TITLE OF THE ARTICLE :
Effects of classroom testing by microcomputer.
AUTHOR/S :
Bowen, B.E., & Agnew, D. (1986).
SOURCE (BIBLIOGRAPHY) :
Journal of American Association of Teacher Educators in Agriculture
(AATEA), 27 (4), 2-7.
o Problem
Microcomputers are being used for a variety of purposes, but
research about their instructional effectiveness lags behind
adoption rates for the technology. Further, there is a limited
research base about the effects of microcomputers in vocational
agriculture on learning in the affective, cognitive, and psychomotor
domains. The research base is even more shallow when effects of
testing students by computer technology are explored.
Comments: The problem statements agreed with the title and
seemed to be of educational significance. The problem was not
clearly visible to the average reader, and it required several
readings to establish why the researchers felt this study needed to
VICTOR JADE O. LAURETA
be done. It was limited to the researchers capabilities and
resources.
o Review of Literature
o The author cited no clear review of literature; however, several
appropriate references were used in the introduction section. These
statements contributed to the overall understanding of the subject
and to the reasoning for establishing the problem statement.
Suggested section titles would have been: (1) competencies
vocational education teachers need to use computer technology
effectively; (2) effects of microcomputers on learning; and (3)
effects of testing students by microcomputer.
o Hypothesis
This research tested hypotheses about how effectively
microcomputers could be used to administer an objective classroom
test to students who had studied and used computer technology.
Comments: The purpose was clearly and concisely stated and
agreed with the title. It was limited to the researchers capabilities
and resources.
VICTOR JADE O. LAURETA
o Objectives
Specifically, the study sought to determine: (a) the effect taking an
objective final examination by microcomputer would have upon
student cognitive performance; (b) the effect this method of testing
would have on student attitude about computers immediately after
the examination; and (c) whether this method of testing would
require more time than conventional paper and pencil testing
procedure.
Comment: The authors objectives were answerable, and they chose
to obtain them by testing null hypotheses. These hypotheses were
testable and served to help explain the problem.
o Methodology
The treatment followed the post-test only control group design;
consequently, the study involved two replications. Both replications
were conducted during a Nostate State University course. A two
stage random assignment was used in assigning groups and
treatments. The three dependent variables measured in this study
VICTOR JADE O. LAURETA
were: (a) minutes to complete the test; (b) score on the test; and (c)
score on the attitudes about computers.
Comments: The methods used to gather the data for this article
were clearly explained. The instruments and development were
explained, and the reliability coefficients of all possible tests were
given. The population used was adequate. No discussion of the
statistical techniques was given in this particular section.
o Findings
Personal data by treatment and control group was provided in table
form and explained with a short narrative.
Hypothesis one: A one way analysis of covariance revealed that the
two groups were not significantly different in terms of their scores
on the 35 item final examination.
Hypothesis two: The mean attitudinal scores of the two groups were
positive in both replications, and there was no significant difference
in the two groups attitudes about computers.
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Hypothesis three: There was a significant difference in minutes
required to complete the exam in replication one; however, there
was no significant difference in replication two.
Comments: The findings were well organized, sectioned, and
reported objectively. The tables were well organized but, due to the
difficulty of the statistical tests employed, would not stand alone to
the average reader.
o Summary
There was no summary given.
o Conclusions
Conclusions and implications were formulated with the knowledge
that subjects for this study used microtechnology extensively during
a computer applications course. In this investigation, final
examination scores were independent of the method of testing. The
method of testing was not a determinant of how students felt about
computers. Since time required was not consistent over the two
replications, the methods of testing as well as other factors appear
to influence the time requirements of test completion.
VICTOR JADE O. LAURETA
Comments: The conclusions were based on the findings and
logically stated.
o Recommendations
"Additional research is needed in other classroom settings to see if
consistent findings about cognitive performances, time
requirements, and attitude are achieved."
Comments: The recommendations were limited to a call for
additional research in the area.
o Overall Critique
This was a very in-depth research project, particularly for a journal
article. For the most part, it was well written and well organized.
There was a definite need for a short review of literature to develop
the situation. The article did get a little complicated in the reporting
of data due to the complicated statistical procedures used. Overall,
it was a very interesting, significant contribution to the field of
research.
VICTOR JADE O. LAURETA
