Evaluation of mental models (EMM) in mathematics domain

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Even though cognitive scientists propose that internal conceptual systems are not easily observable, educational researchers develop some assessment tools that can allow interpreting individuals’ communications and representations of their own knowledge about their internal conceptual systems. On the other hand, assessment of learning in complex domains is problematic. There is a lack of assessment tools that can directly and accurately measure understanding and learning on complex domains. This proposed research study on evaluation of mental models uses a set of Web-based assessment tools called HIMATT (Highly Integrated Model Assessment Technology and Tools) developed by an international researcher group to address the need for automated tools. Subjects in this study used DEEP (Dynamic Evaluation of Enhanced Problem Solving) and T-MITOCAR (Text-Model Inspection Trace of Concepts and Relations) which are embedded into HIMATT. Subjects’ conceptualizations of complex mathematics problems are analyzed and compared within a novice group and with an expert group. This ongoing research project will be discussed in this paper.