Overview of MyAccountingLab [MAL] as a Homework Management Tool

Learning Management Accounting class participation textbook reading work problems comprehension

A Changing Resource Environment Textbook until recently was a single- source, hardbound product. Grading homework was a paper-based labor intensive process. Today, textbook source and form options exist and on-line homework tools exist.

Motivating Homework Recommended homework is often ignored by students with negative learning results. Graded homework, if paper based, has significant disadvantages: –Quality issues [paper, legibility] –Grading fairness for unique solution presentations –Correct answer feedback only after due date –Copying of another student’s work

Understanding MAL MAL is a textbook specific tool for student learning by working textbook problems and priced by the publisher in a very attractive bundle with the textbook. MAL use as the basis for homework has advantages for both the student and the instructor. There are concepts that, if understood, make working in MAL more efficient. An example is useful to understand the use of MAL features.

MAL Homework Advantages Graded homework, if on-line based, has significant advantages: –No quality issues [no paper, 100% legibility] –Grading fairness for template-based solution presentation –Correct answer feedback as the problem is worked –Each student has a unique version of the problem rendering solution sharing impossible –Problem specific learning support tools –Record of work done for grade credit and learning counseling

Assigned Homework Items Availability Each chapter typically has two groups of homework items assigned. The recommended group is not counted toward the course grade; the graded group is. However, note that both groups are important for learning The recommended group is available from the start of the module until the course ends; the graded group is available for graded performance in a time window. The time window is from 7 am the day of the lecture on the chapter from which the items are taken until eight days later at 7 am. For example, a lecture on Chapter 1 on 22 September, Thursday, would trigger a graded group of items available at 7 am that day due on Friday, 30 September, at 7 am. The graded group is available for inspection after the end of the time window until the end of the course.

MAL Homework Concepts “Static” version of a homework assignment is the textbook version of the homework problem. The recommended homework will be the static version. “Similar to” version of a homework assignment is the textbook version of the homework problem but with different numeric facts. The graded homework will be the dynamic version.

MAL Homework Concepts A hierarch of terminology for homework is the following: –A homework assignment corresponds to a textbook chapter. –A chapter homework assignment consists of several items [exercises, problems] from the end of the chapter textbook material. –Within a homework item is several units; each unit usually has several response boxes for the answers to the problem requirement; when all response boxes in the unit are filled, the “check answer” button is activated ; three attempts [if needed] are available for answer checking of a unit before the unit is graded and the next unit is available; skipping ahead is not allowed. –For graded homework, after the last unit is completed for the first attempt, a second attempt at the a new version of the problem is allowed. After the second attempt is completed, the problem is not available for further work. For recommended homework, the attempts are unlimited in number but the problem is the same each time.

MAL Homework Example For class illustration of MAL as a homework tool, the following example, Textbook exercise 3-21, Chapter 3, page 88, will be use. the homework assignment is called “Demonstration Homework” consisting of two items – a static version of exercise 3-21 and a dynamic version of exercise 3-21.

Exercise

Exercise Solution Fixed cost = $48,200 + $68,000 + $13,000 = $129,200 Contribution margin = $27,000 - $23,000 - $600 = $3,400 Breakeven quantity = $129,200 / $3,400 = 38 TOI = TNI / (1 – tax rate) = $51,000 / (1 -.4) = $85,000 (F + TOI) / cm = ($129,200 + $85,000) / $3,400 = 63

Important MAL Functionality Login Do Homework Results Calendar

Hints for Homework Success The following behaviors are recommended to maximize your learning and course performance on graded homework: –Work well ahead of the deadline for graded homework. –Immediately begin using MAL to learn how it works. –Read and solve the textbook version of the problem as a starting point, then use the MAL template to report the answer to the static or dynamic homework item that you are shown.

Registration and Login Issues Two s sent to try to inform about –1.) course resource requirements and acquisition options –2.) registration of an access code for MAL Both s are available from the course web site “general information” page you have any questions.