Success Story Austin Community College

Enhancing Learning Outcomes with Connect

Dr. LaKisha Barrett turned to Connect to strengthen her students' learning experience through personalized, interactive tools. "Using McGraw Hill Connect helped me meet my course goals by providing a structured, interactive environment that reinforced learning and addressed individual student needs," she explained. McGraw Hill Virtual Labs, real-world case studies, and analytics gave students practical, career-focused applications while offering Dr. Barrett valuable insights into their progress. "The data insights were invaluable. They gave me the tools to offer actionable, individual feedback and to ensure no one was left behind," she shared. Connect transformed her teaching, fostering critical thinking, engagement, and confidence in her students, while preparing them for academic and professional success.

The Evergreen™ Delivery Model: A Game-Changer for Course Prep and Content Currency

McGraw Hill’s Evergreen delivery model within Connect has reshaped Dr. Barrett's preparation process. This release-centered approach delivers updated content, tools, and accessibility improvements directly to instructors' courses, dramatically reducing her prep time from 25 hours to 1.5 hours (Figure 1). "Release Notes that highlight exactly where changes are located made all the difference. For the last update, I spent just 1.5 hours on new changes and even found more breaking news for my students," Dr. Barrett said. These updates allow her to focus on crafting engaging lessons tailored to her students' needs. Evergreen ensures her Microbiology course remains aligned with rapidly evolving industry standards, a crucial factor in healthcare education. “Content currency and updated assessments are essential for a field like Microbiology, especially in healthcare, where discoveries and protocols change quickly,” she noted. Updated case studies and relevancy modules help her incorporate timely examples, like microbial resistance, connecting course material to real-world applications. This seamless integration has improved student engagement and confidence, ensuring her course meets the latest industry standards. Additionally, Evergreen's accessibility updates and ready-to-use activities have further streamlined Dr. Barrett’s workflow. "Knowing my courseware is updated for accessibility allows me to focus on supporting my students' success," she shared. These tools have enabled her to create a more efficient, inclusive, and engaging learning environment.

Importance of Currency and Enhanced Student Engagement

Staying current was key to Dr. Barrett’s teaching approach, particularly given her students' healthcare aspirations. “The need to provide students with relevant, real-world applications and ensure alignment with current industry standards” drove her decision to update her course materials. However, the significant time required to find reliable, up-to-date examples posed challenges. Incorporating Evergreen addressed these hurdles. By providing access to current content tailored to various comprehension levels, Dr. Barrett saved time and ensured her students received accurate, relevant information. This shift significantly enhanced student engagement, enabling them to explore materials that directly linked their studies to real-world healthcare scenarios. The result was a dynamic classroom environment where students gained the knowledge and confidence to succeed in their careers.

Reduced Course Update Time and Increased Flexibility

Dr. Barrett experienced a dramatic reduction in course update time with Evergreen. “Evergreen's seamless updates mean I spend less time searching for the latest microbiology research and creating assignments to provide relevant examples and case studies. All the content and questions are updated across the platform,” she explained. This efficiency allowed her to quickly introduce updated examples, like microbial resistance, connecting lessons to cutting-edge advancements in the field. Additionally, pre-made, regularly updated assessments reduced her workload, enabling her to focus on tailoring instruction and developing interactive activities. “I can focus more on tailoring instruction to students' needs rather than creating new quizzes,” she shared. This shift has allowed

Dr. Barrett to incorporate more hands-on learning opportunities, enriching her students' experience and engagement. Through these efficiencies, Dr. Barrett has delivered a more relevant, student-centered learning experience while reclaiming valuable time to innovate her teaching methods.

Conclusion

Dr. Barrett's journey with McGraw Hill Connect and the Evergreen delivery model demonstrates how advanced tools can transform a course, enhancing teaching efficiency and learning outcomes. By integrating real-world case studies, adaptive assessments, and updated content, she has created a dynamic learning environment that bridges foundational knowledge with practical application. “Evergreen’s updates ensure my course stays aligned with industry standards, giving students access to relevant, real-world applications that build their confidence and competence,” she shared. With these tools, Dr. Barrett has empowered her students to engage deeply with microbiology, preparing them for both academic and professional success in healthcare.