Case Studies
Blinn College
Textbooks in Use with MathXL
Elementary Algebra, 2e, Tom Carson, Ellyn Gillespie, Bill E. Jordan
Finite Mathematics and Calculus with Applications, 8e, Margaret L. Lial, Raymond N. Greenwell, Nathan P. Ritchey
Key Take-Away
MathXL’s proven best practices—including increased time on task, immediate feedback, and multimedia resources—helped Blinn students improve their study habits and helped the college increase its pass rates by more than 16 percent.
Course Implementation
Course Design
Fall 2006, Blinn College’s faculty in the mathematics division selected one course offering and offered students homework using MathXL. Ron Hammond, division chair, was impressed with the increased pass rates that resulted—so much so that he decided to adopt online courseware and make it mandatory for every course in the division. After exploring other products, in Spring 2007 the division selected MathXL. Simultaneous to MathXL’s adoption, the college was beginning its Southern Association of Colleges and Schools–mandated Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). A hallmark of the Blinn plan was the addition of enhanced academic support for high-risk courses. The mathematics
division designated MathXL as the tool for delivering that extra support and committed to track data based on homework completion rates.
Introduction to Algebra students attend three hours a week of lecture and complete homework and quizzes outside the classroom by using MathXL. Math Analysis I students, too, attend three hours a week of lecture and use MathXL to complete homework outside the classroom.
Assessments
Instructors’ curricula and assessment values vary, but for all classes, homework is completed in MathXL.
Use of MathXL
MathXL is used by all instructors for homework. Many also use MathXL for quizzes, and some for tests. Students are encouraged to use the eBooks, video tutorials, and other teaching and learning resources provided on the school’s custom Web portal. In addition, the Coordinator
Course feature is used to ensure consistent course quality across all sections and all instructors. Use of MathXL contributes 10 to 15 percent to each student’s final course grade.
Results and Data
Table 1 and figure 1 illustrate semester pass rates (a grade of A, B, or C) for all sections of Introduction to Algebra and Math Analysis I from fall 2005 through spring 2010. Data indicates that pass rates in both courses significantly increased after implementation of MathXL in fall 2007.
- The average combined pass rate for Introduction to Algebra increased 16.1 percent.
- The average combined pass rate for Math Analysis I increased 16.2 percent.
Although subsequent success data was not tracked, the division-wide increase in pass rates indicated by figure 2 is nonethelss noteworthy. Figure 2 shows that the combined average pass rate for all courses in the division increased 8.9 percent.
As a result of the positive impact of MathXL on student success, Math Analysis I, which was at one time labeled “high risk” in the school’s QEP, is no longer so labeled.
The Student Experience
According to Hammond, most Blinn College students prefer the MathXL homework system over the traditional paper homework that may or may not have been graded for correctness. Hammond attributes their preference—and increased success—to the added support provided by
MathXL: more homework, immediate feedback, and multimedia options. “Students work on problems until they get them right,” he says. “They get more practice and are more likely to master a concept before moving on to the next. That translates into better grades, but more important, it teaches students more-effective study habits that help them throughout their academic careers.”
Conclusions
MathXL works not only for Hammond’s students; it works also for him and for the school. “As an instructor, it enables me to be more effective; I now assign more homework and low-stakes quizzing and as a result, have seen increased pass rates,” he says. “In addition, it helped standardize math sections and formed the backbone of our QEP.” Being able to leverage the data obtained through MathXL
also created needed buy in from reluctant faculty. “Their comfort levels have increased over time,” says Hammond. “Plus they’ve had the opportunity to experience the pedagogical benefits of the program—including increased time for hands-on teaching, reduced worry about cheating, and increased quality control over class content and objectives.” --Submitted by Ron Hammond, Division Chaire, Blinn College, Bryan Campus
| Product Used: | MathXL |
| Course Name: | Introduction to Algebra, Math Analysis I |
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
