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Researching for Better O nline I nstructional M ethods using AB Testing. --- Zhongzhou Chen, Christopher Chudzicki , Peter Bohacek , Neset Demirci and David Pritchard. Teaching is an old practice…. We enter the age of the Internet. Now we can teach like this.
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Researching for Better Online Instructional Methods using AB Testing --- Zhongzhou Chen, Christopher Chudzicki, Peter Bohacek, NesetDemirciand David Pritchard
In a normal MOOC Entire MOOC Population Course Material
A/B Testing Traditional Teaching Method Experimental Teaching Method
A/B Testing Simple Design of an A/B Expriment Common Assessment Treatment Control
Multiple A/B Experiments in a Course Unit 1 Experiment 1
Multiple A/B Experiments in a Course Independent Random Splits Unit 2 Unit 1 Experiment 2 Experiment 1
Multiple A/B Experiments in a Course Unit 2 Unit 1 Unit 3 Experiment 2 Experiment 1 (part 1) Experiment 1 (part 2)
Summary of A/B Experiment Features • No limit on the number of groups, nor on the number of experiments in a course. • Each group can receive a different number of materials. • Group assignment is random. • No student can "opt-out" of any of the experiments.
Our MOOC: 8.MReV Content: College introductory level mechanics (calculus based) Length: 14 Weeks (12 required, 2 optional) May 29th ------- Sep 14th Initially Registered: 10709 Attempted Second Week’s Quiz: ~4100 (estimated)
Our MOOC: 8.MReV Total Number of AB experiments: 7
Does length of video make a difference? Office hour videos: ~10+ minutes Talk about a challenging homework problem
Does length of video make a difference? Short Video ~2 minute video segments
Does length of video make a difference? Short Video ~2 minute video segments
Does length of video make a difference? Short Video ~2 minute video segments Long Video ~10 minutes whole video
Does length of video make a difference? Short Video ~2 minute video segments Long Video ~10 minutes whole video
Experiment Procedure Challenging Homework Problem (Graded)
Experiment Procedure Challenging Homework Problem (Graded) Long Video Short Video
Experiment Procedure Challenging Homework Problem (Graded) Long Video Short Video
Does length of video make a difference? • Research Questions: • Difference in time spent watching video? • Difference in number of questions answered? • Difference in successfully solving the challenging homework problem?
Interactivity of Course Material Traditional problem vs. Direct measurement video
Traditional Physics problem Provides all necessary information
Direct measurement video (by Peter Bohacek) Distance measured by on screen ruler. Time measured by counting frames Player can play frame by frame
Direct Measurement Video Common Homework Problem Survey question Direct Measurement Video Traditional Homework
Direct Measurement Video • Research Questions: • Does the extra interactivity result in more participation, or does the extra work lead to less participation? • Can we identify any positive impact on students’ knowledge to justify the cost of creating these videos?
Interactivity of Course Material Multiple Choice vs. Drag and Drop Problem
Traditional Multiple Choice question Extraneous Cognitive Load
Drag and Drop and Deliberate Practice Deliberate Practice: (Erickson)
Drag and Drop and Deliberate Practice • Deliberate Practice: • Focus on practicing one skill at a time
Drag and Drop and Deliberate Practice • Deliberate Practice: • Focus on practicing one skill at a time • Providing immediate specific feedback
Drag and Drop and Deliberate Practice • Deliberate Practice: • Focus on practicing one skill at a time • Providing immediate specific feedback • Repetitive and highly focused training
Drag and Drop and Deliberate Practice Domain Specific Problem Design • Deliberate Practice: • Focus on practicing one skill at a time • Providing immediate specific feedback • Repetitive and highly focused training Problem Design/Auto Grading/ Customized Feedback Drag and Drop format
Experimental Setup Entire MOOC population
Multiple Choice vs. Deliberate Practice • Research Questions: • Does increasing interactivity result in more engagement? (i.e. Are students more “deliberate” in their practice?) • Compared to traditional problems, do Drag and Drop problems serve as better/worse assessments? • Do “deliberate practice” result in any detectable learning gain?
Thank you Comments and Questions?
Discussion Questions • Other innovative instructional methods worth putting online and testing via AB experiment?
Discussion Questions • How should we design our experiments to suit the (unique) MOOC population? • How can we transfer the experimental results obtained through a MOOC to a "flipped" classroom despite the difference in population?