Problem Set Scavenger Hunt

For teaching a class using the Stata statistical package, I typically assign problem sets in which students have to answer multiple questions by working with a particular dataset. To lower student stress, make deadlines flexible, and offer ongoing feedback, I decided to change a problem set into a “scavenger hunt.” I distributed the first question as a PDF file, told students to hand in an answer to that question when they were done with it, and once they’d got the right answer, I’d give them question 2. There were 6 main questions – if students proceeded through the exercise and got all six, they got full credit. Once they completed the sixth problem, I distributed more problems for extra credit if students wanted to do them.

Students were permitted to work together – but only with students who were at the same level as they were (that is, working on the same problem). The deadline was the end of the semester and students could complete the scavenger hunt whenever they wanted. If a student submitted an incorrect answer, I told them that wasn’t correct and they should keep working. There was no penalty for incorrect answers – just credit for correct ones.