MyLab IT has a positive impact on student success and students feel badges give them an advantage when applying for jobs
Pearson | September 3, 2021 in Meaningful Outcomes
by Pearson
How MyLab IT contributes to student success
In Fall 2018, Professor Regina Harley at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC partnered with Pearson to investigate how MyLab IT™ with Exploring Microsoft Office 2016 by Poatsy, Grauer, Mulbery, Krebs, Hogan, and Rutledge contributed to student success in her Essential Business Tools and Technologies course.
Researchers found that:
- Students who scored above average on MyLab IT™ lab assignments had an average Capstone Grader Project score 16 percentage points higher and average exam score 14 percentage points higher than students who scored below average on MyLab IT lab assignments.
- 77% of students completed all eight Key Terms Matching assignments, and those who did had an average end-of-chapter quiz score 22 percentage points higher than students who skipped 1 or more Key Terms Matching homework assignments.
- 76% of student survey respondents agreed that MyLab IT badges give them an advantage when apply for jobs.
Click here to read the full case study or continue reading to learn more.
Why did Professor Regina Hartley adopt MyLab IT?
Hartley’s Pearson rep gave a demo of MyLab IT to the department, and the faculty was impressed with its ability to offer students the hands-on training they needed so in 2016 the program was adopted.
Hartley’s goal is to make this course one that students want to take versus a course students are forced to take as she believes it helps students build important skills to be used in college and future careers.
How was MyLab IT implemented?
Course assessments include end-of-chapter Key Terms Matching exercises, end-of-chapter quizzes, exams, a Business Capstone Grader Project and Badging. The MyLab IT badge is awarded when students achieve a score of 90% or higher on the Capstone Grader Project.
On an end-of-semester student survey,
76% of respondents agreed that, “MyLab IT badges give me an advantage when applying to jobs."
Lab (Excel and Access) consists of Simulation Trainings with learning aids, followed by a Simulation Exam (learning aids deactivated), followed by one Grader Project per chapter. Students have unlimited attempts on simulations and three attempts on Grader Projects.
Were students successful in this course?
Students were placed into two groups based on their MyLab IT score for Excel and Access assignments. The average score for Excel lab assignments was 82% and the average score for Access lab assignments was 80%.
- Students who scored above average on Excel lab assignments had an average exam score 12 percentage points higher than students who scored below average on Excel lab assignments.
- Students who scored above average on Access lab assignments had an average exam score 17 percentage points higher than students who scored below average on Excel lab assignments.
- Students who scored above average on all lab assignments had an average exam score (Excel exam + Access exam) 14 percentage points higher than students who scored below average on lab assignments.
- Students who scored above average on MyLab IT lab assignments had an average Capstone Grader Project score 16 percentage points higher than students who scored below average on MyLab IT lab assignments.
In addition, 77% of students completed all eight Key Terms Matching assignments, and those who did had an average end-of-chapter quiz score 22 percentage points higher than students who skipped 1 or more Key Terms Matching homework assignments.
Did students like using MyLab IT?
Responses from a Fall 2018 end-of-semester survey of Hartley’s students indicate that the majority of responding students recognize the value of MyLab IT.
- 98% of respondents agreed that their ability to successfully use Microsoft Office programs increased as a result of MyLab IT.
- 86% of respondents would recommend MyLab IT.
When asked what the value of taking this course was, one student responded:
“Gaining a proficiency in Excel contributes towards being hired and being successful in a job or internship.”
Conclusion
MyLab IT has brought a hands-on component to the Essential Business Tools and Technologies course that is giving students the practice and the hands-on skills they will need to succeed in upper-level business courses.
Learn more about how MyLab IT with Exploring Microsoft Office 2016 could benefit your course
