Evaluating the Effectiveness of Readiness Assurance Testing as Part of Team-Based Ecology Instruction

Authors

Danielle Berger, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Larkin Powell, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2022

Citation

Poster, January 2022

Comments

Copyright © 2022 Danielle Berger & Larkin Powell.

Abstract

Readiness Assurance Testing (RAT) incorporates content recall, immediate feedback and peer instruction, three strategies known to enhance student learning, into a single classroom activity. While iRAT and tRAT assessments are promising instructional tools, they are time-intensive to administer.

1.Do iRAT/tRAT tests promote student retention of content better than other in-class activities, justifying the investment of instructional time? 2.Are iRAT/tRAT tests beneficial across the spectrum of academic performance?

• Students get a larger proportion of RAT questions correct on exams than other multiple choice questions (Table 1, RAT~MC Intercept), supporting the claim that this instructional technique provides better content-retention than other in-class activities.

• There is a stronger correlation between correct multiple choice questions and course performance than RAT questions and course performance (Table 1), suggesting that all students benefit from RAT participation, but poor-performing students receive additional benefit.

• All students score worse on multiple choice questions than their course performance would predict (Figure 3), suggesting these questions are more difficult than other course content and may not accurately reflect student learning