The Sweet Spot: Why 1 Assignment Per Week Works Best

In the 2023 school year,  we enhanced our platform by adding the ability to assign additional practice independently. 

In just one semester, over a third of our teachers utilized this function and saw its value!

In our product development, we use a live data research methodology following any updates to ensure optimal educational results. After the rollout and usage by those 30 percent of teachers, we found a statistically significant relationship between the assignment feature and educational outcomes.

Happy Numbers methodology team looked at students who studied more than 10 minutes a week on the platform (on any part of it: an independent path, additional practice, etc.). 

Remarkably, students who spent about 10% of their time on additional practice showed better academic results than those who studied the main course only.

However, we discovered that children who dedicated 50% or more of their time to assignment tasks had BOY to EOY results 20–30 points lower than those who spent more time on individual learning pathways.

To put this into perspective, a difference of 30 points is equivalent to a 30% growth in one curriculum year. This trend is especially noticeable in the on-grade and above-grade segments. 

 

Happy Numbers’ methodological team explains this phenomenon by noting that small, targeted interventions in a student's learning path can significantly enhance their academic results. 

In contrast, replacing a full course with only assignments diminishes educational growth.

In our curriculum, students study a topic by recalling prerequisites, working through new knowledge in detail, and engaging in ample repetition. Assignments are designed to reinforce and consolidate material rather than teach it from scratch. 

In summary, assignments are an excellent tool for targeted practice and reinforcement of knowledge. They are designed to fill in gaps or review what was covered in class at the end of the week.

For more optimal usage, Happy Numbers recommends checking the skills report first to choose topics for assignments, allowing for more focused practice. Then, distribute the assignments once a week, targeting specific skills or prerequisites, and ensure they last 5 - 10 minutes.