Online self-assessment and students' success in higher education institutions

摘要

This paper validates effects of online self-assessment tests as a formative assessment strategy in one of the first year undergraduate courses. Achieved students' results such as test scores and pass rates are compared for three different generations for the same course but also judged against the exam results of other courses taught in the same semester. The analysis points out that there is a statistically significant difference between the groups for half-semester tests and exam pass rates after online self-assessment tests were introduced. Positive effects on students' success are approximated for the overall institution using a simulation model. Results point out that a small increase in pass rates could significantly impact the overall success i.e. decrease of dropout rates.