Quantum Chemistry Tutors

Director: Steve Schneider    (Director, Mathematics, Science & Technology Program)

WestEd is undertaking a four-year study to test the efficacy of the Quantum Chemistry Tutors, a suite of computer-based cognitive tutors that are designed to give individual tutoring to high school students in 12 chemistry topics. These tutors represent comprehensive content for a full high school chemistry course. This study will fulfill Goal 3 of the research program on Mathematics and Science Education, funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences: establishing the efficacy of existing interventions and approaches to mathematics and science education with small efficacy or replication trials. The findings from this study of the Chemistry Tutors will not only tell us about the efficacy of this specific intervention but will also contribute to a better understanding of the general effects of the use of intelligent tutoring software on student learning, when used in conjunction with a range of commercially available science curricula. The Quantum Tutors for Chemistry to be evaluated in this study cover topics representative of comprehensive content for a full high school chemistry course. Each Tutor uses natural language to scaffold student thinking and performance through questioning, modeling, illustration, and explanation of issues within the context of the student’s own work. The Quantum Tutors are designed to supplement or be incorporated into any existing curriculum. Study results will be available after the 2012 study completion date. WestEd will publish the final report in scholarly papers in peer-reviewed journals and conferences.

Who's involved with this Project? Steve Schneider (Director, Mathematics, Science & Technology Program)