Abstract
Rohrer & Pashler (2007) claimed that retention can be increased not by studying longer, but by spacing out the study sessions. Optimal timing was a function of the length of time between initial exposure and testing. Two sections of an engineering course experienced differing homework timings across the semester. Based on the schedule of exams, homework problems were assigned that related to content covered either one week earlier or that lesson. The benefit of delaying the assigned homework was not supported, although exam performance was significantly better when students completed homework assignments. The lack of effect for homework timing was possibly due to a lack of alignment between specific homework problems and the course objectives assessed on the tests, or due to the fact that students were also given suggested problems that could be done at any time. Subjective feedback from students will also be discussed.
Location
Concourse
Recommended Citation
Crider, Kendra and Scharff, Lauren, "Exploration of Homework Timing on Student Performance" (2011). SoTL Commons Conference. 39.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/sotlcommons/SoTL/2011/39
Exploration of Homework Timing on Student Performance
Concourse
Rohrer & Pashler (2007) claimed that retention can be increased not by studying longer, but by spacing out the study sessions. Optimal timing was a function of the length of time between initial exposure and testing. Two sections of an engineering course experienced differing homework timings across the semester. Based on the schedule of exams, homework problems were assigned that related to content covered either one week earlier or that lesson. The benefit of delaying the assigned homework was not supported, although exam performance was significantly better when students completed homework assignments. The lack of effect for homework timing was possibly due to a lack of alignment between specific homework problems and the course objectives assessed on the tests, or due to the fact that students were also given suggested problems that could be done at any time. Subjective feedback from students will also be discussed.
