Dive Brief:
- 21% of professors participating in a national survey about the flipped classroom teaching model said they use fee-based homework systems for students' out-of-classroom learning time.
- More than 70% of professors say they do not require students to use technology to submit homework assignments, but 94% say they do require technology for homework to be completed.
- More than 70% of respondents say that their classroom are a hybrid of in-person and online learning access.
Dive Insight:
As debate grows about the preparation level of graduates to compete in the workforce, some could argue that paid homework assigning services are harmful in getting students to master core elements of course content.
These services, and similar tools like gamification can increase engagement and confidence; but do they help students to truly learn content and make necessary applications in moving to the next level of curriculum, or to professional development? Faculty leadership should consider the profile of students, costs and the outcomes of systems like these to assess if they are more helpful than hurtful, particularly to low-income or underrepresented students.