When Students Do Their Homework? Mustafa Demir Ioannis Souldatos Joint Mathematics Meetings San Antonio, TX January 2015

Research Setting University: University of Detroit Mercy (primarily undergraduate) Investigators: Dr. Mustafa Demir (Ph.D. in Math Education) Dr. Ioannis Souldatos (Ph.D. in Mathematics) Courses (Fall 2013) MTH Business Precalculus MTH Calculus II MTH Probability & Statistics

… research setting Enrolled Dropped MTH MTH MTH Distribution of Students in Courses

… research setting All classes used WeBWorK for most of their homework assignments.

WeBWorK Open-source online homework generating system. Supported by the MAA and the NSF and comes with a National Problem Library (NPL) of over 20,000 homework problems. Problems in the NPL target most lower division undergraduate math courses (e.g., College Algebra, Calculus, Probability & Statistics).

Research on WeBWorK Provides immediate feedback and interactive learning environment with students and enables instructors to identify students’ mathematical reasoning. (Baron, 2010; Lucas, 2012) Through attempt-feedback-reattempt sequence of events, students were able to improve their learning. (Zerr, 2007) Positive correlation between students’ homework scores on WeBWork and their overall course grades. (Kuhn et al., 2013)

Research Questions When students attempt their homework? Do upper-level courses exhibit different homework attempt patterns than lower-level courses? Do high-achieving students (in midterm exams) exhibit different homework attempt patterns than low-achieving students? Do homework attempt patterns change throughout the semester?

Research Hypotheses Most of the homework is completed the last day. Students attempt the homework again before they take the midterm and the final exams. Students in higher level classes complete their homework earlier than lower level classes. High-performing students (in midterm exams) attempt the homework earlier than low-performing students. Homework completion patterns vary throughout the semester.

Data Collection A snapshot of student progress was recorded every 6 hours The snapshot contained: The points for each student and each problem. The number of incorrect or partially correct attempts. The number of fully correct attempts.

… data collection Rules for Homework Submission All homework assignments were due on Wednesday at 23:59. After the due date, each homework assignment was opened again for 50% credit, until the end of the semester. The 50% reduction was undone before data was analyzed.

Data Analysis Attempt happened on Time Interval Wednesday (deadline at 23:59)0 Tuesday Monday-2 Sunday-3 Saturday -4 Friday and before -5 After the deadline, but before the corresponding exam 1 After the corresponding Exam2

… data analysis Student: Sample Class: Sample Deadline: Sample Similarly, the percentages for the correct and incorrect attempts were computed. Time Interval Points Total of 12.5 points Point Percentage 0%24%16%50%0%10%0%

Results High correlation >0.95 between point percentages and attempt percentages.

… results

Weighted Average= days= 7.18% (-5)+ 2.26% (-4)+ 4.3% (-3) % (-2) % (-1) % (0) … results

Weighted Averages Class Weighted Average MTH days MTH days MTH days … results

Weighted Averages Exam Weighted Average days days days … results

Weighted Averages Midterm Performance Weighted Average A days B days C days D days F days … results

Conclusions Most of the homework is done the last day. Students do not attempt the homework again before the midterm exams. Students do attempt the homework again before the final exam. Students in MTH attempted the homework earlier than MTH-1110 and MTH-1420.

Conclusions Later in the semester, students attempt the homework later. High-achieving students perform the homework earlier than low-achieving students.

References Baron, L. M. (2010). Helping teachers generate better homework: MAA makes time for WeBWork. MAA Focus, 30(5), Kuhn, S. W., Watson, S. W., & Walters, T. J. (2013). Online Homework and Correlated Success in University Mathematics Courses: A Longitudinal Study. Practical Applications and Experiences in K-20 Blended Learning Environments, 307. Lucas, A. R. (2012). Using WeBWorK, a Web-Based Homework Delivery and Grading System, to Help Prepare Students for Active Learning. PRIMUS, 22(2), Zerr, R. (2007). A quantitative and qualitative analysis of the effectiveness of online homework in first-semester calculus. Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 26(1), Chesapeake, VA: AACE. Retrieved February 28, 2014 from

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