Case Studies
Odessa College
Textbooks in Use with MyMathLab
Elementary and Intermediate Algebra: Concepts and Applications, 3e, 2008, Bittinger, Ellenbogen, Johnson
MyMathLab Course Structure
Course Design
Students are placed in the course based on various factors (high school math, ACT, etc.) as well as on their willingness and interest to take a math course without a traditional
lecture format.
Class meets twice a week for 80 minutes each and includes lecture and examples. There is a required one-hour-per-week lab component, during which students may work on homework assignments and get the help of a tutor.
Assessments
Students take four chapter tests and one comprehensive final. There are two versions of every test and no quizzes.
MyMathLab Implementation
Use of MyMathLab contributes 100 percent to each student’s final course grade. All homework is done outside of class through MyMathLab. Paper tests are given but are composed via MyMathLab and printed and distributed during class. Students are encouraged to use the study plan, particularly when they are absent from class or need extra help.
Test scores are imported into the MyMathLab Gradebook. This provides a constant running average that becomes a final gradebook at the end of the semester.
MyMathLab Course Results
| Grade |
Without MyMathLab
|
With MyMathLab
|
||||
| Fall 2004 | Spring 2005 | Fall 2005 | Spring 2006 | Fall 2006 | Spring 2007 | |
| A | 4% | 11% | 13% | 39% | 44% | 42% |
| B | 20% | 31% | 35% | 39% | 35% | 22% |
| C | 32% | 31% | 23% | 14% | 13% | 12% |
| D | 12% | 17% | 10% | 4% | 0% | 12% |
| F | 32% | 10% | 19% | 4% | 9% | 12% |
Table 1. Success Rates by Semester, Fall 2004–Spring 2007
| Grade |
Without MyMathLab
|
With MyMathLab
|
| A | 9% | 42% |
| B | 29% | 32% |
| C | 28% | 13% |
| D | 13% | 5% |
| F | 20% | 8% |
Table 2. Combined Success Rate
Conclusions
Tables 1 and 2 indicate a direct and positively significant relationship between the number of students who pass the course and their use of MyMathLab. The same is true for the number of students who received an A.
MyMathLab students succeed because they receive immediate feedback and are able to rework problems as many times as they wish. The ability to rework problems is a key to student success, as it reinforces the learning process.
Additions to this course will include weekly discussion boards focusing on study skills.
Odessa College
| School Years: | 4 |
| Courses: | Intermediate Algebra |
| Environment: | Traditional |
| Type of Data: | Success Rates |
| Date | Fall 2004–Spring 2007 |
“So far, it seems that our students who choose the MyMathLab option comprehend the material better than the students who do the textbook homework.”
