selecting the most important predictors of computer science students' online help-seeking...
TRANSCRIPT
Qiang Hao, University of Georgia
Robert Maribe Branch, University of Georgia
Ewan Wright, University of Hong Kong
Computer science education
Increasing number of students
Large-scale classes
This study investigates the most important predictors of computer science students’ online help-seeking behaviors.
This study investigates the most important predictors of computer science students’ online help-seeking behaviors.
Online help-seeking behaviors (Puustinen & Rouet, 2009; Cheng & Tsai, 2011; Hao, et al, 2016):
Online searching
Asking teachers online for help
Asking peers online for help
8 proposed factors: Learning proficiency level
Age
Gender
Prior knowledge of the learning subject
Academic performance
Epistemological belief
Interests
Problem difficulty
3 dependent variables: Online searching
Asking teachers online for help
Asking peers online for help
203 undergraduate students from University of Georgia
162 novice students
41 expert students
8 proposed factors: Learning proficiency level
Age
Gender
Prior knowledge of the learning subject
Academic performance
Epistemological belief
Interests
Problem difficulty
3 dependent variables: Online searching
Asking teachers online for help
Asking peers online for help
Factor Selection:
Forward selection
Mean Squared Errors from 10-Fold Cross-Validation
Training Data (9 sets)
Test Data (1 set)
1,000 Times
Online Searching:
Learning Proficiency Level
Academic Performance
Epistemological Belief
Problem Difficulty
Asking teachers online for help:
Learning Proficiency Level
Academic Performance
Epistemological Belief
Problem Difficulty
Gender
Asking peers online for help:
Interest
Problem difficulty
Asking teachers online for help:
Learning Proficiency Level
Academic Performance
Epistemological Belief
Problem Difficulty
Gender
Online Searching:
Learning Proficiency Level
Academic Performance
Epistemological Belief
Problem Difficulty
Asking peers online for help:
Interest
Problem difficulty
Asking teachers online for help:
Learning Proficiency Level
Academic Performance
Epistemological Belief
Problem Difficulty
Gender
Online Searching:
Learning Proficiency Level
Academic Performance
Epistemological Belief
Problem Difficulty
Asking peers online for help:
Interest
Problem difficulty
Learning proficiency level and academic performance are important factors influencing students’ online help seeking.
Novice learners and academically challenged students need more supports to seek help online effectively.
There has to be a better way ……
Hao, Q., Wright, E., Barnes, B., & Branch, M. R. (2016). What Are the Most Important Predictors of Computer Science Students’ Online Help-Seeking Behaviors? Computers in Human Behaviors, 62, 467-474.
Hao, Q., Barnes, B., Wright, E., & Branch, M. R. (2016). The Influence of Achievement Goals on Online Help Seeking of Computer Science Students. British Journal of Educational Technology. doi:10.1111/bjet.12499.
Hao, Q., Barnes, B., Branch, M. R., & Wright, E. (2017). Predicting Computer Science Students’ Online Help-Seeking Tendencies. Knowledge Management & E-Learning, 9(1), 19-32.
