Dive Brief:
- At SXSWedu Monday, McGraw-Hill Education announced the launch of a mobile-first version of its Connect learning platform.
- The new design allows assignment completion, SmartBook viewing, and Connect Insight dashboard access through native apps on tablets, according to a press release.
- Additionally, the company released new research on Monday in collaboration with Hanover Research showing that 81% of students study via mobile platforms.
Dive Insight:
It's been said time and again that educators must reach students where they are, and as the company's second annual "Impact of Technology on College Student Study Habits" report shows, students currently maintain a considerably heavy mobile presence. With that, of course, come challenges when it comes to their overall experience using educational tools through these devices. For example, a mobile device user might require an additional keyboard to complete a writing assignment, as the built-in touchscreen keyboards most likely weren't designed with essays or research papers in mind.
That said, McGraw-Hill Education does seem to be on the right track as far as moving into the digital space goes. And for students who have yet to break away fully from print textbooks despite the lower cost — hey, it's easier for some people to study on a format they can scribble notes onto, as well — McGraw-Hill is also offering accompanying print versions of the texts for a minimum price of $15.