Post on 31-Jul-2015
Outcomes of Using an Infinitely Explorable Online Learning System
Franco Capaldi1, Devin R. Berg2 1Department of Civil Engineering, Merrimack College, North Andover, MA
2Engineering & Technology Department, University of Wisconsin β Stout, Menomonie, WI
ASEE Annual Conference 26 June 2013
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Students explore problems in a guided manner, promoting critical thinking
skills and knowledge retention.
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ππ΄ = 1 π π
ππ΄ = π Γ οΏ½βοΏ½
ππ΄ = οΏ½βοΏ½ d
The software provides βwordβ descriptions of equations.
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ππ΄/π· = β25 π ππ
βThe position vector from point D to point A is equal to the negative of the scalar value 25 multiplied by the unit vector i with units of inchesβ.
becomes
Effectiveness was evaluated through a preliminary study at Merrimack College
and UW-Stout.
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At Merrimack: Two classes -1 treatment (n=12) -1 control (n=7) Evaluated through semester using exams
At Stout: Two classes -1 treatment (n=21) -1 control (n=23) Evaluated using pre- and post-FCI
Student performance throughout semester was greater for treatment group.
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Section Initial Assessment
Midterm 1 Vectors, Forces
Midterm 2 Moments, Free body diagrams
Midterm 3 Moment of inertia, Centroids
Final Exam
Treatment Group (n=12)
ππ Β± ππ ππ Β± ππ ππ Β± π ππ Β± ππ ππ Β± π
Control Group (n=7)
ππ Β± ππ ππ Β± ππ ππ Β± ππ ππ Β± ππ ππ Β± ππ
Students learned to use the software more effectively with time.
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Homework 1 Homework 2 Homework 3
Percent of total answers which contained program
syntax errors
12% 41% 52%
Percent of non-syntax errors which were correct /
incorrect statements
83%/17% 46%/54% 21%/79%
Percent of correct answers which were required for
solution
93% 67% 53%
Percent of correct answers which were hypotheses 7% 33% 47%
The treatment group showed greater overall score improvement on FCI.
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Treatment (n=21) Control (n=23)
Handling of syntax errors was a significant concern during the semester.
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Student Entry Category
Ξ£πΉπ₯ = πΉπ΄π₯ + 12 π sin 27 πππ β πΉπΉ Required for solution
βπΉπ₯ = πΉπ΄π₯ + 12 [N sin(27 [deg]) β FB Program syntax error: β12 [Nβ.
π ππ 27 πππ = 0.454 Correct hypothesis:
βπΉπ₯ = πΉπ΄ + 5.448 π β πΉπΉ Incorrect statement:
Room for improvement throughβ¦
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better handling of student input.
making use of student training.
an adaptive algorithm to enhance student interaction.
Things that worked well includedβ¦
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testing of intermediate steps for difficult problems.
3D exploration helped with vector and FBD problems.
better performance across a wider range of students.