Skills versus Concepts: Attendance and Grades in Information Technology Courses

This paper adds to the literature regarding the effect of attendance on student grades by including a focus on non-lecture-based classes. Student attendance and grade records were compared in two types of information technology courses: (1) concepts classes using a lecture format predominantly, and (2) skills classes using a lab environment with mostly individual instruction. Comparisons of attendance versus grade were made between the two types of courses as well as individually for each type of course. Results indicated a significant difference in most comparisons of level of attendance versus grade.

This paper adds to the literature regarding the effect of attendance on student grades by including a focus on non-lecture-based classes. Student attendance and grade records were compared in two types of information technology courses: (1) concepts classes using a lecture format predominantly, and (2) skills classes using a lab environment with mostly individual instruction. Comparisons of attendance versus grade were made between the two types of courses as well as individually for each type of course. Results indicated a significant difference in most comparisons of level of attendance versus grade.