Math and Computing Instructors Explore Teaching Strategies to Increase Student Engagement with Digital Tools at Cengage Learning's Summer Institute

BOSTON, July 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Higher education instructors gathered in Chicago last week at the Cengage Learning Summer Institute.  Using the latest Cengage Learning digital solutions, including Enhanced WebAssign and SAM, which will be in use in the upcoming school year, math and computing instructors learned strategies that drive student engagement and student success. Marking its fifth year, the annual faculty development event is part of Cengage Learning's ongoing commitment to ensure customer success using technology in classrooms.

"According to a past survey conducted by Inside Higher Ed, more than 60 percent of faculty report that they have 'more excitement than fear' about e-textbooks and e-resources," said Joanne Terhaar, Senior Director, Digital Training and Implementation, Cengage Learning. "Our goal is to enhance that excitement and eliminate any fear through personalized services and in-depth training opportunities, such as last week's Summer Institute.  Over the course of two days, instructors became more comfortable with our digital products and more confident in their use and impact.  This will help them better engage their students throughout the year."

During the two-day event, instructors of Calculus, Developmental Mathematics, Pre-Calculus, Advanced Mathematics and Computing, came from across the country to collaborate on effective teaching strategies.  Training specialists and faculty peers held digital solution-specific sessions, and presented hands-on applications for managing a course and increasing student performance. Speakers at the event shared experiences and ideas for engaging students, increasing productivity and impacting overall success with technology.

Yvonne Leonard, Computer Science Department Chair at Coastal Carolina Community College, attended the Summer Institute and will be using Cengage Learning's SAM solution for mastering Microsoft Office skills and computer concepts with her students in the Fall. "I learned all kinds of new skills at the Summer Institute -- how to set up sessions and assessments, schedule exams, and how to use SAM from an administrative and instructor level," she stated.  Explaining the benefit of using the product, she said, "My students are going to love it this semester because they can go back and revisit concepts they are having difficulty grasping. It allows students to keep reviewing it again and again until they learn it!"

Cengage Learning delivers personalized services and training opportunities to faculty through an in-house staff of professional educators, instructional designers, digital consultants, implementation and training specialists and technical support agents. For more information about Cengage Learning and the personalized services available to instructors and students, including upcoming events, visit http://services.cengage.com/.

About Cengage Learning
Cengage Learning is a leading educational content, technology, and services company for the higher education and K-12, professional and library markets worldwide.  The company provides superior content, personalized services and course-driven digital solutions that accelerate student engagement and transform the learning experience. Cengage Learning is headquartered in Boston, MA with operations in more than 20 countries around the world. www.cengage.com.

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SOURCE Cengage Learning