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An Experiment with Online and Paper Assignments: Grades, Completion Rates and Student Preferences

Author

Listed:
  • Darragh Flannery

    (Department of Economics, University of Limerick)

  • John Considine

    (Department of Economics, University College Cork)

  • Brendan Kennelly

    (School of Business and Economics, National University of Ireland, Galway)

Abstract

With the growth of online assignment tools across many courses in higher education, questions remain as to the impact of such tools on student learning and engagement. In this paper we present an experiment that attempts to measure these effects, as well as a survey aimed at gauging student preferences for traditional or online assignment formats. The results of this experiment comparing online assignments with paper assignments are mixed. Students that complete paper assignments get a higher mark. However, students are more likely to complete an online assignment. These conflicting advantages require the educator to make trade-off when determining the assignment format to use. When in doubt the educator might consider using technology as the results of a student survey presented in this paper revealed that the students preferred the online assignments – a result in line with the literature. While the evidence is not conclusive it would appear that the reason for the preference is the ease with which they can complete the assignments.

Suggested Citation

  • Darragh Flannery & John Considine & Brendan Kennelly, 2013. "An Experiment with Online and Paper Assignments: Grades, Completion Rates and Student Preferences," Working Papers WP072013, University of Limerick, Department of Economics, revised Oct 2013.
    • Handle: RePEc:lim:wpaper:072013
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. William Lee & Richard H. Courtney & Steven J. Balassi, 2010. "Do Online Homework Tools Improve Student Results in Principles of Microeconomics Courses?," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 100(2), pages 283-286, May.
    2. Kim Sosin & Betty J. Lecha & Rajshree Agarwal & Robin L. Bartlett & Joseph I. Daniel, 2004. "Efficiency in the Use of Technology in Economic Education: Some Preliminary Results," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 94(2), pages 253-258, May.
    3. Rey Hernández-Julián & Christina Peters, 2012. "Targeting Teaching: Does the Medium Matter? Online versus Paper Coursework," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 78(4), pages 1333-1345, April.
    4. William E. Becker, 1997. "Teaching Economics to Undergraduates," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 35(3), pages 1347-1373, September.
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