Validation of cognitive models for subtraction of time involving years and centuries

Authors : Huan CHIN, Cheng Meng CHEW

Pages : 175-196

Doi:10.21449/ijate.1160120

View : 35 | Download : 54

Publication Date : 2023-06-26

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Years and Centuries are the measurement units used to quantify a longer time duration, while subtraction is the operation required to determine the duration based on two given time points. However, subtraction of time is a difficult skill to be mastered by many elementary students. To identify the root cause of the student\`s failure in performing subtraction involving the unit of time, we developed and validated the three cognitive models related to this skill by conducting a descriptive study which involved 119 Grade Five students from three Malaysian elementary schools. The cognitive diagnostic assessment developed based on the three cognitive models was used to elicit the participants\` responses. Then, Attribute Hierarchy Method and Classical Test Theory were employed to analyse the data. The findings indicated that the hierarchical structures of all cognitive models are supported by the student\`s responses. The three student-based cognitive models were also highly consistent with the corresponding expert-based cognitive models. The cognitive models developed could guide diagnostic assessment development and diagnostic inference making.
Keywords : Cognitive models, Cognitive diagnostic assessment, Validation, Attribute hierarchy method, Learning of time