Assessment of student learning in undergraduate engineering courses using quizzes in Lieu of homework

Abstract

The paper is an Evidence-Based Practice Paper that presents the justification and challenges of a group of instructors in a mechanical and civil engineering program at the University of Evansville, located in Evansville, IN. During a multi-year study in undergraduate engineering courses, the effectiveness of daily homework assignments is investigated and a comparison of an alternative "quiz only" approach is made for undergraduate basic mechanics and pre-engineering classes including statics and dynamics. Results of a course offering a hybrid quiz and homework approach are then explored. Effective teachers continue to search for evidence that the topics they teach are being easily received and clearly processed by their students. In recent years, as student behaviors have changed and access to information has become more mainstream, teachers are faced with new challenges to classical learning techniques. Educators at engineering universities across the United States have employed a variety of different ideas related to homework and quizzes in their attempts to improve student learning. A specific comparison of cohort groups that have progressed through basic engineering classes such as statics and dynamics into upper-level major specific classes such as soil mechanics are also presented. Several cohorts starting as freshmen in statics and progressing through upper-level design classes provide a broad overview of the impact of this teaching pedagogy. Comparisons and correlations for each of these approaches are made to their corresponding inclass exams. Potential improvements as well as current limitations to this study are then revealed.