Michigan State University's BUS200 course was created to provide foundational knowledge to students embarking on their academic journeys. With an annual enrollment of nearly 1,200 students, the course aimed to foster a sense of community and introduce students to real-world business applications. However, scaling such an expansive course presented significant challenges. Traditional teaching methods, outdated textbooks, and manual grading processes were no longer effective or sustainable.
Faculty members, including Dr. Rich Spreng, Associate Dean at MSU, recognized the need for a modern, engaging, and personalized approach that could scale efficiently. They were determined to find a solution that not only increased student engagement but also reduced the administrative burden on professors. The search led them to Breakout Learning’s NextBook, an AI-powered platform that promised a complete transformation of the BUS200 course.
Breakout Learning's NextBook emerged as the frontrunner during MSU's curriculum redesign for BUS200. The platform offered a dynamic, 21st-century learning experience that was far removed from the static, expensive, and often irrelevant textbooks students were accustomed to. NextBook's AI-driven platform provided interactive scenarios, multimedia content, and group activities that aligned perfectly with the course objectives.
The decision to integrate NextBook into the BUS200 curriculum was driven by several key goals: introducing students to real-world business applications, scaling an engaging and collaborative curriculum, and creating grading efficiencies to reduce faculty workload. The implementation of NextBook marked a significant shift from traditional teaching methods, paving the way for a more engaging and effective learning environment.
One of the standout features of NextBook is its collection of AI-powered interactive modules. These modules replaced dense textbook chapters with dynamic, customized content that included real-world business cases, multimedia elements, and group activities. By focusing on real-world application rather than rote memorization, students were able to engage more deeply with the material.
The AI tools facilitated and assessed small group discussions, ensuring equitable participation and providing real-time feedback to both students and instructors. This shift allowed the focus to move from merely memorizing theoretical concepts to applying them in practical, real-world scenarios. Faculty and instructional designers maintained control over the content, ensuring it remained relevant and aligned with the course objectives.
The transformation brought about by NextBook had a profound impact on student engagement and preparation. Faculty reported a dramatic increase in participation, with three times more students actively contributing to discussions. This increase was largely attributed to the guided pre-work that ensured students arrived prepared to collaborate.
The interactive nature of the modules and the real-time feedback provided by the AI tools created a more inclusive classroom environment. Students demonstrated a greater understanding of how theoretical concepts applied across business disciplines, enabling them to confidently explore their interests and career paths. The AI-driven participation tracking ensured that every student's voice was heard, promoting equitable participation and fostering a sense of community among the students.
For the faculty, the implementation of NextBook brought about significant improvements in workflow and grading efficiency. The seamless grading and facilitation provided by the AI tools freed up faculty to focus more on mentoring and curriculum innovation. Dr. Rich Spreng noted that with NextBook, he felt like he was sitting in on 300 groups at once, highlighting the platform's ability to manage large-scale interactions effectively.
The detailed feedback reports generated by NextBook offered professors actionable insights into areas of student comprehension, topics needing reinforcement, and opportunities for future exploration. This data-driven approach allowed faculty to tailor their teaching strategies to better meet the needs of their students, enhancing the overall quality of education provided.
The pilot implementation of NextBook in the BUS200 course resulted in significant positive outcomes for both students and faculty. Students reported improved understanding and engagement, with 100% expressing comfort in contributing to group discussions and sharing their ideas after using the platform. The belief in AI's ability to support balanced discussions rose dramatically, and post-use perceptions of AI effectiveness in discussions increased by 59 percentage points.
| Metric | Pre-Survey | Post-Survey | % Change |
| Students are comfortable sharing ideas in group discussions (rated 4 or 5) | 71% | 100% | +29 percentage points |
| Students are confident collaborating with peers (rated 4 or 5) | 76% | 100% | +24 percentage points |
| Students who believed they could learn from peers (rated 4 or 5) | 94% | 100% | +6 percentage points |
For the faculty, the ability to scale the course without sacrificing quality was a game-changer. The platform fostered deeper conversations, greater accountability, and richer group discussions. The customized modules created by Breakout Learning made complex topics relevant and engaging, transforming the way students perceived and interacted with the material.
The success of the NextBook pilot at MSU highlights the potential of AI-powered tools to revolutionize education. By addressing the challenges of scalability, outdated teaching methods, and faculty workload, NextBook created a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that enhanced student engagement and learning outcomes. As institutions continue to explore innovative approaches to education, the lessons learned from MSU's implementation of NextBook offer valuable insights into the future of AI in education.
Read more about the MSU Case Study here.