JSM 2011 Online Program

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Abstract Details

Activity Number: 419
Type: Contributed
Date/Time: Tuesday, August 2, 2011 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
Sponsor: Section on Statistical Education
Abstract - #300639
Title: Comparison of Learning Outcomes and Attitudes for Students Completing Introductory Statistics Homework Online vs. Hardcopy vs. Self-Selecting from the Two Methods
Author(s): Nancy Pfenning*+
Companies: University of Pittsburgh
Address: 2316 Shady Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 15217,
Keywords: online ; homework ; self-selection ; learning ; attitudes ; hardcopy
Abstract:

More and more instructors are taking advantage of online assignment completion for their students. An obvious gain for instructors is that the amount of time spent grading papers is drastically reduced. What benefits or drawbacks are there for students? If students were given a choice, would they prefer to complete their homework online or with the traditional hardcopy method? A carefully controlled comparative study by the author explores students' attitudes toward the two methods. In addition to a hardcopy-method lecture class and an online-method lecture class, a third lecture class will give students an opportunity to choose their preferred method. Because these are three back-to-back lectures of the same course, subtle differences in learning outcomes may be detected. Even if there is no significant difference in achievement for the three groups, there may well be important differences in students' level of satisfaction with their assigned or self-selected method. The results of this study may guide other instructors in their decision of whether to use online or hardcopy homework for their students, or perhaps to let the students themselves make the choice.


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