Although, as far as I know, psychologists have yet to develop a valid
and consistently reliable test to gauge the need for, and the effects
of, reform pedagogy in their introductory courses, some may
nevertheless be interested in a recent post "A Conversation With Eric
Mazur" [Hake (2007a)].
The abstract reads:
*************************************************
ABSTRACT: I discuss a recent New York Times report by Claudia Dreifus
(2007) titled "A Conversation With Eric Mazur: Using the 'Beauties
of Physics' to Conquer Science Illiteracy." During the conversation
Mazur states: "I did what everyone else did: lectures. And the
feedback was positive.. . . . when I gave them . . [the
Halloun-Hestenes (HH) (1985a) concept-based exam]. . . about half
had no clue as to what Newtonian mechanics were about." Mazur then
shifted to "Peer Instruction," an interactive-engagement type of
pedagogy that resulted in much larger pre-to-post test gains on the
HH test. Are there valid and consistently reliable diagnostic tests
of conceptual understanding in other disciplines (developed by
experts in those disciplines), comparable to the HH test in physics,
that might be used to gauge the need for, and the effects of, reform
pedagogy? Yes, sources of references to high quality conceptual
tests in Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Engineering,
Geoscience, and Math are given for instructors who may wish to
formatively assess the cognitive impact of their courses by means of
pre/post testing.
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To see the complete post simply click on <http://tinyurl.com/2zo3pz>.
BTW, there may also be some interest in "Over Sixty Academic
Discussion Lists: List Addresses and URL's for Archives & Search
Engines" [Hake (2007b)].
Richard Hake, Emeritus Professor of Physics, Indiana University
24245 Hatteras Street, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
<http://www.physics.indiana.edu/~hake>
<http://www.physics.indiana.edu/~sdi>
REFERENCES
Hake, R.R. 2007a. "A Conversation With Eric Mazur," post of 23 Jul
2007 17:10:06-0700 to AERA-L; online at <http://tinyurl.com/2zo3pz>.
Hake, R.R. 2007b. "Over Sixty Academic Discussion Lists: List
Addresses and URL's for Archives & Search Engines," online at
<http://www.physics.indiana.edu/~hake/ADL-B.pdf> (580 kB), or
<http://www.physics.indiana.edu/~hake/ADL-C.pdf>, or (if both fail)
as ref. 49 at <http://www.physics.indiana.edu/~hake>.
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