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Effects of microcomputer‐administered diagnostic testing on immediate and continuing science achievement and attitudes
Author(s) -
Waugh Michael Leonard
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of research in science teaching
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.067
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1098-2736
pISSN - 0022-4308
DOI - 10.1002/tea.3660220903
Subject(s) - microcomputer , aptitude , test (biology) , diagnostic test , achievement test , standardized test , psychology , medical education , medical physics , mathematics education , medicine , computer science , pediatrics , developmental psychology , biology , telecommunications , chip , paleontology
This investigation had three purposes: (1) to document any immediate and continuing benefits associated with the use of microcomputer‐administered testing; (2) to determine what type of student might benefit most from microcomputer‐administered diagnostic testing; and (3) to document the feasibility of microcomputer‐administered diagnostic testing. The subjects of the study were enrolled in a biology course based on the BSCS Blue text. A random half of the students received behaviorally‐stated performance objectives, while the remaining half received behaviorally‐stated performance objectives in conjunction with microcomputer‐administered diagnostic testing. The results of this study indicate that microcomputer‐administered diagnostic testing can positively influence the immediate, but not the continuing, achievement of students in science. In addition, neither student aptitude nor achievement motivation level were found to interact with treatment or influence achievement. Affective data indicate that students react favorably to the use of objectives, computers, and diagnostic testing. Cost summary data reveal that when the expense of administering diagnostic testing by microcomputer is prorated over a five‐year period, the cost of a diagnostic test is reduced to approximately three cents.