ERIC Number: EJ1426875
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-2651-5369
The Cost of Doing Homework: Online Homework Systems with Access Codes from a Social Justice Perspective
International Journal of Technology in Education and Science, v8 n2 p296-310 2024
The use of online homework systems that require the purchase of an access code has become widespread. The purpose of this study is to examine student experiences with and perceptions of online homework systems with access codes. Postsecondary students (N = 966) completed a survey about the financial costs, perceptions of quality, engagement with, and learning with online homework systems. Most students (79.5%) indicated that they had been required to purchase an access code for an online homework system. Of those who had been required to purchase an access code, 29.4% reported their grade was hurt because they could not afford an access code. Students reported online homework systems were moderately helpful for learning. When considering students who have been historically underserved by higher education, Black students reported more courses with required access codes for homework and reported that online homework systems were more helpful than other students. Latino/a/x students were more likely to report their grades were hurt by not affording access codes (47.9%) than other students. First-generation students reported they avoided courses with online homework systems (36.9%) more than continuing-generation students (23.9%). Overall, the findings indicate that the cost of online homework systems is a barrier to education, and alternatives should be further developed and promoted.
Descriptors: Homework, Educational Technology, Technology Uses in Education, Student Experience, Student Attitudes, Information Security, College Students, Costs, Program Effectiveness, Learner Engagement, Barriers, Racial Differences, Ethnicity, Grades (Scholastic), First Generation College Students, At Risk Students
International Society for Technology, Education, and Science. e-mail: ijtesoffice@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.ijtes.net
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A