Upcoming CRCSTL Seminars:
Fall Semester 2009, Mondays, 4-5:00 pm, Room 105 Natural Science
October 19 & 26, 2009
No seminars/Informal Research Meetings
November 2, 2009
Speaker: Professor Duncan Sibley, Geological Sciences, CRCSTL, MSU, DSME
Location: Natural Science, Room 105, 4:00 pm
Title: Putting theory into practice in an online course.
November 9, 2009
Speaker: Professor Melanie Cooper, Chemistry Department, Clemson University,
Chemical Education
Location: 105 Nat. Science, 4:00 pm
Title: Assessment and Improvement of Problem Solving
Abstract: Problem solving is one of the most important goals of any science course. However,
it is notoriously difficult to improve these skills, and many students never develop
competence. A great deal of effort has been devoted to developing heuristics to help
students solve problems, but there is little evidence that these methods result in
improvements that transfer to new situations. That is: Students often learn to solve
a specific type of problem by applying an algorithm or by analogy to a more or less
identical problem from the text. While these activities may result in high test scores, they
are not in fact very useful skills, since employers rarely need scientists and engineers who
cannot solve problems in a more global sense. Our work has centered on the development
of methods to assess general problem solving skills, and the use of these assessments
to probe the effects of interventions designed to promote and develop instrinsic problem
solving skills in students. We find that providing students with learning environments
where they must plan, monitor and evaluate their activities results in measurable
improvements in problem solving strategies and abilities.
November 16, 2009
Speaker: Professor Perry Samson, Associate Chair, Professor
Atmospheric, Oceanic & Space Sciences
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Location: 105 Nat. Science, 4:00 pm
Title: "Let Them Bring Their Laptops! Engaging Students in Large Classes
Using Technology."
November 23, 2009
Speaker: Dr. Mark Urban-Lurain, MSU, DSME
Location: 105 Nat. Science, 4:00 pm
Title: "Beyond Multiple Choice Exams: Using Computerized Lexical Analysis
to Understand Students' Conceptual Reasoning in STEM Disciplines"
Abstract: Constructed response questions, in which students must use their own language in
order to explain a phenomenon, create more meaningful opportunities for instructors
to identify their students' learning obstacles than multiple choice questions. However,
the realities of typical large-enrollment undergraduate classes restrict the options
faculty have for moving towards more learner-focused instruction. We are exploring
the use of computerized lexical analysis of students' writing in large enrollment
undergraduate biology and geology courses. We have created libraries that categorize
student responses with >90% accuracy. These categories can be used to predict
expert ratings of student responses with accuracy approaching inter-rater reliability
among expert raters. These techniques also provide insight into students' use of
analogical thinking, a fundamental part of scientific modeling. These techniques have
potential for improving assessment practices across STEM disciplines.
Paper available at: http://fie-conference.org/fie2009/papers/1195.pdf