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University at Albany – SUNY

MyStatLab Course Structure

Course Design

Courses may run either three days per week for 55 minutes each day or two days per week for 80 minutes each day. Smaller classes meet in traditional classrooms; larger classes meet in the university’s Lecture Center.

Starting in spring 2007, students were assigned homework on MyStatLab. Starting in spring 2008, quizzes were assigned via MyStatLab as well. The majority of the homework assignments are due by the next class day.

Assessments

During the spring 2007 semester, homework was assigned via MyStatLab after one to two chapters were covered. Once a month, an exam was given that covered the chapter unit. Students were assigned 14 homework assignments and took 4 exams, including a final exam. Final-grade composition was approximately 40 percent homework assignments and 60 percent exams.

During the spring 2008 semester, homework was assigned via MyStatLab after one to two chapters were covered. Quizzes were given via MyStatLab every other Friday. Students were allowed one or two attempts at quizzes and had no time limit during them. Once a month, an exam was given that covered the chapter unit. Exams were taken in class, and students had the whole class period to complete them. Students were assigned 19 homework assignments, 5 quizzes, and 4 exams (including a final exam). Final-grade composition was approximately 30 percent homework, 20 percent quizzes, and 50 percent exams.

MyStatLab Implementation

Students are introduced to MyStatLab on the first day of class. How to use the program for homework assignments, quizzes, and study plans is explained to them. After the first day, questions about the program may be addressed with the instructor after class or during office hours.

MyStatLab homework assignments and quizzes are mandatory. Use of the Study Plans is optional.

Exam grades and grades from some homework assignments are imported into MyStatLab.

Contribution of MyStatLab to Final Grade

Use of MyStatLab contributes 41.8 percent of the final course grade.

MyStatLab Course Results

Table 1 shows improvement across almost all student achievement categories with the use of MyStatLab.
• Homework scores dramatically increased from an average of 79.2 before the use of MyStatLab to an average of 91.3 with MyStatLab.
• Exam grades increased from an average of 85.8 before the use of MyStatLab to an average of 88.2 with MyStatLab.
• The percentage of students who received an A for the course increased from an average of 46.2 before the use of MyStatLab to an average of 49.7 with MyStatLab.

Although not noted in Table 1, James Lamatina, lecturer for the course, reported that those students who used the Study Plan received higher examination grades than those who did not.

What Students Are Saying

Lamatina has received the following comments from students using MyStatLab in Elementary Statistics.

MyStatLab helped me understand the material in the course. This was my second time taking the class.The first time, the notes were from the professor and we didn’t even have a book for the course.This time, the professor taught the material better and MyStatLab helped a lot.

I don’t know what the class would be like without MyStatLab. I like the features in MyStatLab. I particularly like that when I input an answer that isn’t correct, the program gives hints on how to work out the problem.