Analytics | News

McGraw-Hill Education Intros Real-Time Analytics on Student Performance

• By Rhea Kelly
• 03/03/14

Today at SXSWedu in Austin, McGraw-Hill Education introduced Connect Insight, a data analytics and visualization tool that provides at-a-glance views of student performance in real time via a tablet device.

Connect Insight automates the data analysis process so that instructors can pinpoint how each student is performing individually and relative to peers, as well as gauge the effectiveness of their assignments. It also acts as an early warning system to immediately identify and help struggling students.

"An instructor's time is precious and shouldn't be wasted on manual data analysis or sifting through voluminous data reports that don't connect the dots about student performance," said Stephen Laster, chief digital officer of McGraw-Hill Education, in a company statement. "This type of actionable analysis will be a big driver in understanding, improving and eventually predicting student performance."

"'Big Data' is probably the most misused term in education because, until now, all we've had are millions or billions of data points without the analysis to make them truly meaningful and actionable," commented Brian Kibby, president of McGraw-Hill Higher Education, in a press release. "With Connect Insight, we're taking data analysis to a new level by helping instructors see a fuller picture of how students are performing and providing the information they need to coach at just the right time."

The company made several other announcements at SXSWedu, including:

• "Practice Spanish: Study Abroad" game launch: Practice Spanish: Study Abroad is a multiplayer, personalized Spanish language learning game that uses a virtual and immersive "study abroad" experience to help college students practice Spanish vocabulary, grammar, reading and conversation. It is the first foreign language learning game in McGraw-Hill Education's educational gaming portfolio, which includes Government in Action and Practice Marketing.
• Adaptive learning at Austin Community College: McGraw-Hill Education's ALEKS adaptive programs will serve as the sole technology provider for Austin Community College's (TX) new 600-seat math emporium. The emporium, which will exist on the site of the Highland Mall in Austin, is set to open this summer in time for the 2014-2015 academic year.