Personalized Electronic Coaching: The Origin of ECoach

Amy Homkes-Hayes, Lead Innovation Advocate
@amynhayes

Personalization is a popular concept in and outside of higher education, yet definitions vary, sometimes widely, about what it means to “personalize” educational experiences for students. ECoach, a tailored communication system, is using personalization backed by well-researched behavioral science, smart user experience design, and ongoing software development, to help students succeed in large courses. Professor Tim McKay, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Physics, Astronomy, and Education and founder of ECoach, explains what it was like for him to grapple with meaningfully and successfully reaching hundreds of students in his large introductory physics course. Listen as Professor McKay talks about the “a-ha” moments that motivated him to create a digital edutech solution to provide the right information, at the right time, and in the right way to his students. Hear Professor McKay examine how ECoach has evolved over time, and what the future may look like for ECoach and thoughtful, student-centered, and technology driven personalization as part of the future of higher education.