You are here:

An Analysis of Student Learning at a Testing Web Site Emphasizing Descriptive Chemistry
Article

, University of Nevada Las Vegas, United States ; , University of Nebraska-Lincoln, United States

JCMST Volume 21, Number 2, ISSN 0731-9258 Publisher: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE), Waynesville, NC USA

Full Text

Abstract

Since 1997, the World Wide Web (WWW or Web) has been used to enhance the performance of students on the Advanced Placement (AP) exam by providing a web site dedicated to the descriptive portion of the exam. This web site provides repeatable testing with feedback in the form of quizzes produced and graded in less than one second. This study evaluated the effectiveness of such an online testing and feedback system on outcome performance as measured by user records and validated by user surveys.

The results indicate the potential for enhancing learning from instructional web sites focused on teaching with repetitive testing and feedback. Successful web teaching with repetitive testing must emphasize random, repeatable tests with a large item database and extensive feedback given with each item returned for grading. Future web teaching/testing sites should focus enhancements on three areas: (a) the user interface, (b) the tutorial and feedback components, and (c) the nature of the quizzes.

Citation

Crippen, K.J. & Brooks, D.W. (2002). An Analysis of Student Learning at a Testing Web Site Emphasizing Descriptive Chemistry. Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 21(2), 183-201. Norfolk, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved August 12, 2024 from .

© 2002 Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)

Keywords

References

View References & Citations Map
  1. Bowers, D.K. (1998). FAQ’s on online research. Marketing Research, 10(4), 45-49. Bransford, J.D. , Brown, A.L. , & Cocking , R.R. (Eds.) , How people learn: Brain, mind, experience, and school. Washington, DC : National Academy Press.
  2. Brooks, D.W., Nolan, D., & Gallagher, S. (2001). Web teaching (2nd ed.). Norwell, MA: Plenum.
  3. Brown, A. (1995). Evaluation of teaching and learning processes in a computer-supported mechanical engineering course. Computers& Educa-200 Crippen and Brooks
  4. Charlesworth, P. (2000). WebCT@MTU: Rejuvenating general chemistry. Paper presented a t the Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, Ann Arbor, MI.
  5. College Board (1999). AP Chemistry: Distribution of grades for all 1999 APChem is try candidates. Retrieved from the WorldWide Web May 23 , 2002 from: http://www.collegeboard.com/ap/students/chemistry/grade99.html
  6. College Board (2000). AP technical corner: From humble beginnings. Retrieved from the WorldWide Web May 21, 2002 from: http://www.collegeboard.org/ap/techman/chap1/ Crippen, K.J. , Brooks, D.W. , & Abuloum , A. (2000). A website supporting the AP descriptive chemistry question. Journal of Chemical Education, 77(8) , 1087-1088. Foos , P.W. , & Fisher, R.P. (1988). Using tests as learning opportunities. Journal of Educational Psychology, 80, 179-183.
  7. Gaddis, S.E. (1998). How to design online surveys. Training and Development, 52 (6), 67-72. Get t inger , M. (1989). Effects of maximizing time spent and minimizing time needed for learning on pupil achievement. Educational Research Journal, 26 , 73-91.
  8. Hall, R.J., Pilant, M.S., & Strader, R.A. (1999). The impacto f web-based instruction on performance in an applied statistics course. Paper presented a t the International Conference on Mathematics /Science Education and Technology, San Antonio, TX.
  9. Hoffman, J.L., Kupperman, J. & Wallace, R. (1997). Online learning ma te-r ia ls for the science classroom: Design methodology and imp lemen ta-t ion. Paper presented a t the Annual Meeting of the American Educa-t iona l Research Association, Chicago.
  10. Jones, D.P. (1995). Higher education and high technology: A case for joint action. Denver, CO: Western Governor’s Association. Kulhavy , R.W. , & Stock, W.A. (1989). Feedback in written instruction: The place of response certitude. Educational Psychology Review, 1(4) , 279-308. Lhyle , K.C. , & Kulhavy , R.W. (1987). Feedback processing and error correction. Journal of Educational Psychology, 79 , 320-322.
  11. Paull, T.A., Jacob, M.J., & Herrick, R.J. (1999). Automated homework in electrical engineering technology. Paper presented at the American Society for Engineering Education symposium, Charlotte, NC. Retrieved from the WorldWide Web May 23 , 2002 from: http://www.asee.org/conferences/search/99conf34.PDF
  12. Penn, J.H., Nedeff, V.M., & Gozdzik, G. (2000). Organic chemistry and the Internet: A web-based approach to homework and testing using the WE_LEARN system. Journal of Chemical Education, 77(2) , 227-231. Pintrich , P.R. (1995). Understanding self-regulated learning. In P.R. Pintrich (Ed.) , Understanding Self-Regulated Learning (pp. 3-12). San
  13. Renkl, A. (1998). Cognitive science: Learning from worked-out examples: A study on individual differences. Retrieved from the WorldWide Web May 21 , 2002 from: http://www.umich.edu/%7Ecogsci/abstract/598renkl.html
  14. Ritchie, D.C., & Hoffman, B. (1997). Using instructional design principles to amplify learning on the WorldWide Web. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED415835)
  15. Russell, M. (1999). Testing writing on computers: A follow-up study comparing performance on computer and on paper. Educational Policy Analysis Archives, 7(20).
  16. Russell, M., & Haney, W. (1997). Testing writing on computers: An experiment comparing student performance on tests conducted via computer and via paper-and-pencil. Educational Policy Analysis Archives, 5(3). Retrieved from the WorldWide Web May 21 , 2002 from: http://olam.ed.asu.edu/epaa/v5n3.html
  17. Shiffler, N. (1996). The state of the Web in the web of the states. Paper presented a t the Annual meeting of the National Council on Measurement in Education, New York. Shiffrin , R.M. , & Schneider, W. (1977). Controlled and automatic human information processing: II. Perceptual learning, automatica t tending and a general theory. Psychological Review, 84, 127-190.
  18. Wegner, S.B., Holloway, K.C., & Garton, E.M. (1999). The effects of Internet-based Instruction on student learning. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 3(2). Retrieved from the WorldWide Web May 21, 2002 from: http://www.aln.org/alnweb/journal/Vol3_issue2/Wegner.htm

These references have been extracted automatically and may have some errors. Signed in users can suggest corrections to these mistakes.

Suggest Corrections to References

Cited By

View References & Citations Map

These links are based on references which have been extracted automatically and may have some errors. If you see a mistake, please contact info@learntechlib.org.

Also Read

Pages You've Visited

Abstracts