Abstract
We have developed a system for measuring wait-times in realtime. The concept of the system is ideally suited to enable new instruction designs for online knowledge sharing platforms such as open education resources or e-textbooks, particularly for assessments and training modes. In our preliminary trials with online exercises and assessments, the total time taken by a student for each multiple choice question (MCQ) was segregated into 3 parts (read time, think time and answer time). Students took longer for higher level questions, as subjectively classified by the teachers according to Bigg’s SOLO taxonomy. Furthermore, there were significantly broader spreads in their think times for higher level questions. These results demonstrated that wait-time can be used to discriminate student abilities, measure assessment difficulties and allow useful correlations with various student characteristics. In providing a new dimension of time to better quantify student learning, the system would be useful for experimental research in learning. Results could further provide evidence to support instructional designs.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Biggs, J., Tang, C.: Teaching for Quality Learning at University, 3rd edn. The Society for Research into Higher Education & Open University Press, U.K (2007)
Brothen, T.: Time Limits on Tests Updating the 1-Minute Rule. Teaching of Psychology 39(4), 288–292 (2012)
Carvalho, I.S., Williams, B.: Facilitating the adoption and dissemination of Active Learning Methodologies in Engineering Education using a Classroom Observation approach. In: SEFI 37th Annual Conference, pp. 1–4 (July 2009)
Duell, O.K., Lynch, D.J., Ellsworth, R., Moore, C.A.: Wait-time in college classes taken by education majors. Research in Higher Education 33(4), 483–495 (1992)
Eison, J.: Using Active Learning Instructional Strategies to Create Excitement and Enhance Learning. Jurnal Pendidikantentang Strategi Pembelajaran Aktif (Active Learning) Books 2 (2010)
Ellsworth, R., Duell, O.K., Velotta, C.L.: Length of wait-times used by college students given unlimited wait-time intervals. Contemporary Educational Psychology 16(3), 265–271 (1991)
Fuccella, V.: Methods and Tools for Computer Assisted Learning and Assessment (2007)
Heinze, A., Erhard, M.: How much time do students have to think about teacher questions? An investigation of the quick succession of teacher questions and student responses in the German mathematics classroom. ZDM 38(5), 388–398 (2006)
Johnson, G., Davies, S.: Unsupervised Online Constructed-Response Tests: Maximising Student Learning and Results Integrity. In: Ascilite Conference, vol. 2012(1), pp. 400–408 (2012)
Manwaring, W., Landrum, R.E., Carlson, H.: The Relationship Between Time to Complete a Test and Test Performance. Psychology Learning & Teaching 8(2), 53–56 (2009)
Maroni, B.: Pauses, gaps and wait time in classroom interaction in primary schools. Journal of Pragmatics 43(7), 2081–2093 (2011)
Mitchell, I.: The relationship between teacher behaviours and student talk in promoting quality learning in science classrooms. Research in Science Education 40(2), 171–186 (2010)
Paul, C.A., Rosenkoetter, J.S.: The relationship between the time taken to complete an examination and the test score received. Teaching of Psychology 7, 108–109 (1980)
Rowe, M.B.: The pausing principle-Two invitations to inquiry. Journal of College Science Teaching 5(4), 258–259 (1976)
Rowe, M.B.: Wait time: slowing down be a way of speeding up! Journal of Teacher Education 37(1), 43–50 (1986)
Tobin, K.: The role of wait time in higher cognitive level learning. Review of Educational Research 57(1), 69–95 (1987)
Weber, J.E., Bohnen, H., Smith, J.A.: One more time: The relationship between time taken to complete an exam and the grade received. Business Research Yearbook 301 (2011)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Yuen, J.C.H., Cheung, A.C., Fung, K.L., Lai, A.C.K., Leung, C.M., Lo, S.M. (2013). A New Dimension in Student Learning: Measuring Wait Times. In: Lam, J., Li, K.C., Cheung, S.K.S., Wang, F.L. (eds) Knowledge Sharing through Technology. ICT 2013. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 407. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-45272-7_9
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-45272-7_9
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-45271-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-45272-7
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)