Posted on by Imagine Learning Corporate

November 3, 2023 7:00 am

The Science of Math Instruction: Incorporating Research-Based Instruction into Technology

Everyone’s talking about the science of reading, but what about mathematics? Take a look at agreed-upon best practices called cognitively-guided instruction, as well as technology that puts it into practice.

Teaching mathematics means more than introducing algorithms and procedures to students. Research shows that effective instruction also involves the development of a student’s conceptual understanding, mathematical reasoning, and problem-solving skills.

One research-based approach to mathematics instruction is Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI), as described in Children’s Mathematics: Cognitively Guided Instruction (Carpenter et al., 2014). CGI shifts an educator’s focus away from direct instruction and toward understanding an individual student’s mathematical thinking. The teacher then leverages this understanding as the foundation to guide the student toward increasingly complex concepts.

Now, as online programs gain popularity in today’s classrooms, schools have the opportunity to choose technology that not only supports students’ procedural fluency but also aligns with research-based principles to develop students’ conceptual understanding. By evaluating the technology we bring to students through the lens of a framework such as CGI, we can help ensure that students have the opportunity to develop the skills they need to succeed beyond memorization.

What is Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI)?

CGI is an approach to teaching mathematics that focuses on students’ critical thinking and problem-solving. Instead of just showing students how to solve a problem, teachers guide students to explore strategies and approaches that make sense from their unique understanding of a situation. The following are just some of the principles of CGI, as highlighted in Children’s Mathematics (Carpenter et al., 2014).   

  • Problem Solving: Students are encouraged to tackle problems using critical thinking and creativity before receiving direct instruction. Given a story problem anchored in a real-world context familiar to students (such as sharing a food item among friends), students reason using a strategy of their choice.
  • Teacher as a Facilitator: Teachers transition away from the role of traditional instructors and toward the role of facilitators. They listen to students’ strategies, pose thought-provoking questions, and steer discussions while providing opportunities for students to learn from their peers’ thought processes.
  • Building on Prior Knowledge: Students bring their experiences and understandings into the classroom. Teachers leverage each student’s prior knowledge as a foundation and layer new concepts on top of the ideas that students have already grasped.
student solving math equation

Applying CGI to Online Learning

When designed with research-based principles in mind, online programs have the ability to increase accessibility to effective instruction. For example, the following characteristics of various online programs provide the flexibility to support CGI practices.

  • Adaptive Learning Environments: Adaptive learning environments powered by algorithms can provide students with a personalized learning experience that caters to their unique needs and preferences. By analyzing a student’s performance and feedback, online platforms can generate customized content tailored to their strengths and weaknesses. This approach to learning aligns with CGI’s emphasis on personalized education, which recognizes that every student has a unique learning style and pace.
  • Virtual Manipulatives: Utilizing virtual tools, such as base-ten blocks, offers students an interactive experience to experiment with variables and visualize outcomes. This approach enables them to select the appropriate device that aligns with their current understanding and apply critical thinking and creativity to solve a given problem.
  • Real-world Problem Solving: Online platforms can offer practical problem-solving exercises that mirror real-life challenges. This approach aligns with cognitively guided instruction’s emphasis on applying mathematical concepts to everyday situations. By bridging the gap between theory and practical significance, students can gain a deeper, contextual understanding of mathematics and its relation to the world around them.

By incorporating CGI practices with online platforms’ capabilities, we can anchor each student’s learning experience in student-centered, data-driven instruction.

The Idaho Study: A Snapshot of Research-Based Technology in Action

Imagine Math ISAT Performance Research Brief
Read the Full Study

Imagine Math is one supplemental, personalized online program that incorporates the features highlighted above. It presents students with problems, equips them with virtual tools, and adapts its levels of support in response to students’ answers. “Imagine Math’s personalized learning platform aligns with each student’s needs while providing the right amount of challenge to help the student achieve grade-level proficiency,” said Sari Factor, Chief Strategy Officer at Imagine Learning (New Study Reveals Significant Gains in Student Math Performance with Imagine Math, 2023).

This year, a study was conducted to assess the impact of Imagine Math on students’ academic performance. The study analyzed over 4,000 math assessment scores from the Idaho State Assessment Test (ISAT) of students in grades 4 through 8. The assessment scores were taken from schools across four different districts in Idaho during the 2021-22 academic year. Key takeaways from the research include:

  • The relationship between Imagine Math lessons passed, and ISAT score growth is positive for all grades and statistically significant for grades 4 through 7.
  • Positive and significant relationships between Imagine Math lessons passed and ISAT math score growth for various student subgroups, including special education students, English learners, students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, and Hispanic/Latino or American Indian/Alaskan Native students.

These findings underscore the potential of platforms like Imagine Math that align with student-centered methodologies to enhance student outcomes.

The Future of Math Instruction

In today’s rapidly evolving society, education has significantly shifted due to technological advancements and a more comprehensive understanding of how individual students learn. By leveraging technology that incorporates research-based instruction, educators can create a more engaging and effective learning experience for students, leading to better academic outcomes and a more promising future.

About the Author – Erin Springer

Erin Springer is a former elementary school teacher who transitioned to supporting other teachers as a Professional Development Specialist at Imagine Learning. She is enthusiastic about helping teachers use educational technology to improve student outcomes, save time, and understand students’ needs.

Citations:

Carpenter, T. P., Fennema, E., Franke, M. L., Levi, L., & Empson, S. B. (2014). Children’s Mathematics: Cognitively Guided Instruction (2nd ed.). Heinemann.

Imagine Learning. (2023, June 20). New Study Reveals Significant Gains in Student Math Performance with Imagine Math [Press release]. https://www.imaginelearning.com/press/study-reveals-significant-gains-student-math-performance-imagine-math/

Posted on by Imagine Learning Corporate

September 7, 2023 10:21 am

Soft Skills with Big Impact: the 4Cs of STEM

Make STEM classrooms a playground for curiosity, a canvas for creativity, a stage for communication, and a hub for collaboration. When students embrace these skills, they’re not just preparing for the future — they’re shaping it.

“Hey Siri, how many rings does Saturn have?”

“Alexa, tell me what the square root of 1089?”

“ChatGPT: give me HTML code to embed a basic calculator on a webpage.”

There was a day when students had to ask their teachers, librarians, or even consult an encyclopedia for this type of information. But those days are long (like really long) gone, and the teacher is no longer the only keeper of information in the room.

Since the teacher’s role is evolving due to new technologies, and certainly students are not motivated to memorize what Alexa already knows, what should STEM classrooms be focused on? What skills are employers in STEM careers looking for if ChatGPT can produce code for free?

A 2018 survey by the Association of American Colleges & Universities showed, “that just 34 percent of top executives and 25 percent of hiring managers say students have the skills to be promoted. Many of those skills are soft skills — communication, team work, problem-solving — that are critical in a quickly shifting job market. Entry-level skills change every few years; it’s the habits of learning to learn and navigating the ambiguity of a career that will prove most valuable to undergraduates in the long run.”

The National Education Association has boiled these soft skills down to the 4 Cs: Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, and Collaboration. Let’s explore why these 4Cs are critical to providing a modern STEM education that gives students real career opportunities.

1. Critical Thinking: where curiosity begins

Imagine a classroom buzzing with questions. Except, not fact-based “how many rings does Saturn have” questions. Questions like: is it possible for New York City to become carbon neutral? What would that plan look like? Or: why does the kind of water (fresh or salt) affect how long it takes an ice cube to melt? That’s the power of critical thinking at work. It’s all about encouraging young minds to ask, “Why?” and “How?” Critical thinkers don’t just accept things at face value; they dig deeper. When students learn to analyze information, separate facts from opinions, and spot patterns, they become problem-solving heroes.

Picture a group of students exploring a science experiment. Instead of just following a set of instructions, they’re asking themselves, “What will happen if we change this variable?” That’s critical thinking igniting their imagination — it’s like a spark that lights up their learning journey.

2. Creativity: where imagination takes flight

Creativity isn’t just for artists — it’s a skill that every STEM student needs. It’s about looking at a problem from a different angle and dreaming up new solutions. Think of it as the magic wand that turns ordinary ideas into extraordinary ones.

Take a moment to think about a famous inventor, like Thomas Edison. He didn’t just stumble upon the light bulb; it took him 1000 attempts to find a design that worked. Creativity is what made him keep going, even when things got tough. Encouraging our students to think outside the box, to come up with wild ideas, and to believe that they can change the world — that’s the heart of creativity in STEM education.

3. Communication: bridges between minds

Imagine a world where nobody understood each other. It would be chaotic, right? Communication is like a bridge that connects our thoughts to the world. In STEM, it’s not enough to have brilliant ideas; you also need to share them effectively.

Think about a young engineer who designs an amazing new gadget. If they can’t explain how it works to others, their idea might never see the light of day. Teaching students how to express complex ideas in simple terms empowers them to inspire, collaborate, and bring their innovations to life.

4. Collaboration: teamwork for triumph

Remember the saying, “Two heads are better than one”? That’s the spirit of collaboration. In a world where problems are more complex than ever, working together is key. Collaboration is like a puzzle; each piece has its role, and when they come together, they create something amazing.

Think about a group of students working on a science project. Some are great at designing, others excel at research, and a few are natural leaders. When they pool their talents, their project becomes a masterpiece. It’s the same spirit that built the tallest skyscrapers and sent humans to the moon.

Putting the 4Cs into action

Imagine a classroom where students use their critical thinking skills to solve a real-world problem. Maybe they’re designing a water-saving system for their school garden. They brainstorm creative ideas, like using rainwater and self-watering plants. Then, they work as a team to build the system and explain their design to their classmates. These students are embracing the 4Cs in action: critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration.

Empowering educators for success

As educators, you’re the guides on this exciting journey. You hold the keys to nurturing the 4Cs in your students. Encourage them to question, to dream, to share, and to work together. Make STEM education a playground for curiosity, a canvas for creativity, a stage for communication, and a hub for collaboration.

When students embrace these skills, they’re not just preparing for the future — they’re shaping it.

Imagine Learning STEM

Prepare the next generation of STEM leaders with digital and hands-on learning aligned to the 4 Cs.

Tell Me More

About the Author – Carolyn Snell

Carolyn Snell started her career in education teaching first grade in San Bernardino, California. A passion for the way technology and stellar curricula can transform classrooms led her to various jobs in edtech, including at the Orange County Department of Education. Her knack for quippy copy landed her a dream job marketing StudySync—an industry leading ELA digital curriculum. Now, as the Senior Content Marketing Manager for Imagine Learning, Carolyn revels in the opportunity to promote innovative products and ideas that are transforming the educational space for teachers and students.

Posted on by Imagine Learning Corporate

May 6, 2024 10:28 am

There Is Nothing Quite Like Seeing a Masterful Teacher at Work

Teachers are the ones who bring magic to the classroom. This Teacher Appreciation Week, Dr. Kathy Swan highlights the creativity and dedication of educators who make every lesson impactful and memorable for their students.

Last week, I watched as a high school teacher brought an economics lesson to life.  

She began the class with a sorting exercise in which students collaboratively worked to prioritize 10 cards that had competing budget priorities on them. For example, one card featured an image of U.S. soldiers with the caption: “MILITARY: Spending for national defense and support for U.S. allies and interests abroad.” Another card read, “HEALTH CARE: Spending for research to cure or prevent disease and services for low-income and elderly Americans.” Students were asked the question, “What should we spend our money on?” and in small groups deliberated which order to place the cards (e.g., military, healthcare, education, environment). Then, students put their rankings into a Google form and examined in real time how the entire class ranked the various priorities.

The teacher ended the class with students examining a pie chart of the current budget priorities to compare their priority list with the reality of the U.S. budget. As you might predict, students were surprised at how little proportionally the government spends on education, which many students had ranked as 1 or 2 on their priority list. The class ended, students equally engaged and confounded by the big ideas surfaced in the lesson.

High School Students With Teacher In Class Using Laptops Smiling

This lesson was simply elegant. There were no educational fads or pedagogical gimmicks on display — just a clear example of high-quality inquiry instruction brought to life by a skillful teacher. The teacher anchored the lesson with an authentic and worthwhile question: What should we spend our money on? She curated a set of sources, placed them in front of students, and stepped out of the way, letting them wrestle with the question rather than shortcutting to an answer. She then helped students work together to contextualize and challenge their answers in a variety of ways.

What I admired most was that she allowed a bit of uneasiness with the material, sending students to their next class disgruntled about the amount the government spends on interest from past debt. And she set students up for a study of scarcity in the weeks to come, undulating between choices made within macroeconomic fiscal policy and personal finance.

It was teaching magic, and I was lucky to have a front-row seat — I wanted to jump on the desk exclaiming, “Captain, my Captain!” with a soulful slow clap. But she would have thought it odd — it was a Tuesday in April and she was just doing what she does every school day.  

There is nothing quite like seeing a masterful teacher at work. As educators, so many of us struggle with giving up control — control of our content and the physical spaces of our learning environment. But masterful teachers implicitly and outwardly trust their students. They trust their students to deliberate tensions in the subject matter, not just to consume settled knowledge. They also trust that their students want to engage in the work of knowing even when students give off all the signs to the contrary — distracted by their phones, heads on their desks, side conversations about anything but the subject at hand. Masterful teachers cut through all of that — they see beyond the surface signals and compel students to engage.  

“It’s as if the economics teacher I saw pregamed the day’s lesson with a mantra: ‘Oh, you don’t think you care about the U.S. budget? Hold my coffee…’ Masterful teachers transform their classrooms into vibrant spaces, often surprising students with their own curiosity.”

Educators keep searching for the secret sauce to create this kind of classroom magic. Recent efforts around High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) aim to provide teachers with important curricular tools that are standards- and inquiry-based and include differentiation to enable teachers to be more equitable in their instruction. This is important work, as teachers need reliable and effective tools to prepare students for college, career, and civic life. But tools are tools. Even the highest quality curricular tools need to find the hands of a capable, imaginative, and energetic educator.

If you’re a teacher reading this, thank you for your efforts to continuously refine learning experiences and help us see our greatest curricular hopes in action. We stand in awe of the work you do day after day after day — a very enthusiastic slow clap incoming for Teacher Appreciation Week! 

About the Author: Dr. Kathy Swan

Professor, University of Kentucky; C3 Framework Lead Author; Lead Consultant on Traverse

Kathy Swan is a professor of curriculum and instruction at the University of Kentucky. Kathy was awarded UKY’s Great Teacher Award in 2021 and has been a four-time recipient of the National Technology Leadership Award in Social Studies Education, innovating with inquiry-based curricula. Dr. Swan served as the project director and lead writer of the College, Career, and Civic Life Framework for Social Studies State Standards (2013), the national standards for social studies. She has co-written a number of best-selling books, including Inquiry-Based Practice in Social Studies Education: The Inquiry Design Model (2017), The Inquiry Design Model: Building Inquiries in Social Studies (2018), and Blueprinting an Inquiry-Based Curriculum: Planning with the Inquiry Design Model (2019).

Posted on by Barry Middlebrook

May 6, 2024 6:00 am

Imagine Learning Recognizes Top Schools in 2024 Imagine Nation School of Excellence Awards

Annual Awards Celebrate Innovation, Dedication, and Exemplary Implementation of Imagine Learning Digital Solutions

Tempe, Arizona, May 6, 2024 – Imagine Learning, the largest provider of digital curriculum solutions in the U.S., serving over 15 million students in more than half the school districts nationwide, today announced the winners of the 2023–2024 Imagine Nation Awards, honoring schools and districts across America for their exemplary implementation of Imagine Learning solutions and commitment to student learning. The Imagine Nation Awards are part of the Imagine Learning motivational program, igniting engagement and strengthening confidence for all learners. More than 38,000 schools and districts throughout the U.S. were eligible for the Imagine Nation Award. 

“Working hand-in-hand with educators to implement innovative digital curriculum programs that empower teachers and truly make a difference for their students is incredibly rewarding,” shared Sari Factor, Vice Chair and Chief Strategy Officer. “It’s an honor to see the dedication from schools across the country and to be part of their journey to success.” 

Based on rigorous research, Imagine Learning has found that meeting program usage and implementation goals is directly associated with increased student success and academic growth. The Imagine Nation Award is presented to schools and districts that demonstrate outstanding commitment to the effective implementation of an Imagine Learning program throughout the year. Today, 220 schools and districts are receiving the honor of being named an Imagine Nation school for the 2023-2024 school year. 

Following official notification of the Imagine Nation Awards, each winning school or district will receive an Imagine Learning banner that displays their achievement.

2024 IMAGINE NATION AWARDS

Imagine Edgenuity®

  • Marbury High School, Autauga County Board of Education, AL
  • Lauderdale County Virtual Academy, Lauderdale County School District, AL
  • Altitude Academies, FL
  • Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. School of The Arts, Palm Beach County, FL
  • Royal Palm Beach Community High, Palm Beach County, FL
  • 8th Grade Charter College & Career Academy, Coweta County School System, GA
  • Lansing High School, Lansing USD 469, KS
  • Cadillac High School, Cadillac Area Public School District, MI
  • Cumberland Polytechnic High School, Cumberland County School District, NC
  • CCTL (Early College), Iredell-Statesville School District, NC
  • Albuquerque School of Excellence, NM
  • Stillwater High School, Stillwater Public Schools, OK
  • Byrnes High, Spartanburg District 5, SC
  • Valor College Prep, Valor Collegiate Academies, TN
  • Crosby Crossroads Academy, Crosby ISD, TX
  • Crosby High School, Crosby ISD, TX
  • W. B. Bizzell Academy, Navasota ISD, TX
  • Austin Academic Center, Sulphur Springs ISD, TX
  • Triumph Public High School—El Paso West, Triumph Public High Schools, El Paso, TX
  • Tabiona School, Duchesne County School District, UT

Imagine Learning EL Education

  • Grant County Schools, KY
  • Webster County School District, KY
  • Jefferson County Public Schools, KY
  • Westford Public Schools, MA
  • Detroit Public Schools Community District, MI

Imagine Español®

  • Saint Matthews Catholic School, The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, AZ
  • Van Buskirk Elementary, Tucson Unified School District, AZ
  • Ronald Reagan Elementary, Desert Sands USD, CA
  • Mendota Elementary, Mendota USD, CA
  • Honey Hollow Elementary, Moreno Valley USD, CA
  • Pueblo Vista Elementary, Napa Valley USD, CA
  • Georgia Brown Elementary, Paso Robles USD, CA
  • Braden River Elementary, Manatee County Schools, FL
  • Holy Cross School, Diocese of Ft Wayne-South Bend Schools, IN
  • Grant Elementary, Grant Public Schools, MI
  • Grant Primary, Grant Public Schools, MI
  • Ford Early Learning Center, Ypsilanti Community Schools, MI
  • Frank Porter Graham Elementary, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, NC
  • Central Elementary, Angleton ISD, TX
  • Mahaffey Elementary, Klein ISD, TX
  • Nitsch Elementary, Klein ISD, TX
  • Roth Elementary, Klein ISD, TX
  • Southside Elementary, Palestine ISD, TX
  • Anita Scott Elementary, Royse City ISD, TX
  • Fort Elementary, Royse City ISD, TX
  • Finley Elementary, United ISD, TX
  • Franklin D Roosevelt Elementary, United ISD, TX
  • Juarez Lincoln Elementary, United ISD, TX
  • Kazen Elementary, United ISD, TX
  • Newman Elementary, United ISD, TX
  • Rodolfo C. Centeno Elementary, United ISD, TX
  • Ruiz Elementary, United ISD, TX
  • Zundy Elementary, Wichita Falls ISD, TX
  • Cannan Elementary, Willis ISD, TX

Imagine IM

  • Crane Elementary School District, AZ
  • Ceres Unified School District, CA
  • Iowa City CSD, IA
  • Curé of Ars Catholic School, KS
  • Jefferson County Public Schools, KY
  • Cambridge Public Schools, MA
  • Birmingham Public Schools, MI
  • Fort Zumwalt School District, MO
  • Hilliard City Schools, OH
  • Louisville City School District, OH
  • Bellevue School District, WA
  • Evergreen School District, WA
  • Lake Washington School District, WA

Imagine Instructional Services

  • Bridgeway Academy, AZ
  • AEA – Dubuque CSD, IA
  • Hampton-Dumont CSD, IA
  • Leland Public School District, MI
  • Northville Public School District, MI
  • Royal Oak School District, MI
  • Saline High School, Saline Area Schools, MI
  • Wise Academy, MI
  • Portageville School District, MO
  • Carl Junction R-I School District, MO
  • Park Hill School District K-12, MO
  • The Wellspring Schools, NY
  • Union Public Schools, OK
  • Cocalico School District, PA
  • Pennsbury School District, PA
  • Loudoun County Public Schools, VA
  • Sequim School District, WA
  • Menominee Indian School District, WI
  • Weston County School District 1, WY

Imagine Language & Literacy®

  • Brewbaker Primary, Montgomery Public Schools, AL
  • Catoma Elementary, Montgomery Public Schools, AL
  • Chisholm Elementary, Montgomery Public Schools, AL
  • Mary Welty Elementary, Nogales Unified School District, AZ
  • Tropical Elementary, Broward County Schools, FL
  • Citrus Park Elementary, Hillsborough County Public Schools, FL
  • Jessie P Miller Elementary, Manatee County Schools, FL
  • Lee Middle, Manatee County Schools, FL
  • Summerville Advantage Academy, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, FL
  • William A. Chapman Elementary, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, FL
  • Cypress Trails Elementary, Palm Beach County Schools, FL
  • Hammock Pointe Elementary, Palm Beach County Schools, FL
  • Deep Springs Elementary, Fayette County Public Schools, KY
  • Littlefield Middle, Public Schools of Robeson County, NC
  • Prairie Elementary, Guymon Public Schools, OK
  • Tschetter Colony Elementary, Freeman Public School District 33-1, SD
  • Castle Heights Elementary, Lebanon Special School District, TN
  • Mighty B Academy, Mighty B Academy District, TX
  • Idaho, Venture Upward, LLC, WY

Imagine Math® 3+

  • Francisco Vasquez De Coronado Elementary, Nogales Unified School District #1, AZ
  • Downtown Miami Charter School, Charter Schools USA, FL
  • Hollywood Academy of Arts and Science-Elementary, Charter Schools USA, FL
  • North Broward Academy of Excellence-Elementary, Charter Schools USA, FL
  • Renaissance Elementary Charter School, Charter Schools USA, FL
  • Renaissance Charter School at West Palm Beach, Charter Schools USA, FL
  • Robert Healy Elementary, Chicago Public Schools, IL
  • Sanborn Elementary, Alpena Public Schools, MI
  • STEAM Academy Middle, Ferguson-Florissant School District R2, MO
  • Armando Cerna Elementary, Eagle Pass ISD, TX
  • Ray H. Darr Elementary, Eagle Pass ISD, TX
  • IDEA Hidden Meadow Middle, IDEA Public Schools, TX
  • IDEA McAllen Middle, IDEA Public Schools, TX
  • IDEA Robindale Middle, IDEA Public Schools, TX
  • Rancho Verde Elementary, Los Fresnos CISD, TX
  • Hays Elementary, Rockwall ISD, TX
  • Sheppard AFB Elementary, Wichita Falls ISD, TX
  • Burton Elementary, Davis School District, UT
  • Mountain View Elementary, Davis School District, UT
  • Bluff Elementary, San Juan School District, UT
  • Pioneer Valley Elementary, Bethel School District 403, WA

Imagine Math Facts®

  • Kaibeto Boarding School, Kaibeto Boarding School District, AZ
  • Potlatch Junior-Senior High, Potlatch School District #285, ID
  • New Groningen Elementary, Zeeland Public Schools, MI
  • Z-Quest, Zeeland Public Schools, MI
  • Lesterville Elementary, Lesterville R-IV District, MO
  • Dexter Elementary, Walthall County School District, MS
  • Cranfills Gap School, Cranfills Gap ISD, TX
  • Lazbuddie School, Lazbuddie ISD, TX
  • Mighty B Academy, Mighty B Academy District, TX

Imagine Math® PreK-2

  • Downtown Miami Charter School, Charter Schools USA, FL
  • Melaleuca, 21st Century of Palm Beach, FL
  • Henderson Hammock Charter School, Charter Schools USA, FL
  • Innovation Preparatory Academy, Charter Schools USA, FL
  • Mid Cape Global Academy, Charter Schools USA, FL
  • Renaissance Elementary Charter School, Charter Schools USA, FL
  • Renaissance Charter School at Tradition, Charter Schools USA, FL
  • Bayou Boeuf Elementary, Lafourche Parish School District, LA
  • Sanborn Elementary, Alpena Public Schools, MI
  • Central Elementary, Yukon Public Schools, OK
  • Shedeck Elementary, Yukon Public Schools, OK
  • Onida Elementary, Agar-Blunt-Onida School District 58-3, SD
  • Bill Brown Elementary, Comal ISD, TX
  • Comal Creek Elementary, Comal ISD, TX
  • Kinder Ranch Elementary, Comal ISD, TX
  • Ray H. Darr Elementary, Eagle Pass ISD, TX
  • Rosita Valley Elementary, Eagle Pass ISD, TX
  • Villareal Elementary, Los Fresnos CISD, TX
  • Scobee Elementary, Northside ISD, TX
  • Bridge Elementary, Bridge Elementary Charter, UT

Imagine MyPath®

  • Ascension Leadership Academy, AL
  • Pine Level Elementary, Autauga County Board of Education, AL
  • Prattville Elementary, Autauga County Board of Education, AL
  • Prattville Primary, Autauga County Board of Education, AL
  • Cedar Ridge Elementary, Cedar Ridge School District, AR
  • Don Tyson School of Innovation, Springdale Public Schools, AR
  • Discovery Bay Elementary, Byron Union School District, CA
  • Alpha Learning Academy, Alpha Learning Academy District, FL
  • Banner Lake Academy – School, Banner Lake Academy – District, FL
  • Compass Outreach and Education Center, Compass Outreach and Education Center District, FL
  • Legends Academy, Orange County Public School District – Private/Charter, FL
  • Toccoa Elementary, Stephens County Schools, GA
  • Graden Elementary, Park Hill School District, MO
  • Hawthorn Elementary, Park Hill School District, MO
  • Union Chapel Elementary, Park Hill School District, MO
  • St John’s Lutheran School, St John’s Lutheran School District, MO
  • Winona Elementary, Winona-Montgomery Consolidated School District, MS
  • Mullen Elementary, Mullen School District 1, NE
  • Seward Elementary, Seward Public Schools, NE
  • Holy Cross School, Diocese of Trenton Catholic Schools, NJ
  • Urbana Elementary, Urbana City Schools, OH
  • Lake Carolina Elementary – Lower, Richland School District 2, SC
  • Homelife Academy, Homelife Academy District, TN
  • Balmorhea School, Balmorhea ISD, TX
  • Clyde Intermediate, Clyde CISD, TX
  • Comanche Elementary, Comanche ISD, TX
  • Crestview Elementary, Graham ISD, TX
  • Bluff View Elementary, Prairie Du Chien Area School District, WI
  • The Lincoln Academy, WI

Imagine Purpose™

  • Dardanelle High School, Dardanelle School District, AR
  • Safford High School, Safford Unified School District 1, AZ
  • Yucaipa Connected Academy, Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint USD, CA
  • Richmond Hill High School, Bryan County School District, GA
  • Coastal Plains High School, Coastal Plains Education Charter High School, GA
  • West Ada School House, West Ada School District, ID
  • Youth Advancement Academy, Youth Advancement Academy (Micase), MI
  • Lake View High School, San Angelo ISD, TX

Imagine Robotify®

  • Mammoth-San Manuel PreK–12 School, Mammoth-San Manuel USD 8, AZ
  • Coatimundi Middle, Santa Cruz Valley USD 35, AZ
  • Home Gardens Academy, Corona-Norco USD, CA
  • Vista Preparatory Academy, Red Bluff Union Elementary School District, CA
  • Portal Middle High School, Bulloch County School System, GA
  • William James Middle, Bulloch County School System, GA
  • Calhoun County Middle, Calhoun County Schools, GA
  • Newburg Middle, Jefferson County Public Schools, KY
  • Stuart Academy, Jefferson County Public Schools, KY
  • Raceland-Worthington Middle, Raceland Worthington ISD, KY
  • Whitehall High, Whitehall, MT
  • Deming Intermediate, Deming Public School District, NM
  • Eagle Ridge Middle, Rio Rancho Public Schools, NM
  • Mountain View Middle, Rio Rancho Public Schools, NM
  • Aubrey Middle, Aubrey ISD, TX
  • Myra Green Middle, Raymondville ISD, TX
  • Texas Leadership of San Angelo, Texas Leadership Public Schools, TX

Twig® Science

  • Exeter Unified School District, CA
  • San Lorenzo Unified School District, CA
  • Envision Education, CA
  • St Joachim School, Diocese of Oakland School Department, CA
  • Santa Rosa Academy, CA
  • Riverdale Joint Unified, CA
  • Pueblo County District 70 – Villa Bella Expeditionary, CO
  • Our Lady of The Wayside, Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools, IL
  • Community Consolidated School District 46, IL
  • Saint Pius X Catholic School – Indianapolis, IN
  • Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township, IN
  • Geary County USD 475, KS
  • Grand Haven Area Public Schools, MI
  • Norfolk Public School, NE
  • Sanborn Regional School District, NH
  • Broken Arrow School District, OK
  • Berkeley County Schools, WV

About Imagine Learning

Every classroom, every student is bursting with potential. That’s why we pursue relentless innovation at the intersection of technology, people, and curricula. Imagine Learning creates K–12 digital-first solutions fueled by insights from educators, working alongside educators to support 15 million students in over half of the districts nationwide. Imagine Learning. Empower potential. Learn more: https://www.imaginelearning.com.

Posted on by Imagine Learning Corporate

May 3, 2024 9:00 am

AI: Empowering Human Potential And Paving The Future Of Education

Published by: Forbes

As the post-industrial world undergoes rapid transformation, it is imperative to adapt our educational approach to align with this dynamic change.

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Posted on by Imagine Learning Corporate

April 30, 2024 5:40 am

Open Any Door with Collaboration

Ever thought that studying STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) is only useful for students considering careers in science or tech? If so, then you wouldn’t be alone — but it’s time to change that perspective.

The truth is, workplaces are changing fast, and some traditional skills are becoming less relevant today. Growing digitalization of roles, AI technologies, and new communication methods demand a totally different set of skills fit for the modern workplace (Thornhill Miller et al., 2023).  

This is where STEM subjects come into play. By studying STEM at schools, students pick up the soft skills that are exactly what employers look for today. Not only do these soft skills make the transition from education to the workplace smoother, they also open the door to any career — whether that’s a STEM-related role or not. These soft skills are commonly referred to as 21st-century skills, or the 4Cs: critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. 

imagine purpose prep

“Embrace the opportunities to learn and apply STEM skills, and you’ll find yourself well equipped for a future full of fun and exciting possibilities.”

Simone Jennings

CEO and marketer

Gif of 4Cs of STEM, zooming into the STEM skill: Collaboration

Collaboration: The Next C Unveiled

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Two heads are better than one.” It’s true — no one person can do everything. We all have different strengths and weaknesses, and if we work together, we’re much more likely to solve a problem than if we’re working alone. But learning to collaborate doesn’t just mean learning how to work with others. It’s learning to delegate, resolve conflict, manage time, set goals, make compromises, and be empathetic — and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. In short, collaboration isn’t only important for college and careers — it’s necessary in every aspect of life.

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From STEM Classrooms to Any Career

How does STEM promote collaboration?

Fun fact: more than 7,000 scientists, engineers, and technicians collaborated when designing and building the Large Hadron Collider, the world’s most powerful particle accelerator. It’s a great example of how STEM is a playground for collaboration — and how groundbreaking discoveries are made when many minds are brought together. In a STEM classroom, there are plenty of opportunities to practice this skill. From working on collaborative projects and conducting and sharing group research to providing peer-to-peer feedback and engaging in class discussions, every student has the chance to engage, regardless of learning style. But as chemist Noby points out in the video above, lots of students are apprehensive when it comes to group assignments. And often, that apprehension isn’t entirely unfounded because there are lots of potential conflicts that can arise. A common worry is unequal participation (Murray, 2017), but there are many strategies to ensure that all students have the opportunity to participate — and therefore, get the most from their collaborative group work.

A great way to promote equitable collaboration in a STEM classroom is to assign students different roles during science and engineering investigations. This can give them buy-in, a reason to participate, and simulates various collaborative situations they’re likely to encounter in the workforce — whether in a STEM-related role or not.

In the next installment of our series on the 4Cs of STEM, we’ll explore how STEM fosters communication skills.

Imagine Learning STEM

Prepare the next generation of STEM leaders with digital and hands-on learning aligned to the 4Cs.

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Posted on by Imagine Learning Corporate

April 23, 2024 12:29 pm

Product Updates & Enhancements April Newsletter

Imagine Edgenuity
Imagine School Services
Imagine Language & Literacy
Imagine Español
Imagine MyPath
Imagine Math
Imagine Robotify
Twig Science
Imagine Learning EL Education 
Imagine IM
Questions Answered

2024 CODiE Finalists

Imagine Learning is five for five

SIIA has announced their finalists for the 2024 CODiE education technology categories and the five Imagine Learning solutions submitted all made the final cut! 

Winners will be announced during SIIA’s CODiE celebration on Tuesday, May 21 at 12:00pm ET. Learn more about the CODiE award and its history here. 

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Imagine Edgenuity & Imagine EdgeEX

Check out the latest updates in Imagine EdgeEX: 

  • Educators with the Academic Integrity add-on can now see Speed Radar violations on student activities. This feature is a part of our commitment to identifying potential academic dishonesty by alerting teachers when students complete activities unexpectedly quickly. 
  • Educators and students in Imagine EdgeEX can view standards covered in lessons. This update allows teachers to understand what skills are covered in the lessons and gives students deeper insight into the objectives of their lessons. 
  • IP Registry for Students is now available in Imagine EdgeEX. These settings restrict students from accessing course content based on district-configured rules. Any current settings will now apply to Imagine EdgeEX. 
  • Students can now view a new Progress Overview page from their Course Map. This page provides students with detailed information about their course progress in an easy-to-understand way. 
  • Answer Explanations are now available for math assessments. These explanations are available to students after they have completed an assessment attempt and to teachers via the “Show Answers” toggle. 
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Imagine School Services

What’s New for Back-to-School 

In case you missed it, we hosted our annual What’s New for Back-to-School webinar earlier this month, unveiling a host of exciting enhancements slated for this fall.  

Watch the recording to get a sneak peek at what Imagine School Services has in store!  

image of Summer Offerings flyer

During the webinar, we announced updates such as:  

  • A brand-new student experience tailored for group intervention sessions 
  • Expanded on-demand tutoring services, now available independent of specific products, with new tutoring hours of operation for added convenience 

Additionally, we announced enhancements coming to Imagine Edgenuity, Imagine EdgeEX, and Imagine MyPath, so be sure to watch the webinar recording to learn more. 

See What’s New

Small Group Targeted Instruction Logic Model

Our Small Group Targeted Instruction service offers small group intervention sessions led by certified teachers (intervention teachers) who use Imagine Learning’s standards-aligned digital curriculum to deliver targeted instruction. Learn more about how our group intervention model works, the types of activities and assessments students will be expected to complete, and the short-term and long-term outcomes your district can expect by partnering with us. 

Read the Logic Model
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Supplemental Suite

Have you started preparations for summer school?

Visit the Imagine Learning Supplemental Suite Help Center for rostering recommendations to set up for a smooth transition to summer learning. 

Learn More
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Imagine Language & Literacy

Imagine Espanol Character

New growth report for back-to-school 2024 

To keep our products fresh and relevant, we are continuously updating and adding new features to the programs you know and love. In addition to all the amazing new and updated features released for the 20th anniversary, Imagine Language & Literacy is getting an updated and streamlined Growth Report. See your students’ growth in a whole new way! 

Engagement is the key to learning success!

Did you know there are many ways to keep students engaged and learning in Imagine Language & Literacy? Students can earn Booster Bit rewards and use them in the Imagine Museum to play games and visit the exhibits they’ve unlocked. Teachers can also award Booster Bits. You can see how many Booster Bits students have and encourage them to take a break and use their rewards. 

Imagine Language and Literacy Mazel Characters
Imagine Espanol Character

Speaking of engagement — look at these adorable Mazels that a school in Hawaii made! 

Congrats to our spring contest winners! 

Congratulations to the Spring into Reading classrooms for averaging 240+ minutes this March! 20 randomly selected classrooms from across the country have each won a $50 e-gift card award and can celebrate their love of literacy this spring. 

Prepare for the end of the year with reports

As the year ends, here is a reminder of the reports that are available for you to pull to record the growth students have achieved. 

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Imagine Español

New benchmarks and growth reports for back-to-school 2024 

To keep our products fresh and relevant, we are continuously updating and adding new features to the programs you know and love. As you know, Imagine Español expanded to K-5 this year. This fall, you will be able to measure the impact on learning and gain insights to guide classroom instruction and intervention with new benchmark assessments given three times per year — then measure results with a new Growth Report. Learn more about this exciting new addition! 

Image of Imagine Espanol Study cover

Engagement is the key to learning success 

Did you know there are many ways to keep students engaged and learning in Imagine Español? Students who successfully complete Imagine Español activities can earn Booster Bits (to spend on customizing their avatar), visit the Imagine Museum exhibits and games, and level up —which unlocks new exhibits in the Imagine Museum. Learn more about the reward system in Imagine Español now! 

Prepare for the end of the year with reports 

As the year ends, here is a reminder of the reports that are available for you to pull to record the growth students have achieved in Imagine Español. 

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Imagine MyPath

Imagine MyPath has earned an Evidence-Based Edtech: ESSA Tier 3 product certification from Digital Promise

Imagine MyPath has been recognized with the Evidence-Based Edtech: ESSA Tier 3 product certification from Digital Promise, indicating a reliable, research-backed impact on learner outcomes. This prestigious certification, achieved by only three products in this new category, underscores Imagine MyPath’s commitment to educational excellence as demonstrated through a well-designed study. The study highlighted that kindergarten students using Imagine MyPath significantly outperformed their peers on the NWEA MAP Growth math assessment.

Read the Full Study

On-Demand Tutoring for Imagine MyPath Math coming for back-to-school 2024! 

From a secure online platform, students will now be able to access real-time, one-on-one support from live math teachers at the click of a button. Equitable access to one-on-one support gives students the guidance they need to successfully complete lessons and move forward in their personalized learning paths with confidence. 

On-Demand Tutoring in Imagine MyPath Math includes:  

  • A deeply trained cohort of teachers  
  • Availability for grades 3–12  
  • One-on-one support via chat or voice; available in English and Spanish  
  • Dynamic visual models via a two-way interactive whiteboard 
Image of Imagine Espanol Study cover
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Imagine Math and Imagine Math Facts

Student Password Security Update

For security reasons, passwords are no longer displayed in the Imagine Math educator portal. Educators can still change a student’s password to a new password, but they can’t view the student’s current password. Note that we’ve kept the word “password” on student start cards with a blank space underneath for educators to write it in. 

Due to this important security enhancement, 22 Help Center articles, including Printing student start cards and Finding your student’s Math Suite username and password, were updated to replace screenshots showing passwords on the start cards and in various pages of the Imagine Math program. 

Live Teacher Updates for Imagine Math 3+

New Printable Resources 

We’ve added a suite of English and Spanish printable resources in Imagine Math Teacher Resources under the “Live Teaching” category filter to support student success in working with Imagine Math Live Teachers. Learn more about Imagine Math Live Teachers in the Imagine Math Help Center, including student-facing how-to videos and more!  

Imagine Math students on the news

New Operating Hours for 2024-25 

Live Teaching will have updated operating hours for the 2024-25 school year.*

Imagine Math Live Teaching Hours 2024-25  (All times local) 

Monday–Friday: 8:00am–10:00pm  

Saturday: 9:00am–4:00pm 

Sunday: 6:00pm–10:00pm 

*Live Teaching hours for the current 2023-24 school year can be found in the Imagine Math Help Center. 

Imagine Math + Evidence for ESSA

The Imagine Learning efficacy research team completed an ESSA Tier 3 qualifying study for Imagine Math. The study shows that students who used Imagine Math achieved higher math scores than students who did not use Imagine Math. Imagine Math can now be found on the Evidence for ESSA clearinghouse website.  

Recent efficacy studies have correlated increased Imagine Math and Imagine Math Facts usage with increased math proficiency across grades and student subpopulations: 

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Imagine Robotify

Important update: email address and password requirements have changed

As of April 1, you’re prompted to enter your email address and password to log into your Imagine Robotify account. Please review your profile settings to ensure your current email is up to date and make any necessary changes.

Learn more about this important new data security measure in the Help Center

Improving the efficacy of your Imagine Robotify implementation

To help support the health of your Imagine Robotify implementation and recognize the most return on your investment in this supplemental computer science program, we continue to update and enhance our Help Center with actionable ideas: 

Efficacy study: increase math proficiency with Imagine Robotify 

A recent efficacy study correlated increased Imagine Robotify usage, measured in the number of completed tasks, with increased math proficiency across grades and student subpopulations. 

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Twig Science

Twig Science Suite

Updated Tablet Tech Requirements Now Available

We have updated our tablet support in our systems requirements Help Center article. Please take a look as you review your hardware usage and purchases. 

Twig Science Elementary 

Twig Science educator slides

Grade 6 now has Fast Track lessons (And we added more Spanish!) 

Elementary Fast Track updates continue with Grade 6 elementary, including Fast Track-specific pacing guides, slides, assessment summaries, kit lists, and teacher-supplied materials lists. Additionally, broader Fast Track updates were made, including Spanish pacing guides and slides for Twig Science Elementary K–6. 

Twig Science and literacy: meet your science and literacy goals all at once

Science and literacy have more in common than you may think. Learn more about how your Twig Science program can help you cover literacy skills and standards during your science time. Leveled readers, language routines, embedded literacy support, and more are available to you as a Twig Science user — learn more so you can start exploring and implementing more literacy in your science classroom. 

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Imagine Learning EL Education 

New and improved Skills Block Curriculum Guide 

The newly updated Skills Block Curriculum Guide makes preparing for implementation easier than ever before! This update includes a fresh new look and feel, new sections to provide clear learning pathways for new and returning teachers, improved navigation, enhanced research and design sections that highlight alignment to reading science research, and centralized key resources to help prepare for the year. 

New Letter Stories video series

Get to know Anak, Watota, and Jeffi as they explore the world of letters and sounds, encountering a wild array of animals and experiences along the way. In our brand-new Letter Stories video series, these engaging characters help reinforce letter names, sounds, and formations in students’ memories as they guess the identities of each creature or object. This series will contain videos for all vowel sounds and digraphs. Check out the Letter “e” and “i” videos on our Learning Letters page and in Skills Block Kindergarten, Module 2, Cycle 11, Lesson 56 (for “e”) and Skills Block Kindergarten, Module 2, Cycle 6, Lesson 31 (for “i”). 

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Imagine IM

6–8 Inspire Math videos now in Spanish 

We are thrilled to share that the Inspire Math videos in grades 6–8 are now available in both English and Spanish! These short, engaging videos showcase the math for each unit in a relevant and often unexpected real-world context to help spark student curiosity. You can find the Inspire Math videos linked within the sequence of lessons on a unit landing page. 

6–8 Inspire Math videos in Spanish

Check out Imagine IM on the core review page!

If you haven’t already made the switch and are interested in our new edition of the IM v.360 curriculum, click here to head to the Imagine Learning core review page and check out the Teacher Guide and Student Workbook print samples for Imagine IM. Click here to experience the Imagine IM digital preview. 

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Questions Answered

Find the answers to the most common questions we’ve received over the past month from customers of our Supplemental & Intervention Suite.

My student completed their Learning Path in Imagine MyPath, what should I do now?

We suggest a few different approaches when a student has completed their path, please review the information below to see which best applies to your situation. 

In Imagine Robotify, where can I see a breakdown of how my students earn their points and badges? 

Learn how students earn points and badges in this Help Center article. 

Find the answers to the most common questions we’ve received over the past month from Core customers.

Can lessons be assigned to multiple classes at once in Twig Science Middle School?

Yes, lessons can now be assigned or shared to multiple classes at once. 

Learn More

How can teachers and administrators easily find saved and customized content in Imagine Learning Classroom?

Teachers and administrators can organize saved lessons into folders to easily find saved and customized content. The “All favorites” tab has a list of every lesson saved as well. Personal copies are in their own tab within this folder organization. These copies will always be viewable (until deleted) in their own personal copies section.

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Posted on by Imagine Learning Corporate

April 15, 2024 10:32 am

Imagine Learning Unveils Traverse Explorer, Empowering Students and Educators with Free Digital Social Studies Lessons

Offering Provides Equitable Access to Verified Digital Content to Inspire Civic Engagement for Grades 6–12

Scottsdale, AZ – April 15, 2024 – Imagine Learning, the largest national provider of digital curriculum solutions serving over 15 million students and one million educators, today announced the launch of Traverse Explorer, which provides free access to relevant lessons from their highly-anticipated, breakthrough core social studies curriculum. Traverse Explorer serves timely and grade-appropriate digital content directly to teachers and is designed to inspire students to become engaged and informed citizens. This free resource addresses the critical need for easily accessible and verified digital social studies lessons for millions of educators and students across the U.S.

“To foster a thriving democracy, it’s imperative that we cultivate an environment in which everyone has the opportunity to both understand and actively participate in the systems that govern our society,” said Sari Factor, Vice Chair and Chief Strategy Officer of Imagine Learning. “For too long, the education system has de-emphasized the importance of social studies and civics for students, often citing a lack of resources and competing priorities. Traverse Explorer is designed to address this gap by offering educators equitable access to digital curriculum, fostering critical thinking and inquiry skills essential for every student to become an active and educated citizen.” At this week’s ASU+GSV summit in San Diego, California, the topic will be discussed during a panel moderated by Factor titled “Civic Engagement in an Uncivilized Climate.”

A previous study by MRD Education found that teachers spend an average of seven hours per week searching for instructional materials and another five hours creating their own. Social studies resources, in particular, are challenging to find, with a RAND American Teacher Panel Insights Report stating that “most teachers reported a need for better civics instructional resources.” Streamlining teachers’ workloads is crucial, especially as the teacher shortage crisis worsens due to political polarization in education.

Designed to empower educators and inspire civic engagement in 6–12 grade students, Traverse Explorer:

  • Is supported by Imagine Learning’s standards-backed, inquiry-based curriculum, Traverse, and aligns with the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework.
  • Consists of lessons that contain multimedia materials, reliable sources, and collaborative learning activities designed to provoke thoughtful analysis and student engagement.
  • Engages students with compelling topics linking social studies to current events and practical knowledge, such as voting procedures and financial literacy.
  • Lessons will be derived from the five Traverse curriculum categories: U.S. History, World History, Government, Geography, and Economics.
  • Lessons will be timed to coincide with significant periods such as Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and election season.

“When crafting the Traverse curriculum, we recognized the transformative potential of digital, inquiry-based content grounded in current events, coupled with the ability to quickly update the resources as new developments unfold. Traverse Explorer represents a significant opportunity to disseminate this wealth of knowledge to as many students as possible, revolutionizing social studies across the nation,” said Dr. Kathy Swan, Ph.D., Professor of Social Studies at the University of Kentucky and curriculum author of Traverse.

Traverse Explorer will launch in June 2024 with five inaugural free lessons about Federalism and the U.S. Highway System (U.S. History), Commerce in Asia (World History), Using Cash versus Credit (Economics), First Time Voting (U.S. Government), and the Effects of El Niño (World Geography). New lessons will be made available monthly. For more information regarding Traverse Explorer and to sign up to be notified as soon as it is available, visit https://www.imaginelearning.com/traverse-explorer/.

About Imagine Learning

Every classroom, every student is bursting with potential. That’s why we pursue relentless innovation at the intersection of technology, people, and curricula. Imagine Learning creates K–12 digital-first solutions fueled by insights from educators, working alongside educators to support 15 million students in over half of the districts nationwide. Our core portfolio includes Imagine IM, Imagine Learning EL Education, Twig® Science, and Traverse®. Our robust supplemental and intervention suite equips learners with personalized instruction for English and Spanish literacy, math, coding, and more. Imagine Edgenuity® is our flagship courseware solution, complemented by Imagine School Services’ Certified Teachers. Imagine Learning. Empower potential. Learn more: www.imaginelearning.com

Media Contact:

Katie Russo, ThroughCo Communications

krusso@throughco.com

501-282-5069

Posted on by Imagine Learning Corporate

April 12, 2024 10:38 am

Open Any Door with Critical Thinking

Workplaces are changing fast. Jobs with “routine” work have decreased and there’s a much bigger emphasis on soft skills like the 4Cs. In part one of our four-part series, discover how critical thinking unlocks future pathways for students and how STEM in particular fosters it.

Ever thought that studying STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) is only useful for students considering careers in science or tech? If so, then you wouldn’t be alone — but it’s time to change that perspective.

The truth is, workplaces are changing fast, and some traditional skills are becoming less relevant today. Growing digitalization of roles, AI technologies, and new communication methods demand a totally different set of skills fit for the modern workplace (Thornhill Miller et al., 2023).

This is where STEM subjects come into play. By studying STEM at schools, students pick up the soft skills that are exactly what employers look for today. Not only do these soft skills make the transition from education to the workplace smoother, they also open the door to any career — whether that’s a STEM-related role or not. These soft skills are commonly referred to as 21st-century skills, or the 4Cs: critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity.

imagine purpose prep

“The world is incredibly complex. It’s like a giant jigsaw puzzle, and I use those fundamental [STEM] skills to find all of the puzzle pieces and put them together in a way that makes sense to me.”

Noby Leong

Chemist

The 4Cs of STEM Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking: The First C Unveiled

What do we mean by critical thinking? And why does it take center stage? Critical thinking is about analyzing and evaluating information to make sound conclusions. It’s more than solving math problems or conducting experiments — it’s about challenging assumptions and seeing beyond the obvious to become an active, engaged problem solver.  

In the classroom, this might look like students debating the best approach to solving a problem or designing multiple hypotheses to test an experiment. Ultimately, it’s a skill that prepares students for overcoming real-world challenges in any field.  

From STEM Classrooms to Any Career

So how does mastering Pythagoras’ theorem or challenging scientific approaches benefit students who don’t want to pursue STEM? The answer lies in the universal transferability of the critical thinking involved. Whether it’s strategizing a marketing campaign, improving customer service protocols, or writing compelling narratives, critical thinking is woven into the fabric of every career you can imagine.

The message is clear: critical thinking is more than an academic skill. It unlocks potential across all disciplines and all future pathways for students.  

In the next installment of our series on the 4Cs of STEM, we’ll explore the power of collaboration and how it shapes the leaders of tomorrow. 

Imagine Learning STEM

Prepare the next generation of STEM leaders with digital and hands-on learning aligned to the 4Cs.

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Posted on by Imagine Learning Corporate

April 11, 2024 7:00 am

Ten Things to Consider When Choosing an Online Curriculum 

Expanding or moving core curricula into an online format is a strategic decision that can profoundly impact graduation rates and expand the variety of offerings your district or school provides. When establishing a virtual or extended online course program for essential subjects, it’s important to know what features, content, and supports are necessary for a successful implementation.

While there’s a lot to consider for the unique needs of your school community, there are 10 key factors to be mindful of as you compare options for a virtual program. 

1. Alignment with Curriculum Standards 

Superior digital course content is designed around established curriculum standards. This ensures the content covers necessary learning objectives for the targeted grade level or subject area. While such alignment may seem like a given, the degree to which different providers do this varies. Online course content should be meticulously aligned with curriculum standards, ensuring educators and students have access to relevant and impactful learning materials. 

2. Engaging and Interactive Content 

To capture the attention of today’s students, virtual courses must feature engaging multimedia content. Interactive activities and simulations promote active learning, and captivating content that encourages student engagement facilitates deeper understanding. 

3. Adaptability and Personalization 

The ability to adjust pace, difficulty, and content based on individual student needs is crucial in required courses. Look for online curriculum options with adaptive features to ensure that every student’s learning experience is personalized, maximizing their potential for success. 

4. Feedback and Assessment 

Providing timely and constructive feedback helps students understand areas for improvement. Robust assessment tools enable educators to track performance and tailor interventions effectively and should seamlessly integrate with your district’s existing learning management system (LMS) and student information system (SIS). 

5. Teacher Support and Resources 

Comprehensive support and resources for teachers, including teaching guides and data analytics, are vital, but only if educators can implement them. As the market for virtual courses grows more competitive, more providers are offering professional development opportunities to support educators throughout the implementation process. 

6. Student Supports 

Intuitive, accessible online curricula supports diverse learning needs, including different languages and assistive technologies. Make sure the virtual curriculum you choose for your school or district prioritizes accessibility, ensuring all students can navigate their core learning journey effectively. 

7. Commitment to Academic Integrity 

In today’s digital age, addressing academic dishonesty is more important than ever. A commitment to academic integrity should include embedded tools to help educators maintain a trustworthy learning environment. 

8. Integration with Learning Management Systems (LMS) 

Seamless integration with your existing LMS and other educational technology platforms streamlines workflows and lightens teachers’ burdens. Easy integration capabilities facilitate efficient data sharing and analysis and should be a ‘must’.  

9. Continuous Updates and Improvements 

Your virtual courses should evolve with changes in curriculum standards and educational technology. Regular updates will ensure educators and students always have access to the most current and effective content, so be sure to partner with a provider that demonstrates a commitment to staying up to date. 

10. Evidence of Effectiveness 

Look for a provider with an online curriculum backed by research studies, case studies, and user testimonials. A proven track record of improving student outcomes is essential, and the positive impact it can have is immeasurable. 

There are more virtual curriculum programs than ever, but finding the one that will empower potential in your school or district needn’t be overwhelming. Choose one that offers comprehensive features, engaging content, and robust support for both educators and students. These essential factors will enhance your educational offerings and support student success.

Ready to search for
‘the one’?

Here’s A Good Place To Start

About the Author – Kallie Markle

Kallie Markle lives in Northern California with her family of humans, house plants, and dogs. The humans take up the least amount of space. Before joining the education world, she wrote her way through national parks, concerts, tourism, and brewing.

Posted on by Imagine Learning Corporate

April 8, 2024 9:00 am

Imagine Learning Launches AI-Enhanced Tutoring to Meet Demand for Personalized Support

AI-Driven Tutoring Tailored to Each Student’s Level and Interests

Scottsdale, Arizona – April 08, 2024 – Imagine Learning, the largest national provider of digital curriculum solutions, serving over 15 million students and one million educators, today announced the release of its AI-enabled tutoring platform. This latest development marks a significant step toward Imagine Learning’s goal of incorporating AI throughout its product portfolio and underscores its dedication to leveraging AI to enhance opportunity and access for every learner.

“At Imagine Learning, we firmly believe that embracing AI doesn’t replace human intelligence, it enhances it,” said Jonathan Grayer, CEO of Imagine Learning. “Rooted in this conviction, we’re confident that integrating AI will fuel purpose-driven learning and empower each student to unlock their full potential. Our new AI-enabled tutoring platform will deliver measurable impact to our students and allow us to meet the educational challenges we face today.”

A report published by Georgetown University in January 2024, titled “Learning Curve: Lessons from the Tutoring Revolution in Public Education,” highlights the positive impact of personalized tutoring within K–12 education and the critical need to deploy it at scale to meet the significant portion of students lacking sufficient academic support. Imagine Learning’s platform bridges this gap through key features like:

  • AI-enhanced tutoring with human guidance: Imagine Learning’s AI-driven communication system enables real-time, on-demand tutoring support accessible anytime, anywhere — adjusting to each student’s learning level, interests, and preferred language — to promote an interactive educational space. Alongside our AI capabilities, human tutors play a crucial role in guiding and enhancing the learning experience. They review AI recommendations and feedback, ensuring accuracy and relevance. This blend of AI efficiency with educator expertise highlights our commitment to a balanced, human-in-the-loop approach to personalized learning.
  • Interactive learning through AI-powered teaching: this feature allows students to play the role of teacher and explain concepts. This engaging interaction boosts learner knowledge and hones communication skills. By asking targeted questions and seeking clarifications, the AI-powered companion adjusts to the student’s explanations to foster a nurturing space for learning through teaching.

“The tutoring solution has the ability to transform learning for our students,” said Kinsey Rawe, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Courseware & School Services. “With personalized support and an engaging experience, we’ve seen remarkable improvements in performance and motivation.”

The AI-enabled tutoring platform is set to enhance a range of Imagine Learning’s offerings, including Imagine Edgenuity®, Imagine EdgeEX, Imagine MyPath®, and Imagine Math®, and is currently being piloted within Imagine Learning Illustrative Mathematics. This integration marks another significant milestone in Imagine Learning’s journey toward leading educational innovation, utilizing technology to support a future-ready generation.

Imagine Learning is committed to leveraging generative AI to support educators and enhance the educational experience of students. These advances are made with a deep commitment to ethical standards, focusing on protecting privacy, ensuring fairness, and creating an unbiased learning environment.

About Imagine Learning

Every classroom, every student is bursting with potential. That’s why we pursue relentless innovation at the intersection of technology, people, and curricula. Imagine Learning creates K–12 digital-first solutions fueled by insights from educators, working alongside educators to support 15 million students in over half of the districts nationwide. Our core portfolio includes Imagine IM, Imagine Learning EL Education, Twig® Science, and Traverse®. Our robust supplemental and intervention suite equips learners with personalized instruction for English and Spanish literacy, math, coding, and more. Imagine Edgenuity® is our flagship courseware solution, complemented by Imagine School Services’ Certified Teachers. Imagine Learning. Empower potential. Learn more: www.imaginelearning.com

Posted on by Imagine Learning Corporate

April 3, 2024 6:17 pm

Navigating the Biden Administration’s Education Agenda

The president’s “Improving Student Achievement Agenda” aims to enhance education through focused efforts on absenteeism, tutoring, and extended learning. Here are three suggestions for how to align your district with those priorities, offering tangible paths to enrich student experiences and achievements.

It’s no secret that declining student achievement is a pressing issue facing educators and students, and, really, the entire nation. Everyone from the Washington Post to the next-door neighbor with a struggling student at home is talking about our literacy and mathematics crisis. National movements, like the science of reading, and individual states and districts are desperately attempting to provide a solution. 

Recently, the Biden administration threw its hat in the ring to try and help. EdWeek reports, “U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden announced… the administration’s new ‘Improving Student Achievement Agenda’ at a White House event with governors and state education leaders.” 

This initiative targets three issues impeding student achievement: addressing absenteeism, enhancing tutoring, and extending learning opportunities after school and over the summer. Although no new funding grant or opportunity exists, the administration is asking districts to align their Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) spending accordingly.  

School administrators are now tasked with a significant responsibility: leveraging these funds to not only meet federal directives but also to truly enrich their students’ educational experiences. Here’s an overview of the three-pronged approach the Biden administration has put forth — and a few ideas for how Imagine Learning can help.  

Addressing Absenteeism Through Engagement 

Between 25% and 30% of students were chronically absent in 2023, down only slightly from the previous year. Absenteeism is a complex issue with no one-size-fits-all solution. It requires a multifaceted approach, particularly focusing on family engagement and support.   
 
Implementing programs that excite and engage students can also help. Studies show that 96% of Career and Technical Education (CTE) students graduate from high school and that high-risk students enrolled in a CTE program are eight to ten times less likely to drop out in grades 11–12. 

Imagine Learning provides eDynamic learning elective courses and CTE pathways to more than 80,000 students nationwide. These courses offer students flexible learning online or in a hybrid model, giving students agency and an alternative path to graduation. By empowering students with choices that fit their unique circumstances and learning styles, educators can foster ownership and motivation toward their education. 

Providing High-Dosage Tutoring Online 

The Biden administration’s push for tutoring reflects the critical role it plays in student achievement. High-dosage tutoring, in particular, has been identified as a powerful tool in addressing learning gaps. Finding the staff to provide those much-needed one-on-one or small-group hours is a difficult task, especially given the nationwide teacher shortage.  

Imagine School Services is the human branch of our company, providing real-life, caring, high-quality online educators. Students enrolled in Imagine Edgenuity’s online courses can access on-demand, one-on-one tutoring. This dual support system ensures students receive the focused help they need within the course and the option for individualized attention, making it a comprehensive solution to bolster academic success. We also offer Small Group Targeted Instruction. Schools identify students with similar educational needs and skill gaps, and we provide focused instruction for students online with a qualified interventionist. It’s an innovative solution for students in understaffed regions. 

Extending Learning with Research-Proven, Personalized Tools 

Extended learning opportunities, including over the summer, are essential for mitigating learning loss and preparing students for future success. There’s just no way to close large learning gaps without extending the hours students spend, well, learning. Our “Summer of Yes” initiative exemplifies how summer and extended learning programs can be designed to be both enriching and remedial, providing students with the skills they need to excel in the upcoming school year.  

The key to effectively using ESSA funds for extended learning is selecting evidence-based programs aligned with the Biden administration’s educational priorities. Imagine Learning’s offerings are grounded in research and proven to support student achievement, making them an excellent choice for administrators. In particular, our suite of supplemental digital programs allows students to access personalized instruction anywhere, anytime: after school, at home, over the summer, and on vacation. The best part? They’re proven to work. 

1.8x

Imagine Language & Literacy

Imagine Language & Literacy students at three districts across Texas achieved 1.8x greater growth on a standardized assessment compared to non-participating peers.

68.9%

Imagine Language & Literacy

of Imagine MyPath students in Stratford Independent School District exceeded yearly growth expectations on the MAP Growth™ reading and math assessments during the 2020–2021 school year.

108Q

Imagine Language & Literacy

Overall average annual Quantile growth for Imagine Math students in a 2021–2022 national analysis.

As education continues to adapt to new challenges and opportunities, administrators play a crucial role in shaping the future of learning. By thoughtfully leveraging ESSA funds in line with the Biden administration’s educational initiative, schools can provide students with the support, engagement, and opportunities they need to succeed. Through strategic investment in programs that address absenteeism, enhance tutoring, and extend learning opportunities, administrators can ensure that their schools not only meet the expectations set forth by the Biden administration but also set a new standard for educational excellence.  

Imagine Learning is dedicated to partnering with educators in this journey, offering scalable, research-backed solutions that address the immediate needs of today’s students while laying the groundwork for tomorrow’s achievements.