The shift to virtual learning environments has presented educators with the ongoing challenge of maintaining student engagement. Instructors accustomed to the dynamics of in-person classrooms are continuously seeking effective strategies to connect with students in fully or partially virtual settings. William Curington, an English instructor at Rio Hondo College, emphasizes the importance of fostering a sense of community, even within the digital realm. To achieve this and enhance his online teaching, he leverages Macmillan Learning Achieve, a digital learning platform that has transformed his approach to education.
For instructors like William, the key to successful online teaching lies in utilizing the most effective digital learning platforms. Macmillan Learning Achieve stands out as a robust solution, offering a comprehensive suite of tools and resources. William integrates Achieve with A Writer’s Reference in his classroom, benefiting from its interactive e-Book and extensive learning materials designed for pre-class, in-class, and post-class activities. Macmillan Learning engaged with William Curington to explore his experiences transitioning to this innovative digital platform and to understand the advantages of Macmillan Learning Achieve.
The Customizable Advantage of Achieve
While embracing new technologies can be daunting, William highlights the significant benefits of adopting Macmillan Learning Achieve compared to his previous experience with LaunchPad. He acknowledges that change can be challenging but emphasizes the enhanced customization that Achieve offers to meet specific course needs. The pandemic accelerated the need for instructors to become proficient in educational technology, and this period allowed William to discover creative and effective ways to utilize the platform.
In comparing Achieve and LaunchPad, William notes that Macmillan Learning Achieve provides instructors with greater control over tailoring the platform to their unique course requirements. While LaunchPad was functional, it felt less adaptable. Achieve empowers instructors with the flexibility to select and customize features to optimize student connection and learning outcomes. Notably, William has successfully integrated Achieve with Canvas, their Learning Management System (LMS), streamlining workflows and enhancing the overall learning experience.
Boosting Student Engagement and Success with Achieve
Student engagement is paramount, particularly in the current educational landscape, and it is intrinsically linked to student success. Macmillan Learning Achieve directly addresses this critical issue by offering features designed to promote active learning and cater to diverse student needs. William emphasizes the value of Achieve’s adaptive quizzes, known as LearningCurves. Recognizing the diverse skill levels within his community college classes, these adaptive quizzes allow students to learn at their own pace. The system intelligently identifies areas where students require additional support, enabling personalized learning paths and targeted practice. This individualized, low-pressure approach to mastering foundational concepts is invaluable for college students.
The feedback from students regarding Macmillan Learning Achieve has been overwhelmingly positive. They consistently report that the platform has significantly contributed to the development of their writing skills. With limited class time, Achieve extends learning beyond traditional classroom hours, ensuring students receive continuous reinforcement and feedback on essential concepts. This allows instructors to dedicate valuable class time to interactive activities like discussions and peer review, knowing that students are receiving the necessary self-paced support to build strong foundational writing skills through Macmillan Learning Achieve.
About Macmillan Learning Achieve: Built for Active Learning and Student Success
Macmillan Learning Achieve is a cutting-edge digital learning platform meticulously designed to empower students from all backgrounds and abilities to succeed. It provides a comprehensive ecosystem of content, tools, and data-driven insights focused on enhancing student outcomes. Built with active learning principles at its core, Achieve is versatile enough to be implemented in various learning environments, including traditional, online, hybrid, blended, and flipped classrooms. It supports both synchronous and asynchronous learning methodologies, fostering continuous student engagement. The platform’s development involved extensive collaboration, incorporating feedback from over 7,000 students and more than 100 leading educators and learning scientists. Discover more about how Macmillan Learning Achieve can transform your teaching and enhance student learning. Learn more about Achieve.
