Measuring Learning

As part of the Measuring Learning international consortium led by Carnegie Mellon University, CREATE is exploring using touch technologies to support formative assessment-for-learning of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) skills. We are developing a framework for 'learning-enabled assessment' for science lab skills, which gives due consideration to both the structure of the lab assignments and the feedback that promotes learning. This approach opens up many new possibilities that require constructivist learning and higher order thinking skills.

The crucial role of hands on experiments in the STEM curriculum to motivate and deepen understanding is universally accepted. In India, many schools lack equipment in science labs and in rural areas there is a lack of teachers depriving students of STEM education. This project uses an innovative combination of rich media resources, collaborative development and learning, professional training for using these resources among teachers and in the use of HP tablet technology to create labs in schools in rural and lower socio-economic areas, to support STEM learning for students.

Amrita, in consortium projects with research grants from MHRD and DIT, has developed a Multilingual Collaborative platform that teachers can use to deploy simulations, animations, remote access to remote equipments and other media learning material to provide an interactive supplemental learning environment to perform lab experiments that promote STEM skills.

Using Amrita’s cloud based eLearning network, we intend to pilot this with both secondary and tertiary institutions in rural and city areas with over 3,400 students for 6 months using HP mini notebooks and HP Tablets. Qualitative and Quantitative analysis along with Mathematical modelling will be used to study student attitudes, measure learning, motivation and teacher collaboration of developing and using online material of STEM.

The impact of the Online Labs and CAPPS will be measured through suitability, usefulness surveys, observations, and interviews. Automatic logs and online CAPPS will enable comparative measurements of key STEM concepts using pre and post assessments before and after the usage of CAPPS.

HP Catalyst Initiative

The HP Catalyst Initiative has established a network of leading educators, education institutions, and key stakeholders in selected countries to explore innovative approaches to STEM education. Each international HP Catalyst consortium brings together experts from various educational institutions with focus on specific opportunities to use technology to enhance STEM teaching and learning. The consortia are focused on a range of issues, from teacher preparation and student-driven learning models to student assessment.

Measuring Learning

The Measuring Learning consortium is developing ways to assess STEM competencies that are often not evaluated in school. These skills include innovation, higher-order thinking, global collaboration, and the ability to tackle big, open-ended challenges. Despite the universally acknowledged importance of these 21st-century abilities, education systems rarely measure student performance in these areas. Technology can change that. This consortium is led by Carnegie Mellon University (USA).