Revolutionizing Online Learning: How Mackenzie Scaled Tech Education with beecrowd

About Mackenzie Presbyterian University

Mackenzie Presbyterian University (UPM) is one of Brazil’s oldest and most prestigious educational institutions, founded in 1870. Over the years, UPM has become synonymous with academic excellence and innovation in higher education. With more than 40,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs, the university has continuously evolved, particularly in the areas of technology and online learning. Its commitment to preparing students for the demands of the job market is reflected in its ongoing investment in new teaching methodologies and strategic partnerships. One of the university’s most recent collaborations has been with beecrowd Academic, a solution designed to elevate its technology programs, particularly in the online learning environment.

Challenges Faced by Mackenzie University

Despite its longstanding tradition of excellence, Mackenzie encountered common challenges associated with online learning, particularly in delivering scalable, high-quality technology education aligned with current industry needs:

1. High Dropout Rates:
   Many students, particularly in online technology programs, struggled to stay engaged throughout the course, leading to higher-than-desired dropout rates.
2. Student Impatience with Learning Processes:
   Technology students, often eager to see quick results and tangible progress, became frustrated with traditional, slower-paced teaching methods that failed to maintain their interest.
3. Low Academic Performance:
   A lack of hands-on experience and practical application of learned concepts led to lower-than-expected academic performance, especially in technical courses that require mastery of coding and problem-solving skills.
4. Limited Understanding of Technology Careers Among Newcomers:
   New students entering technology courses often lacked a clear understanding of the various career paths available in the technology sector, leading to confusion and a lack of motivation to engage fully with the curriculum.
5. Speed of Technological Changes:
   The rapid pace of technological advancements created a challenge for Mackenzie to keep its curriculum up to date with industry trends. Students needed to acquire skills that were directly applicable to the job market, but aligning the curriculum with these evolving demands proved difficult.

beecrowd Academic: A Solution Tailored to Mackenzie’s Needs

In response to these challenges, Mackenzie turned to beecrowd Academic, which was integrated into the university’s existing Canvas LMS. This platform addressed several key issues by providing a dynamic, scalable, and interactive learning environment that enhanced both student engagement and faculty efficiency.

1. Teaching Scalability:
   beecrowd’s integration into Canvas allowed Mackenzie to scale its technology courses effectively across its online learning programs. With thousands of students enrolled in technology courses, this was a vital feature, as it enabled the university to maintain high-quality instruction for all students, regardless of class size or location.
2. Practical Challenges and Instant Feedback:
   beecrowd Academic enabled Mackenzie to provide students with practical coding challenges, offering instant feedback on their performance. This hands-on approach addressed the problem of student impatience by providing quick, actionable results that kept students engaged and motivated. These real-world challenges also helped bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, enhancing students’ technical skills and preparing them for the job market.
3. Automated Grading and Detailed Reports:
   One of the major benefits of integrating beecrowd was the automation of grading. beecrowd’s automated grading system significantly reduced the time instructors spent on grading assignments, allowing them to focus on higher-level pedagogical tasks. Additionally, the platform provided detailed reports that helped instructors track student progress, identify areas where students were struggling, and adjust their teaching methods accordingly. This automation not only improved operational efficiency but also enhanced the overall learning experience by offering more timely and accurate feedback.
4. Expanded Access to Exercises and Programming Languages:
   beecrowd’s vast library of exercises in multiple programming languages gave students greater exposure to a wide range of technical challenges. This feature addressed the limited understanding of technology careers by newcomers, as it allowed students to explore different programming languages and career possibilities. By experiencing a variety of challenges, students could better understand the skills required for various technology roles and make more informed decisions about their career paths.
5. Collaboration Between Professors:
   The integration of beecrowd Academic also fostered collaboration between Mackenzie’s professors. Instructors were able to share best practices, resources, and strategies for incorporating technology into their courses. This collaborative environment helped ensure that all instructors were aligned in their approach to teaching, maintaining consistency across the university’s technology programs.
6. Continuous and Reliable Support:
   beecrowd provided continuous and reliable support to both students and instructors, ensuring that the platform was always accessible and functioning smoothly. This support helped Mackenzie ensure that any technical issues were quickly resolved, allowing the focus to remain on learning rather than platform troubleshooting.

The Benefits Achieved

The implementation of beecrowd Academic at Mackenzie led to significant improvements in both the student learning experience and faculty operations. The following benefits were achieved:

1. Increased Student Engagement and Reduced Dropout Rates:
   The interactive, hands-on nature of the platform and the instant feedback mechanisms significantly boosted student engagement. Students were more motivated to complete assignments and actively participate in courses, leading to a noticeable reduction in dropout rates.
2. Improved Academic Performance:
   With access to practical coding challenges and instant feedback, students were able to improve their technical skills and performance in their courses. The ability to practice and receive immediate feedback helped solidify their understanding of complex concepts, leading to higher academic achievement.
3. More Efficient Teaching Processes:
   The automation of grading and the generation of detailed reports reduced the administrative burden on instructors, allowing them to focus more on teaching and mentoring students. This improvement in operational efficiency allowed professors to spend more time engaging with students and providing personalized support.
4. Market-Relevant Skill Development:
   The practical challenges and coding exercises aligned with industry demands, ensuring that students were acquiring the skills most relevant to their future careers. This focus on competency-based learning better prepared graduates for the workforce, equipping them with in-demand technical skills.
5. Scalability and Consistency Across Programs:
   beecrowd Academic’s integration with Canvas allowed Mackenzie to deliver high-quality education across its extensive network of online learners. The platform ensured that all students had access to the same quality of education, regardless of their location, and maintained a consistent learning experience across different courses and instructors.

Final Takeaways

The partnership between Mackenzie Presbyterian University and beecrowd Academic has proven to be a resounding success. By addressing the challenges of high dropout rates, student impatience, low academic performance, and the rapid pace of technological changes, beecrowd provided Mackenzie with a comprehensive solution that improved the overall learning experience for both students and faculty.

As Mackenzie continues to expand its technology programs and adapt to the demands of the job market, the university’s collaboration with beecrowd sets a model for how educational institutions can leverage technology to create scalable, effective, and engaging learning environments. Through the use of beecrowd Academic, Mackenzie has elevated its technology courses, better preparing students for success in the fast-paced tech industry.

The experience with beecrowd has been highly satisfactory from the very first contact. The company consistently shows interest in understanding the specific needs of the institution and in offering effective solutions to the challenges faced. With proactive support and a high-quality product, beecrowd stands out as a reliable partner for educational institutions seeking to enhance their technology education programs.

Solange Barros

Educational Technology Coordinator – Mackenzie

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