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Thu 16 Mar 2023 16:10 - 16:35 at 801A - Teaching Formal Methods Chair(s): John Barr

Proof Blocks is a software tool that provides students with a scaffolded proof-writing experience, allowing them to drag and drop prewritten proof lines into the correct order instead of starting from scratch. In this paper we describe a randomized controlled trial designed to measure the learning gains of using Proof Blocks. The study participants were 332 students recruited after the first month of completing their discrete mathematics course. Students in the study completed a pretest on proof writing and a brief (less than 1 hour) learning activity and then returned one week later to complete the posttest. Depending on the experimental condition that each student was assigned to, they either completed only Proof Blocks problems, completed some Proof Blocks problems and some written proofs, or completed only written proofs for their learning activity. We find that students in the early phases of learning about proof by induction are able to learn just as much by using Proof Blocks as by writing proofs from scratch, but in far less time on task. This finding that Proof Blocks are an effective learning tool complements previous findings that Proof Blocks are useful exam questions and are viewed positively by students.

Thu 16 Mar

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15:45 - 17:00
Teaching Formal MethodsPapers at 801A
Chair(s): John Barr Ithaca College
15:45
25m
Talk
Discovering and quantifying misconceptions in formal methods using intelligent tutoring systemsIn-PersonGlobal
Papers
Marko Schmellenkamp Ruhr University Bochum, Alexandra Latys Ruhr University Bochum, Thomas Zeume Ruhr University Bochum
DOI
16:10
25m
Paper
Efficiency of Learning from Proof Blocks Versus Writing ProofsIn-Person
Papers
Seth Poulsen University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Yael Gertner University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Benjamin Cosman University of California at San Diego, USA, Matthew West University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Geoffrey Herman University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
DOI
16:35
25m
Paper
Using Context-Free Grammars to Scaffold and Automate Feedback in Precise Mathematical WritingIn-Person
Papers
Jason Xia University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Craig Zilles University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
DOI