BRIGE: Testing the efficacy of concept inventories with bilingual students: The application of the Concept Assessment Tool for Statics at UPRM

这一工程教育研究奖将探索工程静力学的工程概念清单上的语言差异。静态概念评估工具(CATS)是为识别学生而开发的工具吗？对静态概念的概念性理解。在波多黎各大学的试点测试中，结果显示，与国家标准(30%-70%)相比，学生在猫身上的表现非常低(28%)。由于这项测试是用英语进行的，而英语并不是波多黎各大学大多数学生的第一语言，研究人员建议用双语学生来测试CATS的效果。为了实现这一目标，本研究将以以下研究问题为指导：机械和土木工程专业的高年级学生？波多黎各大学马亚圭兹分校的学生展示了猫咪的语言障碍？提出了一种混合方法设计，其中将使用定量(问卷和/或封闭式问题)和定性(使用焦点小组的开放式问题)工具来收集数据。同样，数据将在定量分析之后进行分析，但也将应用开放编码技术进行定性。这项研究的预期结果将是开发出西班牙语版的CATS，以进一步测试其有效性和可靠性。这个项目增进了知识，探索了创造力，因为这将是第一次：(1)工程概念研究研究的样本将100%由双语学生组成；(2)工程概念清单是用西班牙语开发的；(3)这种研究衡量了工程概念清单上的语言差异。这项工作的结果有望促进学生学习静力学中的困难概念，特别是提高西班牙裔学生的成功。

This engineering education research award will explore language differences on the engineering concept inventory for engineering statics. The Concept Assessment Tool for Statics (CATS) is an instrument developed to identify students? conceptual understanding of statics concepts. In pilot tests at University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez, results demonstrated very low performance (28%) of students on CATS as compared with national standards which ranged between 30% - 70%. Because this test is in English, which is not the first language of most University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez students, the researcher proposes to test the efficacy of CATS with bilingual students. To accomplish this goal the study will be guided by the following research question: Do mechanical and civil senior engineering students? from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez exhibit language difficulties with CATS? A mixed methods design is proposed in which data will be collected using quantitative (questionnaires and/or closed-ended questions) and qualitative (open-ended questions using focus groups) instruments. Similarly, data will be analyzed following quantitative analyses, but also applying open coding techniques for qualitative purposes. The expected results of this study will be the development of a beta version of CATS, in Spanish, to be tested further for validity and reliability. This project advances knowledge and explores creativity because it will be the first time that: (1) 100% of the sample of an engineering concept research study will consist of bilingual students; (2) an engineering concept inventory is developed in Spanish; (3) such a study measures language differences on engineering concept inventories. The results of the work are expected to enhance student learning of difficult concepts in statics, and particularly to improve the success of Hispanic students.