Toward Reducing Anxiety and Increasing Performance in Physics Education: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Toward Reducing Anxiety and Increasing Performance in Physics Education: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment
Language: English
Authors: Molin, François (ORCID 0000-0001-9566-6283), Cabus, Sofie, Haelermans, Carla, Groot, Wim
Source: Research in Science Education. Sep 2021 51:233-249.
Availability: Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 17
Publication Date: 2021
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Descriptors: Anxiety, Performance Factors, Physics, Science Instruction, Instructional Effectiveness, Audience Response Systems, Formative Evaluation, Academic Achievement, Secondary School Students, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: Netherlands
DOI: 10.1007/s11165-019-9845-9
ISSN: 0157-244X
Abstract: This study evaluates the effectiveness of an intervention of formative assessments with a clicker-based technology on anxiety and academic performance. We use a randomized experiment in physics education in one school in Dutch secondary education. For treated students, the formative assessments are operationalized through quizzing at the end of each physics class, where clickers enable students to respond to questions. Control students do not receive these assessments and do not use clickers, but apart from that, the classes they attend are similar. Findings from multilevel regressions indicate that the formative assessments significantly reduce anxiety in physics and improve academic performance in physics in comparison with traditional teaching. Furthermore, a mediation effect of anxiety in physics on academic performance is observed. In sum, this implies that an easy to implement technique of formative assessments can make students feel more at ease, which contributes to better educational performance.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2021
Accession Number: EJ1311986
Database: ERIC
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Description
Abstract:This study evaluates the effectiveness of an intervention of formative assessments with a clicker-based technology on anxiety and academic performance. We use a randomized experiment in physics education in one school in Dutch secondary education. For treated students, the formative assessments are operationalized through quizzing at the end of each physics class, where clickers enable students to respond to questions. Control students do not receive these assessments and do not use clickers, but apart from that, the classes they attend are similar. Findings from multilevel regressions indicate that the formative assessments significantly reduce anxiety in physics and improve academic performance in physics in comparison with traditional teaching. Furthermore, a mediation effect of anxiety in physics on academic performance is observed. In sum, this implies that an easy to implement technique of formative assessments can make students feel more at ease, which contributes to better educational performance.
ISSN:0157-244X
DOI:10.1007/s11165-019-9845-9