Typically, self-reports are used in educational research to assess student response and performance to a classroom activity. Yet, addition of biological and physiological measures such as salivary biomarkers and galvanic skin responses are rarely included, limiting the wealth of information that can be obtained to better understand student performance. A laboratory protocol to study undergraduate students' responses to classroom events (e.g., exams) is presented. Participants were asked to complete a representative exam for their degree. Before and after the laboratory exam session, students completed an academic achievement emotions self-report and an interview that paralleled these questions when participants wore a galvanic skin sensor and salivary biomarkers were collected. Data collected from the three methods resulted in greater depth of information about students' performance when compared to the self-report. The work can expand educational research capabilities through more comprehensive methods for obtaining nearer to real-time student responses to an examination activity.
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Today's students are growing up in a world of constant connectivity, instant information, and ever-changing technological advancements. The increasingly ubiquitous nature of mobile devices among K-12 students has led many to argue for and against the inclusion of these devices in K-12 classrooms. Arguments in favor cite instant access to information and collaboration with others as positive affordances that enable student self-directed learning.In this study, 706 middle school students from 18 technology and engineering education classes worked in groups of 2-3 to complete an openended engineering design challenge. Students completed design portfolios and constructed prototypes in response to the design challenge. Classes were divided with some allowing access to mobile devices during the study and others not allowing access. Additionally, randomly assigned classes completed the design portfolio electronically, and others completed the portfolio on paper. Final student portfolios and products were assessed and assigned a rank order using a method of assessment called adaptive comparative judgment. Thirty student interviews were conducted as well as 6 teacher interviews. Statistical analyses between student access, portfolio type, student self-directed learning, and student achievement were conducted. Findings showed that student self-directed learning was independent of mobile device access during the study. Mobile device access was significantly correlated with higher student scores on the design portfolio, but mobile device access was independent of student scores on design products.
The implementation of a successful engineering program to a synchronous online curriculum is subject to many impacting factors. One such factor, that has not seen much investigation, concerns learning styles. Student learning styles may have a dramatic influence on the success of a synchronous online deliverable engineering graphics curriculum. The immediate objective of this research was to look at the effectiveness of teaching Engineering Graphics with a synchronous online delivery method and to compare it to a more traditional face-to-face delivery method. Using Kolb's learning style inventory, student learning styles in both educational settings were investigated and analyzed to discover the student population's prevailing learning style. Data relating to class success was collected with surveys, personal feedback, and by observing overall student performance based on grades and responses to the survey material presented. The study targeted 6 separate sections of an engineering graphics course taught by the same instructor, in the same physical setting, and with identical curricula over a two-year period. Data analysis allowed for an introspective look into correlations between academic success and the learning styles of the students. Findings suggest that (1) Converger students receive significantly higher final course grades when they are in a synchronous online environment; (2) Assimilator and Converger synchronous online students show significant improved differences in their final open-ended project scores over their face-to-face taught peers, the prevalent learning style within the course. Suggestions to accommodate learning styles are present.
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