained things to them and used think-aloud protocol.
Karen Caldwell talks about learning out loud on episode 438 of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast.
Quotes from the episode
Our brains are literally switched on when we are curious.
-Karen Caldwell
I adore the word curiosity.
-Karen Caldwell
It is important to be vulnerable and admit you don’t know something.
-Karen Caldwell
Go ahead and have your students predict. It is the state of curiosity and wonder that really matters.
-Karen Caldwell