Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Publication

I’ve (Urn)ed This: An Application and Criterion-based Evaluation of the Urnings Algorithm

Citations
Altmetric:
Abstract
There is increased interest in personalized learning and making e-learning environments more adaptable. Some e-learning systems may use an Item Response Theory (IRT)-based assessment system. An important distinction between assessment and learning contexts is that learner proficiency is expected to remain constant across an assessment, while it is expected to change over time in a learning context. Constant learner proficiency during an assessment enables conventional approaches to estimating person and item parameters using IRT. These IRT-based systems could be abandoned for alternative approaches to modeling learners and system learning content, but assessments may provide more functions than adapting learning material to students. Thus, there is the question, how can e-learning systems with IRT-based assessment components more dynamically adapt their learning content? Is there a solution that leverages IRT for adapting the learning content of the system? A promising solution is the Urnings algorithm. Like other candidate algorithms, it is computationally light, but this algorithm has mechanisms for preventing variance inflation and is suitable for e-learning contexts. It also provides a measure of uncertainty around estimates. It has been studied both through simulations and applications to e-learning systems. Results are promising; however, there has not been an application of the Urnings algorithm to an e-learning context where there are conventionally estimated person parameters to compare the algorithm estimates to. This study addresses this gap by applying the Urnings algorithm to a K–8 reading and mathematics learning platform. In data from this platform, we have person parameter estimates across academic years from an in-system diagnostic assessment. Results from this study will help industry researchers understand the feasibility of the Urnings algorithm for large e-learning systems with IRT-based assessment components.
Type
Dissertation (Open Access)
Date
2023-09
Publisher
Advisors
License
License
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Embargo Lift Date
Publisher Version
Embedded videos
Related Item(s)