In article <k2EFj.35527$J41.32852@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>,
Jerry Beeler <jerrybeeler@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>"Herman Rubin" <hrubin@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
>news:fs4fku$2300@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>>Some rather startling results come when my freshman take the ACT (as
they
>>>have for the last 5 years). The effect of a calculator dependency
REALLY
>>>shows up ..
>> All this shows is that if one is faced with a test in which
>> the results of calculations matter, those who have had the
>> most practice in it will do better.
>Perhaps you misinterpreted my statement .. my non-calculator-dependent
>freshman have (for the last 5 years) consistently scored higher than the
>juniors and seniors. The junior-senior average for the ACT/Math is
>approximately 18.5 whereas my freshman consistently score from 23 to 29.
>Jerry
I have not misunderstood. If you look at the questions on
the exams, you will see that a fair amount of calculation
is necessary to distinguish between the various possibilities
in a multiple choice question.
I can do these calculations almost instantly, and possibly
ypu can as well. This can lead one to fail to realize the
effect of calculation on performance. Or even that speed
can be a major factor, and cause a high score on questions
which are expected to test skills which one does not have.
--
This address is for information only. I do not claim that these views
are those of the Statistics Department or of Purdue University.
Herman Rubin, Department of Statistics, Purdue University
hrubin@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Phone: (765)494-6054 FAX: (765)494-0558
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