Re: [Phys-l] Math background quiz...

[Jeff Loats <jeff.loats@gmail.com>]

Hi John,

I think you misunderstand what I am after here. I'm not planning to use this
test in any fashion except to give students a way to self-assess their math
background.

That said, your point is well taken and I certainly don't overemphasize the
role of math skills when I give students advice about whether the class is
right for them. My class is heavily conceptual, using Just in Time Teaching,
Peer Instruction and interactive demonstrations in class.

To some extent I am more looking for something that will give them a decent
understanding of what kind of math will be expected of them in the course.

Anyone else know where I can find such a thing? I'm doing my best not to
reinvent the wheel here.

Jeff

On Fri, Dec 18, 2009 at 7:14 AM, John Clement <clement@hal-pc.org> wrote:

> Unfortunately the usual assessment of math will not be a very good
> predictor, depending on how the course is taught.  If it is taught as an
> exercise in math, then the math test might predict success.  But if it is
> taught as an inquiry course, the math test will probably not be adequate.
>
> Inquiry combined with concept based problem solving produces both better
> problem solving and higher conceptual gain, but depends on the paradigm
> that
> the student has about education and also the Piagetian thinking level.
>  Both
> of these can rise, and some low individuals can show significant gain
> there.
>
> As far as I know there is no Piagetian test online, and the best of them
> need to be hand graded.  Most math tests can be faked because multiple
> choice tests only really test the students skill at plugging in the answers
> to see which ones solve the equations.  A much better test would be where
> students have to write equations and deal with equations that do not
> contain
> X and Y.
>
> If you want a good predictor of success the VASS by Hestenes et al. showed
> a
> high correlation with the final grade.  But it tests attitudes rather than
> math.  With the right attitude a math deficiency can be overcome, but with
> good math, a bad attitude is extremely resistant to change.  But even
> there,
> some students can change.
>
> John M. Clement
> Houston, TX
>
> > I'm looking for an online, self-grading quiz that students can use to see
> > if
> > they have the mathematical background to do well in trig. based
> > introductory
> > physics course. I had found one previously, but Google is withholding the
> > information for some reason.
> >
> > Any suggestions are welcome!
>
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