Investigation of Mastery Math Lab Impact on Undergraduate College Algebra Student Success
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46328/ijemst.5316Keywords:
College Algebra, Math Emporium, Learning Assistants, Course Redesign, Technology, Computer LabAbstract
Student success in introductory mathematics courses has been a topic of national concern due to the high failure rates associated with these courses and the impact on STEM degree retention and completion. At Florida International University (FIU), College Algebra underwent an extensive reform in 2012 leading to the implementation of the Mastery Math Lab (MML). Within this lab, students engage in a student-centered active-learning mathematics environment where they can work through problems at their own pace while receiving immediate feedback from faculty, peers, and Learning Assistants. This study aims to determine the impact of the Mastery Math Lab on student performance, by analyzing student data (i.e., pre- and post- implementation). Results show a significant upward trend in the percentage of students passing the course after implementation, as well as a significant increase in the average course grade, with consistent improvements. Analysis of student perception survey responses suggest that students perceive Mastery Math Lab as beneficial for their success in College Algebra and the integration of undergraduate Learning Assistants (LAs) to be conducive to their learning.
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