The Effect of Voluntary Use of an Online Homework Management System on Course Grades in Financial Accounting

In previous studies of online homework systems in accounting courses, their use was mandatory for all participants. This paper presents the results of a small study in which financial accounting students had the option of completing homework by using an online homework manager (MyAccountingLab) or by using a traditional pencil-and-paper approach. The research project was conducted at a women's college in the southeastern United States, and all participants were female. Controlling for GPA, major, and hours of study, those students who chose to use an online homework system were significantly more likely to have a lower course grade than those who did not