MyLab IT enhances students success
Pearson | September 17, 2021 in Meaningful Outcomes
by Pearson
How MyLab IT contributes to student success
In Fall 2018, Professor Lois Blais from Walters State Community College in Morristown, TN partnered with Pearson to investigate how MyLab IT with GO! Microsoft Office 2016 Volume 1 by Gaskin, Vargas, Geoghan, and Graviett impacted student success in their Computer Applications course.
Researchers found that:
- Students who scored 80%–100% on MyLabTM IT homework had average exam scores 8–10 percentage points higher on the Windows, Word, and PowerPoint modules and 26 percentage points higher on the Excel module, compared to students who score less than 80% on homework.
- 97% of student survey respondents agreed that they were able to easily access MyLab IT through the school’s Learning Management System and appreciated not needing a separate login and password.
- 81% of student survey respondents agreed that MyLab IT badges give them an advantage when applying to jobs.
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Why does Professor Lois Blais utilize MyLab IT?
MyLab IT was adopted by the Computer Science department at Walters State in the Fall of 2013 after having previously used a competitor’s program. The faculty underwent a committee decision and reviewed multiple digital offerings. In the end, they chose MyLab IT for its design, simulations, videos, autograded projects, and its ability to provide all the necessary tools for student success.
How was MyLab IT implemented?
Students access MyLab IT through the LMS at Walters State called eLEARN (D2L/Brightspace). This single sign-on process saves time and confusion, as students only need to use one login and password instead of two.
Students are assigned the MyLab IT A, B, and G Simulation Training and Grader Project for each chapter covered. Simulation Trainings are not graded and are meant to be used for learning and practice; students have unlimited attempts. They also have unlimited attempts on Grader Projects.
Assignments must be turned in on or before the due date — late assignments are not accepted. Blais recommends students submit their files even if they are not completely finished, as the feedback provided by MyLab IT will be useful when students resubmit.
Were students successful in the course?
Student performance data from Fall 2018 was examined to determine the potential impact of module homework scores on corresponding module exam scores.
- Students who scored 80% or higher on MyLab IT homework had average exam scores 8–10 percentage points higher on the Windows, Word, and PowerPoint modules and 26 percentage points higher on the Excel module, compared to students who scored less than 80% on MyLab IT homework.
Did students like using MyLab IT?
On an end-of-semester survey in Fall 2018, student summary responses included the following:
- 95% of respondents agreed with the statement, “My understanding of the course material increased as a result of using MyLab IT."
- 81% of respondents agreed that “MyLab IT badges give me an advantage when applying to jobs."
One student said:
“MyLab IT creates the ability to work with the material directly and in a sort of ‘hands-on’ manner. Instead of just learning the basic principles of the Microsoft suite, we get to actually apply those principles. It also makes the knowledge more long-lasting, in my opinion, because by applying the skills, one is more likely to retain them.”
