WIP: Examining the Impact of a Flexible Extension Policy on Student Learning Experience in a Large-Scale Computing Course

This Work-In-Progress Research paper examines the measurable impacts of a flexible extension policy on course learning objectives in large-scale computing courses. In higher education, flexible extension policies have become increasingly common, where students can individually request additional time on assignments to accommodate their unique learning needs and life circumstances. This paper analyzes the effects of extensions on cultivating student learning and academic performance using flexible extension data from an undergraduate Data Science course at a U.S. Rl institution. We study how extension policies impact different groups of students based on their usage. Using the policy, students are achieving high rates of assignment submissions. While prior experience has no bearing on how students use the extension policy, students who use the policy tend to have slightly lower final exam scores. This early work aims to inform educators about the efficacy of flexible extensions and how they impact student learning and academic outcomes. Ultimately, our goal is to contribute to the creation of a supportive learning environment where all students can succeed. In this paper, we intend to answer the following research questions: 1) How does a flexible extension policy improve students' learning experience in the course? 2) How does student extension usage across a course term correlate with academic learning goals?