Reducing student procrastination in a personalized system of instruction course

Abstract

This study examined the effects of three pacing procedures on student withdrawal rate, rate of progress, final examination performance, and attitude in a personalized system of instruction course. Undergraduate students (N = 100) who were enrolled in an introductory speech communication course were randomly assigned to either a reward, penalty, or control condition. Those students in the penalty group proceeded through the course at a more rapid pace than students in the control group. There were no significant differences in student withdrawal rate, final examination performance, and attitude. Final examination performance was not affected by the interaction between pacing procedures and student perception of locus of control. The benefits of reducing student procrastination, and appropriate means of doing so, are discussed in light of these results.