Case Studies
Jackson State Community College
Textbooks in Use with MyMathLab
Developmental Mathematics, custom edition for Jackson State Community College, Marvin L. Bittinger, David J. Ellenbogen
Key Take-Away
By using MyMathLabPlus in a lab-based redesign model, JSCC addresses developmental math issues, including low success rates and institutional cost. Modularization of content enables the college to accommodate varied levels of preparedness and learning styles.
Course Implementation
Course Design
Jackson State Community College’s (JSCC’s) SMART Math redesign with MyMathLabPlus reorganizes three courses (Basic Algebra, Elementary Algebra, and Intermediate Algebra) into one self-paced, 12-module developmental mathematics course. Classes meet three hours per week with an instructor. Students may also seek individual assistance from the instructor or with tutors at the SMART Math Center. Tutors are either retired teaching professionals or peer tutors who have passed College Algebra with at least a B and who have completed tutor training.
Student mastery of each module must be demonstrated before moving to the next. The number of modules required varies based on each student’s educational and career goals.
Assessments
| 5 percent | Attendance |
| 10 percent | Guided-studies assignment IA combination of MyMathLabPlus problems and written work from the text. Students must score at least 80 percent to receive credit. |
| 15 percent | Homework Completed on MyMathLabPlus. Students must score at least 80 percent to receive credit. |
| 70 percent | Test Completed on MyMathLabPlus, proctored, in the math center. Students must score at least 75 percent to advance to the next module. |
Use of MyMathLabPlus
MyMathLabPlus is used for placement, homework, and tests. The Study Plan is assigned to students who fail a test. The coordinator course feature is also used.
Use of MyMathLabPlus contributes 95 percent to a student’s final course grade.
Results and Data
The data at right illustrates that across all metrics, JSCC’s SMART Math redesign with MyMathLabPlus is a success.
- The percentage of As and Bs more than doubled.
- The fail/withdrawal rate decreased dramatically— by approximately 40 percent.
- Completion rates increased by 51 percent.
- Retention increased by 13.5 percent.
Unlimited practice on MyMathLabPlus motivates students to do more math, thereby increasing not just student success, but mastery. Use of the Study Plan encourages remediation, increases confidence and accountability, and offers a point at which a tutor or instructor may intervene if necessary. And because the course is self paced, students who are able can move quickly through the material and exit early; those who need more time can proceed more slowly.
| Grade | Traditional Format Spring 2008 | Redesign Pilot Phase 1 Spring 2008 |
Redesign Pilot Phase 2 Fall 2008 |
Redesign Pilot Phase 3 Spring 2009 |
SMART Math Format Fall 2009 |
| A | 8.18% | 8.71% | 11.83% | 15.37% | 17.52% |
| B | 14.55% | 26.40% | 35.30% | 33.58% | 38.52% |
| C | 18.64% | 18.82% | 9.56% | 9.56% | 3.93% |
| Progress* | 13.63% | 12.36% | 13.92% | 13.28% | 12.99% |
| Fail (attended class) | 18.64% | 4.22% | 7.73% | 11.34% | 10.80% |
| Fail (stopped attending) | 18.64% | 23.31% | 7.03% | 4.93% | 11.33% |
| Withdrawl | 7.72% | 6.18% | 14.63% | 11.94% | 4.91% |
Table 1. Grade Distribution, Fail, and Withdrawal Rates before, during, and after SMART Math Redesign with MyMathLabPlus (n=3,281)
*Signifies that the student successfully completed two modules of the required four.
Note: Spring 2008–Spring 2009 data represents a sample of the enrolled students; fall 2009 data includes all enrolled students.
The Student Experience
Corinna Goehring, associate professor, reports that the redesigned format has positively impacted student attitudes toward math. “They exhibit more of an I-can-do-this attitude and much more willingness to persevere through the most difficult topics,” she says. “The self-esteem of these students is soaring.”
The redesigned format also saves students time and money. Students don’t pay for unnecessary course work and may complete any number of extra modules in one semester. Because the courses are self-paced and online, students can adjust their study schedules to suit life changes and can exert more control over travel and child care expenses.
Conclusions
The SMART Math redesign with MyMathLabPlus met all three of JSCC’s redesign goals: (1) improve student success and increase learning; (2) accommodate varying levels of preparation, math anxiety, and diverse learning styles; and (3) prepare students for educational and career goals instead of simply remediating high school deficiencies.
In addition, an institutional cost savings of more than 20 percent was accomplished by increasing class sizes from 24 to 30 students, reducing the total number of sections by 28 percent, allowing early exit, and utilizing more adjunct faculty and tutors.
JSCC is working on applying the same redesign concepts and MyMathLabPlus to appropriate college-level courses.
Jackson State Community College
| Product Used: | MyMathLabPlus |
| Course Name: | Developmental Mathematics |
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
