UMD Startup Engauge Aims to Transform Classroom Communication

At the University of Maryland, computer science major  Rodrigo Sandon (B.S. ’24, computer science) and alumna  Marie Brodsky (B.S. ’24, mathematics) have developed a solution to address a longstanding challenge: enhancing communication between students and instructors in large lecture halls.

Their startup, Engauge, is designed to give students a platform for real-time feedback, helping instructors better gauge understanding in a large group setting. Currently participating in the Mokhtarzada Hatchery program, Engauge aims to expand its reach on campus and potentially to other institutions.

The concept began with Brodsky’s initial interest in understanding the communication dynamics in lecture halls. Last fall, she conducted an independent study focused on math department classes, interviewing instructors about how they collect student feedback.

For Brodsky, her research underscored the importance of effective communication channels that address student and instructor needs. 

“From a student perspective, I’d felt what it’s like to lose track during a lecture and not have a way to express it,” Brodsky said. “For instructors, it’s about having an effective way to understand where students are at in real-time.”

Collaborative Beginnings

Through her research, Brodsky encountered Sandon, who shared her vision. The two collaborated to refine the concept, ultimately applying for a Teaching and Learning Transformation Center grant. Their initial work involved testing existing engagement tools as proxies, which they analyzed to better understand what students and instructors needed from a dedicated platform.

Sandon’s perspective on Engauge stems from a broader reflection on the role of technology in classrooms. 

“Classrooms have existed for centuries, yet we’re only starting to leverage technologies in a way that provides real-time insights,” Sandon said. “We have data and analytics for other fields like sports, but in the classroom, we still rely on traditional methods. That was the driving question for me—why not use data-driven approaches here?”

How Engauge Works

Engauge operates through a web app that is accessible on any device. During a lecture, students can indicate confusion or pose questions, which are then aggregated and displayed on the instructor’s dashboard. This dashboard, designed for ease of use, allows instructors to address or save questions for future discussion sessions. 

“In a class of 200 students, someone may hesitate to raise their hand, but with Engauge, they can quietly send in their questions,” Brodsky noted.

In addition to real-time feedback, Engauge includes post-lecture reporting capabilities. 

“Instructors get a report summarizing the lecture, capturing points where students expressed confusion or raised questions,” Brodsky shared. “It’s a way to ensure insights aren’t lost after class ends.” 

Filling a Gap

For Brodsky and Sandon, the existing engagement tools didn’t meet the specific needs of large classroom settings. 

“Most tools don’t necessarily consider the workflow of instructors and students,” Sandon noted. “We envision a product that seamlessly integrates into their routines, whether it’s for asking questions or taking notes.”

Another key differentiator, according to Brodsky, is Engauge’s continuous feedback mechanism. 

“Most tools require the instructor to select specific points to ask questions, but that assumes they know the right moment to check understanding,” she said. “With Engauge, students can provide feedback at any time, and it’s tied to the specific part of the lecture, so instructors can refer back to it later if needed.”

Power of Collaboration

The process of refining Engauge’s core functionalities benefited from collaborations with faculty and peers. 

“We owe a huge thanks to Dr. Daniel Chazan, the director of the Center for Math Education at UMD,” Brodsky said. “He’s been invaluable in helping us think through the big picture, especially when designing surveys and focus groups that inform product changes.”

In addition to faculty guidance, participation in the Mokhtarzada Hatchery program has provided a unique environment for the team. The Hatchery, which supports student entrepreneurs, encourages participants to work collaboratively and grow. 

“Being around other motivated students who are also developing their ideas has been impactful,” Sandon reflected. “The cohort environment really pushes us to keep refining our project, taking feedback from each step.”

Looking to the Future

As Engauge grows, the team is concentrating on expanding its pilot within UMD.

“We’re starting with the math and computer science departments to see how the tool works in these settings,” Brodsky said. “It’s a chance to refine the tool based on actual classroom usage.”

Moving ahead, the team plans to expand to other universities through measurable insights.

“Directly selling to higher education is slow and complicated, so we’re starting with research-driven pilots,” Sandon shared. “The research perspective helps open doors, as we can provide faculty with data-backed insights to enhance student engagement and assess classroom outcomes more effectively.”

—Story by Samuel Malede Zewdu, CS Communications 

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