Using Experiments and Cognitive Science
Research to Improve the Design of Online
Resources for Learning
Joseph Jay Williams
josephjaywilliams@stanford.edu
www.josephjaywilliams.com/researchoverview

1
Online Education & Learning Online
• New research area?
• Convergence of
computational &
behavioral science
NIPS “Data-Driven
Education”
New ACM conference
“Learning at Scale”
CHI
Novel Research Opportunity: Real-World +
Laboratory
Integrate Research & Practice

• Randomized assignment
• Experimental Control
• Rich data

• Generalizable theories
• “in vivo” experiments
• Diverse populations

• Real-world
environment
• Authentic activities
• Practical Challenges

• Practical improvements
• Disseminate research
• Generate Funding
Overview
•
•
•
•
•

Explanation & Learning
Teaching Learning Strategies
Motivational Messages
Experimental Paradigm
Experiment-focused Design

5
Why does explaining “why?” help learning?
• General boost to Learning Engagement vs.
• The Subsumptive Constraints Account:
Interpret target of why-explanation in terms of a
broader generalization (Williams & Lombrozo, 2010)

•
•

2x3=6
Why?

6
Explanation and Learning: Lab  Online
• Discovery & transfer

GLORP
(Williams & Lombrozo, 2010, Cognitive

Science)

• Use of prior knowledge

(Williams & Lombrozo, 2013,

Cog. Psych.)

• Erroneously overgeneralize at
expense of exceptions
• Promotes belief revision – given
sufficient anomalies

(Williams et al, 2013, JEP: General)

(Williams, Walker, Maldonado &

Lombrozo, 2012; 2013, Cog Sci Conference; in prep)

• Prompts in online (math) exercises
(Williams, Paunesku, Haley, Sohl-Dickstein, 2013, AIED Moocshop; ongoing)

DRENT
Learning Task & Experimental Paradigm
• Online (Math) Exercise
1. Number of
Problems
Completed
2. Percent
Correct

8
Logic of my Previous Research
Explain why this is
correct.
Elaborate on
what you are
thinking now.

•
•
•
•

Post-Study test questions
Transfer/Generalization
questions
Questions about key principle
Memory for details

9
Future: Generate, Receive, Compare
Generate

E.g. Explain
why this is
correct.
Receive

Compare

Geza Kovacs

Simultaneously Learning AND Crowdsourcing
Improvement of Learning Resources
Williams, Thille, Siemens, Trumbore, Stigler. How online resources can
facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration. Invited talk to be presented
at SIG on Computer and Internet Applications in Education, AERA
10
2014.
Teaching Learning Strategies
• Spend time teaching specific content, or
general strategies?
• Online: Collect data that would be extremely
difficult to get in the real world
• Online: Repeatedly reinforce habits &
educational behaviors
• Teach “What? Why? How?” selfquestioning/explanation strategies (Palinscar &
Brown, 1984, Cognition and instruction; McNamara, 2004, Discourse Processes; Williams &
Lombrozo, 2010, Cognitive Science)

• Understanding vs. Problem-solving
• vs. Interpreting vs. Practice-as-Usual

11
Experimentally manipulate additional prompts
Clickable link. + Prompts embedded into hints
[Click here to learn about the “What? Why? How?” strategy]
Self-questioning strategy: What? Why? How?
Embedded Prompts between Hint/Solution
Steps
Prompts
Prompt
type

Promptedunderstanding

What?

What does this step
mean to you?

Why?

Why is what you are
currently doing
Why is it helpful to
helpful? Why is it
take this step?
useful for achieving
your goal?

How?

How well is your
current approach to
this problem
working?

How do you know
this step is right?

Promptedproblem-solving

Promptedinterpretation

What are you doing What is this step
or thinking right saying? Restate it in
now?
your own words.
Explanation study
Practice-asusual

Control

Self-Regulating
Thinking

Reflecting on
Meaning

Problems
Attempted
Problems
Correct
Practice Tasks
Completed
Mastery Tasks
Completed
Problem
Accuracy

16
Explanation study
Practice-as-usual

No Textbox

Textbox

Problems Attempted
Problems Correct
Practice Tasks
Completed
Mastery Tasks
Completed
Problem Accuracy

17
Learning Behavior Support
• Clickable link to Drop-Down text with
suite of strategies:
Are you stuck?
Click here for some tips.

• Provide previously examined prompts.
• Use mouseover and drop-down text
to reveal information “as requested”,
rich traversal of options, guided by
student
Natural Link to Learning Strategy Training
• If you want to learn more about
strategies to keep motivated and
learn well, go to
tiny.cc/learningassistant or XX or YY
3. Add motivational messages
Practice-as-usual
Growth Mindset Message
Remember, the more you practice the smarter you become!

20
3. Embedded in vivo Experiment
• Benefit of Growth Mindset Message?
• Practice-as-usual

Jascha Sohl-Dickstein

• Growth Mindset
Message
•
•

"Remember, the more you practice
the smarter you become.”,
"Mistakes help you learn. Think hard
to learn from them.”
21
Results: More motivated?
• Growth Mindset Message > Practice-asUsual
• extra problems attempted
• more problems correct
• Percent Correct: Problems
correct/Problems attempted
• increase in Percent Correct
22
3. Add motivational messages
Practice-as-usual Message
Growth Mindset Message
Positive
Remember, the more you practice the smarter you become!
Some of these problems are hard. Do your
best!

23
Does any positive message work?

• Practice-as-usual
• Growth Mindset
Message
•
•

"Remember, the more you practice
the smarter you become.”,
"Mistakes help you learn. Think hard
to learn from them.”

• Positive Message
•
•

"Some of these problems are
hard. Just do your best."
"This might be a tough problem,
but we know you can do it.”

24
Effects of Positive Messages?
• Positive Messages ~= Practice-asUsual
• Growth Mindset > Positive
• extra problems attempted
• more problems correct
• increase in Percent Correct

25
Computational Modeling
•

•
•
•
•
•

Williams, Mitchell, Heffernan. MOOC Research Initiative grant from
Gates Foundation & Athabasca. Investigating the benefits of
embedding motivational messages in online exercises.
2 million users on 12 kinds of fractions exercises, ~100 problems each
Moderators & Mediators
Item Response Theory
Non-parametric Bayesian clustering of Users (CrossCat, JMLR)
Model latent knowledge states

26
Synthesize Scientific Findings
•

Williams, J.J. (2013)Improving Learning in MOOCs
by Applying Cognitive Science. Paper presented
at the MOOCshop Workshop, International
Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education,
Memphis, TN.

• www.josephjaywilliams.com/education

27
Experimental Paradigm: R.E.P.E.A.T.
•

•

Williams, J. J. (2013). Finding connections between
basic experimental research and realistic online
education contexts. In J. J. Williams (chair), Online
Learning and Psychological Science: Opportunities
to integrate research and practice. Symposium
conducted at the annual convention of the
Association for Psychological Science.
Williams, J. J., Renkl, A., Koedinger, K., Stamper, J.
(2013). Online Education: A Unique Opportunity for
Cognitive Scientists to Integrate Research and
Practice. In M. Knauff, M. Pauen, N. Sebanz, & I.
Wachsmuth (Eds.), Proceedings of the 35th Annual
Conference of the Cognitive Science Society.
28
Austin, TX: Cognitive Science Society. (pdf)
Experiments
•

•

Williams, J.J. & Williams, B.A. (under review). Online
A/B Tests & Experiments: A Practical But
Scientifically Informed Introduction. Course
proposal submitted to ACM CHI Conference on
Human Factors in Computing Systems. Toronto,
Canada. (pdf)
Williams, J.J., Heffernan, N., & Koedinger, K.
Experiments at Scale: Instrumenting MOOCs for
experimentation and course-improving data
analysis. Tutorial proposal submitted to the First
Annual ACM Conference on Learning at Scale.
29
Experiment-Focused Design
• Williams, J.J. & Williams, B. A. (2013).
Using Interventions to Improve Online
Learning. Paper to be presented at
the NIPS 2013 Workshop on Data
Driven Education.

30
Review
•
•
•
•
•
•

Explanation & Learning
Teaching Learning Strategies
Motivational Messages
Experimental Paradigm
Experiment-focused Design
Williams, J.J., Klemmer, S., Kizilcec, R., &
Russel, D. (under review). Learning
Innovations at Scale. Workshop proposal
submitted to ACM CHI Conference on
Human Factors in Computing
Systems. Toronto, Canada.
31
Acknowledgements
•
•
•
•
•

Jascha Sohl-Dickstein
Jace Kohlmeier & Khan Academy
Sam Maldonado
Lytics Lab (lytics.stanford.edu)
VPOL (Vice Provost of Online Learning,
online.stanford.edu)

32

Using Experiments and Cognitive Science Research to Improve the Design of Online Resources for Learning

  • 1.
    Using Experiments andCognitive Science Research to Improve the Design of Online Resources for Learning Joseph Jay Williams [email protected] www.josephjaywilliams.com/researchoverview 1
  • 2.
    Online Education &Learning Online • New research area? • Convergence of computational & behavioral science NIPS “Data-Driven Education” New ACM conference “Learning at Scale” CHI
  • 3.
    Novel Research Opportunity:Real-World + Laboratory
  • 4.
    Integrate Research &Practice • Randomized assignment • Experimental Control • Rich data • Generalizable theories • “in vivo” experiments • Diverse populations • Real-world environment • Authentic activities • Practical Challenges • Practical improvements • Disseminate research • Generate Funding
  • 5.
    Overview • • • • • Explanation & Learning TeachingLearning Strategies Motivational Messages Experimental Paradigm Experiment-focused Design 5
  • 6.
    Why does explaining“why?” help learning? • General boost to Learning Engagement vs. • The Subsumptive Constraints Account: Interpret target of why-explanation in terms of a broader generalization (Williams & Lombrozo, 2010) • • 2x3=6 Why? 6
  • 7.
    Explanation and Learning:Lab  Online • Discovery & transfer GLORP (Williams & Lombrozo, 2010, Cognitive Science) • Use of prior knowledge (Williams & Lombrozo, 2013, Cog. Psych.) • Erroneously overgeneralize at expense of exceptions • Promotes belief revision – given sufficient anomalies (Williams et al, 2013, JEP: General) (Williams, Walker, Maldonado & Lombrozo, 2012; 2013, Cog Sci Conference; in prep) • Prompts in online (math) exercises (Williams, Paunesku, Haley, Sohl-Dickstein, 2013, AIED Moocshop; ongoing) DRENT
  • 8.
    Learning Task &Experimental Paradigm • Online (Math) Exercise 1. Number of Problems Completed 2. Percent Correct 8
  • 9.
    Logic of myPrevious Research Explain why this is correct. Elaborate on what you are thinking now. • • • • Post-Study test questions Transfer/Generalization questions Questions about key principle Memory for details 9
  • 10.
    Future: Generate, Receive,Compare Generate E.g. Explain why this is correct. Receive Compare Geza Kovacs Simultaneously Learning AND Crowdsourcing Improvement of Learning Resources Williams, Thille, Siemens, Trumbore, Stigler. How online resources can facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration. Invited talk to be presented at SIG on Computer and Internet Applications in Education, AERA 10 2014.
  • 11.
    Teaching Learning Strategies •Spend time teaching specific content, or general strategies? • Online: Collect data that would be extremely difficult to get in the real world • Online: Repeatedly reinforce habits & educational behaviors • Teach “What? Why? How?” selfquestioning/explanation strategies (Palinscar & Brown, 1984, Cognition and instruction; McNamara, 2004, Discourse Processes; Williams & Lombrozo, 2010, Cognitive Science) • Understanding vs. Problem-solving • vs. Interpreting vs. Practice-as-Usual 11
  • 12.
    Experimentally manipulate additionalprompts Clickable link. + Prompts embedded into hints [Click here to learn about the “What? Why? How?” strategy]
  • 13.
  • 14.
    Embedded Prompts betweenHint/Solution Steps
  • 15.
    Prompts Prompt type Promptedunderstanding What? What does thisstep mean to you? Why? Why is what you are currently doing Why is it helpful to helpful? Why is it take this step? useful for achieving your goal? How? How well is your current approach to this problem working? How do you know this step is right? Promptedproblem-solving Promptedinterpretation What are you doing What is this step or thinking right saying? Restate it in now? your own words.
  • 16.
  • 17.
    Explanation study Practice-as-usual No Textbox Textbox ProblemsAttempted Problems Correct Practice Tasks Completed Mastery Tasks Completed Problem Accuracy 17
  • 18.
    Learning Behavior Support •Clickable link to Drop-Down text with suite of strategies: Are you stuck? Click here for some tips. • Provide previously examined prompts. • Use mouseover and drop-down text to reveal information “as requested”, rich traversal of options, guided by student
  • 19.
    Natural Link toLearning Strategy Training • If you want to learn more about strategies to keep motivated and learn well, go to tiny.cc/learningassistant or XX or YY
  • 20.
    3. Add motivationalmessages Practice-as-usual Growth Mindset Message Remember, the more you practice the smarter you become! 20
  • 21.
    3. Embedded invivo Experiment • Benefit of Growth Mindset Message? • Practice-as-usual Jascha Sohl-Dickstein • Growth Mindset Message • • "Remember, the more you practice the smarter you become.”, "Mistakes help you learn. Think hard to learn from them.” 21
  • 22.
    Results: More motivated? •Growth Mindset Message > Practice-asUsual • extra problems attempted • more problems correct • Percent Correct: Problems correct/Problems attempted • increase in Percent Correct 22
  • 23.
    3. Add motivationalmessages Practice-as-usual Message Growth Mindset Message Positive Remember, the more you practice the smarter you become! Some of these problems are hard. Do your best! 23
  • 24.
    Does any positivemessage work? • Practice-as-usual • Growth Mindset Message • • "Remember, the more you practice the smarter you become.”, "Mistakes help you learn. Think hard to learn from them.” • Positive Message • • "Some of these problems are hard. Just do your best." "This might be a tough problem, but we know you can do it.” 24
  • 25.
    Effects of PositiveMessages? • Positive Messages ~= Practice-asUsual • Growth Mindset > Positive • extra problems attempted • more problems correct • increase in Percent Correct 25
  • 26.
    Computational Modeling • • • • • • Williams, Mitchell,Heffernan. MOOC Research Initiative grant from Gates Foundation & Athabasca. Investigating the benefits of embedding motivational messages in online exercises. 2 million users on 12 kinds of fractions exercises, ~100 problems each Moderators & Mediators Item Response Theory Non-parametric Bayesian clustering of Users (CrossCat, JMLR) Model latent knowledge states 26
  • 27.
    Synthesize Scientific Findings • Williams,J.J. (2013)Improving Learning in MOOCs by Applying Cognitive Science. Paper presented at the MOOCshop Workshop, International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education, Memphis, TN. • www.josephjaywilliams.com/education 27
  • 28.
    Experimental Paradigm: R.E.P.E.A.T. • • Williams,J. J. (2013). Finding connections between basic experimental research and realistic online education contexts. In J. J. Williams (chair), Online Learning and Psychological Science: Opportunities to integrate research and practice. Symposium conducted at the annual convention of the Association for Psychological Science. Williams, J. J., Renkl, A., Koedinger, K., Stamper, J. (2013). Online Education: A Unique Opportunity for Cognitive Scientists to Integrate Research and Practice. In M. Knauff, M. Pauen, N. Sebanz, & I. Wachsmuth (Eds.), Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society. 28 Austin, TX: Cognitive Science Society. (pdf)
  • 29.
    Experiments • • Williams, J.J. &Williams, B.A. (under review). Online A/B Tests & Experiments: A Practical But Scientifically Informed Introduction. Course proposal submitted to ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. Toronto, Canada. (pdf) Williams, J.J., Heffernan, N., & Koedinger, K. Experiments at Scale: Instrumenting MOOCs for experimentation and course-improving data analysis. Tutorial proposal submitted to the First Annual ACM Conference on Learning at Scale. 29
  • 30.
    Experiment-Focused Design • Williams,J.J. & Williams, B. A. (2013). Using Interventions to Improve Online Learning. Paper to be presented at the NIPS 2013 Workshop on Data Driven Education. 30
  • 31.
    Review • • • • • • Explanation & Learning TeachingLearning Strategies Motivational Messages Experimental Paradigm Experiment-focused Design Williams, J.J., Klemmer, S., Kizilcec, R., & Russel, D. (under review). Learning Innovations at Scale. Workshop proposal submitted to ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. Toronto, Canada. 31
  • 32.
    Acknowledgements • • • • • Jascha Sohl-Dickstein Jace Kohlmeier& Khan Academy Sam Maldonado Lytics Lab (lytics.stanford.edu) VPOL (Vice Provost of Online Learning, online.stanford.edu) 32

Editor's Notes

  • #2 Originally from Trinidad. I’m a Research Fellow in theLytics Lab & Office of Online Learning. Cognitive Science background – experimental psychology, statistical modeling and machine learning.Core interest is being a knowledge broker – reviewing and synthesizing the thousands of published studies in cognitive science, education research, the learning sciences to see which ones are relevant to real-world outcomes, and building products or conducting experiments that improve practically ad financially valuable outcomes. Illustrate this approach with an experiment that shows how to improve students’ motivation while learning from mathematics problems on Khan Academy.
  • #7 Not traditional, but ubiquitous
  • #8 Not traditional, but ubiquitous