Forum Performance in WBE: Causes and Effects

Abstract

This chapter combines research into student performance in finance courses and student performance in Web-based courses. The chapter explores how a priori characteristics of individual students can serve as predictors of success in a 100% Web-based course in finance. The statistical models developed in the chapter explain up to 31% of the variation in students’ final grades. The models have significant explanatory power for variation in performance on individual grade-components such as quizzes, tests, and projects. The models have much less predictive power for student performance in the on-line discussion. Yet, there is a strong relationship between the performance in the on-line discussion and the other grade components. This finding suggests that developing on-line discussion skills prior to the start of the course will enhance student performance in other areas of Web-based courses such as introductory corporate finance.