Welcome to "Try This!", a weekly blog series where we dive into the ever-evolving world of generative AI and share valuable insights and practical teaching ideas. Discover how educators are leveraging AI, gain fresh perspectives, and explore innovative approaches to education that you can try out yourself. This week we’ve rounded up five resources to share with you on the topic of AI-powered tutoring systems. Below, you'll find  A LinkedIn article, which explores the potential of AI tutors in enhancing learning experiences with immediate feedback and emotional support. A New York Times report highlighting a pilot AI tutoring program that was implemented in Newark Public Schools. An opinion piece from Education Week that delves into how AI tutors can contribute to creating a more equitable education system. An EdTech Magazine article that discusses the way AI tutors are revolutionizing personalized learning. An article reflecting on Bill Gates' visionary outlook on the role of AI in education, benefitting both instructors and students.  Check them out and let us know what you think about AI-powered tutoring in the comments below the post.  Don't miss out on the upcoming webinar, "When AI Is a Liar and a Cheat: Re-Imagining Authentic Assessment in the Age of Open AI" on October 26 to delve deeper into AI in education. Register today! ... View more

Let's explore the benefits of a powerful tool found in Achieve, Learning Curve, as discussed by Dr. Margaret Holloway, an assistant professor of English and composition coordinator at Clark Atlanta University. With class sizes averaging 25 to 38 students, including ESL and first-generation learners, effective grammar instruction is a must. Learning Curve's interactive assignments focusing on grammar and writing, such as comparatives, superlatives, verbs, prepositions, and subject-verb agreement, come to the rescue. These assignments not only engage students but also help instructors identify areas for improvement. The results? Improved writing skills, better MLA format and evidence handling, and tech-savvy students. Achieve’s Learning Curve is a game-changer for both students and faculty, making learning fun and effective. Watch Margaret’s full presentation on Learning Curve by clicking the video below! ... View more

In a recent chat, Professor Vaughn Scribner, who's an associate professor of American history at the University of Central Arkansas, shared his thoughts on AI and the speedy rise of tech like ChatGPT. He made a fascinating comparison between ancient engineering marvels like the pyramids and our modern smartphones, leaning towards the smartphone as the more impressive invention due to its broad impact and versatility. Scribner also expressed his optimism about AI's role in the future, despite the initial worries in the education field. He emphasized that education has always evolved, from books and TV to video games, and AI is just the next step in this journey. Rather than fearing these changes, he urged educators and institutions to embrace them, look beyond the horizon, and stay curious. Be sure to catch him in the video below for the full discussion! ... View more

Welcome to "Try This!", a weekly blog series where we dive into the ever-evolving world of generative AI and share valuable insights and practical teaching ideas. Discover how educators are leveraging AI, gain fresh perspectives, and explore innovative approaches to education that you can try out yourself. This week we’ve rounded up five resources to share with you on the topic of The Role of AI in Pedagogical Innovation. You’ll find a LinkedIn article that presents a framework for understanding AI applications in education, a curated collection of classroom assignments to help educators facilitate conversations about AI with their students, an article that introduces an AI integrated search engine and emphasizes the importance of fact-checking, an example lesson plan to help students differentiate AI-generated and human-generated posts, and an article from the University of Chicago exploring the issues related to academic integrity and ChatGPT. Check them out and let us know what you think in the comments below the post. ... View more

Margaret Holloway, an assistant professor of English at Clark Atlanta University, has found a game-changing ally in the Achieve platform, revolutionizing student engagement and learning outcomes. She lauds the platform's inclusivity and interactivity, which have significantly impacted her students' educational journey, particularly in her first-year composition classes where the supplementary resources for grammar, punctuation, and mechanics prove invaluable. The Learning Curve tool's adaptive, game-like approach has effectively improved her students' writing skills. Additionally, Achieve lightens her workload with pre-built, low-stakes assignments that seamlessly integrate into her Learning Management System (LMS), Canvas. Holloway harnesses Achieve's insights tool for data analysis to tailor her instructional strategies and curriculum decisions. Her experience highlights the potential of technology in fostering inclusivity and improving educational outcomes. Watch her discuss her experience in depth in the video below! ... View more

Shay Fuchs, an associate professor at the University of Toronto, Mississauga, recently discussed an active learning redesign in one of his large math courses with Macmillan Learning. The course typically has 400 to 500 students divided into sections, and the traditional teaching approach was yielding unsatisfactory results. They had high dropout rates, low attendance, and a significant number of students failing the course. In response, they completely redesigned the course in September 2018, implementing an active learning pedagogy. The new approach involved students preparing for class in advance by reading and completing pre-class assessments, followed by interactive in-class activities and discussions. The post-class phase included more traditional homework assignments. Shay commends the use of tools like iClicker and Achieve to facilitate this new approach in large classes. This active learning strategy aimed to improve engagement and student performance. The shift in pedagogy from passive lectures to active learning represents a significant change in teaching methodology, and it's an approach that educators in various settings might find relevant and valuable, even if they don't teach large classes. Active learning encourages student involvement and engagement, ultimately leading to better educational outcomes. Watch Shay discuss his experience in depth by clicking the video below! ... View more

Mark Laumakis, a dedicated lecturer in the Department of Psychology at San Diego State University, brings 23 years of teaching experience to the table. As the go-to introductory psychology instructor, Mark's classes have swelled to as many as 500 students per section, creating a dynamic teaching challenge. However, Mark's passion for teaching doesn't stop at the basics; he's also taken on psychopathology courses and, for the first time in 17 years, a research methods course this fall. In a world where engaging students in large lecture halls can be a herculean task, Mark employs technology to enhance the learning experience. He uses Achieve's Learning Curve quizzes to keep his students on track by fostering retrieval practice and exposing them to test-like questions. Mark also employs iClicker to incentivize attendance and, more notably, to break the monotony of one-way communication. He introduces peer instruction questions, allowing students to debate and learn collaboratively. This technique not only encourages active participation but also ensures a deeper understanding of the material. In Mark's teaching philosophy, it's clear that fostering interaction, engagement, and understanding is key, and technology plays a pivotal role in achieving these goals. To watch Mark discuss his full experience, watch the video below! ... View more

Welcome to "Try This!", a weekly blog series where we'll dive into the ever-evolving world of generative AI and share valuable insights and some practical teaching ideas. Discover how educators are leveraging AI, gain fresh perspectives, and explore innovative approaches to education that you can try out yourself. This week we’ve rounded up five resources to share with you on the topic of Enhancing Teacher Efficiency with AI. You’ll find a LinkedIn article that examines how AI can aid instructors in administrative tasks and classroom management, an article from The Washington Post that discusses how artificial intelligence can assist teachers in creating lesson plans and enhance student learning, an article exploring generative AI’s potential to provide highly personalized learning and feedback, an opinion piece with examples of AI tools that can aid instructors in their professional development, and teacher testimonials discussing how to use AI in classrooms to improve efficiency. Check them out and let us know what you think in the comments below the post.  ... View more

Christin Monroe, a professor at Landmark College, has been instrumental in integrating the Achieve platform into the chemistry curriculum at her institution. Known for her dedication to her students and innovative approaches, Professor Monroe has worked tirelessly to expand the conversation on neurodiverse education. Her recognition of the need for a more interactive and flexible learning system, and her efforts to adapt and implement Achieve, has revolutionized learning experiences for students facing executive function challenges. The results have been nothing short of extraordinary, with improved pass rates and positive student feedback. Through her hard work and dedication, Professor Monroe embodies the spirit of Landmark College in her commitment to providing neurodiverse students with the support and resources they need to succeed. To hear Christin Monroe’s full presentation on Achieve for Neurodiverse students, click on the video below!   ... View more

When AI is a Liar and a Cheat: Re-imagining Authentic Assessment in the Age of Open AI: Thursday, October 26 at 1pm CT Presented by Camilla Roberts and Jim Morris Join us for a webinar about the impact of generative AI on how and when we assess our students. Our panelists will delve into the conversation of what it means to assess learning and knowledge when students have more cheating tools at their fingertips than ever before. In this session, you’ll gain insights into the future of assessments in an increasingly AI-focused world, hear from educators who are figuring it all out in real-time and discover practical strategies to ensure authentic assessment.  What You’ll Take Away: Strategies to preserve the integrity of assessments while harnessing AI's potential for fair and meaningful evaluations A look at real-world approaches to re-imagining authentic assessment methods amidst the widespread use of generative AI Insights into the evolving landscape of assessment tools and their implications for education   Watch the recording ... View more

Achieve makes Active Learning easy! With iClicker included in Achieve at no additional cost, you have the perfect tool to deliver a memorable, engaging class experience. And rich resources within Achieve, like the Instructor Activity Guides, give you ideas for how to use iClicker to its fullest. In this video, instructors share how they use Achieve to engage their students and bridge the learning gap. Students have improved learning outcomes and instructors have decreased workloads by using features like LearningCurve, immediate feedback, automating grading and interactive assignments. Achieve truly transforms the educational experience for you as an instructor and your students alike.   ... View more

Erica Martinez, a professor of Economics at the University of South Florida, is a big fan of Achieve, a tool developed by Macmillan Learning. Between teaching on three different campuses, she finds the features of Achieve to be lifesavers for both setting up her courses and enhancing student learning. The platform’s Learning Curve tool is one of her favorites— it helps students get a good handle on new topics and encourages consistent studying with additional exercises that don't impact the students' grades. Achieve also offers a variety of assignment types, which not only help with pre-class preparation and post-class assessments, but also support in-class problem-solving activities with iClicker. In addition to all this, Achieve seamlessly integrates with Erica's existing teaching materials. The Macmillan support team has always been super responsive, too.  But Achieve isn't just about making life easier for instructors. It also enriches the digital learning environment for students with its wealth of resources, including an e-book and a wide array of assignments and study tools. To hear all about Erika’s experience with Achieve, watch her full testimonial below!   ... View more

Welcome to "Try This!", a weekly blog series where we'll dive into the ever-evolving world of generative AI and share valuable insights and even some practical teaching ideas. Discover how educators are leveraging AI, gain fresh perspectives, and explore innovative approaches to education that you can try out yourself. This week we’ve rounded up five resources to share with you on the topic of AI: Frequently asked questions. You’ll find a webinar with instructors discussing how they are changing the way they teach and assess with the help of AI, a blog post looking at the top 10 FAQs for teachers using AI in the classroom, a video that explains how different types of AI work, a blog post with stories of how real educators are using ChatGPT with their students, and an article outlining how administrators can get their schools “AI-ready”. Check them out and let us know what you think in the comments below the post. ... View more

Even a challenging course like Microbiology can be transformed into an engaging and enjoyable experience with Macmillan Learning’s Achieve and iClicker platforms. The dynamic use of diagrams with iClicker can produce a stimulating learning environment that promotes retention of information and fosters a competitive spirit. The availability of flashcards, quizzes, and polls also provides students with a convenient and comprehensive revision tool. With Achieve, students can access virtual lab experiments and live worksheets that can be instrumental in simplifying the complex process of completing lab reports and pointing out errors in real-time for immediate correction. Thanks to the inclusive and innovative nature of the Achieve platform, students can feel consistently supported and guided, leading to greater success.   ... View more

Generative AI has become an increasingly prevalent topic in various industries, and education is no exception. Welcome to "Try This!", a weekly blog series where we'll dive into the ever-evolving world of generative AI and share valuable insights and even some practical teaching ideas. Discover how educators are leveraging AI, gain fresh perspectives, and explore innovative approaches to education that you can try out yourself. This week we’ve rounded up four resources to share with you on the topic of Embracing AI: Where to Start. You’ll find an article that addresses common concerns surrounding AI in education, a LinkedIn post with a helpful approach to effectively and clearly communicate tasks in ChatGPT, a blog about the relationship between AI and the teaching of writing and communication, and a podcast discussing the benefits of online learning tools and AI for active learning. Check them out and let us know what you think in the comments below the post.  Don't miss out on the upcoming webinar, "When the Horse is out of the Barn: Educators Embracing Change with AI-Enhanced Learning," on September 22 to delve deeper into AI in education. Register today! ... View more