MyLab Finance homework and Excel-based assignments positively impact student success
Pearson | October 29, 2021 in Meaningful Outcomes
by Pearson
MyLab Finance contributes to student success
In Spring 2018, Professor James Nelson from East Carolina University in Greenville, NC partnered with Pearson to investigate the impact of MyLab™ Finance for Corporate Finance by Berk and DeMarzo on student success in his Financial Management II course.
Researchers found that:
- 84% of students scoring above average on MyLab homework earned an A, B, or C as their average exam grade.
- Successful completion of MyLab homework assignments was indicative of higher final course scores.
- 92% of respondents agreed that completing Excel projects for homework exercises allowed them to practice problem solving in a real-world environment, similar to what might be expected of them in their future careers.
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Why does Professor James Nelson utilize MyLab Finance?
Due to increasing enrollment and the need for an online version of the Financial Management course, Nelson sought a digital option that included pre-built assignments and assessment, as well as auto-grading of homework.
The array of resources and study options in MyLab Finance offered Nelson a ready-to-use course that could be easily adapted to his online course needs. MyLab Finance was adopted for implementation in 2012 and as of 2018, was used in face-to-face sections as well.
How was MyLab Finance implemented?
Financial Management II is a three-credit MBA/MSA course. Each MyLab homework assignment is comprised of approximately eight multi-part, algorithmic, end-of-chapter problems. Learning aids, which give students just-in-time tutorials and support, are turned on during homework assignments.
Nelson also assigns two MyLab auto-graded Excel projects per chapter. Students practice statistical skills and gain proficiency with Excel, but Nelson is not tasked with manual hand-grading of the assignments. Other assessments include two midterm exams, a final exam and Wharton Research Data Service project. MyLab assignments account for 40% of the total course grade.
Were students successful in the course?
Students were placed into two groups based on their average MyLab homework score, identifying the following:
- 84% of students scoring above average on MyLab homework earned an A, B, or C as their average exam grade.
Students were divided into two groups based on their average MyLab assignment score.
- Students who scored above average on MyLab homework had average final course scores 10 percentage points higher than students who scored below average.
Did students like using MyLab Finance?
Responses from a Spring 2018, end-of-semester survey of Nelson’s students indicate that the majority of responding students recognize the value of MyLab Finance.
- 94% of respondents agreed that their understanding of the course material increased as a result of using MyLab.
- 92% of respondents agreed that use of MyLab positively impacted their exam scores.
One student said:
“I enjoyed being able to get immediate feedback about homework problems as well as View An Example which walked me through the more difficult problems.”
Learn more about how MyLab Finance could benefit your course
