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A Statistical Analysis of Online Homework Systems: Homework Completion vs. Student Knowledge

Lampard, Ayla Brianne

Abstract Details

2015, Master of Mathematical Sciences, Ohio State University, Mathematics.
In this paper we aim to answer two questions about online homework systems: (1) Are the grades that a student receives on an assignment an accurate representation of the knowledge the student has over the material? (2) How should we decide when an assignment is complete? To set the stage, we first summarize two of the most popular online homework systems, WebAssign and Khan Academy and discuss the possible drawbacks of using either of them. We then use martingales and the optional stopping theorem to show that common criteria for completing a homework assignment tells us nothing about the amount of knowledge a student has gained while working on the assignment. Finally we theorize about the implementation of hidden Markov models in such systems as a different means of determining when we consider an assignment complete.
Rodica Costin (Advisor)
Bart Snapp (Other)
Michael Battista (Committee Member)
72 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Lampard, A. B. (2015). A Statistical Analysis of Online Homework Systems: Homework Completion vs. Student Knowledge [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1429629678

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Lampard, Ayla. A Statistical Analysis of Online Homework Systems: Homework Completion vs. Student Knowledge . 2015. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1429629678.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Lampard, Ayla. "A Statistical Analysis of Online Homework Systems: Homework Completion vs. Student Knowledge ." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1429629678

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)