Improving Motivation And Knowledge Retention With Repeatable Low Stakes Quizzing
- Conference
- Location
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Austin, Texas
- Publication Date
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June 14, 2009
- Start Date
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June 14, 2009
- End Date
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June 17, 2009
- ISSN
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2153-5965
- Conference Session
- Tagged Division
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Construction
- Page Count
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7
- Page Numbers
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14.707.1 - 14.707.7
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--5436
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/5436
- Download Count
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734
Paper Authors
Kirsten Davis Boise State University
Kirsten A. Davis is an Assistant Professor in the Construction Management Department within the College of Engineering at Boise State University. Dr. Davis earned a B.Arch. in Architecture and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Tennessee, an M.S. in Civil Engineering specializing in Construction Engineering and Management from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering specializing in Construction Engineering and Management from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Her educational research interests are focused on improving construction management education.
Abstract
NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract
Improving Motivation and Knowledge Retention with Repeatable Low-Stakes Quizzing Abstract
Introductory level materials and methods courses in a Construction Management (CM) program generally require students to acquire an enormous new vocabulary. This vocabulary includes terminology pertaining to the materials themselves, as well as terminology defining the construction processes using the materials. Courses such as these form a backbone of knowledge that is necessary in nearly every other CM course, whether they are formal prerequisites or not.
A one-credit materials and methods lecture was modified, initially to provide more classroom lecture time. All testing during the semester was replaced with short online quizzes within a web-based course management system. Students were permitted to take each quiz multiple times until they achieved their desired grade. This testing method improved student excitement and motivation regarding the course material, as well as improving students’ retention of information.
This paper presents preliminary results illustrating the effects of repeatable low-stakes quizzing on students motivation and their retention of information in an introductory level materials and methods course.
Introduction
The desire of every educator is to build excitement within their students about the topics they teach – to engage the students at a level where they talk about the material outside the classroom and investigate questions using materials beyond the text and lecture notes. We want them to want to learn about our topic, not just be there because they have to. We also have a desire for the students to retain the material they learn – preferably longer than 10 minutes after they turn in their final exam.
This paper presents preliminary results illustrating the effects of repeatable low-stakes quizzing on students motivation and their retention of information in an introductory level materials and methods course within a Construction Management (CM) program. Introductory level materials and methods courses generally require students to acquire an enormous new vocabulary. This vocabulary includes terminology pertaining to the materials themselves, as well as terminology defining the construction processes using the materials. Courses such as these form a backbone of knowledge that is necessary in nearly every other CM course, whether they are formal prerequisites or not.
A one-credit materials and methods lecture was modified, with the intent of providing more classroom lecture time. All testing during the semester was replaced with short online quizzes taken outside of class time in a web-based course management system. Students were permitted to take each quiz multiple times until they achieved their desired grade. The online quizzing was continued in the following semester, due to the improved student excitement and motivation
Davis, K. (2009, June), Improving Motivation And Knowledge Retention With Repeatable Low Stakes Quizzing Paper presented at 2009 Annual Conference & Exposition, Austin, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--5436
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