Professor Villar-Smith sought an engaging way to teach the grammar component outside of class so that she would have more time in class to focus on the writing process. In Summer 2009, she selected two six-week classes to test the effectiveness of Connect® Writing, using it for online grammar drill and practice in one class and teaching the grammar component traditionally in the other class. The results were remarkable: final passing scores were 20% higher in the class that used Connect Writing, and this class had a 100% student retention rate. Read the CASE STUDY to learn more, and watch the Spotlight Video below to hear Professor Villar-Smith, her colleagues and her students talk about their experience.

“I expected higher passing rates on both the state exam and the departmental writing exam, and this is exactly what has occured,” she says. “Connect Writing makes the teaching of the process of writing less stressful. It has opened up more free time for me to dedicate to student writing.”

In his Principles of Marketing course, Professor John Striebich wanted his students to read course critical materials prior to each lecture to better prepare them for classroom discussion. Connect® Marketing not only met this need, but also freed up Professor Striebich’s valuable time so he could research current events and increase student engagement by creating a more active classroom. As a result, student test averages increased by as much as five percent over the previous semester course.

Since implementing Connect Marketing, Professor Striebich’s students have come to class better prepared and are reading the text more carefully. Professor Striebich believes that students enjoy his course more than they did in the past because of the interactive nature of the assignments.

He says, “I’ve recommended the program to my entire department and have discussed the technology, student engagement, self-grading, and ability to spend more time in class on other topics.”

Learn more about Professor Striebich’s experience with McGraw-Hill Connect through this CASE STUDY.

Professor Dave Welch and his colleagues were spending so much class time giving tests and going over homework that they struggled to get through the required course content. In addition, students wanted the ability to work through assignments multiple times for practice. Dr. Welch implemented Connect® Accounting in 2010, which provided algorithmically generated homework assignments that are automatically graded, giving students access to unlimited practice with immediate feedback. With Connect Accounting, Professor Welch has freed up the equivalent of two weeks’ lecture time. Read more about his experience in this CASE STUDY, and watch the Spotlight Video below to hear instructors and students talk about their Connect experience.

With Connect, Dr. Welch saw an increase in the number of students receiving A’s and B’s and an increase in pass rates. Class attendance has also increased by 20%. He says, “Connect has been the best learning tool we could offer our students. Their success rates and improved impression of the course have made their lives and mine much easier.”