Integrating Online Instruction in a College Classroom to Improve Cost Effectiveness

Abstract

We compared online study guides to pen-and-paper study guides in terms of academic performance, the amount of time instructors spent grading study guides, and student preferences. Students in 3 sections of a child psychology course used online study guides (n = 46), and students in 3 other sections used pen-and-paper study guides (n = 64). Instructors spent 14.3 hr during the semester grading the pen-and-paper study guides and no time grading the online study guides. Students who used the online study guides reported higher satisfaction than the students who used pen-and-paper study guides. Our results suggest that integrating online study guides saved labor costs and increased student satisfaction while maintaining student performance.