Research Shows that Copying is Worse for Learning and Final Grades

A study published in the March 2010 issue of Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research is showing what teachers have know for years, that homework is important for learning concepts in a course, which ultimately help with earning the final grade.

In this study of homework submitted to an online tutor at MIT found that students who regularly copied problem sets earned lower grades and were three times as likely to fail the class.

The researchers also discovered several patterns with homework submissions:

• Students put very little effort into their homework until the last day before the deadline.
• Students waiting until the last minute are more likely not to finish by the deadline.
• The rate of homework copying increases over the term.
• The rate of homework copying significantly increases after midterms.

These findings reinforce what instructors know about homework, and send a good message for students wanting to do well.  

Do your homework and don't wait until the last minute to get it done.  

You will learn more in the course and are more likely to do better in the course in the long run if you do your own work.
 
Source:
Sanders, L. 2010. Homework makes the grade: Class performance slipped for physics students who copied. Science News.

Palazzo D. 2010. Young-Jin L. Warnakulasooriya R. and Pritchard D. Patterns, correlates, and reduction of homework copying. Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research 6, 010104

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