XanEdu and Stevens Institute of Technology: Custom Books and Custom Readers

Jennifer McBrien, the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies at Stevens Institute of Technology, faced a unique challenge in her role: steering the academic enterprise of a humanities school within an engineering institution. Seeking tailored solutions, McBrien discovered a groundbreaking partnership with Xanadu, a collaboration that revolutionized course materials for the Freshman Experience Program. With Xanadu’s expertise and Barnes & Noble’s involvement, custom readers were produced to meet the specific needs of the program’s students. These readers provided a low-cost, paper-based learning experience that bridged the gap between high school and college-level textual engagement, enhancing literacy skills. Beyond literacy, the partnership addressed the social, emotional, and information literacy challenges faced by first-year students. McBrien praised Xanadu’s professionalism and adaptability, appreciating their dedication to producing high-quality materials and fostering a collaborative environment. This transformative partnership empowered McBrien and her faculty to cultivate critical thinking, global perspectives, and a deeper understanding of the humanistic tradition. In an enlightening conversation, Jennifer McBrien shares her insights on the partnership’s impact and the program’s success in providing an enriching educational experience.

  • Jennifer McBrien, the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies at Stevens Institute of Technology, manages the academic enterprise of a humanities school within an engineering institution.
  • McBrien’s collaboration with Xanadu revolutionized course materials for the Freshman Experience Program, catering to the unique needs of advanced-level students.
  • The partnership resulted in custom readers produced by Xanadu and Barnes & Noble, offering a sophisticated and tailored learning experience.
  • The readers provided a cost-effective, paper-based format that facilitated in-depth textual engagement and advanced literacy skills.
  • the partnership addressed the complex challenges of social, emotional, and information literacy faced by first-year students in an advanced academic setting.
  • McBrien praised Xanadu’s professionalism, adaptability, and commitment to producing high-quality materials that met the rigorous standards of advanced education.
  • The transformative partnership empowered McBrien and her faculty to foster critical thinking, cultivate global perspectives, and deepen students’ understanding of the humanistic tradition.
  • The customized readers served as a unifying educational tool, fostering a sense of academic identity and cohesion among faculty and advanced-level students.
  • McBrien highlighted the importance of the book’s layout, note-taking features, and integration of additional information on advanced humanities programs and specialized campus resources.
  • The partnership with Xanadu has had a profound impact on Stevens Institute of Technology, providing an exceptional educational experience for advanced-level students and setting them on a trajectory of intellectual growth and success.
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  • thank you but for a more advanced audience within the industry
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  • Jennifer McBrien, the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies at Stevens Institute of Technology, leads the academic enterprise of a humanities school situated within an engineering institution, facing the unique challenge of integrating advanced-level education.
  • McBrien’s groundbreaking partnership with Xanadu, in collaboration with Barnes & Noble, revolutionized course materials for the Freshman Experience Program, catering to the specific needs of advanced-level students within the industry.
  • Through custom readers produced by Xanadu, McBrien’s team delivered a sophisticated and tailored learning experience, addressing the complex demands of advanced education.
  • These custom readers provided a cost-effective, paper-based format that transcended the limitations of online platforms, facilitating in-depth textual engagement and the development of advanced literacy skills.
  • In addition to literacy, the partnership with Xanadu addressed the multi-faceted challenges faced by first-year students within the industry, encompassing social, emotional, and information literacy to enhance their holistic development.
  • McBrien commended Xanadu’s professionalism, adaptability, and dedication to producing high-quality materials that met the rigorous standards of advanced education within the industry.
  • The transformative partnership empowered McBrien and her faculty to cultivate critical thinking, global perspectives, and a deep understanding of the humanistic tradition, fostering a new generation of industry professionals with advanced-level education.
  • The customized readers served as a unifying educational tool, promoting academic identity and cohesion among faculty and advanced-level students within the industry.
  • McBrien highlighted the innovative aspects of the readers, including their layout, note-taking features, and integration of additional information on industry-specific programs, majors, and specialized campus resources.
  • The partnership between Stevens Institute of Technology and Xanadu has had a profound impact within the industry, providing an exceptional educational experience that equips advanced-level students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their industry careers.

Related Article: Why Personalized Learning Works in Some Schools and Not in Others

LinkedIn – Jennifer McBryan

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