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Comparison of Effectiveness of Computer-Graded vs. Instructor-Graded Homework Assignments in an Elementary Spanish Cours

Comparison of Effectiveness of Computer-Graded vs. Instructor-Graded Homework Assignments in an Elementary Spanish Course. Lt Col Richard Dabrowski, USAF Spanish/Portuguese Division Chief US Air Force Academy. Spanish Program at USAFA. Incoming Cadets

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Comparison of Effectiveness of Computer-Graded vs. Instructor-Graded Homework Assignments in an Elementary Spanish Cours

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  1. Comparison of Effectiveness of Computer-Graded vs. Instructor-Graded Homework Assignments in an Elementary Spanish Course Lt Col Richard Dabrowski, USAF Spanish/Portuguese Division Chief US Air Force Academy

  2. Spanish Program at USAFA • Incoming Cadets • 844 out of 1262 took Spanish placement test [67%] • 80 placed at intermediate level or higher • 12 validated language requirement • Academic Courses [Fall 2010 enrollments] • Elementary [339] • Intermediate [177] • Advanced Composition [93] • Culture/Civilization and Current Events [35] • Literature [8]

  3. Spanish Program at USAFA • Study Abroad Opportunities • Summer Immersion • Six countries [10 cadets each location] • One month • Spring Break Trips • Cultural Immersion • Academy Exchange Programs • Spain/Chile • Semester Abroad • Mexico [moratorium due to drug cartel violence]

  4. Spanish Program at USAFA • No Foreign Language Majors at USAFA • 57 Spanish Language Minors in 2010 • 33 received 1+ or higher in both listening and reading on the DLPT • 17 received 2 or higher in both listening and reading • 4 received 3/3 on the DLPT • Not all success can be attributed to our Spanish program as numbers include heritage speakers, returned LDS missionaries, and others with extensive prior exposure to language.

  5. New textbook to replace Destinos

  6. www.myspanishlab.com

  7. Research study • Question: Any difference in results between instructor-graded and computer-graded exercises? • Instructor-graded exercises were time-consuming, often delays returning work to students, not read • Computer-graded exercises gave immediate feedback, however feedback was limited, technical difficulties • Specific circumstances of students of Spanish at USAFA favored computer-graded exercises, but with some doubt if this approach ‘cheated’ cadets of the richness of instructor feedback

  8. Research study • Subjects: 226 cadets in first-semester/first-year Spanish divided into 14 sections. • 115 cadets in 7 sections had computer-graded exercises • 111 cadets in 7 sections had instructor-graded exercises • All cadets took the same chapter test at the end of the study period [three weeks] • All cadets requested to fill out satisfaction survey [146]

  9. Results • Almost identical average scores • 158.68 out of 200 points for instructor-graded group • 158.48 out of 200 points for computer-graded group • Variation among sections • IG from 150.67 to 170.82 • CG from 145.58 to 170.94 • Same instructor results • ‘Instructor A’ for IG 162.13; IG 151.61; CG 145.58 • ‘Instructor B’ for IG 158.23; CG 158.90 • ‘Instructor C’ for IG 170.82 ; CG 156.29

  10. Satisfaction Survey • Only 146 responses (65%) • Overwhelming preference for computer-graded exercises • 103 preferred only computer-graded exercises • 35 wanted a hybrid of CG and IG exercises • 8 preferred only instructor-graded exercises • Revelation that many cadets never or rarely read the instructor feedback

  11. How often did you read the instructor feedback? [n=58]

  12. Comments • What do you like most about MySpanishLab? • Ease/Availability (24/146 = 16%) • Feedback (41/146 = 28%) • Learning (44/146 = 30%) • Specific Features (19/146 = 13%) • Miscellaneous

  13. Comments • What do you like least about MySpanishLab? • Quantity (49/145 = 34%) • Timing/Time Spent (14/145 = 10%) • Quality (10/145 = 7%) • Learning (12/145 = 8%) • Specific Features (53/145 = 37%)

  14. Lessons Learned • Find way to require cadets to read instructor feedback • Improve response rate on satisfaction survey • Ensure full cooperation of faculty • Explore what additional data can be collected from study • This fall semester, study will be expanded to both elementary and intermediate levels

  15. Questions? richard.dabrowski@usafa.edu

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