New Study Reveals Strong Correlation Between Students' Motivation to Study With iPhone App and Better Course Grades

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- GetYa Learn On (GYLO) – a Texas-based educational software company that created the iPhone/iPod touch application "Statistics 1" – today announced exciting results from a Spring 2010 study conducted in partnership with Abilene Christian University (ACU). The app was integrated within an introductory Statistics class for the fall 2009 and spring 2010 semesters in order to investigate the app's effectiveness as a tool for teaching and learning. The study assessed patterns of student use, motivation, and, specifically, the relationship between students' perceptions of the app and their course grades.

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Study results from the Spring 2010 semester – published within a White Paper released today – revealed that students who perceived that the app increased their motivation to excel in the course obtained significantly higher final grades than the students who perceived the app not to have improved their motivation.  Students also reported that their comprehension of statistics concepts was significantly improved as a result of using the app. A majority of students reported that statistical concepts were more clearly explained within the app than in their print textbook. A similar majority also reported improved interest in the class and increased ownership over taking responsibility for their learning.

Findings from this study come at an optimal time, as more colleges and universities across the country are adopting touchscreen devices like the iPhone and iPad as tools to enhance learning.  ACU has been at the visible forefront of the mobile learning movement since 2008, when they provided iPhone and iPod touch devices to all incoming freshmen and launched their landmark "Mobile Learning Initiative" in order to explore the potential of intentionally integrating mobile platforms into higher education. The "Statistics 1" app is based on the proprietary GYLO Mobile Learning Platform™, which was designed using a research-based approach drawing from multiple disciplines including educational psychology, instructional technology, and assessment. The "Statistics 1" app is also available for the iPad and was recently the featured app on the front page of the iTunes iPad App Store.  The iPad and iPhone/iPod touch versions of "Statistics 1" are currently on sale in the iTunes Store through September 3.

"We are very, very pleased with our partnership with GYLO," said Scott Perkins, Ph.D., Coordinator of Research for ACU's Mobile Learning Initiative. "The findings of this study demonstrate that college students are primed to explore the potential for mobile devices to allow them to read, learn, and review academic content anywhere and anytime.  We look forward to continuing our partnership with GYLO and anticipate continuing this line of research to more specifically understand the ways in which mobile tools may be improving student engagement and performance," said Perkins.

The GYLO-ACU research collaboration is expanding in the fall semester to include a study comparing student experiences using the "Statistics 1" app on both the iPhone and the iPad.  Results from the study will provide insight into the significance of using a tablet versus a phone for mobile learning.  The partnership also continues to provide both parties with opportunities to lead the mobile learning field and impact education on a larger scale.  

"GYLO's key differentiator is our academic research background.  'Statistics 1' is one of the only educational apps in the iTunes Store that has been empirically tested for pedagogical effectiveness.  Students consistently have very positive feedback for our Mobile Learning Platform because we designed the platform based on modern learning theories, and we utilize the affordances of these emerging technologies," said GYLO President and Co-founder, Michael Mayrath, PhD.

In the coming weeks, GYLO plans to introduce a new line of "GYLO Study Aid" apps including glossaries and flashcards with subjects ranging from literature to math to business.

For more information about GYLO, visit GetYaLearnOn.com, follow us on Twitter, or be our friend on Facebook.  

GetYa Learn On, LLC. is a private company headquartered in Austin, Texas and founded in 2008. The company is comprised of a team of experts from software development, educational psychology, instructional technology, and measurement and evaluation.  GetYa Learn On develops innovative educational applications and games based on research in education and instructional technology design.  

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SOURCE GetYa Learn On, LLC