If you're embedding SmarterMeasure in your course, you're giving students the opportunity to reflect on their learning habits, readiness, and resources. It’s a simple yet powerful way to help students start strong and stay supported throughout the term.
This article shares ideas for introducing the tool effectively and helping students take ownership of their results.
🎬 How to Introduce SmarterMeasure to Students
The way you introduce SmarterMeasure sets the tone. Let students know:
📘 It’s not a test – There are no grades or pass/fail outcomes.
🧭 It’s a self-awareness tool – The goal is to learn about their own habits, strengths, and challenges.
🎯 It helps them succeed – Understanding personal readiness factors like time management, tech skills, and motivation can lead to smarter study choices and less stress.
🗣️ Sample language you can use in your syllabus or announcement:
When you introduce SmarterMeasure, keep the tone clear, supportive, and purpose-driven. Here’s a sample message you can use in your syllabus, LMS, or course announcement:
🗣️ “You’ll take the SmarterMeasure assessment to help you better understand how prepared you are for this course—and where you might want to focus your efforts. It’s not a test and it won’t affect your grade. It’s a tool designed to help you learn more about your habits, strengths, and support needs.”
You can also give students a sense of purpose with this expanded explanation:
💡 “SmarterMeasure is your gateway to understanding and enhancing your readiness for college-level learning environments. It evaluates the habits, traits, and skills that are crucial for thriving academically. By completing SmarterMeasure, you'll gain valuable insights into your strengths, growth areas, and most importantly, discover personalized strategies and resources to support your success.”
💡 Engagement Strategies That Work
Here are a few ways to help students not just take the assessment—but think about their results in meaningful ways:
📝 1. Use a Reflection Assignment
Have students write or discuss:
What’s one area they’re confident in?
What’s one area they want to improve?
What support might they need?
💬 2. Create a Discussion Prompt or Journal
Help them reflect on what they learned:
“What surprised you in your results?”
“What’s one strategy you want to try this term?”
🧰 3. Point to Campus or Course Resources
If a student struggles with time management, link to a planner tool or tutoring center. If tech confidence is low, provide links to IT help or orientation modules.
🔁 4. Revisit It Later
Let students return to their report mid-term to reflect again on their goals and growth. This reinforces self-awareness as an ongoing skill.
📘 Use This Self-Serve Playbook to Guide Your Approach
We created a resource just for instructors who want to integrate SmarterMeasure in meaningful, student-centered ways:
This guide walks you through:
📋 How to introduce SmarterMeasure in your course
💬 Sample language for announcements and LMS posts
📈 Reflection strategies to drive student engagement
🎯 Tips for connecting assessment results to student support
It’s flexible, practical, and designed to help you make SmarterMeasure a valuable part of your student success strategy.