Web-ECoTEC: an optimization tool for the ECoTEC assessment methodology

Abstract

Knowledge building results from exploration of and experiences with ones environment. According to Piaget, experiences can be physical, logical-mathematical and social. Of these, experiences that develop logical-mathematical knowledge are the most difficult to detect in computational tools for both distance and classroom education. In constructivist principles, the methodology called Cognitive Structure for Constructivist Educational Technologies – ECoTEC characterizes computational tools for education according to the types logical-mathematical thought structures that can be constructed by the users of the tools. Online availability of assessment tools widens access and can also facilitate user interpretation of results. To this end, the objective of this study was to develop an interactive tool to aid in automated data collection and calculation of metrics proposed by the ECoTEC methodology. The demonstration prototype, called Web-ECoTEC, is in the form of a website hosted on a Server at the Federal University of Uberlândia, Brazil. It consists of a set of pages on the World Wide Web (www) based on the HyperText Markup Language (HTML) with hypertext links. Web-ECoTEC aids response collection and generation of characterization results from the computational tools. Responses are easy to enter and the instrument quickly prepares assessment results in various formats for the user-evaluator. Real time results calculation facilitates interpretation and assists in the selection of computational tools used for building logical-mathematical thought