Engaging students to work with self-assessment questions: a study of two approaches

ABSTRACT

We explored two approaches for encouraging introductory programming students to use the web-based, self-assessment system, QuizPACK. An "organizational" approach applied specially constructed classroom quizzes, while the "technical" approach introduced adaptive guidance. Our studies demonstrated that each of these caused a dramatic increase in system use. This approach could be useful in many other contexts, when an educationally beneficial system is underused by students.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.1 Computer Uses in Education
          Subjects: Distance learning

Additional Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Self-assessment

General Terms:
Human Factors, Languages, Performance

Keywords:
engagement, introductory programming, personalization, self-assessment