Using Interactive Exercise in Mobile Devices to Support Evidence-based Teaching and Learning

Abstract

To improve student's class experience, the use of mobile devices has been steadily increasing. However, such use of mobile learning environments in the class is mostly static in nature through content delivery or multiple choice and true/false quiz taking. In CS courses, we need learning environments where students can interact with the problem in a hands-on-approach and instructor can assess their learning skills in real-time with problems having different degree of difficulty. To facilitate such interactive problem solving and real-time assessment using mobile devices, a comprehensive backend system is necessary. This paper presents one such system, named Mobile Response System (MRS) software, associated interactive problem-solving activities, and lessons learned by using it in the CS classrooms. MRS provides instructor with the opportunity of evidence-based teaching by allowing students to perform interactive exercises in their mobile devices with different learning outcomes and by getting an instant feedback on their performance and mental models. MRS is easy-to-use, extensible and can render interactive exercises developed by third-party developers. The student performance data shows its effectiveness in increasing student understanding of difficult concepts and the overall perception of using the software was very positive.

Various Methods of Knowledge Assessment during the Training of IT Specialists

“…In recent years, the work on perfecting control means and methods has substantially increased. Search for the new have brought to employment of controlling devices, complexes and computerbased learning and knowledge control systems [11]- [13].…”

Creating Engaging Exercises With Mobile Response System (MRS)

“…In an effort to explore the feasibility of developing an integrated learning environment that supports automated and immediate assessment of construction exercises, we developed Mobile Response System (MRS) [8][9][10]. MRS is a software environment that facilitates in-class construction exercises and their real-time assessment utilizing mobile devices.…”

“…The detailed design, implementation and deployment of the MRS system are out of scope of this paper. Interested readers are advised to explore MRS website [8] for downloadable modules and publications [9][10] to learn more. This paper explores MRS's support for engaging students via construction exercises and the Permission to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page.…”