Preference for Multiple Choice and Constructed Response Exams for Engineering Students with and without Learning Difficulties

Panagiotis Photopoulos, Christos Tsonos, Ilias Stavrakas, Dimos Triantis

2021

Abstract

Problem solving is a fundamental part of engineering education. The aim of this study is to compare engineering students’ perceptions and attitudes towards problem-based multiple-choice and constructed response exams. Data were collected from 105 students, 18 of them reported to face some learning difficulty. All the students had an experience of four or more problem-based multiple-choice exams. Overall, students showed a preference towards multiple-choice exams although they did not consider them to be fairer, easier or less anxiety invoking. Students facing learning difficulties struggle with written exams independently of their format and their preferences towards the two examination formats are influenced by the specificity of their learning difficulties. The degree to which each exam format allows students to show what they have learned and be rewarded for partial knowledge, is also discussed. The replies to this question were influenced by students’ preference towards each examination format.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Photopoulos P., Tsonos C., Stavrakas I. and Triantis D. (2021). Preference for Multiple Choice and Constructed Response Exams for Engineering Students with and without Learning Difficulties. In Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 1: CSEDU, ISBN 978-989-758-502-9, pages 220-231. DOI: 10.5220/0010462502200231

in Bibtex Style

@conference{csedu21,
author={Panagiotis Photopoulos and Christos Tsonos and Ilias Stavrakas and Dimos Triantis},
title={Preference for Multiple Choice and Constructed Response Exams for Engineering Students with and without Learning Difficulties},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 1: CSEDU,},
year={2021},
pages={220-231},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0010462502200231},
isbn={978-989-758-502-9},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 1: CSEDU,
TI - Preference for Multiple Choice and Constructed Response Exams for Engineering Students with and without Learning Difficulties
SN - 978-989-758-502-9
AU - Photopoulos P.
AU - Tsonos C.
AU - Stavrakas I.
AU - Triantis D.
PY - 2021
SP - 220
EP - 231
DO - 10.5220/0010462502200231