Using Blackboard to Eliminate Homework Copying

ORAL

Abstract

It is well known that doing homework improves students understanding of the material that is being taught and instructors assign homework with this knowledge in mind. However, it is not uncommon for a teacher to receive homework assignments that are exact copies of each other. This happened regularly in my physical science class when I assigned written homework. In an effort to overcome this problem I adapted the Blackboard testing system for homework assignments. The Blackboard testing system allows the instructor to create a quiz which the students take over the internet. In this method the students are given an assignment containing ten problems and are given ten days to work them out. A quiz is created on Blackboard containing five of those ten problems and five multiple choice and short answer questions from the notes. The students are given ten days to take this quiz before it goes off. After completing the quiz the students are given their grade and which answers were correct and which ones were wrong. The Blackboard system randomizes the questions and answers making it harder for the students to copy answers directly as indicated by three years of data.

–

Authors

  • Kevin Boos

    Angelo State University, Texas State University, San Marcos, SEMATECH, Texas State University, University of Texas at Brownsville, Abilene Christian University, Texas Tech University, University of Texas at Austin, Maypearl High School, Birdville ISD, South Texas Chapter, Health Physics Society, Sam Houston State University, NASA Johnson Space Center, Dept. of Physics, U. de Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dept.of Physics, ESFM-IPN, Mexico City, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Rutgers University, Texas A\&M University, Istanbul University, University of North Texas, University of Texas at El Paso, Texas Christian University, Lee College, Southern University and A\&M College, Austin Community College, Rapoport Academy, Texas A\&M University, Kingsville, The University of Texas at Arlington, Tyler Junior College, Tarleton State University, Tolar High School, Granbury High School, Lake Highlands High School