A Comparison of Web-based and Paper-and-Pencil Homework on Student Performance in College Algebra

Abstract College algebra fulfills general education requirements at many colleges in the United States. The study reported here investigated differences in mathematics achievement between undergraduates in college algebra classes using one of two homework methods: WeBWorK, an open-source system for web-based homework, or traditional paper-and-pencil homework. We assessed learning for 439 students in 19 college algebra classes at a large public university in the United States. Twelve classes used WeBWorK and seven had traditional paper-and-pencil homework. Analysis of covariance revealed no significant differences in algebra performance or achievement gain by homework group, ethnicity or gender when statistically controlling for previous mathematics achievement. Results support the conjecture that WeBWorK is at least as effective as traditionally graded paper-and-pencil homework for students learning college algebra in moderately sized lecture-based classes.

[1]  L. Romagnano.  The Myth of Objectivity in Mathematics Assessment. , 2001 .

[2]  Harris Cooper,et al.  Relationships among attitudes about homework, amount of homework assigned and completed, and student achievement , 1998 .

[3]  T. Keith,et al.  Effects of Manipulable Influences on High School Grades Across Five Ethnic Groups , 1992 .

[4]  Kevin Judd,et al.  CalMaeth: an interactive learning system focussing on the diagnosis of mathematical misconceptions , 2001 .

[5]  Catharine R. Stimpson,et al.  The Feminist Classroom: An Inside Look at How Professors and Students are Transforming Higher Education for a Diverse Society.@@@Professing Feminism: Cautionary Tales from the Strange World of Women's Studies. , 1995 .

[6]  Sean P. McGlynn,et al.  Automated, Web-Based, Second-Chance Homework , 2001 .

[7]  Diana Laurillard.  Multimedia and the changing experience of the learner , 1995, Br. J. Educ. Technol..

[8]  Robert Q. Berry,et al.  Mathematics Standards, Cultural Styles, and Learning Preferences: The Plight and the Promise of African American Students , 2003 .

[9]  Dora Acherman-Chor,et al.  Looking at Both Sides of the Equation: Do Student Background Variables Explain Math Performance? , 2003 .

[10]  Katharin Peter,et al.  Profile of Undergraduates in U.S. Postsecondary Institutions: 1999-2000. Statistical Analysis Report. National Postsecondary Student Aid Study. , 2002 .

[11]  Hellmut Haberland,et al.  Looking from both sides , 2013, Nature.

[12]  E. M. Hartwell.  Boston , 1906 .

[13]  C. Brown,et al.  Equity of Literacy-Based Math Performance Assessments for English Language Learners , 2005 .

[14]  Pamela M. Warton,et al.  The Forgotten Voices in Homework: Views of Students , 2001 .

[15]  Bryan Kethley,et al.  The Relationship Between Homework and Performance in an Introductory Operations Management Course , 2002 .

[16]  Shandy Hauk.  Mathematical Autobiography among College Learners in the United States. , 2005 .

[17]  F. G. Brown.  College Algebra , 1947, Nature.

[18]  J. Hosson,et al.  High-speed dislocations in high strain-rate deformations , 2001 .

[19]  A fresh start for collegiate mathematics : rethinking the courses below calculus , 2011 .

[20]  Linda A. Bolte.  Using Concept Maps and Interpretive Essays for Assessment in Mathematics , 1999 .

[21]  Ernst von Glasersfeld.  Radical constructivism and teaching , 2001 .

[22]  L. Delpit.  Other People's Children: Cultural Conflict in the Classroom , 1995 .

[23]  Robert J. Dufresne,et al.  The Effect of Web-Based Homework on Test Performance in Large Enrollment Introductory Physics Courses , 2002 .

[24]  B. Rittle-Johnson,et al.  Developing Conceptual Understanding and Procedural Skill in Mathematics: An Iterative Process. , 2001 .

[25]  Andrew Sterrett.  Using writing to teach mathematics , 1990 .

[26]  Tod S. Porter,et al.  The Effectiveness of Computer Exercises in Introductory Statistics. , 1996 .

[27]  Joachim Hasebrook,et al.  Proceedings of WebNet 2001 - World Conference on the WWW and Internet, Orlando, Florida, USA, October 23-27, 2001 , 2001, WebNet.

[28]  Andrew Sterrett.  Using Writing To Teach Mathematics. MAA Notes, Number 16. , 1992 .

[29]  V. Cool,et al.  Testing models of school learning: Effects of quality of instruction, motivation, academic coursework, and homework on academic achievement. , 1992 .

[30]  Shandy Hauk,et al.  Fostering College Students’ Autonomy in Written Mathematical Justification , 2009 .

[31]  Walter G. Secada.  Perspectives on multiculturalism and gender equity , 2000 .

[32]  Joyce Lynn Garrett.  Homework , 2007 .

[33]  Shandy Hauk,et al.  Student perceptions of the web-based homework program WeBWorK in moderate enrollment college algebra classes , 2005 .

[34]  CAPA (Computer-Assisted Personalized Assignments) in a large university setting , 2002 .

[35]  William F. Tate,et al.  Race-Ethnicity, SES, Gender, and Language Proficiency Trends in Mathematics Achievement: An Update , 1997 .

[36]  J. M. Pieters,et al.  Exploring the mechanisms through which computers contribute to learning , 2003, J. Comput. Assist. Learn..

[37]  S.-S. Liaw,et al.  Understanding user perceptions of World-wide web environments , 2002, J. Comput. Assist. Learn..

[38]  Sudhir Gupta,et al.  Case Studies , 2013, Journal of Clinical Immunology.

[39]  Volodymyr Ivanchenko,et al.  Evaluating student response to WeBWorK, a web-based homework delivery and grading system , 2008, Comput. Educ..

[40]  W. D. Cairns,et al.  THE MATHEMATICAL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA. , 1918, Science.

[41]  David H. Kirshner.  Untangling Teachers' Diverse Aspirations for Student Learning: A Crossdisciplinary Strategy for Relating Psychological Theory to Pedagogical Practice. , 2002 .

[42]  Rosemary J. Redfield,et al.  Does the medium change the message? The impact of a web-based genetics course on university students' perspectives on learning and teaching , 2002, Comput. Educ..