Case Studies
Art Institute of Houston
Textbooks in Use with MyMathLab
Intermediate Algebra, 6e, John Tobey, Jeffrey Slater
Key Take-Away
Motivating students to complete homework is the linchpin of a successful math program. MyMathLab’s interactive features keep AIH students engaged and persevering when they might otherwise quit. As a result, students are more prepared and do better at test time.
Course Implementation
Course Design
Initially a traditional class that met for 4 hours and 20 minutes a week, College Algebra was redesigned in 2006 to comprise 2 hours and 10 minutes of lecture and 2 hours and 10 minutes of mandatory lab time using MyMathLab. The instructor monitors students in the lab and is available to assist them.
Assessments
| 30 percent | Homework (Homework on MyMathLab is required. It covers problems from the sections taught in class and is due the next class period.) |
| 20 percent | Quizzes (Completed on MyMathLab) |
| 30 percent | Tests (Completed on MyMathLab) |
| 10 percent | Online Final Exam |
| 10 percent | Departmental, paper-and-pencil final exam |
Use of MyMathLab
MyMathLab is used for homework, quizzes, tests, and a portion of the final exam. Students are encouraged to use all available help features.Use of MyMathLab contributes 90 percent to each student’s final course grade.
Results and Data
Figures 1–4 show significant improvement across a varietyof metrics after the adoption of MyMathLab.
- The ABC rate increased from 69.6 percent to 90.3 percent.
- The drop/fail/withdrawal rate decreased from 13.9 percent to 5.6 percent.
- Final exam grades improved from an average of 69.8 percent to an average of 82 percent.
The Art Institute of Houston operates on a quarterly system. “Before” figures are from the summer and fall quarters of 2005; “After” figures are from the winter and spring quarters of 2009.
Dana Hagen, math instructor, attributes the improved metrics to MyMathLab’s immediate feedback and other interactive features. Because students are more engaged with the material, they complete their homework and are more prepared for quizzes and tests. Students are earning higher grades and experiencing less frustration with math.
“Prior to adopting MyMathLab, students weren't always completing homework; most hated attending class; and most were performing poorly on tests," Hagen says. "Now,those students who arrive hating math leave feeling like it isn't so bad after all. They love that there are help features they can use from home. Knowing help is a click awayhelps increase their confidence and enables them to persevere through difficult problems."
The Student Experience
Hagen reports that use of MyMathLab has helped increasecommunication among her students and between her students and herself. “Students talk about their homeworkproblems during lab time,” she says. “In addition, they usethe Ask My Instructor button to contact me after and between classes. Prior to adopting MyMathLab, students would bolt to the door and not be heard from again until next class period.”
For Hagen’s learning-disabled students, MyMathLab provides the personalized modifications and extra helpthey need to succeed side-by-side with their peers.
Art Institute of Houston students not only do better usingMyMathLab; they also enjoy using it.
- “Having access to the textbook, homework, and tests online is a great idea. It really made class fun and easy!”
- “This online program is the best!”
- “I really like this program. It’s like having an instructor by my side.”
- “I thought doing math on a computer would be difficult, but it turned out to be great.”
Conclusions
When asked about possible changes to her use of MyMathLab, Hagen was emphatic: “I have no plans tochange my use of MyMathLab. I’m having better successwith student learning and retention than ever before. Adopting MyMathLab was one of the best decisions our math department has ever made.”
Art Institute of Houston
| Product Used: | MyMathLab |
| Course Name: | College Algebra |
| Credit Hours: | 4 |
