Teaching and Learning blog

Like many instructors, I spent years using and teaching with the TI-83 and TI-84 Plus calculators. These devices were considered the standard in classrooms across the country. They were reliable, widely available, and supported by nearly every textbook publisher. For a long time, I had no reason to question whether they were still the best tools for the job.

That changed when my courses transitioned to fully online instruction, and I began using Honorlock to proctor my exams. The issue was not the calculator itself. The real issue was what was hidden from my view when students were using the calculator. During testing, students were often looking down, out of sight of the webcam for long periods of time. I could see their faces but not their hands or their work. From an academic integrity standpoint, this was a major problem. I had no clear way to verify what was happening just below the webcam frame.

As someone who takes academic honesty seriously, I knew I had to make a change. That change came in the form of StatCrunch.

At first, the move to StatCrunch was driven entirely by concerns about exam integrity. Because StatCrunch is accessed directly through the testing screen, students no longer had to look down or shift their focus off screen. It kept their attention on the test and within view of the webcam. This single adjustment immediately improved my ability to monitor exams and reduced the risk of students accessing unauthorized tools or materials.

An improved student experience

Exam security was a primary need. To my surprise, I found that students reported higher satisfaction with the platform. They liked that they did not have to memorize sequences of calculator key presses to run a basic statistical test. They appreciated the cleaner interface and the ability to work directly with real data sets. Many students, even those with prior experience using graphing calculators, found StatCrunch to be more intuitive and less intimidating.

Another unexpected benefit was that test completion times dropped significantly. Students were no longer slowed down by the mechanics of navigating multi-step commands on the calculator. They could get results quickly and focus more energy on interpreting those results correctly. That, in turn, allowed me to shift more of my instruction toward critical thinking. Instead of spending large portions of class time explaining how to find a confidence interval using a series of keystrokes, I could focus on what a confidence interval means, how to explain it in plain language, and how to make decisions based on the output.

It also allowed me to stop teaching students how to use a calculator that was never really designed for statistics in the first place. The TI-83 and TI-84 are graphing calculators with a few statistical functions layered on top. Some of the features I needed had to come in the form of downloaded programs, which was a logistical challenge in any classroom medium. StatCrunch, by contrast, was built from the ground up for data analysis.

This experience even prompted me to rethink my approach in other courses, such as College Algebra. Once I saw how much more efficient and transparent things became using modern tools like StatCrunch, I started reevaluating my use of the TI calculators more broadly. That led me to explore Desmos and other platforms that provide powerful visualizations and eliminate the need to teach around the limitations of outdated hardware. What began as a change for one course evolved into a shift in my overall philosophy of technology in math instruction.

Far-reaching benefits

In hindsight, I regret not making this switch sooner. What started as a fix for one problem ended up solving many others. It improved the integrity of my exams, boosted student engagement, reduced confusion, and created more space in my course for meaningful learning.

There will always be a place for the TI calculator in some classrooms, especially where testing environments and course goals are different. But for online instruction, especially when paired with remote proctoring, I have no hesitation in saying that StatCrunch has become the right tool for the job.

And I am not going back.

This is Part I of a two-part blog series.

As mathematics educators, we're always seeking innovative ways to streamline our workload while maintaining the highest quality of instruction. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool that can support math teachers in multiple aspects of their professional responsibilities.

In Part I, we’ll look at how AI can become your ally in lesson planning support, allowing you to focus on what matters most: inspiring your students to love math!

This is Part II of a two-part blog series. Be sure to check out Part I, first.

As mathematics educators, we're always seeking innovative ways to streamline our workload while maintaining the highest quality of instruction. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool that can support math teachers in multiple aspects of their professional responsibilities.

In Part II, we’ll take a look at how AI can help you simplify grading, feedback, and communication, enabling you to focus on what matters most: inspiring your students to love math!

Last year, technology writer and editor Sage Lazzaro experienced an “aha” moment and realized that AI was truly buzzworthy.

“I was out at a restaurant and overheard a table of teachers seated next to me asking, ‘What are we going to do about ChatGPT?’ It was unheard of a year before to hear people in casual conversation talking about AI,” she said.

Lazzaro, whose writing has appeared in publications including Fortune, VentureBeat, and Wired, among others, has covered AI for a decade, long before it rocketed into orbit as a cultural and business phenomenon.

At the Pearson Ed.Tech Symposium 2024, a virtual event held this October, the veteran tech journalist shared her insights on the potential impact of AI on education and other fields with an audience of over 1,000 curious educators.

An intriguing, yet cloudy future

Educators in the U.S. and beyond are eager to understand how burgeoning AI tools will impact the classroom, students, and the future of the teaching profession.

“I don’t think there's a golden answer to that question because it's still so early,” said Lazzaro, adding that there’s even confusion around defining AI.

To some, AI is ChatGPT or the human-like robots dreamed up in Hollywood blockbusters. But those are AI use cases, Lazzaro explained, continuing that AI is an umbrella term for techniques that enable computers to complete tasks without being explicitly programmed.

That opens AI to a universe of use cases.

Lazzaro highlighted some that recently led to groundbreaking discoveries — particularly in science and medicine. The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to three scientists for their work in using AI to design and predict proteins that could help researchers develop new life-saving drugs, such as treatments for cancer, in a fraction of the time typically needed.

Lazzaro also sees other potential benefits of AI, such as performing monotonous tasks that most people would gladly hand off. Professionals, including educators, could offload tedious duties in favor of more interesting, fulfilling endeavors, thus changing the relationship between humans and work for the better.

Is AI head-of-the-class ready?

As educators ponder their role in an AI-driven future, Lazzaro sees a potential parallel to how the workforce has repeatedly adapted to other technological breakthroughs.

“While it’s very early, I think AI is going to drastically change the jobs we do and how we do them,” she said. “Look at the Information Age. Most of us work jobs now that didn't exist 30 years ago.”

Educators are also challenged to navigate the intersection of AI and pedagogy, given the challenges the technology presents.

“I think you should approach AI with curiosity, but also skepticism,” said Lazzaro. “It's important for educators to be aware of ethical considerations and be an active part of discussions around when and how AI is used in schools.”

AI tools are far from a panacea in their present form. They can be quirky, unpredictable, and unreliable. Current Generative AI models might “hallucinate,” retrieving information that doesn’t exist, or providing misinformation that appears plausible — especially to an untrained eye.

What’s more, AI is trained on large data sets that may include biases, likely unintentional, against certain populations, Lazzaro cautioned.

With AI’s wrinkles yet to be ironed out, Lazzaro suggested educators limit AI use to specific tasks, such as fuel for brainstorming sessions or as a launching point for developing lessons.

She also advised educators to be wary of AI-detection software that claims to identify work, such as writing assignments, as AI-generated rather than student-generated.

“I see stories all the time from students who say they got a failing grade or are facing disciplinary action for using ChatGPT to write an assignment that they wrote themselves,” she said. “There are lots of studies showing that these detectors aren't accurate, especially for students for whom English isn't their first language.”

And what about concerns that AI will ultimately siphon off jobs in education? Lazzaro offered a straightforward approach, be human.

“The best advice I would give is to stay flexible, open, and aware of these changes, but also lean on the attributes that make someone a strong professional or job candidate today, or in any environment,” she said. “Take initiative, be reliable, be organized — the types of things that go far and that make us human. We’ll still go far in the future no matter what the job landscape looks like with AI.” 


In October, tech journalist Sage Lazzaro was featured in the Future Forward session at Pearson’s inaugural ED.tech Symposium. In this session, Sage offers viewers her perspective on the current and future state of AI based on her long tenure on the AI beat.

At the University of Houston, teaching fellow Jelisa Boykin is using Revel^® to create a meaningful and interactive learning experience for her asynchronous courses. Revel’s features, including its unique and interactive assignments and its intuitive interface, facilitate the structuring of a successful class and make it Boykin’s go-to platform. 

MyVirtualLife 

Arguably the most compelling feature of Revel for Boykin is MyVirtualLife, which provides students with an immersive simulation of actual life experiences. For example, MyVirtualChild is a child-raising simulation that provides students with invaluable insight into how different parenting choices can impact a child’s development. This helps students conceptualize how the theories they learn in the classroom apply to real-life situations.  

“MyVirtualChild and MyVirtualLife are really connected to a real-life application that I feel is much better than assigning papers,” says Boykin. “You really have to live this out and see the effects and consequences of what happens to your child as they experience things you choose.”   

The content provided in MyVirtualLife is not only accurate and relevant, it is taught in a manner that is more immersive and impactful than traditional means of instruction. This creates an unparalleled learning experience, wherein the student is able to absorb the material through application, rather than just memorization. 

Performance Dashboard 

Boykin also mentions Revel’s Performance Dashboard as one of the best features for teaching. The dashboard enables Boykin to easily assess individual students’ performances. Using this feature, Boykin is able to zero-in on struggling students and provide personalized support to each one. 

“It lets me cover my bases that, as an instructor, I’ve done my due diligence of reaching out,” she says. “I just never want a student to fail when I see them struggling.”   

The Revel Dashboard also tracks the engagement levels of each class. Boykin finds this particularly useful when evaluating the success of her asynchronous courses, which can often feel less engaging due to their virtual nature. When using Revel, Boykin finds that she is able to surpass these limitations and maintain an interactive learning environment. 

“That’s a big piece of why I use Revel – to give students that interactive component compared to them just getting another textbook and having them read chapters and writing papers about it,” she says.   

Intuitive Interface 

Additionally, Boykin praises Revel for its easy-to-navigate interface. After becoming pregnant and giving birth to twins, Boykin describes being able to manage both her newborns and her students because she uses Revel. 

“With its ease and flexibility, you can literally do it while handling newborns! I feel like it’s pretty intuitive. It’s not cumbersome to navigate. Even if I make mistakes, they’re easy to fix.”  

Overall, Boykin views Revel as an invaluable asset as she journeys toward becoming a professor. It is a platform that helps her ensure her students’ success by offering an engaging and immersive learning experience and allowing her to keep track of each student’s individual performance. Revel is not only building a path towards her students’ success, but also helping to pave the way for Boykin’s success as a professor.

As digital learning continues to evolve, eTextbooks are becoming an essential resource for students, offering features that traditional textbooks simply can't match.  

Pearson eTextbooks are available as part of a MyLab^® & Mastering^® course or with a subscription to Pearson+. Each title contains a variety of study tools and resources designed to increase student engagement and maximize learning.  

Here are the top eTextbook features that every instructor should know to help their students make the most of their studying – and their time. 

Audiobook 

Utilizing audiobooks offers students a flexible and accessible way to engage with course materials, especially for those who prefer auditory learning or have busy schedules.

With audiobooks, students can learn on the go, turning a commute or exercise time into productive study sessions. This format also supports better comprehension for students who may struggle with reading large volumes of text or those with visual impairments (read-along spotlighting helps students follow along as they listen). By providing an alternative method of absorbing information, audiobooks help students review material in a convenient and engaging way. 

Highlights & notes 

Within the eTextbook, students can create notes and highlights to ensure they engage with the material in real time – promoting active reading, which greatly enhances learning and retention. Actively engaging with the course material you’ve adopted will help students increase understanding and boost critical thinking.

The ability to categorize notes or highlights in different colors and patterns helps students better organize and track themes or important concepts throughout the text. Notes and highlights can be easily organized, searched, and revisited later in the notebook, making it much easier for students to review for exams without flipping – or scrolling – through the pages.  

Flashcards 

Incorporating flashcards into the eTextbook experience offers a dynamic way to reinforce learning. Students can create their own flashcards or use the pre-built flashcards created for their title. Study sessions are more efficient as flashcards are integrated directly into the eTextbook experience.

Flashcards allow students to actively engage in self-assessment by reviewing key terms and concepts in a quick and interactive format. Repetition and spaced learning methods strengthen memory, making it easier for students to recall information during exams or practical applications.   

AI-powered study tool* 

With capabilities like simplified explanations, on-demand summaries, and choose -our-own practice, the AI-powered study tool in an eTextbook helps students break down complex material, focus on key concepts, and receive guidance with challenging concepts to improve learning in the moment.

This intuitive, 24/7 study companion draws from vetted Pearson content to keep students engaged with the materials you’ve chosen for your course. The AI study tool gives students the simplicity they crave, eliminating the need to leave their assigned course material for help. Instead, support is provided anytime, anywhere within the assigned textbook. 

Text translation 

Translation capabilities in eTextbooks are powerful tools for students who are non-native speakers or studying foreign languages.

With the translate feature, students can highlight words or sections of text and effortlessly translate text on-screen in one of over 100 languages. This feature enables instant translation of words, sections of text, and unfamiliar terms, making the content more accessible and reducing language barriers.

This promotes a deeper understanding of the material and allows students to focus on learning the subject rather than struggling with language comprehension. Translation tools also help students expand their vocabulary in both their native and target languages, enhancing their overall learning experience. 

Enhanced search 

One of the top features of eTextbooks is enhanced search, which enables students to quickly find relevant content for study and review. With a minimum of three characters, search results will populate with related media, images, key terms, and even the student's own notes. 

Pearson+ mobile app 

The Pearson+ mobile app provides students with access to all their Pearson eTextbooks in one place. They can get anytime, anywhere access and take advantage of learning on the go – no wifi needed. 

*Available in select titles for the Fall 2024/Spring 2025 academic terms. 

To learn more about Pearson+, go to  https://www.pearson.com/en-us/higher-education/products-services/pearsonplus.html     

Looking for data-driven strategies to encourage student engagement and improved study with an eTextbook? Listen into this webinar hosted by Pearson Research Scientists.
https://www.pearson.com/en-us/higher-education/insights-and-events/webinars-events/2023/11/engagement-through-etext.html 

Imagine being able to give your students a tool that puts them in the driver’s seat of their individual learning journeys.

Revel is an innovative teaching and learning platform that transforms passive education into an interactive experience. By assigning coursework within Revel, you’ll inspire students and elevate learning outcomes. You’ll also make your life easier.

5 Ways Revel Assignments Make Instructors’ Lives Easier

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been the hot topic on the block for a few years, and there are mixed feelings about it.

Some people fear its potential for misuse and academic dishonesty. However, conversations about AI in higher education have broadened to encompass this technology’s tremendous ability to positively transform teaching and learning. Our job as educators is to bridge the daunting gap of the unknown and help our students learn how to use this new tool at their disposal. Instead of shying away from this incredibly useful resource, we should be instructing students on the moral and appropriate ways to utilize AI.

Here are a few ways that AI can be used to enhance and empower classroom instruction.

Using technology to improve teaching and learning is in Pearson’s DNA. As the first major higher education publisher to integrate generative AI study tools into its proprietary academic content, Pearson is excited to be harnessing the power of AI to drive transformative outcomes for learners. We are focused on creating tools that combine the power of AI with trusted Pearson content to provide students with a simplified study experience that delivers on-demand, personalized support, whenever and wherever they need it.

In this multi-part blog series, you’ll have a chance to hear about AI innovations from Pearson team members, faculty, and students who have been involved with the development and rollout of Pearson’s AI-powered study tools.