Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Improved Test Scores: Why and How


Standard Learning Objective Quiz Results for Introductory Chemistry


 
Fall 2012 Results

 
2/19 students got 8/8

5/19 students got 7/8

3/19 students got 6/8

6/19 students got 5/8

2/19 students got 4/8

1/19 students got 3/8

 
Spring 2013 Results (after implementation of online homework system)

4/21 students got 8/8 

5/21 students got 7/8

4/21 students got 6/8

5/21 students got 5/8

3/21 students got 4/8

 
These scores are, I believe, proof that an effective online homework system can make an overall difference in student comprehension. Especially in a discipline like chemistry, it is so easy to complete a homework assignment and not understand what overall concepts were reinforced by that assignment. An online homework system can give students the chance to complete an assignment, receive tutorial help with the assignment and real-time feedback on the accuracy of their answers. Then later they can go back and redo the problem for review (practice for the final exam).

As you can see from my small sample size, more students in my class scored 6,7,8 (out of 8) after the implementation of an online learning homework system.

Tuesday, July 02, 2013

Transforming Matter: A History of Chemistry from Alchemy to the Buckyball (Johns Hopkins Introductory Studies in the History of Science)

This is the book I pulled off of amazon.com last year and designated as my project for the year. This book and about ten other books of varying subjects. No, I haven't finished it yet but I'm close. My goal is to review it for this blog. Between hosting my in-laws, preparing for baby Shamon #2 and finding a new house, life is really busy right now.

A blog entry is certainly overdue. I  hope to return soon.