The Flipped Classroom: A Computer System to Diagnose Errors in Solving Equations

This paper presents on a research project being undertaken at the University of Hertfordshire. The aim of this project is to understand the errors that students make when attempting to solve simple linear algebraic equations. In order to achieve this aim a computer system has been developed that is able to separate out and classify errors relating to a lack of understanding of principals involved in solving such equations from errors relating to the lack of the basic mathematical skills necessary to solve them. The software presents students with a set of random equations for them to solve. The system is able to filter out these different classes of errors using a simple interactive dialogue box. The error profile for each learner is stored in a database in the form of a learner model. It is intended that the learner model generated by the system will be used to advise remedial paths for learners depending on the particular knowledge or skill they lack. So far a fully operational prototype system has been developed and has been tested by domain and computer science experts and university students prior to a full-scale test with school students in the near future. This paper presents the findings of our initial study and suggests ways in which the system might be developed and applied in the future.