Improve student success with MySpanishLab
Pearson Results Team | May 20, 2021 in Meaningful Outcomes
In Spring 2015, Pearson worked with Professor Tim Green at Miami Dade College to investigate whether the use of MySpanishLab helped students succeed.
Researchers found that:
- There was a strong positive correlation between MySpanishLab homework and quiz scores as well as between MySpanishLab homework and the final exam score in the blended course format.
- In the face-to-face course format, there was a strong positive correlation between MySpanishLab homework and the final course grade.
Read the full case study here or continue reading to learn more.
Why did Professor Green adopt MySpanishLab?
Automatic feedback is not possible with a paper workbook, and in the past, much of class time was spent going over answers to pencil and paper homework. Professor Green chose to use MySpanishLab to solve the issue of limited class time, and also because he believes that today’s students need—and want—an online component to their language course.
How was MySpanishLab used in the blended/hybrid course?
The 16-week hybrid course format follows the concept of the flipped classroom. Students meet in-person half the time of the face-to-face class (only one day per week), and the rest of the course content is learned and completed online, independently, within a designated time frame. Students are expected to come to class ready to practice what they have studied.
“I assign almost everything in MySpanishLab that is computer-graded. I assign grammar and vocabulary tutorials to be due before students complete additional activities. Homework is a combination of Student Activity Manual activities, Extra Practice activities, Club cultura cultural videos, Cortos films, and games. Additionally, I assign Amplifire Dynamic Study Modules, and I recommend the Practice Pre- and Post-Test with Study Plan. For every chapter, there are approximately 31 activities due in MySpanishLab.”
How was MySpanishLab used in the face-to-face course?
In the standard 16-week or eight-week accelerated course option, students are assigned mostly computer-graded SAM and Extra Practice activities in MySpanishLab, approximately 50 activities per chapter. Students have unlimited attempts on their homework, which is due at midnight the day of class.
Students receive a MySpanishLab homework grade for each chapter. This provides a useful checkpoint for students to know how they are faring as the semester progresses.
As part of class time, students spend one hour each week in a computer lab working on Extra Practice activities in MySpanishLab. Once they complete the lab activities, students may work on their regular MySpanishLab homework.
Did MySpanishLab improve student success?
In the blended/hybrid course, there was a strong positive correlation between MySpanishLab homework averages and the final exam score. The data suggests that students who complete and score higher on MySpanishLab homework also perform better on their quizzes and on the final exam.
In the face-to-face course, there was a strong correlation between MySpanishLab homework scores and the overall course grade.
Did students like using MySpanishLab?
The flexibility of MySpanishLab gives students the freedom to complete their homework at their own pace, from home, or wherever they choose. We believe students really appreciate this aspect.
One student said:
“I really like the fact that the platform doesn’t leave me alone until I get it and do it correctly—it’s helping me!”
