Confidence Boosting
This study is currently running in ASSISTments. The purpose of this study is to try to find a way of boosting student confidence. Additionally, we are interested in determining which method achieves the best results.
Control
A video check is used at the beginning to determine which students can see and hear videos within ASSISTments. They then complete a normal skill builder. Students who are then randomly assigned to the control group receive a generic survey question. In this case, it is a notification that the skill builder is complete and two more challenge problem remain. The students then complete the two challenge problems, which are the same in the control as they are in all experimental cases.
Video Check
Notification of Skill Builder
Example Standard Problem
Generic Survey
Example Challenge Problem
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Experiment
Case 1
In place of the generic survey, students randomly selected to this case will watch a short video of President Obama encouraging students to push themselves and achieve their goals.
Case 2
In place of the generic survey, students randomly selected to this case will watch a short video of a peer offering words of encouragement.
Case 3
In place of the generic survey, students randomly selected to this case will be given a false sense of choice. Students will be asked to select a difficulty for the challenge question. The question is the same for either answer, however.
The video is available below.
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Teacher Invitation - This presentation was sent to teachers to recruit their participation.
Click here to try the problem set
Clicking on the link above will allow you to experience this study from the student's perspective. You will be randomly assigned to either the control or experimental conditions. Follow the link multiple times or refresh the preview page to experience each condition.