Investigating the Use of Mastery-Style Online Homework Exercises in Introductory Algebra-based Mechanics in a Controlled Clinical Study

TL;DR

This study compares mastery-style and traditional homework in introductory physics, finding mastery-style benefits weaker students and transfer questions, highlighting its potential to improve student learning outcomes.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence that mastery-style homework enhances learning, especially for less prepared students, in introductory algebra-based mechanics.

Findings

Mastery-style homework benefits weaker students.

Improved performance on transfer-related questions.

Overall positive impact of mastery approach.

Abstract

Homework in introductory physics represents an important part of a student's learning experience; therefore choosing the manner in which homework is presented merits investigation. We performed three rounds of clinical trials comparing the effects of mastery-style homework vs traditional-style homework with students in both algebra-based and calculus-based introductory mechanics. Results indicate a benefit from mastery-style over traditional-style homework, principally for weaker students who are less familiar with the material being covered and on questions that are nearer transfer to the study materials.