An evaluation of MacMillan Education’s LaunchPad as a textbook technology supplement when teaching introductory psychology

LaunchPad is an interactive online textbook technology supplement developed by MacMillan Education that contains several practice tests designed to capitalize on the testing effect, the tendency for practice testing to enhance learning. The description of LaunchPad on MacMillan Education’s website implies that it improves student learning. However, the evidence for this is limited. Consequently, I evaluated LaunchPad so that college and university educators can make an evidence-based decision as to whether it improves student learning. I compared 3 groups of introductory psychology students: a group not assigned any part of LaunchPad, a group assigned LearningCurve, LaunchPad’s primary practice testing component, and a group assigned LearningCurve plus 2 other practice tests within LaunchPad. The dependent variable was average percent correct on multiple-choice tests given in class. I also evaluated the effect of student utilization of LaunchPad on the dependent variable. LearningCurve alone did not have any effect on the dependent variable, even when students utilized it to a reasonable degree. In contrast, LearningCurve plus the 2 other practice tests had a significant effect on the dependent variable and the effect was greater for students who utilized LaunchPad to a greater degree, even when grade point average was controlled.