Guess the missing word

Woolley believes this is because the iPod material made______ more effective teachers. They had professional videos illustrating their lessons, and language support. “You’re not substituting the technology for face to face conversations,” he said. “You’re using technology as an adjunct, to better make a point.” Woolley felt that the technology, instead of distracting _______, inspired them. “It gave them more enthusiasm,” he said, “because it had more success and they were having more fun.”

The word is: missionaries.

Or perhaps more aptly, this is what colleges and MOOCs can learn from the the CoLDS.

From: http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/01/the-facebook-of-mormon/283467/