Gender- and Expertise-Related Effects of Quiz Participation on Academic Achievement in Large Statistics Lectures

• In Event: Tests as Predictive Tools in Career/College Success

Abstract

Despite the advantages of technological tools in large statistics lectures, results of research on their actual value are inconsistent and only point to minimal effects on academic achievement. To fill this gap, in this study, participation in optional electronic quizzes and its effects on exam grades in large statistics classes depending on gender and previous statistics- and mathematics-related abilities are investigated. Overall, participation in the electronic quizzes yielded a positive effect on final grades. However, particularly the groups who participated less in the electronic quizzes – i.e. male students and poor performing students - benefitted more from the quizzes than female students and high performing students.

Authors

• Manuel Förster, Johannes Gutenberg University

• Andreas Maur, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz

• Constantin Weiser, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz