ERIC Number: EJ1159692
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Dec
Pages: 40
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0034-6543
EISSN: N/A
A Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis to Synthesize the Influence of Contexts of Scaffolding Use on Cognitive Outcomes in STEM Education
Belland, Brian R.; Walker, Andrew E.; Kim, Nam Ju
Review of Educational Research, v87 n6 p1042-1081 Dec 2017
Computer-based scaffolding provides temporary support that enables students to participate in and become more proficient at complex skills like problem solving, argumentation, and evaluation. While meta-analyses have addressed between-subject differences on cognitive outcomes resulting from scaffolding, none has addressed within-subject gains. This leaves much quantitative scaffolding literature not covered by existing meta-analyses. To address this gap, this study used Bayesian network meta-analysis to synthesize within-subjects (pre-post) differences resulting from scaffolding in 56 studies. We generated the posterior distribution using 20,000 Markov Chain Monte Carlo samples. Scaffolding has a consistently strong effect across student populations, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines, and assessment levels, and a strong effect when used with most problem-centered instructional models (exception: inquiry-based learning and modeling visualization) and educational levels (exception: secondary education). Results also indicate some promising areas for future scaffolding research, including scaffolding among students with learning disabilities, for whom the effect size was particularly large (g-bar = 3.13).
Descriptors: Bayesian Statistics, Meta Analysis, STEM Education, Computer Assisted Instruction, Scaffolding (Teaching Technique), Monte Carlo Methods, Teaching Methods, Problem Based Learning, Intelligent Tutoring Systems, Coding, Effect Size, Elementary Secondary Education, Higher Education, Adult Education, Disabilities, English Language Learners, Markov Processes
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Information Analyses
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: 1251782