1. Approaches to learning and self study materials in quantitative subjects Gary Simpson ABS270

2. Project Overview Aim: “To compare two types of self study materials to work out which aids the learning process more and for which students” How: A cross over trial half the students get Materials A then Materials B Others get materials B then Materials A

3. Learning material Normal You will learn A & B AB We learnt A & B Material A You will learn A & B A We learnt A & B Quiz A Recap A Correct A B Quiz B Recap B Correct B With this set of material we will use confidence based testing (Gardner-Medwin AR 2006) So the quiz questions will have true or false answers but we will provide 6 choices. I guess it’s TrueI think it’s TrueI am sure it’s True I guess it’s FalseI think it’s FalseI am sure it’s False The aim is to help students reflect on how confident they are in their knowledge.

4. In the graph shown is the following statement True or False: "There is a maximum at x=4" You must answer the question before continuing Submit Clear Click anywhere to continue A) I Guess its True B) I Think its True C)I am Sure its True D)I Guess its False E)I Think its False F)I am Sure its False

5. In the graph shown is the following statement True or False: "There is a maximum at x=4.5" You must answer the question before continuing Submit Clear Click anywhere to continue A) I Guess its True B) I Think its True C)I am Sure its True D)I Guess its False E)I Think its False F)I am Sure its False

6. Learning material Material B: You will learn A & B A We learnt A & B Quiz A Recap A Correct A B Quiz B Recap B Correct B B1 Quiz B1 Recap B1 Correct B1 We learnt A & B B2 Quiz B2 Recap B2 Correct B2 Adapts to ability to balance positive and negative feedback (Paterson 2008) So if they get the quiz wrong they get explanations in smaller “bites” and/or easier questions in next quiz B2 Quiz B2a Correct B2 Recap B2

7. In the graph shown which of the following statements is False You must answer the question before continuing Submit Clear Click anywhere to continue A)There is a Maximum at x = 4 B)There is a Maximum at x = 4.5 C)The slope is positive at x = 4 D)The slope is zero at x = 4.5

8. In the graph shown which of the following statements is True You must answer the question before continuing Submit Clear Click anywhere to continue A)There is a Minimum at x = 12 B)There is a Maximum at x = 20 C)The slope is negative at x = 12 D)The slope is zero at x = 25

9. What is useful already? Adobe Presenter +There is a site licence so anyone can have it on their machine. +It is just an add-in to PowerPoint so it is easy to learn and convert existing material -Creating quizzes takes time especially setting up branching Thinking about pacing Makes Blackboard an active learning experience

10. What do we hope to learn? Which Types of student benefit most Deep vs Surface learners Weak vs Strong previous knowledge Revision users vs as you go users Are there differences between to methods? Does it create lasting differences?

11. References Gardner-Medwin AR (2006); Confidence-Based Marking - towards deeper learning and better exams In : Innovative Assessment in Higher Education. Ed.: Bryan C and Clegg K. Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group, London