ERIC Number: EJ1124276
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016-Dec
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1527-9316
EISSN: N/A
Student Achievement in Undergraduate Statistics: The Potential Value of Allowing Failure
Ferrandino, Joseph A.
Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, v16 n6 p1-18 Dec 2016
This article details what resulted when I re-designed my undergraduate statistics course to allow failure as a learning strategy and focused on achievement rather than performance. A variety of within and between sample t-tests are utilized to determine the impact of unlimited test and quiz opportunities on student learning on both quizzes and subsequent assignments in two undergraduate statistics courses (one a 15-week hybrid and one a 6-week online course). The results show that the previous DFW rate was reduced, and no significant difference in outcomes was found between the two different course modalities. Furthermore, students achieved significantly higher on their last quiz and test attempts on every instrument in both semesters, with large effect sizes. Corresponding assignments showed students achieved significantly higher than the mean first attempt, but significantly lower than final mean quiz attempt scores, suggesting some knowledge was not carried over to application. The article concludes by evaluating the results of unlimited testing with minimum standards and the limitations of the study and the pedagogical model.
Descriptors: Undergraduate Students, Academic Achievement, Statistics, Instructional Design, Mathematics Instruction, Learning Strategies, Statistical Analysis, Outcomes of Education, Instructional Effectiveness, Mathematics Tests, Scores, Academic Failure, Grades (Scholastic), Achievement Gains, Testing, Transfer of Training, Effect Size, Academic Standards, Assignments, Student Evaluation
Indiana University. 755 West Michigan Street UL 1180D, Indianapolis, IN 46202. Tel: 317-274-5647; Fax: 317-278-2360; e-mail: josotl@iupui.edu; Web site: http://www.iupui.edu/~josotl
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A