Comparing Examples: WebAssign versus Textbook

ORAL

Abstract

Research shows students can learn from worked examples.$^{1}$ This pilot study compared two groups of students' performance (10 each) in solving physics problems. One group had access to interactive examples$^{2 }$released in WebAssign$^{3}$, while the other group had access to the counterpart textbook examples. Verbal data from students in problem solving sessions was collected using a think aloud protocol$^{4}$ and the data was analyzed using Chi's procedures.$^{5}$ An explanation of the methodology and results will be presented. Future phases of this pilot study based upon these results will also be discussed. $^{1}$Atkinson, R.K., Derry, S.J., Renkl A., Wortham, D. (2000). ``Learning from Examples: Instructional Principles from the Worked Examples Research'', \textit{Review of Educational Research}, vol. 70, n. 2, pp. 181-214. $^{2}$Serway, R.A. {\&} Faughn, J.S. (2006). \textit{College Physics} (7$^{th}$ ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole. $^{3}$ see www.webassign.net $^{4}$ Ericsson, K.A. {\&} Simon, H.A. (1984). \textit{Protocol Analysis: Verbal Reports as Data. } Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press. $^{5}$ Chi, Michelene T.H. (1997). ``Quantifying Qualitative Analyses of Verbal Data: A Practical Guide,'' \textit{The Journal of the Learning Sciences}, vol. 6, n. 3, pp. 271-315.

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Authors

  • Evan Richards

    North Carolina State University

  • Jeff Polak

    University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

  • R.F. Kelly

    SVT Associates, Department of Material Science and Engineering, Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Florida International University, WebAssign, North Carolina State University, Broughton High School, Dept.~of Chemistry, Univ.~of Florida, Dept.~of Physics, Univ.~of Florida, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA, Center for Superconductivity Research, Dept. of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA, Dept. of Physics, University of Florida, 32611, USA, Experimentalphysik VI, Center for Electronic Correlations and Magnetism, Institute of Physics, Augsburg, Germany, Physics \& Astronomy, UNC-CH, Chapel Hill, NC, University of North Carolina, Auburn University, University of Virginia, Tech. Univ. Eindhoven, University of Florida, Los Alamos National Labs, University of New Mexico, Advanced Materials Research Institute, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, Department of Physics, University of Florida, UF, NHMFL, FSU / NHMFL, FSU, University of Arkansas, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA, Dept. of Physics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-8440, USA, Dept. Chemistry Florida State Univeristy, University of Brewen, Tohoku University, Okayama University, Dept of Chemistry, Florida State University, Dept. of Chemistry, Florida State University, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, FL, Laboratoire Lois Neel, Grenoble, France, Dept. of Chemistry, Texas A\&M University, Tsinghua Univ., INEL, JINR, Vanderbilt Univ./LBNL, Vanderbilt Univ., SVT Associates, Inc., Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Department of Electrical Engineering, National Central University, Taiwan, University of Miami, North Carolina Central University, University of Missouri Rolla, AB Millimetre, France, Thomas Keating Ltd., UK, Dept. of Physics, Univ. of Florida, Department of Material Science and Engineering University of Florida, Department of Chemistry University of Florida, Department of Chemical Eng. University of Florida, Naval Research Lab, Washington, DC, University of Rajshahi, LENIN All Russian Electrotechnical Institute, Moscow, Russia, Independent Researcher, Argentina

  • R.F. Kelly

    SVT Associates, Department of Material Science and Engineering, Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Florida International University, WebAssign, North Carolina State University, Broughton High School, Dept.~of Chemistry, Univ.~of Florida, Dept.~of Physics, Univ.~of Florida, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA, Center for Superconductivity Research, Dept. of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA, Dept. of Physics, University of Florida, 32611, USA, Experimentalphysik VI, Center for Electronic Correlations and Magnetism, Institute of Physics, Augsburg, Germany, Physics \& Astronomy, UNC-CH, Chapel Hill, NC, University of North Carolina, Auburn University, University of Virginia, Tech. Univ. Eindhoven, University of Florida, Los Alamos National Labs, University of New Mexico, Advanced Materials Research Institute, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, Department of Physics, University of Florida, UF, NHMFL, FSU / NHMFL, FSU, University of Arkansas, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA, Dept. of Physics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-8440, USA, Dept. Chemistry Florida State Univeristy, University of Brewen, Tohoku University, Okayama University, Dept of Chemistry, Florida State University, Dept. of Chemistry, Florida State University, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, FL, Laboratoire Lois Neel, Grenoble, France, Dept. of Chemistry, Texas A\&M University, Tsinghua Univ., INEL, JINR, Vanderbilt Univ./LBNL, Vanderbilt Univ., SVT Associates, Inc., Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Department of Electrical Engineering, National Central University, Taiwan, University of Miami, North Carolina Central University, University of Missouri Rolla, AB Millimetre, France, Thomas Keating Ltd., UK, Dept. of Physics, Univ. of Florida, Department of Material Science and Engineering University of Florida, Department of Chemistry University of Florida, Department of Chemical Eng. University of Florida, Naval Research Lab, Washington, DC, University of Rajshahi, LENIN All Russian Electrotechnical Institute, Moscow, Russia, Independent Researcher, Argentina