On-line assessment for e-learning: options and opportunities

The desire to produce educational multi-media packages of ever greater sophistication is such that other, more problematic, elements of e- or on- line learning receive less attention by academics and courseware developers alike. One such problematic area is that of assessment, which is surprising, as e-learning assessment procedures are more critical in defining the learning that takes place. However, because e-learning can create a much richer, more varied active learning experience than would normally occur via the passive didactic teaching mode currently utilised in most universities and centred on the use of the lecture, it also has the potential to provide new and innovative assessments modes and systems. The extent to which the potential of innovatory assessment is realised via e-learning depends on two factors. First, the level of computer component and interactivity utilised in elearning. Second, the attitude of academic staff towards their teaching role, and, more specifically, how they operate within an elearning environment. The speed of the development in online technologies and techniques is such that the information given here will not provide all the answers, it should, nevertheless, enable some of the correct questions to be pose

A review and assessment of novice learning tools for problem solving and program development

There is a great demand for the development of novice learning tools to supplement classroom instruction in the areas of problem solving and program development. Research in the area of pedagogy, the psychology of programming, human-computer interaction, and cognition have provided valuable input to the development of new methodologies, paradigms, programming languages, and novice learning tools to answer this demand. Based on the cognitive needs of novices, it is possible to postulate a set of characteristics that should comprise the components an effective novice-learning tool. This thesis will discover these characteristics and provide recommendations for the development of new learning tools. This will be accomplished with a review of the challenges that novices face, an in-depth discussion on modem learning tools and the challenges that they address, and the identification and discussion of the vital characteristics that constitute an effective learning tool based on these tools and personal ideas

Computer literacy levels and attitudes towards computers of California school site adminstrators

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to quantify and analyze the computer literacy levels and attitudes towards computers of school site administrators, and thereby establish a baseline of knowledge for future decisions regarding the integration of computers in education. Procedure: A fifty item survey, based on objectives supplied by the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium, was developed. The items were designed to assess experiences, attitudes and knowledge relative to computers. The survey was sent to a random sample of 603 California school site administrators functioning in unified school districts. Responses to research questions were based on appropriate statistical procedures including one-way analyses of variance and Pearson correlations. Findings: Fifty-four percent of the surveys were returned. A majoiity of the administrators have used the computer at least once in their career. Workshops and self-directed study experiences were identified as being the most useful type of exposure to computers. Administrators indicated a substantial amount of support for computers in education, both for students and peers. Administrators expressed some uncertainty about their ability to make decisions regarding computers at their school. There was little difference observed in computer literacy levels and attitudes of administrators from various regions of the state, levels of administration, or ranges of district ADA. A positive correlation was found to exist between attitudes and computer literacy levels. Recommendations: Administrator preservice training should include the educational use of computers. School districts should pursue an inservice program designed to give staff members experience with computers. A study is needed to review the availability and quality of computer related college courses for educators. A study should be conducted to determine the differences in computer literacy levels and attitudes of administrators with varying experiences. This study should be replicated with administrators classified by sex, years of administrative experience and school setting. A comparative analysis of preservice and practicing administrator computer literacy levels and attitudes should be conducted. A longitudinal study should be conducted, utilizing a modified form of the survey developed in this research project

Uses of Computer and its Relevance to Teaching and Learning in Nigerian Educational System

This paper examined the uses of computer and its relevance to teaching and learning in Nigerian secondary schools. The need for computer education and its objectives in Nigerian educational system were identified and discussed. The roles the classroom teachers would play and the challenges they would have to face in using computer for instruction were also highlighted. Possible solutions were suggested to ensure successful implementation of computer education programme in Nigerian secondary schools.Key words: computer education, analog computer, digital computer, hybridcomputer

The Automatic Assessment of Multiple Artefacts: An Investigation into Design Diagrams and Their Implementations

As the Higher Education sector has moved towards student-centred learning so too has the growth in electronic support for learning. E-assessment has been a part of this growth as increasingly assessment and its feedback is seen as an integral part of the students’ learning process. Mature e-assessment systems exist, particularly where answers to questions are restricted to a prescribed list of alternatives. However, for free response artefacts, where there is a limited restriction placed on answers to questions, automated assessment systems are embryonic. This dissertation presents an investigation into the automated assessment of free response artefacts. Design diagrams and their accompanying source code implementations are examples of free response artefacts. A case study is developed that investigates how to automatically generate formative feedback for a design diagram by utilizing its accompanying implementation. The dissertation presents a two-staged solution, initially analysing the design diagram in isolation before comparing it with the implementation. A framework for this approach has been developed and tested using a tool applied to coursework submitted by undergraduate computer science students. The tool was evaluated by comparing the formative feedback comments generated by the tool with those produced by a team of computer science educators. Evaluation was undertaken via two Likert questionnaires, one completed by students and one completed by a team of computer scientists. The results presented are favourable, with the majority of comments produced by the tool being seen to be as least as good as those generated by the computer science educators

THE EFFECTS OF WEB-BASED TECHNOLOGICAL RESOURCES IN A RURAL SCIENCE CLASSROOM

Today’s technology is evolving at an exponential rate. Everyday technology is finding more inroads into our education system. This study seeks to determine if having access to technology, including iPad tablets and a teacher\u27s physical science webpage resources (videos, PowerPoint® presentations, and audio podcasts), assists ninth grade high school students in attaining greater comprehension and improved scientific literacy. Comprehension of the science concepts was measured by comparing current student pretest and post test scores on a teacher-written assessment. The current student post test scores were compared with prior classes’ (2010-2011 and 2009-2010) to determine if there was a difference in outcomes between the technology interventions and traditional instruction. Students entered responses to a technology survey that measured intervention usage and their perception of helpfulness of each intervention. The current year class’ mean composite scores, between the pretest and post test increased by 6.9 points (32.5%). Student composite scores also demonstrated that the interventions were successful in helping a majority of students (64.7%) attain the curriculum goals. The interventions were also successful in increasing student scientific literacy by meeting all of Bloom\u27s cognitive levels that were assessed. When compared with prior 2010-2011 and 2009-2010 classes, the current class received a higher mean post test score indicating a positive effect of the use of technological interventions. The survey showed a majority of students utilized at least some of the technology interventions and perceived them as helpful, especially the videos and PowerPoint® presentations

Mass production of individual feedback

Learning to program is intrinsically difficult. In addition there is a trend towards increased student diversity and larger class sizes. Student diversity increases the need for individual attention for each student, while increased class sizes decreases the amount of time a lecturer has to provide this attention. This thesis investigates an approach to help provide each student with detailed individual feedback. This feedback is important where individual attention is lacking. We used two trials to determine the effectiveness of the system. The first of these trial runs was in Autumn 2002 and the system provided the facility to the tutors to give personal and detailed feedback to each student. There was a statistically significant improvement in the weaker students’ exam results for that Semester. The system was improved for the second trial. The tutors could provide feedback as before, but also this time the students could provide feedback on each other through peer-assessment and self-assessment. The system remained popular and useful. However for the second trial we were interested in making the peer assessment aspect a success. The thesis will discuss our limited success in this area. Eighty eight percent of the students were motivated to provide feedback through bonus marks and the incentive of getting feedback from others, but many students gave absolute minimum feedback

An appraisal of the use of computer music notation software among selected high school music teachers

Thesis (D.M.A.)--Boston UniversityThe use and availability of computer software in support of music composition developed dramatically during the latter part ofthe twentieth century. As technology advanced, so did the ability to compose, notate, and edit music using computer software. The use of notation software has impacted music education. Many high school music educators have implemented music notation software into their music courses. The purpose of the present study was to gain a greater understanding of the practice of high school music teachers who use music notation software in their music classrooms. The specific research questions guiding this project were: (a) How do the high school music teachers in this study describe their experiences with music notation software in the music curriculum? (b) What do the high school music teachers in this study believe students learn through the use of music notation software? (c) How does using music notation software influence the teaching practices of the high school music teachers in this study? This was a collective (multiple) case study investigating how three high school music teachers at three different schools used music notation software in their curricula. I (a) observed and audio recorded music technology classroom instruction, (b) took field notes, and (c) conducted personal interviews over the course of one nine-week high school marking period. Each participant was observed and interviewed three times. The interviews were audio recorded and field notes were taken during each observation. A system of coding was employed to organize the data into categories for analysis. Member checking, triangulation of data sources, bias clarification, peer briefing, and an external audit were used as measures of trustworthiness. Findings ofthe study indicated that music teachers used notation software primarily for teaching students music composition, theory, and ear training. The findings also revealed that music teachers observed in the study preferred the use of music notation software over traditional means ofteaching and noted an increase in its pedagogical value in the classroom. Additionally, the results of the study showed that music teachers observed an increase in student classroom engagement and adaptability when using music notation software