Using MyTopNotchLab as a solution when faced ... - MyEnglishLab

Using MyTopNotchLab as a solution when faced with increased classes and reduced staff hours By Kris Vicca, Feng Chia University, Taiwan Background I am the former director (2001-2008) of Feng Chia University Language Center in Taichung, Taiwan, and I currently work in an advisory function in matters of curricula and overall planning. We used MyTopNotchLab with over 4,000 students for Freshman English in conjunction with the textbook for the first year. Our Freshman English program consists of two contact hours and two hours of self-study per week. The latter consists of three components: 1. Vocabulary acquisition based on the General Service List and our students focus on the 1001-2000 most frequently used English words 2. The “Just Read It!” extensive reading program in which students need to read four simplified readers per semester 3. MyTopNotchLab - all in all there is a strong positive response to MyTopNotchLab. Former practice We used Longman English Interactive (LEI) and Focus on Grammar (FOG) previously for the software self-study components. The main disadvantage was that the exercises and practice were not related to what was being done in class. This is not the case with MyTopNotchLab of course, since it sticks closely to the content of the Top Notch 1st edition course. The challenge We needed to reduce class sizes from sixty plus students to thirty-five - forty students per class, but without any increase in staff numbers. Seven to nine years ago when teachers started using Blackboard (iLearn), there was some resistance to new technology initially, but this faded fast. It is crucial for institutions in Taiwan that any course that’s used is correlated to the CEFR, and Top Notch certainly is. The solution By offering a blended learning solution, students have changed from three hours of class based instruction to two hours of in-class instruction and two hours of self study. Implementation of technology To discourage cheating, the grades themselves are not the focus, but how long a student has spent per task completed. As MyTopNotchLab covers material taught in class, many students find it helpful for review, and they are therefore more motivated to go online and work through the materials in order to aim to get better scores.

We don’t look at the “hard” scores as far as weekly practice is concerned, as we’re trying to motivate students to work regularly and systematically. The Achievement Tests are administered in real time in a computer lab and the score for those does count. Previously, when using supplementary materials, students knew this was extra practice but could not relate it to the materials studied in class. We find that MyTopNotchLab easily overcomes this problem. The result Students are very positive about MyTopNotchLab, generally speaking, since students in this part of Asia like to practice a lot and they also prefer to see the results instantly in terms of right or wrong answers. Up to 95.1% of the students from one particular class found the materials offered satisfactory (ranging from OK to good to very good). This was substantially higher than their level of satisfaction with the textbook alone (77%). Technically speaking, the server holds out really well even when we do real-time tests with several classes at the same time. The speed is also no problem, since we have glass fibre connections to our labs. When asked for feedback at the end of the year, students are now happy using technology recommended by the teacher. Some students mentioned they needed extra help with registration as they found it rather rigid, but they were shown how to find help with this from the online ‘Help’ folder. The learning outcome Unfamiliarity with the course at the start makes it somewhat overwhelming. However, as teachers get more familiar with the textbook and component they are happier using it. Most teachers find MyTopNotchLab great for review and they don’t have to add many of their own materials to it. The ‘preferences’ function makes for a very flexible system, though you sometimes have to experiment for quite a while before you can figure things out. On the other hand, if you have the time, you can find the answer to your questions or problems in the very complete and systematic ‘Help’ folder online. Teachers are generally very happy with the Gradebook feature of MyTopNotchLab, finding it both flexible and accurate.