Opportunities for Research in Instruction Additional Components Ginger Holmes Rowell, Ph.D. Department of Mathematical Sciences

Additional Components Using Existing Evaluation Instruments Involving Students in Instructional Research Disseminating Your Results

Using Existing Evaluation Instruments Benefits –Saves time and trouble –Already tested for reliability and validity –Appropriate analysis methods for using instrument and scoring results already exist –Can make comparisons with national norms or with others who have used the instrument. Disadvantages –It may not ask exactly what you would like

Example of Existing Instruments The Survey of Attitudes Toward Statistics (SATS), Candace Schau –28 questions, takes 10 minutes, free, validated –Assesses 4 components of student attitudes (Affect, Cognitive Competence, Value, Difficulty) –Includes demographic questions (academic background, self-confidence, expected grade) –Pre- and post-course versions available –Provides instructions for scoring –The author requests you share your data with her.

Plenty of Other Examples Exist Source for Classroom Assessment Tools –

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Another Source Online Evaluation Resource Library (OERL) –

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Glossary

Other Sources ERIC/AE Test Locator –The major printed indexes that identify and review educational and psychological measurement instruments ERIC Clearinghouse on Assessment and EvaluationERIC Clearinghouse on Assessment and Evaluation Health and Psychosocial Instruments (HAPI) Washington State University Assessment & Evaluation CenterWashington State University Assessment & Evaluation Center

Additional Components Using Existing Evaluation Instruments Involving Students in Instructional Research Disseminating Your Results

Involving Students in Instructional Research A Win-Win Situation –Students learning about research –Faculty gaining insight from students Examples –Internet Applet Assessment 2 students: 1 Rubric, 1 website, led to Co-PI on a NSF Digital Library for Statistics Education (CAUSEweb) –Biostatistics Laboratories 2-semester Class Project (78 students), 1 student assistant, 1 paper so far

Involving Students in Instructional Research Help students understand the research/creative process (perhaps different in different disciplines) Start with a (SMALL) research question related to the Instructional Research that you are doing Conduct a literature review Carefully formulate hypothesis Decide how to assess hypothesis Collect data & analyze data Report the conclusions Decide what should be done next

Additional Components Using Existing Evaluation Instruments Involving Students in Instructional Research Disseminating Your Results

Three Dissemination Components –Materials Developed –Research on Effectiveness of Materials Developed –Student Research (if included in your project)

Disseminating Your Results Disseminate Materials Developed –Traditional: Textbooks, Workbooks, Software, Prints, CDs, … –Maybe less traditional: For smaller items (individual modules) Peer-reviewed Journals (education and discipline/education) – See next slide Peer-reviewed Digital Libraries –MERLOT ( –NSDL ( –Eisenhower National Clearinghouse (

Disseminating Your Results Research on Effectiveness of Materials Developed –Presentation at national conferences –Peer-reviewed Journals Some Options: –See handout list –For more details see website: Student Research Journals –On Campus: Scientia (