PAT Goes to College: Evaluating a Cognitive Tutor for Developmental Mathematics

Abstract

This report describes an adaptation of the Practical Algebra Tutor, "PAT," for college-level developmental mathematics, and initial evaluations of PAT at two college sites. PAT is a software learning environment that presents students with real-world problem situations, modern mathematical representational tools to analyze these situations, and constant background support from a "cognitive tutor"-- an intelligent computer tutor based on the ACT theory of cognition. Previous classroom evaluations showed that high-school students using PAT outperformed students in regular classes by 15% on standardized tests, and by 100% on assessments of authentic problem-solving. In two colleges, PAT students performed more than 50% better than students in regular classes on a performance-based assessment. This assessment requires students to use mathematical representations to analyze a real-world problem situation. It captures the reform objectives of the PAT approach, which are consistent with new national standards for mathematics.