New CRESST Policy Brief Shares Technology Findings

Drawing from a number of recent research studies, a new CRESST policy brief finds that simulations can be used to improve human performance, rating accuracy, and coaching.

The authors also conclude that computer games can be used to increase math performance, but may need to be adapted to current student proficiency. 

Click here to download a copy of "Key Findings From Simulations and Technology Research." 

Click here to review a broad number of CRESST policy briefs. 

Reclassified ELLs Tend To Make Progress Says New CRESST Report

 A new CRESST study indicates that reclassified English Language Learners (ELL's) often make steady progress in their own achievement, but that their proficiency gaps tend to persist over time. 

This study by researchers Jinok Kim and Joan Herman, focused on ELL students who were reclassified in Grades 4, 5, or 6.

Click here to read this latest CRESST report, "Understanding Patterns and Precursors of ELL Success Subsequent to Reclassification."  

New CRESST Publication Provides Knowledge Map Recommendations

CRESST researchers share their knowledge mapping expertise in a new Resource Paper, "Development Model for Knowledge Maps."

The new publication describes an effective process for creating knowledge maps that support learning, including recommendations for selecting meaningful links between key concepts.

Click here to download CRESST Resource Paper 14, authored by Greg Chung, Alicia Cheak, John Lee, and Eva Baker. 

Plan Offered for Validating Assessments

"…assessments are not valid or not; rather evidence of validity must be established in the context of specific interpretations and uses of test scores," say Joan Herman and Kilchan Choi in a new CRESST article.

The two researchers share a general plan for validating assessments through expert reviews and empirical studies. 

Click here to download "Validation of ELA and Mathematics Assessments: A General Approach." 

Click here to read a related CRESST report by Eva Baker and Robert Linn, "Validity Issues for Accountability Systems."

Does the Type of Feedback in Instructional Games Effect Performance?

A new random assignment study helps to answer the question, "does the type of feedback that students receive effect their performance on a math computer game?" The findings may surprise you. 

Click here to download a copy of CRESST Report 817, "Examining Feedback in an Instructional Video Game Using Process Data and Error Analysis."

Study conducted by Rebecca E. Buschang, Deirdre Kerr, and Gregory K.W.K. Chung. 

New CRESST Resource Paper Explores Ontologies

The latest CRESST Resource Paper written by CRESST Director Eva Baker explores the use of ontologies as a valuable learning and assessment tool. 

"An ontology represents a multi-dimensional depiction of how learning is defined and through what knowledge and skills it develops," writes Eva Baker, "and also provides an organizational scheme for integrating expectations, mapping progress, and coordinating learning resources and supports."

Click here to download a copy of CRESST Resource Paper 13, "Ontology-Based Educational Design: Seeing is Believing."

JOAN HERMAN TO SHARE RESULTS FROM NEW NRC REPORT

CRESST Director Joan Herman was part of the committee that authored a new National Research Council report, Education for Life and Work: Developing Transferrable Knowledge and Skills in the 21st Century. The new report, to be released on Tuesday, July 10, 2012, is a synthesis study that helps to define key skills that are often called deeper learning, 21st Century skills, or college and career readiness skills. 

Together with fellow NRC committee member David Pearson, Joan Herman will be sharing the report findings with California's Intersegmental Coordinating Committee on Wednesday, July 11th. 

Click here for more information about the NRC report and its committee. 

Major CRESST Study Finds Significant Improvements at Locke High School

With funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, CRESST conducted a multi-year evaluation of a major school reform project at Alain Leroy Locke High School, historically one of California’s lowest performing secondary schools. The CRESST evaluation, employing a strong quasi-experimental design, found statistically significant, positive effects for the Green Dot Locke transformation including improved achievement, school persistence, and completion of college preparatory courses.

Click here for a copy of CRESST Report 815, "Evaluation of Green Dot’s Locke Transformation Project…"

Margaret Heritage Co-authors New ELL Article

Margaret Heritage, CRESST Assistant Director for Professional Development, is co-author of a new article, Instruction for Diverse Groups of English Language Learners. Aida Waiqui from WestEd is the lead-author.

The two researchers emphasize that the Common Core State Standards provide an important opportunity to improve learning for millions of ELL students. 

Click here for a copy of the new article.  

New CRESST Report Examines Videogame Feedback for Learning

Educational videogames can provide instructional feedback, but students often ignore such feedback and instead pursue less effective stategies. CRESST Senior Researcher Girlie Delacruz examines the use of incentives to encourage students to use feedback and increase learning in math. Discover what she found out in CRESST Report 813.

Or click here to read a copy of her recent CRESST report on using games as formative assessments.