Immediate feedback assessment technique (IF-AT) quizzes and student performance in microeconomic principles courses

In this study, the authors investigate the impact of the Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique (IF-AT) on student learning outcomes in principles of microeconomics classes. The IF-AT enables students to receive immediate feedback and to retry questions for partial credit. The authors use a randomized experiment to evaluate the effect of the IF-AT versus a traditional Scantron quiz on student learning as measured by exam performance. The randomization enables a student-fixed effects estimation of the effect of the IF-AT. There is no significant impact of the IF-AT on multiple choice exam questions; however, students scored 2.1 percentage points higher on short answer questions relating to units for which they received an IF-AT quiz relative to other units. Finally, students responded favorably to the IF-AT format.