Do Mistake Messages Delivered Through Video Help?

Control

The control group received a Skill Builder on solving one step equations using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This condition provided feedback when students requested to see the 'bottom out hint' for the question. This hint provided students with the answer to the problem to keep them from getting stuck within the problem set. Students in this condition received no additional tutoring.

Here is a control question, shown with the bottom out hint still available to the student. Click on the image below to test drive this problem.

Experiment

Students in the experimental condition received a Skill Builder on solving one step equations using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This condition provided focused tutoring in the form of 'misconception messages' through short videos and text snippets. Videos featured Andrew Burnett, ASSISTments Teacher Trainer and former middle school math teacher, explaining the common wrong answers. Students in this condition were also provided the option of viewing the correct answer.

Here is the same question, altered for the experimental condition. Notice that the bottom out hint is not available; the student must attempt to answer the problem on their own. Click on the image below to test drive this problem.

If the student selects "Show hint 1 of 1" it provides them with the correct answer but no feedback regarding how to solve the problem. They can now enter '-72' and move on to the next question. The question is marked as incorrect for using the bottom out hint.

For the same question, if the student adds rather than multiplying, and arrives at the answer '-1,' they are provided the following text feedback of "You should multiple both sides by 8".