Case Studies
Umpqua Community College
Textbooks in Use with MyMathLab
Introduction and Intermediate Algebra, 3e, Robert F. Blitzer
Key Take-Away
MyMathLab enables nontraditional students to engage directly with math content. UCC students’ access interactive resources that promote more practice and thereby increase their confidence in their ability to do math.
Course Implementation
Course Design
Elementary Algebra and Intermediate Algebra are online courses.
Assessments
| 10 percent | Off-line project Students complete an average of three assignments per semester using MS Excel. |
| 20 percent | Homework |
| 5 percent | Prequizzes Students are allowed unlimited attempts at practice questions before quizzes. |
| 20 percent | Quizzes Students take two quizzes a semester. They may take each quiz twice. |
| 5 percent | Practice midterm and final |
| 20 percent | Proctored midterm |
| 20 percent | Proctored final |
Use of MyMathLab
Homework, quizzes, and exams are completed in MyMathLab. Students are encouraged to access the eBook and use the Study Plan.
Use of MyMathLab contributes 90 percent to each student’s final course grade.
Results and Data
| Learning Outcome |
Departmental Average
|
Taught by Hughes with MyMathLab
|
| Use of operations to simplify an algebraic expression |
84%
|
100%
|
| Solve a linear equation |
84%
|
78%
|
| Solve a linear equation with fractions |
76%
|
100%
|
| Solve a literal equation for a given variable |
80%
|
61%
|
| Set up and solve a percent problem |
75%
|
78%
|
| Add polynomials |
71%
|
78%
|
| Simplify an expression with interger exponents |
76%
|
72%
|
| Multiply monomials |
82%
|
83%
|
| Multiply polynomials |
66%
|
44%
|
| Multiply two binomials |
49%
|
39%
|
Table 1. Comparison of Learning Outcome Achievement in Elementary Algebra during Fall 2008 with and without MyMathLab as Indicated by Final Exam Questions
| Learning Outcome |
Departmental Average
|
Taught by Hughes with MyMathLab
|
| Simplify a rational expression |
72%
|
86%
|
| Simplify a rational expression by using factoring trinomials |
62%
|
86%
|
| Multiply rational expressions |
86%
|
86%
|
| Add rational expressions |
77%
|
86%
|
| Solve a rational equation |
74%
|
86%
|
| Simplify using rational exponents |
80%
|
93%
|
| Simplify a radical expression |
88%
|
71%
|
| Solve a radical equation |
71%
|
100%
|
| Determine the vertex of a parabola |
50%
|
57%
|
| Determine the x-intercepts of a parabola |
50%
|
71%
|
Table 2. Comparison of Learning Outcome Achievement in Intermediate Algebra during Fall 2008 with and without MyMathLab as Indicated by Final Exam Questions
Willy Hughes, adjunct, was the only instructor in the Umpqua Community College mathematics department using MyMathLab when the above data was collected. A comparison of learning outcome acheivement between Hughes’s students and the rest of the deparment at that time indicates a significant learning difference. In 70 percent of the outcomes measured, more MyMathLab-enabled students acheived mastery of the outcome than did students who did not use the program.
The Student Experience
MyMathLab’s easy-to-use interface and accessible features enable students at all levels of experience to quickly grasp the program itself and advance confidently through its pedagogical content. The program’s breadth of multimedia resources means students may select the tools most appropriateto their individual learning styles.
Students in Hughes’s elementary and intermediate algebra classes appreciate the extra help MyMathLab provides.
- “I’ve been out of school for 40 years. I didn’t expect to understand the course material, let alone enjoy it. But MyMathLab was easy to follow and easy to use. I read the book and work through the problems until I have a clear understanding of them. Then I do the online homework. I especially like the Study Plan feature, as it helps keep everything in perspective and keep me on task.”
- “MyMathLab made it very easy to understand how to work the problems. I got plenty of practice from the Study Plan, and the practice tests showed me where my weaknesses were. Since I learn better by doing rather than listening or watching, this alone improved my understanding of math more than any other class could have done.”
- “I think MyMathLab is great. It’s like having a math tutor 24-7, right here on my computer, whenever I need one. I have a better understanding of the material now after doing just 20 problems than I did after doing 100 in other classes. I also really like the convenience of doing homework whenever I want to and submitting it as soon as I’m done with just the click of a button.”
Conclusions
Hughes knows MyMathLab works—and so do his students. The program motivates them to persevere, reinforces their belief in their abilities, and promotes increased learning.
Based on positive student feedback about MyMathLab’s multimedia features, Hughes’s plans for the future include customizing the program
Umpqua Community College
| Product Used: | MyMathLab |
| Course Name: | Elementary Algebra, Intermediate Algebra |
| Credit Hours: | 4 |
