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Effect of Terminology on Student Performance (Work in Progress)

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Conference

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Baltimore , Maryland

Publication Date

June 25, 2023

Start Date

June 25, 2023

End Date

June 28, 2023

Conference Session

First-Year Programs Division (FYP) - WIPS 1: Programs & Curricula

Tagged Division

First-Year Programs Division (FYP)

Tagged Topic

Diversity

Page Count

9

DOI

10.18260/1-2--43231

Permanent URL

https://strategy.asee.org/43231

Download Count

66

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Paper Authors

biography

Nazli Aslican Yilmaz Wodzinski P.E. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

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Nazli A. Yilmaz Wodzinski graduated from Clemson University with a Ph.D in Civil Engineering in 2014. She joined Minnesota State University, Mankato as a post-doctoral teaching fellow for 2015-16 Acedemic Year. She is still serving at the same institution

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biography

Pavan Karra Minnesota State University, Mankato

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Pavan Karra is Associate Professor at Trine University where he teaches in the field of Design and Controls. He can be reached at pavan.karra@mnsu.edu

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Abstract

Many instructors know that understanding of a few key phrases or terms can make a huge difference in the outcome of students’ performance in exams. This is especially prominent for first-generation students and international students. This undermines retention and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts undertaken by universities. This study intends to examine the effect of terminology on students’ comprehension of problem statements during an exam. For this, students are tested on simple mathematical concepts that they are familiar from elementary/middle school. Two different types of questions, using same mathematical concepts, will be part of the exam given to first year students. The first type of questions will include terminology that is understood by common population with at least middle school education. The second type of questions will include terminology that is typically used in STEM higher education. The questions will be randomized. Demographic information of students will be collected without identifying information. Conclusions made on the impact of terminology on student success.

Wodzinski, N. A. Y., & Karra, P. (2023, June), Effect of Terminology on Student Performance (Work in Progress) Paper presented at 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Baltimore , Maryland. 10.18260/1-2--43231

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