New Features for Summer 2014

July 8, 2014

As happens twice a year, every year, MyLab Math, MyLab Statistics, MathXL, and MyMathTest are getting even better! Learn about our new features below.

Have a question about our new features? Come join us on the Math Instructor Exchange and post a discussion question.

HTML5 Mobile Player

The XL Player has been updated with a new streamlined mobile friendly design. The updated player will allow instructors and students accessing their courses from iPads and Android tablets to work in the Player and review completed assignments. Initially the updated player will be enabled only for tablets, but we anticipate making it available on desktops and laptops in the future.

Reporting Dashboard

The reports available from this dashboard allow instructors, coordinators, and administrators to obtain fine-grain results in specific courses, while coordinators and administrators can also see across multiple courses and evaluate student performance and progress. Four types of reports are included in this release: the Overall Score Average and Distribution report, the Assignment Average Score and Time Spent report, the Assignment Score Distribution report, and the Mastery report.

Adaptive Testing in MyMathTest

Instructors or test coordinators will be able to design and assign adaptive tests that diagnose students’ readiness for a course or module based on the prerequisite knowledge needed. Instead of manually selecting test questions, the instructor or test coordinator selects the prerequisite topics and level of proficiency required for one or more courses or modules. After students take an adaptive test, they receive a “readiness score,” which indicates their probability of success in each course or module. Course instructors or test coordinators can review the exact questions in each student’s test and answers as well as each readiness score.

Study Plan Media Recommendations

A new icon on the Study Plan recommendations page will enable students to easily access media resources associated with recommended objectives. Having these media resources as part of the recommendations workflow will give students more opportunities to learn, practice, and understand each topic or objective. (Available for selected titles this fall)

Learning Catalytics Access

Instructors and students will find a link to Learning Catalytics in a pre-built announcement on Course Home. Instructors will have access to Pearson-created content (available for select courses) when they create their LC session, and students only need to enter the session ID provided by their instructors to participate in real-time, interactive learning in the classroom.

Course Enrollment Update

For the start of Fall 2014 classes, students will be able to re-enroll in variations of the same course: standard, ready to go, and/or integrated review! When a student registers for a course, his or her subscription will be tied to all versions of the course, so if instructors at the institution choose to use different versions, students will be able to switch from one instructor’s standard course to another’s ready-to-go course—without being prompted for a new access code.

Improved Security

All crossovers from LMS to XL will now be https, as will launches from XL to Writing Space and Course Document Upload. In addition, all XL pages will be rendered in https, thus ensuring that all student data will be sent using the most secure industry standards.

Tutoring Update

The free tutoring session for up to 30 minutes will no longer be available after the XL summer release. The “Connect to a Tutor” learning aid button will be removed from the player, unless the course is part of an institutional package and the instructor has entered an institutional package ID in the course settings.