October 28, 2010

Teaching and Learning with MyPoliSciLab

Bryan Reece, Ph.D.Cerritos College

Managing Editor and Co-Author, MyPoliSciLab

Learning Effects: Student Opinion

I wish a program like MPSL was used in my other courses. 81%

I recommend that my instructor continue using MPSL. 85%

I use MPSL every week or more. 74%

Overall, I found MPSL to be a satisfying study tool. 96%

MPSL made the course more visual and interactive. 90%

MPSL helped me achieve a higher grade in the course. 77%

MPSL helped me understand the subject matter better. 79%

Learning Effects: Student Opinion

1 2 3 4 5 4s&5s

Online Quizzes 1.3% 1.3% 8.8% 26.8% 61.9% 88.7%

Chapter Exams 0.8% 5.0 % 8.4 % 18.4 % 67.4 % 85.8%

Debate Videos 2.2 % 3.5 % 15.8 % 27.6 % 50.9 % 78.5%

Roundtable Videos 3.0 % 3.0 % 16.5 % 32.0 % 45.5 % 77.5%

Chapter Activities 0.9 % 5.2 % 16.5 % 23.9 % 53.5 % 77.4%

Online Book 5.4 % 8.3 % 15.1 % 17.6 % 53.7 % 71.2%

PS News Review 5.0 % 4.5 % 23.2 % 23.2 % 44.1 % 67.3%

Homepage Update 8.0 % 11.7 % 16.9 % 23.9 % 39.4 % 63.4%

Polling Questions 7.6 % 9.0 % 27.0% 20.9% 35.5 % 56.4%

Very Low Learning Value Very High Learning Value

Learning Effects: Student Opinion

Somewhat or Very Low

NeutralSomewhat

HighVery High

Somewhat/Very High

Quizzes/Exams 2.5% 8.0% 24.5% 65.0% 89.5%

Study Guide Materials 3.4% 12.7% 27.2% 56.7% 83.9%

Roundtable Videos 3.1% 17.1% 38.9% 41.0% 79.9%

Simulation Activities 3.7% 16.8% 34.9% 44.5% 79.4%

Participation Activities 2.9% 19.8% 34.9% 42.4% 77.3%

Debate Videos 4.7% 18.2% 39.1% 37.9% 75.7%

Timeline Activities 2.3% 21.9% 38.0% 37.7% 75.7%

Gradebook 5.3% 19.5% 21.3% 53.9% 75.2%

Visual Literacy Activities 2.8% 22.8% 36.4% 38.0% 74.4%

PoliSci News Review 4.0% 22.0% 33.8% 40.3% 74.1%

Comparative Activities 3.4% 24.9% 33.3% 38.4% 71.7%

Research Navigator 5.0% 26.6% 30.1% 38.2% 68.3%

eBook 5.5% 27.4% 26.7% 40.4% 67.1%

Polling Questions 8.4% 30.6% 35.0% 26.0% 61.0%

MPSL Overall 2.1% 10.6% 35.9% 51.5% 87.4%

Analysis of Student RecordsAnalysis of Student Records

Summary of Results and FindingsSummary of Results and Findings

Learning Effects: Retention and Success

• PoliSci 101 Student Records before MPSL• PoliSci 101 Student Records after MPSL

• Retention (no change)• Success (A, B, C or Credit)

Non-MPSL Cohort

MPSL Cohort

Succeeded 51.9% 55.0%

Did Not Succeed 48.1% 45.0%

MPSL and Non-MSPL Cohort Comparisons MPSL and Non-MSPL Cohort Comparisons

Learning Effects: Course Grades

Non-MPSL Cohort

MPSL Cohort

A’s 13.9% 16.4%

B’s 18.7% 20.9%

C’s 19.3% 17.7%

D’s 10.5% 7.7%

F’s and Other 37.6% 37.3%

• A’s and B’s Increase with MPSL• C’s and D’s Decline with MPSL• F’s Remain Constant

• Effect of MPSL Use on Student Learning• 734 Students; 49 Variables

• Student s Are More Engaged with Course Content• Students Receive Higher Course Grades• Students Value MPSL as a Learning Tool• Unbiased Learning Environment (Race, Gender,

Age and College Preparedness)

Survey of MPSL StudentsSurvey of MPSL Students

Key FindingsKey Findings

Learning Effects: Engagement

1.1. Are you trying to change the in-class experience Are you trying to change the in-class experience or the out-of-class experience?or the out-of-class experience?

2.2. What is your implementation strategy?What is your implementation strategy?

Two Biggest Questions

In-Class Considerations

(Free)

• Multimedia: Find Free Videos, Free Online Activities• Student Community: Student Opinion via Groups

Work/Collaborative Learning, Online Polling Results• Current Events: Weave current events into the lecture

or as part of discussion up front in class

Out-of-Class Considerations

(Integration)

• Technology Integration• Assessment Integration• PoliSci Conceptual Integration• Content Integration• Community Integration

Traditional Approach MPSL Enhanced

Text Book Most faculty use a major text as the primary reading for the course.

• eBook Gives Student Digital Text• Project Text in Class for Learning/Discussion

Assessments Tests and quizzes are used to assess student learning.

• Content Wrapped with Assessments.• Integrated with the Course Gradebook.• Ongoing Assessment Capabilities.

Supplemental Assignments

Faculty augment lecture and text materials with supplemental assignments.

• Roundtables and Debates• PoliSci News Review• Online Activities

Research and Writing

Research papers are often required as a major course assignment.

• Style Guide and Plagiarism Tutorial• Full Text Articles Online• Over 50 Political Science Journals

The Classroom Experience

Faculty deliver information to students through lecture, cooperative learning, and more.

• Supplement Lectures with Video

• Launch Discussions with Weekly Student Polls

• Structure Group Learning w/ MPSL Activities

Course Management

Faculty are required to organize student records, maintain grades, facilitate communications and more.

• No More Photocopies

• Automated Grade Book

• Course Communications/Mass Email

TAs and Graders Many Faculty have teaching assistants or graders to help with large loads.

• Structure TA-Led Sessions Around MSPL

• Allow TAs to Maintain Dynamic Content

• Greater Coordination Between TA and Faculty

Implementation Strategy

How to Improve Student Learning with MyPoliSciLab

Teaching and Learning with MyPoliSciLab

Bryan Reece, Ph.D.Cerritos College

Managing Editor and Co-Author, MyPoliSciLab