Customer Success Stories
San Bernardino Adult School Enhances Student Learning with eLab™ Online Learning Tool
San Bernardino Adult School, with a diverse student body and a wide variety of courses, wanted to supplement students' computer learning without placing undue financial strain on cash-strapped students. San Bernardino also wanted to increase instructor time available for students - but instructors were already stretched thin.
San Bernardino partnered with Labyrinth to implement eLab Online Assessment & Learning Tool in three computer courses with curriculum based on Labyrinth materials. The school was able to easily integrate eLab into the existing course plans with minimal risk and at an affordable price for students. San Bernardino found that eLab exceeded expectiations. eLab's learning tools accelerated student achievement. Automated assessments reduced instructor time associated with grading assignments, tests and quizzes - leaving more time for instructors to spend with students. And web-based access offered greater convenience for everyone.
"By implementing eLab, we have found an economical way of accelerating and extending the learning of our students" says Teresa Loftis, Instructor at San Bernardino. "It is easier for the students and easier for the teachers. I would definitely recommend eLab." read full story
Whatcom Community College Supplements Labyrinth Materials with eLab™ Online Assessment Tool
With instructors spending 25 percent of their time evaluating student work, Whatcom; Community College recognized that automated assessment tools could provide a significant benefit for both instructors and students. Over the past few years, they considered several solutions, but none of them met their needs - simple to implement and use, seamless integration with the existing curriculum and affordability for students. For several years, Whatcom has enjoyed outstanding results with the user-friendly, common sense design of Labyrinth materials, so when Labyrinth announced the availability of eLab, they were hopeful that they had finally found a solution that met their requirements. Based on previous experience with Labyrinth, Whatcom felt confident that the tool would be well designed for instructor and student success, and that the school would receive whatever support they needed.
Whatcom was not disappointed. eLab's web-based technology was implemented without the need to purchase any new software, hardware or future upgrades. The simple and intuitive interface enabled instructors and students to quickly master the software. The automated grading of quizzes and tests significantly reduced the amount of time instructors and assistants were spending evaluating student work, and students loved the immediate feedback on results.
"Reducing grading requirements in even one course is huge. eLab has given us more time to work with students," says Dave Beetham, Instructor and Program Coordinator at Whatcom Community College. "And it was a great feeling to turn students loose with the tool." read full story
Testimonials
"I am so enjoying the Microsoft Office 2007 Essentials: Revised Edition. I like the way it is structured... simplified, easy to understand. I especially liked Lesson 10 on merging letters because we were able to do it without using Outlook Express. Also, the resource DVD is very helpful."
"Thanks for all your help. The books arrived and I started the students on the next section (Excel). The books are great. They have the same type of hands-on exercises that the old Office 2000 had. The material almost teaches itself"
"I've been using Labyrinth texts for the past 8 years. I always look at all the new texts that are sent to me, but I haven't found one that beats Labyrinth's instructional approach, which is truly different in ways that matter to my students and to a quality learning experience. Students like that they are given step-by step instructions but can also understand the overall concept. As a technical college educator, I like the approach Labyrinth uses to introduce a basic concept, but then continues with the same concept, making the practice increasingly more difficult. Students have different skill sets but the texts support all levels. Labyrinth texts provide hands-on exercises which are very similar to my own corporate experience. Having up to date information is very important in preparing students for the work force. I like that Labyrinth texts are not just task based but incorporate critical thinking, real world challenges. Labyrinth provides exceptional instructional support."
"Labyrinth texts provide clear and accurate step-by-step instructions and graphics which are easy for students to follow with minimal educator assistance. When recommending or requesting texts I no longer shop around, but go directly to Labyrinth's catalog."
"We, in the business department at Clovis Adult School, have been using Labyrinth's book for our technology classes for over 10 years. We love the step by step instructions that these texts provide and the educators materials that come along with each book. They have and will continue to be an integral part of our curriculum."
"I find the books/manuals published by Labyrinth to be a great recourse that students can use after they leave class and they are affordable."
"The books are very well received and serve to make the courses much easier for me as the Instructor."
"In each case, my students have already expressed that they are receiving a great deal of satisfaction from the explanations, exercises, and extra activates provided in each of these books. Keep up the good work."
"The process of detailed hands on exercises leading to slightly less detailed Skill Builders gives the student a good foundation. Your system of progressing to less detailed Assessments to Critical Thinking where the student has to create the procedures guides the student to a higher understanding. Using the Labyrinth web site to augment my lessons made incorporating their books easy and quick. I would recommend them for adult learners who are working self pace or in a classroom setting."
"I have been teaching since 1973. I have taught elementary, high school, and now college. I have gone through many subjects, many publishers and have never found textbooks that are easier to use in a classroom. I hate to say this, but some of my students say, this is easy. Just get out of the way so I can learn. I have been grateful to find that there are one or two places they need help.
I tried your MS Office text last quarter and both my students and found it wonderful. Your text books are well laid out. They give good instructions with plenty of good hands-on exercises. My students find that they keep up better, even if they miss a class due to illness, etc. The instructor resources are a big help!"
"From my perspective as a Program Coordinator, I am extremely pleased with the Labyrinth books. They provide the basis for many of our non-credit IT classes. The Skill Builders and Assessments are great for hands-on practice and for pacing the classes. Students advancing more quickly than the class in general may complete more of these exercises rather than having to having to wait on the rest of the class."
"Unlike other books I reviewed, Labyrinth's curriculum provides more than just a lesson plan and templates-it's a total learning package that includes online resources, documents, and customized assessments. Our students and staff have been delighted with the outcome; Labyrinth makes my job as a computer training coordinator so much easier! "
"Labyrinth Publications is an outstanding partner for helping us meet our educational objectives. Great student support; prompt technical assistance, and fantastic instructor resources are the main reasons that over 90% of my instructors are using Labyrinth Publications in their classes."
"I find directions for completion of exercises with the Labyrinth's books easier to follow through than with other books from other publishers. We also prefer these books because they are very affordable."
"Business Education Technologies' students find instructions in Labyrinth books easy to follow. We use Labyrinth Publications to supplement classroom instruction in all phases of business and computer training."
"Labyrinth has great customer service and provides desk copies and instructor's materials quickly and with no hassles or long delays. Their introductory books are excellent for students beginning in technology and facilitate learning these essential concepts."
"Our district chose to use Labyrinth Publications books WORD, EXCEL, and ACCESS in our Business Computer Application classes. After using several other textbooks, I have found Labyrinth to be my favorite because it covers the subject well, explains the material well, and gives ample opportunity to try the newly learned skills."
"I order my books always from Labyrinth. The instructions are very clear to follow. The students like the books. I have 350 to 400 students a year attending my class. For many of my students, English is their second language. I never hear any complains about misunderstanding the instructions."
"We get many comments from students and teachers regarding Labyrinth books. The comments are always positive. Examples of some of these comments are:
1. Text presented information clearly and simply.
2. The text and the teacher made the course enjoyable and easy to follow.
3. The book was easy to understand and we had plenty of practice after new concepts.
4. Text was clear, examples were relevant.
5. I enjoyed the hands on aspects which began with the first class.
I use Labyrinth books because they are well written, easy to follow, easy to understand, and cost effective. This combination makes for the best value for the students."
"For 12 years, earlier in my career, I was a Technical Writer for such companies as IBM, HP, and Intel. Most of my tech writing work was (can you remember back that far?) in the pre-Web browser days, and involved user manuals and on-line help for applications. The organization and presentation of instruction, with the goal of using the application to its fullest and getting the most value in terms of capability and efficiency from the application, has always been important to me.
The design of the Labyrinth books by Brian Favro and his writing team provide the most organized, straight-forward presentation of practical, seful instruction of any application instruction books I've read or used. All of the students using these books not only learn the applications, but learn to appreciate how useful they can be."
"We have used Labyrinth products from the beginning. Our teachers love their thorough approach to software applications and the students like the fact that the lessons and screen shots looks just like what they see on their computers. The variety of program lengths make them useful for one day courses or full semester offerings."
"Labyrinth textbooks are the best our students have used. The illustrations and examples are clear and to the point, and logically sequenced. Truly, the best learning investment a student can make."