PERC 2015 Abstract Detail Page
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| Abstract Title: | Idea Use Curves |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | A variety of tools have been created to understand student performance on multiple-choice tests, including analysis of normalized gain, item response curves, and more. These methods typically focus on correct answers. Many incorrect student responses contain value and can be used as building blocks for instruction, but present tools do not account for productive reasoning leading to an incorrect response. Inspired by Item Response Curves, we introduce Idea Use Curves, which relate frequency with which an idea is used to student ability. We use this tool to consider ideas which may be present in both correct responses and distractors, letting us focus on students' conceptual understanding. This tool is made with the goal of identifying ideas that are consistently used by students who perform well or poorly, allowing researchers and instructors to look beyond the "correct/incorrect" paradigm. We explore student reasoning about energy as a proof of concept for this method. |
| Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster Presentation |
Author/Organizer Information | |
| Primary Contact: |
Alex Axthelm University of Maine 331 S. Grant St. Apt 1 Bloomington, IN 47401 Phone: 260-255-4114 |
| Co-Author(s) and Co-Presenter(s) |
Michael Wittmann, University of Maine Carolina Alvarado Leyva, University of Maine Laura Millay, University of Maine |
