Characterizing Students’ Motivations for and Anxieties about Learning Computation

Computational Physics Attitudinal Student Survey (COMPASS)

Latest Version (v2.3) April 15, 2011

Students choose from the following responses:

Strongly Agree, Agree, Neutral, Disagree, Strongly Disagree

  1. A significant problem in learning computer modeling is being able to memorize all the information I need to know.
  2. When using a computer to solve a problem, I try to decide what would be a reasonable value for the answer.
  3. It is useful for me to solve lots of problems using a computer when learning computer modeling.
  4. After I solve a problem using a computer model, I feel that I understand how the model works.
  5. I find that I can use a computer model that I’ve written to solve a related problem.
  6. There is usually only one correct approach to solving a problem using a computer.
  7. I am not satisfied until I understand how my working computer model connects to a real-world situation.
  8. I cannot learn computer modeling if the teacher does not explain things well in class.
  9. I do not expect computer modeling to help my understanding of the ideas; it is just for doing calculations.
  10. If I get stuck on a computer modeling problem my first try, I usually try to figure out a different way that works.
  11. Nearly everyone is capable of using a computer to solve problems if they work at it.
  12. To understand how to use a computer to solve a problem I discuss it with friends and other students.
  13. I do not spend more than 30 minutes stuck on a computer-modeling problem before giving up or seeking help from someone else.
  14. If I want to apply a computer modeling method used for solving one problem to another problem, the problems must involve very similar situations.
  15. In doing a computer modeling problem, if my calculation gives a result very different from what I’d expect, I’d trust the calculation rather than going back through the problem.
  16. It is important for me to understand how to express physics concepts in a computer model.
  17. I enjoy solving computer modeling problems.
  18. To learn how to solve problems with a computer, I only need to see and to memorize examples that are solved using a computer.
  19. Spending a lot of time understanding how computer modeling methods work is a waste of time.
  20. I find carefully analyzing only a few problems in detail is a good way for me to learn computer modeling.
  21. I can usually figure out a way to solve physics problems.
  22. If I have trouble solving a problem with pencil and paper, I will try using a computer.
  23. Computer models have little relation to the real world.
  24. Reasoning skills used to understand a computer model could be helpful to me in my everyday life.
  25. When I solve a computer modeling problem, I explicitly think about which physics concepts apply to the problem.
  26. When I solve a computer modeling problem, I explicitly think about the limitations of my model.
  27. We use this statement to discard the survey of people who are not reading the questions. Please select agree-option D (not strongly agree) for this question to preserve your answers.
  28. If I get stuck on a computer modeling problem, there is no chance I’ll figure it out on my own.
  29. When studying computer modeling, I relate the important information to what I already know rather than just memorizing it the way it is presented.
  30. I would rather have someone give me the solution to a difficult computer modeling problem than to have to work it out for myself.
  31. I expect to have little use for solving problems using a computer when I get out of school.
  32. I’ll need to solve problems using a computer for my future work.
  33. When my computer model does not work immediately, I stick with it until I have the solution.
  34. When I solve a problem using a computer, I have a better understanding of the solution than if I solve it with pencil and paper.
  35. Computer models are useful for solving science and engineering problems.
  36. Watching a computer model helps me understand the solution to a problem.
  37. The results of the computer model are more important than the computer modeling method.

Transitional Version (v2.2) March 28, 2011

Students choose from the following responses:

Strongly Agree, Agree, Neutral, Disagree, Strongly Disagree

  1. A significant problem in learning computer modeling is being able to memorize all the information I need to know.
  2. When using a computer to solve a problem, I try to decide what would be a reasonable value for the answer.
  3. It is useful for me to solve lots of problems when learning computer modeling.
  4. After I solve a problem using a computer model, I feel that I understand how the model works.
  5. I find that I can use a computer model that I’ve written to solve a related problem.
  6. There is usually only one correct approach to solving a problem using a computer.
  7. I am not satisfied until I understand how my working computer model connects to physical situation that I am modeling.
  8. I cannot learn computer modeling if the teacher does not explain things well in class.
  9. I do not expect computer modeling to help my understanding of the ideas; it is just for doing calculations.
  10. If I get stuck on a computer modeling problem my first try, I usually try to figure out a different way that works.
  11. Nearly everyone is capable of using a computer to solve problems if they work at it.
  12. To understand how to use a computer to solve a problem I discuss it with friends and other students.
  13. I do not spend more than 30 minutes stuck on a computer-modeling problem before giving up or seeking help from someone else.
  14. If I want to apply a computer modeling method used for solving one problem to another problem, the problems must involve very similar situations.
  15. In doing a computer modeling problem, if my calculation gives a result very different from what I’d expect, I’d trust the calculation rather than going back through the problem.
  16. It is important for me to understand how to express physics concepts in a computer model.
  17. I enjoy solving computer modeling problems.
  18. To learn how to solve problems with a computer, I only need to see and to memorize examples that are solved using a computer.
  19. Spending a lot of time understanding how computer modeling methods work is a waste of time.
  20. I find carefully analyzing only a few problems in detail is a good way for me to learn computer modeling.
  21. I can usually figure out a way to solve physics problems.
  22. If I have trouble solving a problem with pencil and paper, I will try using a computer.
  23. Computer models have little relation to the real world.
  24. Reasoning skills used to understand a computer model could be helpful to me in my everyday life.
  25. When I solve a computer modeling problem, I explicitly think about which physics concepts apply to the problem.
  26. When I solve a computer modeling problem, I explicitly think about the limitations of my model.
  27. We use this statement to discard the survey of people who are not reading the questions. Please select agree-option D (not strongly agree) for this question to preserve your answers.
  28. If I get stuck on a computer modeling problem, there is no chance I’ll figure it out on my own.
  29. When studying computer modeling, I relate the important information to what I already know rather than just memorizing it the way it is presented.
  30. I would rather have someone give me the solution to a difficult computer modeling problem than to have to work it out for myself.
  31. I expect to have little use for solving problems using a computer when I get out of school.
  32. I’ll need to solve problems using a computer for my future work.
  33. When my computer model does not work immediately, I stick with it until I have the solution.
  34. When I solve a problem using a computer, I have a better understanding of the solution than if I solve it with pencil and paper.
  35. Computer models are useful for solving science and engineering problems.
  36. Watching a computer model helps me understand the solution to a problem.
  37. The results of the computer model are more important than the computer modeling method.

Spring 2001 Pre version (v2.1)

  1. Gender: M, F, No Response
  2. A significant problem in learning computer modeling is being able to memorize all the information I need to know.
  3. When using a computer to solve a problem, I try to decide what would be a reasonable value for the answer.
  4. It is useful for me to solve lots of problems when learning computer modeling.
  5. After I solve a problem using a computer model, I feel that I understand how the model works.
  6. I find that I can use a computer model that I’ve written to solve a related science problem.
  7. There is usually only one correct approach to solving a problem using a computer.
  8. I am not satisfied until I understand how my working computer model connects to physical situation that I am modeling.
  9. I cannot learn computer modeling if the teacher does not explain things well in class.
  10. I do not expect computer modeling to help my understanding of the ideas; it is just for doing calculations.
  11. I study computer modeling to learn knowledge that will be useful in my life outside of school.
  12. If, on my first try, I get stuck on a computer modeling problem; I usually try to figure out a different way that works.
  13. Nearly everyone is capable of using a computer to solve problems if they work at it.
  14. When attempting to solve a problem using a computer, I discuss it with friends and other students.
  15. I do not spend more than 5 minutes stuck on a computer-modeling problem before giving up or seeking help from someone else.
  16. If I want to apply a computer modeling method used for solving one problem to another problem, they must be very similar science problems.
  17. When solving a problem using a computer, if the computer gives a result very different from what I’d expect, I’d trust the computer.
  18. It is important for me to make sense out of formulas before I can use them in a computer model.
  19. I enjoy solving computer modeling problems.
  20. To learn how to solve problems with a computer, I only need to memorize the methods for solving computer problem examples.
  21. Spending a lot of time understanding how computer modeling methods work is a waste of time.
  22. I find carefully analyzing only a few computer modeling problems in detail is a good way for me to learn computer modeling.
  23. I can usually figure out a way to solve problems using a computer.
  24. If I have trouble solving a problem with pencil and paper, I will try using a computer.
  25. Computer models have little relation to the real world.
  26. Reasoning skills used to understand a computer model could be helpful to me in my everyday life.
  27. When I solve a computer modeling problem, I explicitly think about which physics ideas apply to the problem.
  28. If I get stuck on a computer modeling problem, there is no chance I’ll figure it out on my own.
  29. When studying computer modeling, I relate the important information to what I already know rather than just memorizing it the way it is presented.
  30. I would rather have someone give me the solution to a difficult computer modeling problem than to have to work it out for myself.
  31. When I solve a computer modeling problem, I explicitly think about the limitations of my model.
  32. We use this statement to discard the survey of people who are not reading the questions. Please select agree-option D (not strongly agree) for this question to preserve your answers.
  33. I expect to have little use for solving problems using a computer when I get out of school.
  34. I’ll need to solve problems using a computer for my future work.
  35. When my computer model does not work immediately, I stick with it until I have the solution.
  36. When I solve a problem using a computer, I have a better understanding of the solution than if I solve it with pencil and paper.
  37. Computer models are useful for solving science and engineering problems.
  38. Watching the visual output of a computer model helps me understand the solution to a problem.
  39. The results of the computer model are more important than the computer modeling method.

Transforming Homework into Cyberlearning in an Introductory STEM Course Project

You are invited to participate in a research project to improve the learning and appreciation of science with the use of technology. This project is conducted under the direction of Dr. Michael F. Schatz, Professor of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332 (404/894-5245). Other investigators include Dr. Richard Catrambone (404/894-2682), Marcos D. Caballero, and Keith R. Bujak of the Physics and Psychology Departments at Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332.

The purpose of this project is to investigate the relationship between students’ beliefs about computer modeling and their success in physics courses as part of evaluating the use of Transformed Homework (Python simulations) exercises and other presentations of content in physics courses.

You are being asked to respond to a survey with a background questionnaire. You can complete the survey on the web at your convenience. The survey will take about 15 minutes of your time. The background questionnaire will take approximately 2 minutes. You might be asked to complete this survey again, at the end of term.

Your individual privacy will be maintained in all published and written data resulting from this study. You will be asked to include your name and background information about your research, teaching, and institution. Identifying information (name, institution) will only be used to combine the survey answers and coursework data and will be deleted prior to any subsequent analysis. No one except the researchers will have access to your identity. The researchers will score your survey and record these scores in an excel spreadsheet. Any written or printed out materials with identifiable information will be stored in a locked filing cabinet. The excel spreadsheet will be stored on password protected computers. At the end of the project the materials will be stored for a period of 5 years and then destroyed. No individual identifiers will be used in any published or publicly presented work. Participation is entirely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw your consent or discontinue participation at any time. You have the right to refuse to answer any question(s) for any reason. The risks to you are minimal since your individual responses to this survey will be kept confidential. Benefits to you are indirect and uncertain, as information from this research and evaluation will contribute to the ongoing changes being made to the Transformed Homework exercises and to changes in physics instruction in general.

If you have any questions regarding your rights as a research subject, any concerns regarding this project, or any dissatisfaction with any aspect of this study you may report them, confidentially if you wish, to the Office of Research Compliance, Campus Mail Code 0420, 505 Tenth Street, NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, by telephone to (404) 894-6944, or by email to irb@gatech.edu. Research personnel will be happy to answer any questions you may have about this evaluation.