Regulated multiple attempts on MyLab Math quizzes contributes to student success
Pearson | December 10, 2021 in Meaningful Outcomes
by Pearson
Regulated multiple attempts on MyLab Math quizzes contributes to student success
In 2017, Professor Kim Walters from Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS, partnered with Pearson to investigate the impact of increased attempts on MyLab™ Math quizzes on student performance between Fall 2015 and Spring 2017. The course material used was MyLab Math in MyLabsPlus™ with College Algebra, MSU Custom Edition by Trigsted in the College Algebra course.
Key findings include:
- Fully online sections that had staggered minimum prerequisite homework scores in order to earn multiple quiz attempts saw increased scores in all course metrics, notably five percentage points in overall course grade and six percentage points on test averages.
- The instructor believes that the prerequisite requirements enforced more practice, thus aiding their performance on the higher stakes assessments.
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Why did Professor Kim Walters increase allowed attempts on MyLab Math quizzes?
To ensure her online students had plenty of opportunity to practice, Walters decided to implement multiple attempts on the quizzes with prerequisite requirements for the retakes. Walters also increased minimum homework scores for each subsequent quiz attempt because she believed that actually practicing math helps students be more successful.
How was MyLab Math implemented?
College Algebra course is a hybrid, two lecture hour/two lab hour option or as a fully online course. The College Algebra course requires students to use MyLab Math in MyLabsPlus. MyLab Math accounts for 100% of the total course grade.
Assessments include:
- Homework: Students typically complete 14 untimed homework assignments which consist of one, two, or three sections. Students have unlimited attempts on homework assignments up until the due date.
- Quizzes and tests: Students complete five 60-minute quizzes, two 90-minute tests, and a three-hour final exam. Utilizing the prerequisite function in MyLab, Walters allows students to earn a second and third attempt for each quiz by completing their homework assignments.
Were student successful in the course?
In order to see if there was an improvement in student performance, data from Fall 2015–Spring 2017 were analyzed.
- Homework averages increased two percentage points, as did quizzes.
- Test scores increased six percentage points, from 66% to 72%, and overall course grades increased five percentage points, from 68% to 73%.
Did students like using MyLab Math?
Walters has collected students’ thoughts about MyLab Math/MyLabsPlus.
One student said:
“If I couldn't find an answer to a question in the homework while looking through my notes the Help Me Solve This aid was really helpful and sometimes taught me a different way to work the problem, and I found to like that better sometimes.”
