Instructor Testimonials
Here's what instructors across the country have to say about MyMathLab and MyStatLab and how the technology has changed their teaching experiences.
Students like the fact that they can do their homework at any time and any place. They are clearly a technology generation.
I've been using MathXL, MyMathLab and CourseCompass for many years and I absolutely love it. It's better for the students and I don't waste time grading rote homework.
MyMathLab has changed teaching mathematics for me forever. I only want to teach courses where I can use it because of what it offers me and my students. It saves me time in and out of class. More importantly, my students DO more math which makes them more prepared when they come to class. That ultimately makes our class time more productive.
I intend to use MyMathLab with every course that I will teach in the future. I feel that it is the best program that I have come across in the past 35 years of teaching.
Students like the fact that they can do their homework at any time and any place. They are clearly a technology generation.
I can spend less time grading and more time helping students. I am excited to see students working the problems over and over until they get them correct. The instant feedback is wonderful. The students are motivated to work the problems correctly because they know that they can attain a perfect score on their assignments. In the process, they are learning the material.
Kirk Trigsted, University of Idaho
MyMathLab offers students powerful tools that enable them to learn difficult mathematical concepts, while still being user friendly for both the students and instructors. The technological support from [the publisher] is what really stands out for me.... They have a lot of great people working to constantly improve their already excellent product. The new, enhanced version of MathXL (part of MML) will even further establish MML as the industry leader in on-line mathematics education.
Robert Everest, Citrus College
The things I like most about MyMathLab are:
- It's available with so many books by so many authors for so many courses.
- It works right "out of the box" and can also be extensively customized.
- It's easy to use for students—even those with very little or no computer skills.
- It's Internet-based, available from any computer anywhere any time.
I'm very happy with the program and would highly recommend it.
Fred Feldon, Coastline Community College
MyMathLab has revolutionized the way I teach online mathematics. MyMathLab is a '24/7' online tutorial resource for my online AND on campus students. Even if a student needs help at 1:00 a.m. the night before an exam, it is readily available in MyMathLab. MyMathLab is also an outstanding aid for our students in that it is text specific. That is, my students can go online and get help if they are stuck on a particular homework problem. A very similar problem will be presented to the student, enabling them to then transfer their learning to the problem at hand.
Cherie Reardon, Victor Valley College
Since I first began requiring online homework using MathXL in my college algebra class in the summer of 2005, I have seen a tremendous improvement in student success. Passing rates have gone up around 10%, test averages have increased 9%, and the number of students earning an A in the course has gone up an astounding 25%! This is a strong indication that the students are learning the material more thoroughly than they did by simply doing homework out of the book. As an added bonus, the students feel more involved in the course and responsible for their own learning. Thus, my withdrawal rates have decreased by 10-15%. I am so thrilled to have finally found a way to require my students to do homework in a way that keeps them engaged, forces them to truly learn and understand the material, and also saves me the headache of grading paper-and-pencil homework assignments!
Brooke Quinlan, Hillsborough Community College
I feel the course content is very good. If a student reads the multimedia text, uses the video and audio links, and works the Tracked Tutorial Exercises, Practice Tutorial Exercises, and Student Study Guide they will learn mathematics. This would be perfect for our lecture class students to do re-testing. It will also be perfect for offering an online course. I want to become very proficient at using [the testing features] of MyMathLab to make tests easier for our students to take.
Derek Lance, Northwestern Technical College
At the Polya Center, MyMathLab is used primarily for completing homework assignments. Students may select to complete their assignments in a traditional manner, from the textbook, or by using the homework/tutorial utility in MML. The MML delivery system has several advantages, chief among them immediate feedback on every question. A single teacher cannot possibly review every problem a student works in the traditional textbook-delivery environment, and feedback is inherently delayed. With the electronic grading process, students get hints, step-by-step help, and positive feedback every time they complete work correctly. This builds momentum and corrects problems before they have a chance to solidify. For most students, completing homework in the MML environment is more effective than completing it in a traditional environment.
Theresa Allen, University of Idaho
My responsibility is college algebra. We are now part of the R2R program and are using a modified emporium model. We piloted MyMathLab this fall and were extremely pleased with the content and the technical support. We could not use this approach without it! Eighty-two percent of the students in the pilot actually admitted that [MyMathLab] helped them learn the mathematics.
Phoebe Rouse, Louisiana State University
When used as intended, students get more practice and have immediate helps available to them, so they tend to perform better on exams. In other words, we hope that they learn the material better.
Nicole Lang, North Hennepin Community College
My students have a much better learning experience when they complete their homework in MathXL [part of MyMathLab]. They receive the support they need from the same problems and guided solutions. The homework average for my class increased from 80% to 98% when students used MathXL. The average test grades increased from 82% to 95% when I began requiring that all students complete MathXL homework assignments.
Sharon Testone, Onondaga CC
MyMathLab/Course Compass is a remarkable online instruction and resource delivery system. The new resources and features have increased the success of my students. It's a must for online math instruction.
Betty Jo Major, Fayetteville Technical Community College
The MyStatLab exercises are greatly improved in variety and algorithms, taking full advantage of the MathXL Player that had been available in other math courses. I can write my own questions to add to the already nice collection.
I feel like I died and went to 'hog heaven'--it is soooooooooo GREAT!
Also, I have some students that had been in other MML courses, and the transition for them was easy.
Gwen Terwilliger, University of Toledo
I absolutely love MyMathLab. I believe whole-heartedly that it has made a definite improvement in my students' grades and understanding level. I have fewer students dropping out of the courses I am teaching using this method than in the past, before MML. I recommend it to everybody I know!
Susan Haley, Florence Darlington Technical College
The biggest advantage is that they [students] actually HAVE to do the work. I have had students who were resistant at first, who came back to me the next semester asking me to speak with their current teacher and help them put MML in their new course.
Claire Peacock, Chattanooga State Technical Community College
I have had several students call and email to thank me for providing access to homework and tutorials online. The biggest difference has been the help for students with learning differences. The ability to do repetitions until the skill has been mastered helped one woman get her first A in mathematics.
Greta Harris-Hardland, Tarrant County Community College, Northeast Campus
My students are really learning and working hard because they are getting the help and reinforcement that they have always needed in a math class. They get explanation in the math lecture, and then it is up to them to get the homework done in MyMathLab by the deadline date. They love knowing they can re-do the homework problems until they get 100% (until the deadline date, of course). So the deadlines motivate them to come for help and to ask questions. They can take the assigned tests over and over until they make a perfect score or until time runs out. It is wonderful! I am truly enjoying this semester more than any other semester because so many students are getting motivated and they are enjoying math! This is a teacher's dream!
Linda T. Wright, Sam Houston State
We have been using MyMathLab in Intermediate Algebra... and in College Algebra. Both of these courses are completely distance courses. I really like MML.... For the students that utilize the program correctly and keep up, it is working out very well. My students are liking the program and learning (at least so far -- looking at HW and test scores). Support has been responsive, and I like the fact that things can be corrected much faster than in [other programs] so they are fixed before many students encounter them instead of after everyone has struggled through errors. Thanks for listening and caring...!!!
Shawna Haider, Salt Lake Community College
For the faculty, the ease with which you can generate tests and export the results to a spreadsheet is fantastic.
Trudy Streilein, North Virginia Community College
As director of the Math Teaching and Learning Center at UW-Stout, I've been extremely pleased with the results we've been getting since we began using MyMathLab in 2004. Failure/withdrawal rates have decreased by 62% in Beginning Algebra and by 32% in the Intermediate course. A large factor in this turnaround has been the online homework: we've achieved a 96% homework submission rate, with an average homework score of 94%. The immediate feedback, multiple chances to re-do a new version of missed problems, and the many avenues for online help have motivated these formerly math-phobic students to put in an average of 95 minutes a day on ALGEBRA homework--amazing!
The computer can give instant feedback to students. It's amazing in this age of video games how that feedback encourages students. They're spending more time on their homework.
Jeanne Foley, University of Wisconsin Stout
My highlight this week was a student who had previously failed Math 200 (in my class) and has been placed in Math 100. She came in very stressed on Monday. I got her started on Chapter 7 in MyMathLab and by midweek, she said: Wow--I never thought I would say this, but this is kind of fun… I am starting to like math.
Rudy Roberts, San Joaquin Valley College
MyMathLab is one of the most reliable of all online Math programs. After teaching with MML I wouldn't want to go back to the traditional way of teaching Math. MML stimulates better student/teacher interaction in a lab setting. It tracks and grades homework for you. And it's a great tutorial for students when they get stuck.
Sheila Pisa, Riverside Community College
The increase in student success is 27%. Students who would have been lost with a nontransferable 'D' or an 'F' are now passing the course.
Faculty, Community College in the Chicago Area
MyMathLab is the most exciting thing to happen to our preparatory math program in years. I was skeptical at first, wondering how a tool that requires self-motivation and discipline would ever work for our students, particularly since they have nothing to gain by finishing the coursework early; but now that I've been able to compare my computer-mediated sections with traditional lecture-based classes, I am sold. Students are too. My exam averages and course pass rates are up. Students are actively engaged in practicing math, ask more and better questions, and enjoy the learning process. They appreciate the instant feedback and aren't satisfied until they get 100% on the homework assignments. When it comes time to register for the next class, most students who have done both lecture-based and MyMathLab hybrid classes seek out the MyMathLab sections. They feel a real sense of accomplishment because they recognize and can take credit for the role they've played in their success.
Jill Shirley, Cal Poly Pomona
This has been the cleanest program I have seen so far. It just works so well. That's why you (the support organization) haven't heard a lot from me this semester -- and that's a good thing. My doctor hasn't seen much of me either -- and that's a good thing too.
Bill Van Alstine, Aiken Technical College
Just wanted to report on a great success this semester. I was using MyMathLab for the first time this summer, and you graciously answered all my questions and made yourself available for any problems. Since I haven't had any problems, I haven't needed to call for HELP. Thanks for a great program! The students love it and I am so pleased with it…. Now that I've been able to get direct feedback from the students, I'm ready to go with distance learning. My students tell me that it has been as close to zero frustration as computers get and an invisible learning curve.
Jane Gumbiner, Pasco-Hernando Community College
Advantages to MyMathLab:
- Students get help as they are doing homework, decreasing the number of questions at the next class period. (I have personally seen this happen.)
- Homework that only requires one step can be put into MyMathLab and will automatically be graded. Problems that require multiple steps can still be collected as written homework. You can do any combination of written and online homework.
- If students miss a class, they can pull up the video lecture for that particular section.
- If MyMathLab is implemented fully, re-test scores are available on any web-based computer.
- You can do your entire grade book in MyMathLab. Students scores are automatically calculated.
- Students are able to check their scores just by going on MyMathLab (user name and password protected).
Jay Hall, Ivy Tech State College
Observations on MyMathLab's effects:
- Students got immediate feedback while doing their homework assignments. If unsuccessful, they received help online through four different modes of learning. They were thus given every opportunity to be 100% successful on every task required on their graded assignment.
- Students rarely asked questions in class over their homework. We used the extra class time to slow down during our lectures and to involve our students in activities that enhanced their learning and problem solving skills.
- There was more time for in-class practice.
- With more free time on hand, and more interactive sessions, our teachers were able to better gage their students’ learning, thus identifying and assisting those who needed help the most.
- Students worked independently on homework. No homework was copied from someone else, as all homework problems in MML are algorithmically generated. In the past, it was not unusual to see students copying homework from each other during the 10 minutes preceding class time....
- The help online, which was provided to the students while doing homework, was efficient and effective enough to be a good motivator and a good incentive for independent work.
- The students who seem to have benefited the most from MyMathLab were our students with learning disabilities. Their testimonials via e-mail and via personal contact were overwhelmingly positive. Some described MyMathLab as “Simply Awesome!” Some stated that this was their second time through the course, and claimed that if they had had MyMathLab when they took the course the first time, they would have passed the course then.
- Students had more flexibility than in the past in submitting their graded assignments. They were given 3 to 5 days of leeway to do so. However, if they missed the final deadline, they knew that under no circumstances could they get another extension. Very quickly students learned to do and submit their work on time.
- The automated electronic grading and delivery system provided by MyMathLab was outstanding.
- All human errors in the grading of the assignments were eradicated. Not a single complaint was voiced about the grading of the assignments and all grading was consistent from section to section.
- We had no need for graders in Intermediate Algebra & College Algebra for Fall 2004 and Winter 2005—a cost savings.
Faculty surveyed at University of Missouri, University of Missouri
This is great! Students will appreciate the interactive nature of this course. Being able to get information with a single click when they have questions is very useful. Having video clips to supplement the text is a great idea -- it's a bit like having an instructor available whenever one is needed. Navigation is very intuitive. This software is much easier to get around in than others I have seen. I'm impressed at how well this software handles the difficulty of using technology for mathematics.
Jeanette Martin, Washington State University
I had never required MML in any class before last fall so it was all new to me, too. Since then, I have made some major changes in my hybrids for this spring and I am happy with the results so far.
Jean Millen, Georgia Perimeter College
Under the new system, more than 95 percent of all students enrolled in these two courses are turning in 100 percent of their daily homework assignments. The average score on those assignments is more than 95 percent correct.
Anonymous Instructor
Through it all, students are getting better grades and getting through more content because more work is getting done. And since the instructors are able to track how many times students have visited the online math site and can see what work students have done and what they've had trouble with, instructors are better able to help students who may be having problems.
Anonymous Instructor
Using MyMathLab as a key component of most 2-year mathematics courses creates a win-win situation. MyMathLab has made teaching the core content more efficient. I believe class time is utilized more effectively and students appear focused. Because of the algorithmically generated types of exercises, students are able to repeat homework exercises until THEY feel the concept/skill is understood. With this capability MyMathLab helps students become proactive in their steps to master the material. Although passing rate is not the only measure of student success, my colleagues and I have seen several times over 90% passing (includes withdrawals, and grades of D/F) in courses such as Intermediate Algebra.
Heidi A. Howard, Florida State College at Jacksonville
MyMathLab acts as my co-teacher by extending and reinforcing my class instruction. It affords me time to teach and work with my students without being snowed under by paperwork. As Math 10 Coordinator, I also have TAs teaching this course. Since all sections are required to use MyMathLab, I ensure the consistency of the course from one semester to the next and one section to the other.
Chris Schultz, Iowa State University
My Students have experienced less frustration while completing their math homework thanks to MyMathLab. Once they become familiar with the Learning Aids, they rave about the wonderful learning experience and ultimately find themselves successful.
Rachel Whitten, Lone Star College, Tomball
By using MyMathLab we have seen a significant improvement in student learning and success. Students like it because it is user-friendly and provides the instant feedback they need to keep them on-task. As a faculty member I like the ease with which I can create customized courses that fit the needs of my students.
John Squires, Chatanooga State
Prior to the use of MyMathLab, the average pass rate for 2001-2004 was 58%. With the extensive use of MyMathLab, the pass rate increased to 70.59% in 2005-2006.
Faculty, Skagit Valley College, Whidbey Island Campus
With MyMathLab, the Algebra review for M101 was 81%, which is 9% above the normal average. Test 1 for M102 (Precalculus) had an average of 90%. That is 18% above the normal 72% average.
Faculty, University of Massachusetts
I use MML to assign homework and quizzes. I love the guidance, flexibility & feedback it gives my students & me. It does such a good job of empowering the students & putting them in charge of their own success. So thanks for helping to develop such a great tool!
Alane Tentoni, Northwest Mississippi Community College
I was working on setting up an assignment yesterday, took over an hour. Right before I had a chance to "Save and Assign" it, I lost all internet access from my PC. Went to Coursecompass a short awhile ago, already upset that I'd have to remake that entire assignment.
Guess what? A pop-up message showed up that allowed me to recover and save the work I did yesterday. Yeah!!!!!! My day is good.
Thank you for making a smart product.
Mary Ann Teel, University of North Texas
The reliability of this software is very good. I also like the quick help I receive when I have problems with this software. It is easy to use and understand. It provides students with immediate feedback on their work. It helps me greatly in the grading and keeping track of student's work. This can not be overstated since I have many students in my courses. It helps me to keep organized on my lesson plans. It helps the students to keep organized on their work that I assign. This software is great for on-line and lecture classes.
Dr. Mark D. Jacobson, Montana State University Billings
The out-of-class feedback is the key, coupled with the Ask My Instructor button. Both offer help/hope to students during teachable moments, when students are actually curious and in need of understanding. The lesson videos help many students because they can be paused, replayed, etcetera, until comprehension is reached.
Lisa Perrone, Hawaii Pacific University
Students in courses that require MyMathLab have been performing higher on the common final and have a higher success rate at the end of the semester. Also, these classes are larger in size so they are more cost efficient. Students are much more interested in completing math with MyMathLab than they ever were before. They are completing a lot more problems than in the past.
Pamela Whelchel, Riverside Community College
We used to spend a large amount of class time answering homework questions. Now, students' questions are answered for them by using all the help buttons. Students like the fact that they can do their homework at any time and any place. They are clearly a technology generation. Their access to the electronic gradebook keeps them fully informed of their progress. They really like this feature.
Ellen O'Connell, Triton College
I just want all of you to know that the lowest grade that I have is a 76 GPA for the entire course. We have about a 100 students in the course. They are learning at fantastic rates and grades. You all have a fantastic product. I love it. This is the course that I have always dreamed of writing and having succeed. Thank you and all the Pearson team for the super job that you do in every way.
Nancy Hixson, Columbia Southern University
My students are working on a group worksheet right now. I'm listening to their conversations as they do it, and one of the groups is talking about how incredibly helpful MML has been. One of the students used it last year and took my class because he heard that I use it heavily. The other students in his group are agreeing how helpful it is. It's just very refreshing to hear people talking positively about math.
On a similar note, I was walking through our building yesterday and saw a bunch of students that weren't mine who were working on MML on their laptops. It's so nice to see the students so engaged, using technology, and actually getting the material.
Brad Stetson, Schoolcraft College
MyMathLab has changed teaching mathematics for me forever. I only want to teach courses where I can use it because of what it offers me and my students. It saves me time in and out of class. More importantly, my students DO more math which makes them more prepared when they come to class. That ultimately makes our class time more productive.
Kathleen Almy, Rock Valley College
Students who do the homework do better on the quizzes and exams -- an average of 10 points better. I have collected data in previous semesters to demonstrate this. I also think it is a great communication tool, especially in the traditional classes.
Donna Sperry, College of Southern Maryland
MyMathLab is used at the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa in the Science and Engineering faculties. In 2009, over 7000 students used MyMathLab. The feedback received from lecturers and students was extremely positive. Students enjoyed the fact that they had their personal study plans which could help them to improve on their weaknesses. They enjoyed using the additional features such as the e-book which MyMathLab offers. The lecturers found the benefit of the automatic grading and the ability to quickly and easily assign homework and test.
As a result of the implementation of MyMathLab, lecturers were able to monitor individual and class performance, and thereby efficiently target any areas which presented issues. Where MyMathLab was used as a compulsory component of the course, it yielded an impressive improvement in student’s results, from 35% average in the 1st semester to 65% average in the 2nd semester.
Faculty, University of Witwatersrand (South Africa)
I've been using MathXL, MyMathLab and CourseCompass for many years and I absolutely love it. It's better for the students and I don't waste time grading rote homework. I've been using it at different institutions of which I am adjunct faculty. Since I have to drive so much to get from one job to the next, my time becomes very limited. Your course management systems have saved time and the frustration of addressing every homework problem. Also, since students have the freedom to spend as much time as needed with the help of the tutorials, animations and videos, I have noticed an increase in student success.
Linda Chan, Pasadena City College
I intend to use MyMathLab with every course that I will teach in the future. I feel that it is the best program that I have come across in the past 35 years of teaching.
John Mutolo, Moorpark College
MyMathLab is an invaluable tool for me and my students in transitional classes. MyMathLab allows me to restructure my classes by completely reversing the traditional format of lecture followed by homework assignments.
I offer a self-paced course. Using the video lectures on MyMathLab students view and take notes on lectures before coming to class. We meet in a computer lab where students work on their study plan. I and my T.A. circulate to answer questions, encourage and motivate.
From fall 2001 to fall 2005 in our traditional elementary algebra courses the success rate in fall semesters was approximately 50% while the success rate in spring semesters was approximately 33%. Under the new format for the last six semesters the passing rate for all registered students was 76%; the passing rate for those finishing the course was 97.5%. Perhaps of equal importance are the unsolicited student affirmations of their new-found confidence in their ability to do math and comprehensively read a math text.
Mary Rice, University of Illinois at Chicago
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