Student perceptions of web-based homework software: A longitudinal examination

Web-enhanced instruction is increasingly pervasive in higher education. Homework assignments and exams are increasingly completed online. Instructors evaluate the effectiveness of educational tools, such as web-based homework (WBH), in part through student performance that can be affected by students’ motivation. Thus, changes in students’ motivations and perceptions during an academic term can affect our assessment of the efficacy of the educational tool depending on when our assessment is conducted. No current studies identify variations in student perceptions of educational technology over time. Better understanding the changes in student perceptions of educational technology as they complete a course of study may help educators develop more effective instructional and pedagogical strategies. Our study explores how students’ attitudes toward WBH change with use.