Published in Acta Didactica Napocensia, volume 3 number 2, 1 June 2010
Andreas Fest, University of Education, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany
Abstract: Feedback is an important component of interactive
learning software. A conclusion from cognitive learning theory is that good
software must give the learner more information about what he did. Following
the ideas of constructivist learning theory the user should be in control of
both the time and the level of feedback he receives. At the same time the
feedback system must identify and review different possible solution strategies
in an open learning environment.
The interactive geometry software Cinderella offers an
easy-to-use programming interface. It can be used to implement application
specific feedback by the author of learning units.
In this paper we present two exemplary learning units
implementing two kinds of interactive feedback: feedback on demand and
immediate feedback. The presented units come from discrete mathematics and from
the theory of line reflections and congruencies in geometry. The units are
implemented in a process-oriented design. Various directly given or hidden
hints help the students to understand the mathematical principles behind the
given problems. Our tools analyses the student’s solution processes
automatically and generates additional feedback on demand.
The second learning environment can also be used in
conjunction with recording of user actions. This allows additional feedback
given later by the teacher whenever the automatic feedback system fails in
analyzing the users' learning processes. First experiences using the units in
teaching are presented.
Key words: Dynamic Geometry,
Scripting, Individual Feedback, Graph Algorithms, Congruencies
Pages 79-88. Download PDF