Today’s students are navigating some steep challenges — tough competition in the job market, the growing presence of GenAI and daily social pressures that come with this.
Dr. Elizabeth Hanson Smith, Cengage faculty partner and instructor at Austin Community College, has seen the issues up close. She knew that her Business Communications students needed technology that would allow them the breathing room to make mistakes during the learning process.
“The results are impressive”
After exploring available MindTap features, she discovered Bongo, a MindTap video tool that lets her students practice their oral communication skills in a stress-free environment. Additionally, they receive targeted feedback to help them prepare for in-class presentations. “It’s a safe place for students to practice before being graded in class in a live performance,” she says.
For Dr. Hanson Smith, integrating Bongo into her Business Communication course has been a game-changer. Students now have a platform that supports their growth without additional stress weighing them down.
“This is a win-win. The feedback offloads a big chunk of work for me (though I still spend considerable time reviewing the Bongo feedback). The students get feedback on their own schedule, so they are incentivized to practice more often,” she says.
Learn more about how Bongo MindTap activities helped Dr. Hanson Smith’s students become more effective speakers.