Case Studies
Mississippi State University
Textbooks in Use with MyMathLab
College Algebra, 5e, Robert F. Blitzer
Key Take-Away
MyMathLab’s automatic grading means instructors can assign more homework. MSU students get more practice earn higher gradesand acquire the study skills and confidence they need to perform better in subsequent math courses.
Course Implementation
Course Design
Students spend two hours each week in a lecture-format class and at least two additional hours each week in a math lab. Tutors are available in the computer lab to help with homework and quiz/test preparation.
MyMathLab was implemented in fall 2004 in all sections for homework and quizzes. In fall 2005, its use was broadened to include tests and the final exam.
Assessments
All assessments are taken using MyMathLab. The final grade is determined as follows:
| 10 percent | Homework (required) Students may complete MyMathLab homework from any location. They are offered unlimited attempts over the span of one week to complete it and are encouraged to use available study aids. |
| 12 percent | Quizzes Students take 12–16 proctored quizzes each semester (about one each week) in the math lab using MyMathLab. |
| 40 percent | Tests Students take four proctored tests each semester in the math lab using MyMathLab. |
| 30 percent | Final exam The final exam is proctored and taken in the math lab using MyMathLab. |
| 8 percent | Other Non-MyMathLab work |
Use of MyMathLab
MyMathLab is used for creating and completing homework assignments, quizzes, proctored tests, and the final exam. Homework questions are both drawn from MyMathLab’s bank of problems—which directly correlate to the textbook—and created with MyMathLab’s custom exercise builder. The majority of quiz and test questions are custom-built.
Students are encouraged to use the Gradebook to review their homework assignments before taking quizzes and tests and to use the Study Plan after taking them.
The coordinator course function ensures consistent grading and delivery of course objectives across up to 14 sections a semester.
Use of MyMathLab contributes 92 percent to each student’s final course grade.
Results and Data
Figures 1–3 indicate that Mississippi State University College Algebra students have been significantly more successful since full MyMathLab adoption in fall 2005: the average success rate has increased by 14 percentage points; the average exam score has increased by 12 points; and the average withdrawal rate has decreased by half.
Kimberly Walters, math instructor, reports that students who earn a C or better in College Algebra are more successful in subsequent courses. Based on a longitudinal study and using a four-point scale, College Algebra students who used MyMathLab earned average grade points of 2.49 in trigonometry, 2.34 in business calculus, and 2.51 in elementary statistics.
The Student Experience
MyMathLab’s automatic grading enables Mississippi State University (MSU) to increase homework requirements without taxing instructor time and resources. Walters reports that assigning homework in MyMathLab has resulted in the following student benefits:
- Students discover early on whether they need help rather than just before or during test time.
- Students who want or need additional practice can repeat problems over and over again.
- Students can access assistance—in the moment they need it and in the context of learning.
- Nontraditional students can work—and receive help—when and where their schedule allows it.
Fall 2008 and fall 2009 student survey responses indicate that Walters’ students make the connection between use of MyMathLab and increased success.
- “MyMathLab helped me stay interested in algebra and not dread homework as much.”
- “The interactivity helped a lot. It was like having the teacher there with me.”
- “MyMathLab is awesome. The program was the most help to me when I had trouble understanding the material. I used the Study Plan to study for tests, and I could work problems as much as I wanted.”
Conclusions
Walters has seen firsthand the positive impact MyMathLab has on her students. “My students are more successful,” she says. “They have more confidence in their math abilities because they are able to practice more than they ever could in the past.”
Walters’ future plans include exploring the correlation between time spent using the program and final grades. If the correlation is positive, she may use the data to justify an increase in required time on task.
Mississippi State University
| Product Used: | MyMathLab |
| Course Name: | College Algebra |
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
"MyMathLab enables me to easily identify students who need help, as well as those who are doing well. This is so important when my sections have over 150 students in them."
