Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Publications
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-2006
Journal or Book Title
Journal of Industrial Technology
Volume
22
Issue
3
Abstract
A previous study by the authors demonstrated with 95% confidence that the synopsis laboratory report format, a brief, information-rich summary, provides students with an equally positive learning experience in comparison to the longer, introduction/results/ conclusion “traditional” laboratory report format. This study examined the additional benefits of the synopsis laboratory report format; reduced student writing time and instructor grading time. A convenience sample of 56 Iowa State University industrial technology students was randomized into one of two groups that were required to write either five synopses followed by four traditional reports or four synopses followed by five traditional reports. The analysis of grading times using the paired-samples t-test revealed that synopsis reports required 4.5 to 5.8 fewer minutes to grade than traditional reports (p < 0.001). The analysis of student writing times using the pairedsamples t-test revealed that synopsis reports required 32 to 44 fewer minutes to write than traditional reports (p < 0.001). The results of an end-of-semester exit survey revealed that students also perceived the difference in writing time (p < 0.001).
Access
Open
Copyright Owner
ATMAE
Copyright Date
2006
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Hoffa, David and Freeman, Steven A., "Reducing Student Writing Time and Instructor Grading Time of Laboratory Reports" (2006). Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Publications. 283.
https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/abe_eng_pubs/283
Included in
Agriculture Commons, Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering Commons, Engineering Education Commons
Comments
The paper, "Reducing Student Writing Time and Instructor Grading Time of Laboratory Reports (D. Hoffa and S. Freeman), JIT/JTMAE 22, no. 3, July–September 2006" is a copyrighted publication of ATMAE. This paper has been republished with the authorization of ATMAE, and may be accessed directly from the JTMAE website at http://www.atmae.org/jit/Articles/hoffa092006.pdf.