Leveraging Online Testing to Enhance Student Learning
Advances in Accounting Education: Teaching and Curriculum Innovations
ISBN: 978-1-78560-970-1, eISBN: 978-1-78560-969-5
Publication date: 6 September 2016
Abstract
Purpose
As more courses move to online testing, it is important to understand how it can be used to enhance student learning. Adopting online testing strategies which have been documented to be effective (including increasing the frequency of testing, allowing the students to take the test “open book” and allowing the students two opportunities to take each test) may enhance student learning. This study assesses whether adopting these strategies, facilitated by online testing, leads to greater student learning.
Design/methodology/approach
I gathered data from eight sections of an undergraduate auditing course in which students in four sections of the class were tested using six online tests taken by the students outside of class. These six online tests were “open book” and allowed the students two opportunities to take each test. Scores from a common final exam are then compared to those from four sections of the same course where three in-class, traditional paper tests were administered. I also surveyed the online test group to gather information regarding their perceptions of online testing.
Findings
Students in the online group scored significantly higher on the tests and the final exam. Additionally, the online group reported a positive perception about their experience with online testing.
Practical implications
Online testing did not impair students’ learning, and if the testing environment is designed correctly, online testing may increase student learning.
Originality/value
Instructors considering introducing online testing should consider introducing some of the specific strategies and practical implications described in the chapter to increase student learning.
Keywords
Citation
Wooten, T. (2016), "Leveraging Online Testing to Enhance Student Learning", Advances in Accounting Education: Teaching and Curriculum Innovations (Advances in Accounting Education, Vol. 19), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 141-163. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1085-462220160000019006
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016 Emerald Group Publishing Limited