Smarthinking was an academic online tutoring service, provided by Pearson Education. The service provided on-demand support from tutors in over 25 subjects. Smarthinking used a pedagogical approach along with whiteboard interface technology to connect students and tutors. After over 20 years, the service closed in August of 2023. [1]
 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Education |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Washington, DC, USA |
Key people | Christa Ehmann Powers, Chief Education Officer |
| Products | online tutoring, writing review |
| Parent | Pearson |
| Website | www.smarthinking.com |
Smarthinking launched in 1999 to provide real-time assistance for students in postsecondary education.[2] In 2007, Smarthinking was honored with the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) CODie award for Best Instruction Solutions for Students at Home.[3]
History
editIn an effort to expand its offerings, Pearson Education acquired Smarthinking in February 2011. December 1, 2011 Smarthinking launched its new discipline of support for reading.[4] Tutors could perform live sessions in core areas of vocabulary, reading and comprehension. In 2012, Pearson reported the addition of Liberal Arts Math to its Math services.[5] To date Smarthinking has over 1500 tutors, and has completed between 6 and 7 million tutoring sessions. It is headquartered in 1919 M. St., NW Suite 600 Washington, DC 20036.
Leadership
editSmarthinking leadership team was composed of former college professors and experts in their disciplines.
Christa Ehmann Powers, Ph.D. has served as Vice President & Chief Education Officer since Smarthinking’s launch in 1999, and heads the development of online tutoring and instructional services in the United States and internationally.[6]
Results
editPearson- conducted efficacy studies on the effectiveness of Smarthinking have shown the impact of usage, including:
• Students using Smarthinking at Volunteer State Community College were eight times more likely to successfully complete their courses.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Pearson Announces Smarthinking Online Tutoring Service Enhancements to Improve Institutional and Learner Outcomes | Pearson News". Pearsoned.com. 2014-11-10. Retrieved 2016-07-30.
- ^ "About Us | Smarthinking | Pearson". Pearsoned.com. Retrieved 2016-07-30.
- ^ "Need an Online Tutoring Program and Writing Service? Think About Smarthinking!". Brighthub.com. 2011-06-29. Retrieved 2016-07-30.
- ^ "Smarthinking Launches Reading Tutoring Support Services". PR.com. 2011-12-03. Retrieved 2016-07-30.
- ^ "Smarthinking Launches Liberal Arts Math Online Tutoring Support Services | Pearson News". Pearsoned.com. 2012-02-22. Retrieved 2016-07-30.
- ^ "About Us | Smarthinking | Pearson". Pearsoned.com. Retrieved 2016-07-30.
- ^ "Smarthinking : Case study" (PDF). Pearsonmylabandmastering.com. Retrieved 2016-07-30.
Further reading
edit- Nelson-Royes, A.M. (2015). Why Tutoring?: A Way to Achieve Success in School. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. pp. 98–102. ISBN 978-1-4758-0749-3. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
- Berg, G.A. (2009). Cases on Online Tutoring, Mentoring, and Educational Services: Practices and Applications: Practices and Applications. IGI Global research collection. Information Science Reference. pp. 144–145. ISBN 978-1-60566-877-2. Retrieved July 30, 2016. (subscription required)
- Maeroff, G.I. (2015). A Classroom of One: How Online Learning Is Changing our Schools and Colleges. St. Martin's Press. pp. 140–141. ISBN 978-1-4668-9025-1. Retrieved July 30, 2016. (subscription required)
- "Students are "Smarthinking" with online tutoring". Lompoc Record. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
- "Online: Tutoring services attracting more customers". Register-Guard. August 29, 2005. pp. D1–D2. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
- Hornet, Yarcenia Garcia - State (April 2, 2014). "Smarthinking offers students online tutoring 24/7". The State Hornet. Retrieved July 30, 2016.