San Antonio, TX
Apr. 27–May 1, 2017
Conference Website
The 2017 AERA Annual Meeting theme is “Knowledge to Action: Achieving the Promise of Equal Educational Opportunity.” The theme of the Annual Meeting is framed around historical and contemporary discussions about unequal educational opportunity.
Friday, April 28
Teaching Environmental Sustainability – Model My Watershed
Presenters: Nanette I. Marcum-Dietrich (Millersville University of Pennsylvania), Steve Kerlin, (Stroud Water Research Center), Carolyn Staudt, Kyle Jola (Millersville University of Pennsylvania)
12:25 to 1:55pm
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Ballroom Level, Hemisfair Ballroom 1
Teaching Environmental Sustainability – Model My Watershed (MMW) curricula and toolset situates student learning in the exploration and evaluation of the conditions of their local watershed using probe-ware and a scientifically valid watershed modeling application. Students analyze real data from national databases embedded into the MMW GIS platform, collect data from their schoolyard using digital probes linked to tablets or smartphones, and create and model changes in land cover and conservation practices in the inquiry-based activities. The study indicates that a place-based watershed modeling curriculum is an effective tool for increasing students’ understanding of watersheds, encouraging personal environmental action and promoting career interest.
Saturday, April 29
Structured Poster Session: Observational Methodologies across Informal Learning Spaces
Session Paper: Research on Scaffolding: Using Algorithmic Modeling of Players’ Knowledge Growth from Game Log Files
Presenters: Hee-Sun Lee, Gey-Hong Sam Gweon (Physics Front LLC), Sherry Hsi, Robert Tinker, William Finzer, Natalya St. Clair
10:35 AM–12:05 PM, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Meeting Room Level, Room 221 D
Digital games can provide an opportunity for players to learn new scientific knowledge. Players’ transactions with digital games and related game performances can be automatically collected in time-stamped log files. Like human observations however, log files are unfiltered observations made by machines of which values can only be revealed by prudent applications of appropriate research methodology. This study addresses (1) how an innovative computer algorithm called Monte-Carlo Bayesian Knowledge Tracing (MC-BKT) can capture the growth of players’ knowledge addressed by the game, and (2) how MC-BKT analysis results can be used to determine whether an embedded graphing tool worked to support knowledge growth.
Sunday, April 30
Paper Session: Automation and Data Analytics to Inform Teaching and Learning
Paper: Enabling Real-Time Scaffolding of Scientific Argumentation through Automated Scoring and Tailored Feedback
Presenters: Hee-Sun Lee, Ting Wang (Educational Testing Service), Amy Pallant, Ou Lydia Liu (Educational Testing Service)
8:15–9:45 AM
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Meeting Room Level, Room 209
In responding to a need for integrating scientific argumentation into classroom teaching, we designed an automated feedback system and embedded it in an online curriculum module. Scientific argumentation we promoted with the feedback system addressed two types of reasoning: scientific reasoning associated with claiming based on evidence and critical reasoning associated with recognizing limitations of data, evidence, investigation, and knowledge base. In order to provide automated feedback to students as soon as they submit their arguments, we developed and tested a data traffic architecture. This study addresses how students improved their scientific arguments when automated feedback was provided in real-time.