Grade Incentive Research Articles

Monetary versus grade incentives depending on personality traits: A field experiment on undergraduate students’ performance

This study aims to examine the role of personality on the effectiveness in improving students' performance of two extrinsic incentives: monetary and grade incentives. To achieve this goal, we conducted a randomized field experiment in which students in a Microeconomics course were offered the opportunity to participate in a practice test program, with no effects on the grade of the course itself. In the call to participate, students were informed that participants would be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Whereas in the control group students would not be monetarily incentivized, participants assigned to the treatment group would be paid according to their performance in the practice tests. In addition, we elicited the big five personality and risk aversion traits of the participants (168 undergraduates). All subjects received grade incentives in the later official course exam, in which no monetary incentives were offered. We used non-parametric tests to carry out both between-subjects and within-subjects performance comparisons. Controlling for potential confounding factors like students' gender and academic record, our OLS regressions indicate that although monetary incentives are effective in improving students’ performance in practice tests, their effect does not carry over to the course exam. Furthermore, we find that the effectiveness of grade incentives (used in the course exam) on improvement as a substitute for monetary incentives (adopted in practice tests), is higher the more conscientious the students are.

MOTIVATIONAL DRIVE ON THE STRASUC SPORTS EVENTS PERFORMANCE OF THE STUDENTS’ ATHLETE

Motivational drive is frequently influenced by a confluence of natural biological impulses, like hunger or thirst, and psychological variables, such our beliefs, values, and goals. Both internal elements, like our ideas and feelings, and external forces, like rewards or penalties, can have an impact on it. Depending on their unique requirements, objectives, and circumstances, various persons may exhibit varying degrees of motivational drive. While some people find it easy to acquire the desire and focus to take action, others may struggle. Overall, recognizing and using our motivating drive can be essential to finding success and fulfillment in both our personal and professional life. The author of this study wanted to know how much is the motivational drive of the college students athlete had and how much pressure they are under, and how much of that pressure affects whether they participate in physical activity like Sports events in STRASUC tournament. The study also focused on understanding of the athletes performance and amount of participation in physical or sporting activities. The survey also identified the kinds of physical or athletic activities that students engage in, as well as their duration and frequency. The studys research methodology was a descriptive one. Using random sampling technique, eighty-seven (87) out of ninety 0ne (91) students athlete from the Laguna State Polytechnic University Sta. Cruz Campus in Brgy. Bubukal Santa Cruz, Laguna were selected as student – respondents. A five – point Likert type of survey questionnaire was used as the main research instrument. The data gathered using this instrument was analyzed and interpreted using the appropriate statistical tools. The findings indicated that respondents who engage in physical activity and sports do so for three reasons: they want to maintain their physical fitness, they want to avoid despair, and they want to benefit from grade incentives. The respondents interpersonal and intrapersonal motivations do not prevent them from engaging in physical activity and sports, according to their motivational drive. Unlike non-participants who do not receive the same support, they have a lot of it from friends and relatives. Despite their social and structural limitations, student athletes are passionately motivated to engage in physical activity and sports. Whether they participate or not, they are motivated to the same degree. Athletes who compete on college teams share the same level of extrinsic motivation. Furthermore, only intrinsic motivations fluctuate with an athletes competence extrinsic motivation components only vary with their athletic performance. The behavior of athletes dramatically alters intrapersonal motivation. Moreover, the frequency and length of any physical exercise are linked to intrapersonal and interpersonal restrictions. and also have a relationship to one another. Sex affects the kind of physical and athletic activities.

Additional unexpected benefits of rewarding students for effective problem solving strategies: supporting gender equity in physics

An important goal of introductory physics courses is to encourage effective approaches to problem solving. To achieve this goal, many aspects of desired problem solving approach should be rewarded, e.g. via grade incentives rather than basing grades mainly or solely on correct final answers. Here we discuss findings of a study that suggests that shifting pedagogical emphasis to reward the process of problem solving approach rather than basing the grade primarily on the final answer may have an additional unexpected benefit of supporting gender equity in physics. Our study involves administering a previously-validated attitudes and approaches to problem solving (AAPS) survey in six large enrollment calculus-based introductory physics classes at a large research university in the United States. On average, women had a statistically significantly higher average AAPS score at the end of the instruction when compared with men. Moreover, on clusters of questions related to effective approaches to problem solving such as drawing diagrams and doing scratchwork, women had a significantly higher average score. Since drawing and scratchwork are part of a systematic approach to physics problem-solving, this finding suggests that women, on average, may take a more favourable approach to physics problem-solving when compared with men. Interview data with a subset of students corroborate this interpretation. Our findings suggest that awarding appropriate credit to the entire problem solving process, e.g. by giving credit for drawings and scratchwork, may support gender equity in physics. In particular, heavier reliance on open-ended questions on assessments, along with grading rubrics that are sensitive to the details of the problem-solving process, not only rewards the desired approaches to problem solving, but also supports gender equity since women are rewarded appropriately for their work. We encourage physics instructors to adopt instructional strategies that reward the problem solving process instead of only rewarding the product to ensure that students learn effective problem solving skills while also supporting a practice that is more equitable.

“Everyone is new to this”: Student reflections on different aspects of online learning

In 2020, many instructors and students at colleges and universities were thrust into an unprecedented situation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions. Even though they typically engage in in-person teaching and learning in brick and mortar classrooms, remote instruction was the only possibility. Many instructors at our institution who had to switch from in-person to remote instruction without any notice earlier in the year worked extremely hard to design and teach online courses to support their students during the second half of 2020. Since different instructors chose different pedagogical approaches for remote instruction, students taking multiple remote classes simultaneously experienced a variety of instructional strategies. We present an analysis of students' perceptions of remote learning in their lecture-based, active learning, and lab physics classes at a large research university in the USA, focusing on positive and negative aspects including collaboration, communication, and assessment. Student reflections emphasized the importance of grade incentives for out-of-class and in-class work; frequent, low-stakes assessments; community-building activities; and opportunities to study with peers. Reflecting on the challenges and successes of different types of remote instructional approaches from students' perspective could provide useful insight to guide the design of future online courses as well as some aspects of in-person courses.

PILOT OF A SERIES OF ONLINE RESOURCES TO HELP STUDENTS TRANSITION TO FIRST YEAR ENGINEERING

Transitioning from high school to university can be a difficult time for students. A significant element in this transition is related to heightened selfresponsibility and self-regulation for one’s own learning. A series of eight online screencasts (consisting of narrated video with activities and quiz questions) was created and introduced at the University of British Columbia in 2018 as a pilot project. The goal was to help first year engineering students with their academic transition by providing evidence-based principles of effective study strategies and attitudes. Materials were delivered in the academic setting, rather than through traditional orientation and support channels, as a way to elevate this content and to reach as many students as possible. Materials were optional but a small grade incentive was included. Students appear to have found the resources beneficial as roughly half of the class viewed at least half of the screencasts. The opportunity to earn a small course bonus mark was cited as a key incentive, but approximately half of students identified academic and university transition benefits as their primary reasons for viewing. A course survey conducted five months after the final screencast in the series revealed positive student attitudes towards the materials, with approximately 70% of students identifying the materials as helpful or very helpful. In addition, students who had viewed a particular screencast gave significantly more favourable responses in prompts regarding perceptions of effective study practices. Finally, a positive correlation was observed between the number of screencasts viewed and course final exam grade (+0.8% on the final per screencast viewed). Overall, the results of this pilot suggest the use of online screencast materials to aid students in the transition to university is effective.

The Effects of Instructor Credibility, Grade Incentives, and Framing of a Technology Policy on Students’ Intent to Comply and Motivation to Learn

This experiment assessed whether instructor credibility (low or high) moderated the effects of grade incentives (rewards or punishment) and advantage framing (gain or loss) of technology policies on students’ intent to comply and motivation to learn. Results indicate that credibility increased motivation to learn. Significant moderated moderated mediation was found: a three-way interaction affected both intent to comply, and motivation to learn as mediated by attitude toward the policy. Specifically, credibility positively influenced learning outcomes via attitude when the syllabus used opposing frame-incentive structure (i.e., gain-framed punishment and loss-framed reward).

Using different carrots: How incentivization affects proficiency testing outcomes

AbstractThis study represents program‐level action research. A U.S. university Spanish language program had a goal for students to reach the ACTFL (2012) Intermediate Mid level after 2 years. An empirical question that resulted after regular end‐of‐year testing was whether the students were doing their best on assessments. To investigate this, 253 end‐of‐second‐year students were divided into two experimental conditions: (a) 95 students received up to 10% of their final grade based on meeting the speaking goal, and (b) 73 students received up to 5% of their grade on the same criterion. Eighty‐five students formed a control group with no grading incentive. All took ACTFL tests in speaking (the Oral Proficiency Interview‐computerized [OPIc]), listening (Listening Proficiency Test), and reading (Reading Proficiency Test). The group whose OPIc score counted for 10% performed significantly higher than other two groups. Females were more positively affected by the incentivization. Programs with language goals should consider incentivized proficiency‐based exit tests to motivate their students (Chalhoub‐Deville, 1997).

Student Perceptions of a Revise and Resubmit Policy for Writing Assignments

Effective writing is a soft skill that is highly in demand in today’s workforce. This qualitative study examines student perceptions of a revise and resubmit policy aimed at increasing student engagement with an instructor’s writing feedback and ultimately improving students’ writing skills. Students across three business communication courses were offered bonus points if they made revisions and documented those revisions. The findings suggest that students were willing to complete a revision even if given only a small grade incentive. While some expressed negativity toward the extensive feedback, others viewed the revision option as a rare but valuable opportunity.

Grade Incentive to Boost Course Evaluation Response Rates

Abstract In most schools of nursing, students rate their satisfaction with courses and teachers at the end of the semester. Low response rates on these evaluations make it difficult to interpret the results. Students were incentivized to complete their course evaluations by adding 1-2 points to one test score in the course in exchange for 85 % or higher participation by the total cohort. Ongoing monitoring and communication to students by faculty during the process was critical to motivating students to complete course evaluations. When the incentive was employed, student participation ranged from a low of 90 % to a high of 100 % response rate. The added points did not change any of the students' grades. Incentivizing students to complete course evaluations is an effective strategy to boost response rates without changing final course grades.

Quantum interactive learning tutorial on the double-slit experiment to improve student understanding of quantum mechanics

Learning quantum mechanics is challenging, even for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students. Research-validated interactive tutorials that build on students' prior knowledge can be useful tools to enhance student learning. We have been investigating student difficulties with quantum mechanics pertaining to the double-slit experiment in various situations that appear to be counterintuitive and contradict classical notions of particles and waves. For example, if we send single electrons through the slits, they may behave as a "wave" in part of the experiment and as a "particle" in another part of the same experiment. Here we discuss the development and evaluation of a research-validated Quantum Interactive Learning Tutorial (QuILT) which makes use of an interactive simulation to improve student understanding of the double-slit experiment and strives to help students develop a good grasp of foundational issues in quantum mechanics. We discuss common student difficulties identified during the development and evaluation of the QuILT and analyze the data from the pretest and post test administered to the upper-level undergraduate and first-year physics graduate students before and after they worked on the QuILT to assess its effectiveness. These data suggest that on average, the QuILT was effective in helping students develop a more robust understanding of foundational concepts in quantum mechanics that defy classical intuition using the context of the double-slit experiment. Moreover, the upper-level undergraduates outperformed physics graduate students on the post test. One possible reason for this difference in performance may be the level of student engagement with the QuILT due to the grade incentive. In the undergraduate course, the post test was graded for correctness while in the graduate course, it was only graded for completeness.

Paying students to learn: An ethical analysis of cash for grades programmes

A growing number of schools have begun experimenting with giving students cash rewards to improve academic performance. This practice has come to be known as ‘cash-for-grades’. In this article, I examine some of the philosophical and ethical questions involved with cash-for-grades programmes, rather than focusing on whether such incentives ‘work’ to increase academic performance. Building on the framework of philosopher Michael Sandel, I examine whether cash incentives are more coercive or corruptive than currently accepted educational practices. An answer to these questions ultimately requires a careful analysis of the meaning of cash as an incentive. Comparing cash incentives to grade incentives, I argue that the individuality and immediacy specific to cash incentives make them uniquely problematic in an educational environment.

Effect of a Pilot Preclinical Incentive Program on Dental Students’ Performance on a Clinical Competency Exam

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a pilot preclinical incentive program on dental students' performance on a clinical competency (mock board) exam at Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Arizona. To assess the effect of preclinical grade incentives in a program called SUCCEED, scores from a clinical competency exam administered during the fall quarter of the fourth year were compared between the graduating classes of 2014 and 2015 (pre-SUCCEED curriculum) and the graduating class of 2016 (post-SUCCEED curriculum). The study hypothesized that the class participating in the SUCCEED program, with its incentives for greater preclinical preparation and practice, would score higher than the other classes on the exams. The results showed that the endodontics and periodontics pass rates and test scores from the Class of 2016 were higher than those from the Classes of 2014 and 2015; the prosthodontics pass rates were similar; and the operative dentistry pass rates and test scores were lower than the Classes of 2014 and 2015. While the results of two of the four subsections of the competency exam showed an improvement in clinical performance for the Class of 2016, the operative dentistry test scores for that class were less than expected. Based on the increased number of operative dentistry procedures performed in preclinical simulation and the clinic, the authors conclude that the competency exam should not be the only measure to evaluate success of the SUCCEED program.

Improving Student Performance in a Management Science Course With Supplemental Tutorial Videos

The authors describe the implementation and assessment of supplementary online video tutorials in a management science course. The videos were a mix of existing videos curated from the web and new videos created by the instructors of the course. Students were encouraged to use the resources with grade incentives. Students who used more of these resources performed significantly better in the course. In addition, most of the students perceived the videos as helpful.

The Impact of Grade Incentives and Gender on Student Performance: An Experiment

This experiment was conducted to determine the impact of grade incentives and gender on student performance at the university level. We perform a two-way analysis of variance on a sample of three groups of students taking a first-year core mathematics course and another three groups taking a fourth-year compulsory accounting course. We find that grade incentives significantly affect student performance for both sampled courses across all six groups. Gender is found to significantly affect the performance of mathematics students, but not of accounting students. The interaction between gender and grade incentives does not have a significant impact on performance in either experiment.

Using gainsharing to increase electronic end-of-course evaluation submissions.

The adoption of electronic course evaluations has resulted in a decrease in completed evaluations at colleges and universities. Gainsharing is used in hospitals to provide an incentive to meet organizational goals. The author describes gainsharing and its use to provide a grade incentive for nursing students to submit electronic end-of-course evaluations. The effect of the incentive on student grades is also examined.

Motivating Students to Do Homework

How do you motivate students to do their homework? Some instructors make students' homework scores a significant percentage of the final course grade. In that case, how much course credit is required? Some instructors do not grade homework at all, instead relying on students' intrinsic motivation to learn the course material. Will this actually work? Some instructors might motivate students by having quiz and/or exam problems closely match the assigned homework problems. In this article, we report on the effectiveness of grade incentives, homework-based quiz problems, and intrinsic motivation for 16 semesters of introductory mechanics and introductory electricity and magnetism (E&M) courses at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) between fall 2008 and spring 2012.

Does Relative Grading Help Male Students? Evidence from a Field Experiment in the Classroom

The provision of non-pecuniary incentives in education is a topic that has received much scholarly attention lately. Our paper contributes to this discussion by investigating the effectiveness of grade incentives in increasing student performance. We perform a direct comparison of the two most commonly used grading practices: the absolute (i.e., criterion-referenced) and the relative (i.e., norm-referenced) grading schemes in a large-scale field experiment at a university. We hypothesize that relative grading, by creating a rank-order tournament in the classroom, provides stronger incentives for male students than absolute grading. In the full sample, we find weak support for our hypothesis. Among the more motivated students we find evidence that men indeed score significantly higher on the test when graded on a curve. Female students, irrespective of their motivation, do not increase their scores under relative grading. Since women slightly outperform men under absolute grading, grading on a curve actually narrows the gender gap in performance.

Does Relative Grading Help Male Students? Evidence from a Field Experiment in the Classroom

To read the most recent version of the discussion paper click here . The provision of non-pecuniary incentives in education is a topic that has received much scholarly attention lately. Our paper contributes to this discussion by investigating the effectiveness of grade incentives in increasing student performance. We perform a direct comparison of the two most commonly used grading practices: the absolute (i.e., criterion-referenced) and the relative (i.e., norm-referenced) grading schemes in a large-scale field experiment at a university. We hypothesize that relative grading, by creating a rank-order tournament in the classroom, provides stronger incentives for male students than absolute grading. In the full sample, we find weak support for our hypothesis. Among the more motivated students we find evidence that men indeed score significantly higher on the test when graded on a curve. Female students, irrespective of their motivation, do not increase their scores under relative grading. Since women slightly outperform men under absolute grading, grading on a curve actually narrows the gender gap in performance.

How Do Instructor's Attendance Policies Influence Student Achievement in Principles of Microeconomics?

This paper examines the question of how an instructor’s attendance policy influences student performance in Principles of Microeconomics. This study asked students in several different microeconomics classes at a medium sized regional university what sort of attendance policy they were subject to: was there a grade incentive for coming to class (i.e. bonus points), was there a grade punishment for not coming to class (i.e. deduction of points, missed assignments, etc.), was there some combination of the previous two or was there simply no attendance policy. We expected a variety of results because the six classes surveyed were taught by five different instructors, each with slightly different attendance policies. While there are a few papers showing a positive correlation between required attendance and course performance, this paper seeks to understand more about the impact from the type of attendance policy employed. Data is collected from a student survey and from the university’s registrar. The main empirical evidence is gathered from a two-stage regression analysis with student absenteeism as the dependent variable in the first equation and a student’s final grade (using a 4.0 scale) as the dependent variable in the second equation. We find that, everything else equal, students seem more motivated to come to class when they expect a positive reward and they are more likely to miss class if they expect a negative punishment. Also, student attendance is a small, but significant determinant of a student’s course performance after controlling for other relevant factors.

Grades as incentives

This paper examines how grade incentives affect student learning across a variety of courses at two universities, using for identification the discrete rewards offered by the standard A–F letter-grade system. We develop and test five predictions about the provision of study effort and the distribution of numerical course averages in the presence of the thresholds that separate these discrete rewards. Surprisingly, all are rejected in our data. There is no evidence that exam performance is improved for those students that stand to gain the most from additional study.