Online Homework Systems

Throughout my college career, more and more of my classes are assigning homework using online homework systems. This can have pros and cons to it. In my experience one of the cons are that it can take students longer to do the homework online than just doing it out on paper. This is seen mostly in my accounting classes where there are a lot of problems that we have to work out. This can take longer working them out on the computer than it does when I work them out on my own paper. However, research has shown that there are a lot of benefits to using online homework systems. For the ones worried that online homework could decrease students performance, this is actually the opposite. Research has shown that online homework is as effective, if not more effective than traditional paper homework. In a study using an online homework system called WebAssign for Calculus and Algebra, students performed higher on tests than those that did traditional paper and pencil homework (Burch, K.J., Kuo, Yu, 2010, p.2). This could be due to the fact that a lot of online homework systems will provide users with extensive hints and examples and also give instant feedback after they work out the problem. In a study using MyMathLab, which is a component of CourseCompass, “students could review and reattempt their homework assignments without penalty” and were given their “scores for every homework problem and were assured their answers were correct” (Burch, K.J., Kuo, Yu, 2010, p.5). This was an advantage over students who did traditional paper and pencil homework, for they were only given “correct solutions to the problems that were graded and were therefore unsure if some of their problem solving techniques were correct” (Burch, K.J., Kuo, Yu, 2010, p.5). This could be a reason why students who used programs online to do homework outperformed those who used traditional paper and pencil homework. Another study at the University of North Dakota found that calculus students using online homework systems improved their learning. This study found that students had a positive attitude for these online homework systems and that this “resulted in students completing more homework outside of class” (Burch, K.J., Kuo, Yu, 2010, p.3). All in all, it seems that the online homework systems seem to be a benefit to students. This relates back to my former posts of how online education is creating smarter and more knowledgeable students. The technological determinism theory is showing how using online homework systems gives students reassurance and helpful hints, therefore leading to higher test scores and performance.

I have attached a video of a tutorial and the benefits of an online homework system MathXL.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALeZmVJHUIg

Burch, K. J., & Kuo, Y. (2010). TRADITIONAL VS. ONLINE HOMEWORK IN COLLEGE ALGEBRA. Mathematics and Computer Education, 44(1), 53-63. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/235939210?accountid=4840

Canada, P. (2011, June 20). Retrieved April 11, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ALeZmVJHUIg