Thesis Defense
Thursday, May 30
Thursday, May 30
Title:
Combining Paper-Pencil Techniques with Immediate Feedback for Learning Chemical Drawings
Abstract:
Introductory chemistry courses teach the process of drawing basic chemical molecules with the use of Lewis dot diagrams. Many beginner students, however, have difficulty in mastering these diagrams. While several computer applications are being developed to help students learn Lewis dot diagrams, there is a potential hidden benefit from paper and pencil that many students may not realize. Sketch
recognition has been used to identify advanced chemical diagrams, however using the recognition in an educational setting requires a focus beyond identifying the final drawing. The goal of this research is to infer whether paper-pencil techniques provide educational benefits for learning Lewis dot diagrams. An analysis of pre-post assessments
shows how combining sketch recognition of paper-pencil techniques and immediate feedback allows
greater benefits for students with a basic chemistry understanding.
Introductory chemistry courses teach the process of drawing basic chemical molecules with the use of Lewis dot diagrams. Many beginner students, however, have difficulty in mastering these diagrams. While several computer applications are being developed to help students learn Lewis dot diagrams, there is a potential hidden benefit from paper and pencil that many students may not realize. Sketch
recognition has been used to identify advanced chemical diagrams, however using the recognition in an educational setting requires a focus beyond identifying the final drawing. The goal of this research is to infer whether paper-pencil techniques provide educational benefits for learning Lewis dot diagrams. An analysis of pre-post assessments
shows how combining sketch recognition of paper-pencil techniques and immediate feedback allows
greater benefits for students with a basic chemistry understanding.
Biography:
Sharmistha Maity is currently a Masters student studying Computer Science at Texas A&M University. She
received her Bachelors in Electrical Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, and her research
interests include Human-Centered Computing, Artificial Intelligence, and Cognitive Science. As a graduate
student in the Sketch Recognition Lab, she is studying the integration of educational psychology and
computer science, and how it can be combined to improve education that effectively reaches a wider
audience and increases the motivation to learn.
Sharmistha Maity is currently a Masters student studying Computer Science at Texas A&M University. She
received her Bachelors in Electrical Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, and her research
interests include Human-Centered Computing, Artificial Intelligence, and Cognitive Science. As a graduate
student in the Sketch Recognition Lab, she is studying the integration of educational psychology and
computer science, and how it can be combined to improve education that effectively reaches a wider
audience and increases the motivation to learn.
Advisor: Dr. Tracy Hammond
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