Abstract
I tested whether students' reported use and perceived helpfulness of textbook pedagogical aids and other instructional methods (e.g., group discussion) related to better exam performance. More than 200 undergraduates rated 10 commonly used pedagogical aids and instructional techniques. Students reported using boldface and italics terms and practice test questions most often, and they considered boldface and italicized terms, practice test questions, and online quizzes most helpful. The reported use of pedagogical aids and their perceived helpfulness did not relate to student performance on exams. Furthermore, the rated helpfulness of key terms related to worse scores on exams. Pedagogical aids may be useful teaching tools and learning enhancers, but this commonsensical hypothesis must be tested.
