Re: Measure of student understanding (was Test writing)

[Jack Uretsky <jlu@HEP.ANL.GOV>]

I doubt that any research could demonstrate that "work done in class is
the most important aspect..."  Tucker postulates that <involvement> in
homework is the vital aspect of learning - a point that is likely to
resonate with those of us who are largely self-taught.  The fact that
students "do" (and are graded on) homework is not indication that those
students are <involved> in homework.

Let me suggest that the success of immigrants from certain oriental
countries in our school systems may well be an indicator of the importance
of self-study.
                                Regards,
                                        Jack

On Sun, 28 Apr 2002, John Clement wrote:

> Since teachers have been grading homework in conventional classes and have
> not gotten much higher gain, this is probably not true.  Homework certainly
> can have some effect, but it is small compared to the PER labs.  Lawson's
> and other research has shown clearly that the learning cycle with hands on
> experience is vital for students who are at the concrete operational level.
> Work done in class is the most important aspect of achieveing good gain.
> This has also been shown by the Heller's research.
>
> John M. Clement
> Houston, TX
>
> > At 12:55 PM +1000 4/28/02, Brian McInnes wrote:
> > > What Dick Hake's thorough investigations have shown is that k is
> > pretty well
> > > a constant for all levels of teacher enthusiasm.  This is almost
> > certainly a
> > > blow for the many of us who have approached teaching with enthusiasm and
> > > have won high student evaluations and even awards for good
> > teaching.  dick
> > > has provided the figures that show that all that enthusiasm, all
> > the spent
> > > energy counts for very little, if for anything.
> > >
> > > So, it seems we can drop the k from the relation.  All is not lost.  What
> > > Hake has shown is that we can write.
> > > V = scdA,
> > > where
> > > s = a measure of the student involvement in the learning process
> > > c =  a measure of the curriculum material used (or, the way the student's
> > > are involved in their learning).
> > >
> > > Brian McInnes
> >
> > Thanks to the two Brians, Whatcott and McInnes, for their
> > thoughtful replies.
> >
> > Let me comment on one aspect of Brian M's new model for the volume,
> > V, of student understanding.  The "involvement in the learning
> > process" variable, s, depends heavily on HOMEWORK.  Any student who
> > spends time at home trying to understand a text and wrestling with
> > interesting and challenging problems is doing true "active physics."
> > I'm persuaded that quality homework -- taken seriously (i.e. graded,
> > alas) -- may surpass even the finest lab in generating "student
> > involvement in the learning process."
> >
> > - Tucker

--
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you, because that is what I must do.  Tonight it is only you and me, fish.
It is your strength against my intelligence.  It is a veritable potpourri
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