A REAL-TIME ASSESSMENT OF STUDENTS’ MENTAL MODELS
OF SOUND PROPAGATION

PROGRAMS FOR MODEL ANALYSIS OF RESULTS

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Analysis Programs Without Hot Links to Class Response System

    Air Context

    Air Context Q1234

    Air Context Q2356

    Wall Context

Analysis Programs With Hot Links to PRS

    N=150 or less

    N=250 or less

    N=500 or less

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

There is a program that analyses test results in terms of students’ mental models that corresponds to each of the test version. These programs are written in Microsoft Excel. Students’ answers can be analyzed if entered in the format described in section related to templates for answers.

Details of using the programs in the real time with PRS system are described below.

USING THE TEST WITH PRS CLASS RESPONSE SYSTEM 

MS Excel files needed to analyze data in real time are on dissertation CD in folder 3. Folder “Final Programs” (within folder 3) contains three folders called PRS Hot Link”. Each of them is associated with a number (N) which denotes the maximum number of students that the program can analyze. Programs are associated with 150, 250 and 500 students and this was done because file size rapidly increases with this number and it is likely that many classrooms where this test could be potentially used have not more than 150 students.

However, if necessary it is easy to increase the number of students that the program can handle by inserting new rows and copying formulas down. If user has problem with this, he or she is encouraged to visit websites in the Appendix W and look for updated and expanded programs, or to contact the author.

If, for example, desired number of students is less than 150, user would select folder “PRS HOT LINK N=150”. Within that folder user will find two folders each corresponding to one of the two 4-question test versions (both related to air context). These are: “HOT LINK Q1234” and “HOT LINK Q2356”.

These folder contain two files. One is called “sound1” (for Q1234 test version) and “sound2” (for Q2356 version). This is the file in which data collected from students are saved when session is over.

Another file is analysis program which performs all the necessary operations and displays results in relevant charts.  If, for example test version Q1234 is used, files in folder “HOT LINK Q1234” will be needed.

Result file associated with it is called “sound1” and analysis program (for N≤150) is “AIR Analysis Program 9.2 Q1234 Hot Link N=150” and is linked to “sound1”. This link enables that as soon as the session is closed, data in “sound1” file is analyzed and displayed in relevant charts of analysis program. However in order for file to be saved it can not be open during the session and in order for analysis program to analyze new data “sound1” has to be opened once the session is closed.

PRS by default saves sessions into folder which is (again be default) placed in C:/Program files/PRS/Session. User should copy both files from the folder “HOT LINK Q1234” into this “Session” folder (C:/Program files/PRS/Session).

When PRS is started, the following is needed:

Ø      Under “Mode” drop down menu select “Multiple choice”.

Ø      Under “Session” drop down menu select “5 choices”.

Ø      Under “Session” drop down menu select number of chances according to your preference.

 Next step is to start a new session. You will be asked:

“Do you want to save the session when finished? – Click Yes

You will be offered to choose name and folder of the file to be saved and “Session” folder will be offered. PRS session is saved in .cvs format so sound1.cvs file will be visible. Overwrite “sound1” file by naming the new session “sound1”.

Analysis program can be opened in advance to save the time later. “sound1” file however has to be closed until session is over and than should be opened in order for data to be analyzed. Once “sound1” is opened, analysis program will automatically analyze its content and display results.