Measuring Conceptual Understanding in Randomised Controlled Trials: Can Comparative Judgement Help?

Autor/inn/en	Jones, Ian; Bisson, Marie; Gilmore, Camilla; Inglis, Matthew
Titel	Measuring Conceptual Understanding in Randomised Controlled Trials: Can Comparative Judgement Help?
Quelle	In: British Educational Research Journal, 45 (2019) 3, S.662-680 (19 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0141-1926
DOI	10.1002/berj.3519
Schlagwörter	Concept Formation; Algebra; Computer Software; Comparative Analysis; Mathematical Concepts; Elementary School Students; Grade 5; Intervention; Pretests Posttests; Teaching Methods; Instructional Effectiveness; Computer Assisted Instruction; Randomized Controlled Trials + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Concept learning; Begriffsbildung; School year 05; 5. Schuljahr; Schuljahr 05; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Unterrichtserfolg; Computer based training; Computerunterstützter Unterricht
Abstract	An impediment to conducting high-quality quantitative research studies in education is the paucity of valid measures of learning gains. Studies often seek to investigate students' deep, conceptual understanding yet many measures assess only surface, procedural understanding. One reason is that the development of validated measures of conceptual understanding is resource intensive and time consuming, and success is not guaranteed. We evaluated a novel and efficient technique, based on comparative judgement, for assessing conceptual understanding. We applied the technique to a randomised controlled trial in which students were taught simple algebra based on either the Grid Algebra or the MiGen software package. The participants were Year 5 students (N = 188) drawn from four primary schools who had not encountered algebra previously. An instrument from the literature (Concepts in Secondary Mathematics and Science: Algebra Scale) and a novel comparative judgement assessment were administered following the intervention. Students in the Grid Algebra condition outperformed those in the MiGen condition on both post-test measures. The comparative judgement technique performed similarly to the standard instrument but was far more efficient to design and implement. The technique can, in principle, be quickly applied to any target concept of interest. We conclude that comparative judgement is a valid, reliable and practical tool that could help to increase both the quantity and quality of quantitative research in education. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Wiley-Blackwell. 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148. Tel: 800-835-6770; Tel: 781-388-8598; Fax: 781-388-8232; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01