Impact of Homework Assignment Delivery Systems on Student Learning Outcomes in Operations Management Courses

INTRODUCTIONGenerally, hands-on practice and experiential classroom learning foster a deeper understanding, thereby leading to student success in comprehending the subject matter [Kohli et al., 2011]. In order for students to comprehend quantitative and mathematical Operations Management techniques, instructors often assign quantitative problems for homework practice. Barboza et al. [2010] stated that problem solving exercises to be completed outside the classroom in quantitative Operations Management courses can improve students' understanding of the materials. In recent years, technology has improved the available methods of delivery for these quantitative problems. Specifically, many online assignments utilize an algorithm approach in which students can practice the same type of quantitative questions using different numbers. As such, immediate feedback is provided to students while homework grades are automatically recorded into the instructor's gradebook. Faculty members who teach quantitative courses generally agree that students should be exposed to the problem types which may appear on exams. Since an Operations Management course is often one of the required courses in business departments, class sizes are very large in some universities. Ideally, instructors of large or smaller classes can assign quantitative problems via web-based homework (WBH) assignment systems to provide immediate feedback to students, instead of the traditional paper-and-pencil based homework (PPBH) assignments in which instructors need to manually grade the assignments. This enhanced approach can save instructors considerable time, while simultaneously providing students with immediate feedback for effective learning results [Kim et al., 2012]. Certainly, several questions may arise when teaching OM courses. * Should a WBH system or a traditional PPBH system be adopted? * Do web-based assignments help students achieve learning outcomes in quantitative courses, especially in Operations Management classes? * Are there any predictors that might affect learning outcomes when instructors utilize web-based assignment systems instead of traditional paper-based assignments? Previous studies have focused on the differences between these two methods (WBH vs. PPBH) but only some include questionnaires and surveys to assess the extent to which GPA might affect the learning outcomes of web-based versus traditional paper-based assignments. The research proposal for this present study seeks to assess the differences between WBH assignments and traditional PPBH assignments with regard to the impact on student outcome performance. Also, this present research offers an in-depth comparison of the difference in student learning outcomes when assigning WBH regarding the number of "allowed attempts" to complete their WBH assignments. Finally, this present research further investigates how GPA is associated with student success via different learning assignment systems at one institution with the same instructor. The results provide guidelines for instructors regarding the adoption of WBH assignment systems for OM courses as a way to more fully achieve student learning outcomes.LITERATURE REVIEW AND RESEARCH QUESTIONSFirst, we consider two types of homework submissions systems as applied in different disciplines and the influence on student learning performance. Then, we discuss the relationship between students' GPA and homework submission systems.Paper-and-Pencil Based Homework (PPBH) and Web-Based (WBH) AssignmentsThis present study is not the first to examine the learning differences between PPBH and WBH.The effects of student learning outcomes between PPHB and WBH have been investigated in different disciplines, such as Accounting [Phillips and Johnson, 2011], Economics [Doorn et al., 2010], Finance [Smolira, 2008], and Physics [Bridge and Appleyard, 2008] courses. These studies provide evidence that a growing number of students often prefer learning in a WBH environment compared to PPBH environment. …