A Method of Sequencing Instructional Items on the Basis of Responses Structure.

Abstract

A structure of responses obtained from triple cross item responses combined with specicfiation matrices of objectives is transformed into typical patterns of Venn diargam by frequency of score patterns. A hierarchical relationship of the items is determined for the set of Venn diagrams, by which the item response structure is converted into the set of hierarchical orders between two items. On the basis of these data item relationship matrices are constructed, and then item structural contingency diagrams are drawn to indicate the relationship among items. The item structural contingency diagrams are divid­ ed by level of importance, and they are classified into groups of instructional items or instructional blocks with the nucleus of objective items. The sequencing of items is carried out by applying some rules to the group of items. Application of this method to several cases proved effective as a method of se­ quencing of instructional items which are mutually associated and have hierarchical orders, such as those in the learning of concepts and rules.