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Piloting a web-based homework system in developmental mathematics classrooms
DISSERTATION

, University of Virginia, United States

University of Virginia . Awarded

Abstract

This Capstone project studied a pilot of the web-based homework system Hawkes in developmental mathematics classes at a mid-sized community college. The purpose of the study was to investigate how three instructors of developmental mathematics courses incorporated Hawkes in their classes, what obstacles they encountered, and how their students utilized and responded to Hawkes.

Each instructor piloted Hawkes in a pair of eight-week developmental math courses in pre-algebra or algebra. The instructors participated in three interviews: one before the first eight-week course, one between eight-week courses, and one following the second eight-week course. Instructor interviews focused on how they used Hawkes, what difficulties they encountered, and perceived benefits to using Hawkes. Each instructor's classes were observed at least four times to record how the instructor used Hawkes in their classroom. Additionally, several students from each course were interviewed to determine how they used Hawkes, where they used Hawkes, and what difficulties they encountered.

Data for each instructor was analyzed with Erickson's Analytic Induction (1986) while analysis across cases utilized a matrix, as proposed by Stake (2006). Results from the instructors were examined in a cross case matrix over the following categories: rationale for piloting Hawkes, set-up, classroom use, difficulties, and perceived benefits. Results from the students were examined in a cross case matrix of the following categories: how they used Hawkes, difficulties, perceptions, and recommendations. The results informed the researcher of several recommendations for future use of Hawkes at the community college.

Citation

Dass, W.E. Piloting a web-based homework system in developmental mathematics classrooms. Ph.D. thesis, University of Virginia. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from .

This record was imported from ProQuest on October 23, 2013. [Original Record]

Citation reproduced with permission of ProQuest LLC.

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