Traditional vs. Online Homework in College Algebra

ABSTRACT A year long study was conducted in multiple sections of College Algebra by the authors using a system of both traditional paper homework and online homework assignments. The online homework system was Pearson/Addison-Wesley's CourseCompass which was integrated with the textbook. This system allows the students multiple attempts at problems with extensive hints and examples while providing instant feedback for every problem. Data was collected from both groups including in-class exam scores, final exam scores, and homework averages. Of particular interest to the investigators was whether one method would help facilitate the understanding and retention of the material better than the other. We present the analysis and the conclusions. 1. INTRODUCTION As class times are shortened and required material is lengthened, many mathematics professors are increasingly mrning to online homework systems such as CourseCompass (www.coursecompass.com), WebAssign (www.webassign.com), and WeBWorK (http://webwork.rochester.edu). Systems such as these offer the student instant feedback and online help while freeing the professors from the often cumbersome task of grading traditional paper-and-pencil homework. The question addressed in this paper is whether an online homework system facilitates the understanding and retention of the material better than traditional paper-and-pencil homework. The study was conducted in College Algebra classes during the 2007-2008 academic year at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), a state university with approximately 14,000 students. College Algebra at IUP is a prerequisite for the calculus and business calculus sequences. Key topics in this course include: linear functions, quadratic functions, polynomial functions, graphing and solving equations, various applications, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Certain classes of College Algebra used traditional paper homework assignments and other sections used the online homework system CourseCompass by Pearson/Addison-Wesley which was bundled with the textbook. The textbook used in all the classes was Beecher, Penna, and Bittinger's College Algebra [2]. 2. LITERATURE REVIEW Although research on the effectiveness of online homework systems has had mixed results, most studies conclude that online homework is as effective as traditional paper-and-pencil homework or is in fact an improvement over the traditional techniques. Safer and Segalla [7] found that students using WeBWorK in College Algebra performed as well as those who used me traditional method. Similarly, Bonham, Beichner, and Deardorff [2] found mat students using WebAssign for homework submission in both Calculus and Algebra had higher test grades than those who used traditional paper-and-pencil homework. They reported test scores of 78% versus 75% in calculus and 82% versus 77% in algebra but they explained that the difference between the test scores for the two methods was not statistically significant. Hirsch and Weibel [6] found that students using WeBWorK in calculus classes at Rutgers University showed a 4% statistically significant improvement on the final exam grade over their peers who were assigned traditional paper-and-pencil homework. Zerr [8] reported that an online homework system created for University of North Dakota calculus students improved student learning. This study also found positive student attitudes for the online homework system and that this resulted in students completing more homework outside of class. Finally, a recent study completed by Heffernan, Mendicino, and Razzaq [5] found that fifth grade mathematics students learned significantly more when using web-based homework than those given traditional homework. They reported an effect size of 0.61 and used this to suggest that school systems should implement such web-based homework systems when feasible. Our study attempts to show whether there is a statistically significant improvement in student performance using online homework versus traditional paper-and-pencil homework. …