EAGER: The Effect of Stress and the Role of Computer Mediation on Exam Performance

在这个项目中，PI将探索一种新的实验和方法框架，以衡量和理解压力在学生考试成绩中的作用。压力在这里被定义为交感神经唤起，这是一种帮助人类应对感知到的威胁或挑战的常备机制。计划中的实验，其中临界性和计算机中介定义了实验空间的两个轴，将涵盖一系列丰富的组合，包括两周考试，每个考试占分数的百分比很小，期中和期末考试占分数的百分比很大，交替提供纸质和iPad形式。受试者将被随机分为对照组和干预组；干预组将时间放宽，以确定减压对胜任力演化的影响。不引人注目的测量（以确保不干扰观察到的行为）将跨越遗传，生理和心理层面，而微观到宏观的测量将提供对问题的深刻理解。虽然大多数与人机交互相关的项目旨在改变界面的设计，但本研究却通过改革教育系统的相关方面来调查“改变”人类（学生）的可能性。改进人机界面是次要目标，根据干预的成功，可以设想减少压力的设计来抵消时间压力。更广泛的影响：这项研究试图找出并提出纠正纸质和电脑考试中出现的问题的方法，这些问题是由强烈的交感反应引起的。为此，PI探索了时间压力源的作用，并在此过程中对流行教育哲学的某些方面提出了质疑。

In this project the PI will explore a novel experimental and methodological framework for measuring and understanding the role of stress in student performance on exams. Stress is defined here as sympathetic arousal, an ever-present mechanism that helps humans cope with perceived threats or challenges. The planned experiments, in which criticality and computer-mediation define the two axes of the experimental space, will cover a rich set of combinations that include bi-weekly exams each of which counts for a small percentage of the grade vs. midterm and final exams that each count for a large percentage of the grade, alternately offered in paper and iPad forms. Subjects will be randomly divided into control and interventional groups; in the interventional group the time will be relaxed, to determine the effect of stress reduction on the evolution of competency. Unobtrusive measurements (to ensure non-interference with the observed behaviors) will span the genetic, physiological and psychological levels, while micro to macro measurements will afford a deep understanding of the issues. While most HCI-related projects aim to change the design of the interface, this research instead investigates the possibility of "changing" the human (student) by revolutionizing relevant aspects of the educational system. Improving the human-computer interface is a secondary aim where, depending upon the success of the intervention, stress-reduction designs can be conceived to counter-balance the time stressor.Broader Impacts: This research tries to identify and suggest ways to correct problems in paper- vs. computer-mediated exams, precipitated by strong sympathetic responses. To this end the PI explores the role of the time stressor, and in so doing questions certain aspects of the prevailing educational philosophy.