BALTIMORE, Mar. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As
education and technology evolve, it's important for educators to
make sure they are using technology in a smart and efficient way to
help students.
One of the ways Sylvan Learning is utilizing technology to help
its students is through their proprietary program, SylvanSync.
SylvanSync is a teacher led technology delivered program that
only Sylvan Learning centers can access. This is not something you
can purchase in the Apple store. SylvanSync is used by the teachers
and students, and it is powered by logic that customizes each
student's learning plan based on assessment results and adapts to
the student based on data from student performance in previous
lessons. The customized learning plan dictates which lessons
students receive and the order in which they should be taught. The
teacher and student use the iPad like a digital textbook to deliver
the lessons.
The system works.
Sylvan Learning has partnered with Hypothesi, the Feinberg
School of Medicine at Northwestern
University, and more to evaluate its methods. SylvanSync's
effectivness was validated in the white paper, "SylvanSync: A
Digital Teaching Platform," was authored by Chris Dede, Ed.D., the Wirth Professor in
Learning Technology at Harvard Graduate School
of Education, and John
Richards, Ph.D., the President of Consulting Services for
Education, Inc. and Adjunct Lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
The findings prove that SylvanSync has a positive impact on
academic achievement, a positive impact on students' academic
mindset, and shows a marked effect on their pace of academic
growth.
Several education-related companies have tried to implement
personalized learning within the classroom to no avail. The truth
of the matter is that every student is different and learns in
their own way, and there is simply no way for schools to
personalize the learning experience for each and every student.
Hence the importance of supplemental educational programs like
Sylvan Learning, and within the brand, technology such as
SylvanSync.
SylvanSync marked a huge turning point for the brand when it was
launched in 2013.
Sylvan Learning had paper-based programs for more than 30 years
in its centers, and while these programs worked well, the lack of
technology meant these programs were time and labor-intensive, and
the result was a pile of books and binders that would be waiting
for the students and would impact the amount of content that could
be covered in each lesson.
When technology became cheaper and more nimble, Sylvan Learning
saw a tremendous opportunity. The company realized that if they
used technology the right way, it could be engaging and a powerful
learning tool, and something that the tutoring space was not
utilizing. That was the hypothesis that triggered the creation of
SylvanSync. If they could replicate the success from its
paper-based programs and use the technology to create learning
plans and deliver content, then teachers could do what they love
and do best, which is focus on the students. Sylvan was eager to
become a trailblazer in this space.
SylvanSync went through an extensive pilot process before it was
ready for general release to all of the company's locations. They
evaluated everything from the productiveness of the user interface
to instruction, teacher communication, learning tools, and the
educational content. The pilot process was lengthy and meticulous.
It proved that SylvanSync was appealing, easy to use, well
structured, and most of all – effective.
Technology-based programs are also much easier to adjust and
update, which is very important when you have over 750 points of
presence like Sylvan does. The payoff has been tremendous with
SylvanSync.
They've found that their students are making more gains and
making them faster with technology than with the paper-based
programs. Also, Sylvan tutors love the programs. The in-center
tutors are credentialed teachers, and enjoy teaching without having
to worry about administrative duties.
Teachers come to Sylvan in the afternoon, often after they've
finished teaching in their own classrooms during the day. Sylvan
provides these teachers with an atmosphere that lets them focus on
the students. They form a relationship with those students and work
closely with them on their skills. The use of educational
technology like SylvanSync streamlines the tutoring session and
allows tutors and students to spend more time learning and
collaborating.
Sylvan has been forward thinking in the edtech space, but the
company still believes that the human element is necessary for
building confidence and providing motiation, and they never want to
lose it. The teacher will always be at the center of the services
Sylvan delivers.
2019 marks Sylvan Learning's
fortieth anniversary, during which they have helped more than four
million students. Sylvan knows that leveraging dynamic technology
with warm, effective teachers is the best way to foster academic
growth.
ABOUT SYLVAN LEARNING, LLC
With more than 40 years of experience and more than 750 points of
presence throughout North America,
Sylvan Learning is the leading provider of personal learning for
students in grades K-12. Sylvan is transforming how students learn,
inspiring them to succeed in school and in life. Sylvan's proven
tutoring approach blends amazing teachers with SylvanSync™
technology on the iPad® for an engaging learning experience. Sylvan
also leads the way with Sylvan EDGE—STEM and accelerated courses
and Sylvan Prep —college and test prep courses. Sylvan supports
families through every stage of the academic journey. For more
information, visit http://www.SylvanLearning.com or
SylvanLearning.com/blog.
SOURCE Sylvan Learning