New York; July 15, 2025 -- Macmillan Learning, a privately held, family-owned digital learning company, today announced the launch of a new logo and visual identity. The refreshed look marks the evolution from a traditional education publisher to a digital-first, student-centered learning company grounded in research and focused on outcomes for both Macmillan Learning and its high school division, BFW Publishers. At the center of the refreshed identity is a vibrant, open symbol that radiates outward, capturing the energy, motion, and connection at the heart of learning. Designed to be instantly recognizable across digital platforms and products, the new identity reflects how learning expands, changes, and brings people together. It also reinforces Macmillan Learning’s commitment to meeting learners wherever learning takes place, on any platform, in any classroom and at every stage of a student’s learning journey. “Our new look is more than just a design change. It captures what we know to be true: that learning is dynamic, expansive and deeply human. At the heart of learning is possibility. And possibility has no boundaries,” said Susan Winslow, CEO of Macmillan Learning.  Building on a legacy of over 75 years in education, the new system reflects Macmillan Learning’s mission to inspire what’s possible for every learner.  The new identity was developed in close collaboration with educators, designers, and employees to uniquely symbolize the company’s diverse offerings. The bright, optimistic palette was chosen to reflect Macmillan Learning’s clarity of purpose, its momentum as a company, and its confidence in the future of education. “This new identity reflects the kind of learning we support every day: digital, connected, and adapting to help students succeed,” said Kate Geraghty, Vice President of Corporate Communications & Training. “It’s shaped by the educators we partner with, the students we serve, and the evolving learning environments we design for. It’s a brand that grows with us and the learners we support.” The new brand is rolling out across the company’s website, products, platforms, and materials in the coming weeks. To learn more, visit macmillanlearning.com. About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned digital learning company that inspires what’s possible for every learner. Our tools, content, and services are grounded in research and designed to support learning, wherever and however it takes place. To learn more, please visit our newsroom or macmillanlearning.com. ... View more

New York; July 3, 2025 -- Macmillan Learning, a privately-held, family-owned digital learning company, today announced the promotion of Steve Hill to Chief Technology Officer (CTO). In this role, Hill will lead the company’s newly unified technology organization, bringing together Business Systems and Technology under a single, strategic vision.  As CTO, Hill will lead the teams responsible for building and securing the technology that powers Macmillan Learning’s digital products and platforms. He will guide the company’s approach to AI and other emerging technologies, ensuring they are implemented in ways that are responsible, transparent and aligned with learning outcomes. He will focus on integrating technologies to support evolving teaching practices and learner needs in ways that make learning more accessible, secure and adaptable. “The pace of change in education means we need more than just reliable platforms, and it calls for a flexible foundation and a mindset rooted in curiosity, creativity and care,” said Susan Winslow, CEO of Macmillan Learning. “Supporting learners means building technology that’s thoughtful, inclusive and will evolve alongside the learners who rely on it. Steve’s leadership ensures we’re doing that with intention and staying focused on what matters most: meaningful outcomes for every learner.” Hill joined Macmillan Learning in 2018 and has nearly three decades of experience in engineering, architecture, security, and performance. He played a key leadership role in the development of the company’s flagship learning platform, Achieve, and has played a significant role in strengthening the company’s security and accessibility practices. In recent years, he has led initiatives applying AI to improve both operational efficiency and product performance while championing responsible governance, transparency and ethical implementation. Beyond his technical leadership, Hill is a committed contributor to the broader Macmillan Learning and tech communities. He has served as executive sponsor of the company’s Pan Asian Affinity Network (PAAN) and currently is a Sponsor for Women@ML and is a member of the PeopleFirst CIO network. He’s also an active supporter of Austin’s local music scene. “At the heart of every great learning experience is human connection, and the right technology can strengthen that,” Hill said. “I’m excited to lead a team that is helping shape what’s next by not just building systems that empower learners and educators, but by doing it in ways that are transparent, equitable and grounded in real-world impact." About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that inspires what’s possible for every learner. We envision a world in which every learner succeeds. Through our content, tools and services, we aim to make that a reality. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Community. ... View more

New York, NY; May 30, 2025 — Macmillan Learning, a privately-held, family-owned digital learning company, today announced a new partnership with Invoke Learning, a leader in predictive analytics for higher education. Together, the two companies aim to address one of higher education’s most persistent challenges: using data to drive proactive decisions that improve student outcomes and operational effectiveness. Colleges generate vast amounts of student data, from LMS interactions and advising notes to enrollment and facility usage. But most of it remains trapped in unconnected systems, making it difficult to get a holistic and real-time view of students’ experiences. With this partnership, institutions can help break down these silos by integrating campus and public datasets into a unified, intelligent platform.  “Higher education has often used primary data as a tool for reflection,” said Steven Ray, Vice President of Enterprise Solutions at Macmillan Learning. “By combining the strengths of Macmillan Learning and Invoke Learning, colleges and universities now have the opportunity to move from insight to impact, and to transform the student experience both in and beyond the classroom.” A recent study published in Science by researchers at UCLA and the MIT Press highlights just how wide this gap is. Based on interviews with provosts, librarians, and senior administrators, the study found that universities severely lag behind the private sector and government when using data to inform strategy. Despite isolated efforts to reduce redundancies and integrate systems, many institutions still lack the coordination and expertise to translate information into action. “Too many institutions are dealing with data chaos,” said Lige Hensley, CEO at Invoke Learning. “The InvokeClarity platform brings all institutional data into one system, breaking down silos and enabling campus leaders to make faster, more informed decisions.” Beyond academics, the partnership helps institutions improve operational efficiency and allocate resources more effectively. From assessing the impact of student success initiatives to improving campus-wide coordination, the combined insights from Macmillan Learning and Invoke Learning help institutions shift from reactive to proactive. The partnership with Invoke Learning, a company founded by former higher education technology leaders, expands Macmillan Learning’s commitment to delivering actionable insights. Together, the two organizations are making complex institutional data more accessible and usable, empowering instructors and administrators to better support their students. About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that inspires what’s possible for every learner. We envision a world in which every learner succeeds. Through our content, tools and services, we aim to make that a reality. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Community. About Invoke Learning Built on an innovative data lakehouse foundation, Invoke Learning provides a cloud-native data platform that breaks down data silos across entire educational systems. Whether serving a single institution or a statewide consortium, Invoke Learning empowers higher education to gain actionable insights that lead to lasting impact—without the rigidity of legacy data warehouses. To learn more, please visit invokelearning.com.   ###   ... View more

New York; January 31, 2025 -- Macmillan Learning, a privately-held, family-owned digital learning company, today announced the appointment of Greg David to the newly created role of Chief Revenue & Customer Officer (CRCO). In this role, he will direct the revenue strategy and customer engagement for both BFW High School and Macmillan Learning’s Higher Education division. His leadership will ensure that sales and customer success initiatives support educators at all levels. In addition to strengthening partnerships, he will explore new revenue channels and opportunities to meet the dynamic challenges of teaching and learning. “Greg’s leadership is rooted in a commitment to listening, learning, and partnering with our customers to help them navigate an evolving education landscape,” said Susan Winslow, CEO of Macmillan Learning. “Over the past decade, he has helped us to transform the way we support educators and students, and this promotion recognizes his ability to ensure that our tools and services truly align with their needs.” David has been instrumental in reshaping Macmillan Learning’s approach to customer engagement and growth over the last decade. Under his leadership, his teams have helped customers navigate industry-wide shifts—including the transition from print to digital, the adoption of new teaching modalities, affordability-focused solutions like inclusive access, and the increasing role of AI in education—while keeping student success at the center of decision-making.  As CRCO, David will focus on expanding access to innovative learning solutions while ensuring that every initiative helps educators navigate challenges, improve learning experiences, and drive student success. In this new role, he and his teams will introduce new digital and personalized learning solutions that will enhance the customer experience from initial engagement to long-term partnerships. He will also explore new channels and opportunities in a rapidly evolving education landscape. "Great learning experiences start with great teaching, and our longstanding commitment is to support educators every step of the way with the tools that help them to do just that,” said David. “Macmillan Learning has always been dedicated to working alongside instructors to help them navigate change and create meaningful student outcomes. I’m honored to continue building upon that work in this new role.” About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that inspires what’s possible for every learner. We envision a world in which every learner succeeds. Through our content, tools and services, we aim to make that a reality. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Community. ### ... View more

New York, NY; Dec 19 2024 — Macmillan Learning, a privately-held, family-owned digital learning company today shared early findings from two semesters of testing its AI Tutor within Achieve, their digital platform. The data from more than two million messages and surveys supported improved student confidence, learning habits, problem-solving skills, and classroom engagement. Macmillan Learning developed the AI Tutor as a purpose-driven AI study tool that deepens students’ understanding of their coursework rather than simply providing answers.  The data represents a full year of research (Fall 2023 - Spring 2024) involving approximately 8,000 students, examining the Tutor’s impact on learning behavior and classroom engagement. Ongoing analysis for an additional 100,000 current students is showing early results that replicate the trends of the company’s earlier studies. The tutor is an AI-powered personalized homework tool that supports students whenever they are doing work within the platform, guiding them through thought-provoking questions and dialogue, encouraging them to think critically. Designed with research-based guardrails, it helps students make connections and build the problem-solving skills that support persistence in their learning journey. The tutor is like an extension of an instructor or teaching assistant that guides them without judgment, or the stigma of asking basic questions, whenever they need support. “We believe that students benefit from structured support that is available in the moment they need it and that respects their learning journey, encouraging them to persist when the material is difficult. Receiving customized support with appropriate guardrails to encourage development of problem-solving skills supports learning and confidence,” said Marcy Baughman, Vice President, Learning Science and Research. The Data and Trends Enhanced Student Confidence and Persistence Many students reported feeling more confident after using the AI Tutor; in fact, data from a midpoint survey found that 41.5% of students reported increased confidence in their problem-solving abilities, describing it as a supportive, judgment-free space that encouraged persistence through challenging content. Instructors agree, and 41% attributed their students’ improved confidence or exam performance to the AI Tutor. “The AI Tutor is a welcome feature in my Calc II class,” said Oakton College Mathematics Professor Safa Hamed. “Calc II has a reputation that it is a very tough class. Knowing that the AI Tutor is available, getting stuck on an assignment is no longer as scary.” “Our primary goal in developing the AI Tutor was to ensure it truly supported learning,” said Jaclyn Wiggins Camacho, Product Director. “We designed it to address actual student needs in a way that is constructive and intentional, so they develop confidence and persistence in problem-solving. It won’t give the answers, but will help direct students to where they can themselves discover them.” Positive Shifts in Learning Habits and Classroom Dynamics Designed to guide students through questions rather than give direct answers, the Tutor encourages students to work through problems critically and develop confidence in their understanding. Many students expressed appreciation for the Tutor’s patient, step-by-step guidance.  Nearly half of instructors reported that students have been seeking help from them less with the use of the AI tutor, indicating that it supplements rather than replaces traditional resources.  One student noted, "After using it once or twice, I feel I better understand the concept and would no longer need help."  Instructors noticed that, with the AI Tutor's support, students are arriving in class with a stronger foundational understanding, allowing for more advanced and enriching discussions during class and office hours. They believe the AI Tutor’s real-time guidance helps students tackle basic questions independently, and reduces homework-related emails and fewer requests for extensions. “It’s remarkable to see how students are engaging more deeply with content,” one instructor noted. “With fewer ‘quick-fix’ questions, I’m able to focus on higher-level discussions that enrich our class time.” Better Preparation and Exam Readiness Students using the AI Tutor engaged with it for an average session duration of 6.3 minutes, with some sessions lasting up to 30 minutes.  Approximately 52% of students reported that the AI Tutor helped them organize and clarify complex problems, contributing to their exam readiness. Many students indicated that the tutor's Socratic approach played a crucial role in helping them develop a structured approach to studying.  Student Usage Insights  Available around the clock, the AI Tutor is a reliable tool for students that need support outside of traditional class hours. Many students reach out to the AI Tutor during late-night study sessions and near assignment deadlines, with data showing that students use it the most from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. on weeknights. One student remarked, “I feel like if this was a real person, I would be annoying them with so many questions, but the AI tutor is very patient and helps to go step by step." Homework is consistently identified as the primary context in which students use the AI Tutor, particularly when they struggle with specific problems. Many instructors believe students are most likely to use the AI Tutor when preparing for quizzes or exams, as they want to ensure understanding before tests.  “Knowing the Tutor is always available is reassuring for students, especially when they face complex assignments on their own time,” shared an instructor. “I’ve seen students grow more comfortable approaching challenging topics because they know they can get quality help right when they need it.” The Tutor’s conversational, encouraging tone fosters a sense of comfort, with students sometimes addressing it informally: “bae i dont get this.” This reflects the safe, non-judgmental environment the Tutor creates, encouraging persistence in learning. Interactions with the Tutor vary across disciplines. In Economics, students tend to write longer, in-depth questions, while in Chemistry, messages are shorter and more frequent, often focusing on specific calculations or quick checks (“multiply by 3?”). This pattern highlights the Tutor’s adaptability, providing personalized support that matches the needs of each student. Nearly all students (90%) and 75% of instructors indicated they would be disappointed if the AI Tutor were no longer available. Instructors who initially had concerns about AI tools expressed that the Tutor’s thoughtful, guided approach alleviated their worries, making it a trusted resource in their teaching toolkit​. About the Data: The research from Fall 2023 - Spring 2024 was collected by analyzing students’ interactions with the AI Tutor. The data and insights come from product usage, user experience perceptions, and early insights from an impact study. This includes more than two million messages from more than 8,000 students, across over 80 unique courses, as well as surveys several times throughout each semester. To protect privacy, students' questions and surveys were collected anonymously. Approximately 30 instructors also provided feedback on their and their students' experiences. The data and insights didn’t vary widely from fall to spring, but did help the company's product and research teams better refine the AI Tutor to improve usability, accuracy and support. Additional insights from millions of messages from around 100,000 students will be shared in 2025.  The impact study took place over one semester and was conducted by the company’s Learning Science and Research team. The team is focused on data- driven insights that analyze course outcomes coupled with demographic student information and platform usage data, enabling a more nuanced understanding of educational impact. Committed to co-design, the team works closely with educators, administrators, and students to ensure their research aligns with real-world educational needs and contexts​​. Their rigorous research is approved by a third-party Institutional Review Board (IRB) and then approved at individual institutions.  The AI Tutor is available for courses that use STEM and Economics course materials within Achieve.  About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that inspires what’s possible for every learner. We envision a world in which every learner succeeds. Through our content, tools and services, we aim to make that a reality. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Community. ... View more

New York; August 22, 2024 -- Macmillan Learning, a privately-held, family-owned digital learning company, today announced Tim Flem has been promoted to the role of Chief Product Officer (CPO). In this role, he will oversee the development and management of Macmillan Learning’s digital products, leading the product development lifecycle from ideation and research to launch and iteration. He will also focus on cultivating strategic partnerships within the education and technology ecosystems, seeking new opportunities for collaboration and growth. “Since joining Macmillan Learning eight years ago, Tim has been a steadfast advocate for discovery, fully embracing the idea that continuous inquiry is essential for innovation at a learning company. His promotion reflects our commitment to leadership excellence, underscoring our belief in curiosity, learning, and continuous inquiry as a fundamental driver of innovation and progress,” said Susan Winslow, CEO of Macmillan Learning. As CPO, Flem will lead the Product, User Experience, AI/Data Science, and Learning Science and Research teams, guiding the development of products and tools that meet customer needs. His promotion comes at a time of tremendous change within the education industry, and will help guarantee that Macmillan Learning’s products and technologies adapt to the evolving needs of institutions, educators, and students. Importantly, he will help ensure that they help inspire what’s possible for every learner, no matter their background or abilities. During his tenure at Macmillan Learning, Flem has been an advocate for customer-centered digital innovation that delivers superior outcomes. He led the development and successful launch of the company’s digital learning platform, Achieve, which was designed using the foundations of learning science and in partnership with students and instructors. The courseware has gained recognition for its foundation in rigorous teaching and learning practice; ongoing research about efficacy, metacognition and sense of belonging has since led to iterations that add further depth to the technology’s support of each student's success.  Flem also helped establish Macmillan Learning’s partnership with The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to study how a courseware platform like Achieve can help to close equity gaps in course completion for historically and presently underserved students.  Flem quickly responded to recent AI-fueled tech advancements, setting the stage for the company’s fundamental shift in product development. He and his teams focused on ethical standards for AI use, while rapidly shifting to developing, testing, and launching AI-supported learning tools. This led to the launch of an AI Tutor in Achieve for STEM disciplines, with early results indicating that AI-enhanced personalized tutoring positively impacts student engagement and progress, especially at times when they need help with assignments. His team also launched AI question generation in the iClicker platform. Flem joined leaders from Macmillan Learning’s parent company, Holtzbrinck, to expand access and capabilities to AI technology and innovation. Filmon Zerai, COO at Holtzbrinck noted, “Above and beyond Tim's role in driving innovation within Macmillan Learning, he has been instrumental in shaping our overall AI agenda at Holtzbrinck. His contributions within the HPG AI Acceleration Group have been extremely valuable, and we all look forward to his continued success." “Our deep research into the wide range of opportunities and challenges that learners bring  to our products fuels our passion for delivering learning experiences that resonate. We understand how important it is to recognize each learner's unique preferences and lived experiences, while at the same time equipping faculty with the right tools to step in with timely interventions when needed. Doing this, and doing it well, is the most fulfilling thing I’ve accomplished in my career,” Flem said. Read Flem’s take on the intersection of AI and product development here. About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that inspires what’s possible for every learner. We envision a world in which every learner succeeds. Through our content, tools and services, we aim to make that a reality. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Community. ### ... View more

Company earned top score of 100 on the 2024 Disability Equality Index New York, NY; July 16, 2024–Macmillan Learning, a privately-held, family-owned digital learning company, announced today it was named a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” on the Disability Equality Index®, the world’s most comprehensive benchmarking tool for companies to measure disability workplace inclusion inside their organization and to assess performance across industry sectors. This is the fourth consecutive year the company has earned a top score of 100, reflecting its ongoing commitment to disability inclusion for both its employees and the students and instructors, which they support.  Globally, more than 1.3 billion individuals have a disability. Disability is a natural part of the human experience, and it crosses lines of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and other demographics. The Disability Equality Index was launched in 2015 as a joint initiative of Disability:IN and The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) to to help businesses make a positive impact on the unemployment/underemployment of people with disabilities. The 2024 Disability Equality Index measured companies' inclusion efforts, including: culture & leadership, employment practices (such as accommodations, benefits, recruitment and advancement opportunities), community engagement, supplier diversity and responsible procurement. “Because we're a learning company, it’s our priority to ensure that each student succeeds, regardless of demographics or ability.” said Kristin Peikert, Senior Vice President of People & Culture at Macmillan Learning. “That process starts internally with our own employees, as we strive to create a work environment where all employees can succeed, which is reflected in the products and services we offer students and instructors.”  Macmillan Learning’s Commitment to Accessibility  Macmillan Learning’s commitment to accessibility is twofold. The company works towards creating equitable student learning experiences; secondly and at the same time it aims to meet or exceed industry-accepted standards–both through the products it creates and the work environment and culture it fosters. The company’s accessibility work has earned it “Gold Standard” recognition from ASPIRE and the Winner of Accessible Books Consortium’s International Excellence Award for Accessible Publishing in 2020. Five years ago, Macmillan Learning was the first higher education organization to be recognized as Global Certified Accessible by Benetech. Since then, the company has been providing “born accessible” digital learning options that ensure that every student, no matter their ability, has the same access to information. Benetech certified the company’s conformance to the accessible EPUB creation guidelines, which are based on WCAG 2.2 AA+ standards put in place by the international standards organizations and the publishing community. Macmillan Learning’s product and engineering teams continue to make ongoing updates to Achieve, the company’s digital learning platform, to make it more friendly for users with disabilities. The company also offers training opportunities for all employees to become more knowledgeable about accessibility guidelines and better allies to their colleagues and the customers they support. For additional support and resources, employees have the opportunity to learn more from Macmillan Learning’s employee resource group, AVID (Awareness of Visible and Invisible Disabilities) for people with disabilities and allies.  “While I am proud of our company for receiving these recognitions, we understand that accessibility is not only about checking boxes or fulfilling requirements; rather to us, it is an ongoing journey,” Peikert added.  In 2024, Macmillan Learning was one of 542 corporations, including 71 Fortune 100 and 220 Fortune 500, who used the Disability Equality Index to benchmark their disability inclusion efforts. “Together, we are creating a future where everyone can contribute and thrive,” said Jill Houghton, President and CEO of Disability:IN. About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that inspires what’s possible for every learner. We envision a world in which every learner succeeds. Through our content, tools and services, we aim to make that a reality. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Macmillan Community. About the Disability Equality Index®  The Disability Equality Index has become the leading independent, third-party resource for the annual benchmarking of corporate disability inclusion policies and programs, and is now trusted by more than 70% of the United States Fortune 100 and nearly half of the Fortune 500. Such companies must increasingly consider how emerging global reporting directives and stakeholder expectations surrounding social and corporate governance factors impact their operational, cultural, reputational and financial performance.  The Disability Equality Index is an objective, reflective, forward-thinking, and confidential disability rating tool designed to assist businesses in advancing inclusion practices. It is a comprehensive benchmark that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions across five scored categories: Culture & Leadership, Enterprise-Wide Access, Employment Practices, Community Engagement, and Supplier Diversity. Participating companies receive a score, on a scale of zero (0) to 100, with those scoring 80 or higher earning the distinction of “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion” for the benchmark year. Findings from a two-year Global Disability Equality Index pilot informed the launch of a scored benchmark that opened in 2024 to seven new countries in addition to the United States. These include: Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom. Now in its 10th year, the Disability Equality Index has grown nearly 7x since 2015, expanding from 80 companies in its first year to 542 in 2024. Collectively, the 2024 edition received 753 submissions spanning the eight benchmarked countries.  About the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) AAPD is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power for people with disabilities. As a national cross-disability rights organization AAPD advocates for full civil rights for the 60+ million Americans with disabilities. Learn more at: www.aapd.com.  About Disability:IN® Disability:IN is a global organization driving disability inclusion and equality in business. More than 500 corporations partner with Disability:IN to create long-term business and social impact through the world’s most comprehensive disability inclusion benchmarking and reporting tool, the Disability Equality Index; best-in-class conferences and programs; expert counsel and engagement; and public policy leadership. Join us at disabilityin.org/AreYouIN #AreYouIN. ... View more

New York, NY; May 22, 2024 --  Macmillan Learning, a privately-held, family-owned digital learning company, announced the winners of the 2024 EconEd Innovation and Education Awards. This year’s awards celebrate the innovative teaching methods of Dr. Madhavi Venkatesan, Associate Teaching Professor of Economics, Northeastern University and the exceptional academic and research achievements of economics student Samantha Mackley from the University of Missouri. Both Dr. Madhavi Venkatesan and Samantha Mackley have each earned a $2,500 prize and an all-expenses-paid trip to Macmillan Learning’s annual EconEd conference, scheduled to take place on September 27-28 in Chicago. Known for its rich academic discourse and diverse perspectives, EconEd is a platform for professional development, knowledge sharing, and community building among Economics instructors. Previous conference speakers included Macmillan Learning authors with more than 150 years experience at leading colleges around the world, including Paul Krugman, Justin Wolfers, Betsey Stevenson, Tyler Cowen, Alex Tabarrok, Eric Chiang, and more. "We believe that collaboration and knowledge sharing helps elevate economic education and scholarship, which is why at EconEd we bring together the best of both worlds: the innovative spirit of educators and the supportive resources and deep knowledge of Macmillan Learning’s authors. We established a new award this year to honor the achievements of instructors like Dr. Venkatesan and students like Samantha Mackley who both embody excellence in economics education and exemplify the heart of our mission -- to inspire what’s possible for every learner," said Scott Guile, Executive Marketing Manager, Macmillan Learning. Instructor Contest Winner: Dr. Madhavi Venkatesan, Northeastern University Dr. Venkatesan has been awarded the EconEd Instructor Innovation Award for her groundbreaking project designed to deepen students' understanding of economic principles and their real-world applications, particularly focusing on externalities and sustainability. In her Principles of Microeconomics class, Dr. Venkatesan assigns a life cycle assessment project that engages students in analyzing the environmental impacts of littered items produced by public companies.  The EconEd Instructor Award was created to recognize innovation in the teaching of Principles of Economics. Dr. Venkatesan’s innovative approach not only highlights the critical importance of value-oriented purchasing and investing but also enhances students' grasp of economic theories such as the theory of the firm (which explores how businesses operate, make decisions, and interact with the market to maximize profits) and consumer behavior (how individuals make decisions to allocate their resources (time, money, effort) to purchase goods and services). The judges noted that the assignment has “empowered students to see the tangible impact of economic incentives on environmental outcomes, fostering a generation of informed consumers and future leaders who are  passionate about sustainability.” Student Contest Winner: Samantha Mackley, University of Missouri Samantha Mackley has been awarded the EconEd Student Education Award for her outstanding academic achievements and dedication to advancing economic knowledge. Inspired by her Intermediate Microeconomics course, Samantha has actively engaged in economic research, contributing to studies on school lunch policies and crime and poverty analysis. She has also played a pivotal role in promoting economic literacy and engagement through her leadership positions in Undergraduate Women in Economics and Omicron Delta Epsilon, as well as her work as a founding editor of the undergraduate social sciences journal. The Award was created to recognize an undergraduate Economics student who demonstrates exceptional academic achievements and makes noteworthy contributions to their community through their Economics acumen. Samantha’s dedication to advancing economic knowledge and her active engagement in research and community initiatives truly embody the spirit of this award. The judges noted that Samantha’s essay “eloquently captures the essence of economic studies and their profound influence on both personal growth and societal well-being.”  About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that inspires what’s possible for every learner. We envision a world in which every learner succeeds. Through our content, tools and services, we aim to make that a reality. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Macmillan Community. ... View more

New York, NY; March 5, 2024 -- Macmillan Learning, a privately-held, family-owned digital learning company, today announced the launch of a new professional development institute to provide practical knowledge and a meaningful community for educators. The Institute at Macmillan Learning begins on May 13 with the course “Teaching with Generative AI: A Course for Educators”,  a facilitator-led, two-month course that covers essential AI concepts. During the course, participants will get hands-on experience developing AI policies for their courses, designing assignments highlighting AI's capabilities and limitations, and navigating conversations with students about the use of AI. The course offers educators a blend of asynchronous and synchronous learning, interactive workshops, and discussion platforms to both educate and connect educators from diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and institutions.   “This institute was developed to empower educators to meet modern teaching challenges with confidence,” said Leasa Burton SVP Pedagogical Design, Macmillan Learning. “I'm most excited to see the connections and relationships educators form with their fellow participants as they experiment with generative AI together in order to develop their own expertise. We know that having colleagues to lean on can have a tremendous impact on your success as an instructor.” Each week, the professional development course offers moments for deep reflection on each participant’s own pedagogical practices and understanding of AI. Through expertly developed instructional content, educators will be introduced to new technologies and ideas and then equipped with the knowledge to weave them seamlessly into their curriculum. In addition to facilitator-led instruction, each week will also have assignments designed to serve as practical blueprints that educators can adapt and use in their classrooms as well as an interactive component for educators to exchange insights. Beyond the curriculum, the Institute was designed to foster a vibrant community of practice. Participants will benefit from an immersive experience that enables them to demonstrate their expertise, learn from their peers, and engage in an active and accountable community. This robust support and recognition framework underlines the Institute’s commitment to not only advancing participants' knowledge but also their professional stature and impact in the educational field. Together, participants will enhance their skills, stay ahead of technological trends, and learn how they can take advantage of AI to make a lasting impact on their students and institutions.  "Recognizing the self-motivation and diverse experiences that lifelong learners bring, the Institute creates an expanded opportunity for participants to share knowledge and experiences, which is vital for growth and innovation in education. There are few areas within education that are having the kind of impact that Gen AI is, so we are looking forward to connecting learners in our community who want to explore that with others," said Burton.  “Teaching with Generative AI: A Course for Educators Across the Disciplines” was developed for educators at colleges and universities by experts alongside Macmillan Learning’s editorial, product and learning science teams. This and additional courses from the Institute are designed to encourage educators to engage in conversations, explore current educational topics, and collectively address contemporary challenges in education. Upon completion of the course, participants will earn badges recognizing their mastery of teaching with Generative AI and advancing their professional development. Registration begins April 15. Macmillan Learning is offering a special early-bird discount, bringing the course price from $249 to $99 for the first 100 people to enroll. To learn more about the course visit the Institute at Macmillan Learning. About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that inspires what’s possible for every learner. We envision a world in which every learner succeeds. Through our content, tools and services, we aim to make that a reality. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Macmillan Community. ... View more

New York, NY; Feb. 20, 2024 -- Macmillan Learning today announced the launch of the iClicker AI Question Creator, a new tool for instructors that harnesses the power of generative AI to create engaging and effective learning experiences for students. The AI Question Creator beta builds on the company’s market-leading iClicker platform and will be available to the first 5,000 instructors. Rooted in modern pedagogy and enhanced by generative AI, the iClicker AI Question Creator enables instructors to effortlessly craft and deploy unique questions that facilitate an  interactive and engaged classroom experience. Tailored to fit any discipline or topic, the question creator allows educators to specify the desired level of rigor, course level, and learning taxonomy, ensuring the questions align with their teaching goals.  “The AI Question Creator paves the way for a more dynamic, adaptive, and interactive learning environment. The tool’s intelligent design saves instructors time, allowing them to spend it where it’s most important, which is engaging with their students," said Steven Ray, VP, Enterprise Solutions for Macmillan Learning. The questions can be used for iClicker polls, quizzes, and assignments and can be deployed to students in seconds. Importantly, the questions are unique and not easily searchable online, which provides a more authentic assessment of students’ true understanding of the course material. iClicker's real-time display of the instructor-generated questions allows for immediate student engagement, fostering an environment that supports more effective learning.  The AI Question Creator will allow 5,000 instructors to each generate up to 50 unique questions in just minutes during the beta period. Instructors can sign up for the beta using their existing iClicker account; those that are new to iClicker should first create an account here. The beta is scheduled to last through May, with the commercial launch expected this Fall. Key Features and Benefits: Some of the many features and benefits of the question generator include: Effortless Question Creation: Instructors can input discipline, topic, question type, and other settings to generate up to 50 unique questions. They can then immediately use the new questions, navigating between the slides and whether they’d like to show or hide the answers to students. Real-Time Adaptability: Instructors are better able to meet students where they are, adapting instantly to areas of struggle and engaging them in unexpected ways. Enhanced Academic Integrity: The tool's ability to create instant, unique questions provides greater assurance of academic honesty. “After teaching introductory biology for 12 years, I find it harder and harder to come up with novel quiz questions. Using the AI Question Creator allowed me to easily generate personalized questions that varied on topic, content, scenario, and Bloom’s level, all with an easy-to-use drop-down-box and text entry interface,” said Justin Shaffer, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies and a Teaching Professor at the Colorado School of Mines. iClicker was developed by a team of physicists and educational researchers out of the University of Illinois. It is the most widely used student response system in higher education with more than 7,000 active instructors engaging more than 1.3 million students each year. It creates a user-friendly and immersive active learning environment before, during, and after class by fostering active learning. It works by creating opportunities for quizzing, group collaboration, and polling. Students can answer anonymously how confident they are in the day’s learning, and instructors have real-time insights about students’ comprehension. About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that inspires what’s possible for every learner. We envision a world in which every learner succeeds. Through our content, tools and services, we aim to make that a reality. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Macmillan Community. ... View more

New York, NY; Jan. 24, 2024 --  Macmillan Learning, a privately-held, family-owned educational publishing and services company, announced today it will mark its 15th year hosting the EconEd Summit with new awards recognizing innovation within the Economics community. Macmillan Learning will honor a remarkable Economics student and instructor with the new EconEd award, which comes with a $2,500 prize and an all-expenses-paid trip to the conference, scheduled to take place on September 27-28 in Chicago. EconEd is a platform for professional development, knowledge sharing, and community building among Economics instructors. Over the years, the conference has featured distinguished figures within the Economics community, including Paul Krugman, Justin Wolfers, Betsey Stevenson, Tyler Cowen, Alex Tabarrok, Eric Chiang, and many more, fostering a legacy of rich academic discourse and thought leadership. These Macmillan Learning authors represent a range of diverse economic perspectives and insights and collectively have more than 150 years experience at leading colleges around the world. "As Economics plays an integral role in nearly every aspect of our lives, its significance sometimes goes unnoticed. With these awards, we aim to shine a spotlight on the students and instructors who not only illuminate this crucial subject but also ignite curiosity among students," said Scott Guile, Executive Marketing Manager, at Macmillan Learning. The EconEd Student Award will honor an undergraduate Economics student who demonstrates exceptional academic achievements and makes noteworthy contributions to their community through their Economics acumen. Impactful community involvement could involve mentoring/tutoring, contributing to research initiatives, supporting students’ economic literacy, writing about economic issues, or other activities. The EconEd Instructor Award will celebrate innovation in the teaching of Principles of Economics. Whether through cutting-edge technology, interactive projects, gamification, community involvement, tailored learning experiences, or inventive assessment techniques, this award celebrates those who are redefining economics education. The awards are open to students and instructors in U.S. colleges. Students should have a declared major or minor in Economics. Applications for both awards are open until April 1, with winners announced mid-May.  This year’s EconEd Summit will focus on the intersection of government policies and Economics, with sessions examining topics like the discrepancy between consumer attitudes and economic data. Peer consultants, Macmillan Learning, and Macmillan Learning CEO Susan Winslow will present during the summit. More information about the conference is available here. About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that inspires what’s possible for every learner. We envision a world in which every learner succeeds. Through our content, tools and services, we aim to make that a reality. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Macmillan Community. ... View more

New York, NY; Nov. 9, 2023 --  Macmillan Learning today announced the launch of The Bedford Bookshelf, a digital platform that delivers a comprehensive and customizable collection of digital learning materials at an affordable price. The Bedford Bookshelf from the Bedford/St. Martin's imprint will be available Spring 2024 for two disciplines: American History and English Composition. The Bookshelf draws on the vast portfolio of some of the most popular titles from Bedford/St. Martin’s. It allows instructors to assign multiple titles, or even specific chapters or readings from varied titles for their students. For less than $40 a semester, students will have access to all the titles available in the respective bookshelves -- whether or not the title or reading was assigned. Note-taking, highlighting, sharing, offline reading, and accessibility support features are some of the benefits that are available at no extra cost to students. “The Bedford Bookshelf offers instructors an unmatched level of flexibility in their courses, while at the same time providing students with multiple lenses to view American history and Composition,” said Leasa Burton, VP of Humanities at Macmillan Learning. “Exploring many perspectives in history and writing is like adjusting a kaleidoscope -- with each turn, students can see a different pattern, gain a deeper understanding, and appreciate the complexity of important topics and concepts." The Bedford Bookshelf for American History The Bedford Bookshelf for American History was crafted with flexibility in mind to help educators weave a multi-faceted narrative of America's past. The collection is a curated assortment of more than 120 e-books designed to offer instructors a rich variety of content to select from, including survey textbooks, companion readers, primary sources, tutorials, and essential research and writing guides. The full range of titles can be found in the catalog. “The Bedford Bookshelf for American History was a huge success in my Southern History class. The content is great, the interface is intuitive, and my students appreciate the functionality. I love the fact that I can custom build my own reading list from Bedford’s collections in a way that helps to both diversify and organize content for my class,” said K. Stephen Prince, Charles Phelps Manship Professor at Louisiana State University. The Bedford Bookshelf for English Composition Just as the company’s history collection aids educators in piecing together America's historical narrative, the English Composition offering serves as a resource for students to develop their critical reading and writing skills.  This curated e-book collection features titles from authors like Andrea Lunsford and Diana Hacker/Nancy Sommers and includes handbooks, readers, and more. It delivers the affordability, flexibility, and academic freedom today’s instructors need to teach their unique composition courses. Whether students are seeking examples of argumentative writing or composing a descriptive essay, with more than 60 titles and nearly 2,000 readings, The Bedford Bookshelf for Composition has something for every student and every course. The full range of titles can be found in the catalog. “The Bedford Bookshelf is fantastic. With easy access to all of the Bedford/St. Martin's Composition offerings, our instructors have the ability to choose which texts and readers work best for them,” said Dr. Joel Overall, Associate Professor of English at Belmont University. About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that inspires what’s possible for every learner. We envision a world in which every learner succeeds. Through our content, tools and services, we aim to make that a reality. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Macmillan Community. ... View more

New York, NY September 19, 2023 -- Macmillan Learning, a privately-held, family-owned education publishing and services company and Packback, an education technology company announced today a partnership that pairs Packback's AI-powered technology with the hundreds of course materials found within Macmillan Learning’s Achieve digital learning platform. Both companies are committed to helping instructors develop student critical thinking skills, which are more important than ever before in a world where generative AI is increasingly becoming mainstream. Together, Macmillan Learning's digital learning solutions and Packback's AI-powered discussion platform provide a new way to foster critical thinking and enhance student engagement and collaboration. Instructor feedback suggests that the two products, when combined, led to improved student outcomes, students more engaged around the text and assessments. “This collaboration reflects Macmillan Learning and Packback's dedication to improving the learning experience. Together the platforms will ignite the spark of curiosity that drives true academic growth and encourages students to take a more active role in their own learning journey,” said Susan Winslow, CEO of Macmillan Learning. “Packback isn't just a platform; it's a catalyst for critical thinking and a force for academic achievement. Together with Macmillan Learning, we’ll help students to truly engage with the high quality, vetted course material and demonstrate mastery by producing their own work in their own voice. This  not only helps students build foundational, but also much-needed AI collaboration skills that will be a bridge to their success from the classroom to their careers," said Kelsey Behringer, CEO of Packback. Achieve & Packback Achieve is Macmillan Learning’s digital learning platform designed to support student success; the company’s IRB-approved and replicable research has demonstrated its efficacy in helping students learn and score better on exams. The educational technology offers powerful assessment tools and multimodal content to support students of all levels of preparation in an intuitive and user-friendly system.  Achieve was designed with features that support active learning, metacognition and evidence-based teaching practices. Some of the features include Goal Setting and Reflection Surveys, which support students’ metacognition with a series of actionable surveys that help students set goals for themselves and reflect on their learning throughout the semester; adaptive quizzing to personalize the learning experience for each student, where questions get more challenging as the student progresses; and a wealth of interactive content including graphs, videos, simulations, and animations that help students learn in a more engaging way. Packback Questions is an inquiry-driven discussion platform that encourages students to achieve higher levels of critical thinking to discover real-life applications of course material via discussion questions in and out of class. The platform supports active learning by providing each student a space to develop their ideas, interact with their peers, and practice writing. Additionally, the tech uses AI to act as a “digital TA” to help manage the discussion communities and evaluate the quality of student contributions, ensuring that discussions remain focused, relevant, and productive. The AI helps to drive instant feedback, and proactive coaching that helps students make thoughtful, research-supported claims. The Packback platform uses a proprietary combination of AI models to provide feedback on the student’s grammar, assign students a “curiosity score”, advise when their posts may be violating academic guidelines before they even press submit, and more. Both companies are committed to empowering educators with the best content and learning methods and have developed their technologies using learning science and with ongoing input from instructors and students.  How the Partnership Works Achieve encourages mastery of content through active practice with content and tasks aligned to course outcomes. Packback’s pedagogy stems from Self-Determination Theory, emphasizing autonomy and purpose to fuel intrinsic motivation. With this new partnership, instructors can bundle Macmillan Learning’s content, assessment and other digital tools with Packback’s inquiry-driven discussion platform to further increase active learning and engagement while helping students achieve higher levels of critical thinking and metacognition. Combining the two technologies helps make the student experience more cohesive and rigorous: Achieve content becomes more relevant to students’ lives through high-quality prompts that tie the two together, giving students the opportunity to receive more efficient feedback on written responses. When aligned to Achieve courses, the prompts help students think more deeply about the content. For example, students taking an Introduction to Psychology course using one of Macmillan Learning’s market-leading titles could be assigned course materials and assessments via the Achieve platform and then be asked to respond to a prompt either provided by Packback or to create one of their own. Prompts could include questions like: Why would NASA suggest the strategy “follow the water” when searching for life on other planets and What kind of conversation would cells have if they communicated like humans? The pairing is now available via the Macmillan Learning student store or Inclusive Access agreements. The companies will together host a series of webinars to highlight the impact of AI on pedagogy and course materials. About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that inspires what’s possible for every learner. We envision a world in which every learner succeeds. Through our content, tools and services, we aim to make that a reality. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Macmillan Community.  About Packback Packback is an education technology company located in Chicago, Illinois. Packback's mission is to harness the power of AI to help educators implement high quality pedagogy at scale. Packback's AI-enabled platform helps students build and master foundational skills such as critical thinking, writing, and research. Packback's proprietary AI and machine learning technology provides inquiry-based online discussion and long-form writing support to over 8,000 instructors and over 1.5 million students, and is being used in thousands of K-12 and higher education courses.   ... View more

New York, NY July 20, 2022 -- Macmillan Learning, a privately-held, family-owned education publishing and services company announced today it earned 100% for the second consecutive year on the Disability Equality Index®, the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide. It is only one of two education publishing companies to earn that distinction. The score reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion not only for its employees but also for the students who rely on their course materials and educational technology.  The Disability Equality Index, a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and Disability:IN, is a benchmarking tool that allows companies to demonstrate their commitment to disability inclusion and equality. It is modeled off the Corporate Equality Index that highlights LGBTQ-inclusive workplace policies, an index that listed Macmillan Learning as a “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality” for the third consecutive year this January. “It has been a long-time top priority at Macmillan Learning to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment for all of our employees,” said Kristin Peikert, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Macmillan Learning. “Participating in the Disability Equality Index this year demonstrates that ongoing commitment to our employees as we continue efforts to improve disability inclusion in the workplace.” This year, those efforts included the launch of an Employee Resource Group (ERG) called AVID (Awareness of Visible and Invisible Disabilities), which regularly provides feedback and suggestions to company leadership for improving company culture and best practices. To enhance awareness of how accessibility impacts learners as well as what we can do to help, AVID launched accessibility training opportunities for all employees on topics like use of color and explaining the new standards that will impact the company’s accessibility work. The group is one of several ERGs that have formed over the last few years and it is thriving. “The work they are doing makes an impact at all levels of the company,” Peikert added. Macmillan Learning views accessibility for its educational technology and course materials through two different lenses. In the first, the company works towards creating equitable student learning experiences and in the next, it aims to meet or exceed industry-accepted standards. The company’s accessibility work has earned it “Gold Standard” recognition from ASPIRE and earned Accessible Books Consortium’s International Excellence Award for Accessible Publishing award in 2020. The company’s e-books for the fourth consecutive year were recognized as Global Certified Accessible by Benetech. This means that Macmillan Learning provides “born accessible” digital learning options that ensure that all students have the same access to information.  The company continues to add new features each year to make its products both more accessible as well as improve on its overall design. One such feature extends image descriptions which could previously only be accessed with a screen reader to all users. These descriptions offer readers with vision impairments and readers with learning disabilities a better sense of the images that they may have otherwise struggled with. They are also a great example of how an action taken to improve accessibility can create a better, more informative experience for all users.  "There is no single best way to practice disability inclusion, however, the companies taking the DEI share the desire to create a workplace that fosters the concept of bringing your whole self to the office," said Maria Town, President and CEO of AAPD. "We look forward to working with all of the participants to help identify meaningful ways to build upon their current practices as we continue on the disability inclusion journey together." About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that improves lives through learning. By linking research to learning practice, we develop pioneering products and learning materials for students that are highly effective and drive improved outcomes. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Macmillan Community. About the Disability Equality Index® The Disability Equality Index (DEI) is a comprehensive benchmarking tool that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions that they can take to achieve disability inclusion and equality. Each company receives a score, on a scale of zero (0) to 100, with those earning 80 and above recognized as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.” The DEI is a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation’s largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN, the global business disability inclusion network, to collectively advance the  inclusion of people with disabilities. The organizations are complementary and bring unique strengths that make the project relevant and credible to corporations and the disability community. The tool was developed by the DEI Advisory Committee, a diverse group of business leaders, policy experts, and disability advocates. Learn more at: www.DisabilityEqualityIndex.org. About the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) AAPD is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power for people with disabilities. As a national cross-disability rights organization AAPD advocates for full civil rights for the 60+ million Americans with disabilities. Learn more at: www.aapd.com. About Disability:IN® Disability:IN is a global organization driving disability inclusion and equality in business. More than 400 corporations partner with Disability:IN to create long-term business and social impact through the world’s most comprehensive disability inclusion benchmarking and reporting tool, the Disability Equality Index (DEI); best-in-class conferences and programs; expert counsel and engagement; and public policy leadership. Join us at disabilityin.org/AreYouIN #AreYouIN.   ... View more

Grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Continues Company’s Equity Research with Digital Learning platform Achieve  New York, April 19, 2022 -- Macmillan Learning, a privately-held, family-owned education publishing and service company announced today a new partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to research and test equity-centered enhancements for digital courseware, such as Achieve.  The research will focus on how a courseware platform such as Achieve can help to close equity gaps in course completion  for historically and presently underserved students who are taking Introduction to Psychology and Introduction to Sociology classes. The grant is part of the foundation’s postsecondary success strategy to eliminate race, ethnicity, and income as predictors of student success. The Introduction to Psychology and Sociology courses were selected for research because they are considered “gateway courses” -- foundational, credit-bearing, lower-division courses that act as gatekeepers to degree completion. Research from The Gardner Institute found that 15% - 60% of students in gateway courses withdraw or earn a D or F grade. The poor outcomes in gateway courses often lead to significant drop-out rates between the first and second years of college, particularly among Black, Latin, Indigenous students, and students from low-income backgrounds.  “It concerns us greatly that race, ethnicity, and income can be indicators of students’ success. We designed Achieve to help level the playing field so that all students feel like they belong and can succeed in the college classroom. The research we’re undertaking now in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation should offer new insight into how we can do that even better for marginalized psychology and sociology students,” said Susan Winslow, CEO, Macmillan Learning.  About the Research Building on Macmillan Learning’s ongoing research within Achieve on student success, this new research project will undertake additional rigorous product and implementation research and offer insight into resources and tools that can be incorporated into a courseware platform such as Achieve to specifically support underserved students. The research is expected to provide insight on how to develop highly effective courseware that promotes student success through their college experience. In particular, it will focus on three areas: learning what in-program courseware resources most effectively support student metacognition and sense of belonging;  if the inclusion of evidence-based teaching practices in Achieve has a positive relationship with learning outcomes for BLI-LI students; and  how to best develop culturally responsive content for all students.  Research for Introduction to Psychology will be done using the best-selling Achieve for Psychology in Everyday Life, 6e, written by David G. Myers and Nathan C. DeWall. Research for the Introduction to Sociology courses will be done using Achieve for OpenStax Sociology, 3e. Participation is estimated at 40 instructors and 2,000 students at institutions in the US that primarily serve marginalized students. “Students in marginalized communities often have an unequal access to opportunities, which may lead to challenges in successfully navigating their education. I’m looking forward to participating in this research, and seeing firsthand the impact that digital learning platforms can have on metacognition and sense of belonging for Latina/o/x students," said Nancy Acevedo, Associate Professor at California State University, San Bernardino and Chicana/o/x Dream author. Achieve is Macmillan Learning’s recently launched digital learning platform. It was developed using learning science and in partnership with students and instructors with the goal of supporting students of all levels of motivation and preparedness and to engage them in and out of class to improve their outcomes. Because it was based in learning science, Achieve was the first product exclusively designed for higher education to earn the “Research-Based Design” product certification by Digital Promise. The product certification helps ensure instructors and institutions that the products they select were designed using research-based learning science principles and developed using best practices before using them with their students. Previous efficacy research on Achieve found that it can help bridge the performance gap often seen among students entering college. That is, the more that less academically prepared students use Achieve, the closer they can come to meeting the performance of their more academically prepared peers. This is because Achieve was co-designed with active learning in mind by more than 7,000 students and 100 leading educators and learning scientists, both working at Macmillan Learning and advising as members of independent review boards. Achieve can be used in traditional, online, hybrid, blended, or a fully “flipped” classroom, with options for both synchronous and asynchronous learning to support student engagement.  When conducting research, Macmillan Learning adheres to American Psychological Association ethical standards. All research conducted by the company’s Learning Science & Insights team is approved by a third-party Institutional Review Board (IRB) and then approved at individual institutions where required. Having IRB approval enables the company’s researchers to compare course results with detailed information about each student, a critical aspect of understanding the courseware’s impact on marginalized students. Once completed, Macmillan Learning will make its findings publicly available and create an implementation guide with examples of evidence-based practices that can be used in courseware like Achieve. Instructors from 2- or 4-year institutions serving predominantly Black, Latino, Indigenous and/or lower-income students can register their interest in participating in the study here. About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that improves lives through learning. By linking research to learning practice, we develop pioneering products and learning materials for students that are highly effective and drive improved outcomes. Our engaging content is developed in partnership with the world's best researchers, educators, administrators, and developers. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Macmillan Community.    ... View more