Impact on Learning

In the first year of Mount Wachusett Community College's HP Technology for Teaching project, there has been a substantial, measureable impact on activities associated with student learning in the classroom. For this project each of the two courses, Computer Technology (CIS127) and Introduction to Mathematics II (MAT121), were studied using a comparative analysis of a control group, a traditional class using desktop computers and an experimental group using tablet PCs. Both the control and experimental group courses use the same syllabus. The following tables demonstrates the impact of the tablet pcs on these two courses:

• Enrollment/Retention

  CIS127 - After an initial drop in enrollment for all courses, the control group continued to lose students throughout the semester while the experimental groups retention remained steady.
  
  
  
  MAT121 - Percent retained similar for both experimental groups where classroom interaction and technology are incorporated into the class and higher than the control group.
  
  

• Final course grades

  CIS127 - Improved semester average for experimental groups over the control group
  
  
  
  MAT121 - Improved grade success in spring experimental group over the control group and over fall section where technology was not fully implemented.
  
  
  
  

• Attendance

  CIS127 - While the control group's attendance continued to decline, the experimental groups who were participating in group activities increased around the time of the group project. 70% said the group work that was facilitated by the use of tablet PCs had a positive influence on attending class
  
  
  
  MAT121 - Absentee rate shows slight improvement over control group. FH sections met 2 times/week and G section met 3 times/ week
  
  
  
  
  

• Assignment completion

  
  
  CIS127
  
  
  
  CIS127 - Four assignments common to both groups were chosen
  
  
  
  MAT121 - In experimental groups, homework was required and earned a % of course grade.
  
  
  
  

• Supportive Environment

  
  70% of the experimental class students said group work and the tablet PCs helped to increase peer interactions during, before and after class.
  
  

• Student grades on homework and the final

  CIS127 - Overall, grades from the experimental groups are higher
  
  
  
  MAT121 - Grade in the spring experimental group higher in all categories except final exam. A possible explanation would be the number of class meetings ( 2 vs. 3 times per week)
  
  

CIS127 Survey Data         MAT121 Survey Data 

HP Technology for Teaching Grant Project
Mount Wachusett Community College