Classroom Research in Large Cohorts: An Innovative Approach Based on Questionnaires and Scholarship of Teaching and Learning on Multiple-Intelligences

In this work we focussed on assessment and quantification of students’ prior knowledge at the start of their classes and the learning and teaching feedback given by them after their classes. Using questionnaires, we collected data on prior-knowledge/Student Learning Abilities – SLAs and, students’ performance/Learning Outcomes – LOs. Our analysis shows that typically, in any classroom the SLAs follow a non-linear trend. This pattern, identified in group learning, requires proportionally distributed intervention by staff, with more support to those in need of help with learning. We show that the above approach, underpinned by an application of Multiple Intelligences and e-learning facilities, supports weaker students and helps them to achieve higher pass percentages and better LOs. This innovation in terms of evidence-based identification of need for support and selective intervention helps in optimal use of staff time and effort as compared to a one-method-fits all approach to learner development and academic achievement.


Introduction
Classroom inquiry is one of the multi-faceted Scholarship of Learning and Teaching (SoTL) approaches. McCarthy (2010) praises the work of Hutchings (2004) and concludes in her review that teaching is an intellectual work and student learning in large classes poses unique problems. She terms this investigation of problem solving under "classroom activities" (Brew, 2012). A plausible solution, suggested in this paper is research-based formative assessments, which have been in place for over twenty years in Europe. However, the UK universities still see research and teaching as two separate entities in the context of research assessment systems (Cabral & Huet, 2011). We see good prospects in handling rich mixture of students with various learning abilities using local research results. It is a new dimension to learning --with focus on helping weaker students through quantitative assessment. This subject has not been looked into before.
Assessing learning should be inclusive of academic research findings in classroom. These assessment results paves way for improving students' learning and on reflection provide a platform for equalising studies in a large class cohort. In a recent work, Rotgans (2018) proposed a student's model to articulate the team-based learning. In the handbook edited by Bryan and Clegg (2019), in chapter 1, King (2019) notes post-1992, a range of innovative formative assessments is a necessity, a manifestation of The UK Quality Code (2018) --because higher education landscape is vastly different. King also emphasises there is a good correlation between group learning, pedagogic value and assessment practice. So, in this study we demonstrate the value of coherent, consistent and collaborative approaches to assessment for learning.

Scholarship of Learning and Teaching
The UK government is heavily investing in the scholarship of learning and teaching. This study partly addresses this attempt at balancing of teaching and research activities. Using questionnaires and formative assessments, we attempt to show coherence between them. With the evidence collected, we argue that there is a general relationship between informal collaborative learning with learning output, achievement of learning satisfaction and pass percentage. Learning is a derived value based not only on the complexity of the content but also on the prior knowledge of the learner. The present authors define the classroom as the knowledge of the field. The learning question is how SoTL can help improve learning outcomes for students. Cerbin (2013) also inquires this research question, what or how much did students learn? McCarthy analogizes the SoTL as bringing the virtually 'dead' problem to active learning (Jaques, 2001). In this context, an issue that is addressed is why/how teaching AND research are differentiated rather than being integrated. McCarthy argues that research is given a back seat in comparison to teaching. She views that research has more advantages and benefits students' learning and academic's delivery. Thus, she supports the views of several authors that identify time for one's own research is drawn from teaching. Hutchings (2013) questions if there is any general consensus if SoTL is discipline specific or could it be applied independent of discipline. He goes on to say that with a few necessary changes, so-called, universal models could be applied to some specific courses. In line with this view, we have made an effort to interpret students learning in purview of SoTL. For this, we use questionnaires for formative assessment (first-year module Level-4, second-year module Level-5 and Master's module Level-7) and the final module feedback . The expectations for quality in all these modules are that the students are reliably assessed and provided support to succeed in and benefit from higher education, especially the weaker students, The UK Quality Code (2018). Whilst the students with other different levels of skills/competences get more benefit from an environment conducive to learning. Our current goal here, particular to engineering disciplines, is to validate students' learning achievable by measuring the learning of a rich mixture of students. This paves way for development of an education mode that is presented and discussed at the end of this paper. This method leads to quantification of learning of a rich mixture of students and for this an education model is presented.

Students of Varied Learning Abilities (or Levels?)
First, students with varied levels of competencies are admitted to the university based on a spectrum of pre-entry qualifications, and second, different abstraction levels of students, such as mathematical skills. Data collection is used here to categorize them based on their skills/abilities. This helps the tutor to tune lecturing methodologies to improve the students' learning satisfaction and their final marks. Therefore, as part of this classroom testing procedure, a standard set of combination of simple and complex tasks are prepared and given to the students to answer. The data are analysed.
With advent of technology, current research in L/T puts strong emphasis on digitalization. Use of digital resources helps students' satisfaction as well as their learning. It paves way to encourage students from minority communities to take leadership. Digitalization helps blended learning, and can theoretically handle any class size and helps transfer their skills to work place. We use simple techniques as a part of the formative assessment, by routinely posting questions online to enhance students' interest and keep them attentive throughout as many interactive sessions as possible by giving a set of exercise problems, with a short briefing, to complete the task in a stipulated time. This provides them with a short revision of the related concepts in the lecture (Love, Hodge, Grandgenett, & Swift, 2014). This paper builds on the idea that one-size does not fit-all (Dirksen, 2016) and presents analysis of data to pre-assess their knowledge through formative assessments based on three questionnaires. We try to construct an evidence-based approach. We have gathered the data in three different modules in different years. From this, we draw some innovative ideas that may help other academics in the classroom activities in different disciplines. In particular, students with comprehension difficulties and maths support require an extraordinary devotion (this requires devising class groups, setting up additional sessions, and additional time from academics etc.) to help weaker students on individual basis. This is discussed further with formative assessment test, support offered and its potential impact on module LOs.
For all assessments below, we set the questions in three types, simple, moderately difficult and difficult questions. This classification helps differentiate among, more able, moderate level and weaker students. from more than 60 different countries, providing opportunities to reach their potential (Newman & Knight, 2018). Clark and Webster (2012) argues, by definition, innovation and creativity are two different elements. Plsek (1999) suggests 'creativity is the connecting and rearranging knowledge…'. The novelty in this study is we use an innovative multi-dimensional approach with more than one educational strategy: problem-based learning laced with multiple intelligences, formative assessment in group learning, and use of three questionnaires. The group learning is based on formative tests to encourage cooperation and not competition (González-Marcos, Alba-Elías, Navaridas-Nalda, & Ordieres-Meréc, 2016). We are aware competition in classroom means development of fear, and fear stops intelligence. Prince (2004) in a review article evidences that cooperative learning builds stronger, permanent, and expanding problem-solving skills. Matrisciano and Belfore (2010) experimentally identify the learning differences in two different student groups based on Cognitive styles theories. They say their results have been useful to the students that can receive help on their personalized learning. Fuller, Kuhne and Grey (2011) define four categories of courses where engineering disciplines fall predominantly into Analysis/Synthesis courses. These courses teach students to analyse and articulate a problem (Fuller & Kuhne, 2008). A numerical Thermodynamics problem of a piston-cylinder assembly is given in Appendix A and its findings in Figure 1. The learning of such a problem classifies the students' abilities (see Figure 1). This knowledge of classification has paved way for more interdisciplinary programmes in the university sector; for example, Kingston university has students from ~140 countries, with a wide spectrum of abilities and interests. Therefore, the focus of teaching in engineering subjects is shifting from subject(s) itself to problem-based learning (PBL). PBL is a mixed instructional approach with self-directed learning, which has a better fit for more able students; and, group learning, that benefits middle-level to some extent and weaker students thoroughly (Prince, 2004). He cites the work of Law et al. (1999) in which the method of pause in active learning increases the longer retention of lecture material. This is a form of PBL. PBL in group learning in engineering disciplines is more effective and we discuss it in modelling approach perspective below. Therefore, we think it is necessary to understand the learning quantitatively. This can be achieved by analytically estimating the levels of learning achievements by students working independently or in smaller groups, of maxim group size, typical of five for cooperative learning (Muppala & Chandramohan, 2017). The succession of this study paves way for the development of a numerical model to quantify learning through PBL approach (Muppala & Chandramohan, 2017). We hope it helps the weaker students to perform relatively better on the critical-thinking tests on par with the students who are relatively more studious.

Theoretical Modelling
Many different teaching strategies enhance learning outcomes (LOs) (Gardner, 2006). It not only brings good LOs, but also brings a positive effect on learning (Cerbin, 2013). Gardner (2006) coined the term intelligences-a scientific tool to quantify success/failure. Many suggestions have been made on how to use intelligences and its varied applications. He cites Jensen, a psychologist, who suggests a sequence of events with reaction time as a parameter to assess intelligence. This can be likened to an assessment, either formative or summative, of students' learning in a classroom. Gardner proposes a one-dimensional view-which he calls 'uniform view'. This is primarily --a curriculum, which in educational terms simply means --learning objectives and learning outcomes that all students should know and achieve. He further adds that assessment is a widely accepted measurement, and that problem-solving skill is routed through the intelligences.
MIs gain significance when the students' learning skills are diverse and its application can be extended to group learning. In a group learning/flipped classroom, the instructor's role is minimal, but s/he is readily available to answer any questions or to throw new thoughts or ideas into the discussions. This technique is found to be quite effective with respect to the students.
For assessments, we set the questions in three types:   need instructor's support to get to the problem.
The middle-level students understand the physics of the problem, wherein a non-dimensional quantity the Reynolds number Re is introduced that is a function of all above four physical quantities. It is the ratio of two forces in a flow that characterizes the type of flow. If Re is < 2400 the flow is termed laminar and anything > 5500 is turbulent. They can solve numerical problems with little or no support.
Third and final, high-level students who are far ahead of others can handle more complex problems, with varied complexity of fluid flow and different geometrical configurations, such as flow over a cylindrical object. As noted earlier, this class of students is near independent learners that can analyse a situation and engage in problem solving (Fuller & Kuhne, 2008). The most striking difference is that these higher-order thinking students could interpret and solve a different problem.
In the following description, we outline our proposed theoretical (or pragmatic) model to assess the students' levels/abilities by incorporating more than one educational strategy for assessing how we can help the weaker category of students effectively and efficiently. These are presented in three questionnaires.

A Pragmatic Approach for Handling of Large-Size Class Cohort
The greatest challenge is lecturing to large-size class cohorts. In an engineering module, a mix of Mechanical & Automotive and Aerospace students share same classroom. In such a wide diversity, three important factors are interlinked. In order to recognize this, the instructor needs additional support in the form of digitization. Therefore, all UK universities are progressively over years going for e-learning, with the aim to increase: • students' achievements (pass percentage & overall satisfaction) • lecturer's satisfaction (teaching through self-reflection), and • Course/syllabus completion within the allotted timetable. In order to provide support outside classroom with an aim to improve LOs, we adopt a four-pronged approach: a) an issue is raised, b) analyzed, c) followed by required intervention and d) reflection. The benefits of the approach are building classroom material and encouraging students to look for e-learning resources.

Questionnaire -1:
Choosing the methods of assessment is one of the most critical of all influences on the students' learning (Ramsden, 1992). Here, formative assessment is based on a Thermodynamic mathematical problem that is attempted in 24 small-size groups' involving 64 students, with group size randomly made by students themselves. This distribution (see Figure 2) helps to understand the dynamics of group learning.
Literature provides evidence (Gargiulo, 2016) that supports principles of these methodologies, DI & universal design of learning accounts for student characteristics and sectionalizes how to overcome barriers to learning. Gargiulo and Metcaf (2016) has significantly contributed to mathematical modelling for developing measurement of learning. Metcalf identifies 'divisional' approach on three components, based on two categories of students: low level and high level. The present authors independently propose a model based on three classes.
The present task requires basic knowledge of a) Thermodynamics and the ability to understand the problem and identify the given information, data required from thermodynamics charts, necessary formulae and their appropriate usage. Here, the learner is expected to understand how to correctly sketch the thermodynamic processes on the process diagram such as pressure vs. specific volume and to replicate the same on other plots such as temperature vs. specific volume.
b) Application of first law of thermodynamics to new and complicated processes, and appropriate use of the standard sign conventions for heat and work, and to keep the units consistent.
It is an opportunity to engage in the transferability of skills and knowledge gains from classroom in solving the current and any related future problems. Key skills include scientific ability to test the feasibility of any complex thermodynamic system and to be able apply mass and energy balances to such systems. Other important factors that bring recognition in one's professional career include good teamwork, communication and research scientific skills as a result of group work at the academic level (Lei, 2005).
Findings: Figure 2 shows the results from a test based on PBL technique involving sixty-four students who make up 22 groups; of these nine groups produced no work (Lei, 2005). The correlation results for group performance as a function of number of students in a group are shown in Figure 2. Here, the straight line is an ideal fit invariant of the group size.     The disadv such as in would be h

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Further research: Following this study, we propose to carry out further investigations during the Academic Year 2020−2021 to cover additional variables related to educational and social experience of diverse groups of students. We hope that our findings could help to develop new interventions (or make adjustments to current classroom practice) at Kingston University and beyond and enrich and enhance student experience of learning.