Article: The effectiveness of a web-based homework and testing software for operations management Journal: International Journal of Services and Standards (IJSS) 2015 Vol.10 No.4 pp.240 - 252 Abstract: Online students' enrolments have been increasing, but not as much lately. The cost of education and student loan debt is having an impact on the enrolments. Many look to technology to bring down costs, but some academics that teach quantitative courses such as operations management (OM) are very reluctant to offer courses online. OM can be challenging course to many students because of its quantitative content. Regularly scheduled homework and quizzes become important to prepare students for the tests, but the time it takes to grade is prohibitive. Web-based homework and testing software such as MyOMLab® or Connect® can come to the rescue and it can enhance student learning as well. This paper focuses on such software, examines the features in detail and their usefulness to students, and if the software actually improves student learning. A survey is also used to assess the student perceptions on the effectiveness of the software. The effectiveness of the software is measured by the correlation of pre-test homework assignment grades and test grades. The results of this study would be useful to the instructors of operations management in deciding whether to use a web-based homework and testing software in their classes. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: The effectiveness of a web-based homework and testing software for operations management

Authors: Mohan Rao

Addresses: College of Business, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, 6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas 78412-5808, USA

Abstract: Online students' enrolments have been increasing, but not as much lately. The cost of education and student loan debt is having an impact on the enrolments. Many look to technology to bring down costs, but some academics that teach quantitative courses such as operations management (OM) are very reluctant to offer courses online. OM can be challenging course to many students because of its quantitative content. Regularly scheduled homework and quizzes become important to prepare students for the tests, but the time it takes to grade is prohibitive. Web-based homework and testing software such as MyOMLab^® or Connect^® can come to the rescue and it can enhance student learning as well. This paper focuses on such software, examines the features in detail and their usefulness to students, and if the software actually improves student learning. A survey is also used to assess the student perceptions on the effectiveness of the software. The effectiveness of the software is measured by the correlation of pre-test homework assignment grades and test grades. The results of this study would be useful to the instructors of operations management in deciding whether to use a web-based homework and testing software in their classes.

Keywords: online learning; e-learning; electronic learning; higher education; learning outcomes; myomlab; operations management education; pedagogy; quantitative methods; student assessment; technology-based learning; web-based homework software; web-based testing software; internet.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSS.2015.072451

International Journal of Services and Standards, 2015 Vol.10 No.4, pp.240 - 252

Received: 30 May 2015
Accepted: 08 Jun 2015
Published online: 13 Oct 2015 *

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Title: The effectiveness of a web-based homework and testing software for operations management

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