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, 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 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