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[Phys-L] Re: Research on Student Response Systems

But how do you even do a meta-study? In the case of the response
systems--do you go out and pick ten instructors at random working with a
range of courses and say "OK, next year you must use this tool. Keep these
records, and then we'll come in and test your students." Well of course
not. You can collect data from people using method A,B, or C but then you
are back to the 'enthusiast' bias.

In the end, I think this is just a very tough area to apply 'scientific'
testing to. We can't do double blind experiments in most cases. No
placebos to put out there. No really 'neutral' presenters. Way, way too
many variables.

Teaching is still an art form. As Joel said, use your common sense. If a
tool or technique makes sense to you, and if you are willing to put in the
time and effort into learning how to do use it, it is worth trying [assuming
you are unsatisfied with what you are currently doing]. This particular
example may be on the fringe of that advice however, because of the cost
involved, so I can understand why someone looking at it would want as much
information as possible. However, 'research' here is unlikely to be very
meaningful, so in the end, I'd look to personal testimonials of people you
trust.

Rick


----- Original Message -----
From: "Joseph Bellina" <jbellina@SAINTMARYS.EDU>
To: <PHYS-L@LISTS.NAU.EDU>
Sent: Friday, February 11, 2005 11:45 AM
Subject: Re: Research on Student Response Systems


I note that Lesley or Leslie, I don't recall which, University in
Boston, I believe, seems to be a popular reviewer of educational
systems. I know that the Educational Development Center in Newton has a
NSF grant to evaluate the effectiveness of standards based science kits
in elementary classrooms. They have also assessed how well school
districts have sustained curricular change.

So it seems to me that there are examples of people doing meta-studies.
The problem seems to be finding money people who think enough of the
issue to pay someone to do the study.

cheers,

joe

Rick Tarara wrote:

The problem here is one that faces almost all 'research' on educational
methods--and was alluded to in an earlier post. There are no INDEPENDENT
testing centers for any of these methods. The testing is done by the
inventors/advocates of the method. As such they bring an enthusiasm and
dedication to the method that will not be duplicated in general use.
Hence,
almost all published tests of new techniques are positive.

With this one, the problem really is the
infrastructure/upkeep/record-keeping that goes along with effective use.
When new and novel, an instructor will put in the time and effort. What
about year two and three?

Rick

*********************************************************
Richard W. Tarara
Professor of Physics
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, Indiana
rtarara@saintmarys.edu
********************************************************
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----- Original Message -----
From: "RAUBER, JOEL" <Joel.Rauber@SDSTATE.EDU>
To: <PHYS-L@LISTS.NAU.EDU>
Sent: Friday, February 11, 2005 9:26 AM
Subject: Re: Research on Student Response Systems




Not a bad suggestion, I attended one of those sessions, while
interesting the session itself wouldn't help the original question much,
but a few of the authors could quite likely point you in the correct
direction as suggested below.

________________________
Joel Rauber
Department of Physics - SDSU

Joel.Rauber@sdstate.edu
605-688-4293



| -----Original Message-----
| From: Forum for Physics Educators
| [mailto:PHYS-L@list1.ucc.nau.edu] On Behalf Of Vern Lindberg
| Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2005 7:38 PM
| To: PHYS-L@LISTS.NAU.EDU
| Subject: Re: Research on Student Response Systems
|
|
| There were a couple of sessions at the Albuquerque meeting
| devoted to Student Response Systems, listed in the AAPT
| Announcer. You could try contacting some of those folks directly.
|
| Vern Lindberg
|
| On Feb 10, 2005, at 5:51 PM, Mark Lucas wrote:
|
| > Hi,
| >
| > I have a couple of colleagues trying to track down solid studies,
| > preferably at the college level but also in K-12, regarding the
| > learning effectiveness of using Student Response Systems in class.
| >
| > Does anyone have references for such studies?
| >
| > I am well aware that there are a lot of differences of opinion
| > regarding the worth and implementation of the system, as well as the
| > effectiveness
| > of such a system (I realize this has been discussed before). I also
| > know there are a lot of ways to use the system. The question
| > is whether there publications discussing solid experiments regarding
| > the
| > effectiveness. If so, does someone have the references?
| >
| > Thanks!
| > Mark Lucas
| >
| >
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------
| > -
| > -----
| > Mark Lucas email:
| lucasm@ohiou.edu
| > 252D Clippinger Lab phone: (740)597-2984
| > Department of Physics and Astronomy fax: (740)593-0433
| > Ohio University
| > Athens, OH 45701
|






--
Joseph J. Bellina, Jr. Ph.D.
574-284-4662, 4968
Saint Mary's College
Dept. of Chemistry and Physics
Notre Dame, IN, 46556