Research on the Effectiveness of Evidence-based Quantum Computing Learning Materials*

As the still relatively new field of Quantum Computing (QC) continues to evolve and gain attention in industry, academia, and government, there is a need for research on students’ ability to learn and be able to apply fundamental QC concepts and skills in the study of QC basics and quantum protocols and algorithms. The results of the research can then be used in the development of effective instructional materials and pedagogies in order to educate the next generation of QC scientists. At Texas Tech University (TTU), we have introduced a set of mini-tutorials into the Introductory Quantum Computing course and are researching the effectiveness of the use of the in-class mini-tutorials. We video-recorded class interactions during the mini-tutorials and administered pre- and post-tests to assess the students’ knowledge growth as leveraged by the mini-tutorials. The findings provide insight into the effectiveness of the mini-tutorials as an instructional strategy for learning and applying key QC concepts and skills.