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New products designed to tackle college readiness

Digital learning solution for college readiness offers quick, 15-minute “Learning Bursts” and a performance guarantee.

Cengage Learning announced MindTap Math Foundations, an approach to developmental studies that was designed with students, for students. Created with input from nearly 1,000 students, MindTap Math Foundations is the first in a new product suite designed to tackle the ongoing problem of college readiness in the U.S., where more than one million students need remedial education, costing billions annually.

MindTap Math Foundations places students at the center of the learning experience. The curriculum offers multiple features that make learning more manageable for students who are juggling priorities such as family and jobs. Students learn new skills in quick, 15-minute shots of work—called Learning Bursts—that can be done at any time of day on their phone, tablet or computer. Interactive video lessons and game activities draw students into the content to build problem-solving and critical thinking skills.  Tools like chat and an interactive whiteboard provide real-time student-to-student and instructor-to-student collaboration.  The mobile design allows students to work on assignment activities—complete exercises, watch video lessons and play skill- and concept-building games – on their devices.

“Cengage Learning puts students at the center of everything we do. We saw a huge need in the market for a new approach that is current and takes into account what students want and need,” said Jim Donohue, EVP and Chief Product Officer, Cengage Learning.

“Throughout our research, students consistently told us that time is their biggest barrier to completion, and they need the ability to work at their own pace. That’s why we designed MindTap Math Foundations to make it easy for students to work through the curriculum and connect with their instructors and other students in a way that fits into their daily lives. Every aspect of this product was designed with input from students,” continued Donohue.

“I spent a career in Congress fighting for all students to have access to a quality higher education. Yet despite spending billions of dollars, the problem is as acute as ever, particularly for low-income and minority students,” said George Miller, former Congressman and Senior Advisor, Cengage Learning.  “Since joining Cengage, I’ve spent time with the product developers and seen firsthand how students influenced and drove the design of MindTap Math Foundations.  I’m very excited about the possibility of this product to truly move the needle on fixing developmental education in this country.”

MindTap Math Foundations offers several flexible pricing options and a performance guarantee. Students purchase as much or as little access as they need, with subscriptions starting at $55 for 10 weeks’ access and extended access available for$120. Students who use the product regularly (3 hours/week) won’t need to purchase another access code if they have to retake the course.

MindTap Math Foundations will be piloted at more than 180 institutions in Spring 2016. More than 1,000 instructors provided input and feedback on the product design. For instructors, MindTap Math Foundations offers seamless course management and the ability to easily personalize assignments. The full-service curriculum helps students to better prepare for class, which in turn allows instructors to have more time with their students.

Student analytics and communication tools, such as the interactive whiteboard, help instructors identify the most vulnerable students and intervene to get them the help they need. At-a-glance management of assignments and class skills allow instructors to identify content gaps by student or class. Links to course resources minimize the number of steps an instructor has to take to access lesson plans, assignments, gradebook and reports.

MindTap Math Foundations will be available for pilot testing in Spring 2016, with full availability in June for purchase and use in the Fall 2016 semester.

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 with an office hub in San Francisco.  Employees reside in nearly 40 countries with sales in more than 125 countries. www.cengage.com [1].