nathan friess claude laflamme robert woodrow lyryx learning university of calgary oer blended model...

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Nathan Friess

Claude Laflamme

Robert Woodrow

Lyryx Learning

University of Calgary

University of Calgary

OER Blended Model

solutions@lyryx.comhttp://lyryx.com/

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WHO IS LYRYX?

• Late 1990’s: University of Calgary research project, Linear Algebra

• Government cutbacks → Use computer-generated assignments, better use of Teaching Assistants

• 2001: Start up Lyryx as a company

• Partner with major publisher primarily in business and economics

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WHO IS LYRYX?

• Focus is on formative assessment at a per-question level

• Realistic number generation

• Detailed feedback, without spoon feeding

• Fair grading for small mistakes

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WHY OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER)?

• Trend to move away from traditional textbooks towards interactive tools

• OER-focused conferences: COHERE

• Quality of OERs has steadily increased over recent years

• Lyryx’s focus is on assessment and interactive tools: Perfect fit!

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LYRYX SOLUTIONS

3. Supplemental Materials(Slides, Solution Manuals)

4. Course Logistics and SupportMultiple sections, studentregistration, technical

1. Open Textbook(Ken Kuttler – Linear Algebra)

2. Lyryx Formative Assessment

Total cost: $39.95 (Linear Algebra)

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COMPLETELY FREE?

• Alberta: Tuition must cover mandatory course-related fees

• Does not apply to textbooks

• Covers assessment systems like Lyryx (but also traditional publishers’ model)

• There are exceptions (ex: geology)… but…

• Lyryx to provide free access to assessment…

• … in designated labs on campus

Free book + Free assessment = No additional course fees

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SOME QUESTIONS…

• Is this model fair to students?

• Will students take advantage of the free lab?

• Does free access through specific labs systematically disadvantage students?

• Is this a viable business model?

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RESULTS

PAID up front 913 (73.5%)

FREE option 209 (16.8%)

Free at first, paid later 120 (9.7%)

Total 1242

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RESULTS

Average Std Dev

PAID 88.7% 14.6

FREE 94.6% 9.4

Average Std Dev

Before 43.0% 47.9

After 91.2% 13.0

For students who started FREE, but PAID later:

Class Average on Lyryx assignments

(excludes studentswho dropped course)

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RESULTS : DROPPED COURSE

PAID 152 (14.7%)

FREE 19 (9.1%)

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SUMMARY

• Will students take advantage of the free lab?

• YES! 16.8% didn’t pay for assessment tools

• Does free access through specific labs systematically disadvantage students?

• NO! Students who used free lab had better grades on assignments

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FUTURE WORK

• Looking at midterm and final exam grades

• Are the students who do better at Lyryx retaining the material?

• Literature review of psychology behind free lab

• Does the structured lab encourage learning?

• Student satisfaction surveys

• How do students perceive free option?

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Nathan Friess

Claude Laflamme

Robert Woodrow

Lyryx Learning

University of Calgary

University of Calgary

OER Blended Model

solutions@lyryx.comhttp://lyryx.com/