Formal assessment of an innovative web-based tool designed to improve student performance in statistics

Abstract

We have developed a web-based tool, called e-status, that is able to generate individually different statistical or mathematical problems and to correct the students´ answers. The tool is well appreciated by the students since it is available anywhere and anytime. This ability allows the weaker students to practice the concepts as needed, without obstructing the progress of the more advanced students. Although the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is widely extended in undergraduate education, there are few studies evaluating the effectiveness of learning methods based on ICTs. In this work, the authors propose a blinded randomized trial to assess the e-status effects on improving average exam rating on dentistry students. The data results will be available by February 2006.