College isn’t just a stepping stone to a degree, it’s a launchpad for life beyond the classroom. While content mastery still matters, today’s employers are asking for something more: graduates who can think critically, communicate clearly, and tackle real-world problems with confidence. Fortunately, helping students build those skills doesn’t require a curriculum overhaul. Sometimes, it’s about the right activity at the right time. Employers consistently emphasize the need for graduates who can think critically, communicate effectively, and solve real-world problems. In fact, according to a national survey by AAC&U, 87% of employers say critical thinking is very important, and 79% want to see students apply knowledge to real-world settings. These aren’t just soft skills, they’re career-launching ones. So how do we build them in a college classroom? So how do we build them in a college classroom? Here are six practical tips that help students build authentic, transferable skills without losing sight of your learning objectives. Host a Mini-Consulting Challenge Want to teach students problem-solving, collaboration, and how to apply knowledge just like how it works in the real world? A mini consulting challenge could get all three at once. Instead of answering hypothetical questions, students analyze a real issue for a real stakeholder, like a local nonprofit or a university office. Give students a short case or challenge prompt from the real world (or ask a campus partner for one). In small groups, students brainstorm solutions and pitch them. Bonus: If time allows, invite the stakeholder to class or record a thank-you video. Run a Real-Time Problem-Solving Sprint Want to energize class time and challenge students to think on their feet? Try a problem-solving sprint. Present a complex, real-world issue with no obvious solution. In small groups, students brainstorm, prioritize, and propose an action plan within a limited time. Think: 20 minutes, 2 whiteboards, and one big question. Then have each group pitch their plan in 90 seconds. Fast-paced, high-stakes, and full of creativity. It’s a great way to surface different perspectives, push deeper thinking, and activate content knowledge in real time. Invite “Reality Check” Guest Speakers Want students to connect classroom content with real-world careers? Invite someone who uses it every day. Guest speakers aren’t groundbreakingly new, but framing them as a reality check makes them more than just a break in the routine. Ask former students, alumni, or industry professionals to share “what I wish I knew before entering the field.” Keep it short and focused with a prompt like “what surprised you about this work?” or “what skills do you use most from college?” Whether live or recorded, these insights add a tremendous amount of relevance to what they’re learning in your class. Have Students Create Something Public Help students both build pride in what they create and in the process build content that brings real-world benefits. Whether it’s a blog post, infographic, zine, podcast episode, or short video, publishing work (even informally) raises the stakes in a motivating way. Start with a small assignment and a real or imagined audience, provide clear guidelines, and let students take ownership. Hosting a class showcase, in person or online, could add a sense of occasion and celebration. Plus having an audience beyond the classroom to showcase on their resume and portfolio may be just the advantage they need to land their dream job. Run a Roleplay  Roleplay isn’t just for theater majors, it’s a high-engagement strategy that works across disciplines. It helps students to build their empathy, critical thinking, and communication skills all at once? Create a real-world scenario with competing interests (a city council meeting, a budget proposal, a policy change). Assign students stakeholder roles with different priorities and give them time to prepare their position. Then run the “meeting” in class. After the roleplay, debrief as a group: What changed your mind? What felt realistic? What would your real-life counterpart do? Students learn how to defend ideas, navigate disagreement and think beyond their own perspective. Try a Reverse Pitch Exercise If you want students to analyze instead of just absorb, try flipping the script with a reverse pitch, where students act as the client or stakeholder. Their job is to define the challenge, explain what’s already been tried, and outline what kind of help or innovation they’re looking for. Then, the rest of the class responds with possible solutions. This twist gives students practice in strategic thinking, context-setting, and audience awareness, which are all key real-world skills. It works especially well in business, communications, education, public health, or any field where defining the problem is half the job. For students, especially those who were learning remotely during the pandemic, learning how to work together, build their critical thinking, better communicate and more are critical. Not just to their success in the class, but in the world outside of it as well. The good news is that building real-world skills doesn’t require a total course redesign. With small but intentional changes, you can give students more opportunities to think deeply, communicate clearly, and engage with meaningful challenges. These activities help answer the question students often ask: “When will I use this?” because the answer is … now. ... View more

When you’re a new instructor, it can feel like everyone else got the manual, and you’re just trying to remember your LMS password. The syllabus is hot off the printer. The students just called you “professor” for the first time. And somewhere between uploading the first quiz and responding to an email about extra credit, you’re already wondering: Am I doing this right? In this episode of The What and Who of EDU, we asked 10 experienced educators to share the advice they wish they’d gotten when they started. From course chaos and impostor syndrome to feedback that stings, here are 10 tips for new teachers delivered with real talk, humor, and just enough pedagogical duct tape to hold it all together. Be sure to check out the full podcast episode "Advice New Teachers Actually Need: 10 Tips From Educators Who’ve Been There" on Apple or Spotify to hear all the tips straight from the instructors themselves. Here's a preview of what they shared: 1. Be One Day Smarter Betsy Langness started teaching full time after a career in counseling, and had to learn on the fly. But there was a mantra that stuck out to her, and that's to be one day smarter than your students.  “Don't stress about it. It's going to be okay. Show your personality through little tidbits while you're explaining some of the content and start really small with technology. Just try one thing, and when you get that down you can add more to your plate.” Why it works: Perfection is paralyzing. Progress is possible. This mindset gives instructors permission to grow alongside their students and builds a classroom culture of continuous learning. 2. Don't Take It Personally Student feedback can hit hard, especially when you're giving it everything you've got. Dr. Ryan Herzog reminds new instructors that frustration is part of the learning process and not always about you. “You're doing the best you can. You're experimenting. You're trying things out. And things are gonna fail. Students are gonna have frustration. But that's okay. Learn from what you're doing. Reflect on it and make modifications and changes. Don't worry about being perfect. And don't take the comments personal.” Why it works: Feedback isn’t a verdict. It’s data. And the sooner you stop treating it like a personal Yelp review, the faster you can use it to improve. 3. Find Your Inner Goldilocks After each semester, Dr. Kendra Thomas reflects with a simple quadrant matrix: what took the most time and had the least impact? That’s the first thing to go. “If I can't change everything next semester, I should at least change the things that took the students the most time and had the least impact. Because that's busy work. And I'll do the same thing for me. What took the most time grading, and had the least impact?” Why it works: Reflection doesn’t have to be a full-course redesign. This tip makes course tweaks feel doable, data-informed, and actually student-centered. 4. Just Pick One New Thing to Try Dr. Jennifer Ripley Stueckle wants new instructors to keep it simple. Don’t download every new tool. Don’t revamp your course overnight. Just pick one thing. “Your classroom could turn into a circus very quickly, and your students will never have a clue what's going on… I started with Clickers. And then it took me another year. I threw in a few group activities. But even now, I won't try more than one thing.” Why it works: New instructors often feel pressure to “tech up” fast. This tip reframes that instinct: better to build one strong bridge to your students than scatter stepping stones they can’t follow. Students need consistency more than bells and whistles. 5. Channel Your Inner Beginner. Teach Like It’s Still Hard for You Dr. Mike May has a reminder: when you forget how hard it was to learn something, you start designing for the expert you’ve become not the learner in your classroom. “If you're a teacher in college, you were never an ordinary student in the class that you're teaching; beginning classes are as hard for the students ... as advanced students are for the PhD students.” Why it works: When you assume confusion is the default, not the exception, you design for access. You can get through to the students who find the content challenging. 6. Teach with Confidence and Help Students Build Theirs Dr. Derek Harmon works with graduate students on the brink of becoming faculty, and even they wrestle with impostor syndrome. Remember what helped you learn. And then teach from that version of yourself. “You are now trying to transition to now being a person that is taking in this content as a student, to now trying to convey this content as a faculty member... Always pay close attention to their facial and visual cues they give you, because oftentimes they do not want to admit when they don't understand something, because they don't want the risk of potential embarrassment.” Why it works: Expertise isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about remembering what helped you find them. Your younger self might just be your best guide. 7. Not Everyone Got Sorted Into ‘Loves School’ House—And That’s OK Jennifer Duncan learned early on that her students weren’t mirrors of herself. She reminds us that students don’t always love school, and that’s not a flaw. It’s your starting point.  “They were not necessarily the same type of learner that I was. They were not necessarily the same place in their life that I was. They weren't necessarily going to go about college the way that I went about college. So, realizing that our students are not clones of us, our students have their own things going on, and taking the time to figure out what that is. So it's not going to be so much about us presenting information to them. It's going to be about us becoming a resource and a guide that will partner with them.” Why it works:  Some students are in House Survival. Some are in House Group Project Ghosters. Your job isn’t to sort them, it’s to support them. 8. Don't Do It Alone Adriana Bryant says your colleagues are one of your greatest assets. Because there's always someone who has been there, done that and has a Google Drive full of resources to share. “Don't be afraid to ask for help. We have so many great minds out there and colleagues who have been at this for so many years and have this great wealth of knowledge.” Why it works: Teaching well is more about being resourceful than trying to do it alone. Colleagues are your curriculum. Passion is your power source.  9. Plan Like a Pro, Reflect Like a Rookie Dr. Amy Goodman is a 26-year veteran, but she still adjusts her classes every semester. Her secret is to plan early, listen to feedback and reflect honestly. “Plan your entire semester before it begins… Then just go and execute that. While you're teaching, take notes about things that really clicked with your class… Read those early feedback forms. Compare that to your own reflections.” Why it works: Even the best plans will wobble. But reflection is what turns “this didn’t work” into “next time, here’s what I’ll try.”  10. You Will Make a Difference Julie Moore knows that job is hard and can feel thankless at times. She thinks new teachers should all get the preparatory talk, reminding them that the system isn't perfect. But they're changing lives every single day.. “You're going to go into this hoping to make a difference, and you will. You will make a difference in some students' lives. And those students will be really grateful to you for that.” Why it works: There may be no applause, no gold stars, and no RateMyProfessor bump. But impact shows up quietly in the students who stay because you showed up.  BONUS TIP: Lead with Kindness Mary Gourley isn’t here for the internet hot takes or Reddit rants, she’s here for the students. And her advice to new instructors is simple, powerful, and hard to forget: kindness isn’t a bonus. It’s the job. “Is a privilege and an honor to be in front of students every day... to change lives, and to have a real platform every day ... I’m getting chills right now talking about it. It is something that you do not need to lose focus on. ”  She encourages all new teachers to read What the Best College Teachers Do by Ken Bain. Why it works: It’s easy to get caught up in the noise with grading, policies, and performance reviews. This tip reminds us that teaching is a platform. A privilege. A chance to change lives. And leading with kindness is where it starts. Some of these tips are about mindset. Some are about mechanics. And some are about just trying to get through the week without reinventing your entire course at 11 p.m. on a Sunday. But what they all have in common is this: you don’t have to be perfect. You just have to show up with curiosity, compassion, maybe, with a backup plan for when the LMS goes down. 🎧 Want to hear it all in action? Listen to the full episode on The What & Who of EDU →  and be sure to check out the podcast on Apple or Spotify to hear all the tips straight from the instructors themselves. Have a tip for a new teacher? Leave us a voicemail at (512) 765-4688 and you might just hear yourself on a future episode. ... View more

What does it look like to believe in the power of learning?  That's what we set out to capture when we reimagined our brand. When you look at it now, I hope you will see more than a design. I hope you will see a signal. A signal that Macmillan Learning has grown into something new. That we’re showing up differently, because we are different. That we’re building a future for students that feels more personal, more human, and full of possibility. We needed an identity that could move with us and with the learners we support. One that works equally well on a platform, a textbook, or an app. One that feels as modern and authentic as the learning experiences we aim to create. So, we asked ourselves: how can our brand better reflect who we’ve become? To answer it, we listened. We heard from thousands of instructors, administrators, students, and partners about their goals, ideals, and expectations. Along the way, one educator asked us, honestly: “Does any of this really matter?” It’s a fair question. Here’s why we believe it does. A logo doesn’t teach a student or support an educator. But how we show up, through our content, our tools, and our services, does matter. Because signals matter. They show what we stand for. They help people recognize us, and understand what kind of partner we are. We believe learning has the power to open doors, connect people, and change lives. And our new identity is designed to reflect that belief. It’s designed to symbolize our mission to inspire what’s possible in every learner. The open, radiating symbol in our logo captures the outward motion of learning, how it grows, connects, and creates opportunity. It reflects the diversity of the students and educators we serve, and our commitment to meeting them wherever they are. It reflects how we think, build, and support learning every day. We’re proud of what this new identity stands for. It shows that we’re not just keeping up with change; we’re driving it. We’re helping shape what learning looks like now, and what comes next. With purpose. Our logo may not be the most important thing about us. But what it stands for is. It’s a marker of progress and of the possibilities we’re working toward, together. No matter your role, student, educator, partner, or learner, thank you for being part of what learning makes possible.  We’re just getting started. ... View more

Today, we’re proud to introduce a bold new visual identity for Macmillan Learning, one that reflects not only who we are today, but the future we’re building alongside educators and learners to help inspire what’s possible.  This is about more than a new logo. It’s a signal of how far we’ve come and how far we plan to go. It’s a visible signal of our continued evolution from a company that puts words on paper to one that provides digital-first, student-centered learning experiences. We’ve expanded what we offer and how we show up, creating partnerships, addressing critical learning challenges, and offering tools, platforms and services that drive learning wherever and however it takes place. Our new logo was designed to reflect the growth and energy of learning — how it expands, changes, comes into focus, connects people, and creates opportunity. The bright, digital-first colors reflect our optimism for the future of education, the possibilities for learners and the energy and momentum behind everything we are building. This new identity is built for the digital landscape. It is distinctive, flexible, and a powerful expression of our company whether in an app, on a learning platform, or on a product.  We share a proud heritage with the Macmillan name, but feel that this identity clarifies what makes Macmillan Learning’s story unique. We are a learning company — research-driven, outcomes-focused, and committed to helping students succeed by supporting them and the educators who guide them. It captures what we know to be true, which is that learning is dynamic and as limitless as it is deeply human. The bright colors reflect our optimism for the future and the energy and momentum felt across every part of our business. In the coming weeks, you’ll see our new look across our sites, platforms, and products. Despite these exciting shifts, what won’t change is our mission: to inspire what’s possible for every learner. This moment is about more than design. It’s about what the design represents — and the belief that, together, we can shape a future where all students feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. Thank you for being part of this journey. ... View more

In a world of instant answers, where students can summon AI-generated text faster than they can raise their hand, how do we actually teach critical thinking? Critical thinking might be one of the most in-demand skills. But it can also be one of the most elusive. In essence, it’s the ability to slow down, ask better questions and make sense of complexity. It’s about how to think: analyzing assumptions, evaluating evidence, connecting ideas, and articulating why something makes sense (or doesn’t).   In a world full of instant answers, critical thinking helps students stop and think. It can be found just about anywhere, including assignment rubrics, baked into learning outcomes or even tossed into syllabi under "course goals." But ask students to explain how they think, and you might just get a long pause, a hopeful shrug, or a copy-paste from ChatGPT. So how do we move beyond the buzzword to discover how it belongs in the classroom? At The What and Who of EDU,, we asked instructors from across the country to show us what critical thinking looks like in real classrooms, with real students. No ivory tower theories. Just 10 practical, powerful ways to help students do more than find the right answer to help them figure out why it’s the right answer in the first place. Be sure to check out the full podcast episode From “Is This on the Test?” to “Here’s What I Think”: 10 Ways to Make Critical Thinking Happen on Apple or Spotify to hear all the tips straight from the instructors themselves. Here's a preview of what they shared: Remove the Fear of Failure Instead of punishing wrong answers, Dr. Christin Monroe makes space for them. She offers unlimited attempts on auto-graded assignments and one revision opportunity on hand-graded work to support her neurodivergent learners, and shift their mindset from perfection to persistence. “I think that if you give a student one attempt on an assignment, the challenge is that they're not incentivized to go back and redo it. But if you give them those multiple attempts, then they have more of an incentive to keep going with it, and they're less likely to just get frustrated and give up.” Why it works: When students know their first attempt isn’t their final grade, they feel freer to explore, revise, and learn from the process. Unplug to Go Deeper To help students think for themselves, Dr. Margaret Holloway starts by taking away their favorite crutch: their phones. She prints out readings, insists on handwritten annotations, and makes sure the conversation happens in class, and not online. “Students who come into my classroom are so heavily reliant on their phones, and what other people are saying. They're scared to voice their opinion on something. They go to the Internet to see who's saying what or what the right answer is.” Why it works: No screens, no shortcuts. Students have to generate their own questions and ideas, and get comfortable being uncomfortable. Focus on the Thinking Dr. Amy Goodman doesn’t spend class time lecturing. Instead, she flips the script, delivering direct instruction through videos so students can use class to engage in metacognition—thinking about how they think. “I offload the direct instruction part to video lectures that happen outside of class, so that when they come to class, we can really focus on that metacognitive component. And I have been rewarded in the assumption that students do come to class prepared. I just ask them to do it and then talk to them like they’ve done it—and far and away, most students really do.” Why it works: When you come to class, the assumption is that students have actually watched the video beforehand. And most students really do come to class prepared. Answer Every Question With a Question Ask Dr. Erika Martinez a question, and she’ll probably respond with another one. Her go-to method? Socratic questioning that keeps students building, refining, and defending their reasoning. “Socratic questioning is my go-to. I'm constantly engaging the students. When students have a question, I almost always answer it with another question. Sometimes a series of questions. I push students to justify their reasoning with follow-up questions.” Why it works: Students stay mentally engaged and learn to justify their thought process, not just memorize talking points. Teach the Process, Not Just the Point Instead of telling students how science works, Dr. Charlotte de Araujo immerses them in it. Her lectures feature live data interpretation, real-time hypothesis building, and scenario-based experimentation. “Students are required to interpret the information. We'll provide scenarios in our molecular biology course, where we ask if the hypothetical samples are positive for covid and students perform the calculations. They'll submit trends they've identified during our lecture in real time. providing these many scenarios encourages students to develop hypotheses and also actively apply content that they've been taught.” Why it works: Active problem-solving mimics the scientific process, and turns learners into investigators. Give Them Problems Worth Solving From minimum wage to marijuana legislation, Dr. Ryan Herzog invites students to apply economic principles to real-world problems. The messier the question, the more engaged the classroom. “There's a lot of research over fun areas, and so whether it's at a principals or an intermediate or even like in a field course, I like introducing them to some of the kind of research questions that we're talking about ... it's getting them to be curious about the world and ask those questions." Why it works: Relevance fuels curiosity. And curiosity is the engine of critical thought. Make Them Explain It Like a Kid Is Listening Complex concepts become clear when students have to explain them to a fictional nine-year-old. Dr. Mike May plays the curious kid, misinterpreting every answer until his students really nail it. “They have to get it specific, because whatever they say, I'm going to come up with a way to misinterpret it.” Why it works: No jargon. No filler. Just the clean, simple logic of someone who really gets it. Hide the Critical Thinking in Plain Sight Say “critical thinking” and watch students shut down. That’s why Dr. Jennifer Ripley Stickle disguises it with quick, layered iClicker questions that build a chain of logic without ever announcing the goal. “For critical thinking, I try to hide it. If I tell them it's critical thinking, the door closes and they shut out on me. And so I've used clicker questions to build critical thinking skills.” She starts with a simple iClicker ... question: What’s the oldest type of cell? Then builds on it—Which domain is the oldest? What type of cell are bacteria? In less than a minute, students connect the dots themselves: bacteria are prokaryotes, and prokaryotes are the oldest cells. This is layered questioning that quietly leads to critical thinking. Why it works: Stealth mode engagement lets students build confidence without the pressure of high-stakes thinking. Let AI Make the Mistakes AI isn’t the enemy in Dr. Jennifer Duncan’s class, it’s the case study. She has students ask ChatGPT for answers, then critique them for bias, hallucinations, and logical gaps. “Instead of asking students to give their work to ChatGPT, I ask them to have it generate something—a thesis, for example—and then evaluate it. What works? What doesn’t? What hallucinations do you spot? So I’m having them think critically about what the AI produces.” Why it works: Critiquing machine-made responses trains students to read more critically—and trust their own analytical instincts. Make Them Teach It Live Dr. Derek Harmon’s anatomy students don’t just study the body—they dissect it, discuss it, and teach it. At the end of each lab, groups present live demos to their peers (with cameras rolling). “At the end of each lab session, I assign a lab group to do a live teaching demonstration to the entire class. And the way that we think about this in kind of this Bloom's taxonomy or learning kind of hierarchy is if you can explain a topic to somebody else that is essentially the highest level of learning that you can kind of get to." Why it works: Teaching forces synthesis. When you have to explain it, you own it. Critical thinking isn’t a concept, it’s a craft. And like any craft, it gets messy, takes time, and starts with the courage to say, “I’m not sure, but here’s what I’m thinking.” These 10 instructors aren’t just assigning critical thinking. They’re building the conditions that make it possible. These 10 educators didn’t rely on trendy frameworks or clever acronyms. They built learning environments where students could actually practice thinking asking why, making connections, and staying curious long enough to figure something out. Because critical thinking is one of the most important and impactful strategies students can master. 🎧 Want to hear it all in action? Listen to the full episode → From “Is This on the Test?” to “Here’s What I Think”: 10 Ways to Make Critical Thinking Happen on Apple or Spotify Have a critical thinking hack of your own? Leave us a voicemail at (512) 765-4688 and you might just hear yourself on a future episode ... View more

There’s a curriculum most students don’t see on the syllabus. It’s not in the textbook, but it shows up in every group project, every deadline, every class discussion. That’s where they learn how to communicate, collaborate, and stay organized—skills that will shape their future just as much as the subject matter. These so-called “soft skills” are anything but soft. They’re essential for thriving in college, in the workplace and in life. And increasingly, employers say they matter more than technical knowledge. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the top three attributes employers seek on a resume are communication skills, problem-solving skills and the ability to work in a team. And many instructors are already teaching those skills, even if it’s not in the official learning objectives.  The Hidden Curriculum: Small choices make a big difference. Embedding checkpoints into a project builds time management muscle. Asking students to respond to a classmate before offering their own encourages active listening. Building in moments of reflection helps them understand how they learn, and advocate for what they need next. The curriculum usually doesn’t have a column of “soft skills”, but that doesn’t mean they’re not being taught. These skills are embedded in how assignments are structured, how students collaborate, and how instructors create space for personal reflection and growth. In The What and Who of EDU, Macmillan Learning’s podcast about teaching, learning, and the humans behind both, we’ve heard instructors share how these skills show up in action: Dr. Margaret Holloway addresses students' fear of failure straight on—an often overlooked barrier to participation and self-advocacy. She shares her own undergraduate essays with students to normalize growth and imperfection. This fosters psychological safety and builds confidence, both of which are foundational to risk-taking and effective communication (10 Ways to Build Student Confidence).   Jennifer Ripley Stueckle teaches in large lecture settings but doesn’t let size limit connection. She incorporates service-learning projects to help students build relationships with peers and engage with the community. These experiences promote collaboration, initiative, and a sense of shared responsibility. (10 Strategies to Build Belonging in Your Classroom) Amanda Peach, a librarian at Berea College, teaches students how to approach information critically, collaborate across perspectives, and navigate ambiguity. These are essential skills for both teamwork and problem-solving. (How Hutchins Library Builds Community and Critical Thinkers).  Each of these approaches reflects intentional teaching of the hidden curriculum. And none of them require a standalone workshop or extra unit because they’re woven into the everyday fabric of learning. How It Comes Together The challenge, of course, is time. Instructors are already balancing content coverage, assessments, and student support. But teaching soft skills doesn’t have to mean adding new units. It can be a subtle shift, one opportunity at a time. At Macmillan Learning, we’ve seen this approach in action. Instructors using Achieve build in self-reflection assignments to help students track their own progress. Tools like iClicker encourage peer-to-peer interaction in large lectures, promoting engagement and quick collaboration. Our research on metacognition and sense of belonging showed that when students gain confidence managing their own learning, they perform better and stick with it, even when it gets challenging. In fact, students in our study saw up to a 10-point improvement in course performance. If the goal of education is to prepare students for what comes next, then soft skills aren’t extra. They’re the foundation. That means students don’t need another seminar on time management. They need instructors who bake those skills into the way learning happens every day. And increasingly, the job market is rewarding exactly that kind of preparation. Nearly two-thirds of employers now say they use skills-based hiring to evaluate entry-level candidates, often placing more value on what students can do than what’s on their transcript. That means the skills built through classroom collaboration, time management, and reflection don’t just prepare students to succeed in college. They’re becoming the ticket to what comes next. ... View more

Accessibility initiatives in higher education are often perceived as top-down mandates, implemented in response to evolving laws or institutional policies. But some of the most transformative and sustainable changes come from students with disabilities who experience navigating campus systems every day. At Macmillan Learning, we are committed to making our learning tools inclusive by design. One of the most powerful ways we do this is by learning directly from students with disabilities. This blog explores students' impact on accessibility practices both on campus as advocates and with us through ongoing feedback. We also explore some ways that institutions can work with students, not just for them, to create truly inclusive learning environments. Students as Advocates and Policy Influencers Students bring critical insight to accessibility efforts, not just as recipients of accommodations but as active agents of change. Their experiences, ideas, and persistence often highlight gaps in current systems and illuminate pathways toward a more inclusive future. Samm Nelson, Digital Accessibility Coordinator at Mount Holyoke College, shared how students have driven impactful change: “The students that I work with are amazing advocates, allies, and champions of accessible higher education. They have intentionally formed a community with peers and mentors with disabilities to support one another in challenges and victories. The current students on campus were able to get the attention of our administration to draw attention to the needs of disabled students in higher education and make systemic changes at our university. Our students are the reason I am hopeful that our world will continue to be a more welcoming and accessible place for all people, regardless of disability.” Nelson believes that student engagement does more than raise awareness. It shapes policy, builds community, and reframes disability as a vital identity. “It is my hope that a disability cultural center on campus will not only improve the experience of all our disabled faculty, students, and staff on campus, but the presence of the center alone signals our priorities and our understanding that disability is an identity to be celebrated and better understood on our campus.” Students as Experts Through Lived Experience When institutions include students with disabilities in accessibility workflows, they gain not only user feedback but authentic expertise. Lived experience, particularly from students who rely on assistive technologies, can uncover barriers that automated tools or testers without disabilities may miss. Danae Harris, Senior Digital Accessibility Specialist at the University of North Texas, explains how her institution benefits from this approach: “In my division, we hire Accessibility Testers who are current or former students and native assistive technology users. They play a huge role in testing content from various perspectives. Our team includes a student who relies on a screen reader and Nemeth Braille keyboard, a student who uses magnification software alongside a screen reader, and a student who relies solely on a screen reader. It is important to get the input of the students. We cannot effectively create and advocate for accessible content without their input.” Shifting from a reactive to a proactive accessibility model means designing with students in mind from the beginning. That shift requires more than intention. It calls for systems that center disabled voices in testing, procurement, and decision-making processes.  What Can You Do? Creating meaningful partnerships with students with disabilities isn’t complicated, but it does require commitment, consistency, and care. Here are some recommendations about how you can make an impact:  Promote Opportunities for Students to Share Their Experiences. At Macmillan Learning, we conduct paid usability tests and surveys with students with disabilities to better understand their experience with our products. Their feedback has helped identify both barriers and successes that have directly shaped product development, including the redesign of one of our digital assessment experiences. If you’re a higher education student with a disability or an instructor working with students with disabilities, we'd love to partner with you. Email webaccessibility@macmillan.com to join our accessibility research database.   This can be implemented more broadly with institutions by establishing paid student tester programs, usability panels, or advisory boards. Creating formal roles for students with disabilities in campus accessibility planning helps move from simply accommodating students to intentionally partnering with them in the design and evaluation of accessible learning environments. Invite Student Feedback Early and Often.  It’s important to get their perspectives through regular surveys, open office hours, or focus groups to learn about urgent needs and long-term goals. Include accessibility questions in course evaluations or feedback forms. Offer flexible alternatives that reflect student suggestions and support diverse learning needs. Also, consider launching accessibility ambassador programs or adding student seats to digital accessibility committees. Help Create Community. When we talk about accessibility, it’s easy to focus on physical or digital accommodations, like ramps, captions, or screen readers. But for students with disabilities, belonging is just as critical. Community isn’t a bonus feature; it’s infrastructure. And instructors can play a powerful role in helping students find or build it. A quick mention in class of your school's disability services, student affinity groups, or mental health resources can be a game-changer, especially for students who are new, unsure, or reluctant to self-advocate. Accessibility is not just about compliance; it’s about community. And as Samm Nelson so eloquently put it, “We as disabled people belong in every space where decisions are made.”   Danae Harris is the Senior Digital Accessibility Specialist at the University of North Texas. In addition to reviewing online courses to help faculty create accessible content, she also works with third-party representatives, including publishers and e-learning software providers, to address accessibility concerns and shares best practices and tools for making digital content accessible. Samm Nelson, CPACC is the Digital Accessibility Coordinator at Mount Holyoke College. She is responsible for ensuring faculty, students, and staff have equitable access to digital spaces on campus. She trains individuals on how to use assistive technology and oversees training, auditing, and remediation of digital spaces on campus to ensure accessibility.   ... View more

College students are constantly sending signals about what’s working, and what’s not, in their learning experiences. Sometimes those signals are subtle, like a student withdrawing quietly from class participation. Other times they’re loud and clear. But too often, it’s easy to treat those signals as noise instead of data. At Macmillan Learning, we set out to listen more closely and learn more about those signals. With support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, we launched a multi-semester study focused on two essential—but often underexamined—aspects of learning metacognition (how they reflect on their learning habits and strategies) and sense of belonging (how connected they feel to their peers, instructors, and institution).  We partnered with 29 instructors (11 biology and 18 psychology) across 29 institutions and 42 course sections in Fall 2023. Together, we explored what happens when digital tools are used to foster reflection and connection, and what students are willing to share when given the space. Would they participate in weekly reflections, shared classroom experiences and peer-to-peer discussions? And even then, would it make a difference? Turns out: yes. And yes. Here’s what they said. “It really has helped me feel more connected to the people in my class.” We learned from students that connection matters more than icebreakers. Across in-person and virtual classrooms, students described the power of simply feeling like they weren’t alone. Sharing experiences, learning about each other’s habits, and seeing common struggles helped students build confidence and community. One student explained, “Once you read about other students, you see who you have things in common with... that can play a factor into y’all building a friendship or even having the courage to talk to them.” In online classes especially, this kind of connection can be hard to find. But when students saw their peers reflected back at them, even in small ways, it made a difference. “It really has helped me feel more connected to the people in my class.” This wasn’t just about social comfort. The sense of being seen helped students speak up, ask questions, and participate more. As one student shared, “It definitely encouraged me to raise my hand. I noticed that when I first started… a lot of people started doing it afterwards.” In fact, students who regularly reflected and engaged with their peers saw up to a 10-point lift in course grades compared to those who didn’t, showing that small moments of connection can drive meaningful academic gains. According to Guido Gatti, Senior Quantitative Research Analyst at Macmillan Learning, “There is a real academic impact from consistent interventions targeting student belongingness. The key is to get the whole class involved on a regular basis, then engagement improves, scores go up and student retention gets better.   “It helped me to be more mindful of myself.” That’s what one student told us about metacognitive reflection. And they weren’t alone. Every week, students were asked to pause and take stock: what’s working? What’s not? What might I try differently next time? These moments of structured self-reflection helped students to see learning not as something that happened to them, but something they could shape. For some, it was the first time they’d been asked to reflect in this way. One instructor that participated in the study noted, “Sometimes they don't even think about how they feel and this leads to frustration. Exposing students to asking those questions of themselves is a great way for them to address certain issues before they become so large that they affect their schoolwork.” Reflection also fostered connection. Students began to understand not just what they were doing, but why. As one student put it, “Getting to know how all my peers are approaching problems and their new college life has really helped me fit in and understand things since I'm a new college student.” They didn’t just reflect, they also borrowed. Study tips, time management strategies, different ways of approaching assignments were all swapped freely. Hearing how others handled challenges made it easier to try something new, especially for students just starting out or returning after time away. “It doesn’t take Socrates to see that going through the motions in your classes is not going to help students reach their potential. Real growth requires intentional effort. Sticking with the same strategies and hoping for better outcomes rarely works. Progress starts by stepping back, thinking critically about what’s working and what isn’t, and committing to a realistic plan that they’re willing to take seriously,” Gatti said. “What I have to say matters. It feels like I get to have a voice.” Belonging isn’t a bonus, it’s foundational. The study confirmed what many educators know instinctively: when students feel like they belong, they engage more deeply and perform better. While not all gaps were closed, the study showed meaningful progress when classrooms prioritized connection and reflection. But this isn’t just about outcomes, it’s also about culture.  Students noticed when instructors listened. One student shared how their professor responded to class feedback by restructuring group time. “She told us that the overall results weren't exactly where she wanted them… and if she feels like it's not going the right way, then she'll just put us in groups… so that you can be more familiar with your classmates and peers.” Another student described the difference it made when their experience was acknowledged, “That class specifically is the only class where I have a group of friends. And I guess you could say there's a larger feeling of belonging in that class.” “When all students feel they can contribute, and their contribution matters, now you have something bigger than a collection of individuals; engagement and learning can become contagious,” Gatti said.  “It was reassuring… like, I’m not the only one who feels this way.” Normalizing struggle builds resilience. One of the most powerful effects of peer-shared experiences was helping students feel less alone in their academic doubts. Mentor stories and classroom discussions allowed students to see that frustration, confusion, and fear weren’t signs of failure; rather that they were normal parts of learning. One student noted, “I am still scared to raise my hand or talk in front of people in my classes, but I think there was one video where a student mentions, ‘Everybody feels scared when they come to college.’ That video was extremely creative, at least to me.” In these moments, vulnerability became strength. Seeing peers reflect on and work through challenges helped students do the same. Belonging doesn’t come from perfection, it comes from knowing you’re not the only one navigating through college. What students told us, and what we do next The feedback students shared throughout this study went far beyond opinions or preferences. It was a window into what helps them feel more confident, more connected, and more in control of their learning. It confirmed that belonging and reflection aren’t extras, they’re essential. Students told us that being seen and heard changes how they engage. So does having the space to pause, reflect, and rethink their learning strategies. And while digital tools can’t replace good teaching, they can help create the conditions where connection and confidence grow. “The weekly feedback we received from students was more than survey data, it was insight into what truly matters to them,” Gatti said. "They reminded us that belonging isn’t something students bring with them, it’s something we help build. And most importantly, they reminded us that teaching is about more than delivering content. It’s about creating conditions for students to thrive.” When students are invited to share their experiences, they do. And what they say can reshape how we think about learning, if we’re willing to listen. Speaking of listening ... be sure to check out  "Little Reflections, Big Gains: Digging Into the Data on Student Belonging & Metacognition"  and "Four Strategies, Five Point Gains: Digging Into The Data on The Real Impact of Evidence-Based Teaching" on recent episodes of The What & Who of EDU to learn even more about the results from our work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Or for a quick take, check out "10 Things You Should Know About Evidence-Based Teaching (Some Will Surprise You)" and "From Soft Skills to Strong Gains: 6 Practical Tips from Research on Belonging & Metacognition." on our Learning Stories blog. ... View more

What happens when you build a library that’s more than just a place to study? At Berea College, a tuition-free, work college nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Amanda Peach and her colleagues at Hutchins Library have created something powerful. The library has become a third space, a mentorship hub, and a launchpad for student research and agency. After our conversation on The What & Who of EDU, I haven’t stopped thinking about what every educator (and every institution) can learn from their approach. Here are four takeaways that stuck with me, and that I hope will stick with you too. 1. The Invitation Matters Sometimes the most transformative thing an educator can do is extend the invitation.  Amanda doesn't wait for students to come to her, she reaches out. She actively invites them to co-author research papers, present at conferences, and engage in work that’s typically reserved for graduate students. Every semester, someone says yes. Why does that matter? Because for many students, especially first-gen or underrepresented students, asking to do research, or even knowing it’s an option, can feel out of reach. Amanda takes the wondering out of it by extending the invitation. In the process, students build their portfolios as well as something even deeper: a sense of scholarly identity. 2. Third Spaces Build Belonging Libraries are not just academic commons, they’re cultural ones too.  Hutchins Library leans into this by offering board games, pots and pans, podcast equipment, and ample gathering places for students to just pause and breathe.  Third spaces like these matter, especially on campuses where community is sometimes hard to find or harder to keep. In an era where such spaces are disappearing, libraries can step in and  give students agency to create and nurture them. 3. Information Literacy Is Everyone’s Job The information landscape isn’t just complex, it’s also constantly shifting. Amanda and her team realized that a legacy framework from the early 2000s wasn’t enough to equip today’s students to navigate deepfakes, echo chambers, and algorithmic bias. So they pivoted.  They replaced outdated interventions with one-on-one research consultations, partnered with faculty to embed information literacy into assignments, and rethought what students need—not just to write a paper, but to become critical, ethical consumers and creators of information. This work isn’t extra. It’s fundamental and foundational. 4. Access Is a Design Choice Yes, Berea’s endowment helps make their tuition-free model possible, but the intent behind it is what matters most. Berea shows us that higher education can be reimagined with access and agency at the center. We may not all work at a work college, but we can all ask: “What can I do, in my role, to remove barriers and open doors?” Whether it’s redesigning an assignment, rethinking who we co-create with, or making a trip to the library a part of our class plans, we all have levers we can pull. There’s so much more to our conversation and you should tune in to hear all of it.  Listen to the full episode of "The Heartbeat of Berea: How Hutchins Library Builds Community and Critical Thinkers" on The What & Who of EDU featuring Amanda Peach, available wherever you get your podcasts. And if it sparks something, leave us a voicemail at 📞 512-765-4688. We’d love to feature your voice on a future episode. ... View more

What if students could get a jumpstart on college while still in high school?  That’s the opportunity dual enrollment offers. And while it’s not a new idea, it’s becoming a bigger part of the conversation about college access, affordability and student success.  Dual enrollment allows high school students to take college-level courses, often earning both high school and college credit, through partnerships between their school and a local college or university. The courses will often mirror the core classes students would take during their first year of college, like English composition, U.S. history, psychology, and biology. The courses are taken at a local college, online or right in the high school classroom. According to the Community College Resource Center, around 2.5 million high school students take dual enrollment courses each year. And demand is growing as more students look for ways to lower the cost of college, explore career paths or simply get ahead. Dual enrollment programs are offered in all 50 states and available on 90% of high school campuses, though the structure and requirements can vary significantly from one program to another. In states like Florida and Georgia, the programs are state-funded and widely accessible, meaning students can often participate at no cost. In other states, families may face tuition or materials fees, and students’ access to the programs may depend on local partnerships between colleges and school districts. And while students do earn college credit, not all institutions accept those credits equally. “When designed to reflect the rigor and expectations of true college coursework and classroom environment, dual enrollment offers far more than academic credit, it provides students with an early, meaningful introduction to college life. This early exposure, delivered in a supportive, lower-stakes setting, has the potential to help students develop the confidence, discipline, and academic habits essential for a successful transition into higher education,” said Hilary Duplantis, Learning Research Specialist at Macmillan Learning. Why It Matters For many students, dual enrollment isn’t just a way to earn college credits faster. It’s also a way to shift what they believe is realistic or even possible for them, opening doors for students who might not otherwise see college as part of their future.  Take a high school junior who’s the first in her family to even consider college. Or imagine a student from a low-income household, where every dollar counts. There’s also the student who’s breezing through their high school classes, itching for something more challenging. And then there are students in rural communities or students in under-resourced schools.  These aren’t hypothetical, they represent real stories happening in classrooms across the country. An Institute of Education Sciences (IES) review in 2017 found that dual enrollment programs have positive effects on college degree attainment, access and enrollment, credit accumulation, high school completion, and general academic achievement in high school. “Post-COVID studies show these benefits persist. Dual enrollment students continue to enroll in college at higher rates and are more likely to persist through their first year and complete their degrees. These outcomes are especially significant for first-generation, low-income, and minority students, for whom dual enrollment can be a transformative stepping stone,” said Hilary.  Specifically, the CCRC found that 81% percent of dual enrollment students went to college just after high school, compared with about 70% of students overall. When students see themselves succeeding in college-level work, they start to believe they belong in college. That sense of belonging and early success can shape how they approach the rest of their educational journey.  In a time when students are questioning the value of college, dual enrollment offers one way to change the narrative. It can also change the math. Taking just a few college courses in high school can significantly cut the time (and money) it takes to earn a degree. For students balancing work, family and school, that flexibility can make all the difference. “Ultimately, the success of dual enrollment depends on structured support, clear academic pathways, and equitable access. Addressing these challenges while maximizing the benefits can help ensure that all students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, can fully reap the benefits of dual enrollment,” Hilary added. ... View more

Lectures get a bad rap. For some students, they’re the academic equivalent of airplane mode, something to quietly endure until it’s time for the test. But lectures don’t have to be lifeless. Across the country, instructors are finding fresh ways to make even the most content-heavy sessions engaging, interactive, and (dare we say) fun. At The What and Who of EDU, we asked educators across the country to share how they’re flipping the lecture model, without flopping in the classroom. The result? Ten practical, classroom-tested strategies from 11 instructors that help learning stick. Be sure to check out the full podcast episode From Blah to Aha: 10 Instructor-Approved Ways to Engage Students in Lecture-Based Courses Needs on Apple or Spotify to hear all the tips straight from the instructors themselves. Here's a preview of what they shared: 1. Don’t Compete With AI—Do What It Can’t Dr. Ryan Herzog, Associate Professor of Economics at Gonzaga University knows that AI might be just a browser tab away, but he doesn’t see that as competition. Instead, he focuses on what AI can’t replicate: connection, conversation and context. He uses group work, iClicker questions and current event discussions to help students apply economic concepts in real-world ways. “Students don’t feel like they need to pay as much attention in the classroom because they can just go to AI and they think they can get the material from AI, and we are seeing more and more of that. So you know, you, you want to try to tell fun stories, and you want to try to get them to engage in the material in ways that make it seem relevant.” Why it works: When students see real-world relevance, they’re more likely to stay present—and participate. It’s not about beating the bots, it’s about offering what they can’t. 2. Break the Spell Every 15 Minutes Dr. Erika Martinez, Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida knows that attention spans tend to expire before the lecture does. She breaks her sessions into short, interactive chunks, using polls, videos, and demonstrations to keep students actively engaged. “I try to break up all of my lectures into 15, no more than 20 min segments where I'm changing what I'm doing at the time to help re-engage the students.” Why it works: Structured variety gives students a mental “refresh” without losing momentum—and keeps them actively processing the content. 3. Add Checkpoints Mid-Lecture Dr. Margaret Holloway, Assistant Professor of English at Clark Atlanta University doesn’t wait until the end of class to check understanding. She builds “mini invites” into her lectures, prompting students to talk, practice, or reflect every few minutes to stay mentally present and involved. “I break my lecture up into maybe 3 different parts, especially if it's a a longer lecture. So I will introduce a concept, talk about the concept, and then I'll insert a slide or something in my PowerPoint presentation and say, 'Hey, now, let's practice this, or let's talk about it'. So it's not just me talking for 20 min or so, and them getting bored or checking their phones.” Why it works: These micro-engagements keep students on their toes—and give instructors real-time feedback on how well students are tracking with the content. 4. Let Students Take the Wheel Dr. Mike May, Mathematics and Statistics Coordinator at Saint Louis University lets students decide how the lecture unfolds. His classes begin with warm-up questions based on the previous session, and from there, students guide the direction of the lecture. Bonus: they even campaign for the “right” answer. “So the way I structure my lectures is the first 10 minutes are warm-up questions... I will have students tell me how to proceed….So when someone then says, ‘Why did you put a 5 there?’ My answer is, ‘Because somebody told me to put a 5 there. Do you think something else needs to go there?’” Why it works: Giving students agency turns passive note-takers into active co-creators and makes the learning stick. 5. Use iClickers as Brain Speed Bumps Dr. Christin Monroe, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Landmark College uses iClicker questions to pace her lectures and create space for neurodivergent learners to reflect. These checkpoints help her adapt in real-time to students’ needs, especially when body language doesn’t tell the whole story. “I do use iClicker questions in my classes because it helps to pace myself. I don't always know whether the students are learning the content. I can't always look out and read students faces. And so what's nice about the questions is essentially it helps me to read the room." Why it works: Frequent, low-stakes checks for understanding create a rhythm that supports all learners—and prevents runaway lectures. 6. Remix the Medium—Even Disney Counts Jennifer Duncan, Associate Professor of English at Georgia State University's Perimeter College taps into unexpected sources—like Frozen or The Little Mermaid—to explain academic concepts. The medium matters. She swaps traditional course readings with videos, adaptive assignments, and yes, even Disney songs to illustrate rhetorical principles in memorable ways. “Sometimes it’s a YouTube video of Disney characters singing songs while they spot the rhetorical elements... Anytime I can teach through an interactive activity instead of through a lecture or a course reading, that’s going to be a real win for me.” Why it works: Unconventional content can activate curiosity, make abstract ideas more memorable, and meet students where they already are—culturally and cognitively. Also, multiple modalities speak to multiple learning styles. 7. Don’t Just Lecture—Choreograph Learning Dr. Derek Harmon, Associate Professor – Clinical, The Ohio State University College of Medicine makes movement part of the message. He incorporates demos, student participation, and even VR to immerse learners in the content. “... When I am immersed in a space, everything else fades away, and I am only able to focus on what is presented in front of me in that virtual space. I think that is, without a doubt, one of the most powerful and unique features of virtual reality compared to any other medium.” Why it works: When students move through the material—literally—they retain it better. It’s learning by doing, not just listening. Physical interaction and immersive environments boost attention and recall, something that’s especially in dense subjects. 8. Design Asynchronous to Feel Interactive Betsy Langness, Professor and Psychology Department Head at Jefferson Community and Technical College makes asynchronous classes feel guided and personal through carefully selected interactive eBooks with adaptive quizzing, try-it questions, and multimedia to support student engagement in virtual classrooms. Because asynchronous doesn’t mean autopilot.  “Trying to give them a little tidbit or insight into what they're going to be reading in the book and then really selecting a really good ebook that is interactive that does engage students by giving them try-it questions.” Why it works: Self-paced learning can still feel structured, guided, and responsive with the right tools. 9. Build Belonging Into the Bones Dr. Charlotte de Araujo, Assistant Professor of Biology at York University, integrates connection into her teaching from day one. Whether through student-led decisions or coloring activities that explain biochemical structures, she creates a learning environment that prioritizes well-being and inclusion. “No matter how large or small my classes, I try to assign a getting to know you introduction piece asking students to share something they would like me to know more about... It also fosters conversations during student hours throughout the semester” Why it works: Students who feel seen and supported are more likely to engage and ask for help when they need it. 10. Flip the Script—Let Students Lead the Questions Adriana Bryant, English and Developmental English Instructor, Lone Star College–Kingwood, doesn’t use lecture time to talk at students, she uses it to talk with them. Rather than deliver information during class, Bryant gives her lectures in advance and uses in-person time to dive into student-generated questions and discussions. Collaborative note-taking rounds out the strategy. “My students will create questions that they have over the lectures. So then, when we get to the actual day, I spend the majority of the time going over the questions that they have about the materials... It becomes more a discussion of the topics than me just talking to them for an hour and 20 minutes.” Why it works: When students show up with questions, they’re already engaged. And when they help shape the discussion, they take ownership of their learning. Lectures aren’t the problem—it’s how we use them that matters. These 10 tips demonstrate that a few small tweaks, even the most traditional formats can become active, inclusive and deeply impactful. 🎧 Want to hear it all in action? Listen to the full episode → Have a student engagement hack of your own? Leave us a voicemail at (512) 765-4688 and you might just hear yourself on a future episode ... View more

Our company mission is to inspire what’s possible for every learner. It’s one of the many reasons we're proud to support the future of science education by sponsoring the 2025 U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO), a prestigious competition that challenges and celebrates the nation’s brightest high school chemistry students. Now in our fourth year supporting the Olympiad, we donated digital access to Biochemistry, 10th Edition and Quantitative Chemical Analysis to help equip the 20 students selected for the 2025 USNCO Study Camp. These college-level texts not only build a strong foundation in key concepts, but also reflect the latest research techniques and real-world relevance. Biochemistry 10e  offers a deep dive into physiological and medical connections, while Quantitative Chemical Analysis 11e represents the benchmark in analytical chemistry while seeking to inspire students to see themselves in the field. “These gifted students are tackling college-level material as part of their preparation, and we’re honored that our course materials are playing a role in their journey. Supporting these rising scientists is exactly what our mission is all about: empowering learners, backing educators, and making sure every student has access to the tools they need to succeed,” said Jeff Howard, Program Director, Chemistry at Macmillan Learning. The on-site camp is an intensive program held in early June where top high school chemistry students from across the country compete for a coveted spot on Team USA. The final team will go on to represent the United States at the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad in July. To the competitors: we’re cheering you on. And to all educators and mentors guiding these students. You make this possible.   ... View more

The Four Student Success Strategies Every Educator Should Know (And How to Use Them)   There’s no shortage of teaching advice out there, but when student success is on the line, what actually works? A three semester study from Macmillan Learning in 2022 and 2023, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, put four well-known strategies to the test: data-driven instruction, formative assessment with feedback, active learning, and metacognition.  While these strategies aren’t new, what's new is the scale and clarity of the findings. When instructors used these four practices consistently, and when students actually engaged with the work, performance improved. Measurably.  The study revealed statistically significant findings of a 4–5 percentage point bump on exam scores for students who engaged with EBT-aligned digital resources. and up to 20 points higher on final course grades for students with high engagement in their completion of assignments in high-assignment courses. Even students with medium engagement in assignment completion saw a boost of 9–13 percentage points in course grades. These strategies aren’t new, but this research adds to the growing evidence that how we implement them matters. Here’s a quick breakdown of each, along with practical ways to bring them to life in your classroom. 1. Data-Driven Instruction Students can’t hit a target they can’t see. Data-driven instruction helps clarify what success looks like by making learning goals and progress visible. In the study, it was the most commonly used of the four strategies. Data-driven instruction supports motivation, retention, and even graduation rates by aligning content with clearly stated learning objectives. When students understand the “why” behind what they’re doing, they engage more deeply and perform better. Guido Gatti explains, “It’s critical for everything that is important in life. Think of it like this: I wear a blood sugar monitor. It lets me know right away when something’s off, so I can respond in the moment, not after the damage is done. The timely feedback and ability to take action is what keeps me on track, monitor, then treat. Same goes for learning -- don’t wait until after the exam.” Ways to try it: Start class by posting a few specific learning goals. Use quick polls or check-ins to identify where students are getting stuck. Show students their progress on learning objectives with visual dashboards or midterm reflection surveys. 2. Formative Assessment with Feedback Formative assessment is less about grading and more about guiding. The idea is to help students spot gaps in their understanding while there’s still time to close them, and to offer feedback that motivates rather than discourages. Instructors in the study who used these strategies said they saw improvements not just in grades, but in student confidence and engagement. Courses with consistent feedback practices saw students improve both exam performance and confidence, according to both quantitative and qualitative data. “Things like LearningCurve give them quality, directed feedback that clears up misconceptions and keeps the learning going. That’s what makes the difference. It’s not just about what they don’t know, it’s about helping them see how much more they can learn,” Gatti explained. Ways to try it: Use low-stakes quizzes that offer immediate feedback. For a seamless way to implement you can use tools like LearningCurve (Achieve’s formative assessment tool). Build in short writing prompts or “muddiest point” reflections. Offer encouragement-focused feedback that highlights effort and next steps—not just what’s wrong. 3. Active Learning When students participate, they retain more. Active learning shifts the classroom from lecture hall to learning lab without needing a complete redesign. Courses that included just occasional active learning strategies still saw notable gains in exam performance, without requiring a complete course redesign. Even small steps can make a big difference. But here’s the catch: in the study, active learning was one of the least-used strategies, often due to time constraints or uncertainty about how to implement it in large or online classes.  Ways to try it: Break up lectures with think-pair-share activities, or small group problem solving. Use quick polls or group challenges to reinforce key concepts. Mix up your methods, because variety helps more students find their footing. “If there’s no real engagement, small groups can fall flat and could be doing less for students than a focused lecture would. Mix it up. Try projects, real-world scenarios, competitions, games, or even a phone-pic scavenger hunt. Make active learning the norm, not the exception. Get students interacting with the what, how, and why of the content and don’t give them the option to sit it out,” Gatti said. 4. Metacognition Also known as “thinking about thinking,” metacognition helps students take ownership of their learning. It teaches students to plan, monitor, and reflect on their learning—skills that go far beyond the classroom. This strategy had some of the strongest links to improved learning outcomes, especially when paired with reflection prompts, self-assessments, or goal-setting tools in courseware. That’s because, in addition to performance, it builds self-awareness, resilience and confidence. While it might be the most powerful strategy of all, it's often also the hardest to implement. According to Gatti, “Metacognition is really just problem solving. The problem is: Realistically, how do I get an A in this course? You ask yourself what’s working, what’s getting in your way, and what your plan is. Then you work the plan, pause, reassess, and revise. As instructors, we can guide students through that process, especially after big moments like the first exam. Take a little time to help them discover, plan, and adjust. That’s how learning sticks.” Ways to try it: Ask students to set a learning goal at the start of a unit, and reflect on it at the end. Encourage self-assessment: “What do I know well? What should I review?” Normalize struggle as part of the learning process. You don’t need to overhaul your course to use evidence-based strategies. In fact, the biggest takeaway from this research might be this: small, intentional changes matter. A few more reflection prompts. A few more goals shared out loud. A few more opportunities for students to speak, reflect or adjust. Want to learn more? Listen to Marcy Baughman, VP of Learning Science & Research at Macmillan Learning, as she talks about Four Strategies, Five Point Gains: Digging Into The Data on The Real Impact of Evidence-Based Teaching on The What & Who of EDU. ... View more

What if boosting your students’ grades didn’t start with a new curriculum, but with sticky notes and reflection surveys? In our latest episode of The What & Who of EDU’s Digging into the Data, we sat down with Marcy Baughman, VP of Learning Science & Insights at Macmillan Learning, to talk about a large-scale research study funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The focus was two deceptively simple tools: one that fosters a sense of belonging, and another that supports metacognitive reflection. With 726 students across 29 institutions participating, the findings weren’t just promising, they were surprisingly powerful. And statistically significant. Here’s a breakdown of what we learned—and how you can use it. 1. Belonging Doesn’t Announce Itself Students didn’t say “I have a low sense of belonging.” They said: “I’m not sure I fit in.” “I don’t feel comfortable talking to my instructor.” “I haven’t really connected with anyone.” The digital tool in the study worked because it met students where they were–in digital spaces. It allowed them to connect around shared experiences like study habits or favorite music. Sometimes, even grief. Start your semester with a question like “Where do you prefer to study?” or “What’s your comfort food of choice?”  While Macmillan Learning’s digital resource is still in beta testing, that doesn’t mean you can’t support belonging. You can collect responses in a form and then group responses and share. Connection doesn’t have to be complicated, it just has to feel real to students. 2. Micro-Reflections Make Macro Impact Students who completed just three to four short reflection surveys about their goals and progress saw measurable performance gains of up to 8%. This happened when reflections were spaced out, personalized and actionable.  Try this: Every few weeks, ask your students: What’s working for you? What’s not? What’s your next move? Help your students pause, assess, and course-correct. Short and meaningful can be really powerful here. 3. Get Personal ... in a Public Way Instructors who responded to student posts, referenced them in class or simply acknowledged shared interests created stronger engagement. Students felt seen, and that changed everything. Try this: Notice that several students mention liking coffee shops or anime or are working night shifts? Call it out in class. Use those data points to humanize yourself and build community. 4. Half Still Counts One surprising takeaway from the study was that students didn’t need to complete every activity for the tools to work. Showing up about half the time still led to a meaningful impact. Try this: Start small. Assign one reflection. Carve out five minutes in class for a belonging check-in. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or perfect plan, just starting can make a meaningful difference. 5. Let Students Teach Each Other One of the most effective elements in the metacognition tool was peer videos: older students sharing how they overcame challenges in the same class. This helped normalize self-doubt and reinforce resilience. Try this: Ask former students to record 30-second videos answering, “What helped you get through this course?” Or have current students reflect at midterm, then use those clips next semester. 6. Design With Students, Not Just For Them Marcy’s team didn’t just guess what students needed. They asked. They co-designed. They iterated. The tools worked because they were relevant, lightweight and emotionally intelligent. And, importantly, were exactly what students needed. Try this: You don’t need a grant to listen. Ask students mid-semester: “What’s something that would help you feel more connected to this class?” Then adjust where you can. 🎙️ Want more stories, insights, and research-backed strategies? Listen to the full episode: “Little Reflections, Big Gains: Digging Into the Data on Student Belonging & Metacognition” ➡️ Listen now on The What & Who of EDU 📞 Leave us a voicemail at (512) 765-4688 to share your take! ... View more

College can be stressful for students. Between deadlines, personal responsibilities and everything else going on, it’s no wonder they sometimes hit a wall. But academic struggles don’t always look like failing grades or skipped classes. The signs can be much more subtle. And those signs matter, because stress, anxiety, and depression are among the top factors that negatively affect academic performance. Students grappling with these challenges are more likely to drop classes, delay graduation or simply just leave school. And that’s the last thing we want for them. Stress and mental health challenges aren’t just personal issues, they show up in the data as well. According to the ACHA's Fall 2024 National College Health Assessment 37.1% of undergraduate students said stress negatively affected their academic performance in the last year. And among students who faced issues like procrastination, financial stress or career anxiety, more than 70% said those problems caused moderate to high levels of distress. That kind of pressure can chip away at a student’s ability to focus, stay motivated or make progress toward their degrees. By spotting the signs early and offering support, educators can help interrupt this cycle and keep students connected to their learning—and to the future they’re working toward. Below are seven common indicators that a student may be struggling, along with low-lift ways you can offer support. (And if you’d like even more ways to tackle stress and anxiety, Macmillan Learning has some practical tips and strategies from instructors just like you.) They’ve Gone Quiet Students who used to participate regularly might suddenly stop showing up in discussions or go completely silent in class. In person, they might avoid eye contact or sit further back than usual. Online, they may stop turning on their camera or leave discussion posts half-written. What You Can Do: Reach out with a short, empathetic check-in. A message like “I noticed you’ve been a bit quiet lately, everything okay?” can open the door to support without pressure. If you’re using platforms like Achieve, consider using analytics to spot students who aren’t engaging with assignments or course materials so you can follow up early. They Miss One Class…Then Another A student who skips one class and then another may be dealing with stress that’s impacting their ability to show up. This pattern can be hard to break once they feel behind or embarrassed. What You Can Do: Offer pathways back in. Instead of asking why they missed class, ask how you can help them re-engage. Make it clear that missing class doesn’t mean they’ve failed the course. Flexible attendance options, short video summaries, or alternative participation formats can also help students reconnect. Their Work Quality Changes A student who usually hands in thoughtful, on-time work starts submitting rushed assignments, incomplete work, or nothing at all. You might also notice more typos, shorter answers, or off-topic responses that suggest they were distracted or overwhelmed when completing it. What You Can Do: Consider offering a small grace period or flexible deadline. According to Macmillan Learning’s faculty guide, policies like these reduce anxiety and help students stay engaged without feeling like they’re falling behind. In Achieve, flexibility settings like assignment extensions or drop-lowest-score options are easy to apply and can reduce unnecessary stress. They Seem Disengaged or Disconnected in Class Disconnection can look like a student who stares at their phone, doodles in their notebook, or avoids group conversations. Online, it might be someone who logs in but never responds to chat, polls, or breakout room prompts. What You Can Do: Mix things up. Try resetting the classroom tone with something unexpected. You could use a one-word check-in, a silly GIF or a collaborative activity in iClicker to bring students back into the moment. Even a little burst of energy or humor can make the room feel more human and less heavy. They Avoid Asking for Help Some students will never say “I’m struggling” even if they are. Instead, they might stop attending office hours, skip clarification questions, or give up midway through an assignment. This can be especially common with students who are perfectionists or fear looking unprepared. What You Can Do: Normalize help-seeking early and often. Share how you struggled with material as a student or encourage questions with anonymous polls or “parking lots” for lingering questions. If you’re teaching a STEM class, encourage them to take advantage of Macmillan Learning’s AI Tutor, which offers just-in-time guidance at the exact time they need it and without judgment. They’re Fixated on Grades When every conversation starts with “what do I need to get an A?” it might be more than ambition — it could be anxiety speaking. What You Can Do: Reframe the narrative. Emphasize effort, progress, and learning over perfection. Rubrics, low-stakes assessments, or “grade insurance” policies (like dropping the lowest quiz) can also ease pressure. Also, If you're using Achieve, consider upgrading or the goal-setting and reflection surveys, which can help students think about their own learning habits and redefine success in a more personal and sustainable way. They Mention Feeling Overwhelmed (Even Casually) Sometimes, students will say “I’m just so tired lately” or “I have no time” — comments that might seem offhand, but signal deeper stress. What You Can Do: Take them seriously. Acknowledge what they said. A quick note like “I heard you mention feeling overwhelmed. I just wanted to say I’m here if you need support” can offer reassurance. You can also point them toward campus resources or suggest practical tools like study planners or wellness apps. You don’t have to be a counselor to make a difference. By tuning in to these signs and making small adjustments, you create a classroom where students feel seen and supported. For more tips on tackling stress and anxiety, Macmillan Learning has some practical tips. Because when students know their well-being matters, learning becomes a lot more possible. ... View more