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ERIC Number: EJ1259141
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0738-0569
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Unfolding the Drivers of Student Success in Answering Multiple-Choice Questions about Microsoft Excel
Moro, Sérgio; Martins, António; Ramos, Pedro; Esmerado, Joaquim; Costa, Joana Martinho; Almeida, Daniela
Computers in the Schools, v37 n2 p55-73 2020
Many university programs include Microsoft Excel courses given their value as a scientific and technical tool. However, evaluating what is effectively learned by students is a challenging task. Considering multiple-choice written exams are a standard evaluation format, this study aimed to uncover the features influencing students' success in answering these types of questions. The empirical experiments were based on Excel evaluation exams containing questions answered by 526 students between 2012 and 2016, with a total of 3,340 answers characterized by 17 features. Through data mining, a neural network was developed that accurately modeled students' choices. A sensitivity analysis was applied to the model to assess the most relevant features. Findings identified four highly relevant features for students' success: number of words of the question, topic, difficulty degree, and number of similar choices. This study helps to guide the design of future exams by quantifying the individual influence of each feature.
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Portugal
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A