January 24, 2023 2:05 pm

West Hills Elementary Named Imagine Math State Winner

Published by: WTOK-TV (ABC 11)

And first place goes to West Hills Elementary! The school beat out 90 districts in the state of Mississippi for the Imagine Math Fall Contest for pre-k through second grade.

“It’s very exciting. It’s an honor, to be honest. I know they love [Imagine Math] but I guess now I know how much they really love it,” said West Hills Elementary second grade math teacher, Veronica Adams.

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January 23, 2023 8:00 am

ChatGPT: What Are We Doing About It? 

Worried about how AI technology will impact student writing and academic integrity? Deborah Rayow, Imagine Learning’s Vice President of Product Management, Courseware, shares her thoughts about the future plus tips you can implement today.

If your family is anything like mine, you spent several hours over the holidays playing with a new technology called ChatGPT. For those of you not familiar with ChatGPT, it’s an OpenAI program that can write… well, anything. I’ve asked it to write a sonnet comparing Bali and Mars, a narrative essay about a one-eyed dog that goes back in time and meets Leonardo da Vinci, and an answer to the question, “Do you think Star Trek: Discovery should be considered Star Trek canon, and why or why not?” 

And yes, I’ve also asked it to write answers to several of the writing prompts in Imagine Edgenuity courses. Which it does exceedingly well. 

As ChatGPT is now broadly (and freely) available to anyone, we know that students have already started using it to “help” them with their work in Imagine Edgenuity. We know that educators are concerned. So are we. We’ve already begun the conversations internally about what steps we can and should be taking to help teachers determine when AI was used to generate a written response. 

What We Can Do Now 

Along with ChatGPT, OpenAI also created a tool that can analyze a piece of writing and predict the likelihood that it was created by artificial intelligence. Teachers can access this tool for free here. In our testing, we’ve found it to be remarkably accurate. We highly recommend using this tool if a student has submitted work that seems out of character — more formally written than usual, slightly robotic, or with details that don’t match what you know about the student. For example, one of our teachers read an essay from a sixth grader that talked about the difficulties he had fitting in on his first day at a large, public high school; something was clearly off, and the AI detector confirmed it. 

What We’re Working on for the Future 

We will be incorporating this kind of detection within the Academic Integrity toolset available now in Imagine Edgenuity. Just as we can currently report on the percentage of a written response that appears online or has already been submitted by another student, we will provide information to teachers on whether AI was likely involved in crafting the text. We are working to have this feature available before the end of the current school year.   

What Can Teachers Do to Promote Academic Integrity in Schools?

There are several things that teachers can do to ensure academic integrity in schools:

1. Clearly communicate expectations.

Teachers should make sure that students understand what is expected of them in terms of academic integrity. This can include guidelines for proper citation of sources, rules for collaboration on assignments, and consequences for academic dishonesty.

2. Use plagiarism detection tools.

There are a number of software tools available that can help teachers identify instances of plagiarism in students’ work. These tools can be especially helpful for detecting copied content from online sources.

3. Encourage responsible research practices.

Teachers can teach students how to properly research and cite sources and encourage them to ask for help if they are unsure how to do so.

4. Monitor for academic misconduct.

Teachers should be vigilant in looking for signs of academic misconduct, such as copied assignments or cheating on exams. If misconduct is suspected, teachers should follow the school’s policies for addressing it.

5. Promote a culture of academic integrity.

Teachers can set a positive example for students by demonstrating integrity in their own work and by stressing the importance of honesty in academic pursuits.

By taking these steps, teachers can help create a culture of academic integrity in their schools and ensure that all students are held to high standards of honesty and professionalism. 

And, in case you didn’t notice: that entire last section was written by ChatGPT.  Told you it was good. 

Deborah Rayow Imagine Learning’s Vice President of Product Management, Courseware

About the author

Deborah Rayow

Imagine Learning’s Vice President of Product Management, Courseware

A former classroom teacher, Deborah has also previously worked with an array of educational publishers and consulting organizations, including Scholastic Education, Kaplan K12 Learning Services, and the New York Times Learning Network. Her expertise includes curriculum planning and professional development, online and hybrid learning, instructional design, and product management/development.

Deborah holds a B.A. in Child Development from Tufts University and a master’s degree in Mathematics Education from Rutgers University. Her areas of academic focus have included early literacy, problem-based learning, and comparative studies in mathematics instruction.

January 18, 2023 9:00 am

Imagine Learning Foundation Increases Grant Opportunity for 2023 Funding Cycle

Affirms Commitment to Grant $5 Million to Organizations Promoting Learner Well-Being Beyond the Classroom

Scottsdale, Ariz. January 18, 2023 – Imagine Learning Foundation (ILF), the philanthropic initiative founded by Imagine Learning, the largest provider of digital curriculum solutions in the United States, announced today it will award $400,000 in grants in 2023 to organizations dedicated to supporting the well-being of students outside the classroom. This represents an increase of 60% over 2022 levels.  ILF remains committed to granting $5 million to deserving organizations in the upcoming years.

ILF was launched in 2022 with the mission of fostering the well-being of learners and the people who support them at home and in their communities. Up2Us Sports (www.up2us.org) and Erika’s Lighthouse (www.erikaslighthouse.org), two leading organizations that support students learning life skills through active community engagement, received inaugural Imagine Learning Foundation Signature Grants. 

“Delivery of social and emotional support inside and outside of the classroom continues to be one of the greatest needs of students and families today,” said Jonathan Grayer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Imagine Learning. “In 2023, we are excited to significantly increase our commitment to identify and fund those organizations that are making a real difference in the communities they serve.  We are very proud of the work of our two initial Imagine Signature Grant award recipients – Up2Us Sports and Erika’s Lighthouse – and look forward to funding the next wave of deserving partners.”

In addition to the Imagine Learning Foundation Signature Grant Program, ILF is also announcing enhancements to its Grassroots Grant Program, which awards a series of smaller grants to organizations nominated by Imagine Learning employees that focus on out-of-classroom programs dedicated to learner well-being, such as student-driven kindness and anti-bullying messaging and after school programs shown to increase self-confidence, attendance rates, emotional well-being, and academic performance. In 2022, ILF awarded four $10,000 Grassroots grants to New Pathways for Youth, Mindful Michigan Initiative, I’ve Got Your Back, and Inspira Dance. In 2023, the Grassroots Grant Program will award recipients on a rolling basis and will also begin to accept nominations from Imagine Learning’s employees in the United Kingdom and Europe, extending ILF’s impact internationally.

“The relationships we’ve built with our grant winners this past year and seeing the positive impact they’re making to learners in their communities has been an incredibly rewarding start to the Imagine Learning Foundation,” said Chris Graham, Chairman and President of the Imagine Learning Foundation. “As we enter our second year of giving, we’re excited about deepening our relationships with our current partners and we look forward to establishing new ones with the innovative and mission-aligned non-profit organizations who apply.”

The 2023 Imagine Signature Grant Program is now open for applications through April 30 and award winners will be announced in July 2023. The 2023 funding cycle is below:

  • Applications Deadline – April 30, 2023 (5:00pm PDT)
  • Award Notifications – June/July 2023
  • Grant Awards – on/after July 1, 2023

To learn more about the Imagine Learning Foundation and access the 2023 Imagine Signature Grant Program guidelines, visit imaginelearningfoundation.org.

About Imagine Learning Foundation

Imagine Learning Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on fostering the well-being of learners and the people who support them at home and in their communities. Established in 2021, the Imagine Learning Foundation funds a variety of grants to mission-aligned national non-profit organizations that support initiatives to foster well-being of youth, families, and educators with an emphasis on accelerating student achievement. Imagine Learning Foundation is the philanthropic initiative of Imagine Learning, the largest provider of digital curriculum solutions in the U.S. Additional information is available at imaginelearningfoundation.org.

December 5, 2022 8:00 am

Imagine Learning EL Education Approved by Connecticut State Board of Education

Top-Rated Core Language Arts Program Delivers Unique Integrated Learning Experiences for Connecticut Schools

Scottsdale, Ariz., DECEMBER 5, 2022 – Imagine Learning, the largest provider of digital curriculum solutions in the U.S., serving 15 million students in more than half the school districts nationwide, today announced that Imagine Learning EL Education’s core language arts and reading program has been approved by the Connecticut State Board of Education for grades K-3. Rooted in the Science of Reading, Imagine Learning EL Education ensures that students acquire the critical skills needed to navigate grade-level text independently.  

“With EL Education and the Imagine Learning Classroom technology application, we’ve developed an integrated solution that empowers educators to spend more time teaching and less time planning,” said Terry Gilligan, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Core Curriculum for Imagine Learning. “We look forward to helping students across Connecticut achieve their reading goals through our resources and instructional supports.”

The Connecticut State Department of Education’s (CDSE) Center for Literacy Research and Reading Success, in consultation with the Reading Leadership Implementation Council, chose Imagine Learning EL Education as one of only five Connecticut-approved K-3 reading curricula. Imagine Learning EL Education met the State’s high standards of quality necessary to contribute to the overall goal of improving reading outcomes and closing learning gaps. CDSE’s requirements for high-quality curricula also include alignment to the Connecticut Core Standards for English language arts.

Imagine Learning EL Education is a comprehensive content-based K-8 core literacy curriculum utilizing compelling real-world texts that engage and excite learners in grades K-8. Rooted in the Science of Reading, the program allows students to focus on mastery of knowledge and skills and demonstrate high-quality work while building habits of character. Imagine Learning EL Education received near-perfect ratings by EdReports, an independent nonprofit designed to improve education through evidence-based reviews of K-12 instructional materials.

Available in both digital and print platforms, Imagine Learning EL Education helps teachers by fully supporting the implementation of the curriculum with integrity, including professional development sessions that guide teachers as they learn how to use it, taking the unique needs of their students into account. Educators are also supported throughout the year by a dedicated customer success manager, working to plan, monitor, and support curriculum implementation. To learn more about Imagine Learning EL Education and the Imagine Learning Classroom, visit imaginelearning.com/core-curriculum.

About Imagine Learning

Imagine Learning is a PreK–12 digital learning solutions company that ignites learning breakthroughs by designing forward-thinking solutions at the intersection of people, curricula, and technology to drive student growth. Imagine Learning serves more than 15 million students and partners with more than half the school districts nationwide. Imagine Learning’s flagship products include Imagine Edgenuity®, online courseware and virtual school services solutions; supplemental and intervention solutions for literacy, language, mathematics, and computer science; and high-quality, digital-first core curricula, including Illustrative Mathematics® and EL Education®—both on the Imagine Learning Classroom software application—and Twig Science®. Read more about Imagine Learning’s digital solutions at imaginelearning.com.

November 22, 2022 8:00 am

The Four Cs of STEM in Computer Science

Celebrate Computer Science Education Week and the international Hour of Code by exploring the four Cs of STEM. Students can learn about real-world applications of the four Cs in computer science from Chicago to Mars.

Digital tools, automation, network security, and AI are shaping our future. Recognizing the increased demand for digital literacy in the workforce, more than 500 CEOs recently petitioned education leaders to prioritize computer science instruction in K–12 schools. The U.S Department of Education followed that by launching the YOU Belong in STEM initiative to enhance science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education for all students.

Computer Science Education Week, December 5th–11th, is the perfect time to get involved! A great way for educators at any grade level to explore STEM (which includes computer science!) is to teach its essential skills. Four of the most important abilities in STEM are critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication, also known as the four Cs. These skills are necessary for 21st-century college and career readiness, in STEM and beyond:

  • Critical thinking involves analyzing systems, assessing evidence, integrating prior knowledge to make connections to new situations, and the ability to interpret information. 
  • Creativity is necessary to come up with new ideas. The ability to “think outside the box” when challenged, improve ideas, work within constraints, and learn from failure are all components of iterative design, which require creativity!
  • Collaboration means working in groups, sharing responsibility, and making decisions and compromises. 
  • Communication is critical in our global world. It’s the ability to express ideas, understand their meaning, and demonstrate concepts to different audiences.

The four Cs in the real world

Computer Science Education Week presents a great opportunity to learn with your students about how the four Cs are applied in the real world. Here are three examples.

1. Trashbot

Urban Rivers creates solutions to transform urban waterways, including a volunteer-controlled robot called Trashbot that cleans the Chicago River. The creators of Trashbot used critical thinking to recognize the complex system in which Trashbot would operate while also ensuring the safety of wildlife, civilians, and infrastructure.

The team realized the robot would need to be controlled because an automated robot could pose a risk to wildlife habitats. However, financial and personnel constraints made having a manual operator 24/7 impossible.

Urban Rivers tapped into their creativity and learned from previous failures to find a solution: volunteers could control Trashbot throughout the day to clean the river safely. Next, they collaborated with volunteers to make the solution possible, using media communications to teach them how to operate the equipment. Now, Trashbot is run by community volunteers who can clean up the Chicago River regularly.

Watch this video to learn more with your students.

2. UTM Project

An unmanned aircraft system (UAS) consists of drones or satellites, and the potential uses are limitless! NASA’s UAS Traffic Management (UTM) project aims to find ways for low-altitude drones to operate in large numbers, enabling businesses like Amazon to offer drone delivery services. 

The UTM team uses critical thinking skills to identify problems before they arise, such as how extreme weather could affect a drone or what happens if it is lost. The UTM project also researches how future technology would be managed. Drone technology could reduce traffic, fight wildfires, and perform dangerous tasks. 

The project is complex, with many interested partners in corporations and governments. The UTM team knows collaboration and communication are the keys to the project’s success, allowing them to include the needs and challenges of different groups in the research and share that research with the public. 

NASA’s UTM website provides up-to-date information and updates about the project. 

3. Mars Rover

The Perseverance Mars Rover roams the red landscape of Mars with the help of NASA’s scientists. On one mission, the team was challenged to drive Perseverance as far as possible. However, the rover would be self-driving, so the team needed it to drive effectively while avoiding obstacles.

The amount of possible paths to take on Mars is endless, but some paths are better than others. That’s why critical thinking is crucial to the mission: it’s used to assess the situation, make connections, and interpret data. Critical thinking also helps the team learn from previous Mars missions and determine new solutions.

Using creativity, they can overcome obstacles and imagine new ways to program the rover. The team coding Perseverance also understands how to collaborate. By working with teams across NASA and using clear and thorough communication, they can share and interpret data to put the rover on the right path.

Empowering the next generation

The significance of the four Cs of STEM is apparent across these three real-world examples. Critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication are key to any mission. From cleaning up a river to exploring space, computer scientists use the four Cs daily.

What about the future STEM professionals in your classroom? Students can start their own journeys to Mars and practice the four Cs by celebrating Computer Science Education Week and participating in its international Hour of Code.

Hour of Code

Hour of Code is – you guessed it – a one-hour introduction to computer science, using activities to show that anybody can learn the basics. If your school doesn’t already have a coding program, a few fun options to spark engagement and pique students’ interest could include:

Whether you celebrate Computer Science Week and Hour of Code with robots and crayons or by exploring essential skills, you’ll create more STEM possibilities for your students’ futures.

What are Quantiles

What are Quantiles
Virtual Event

The Quantile® Framework for Mathematics links assessment to instruction, similar to the Lexile® Framework for Reading, but in math! A growing number of states across the US are reporting Quantile® student measures with their state departments.

Imagine Math offers Quantile® student measures as part of our comprehensive system for success, effectively connecting assessment and instruction to improve student outcomes. During this session, we’ll give a breakdown of what this means for school districts and discuss how Imagine Math can help in meeting your goal of preparing all students to be successful for college and careers.

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Virtual District Leader Panel

Transitioning Learning from the Classroom to the Home

Stimulus Speaker
Virtual Event

Watch a free virtual panel discussion among district leaders as they share best practices and lessons learned while quickly transforming their schools from teaching and learning in the classroom to the home and through online learning.  

See what’s worked, challenges to overcome, and how they’ve adapted to a new learning environment for educators and families.

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Supporting Students with Disabilities

Through Digital Instruction during Covid and Beyond

ThroughDigital Instruction during Covid and Beyond Nari Carter

Join Nari Carter, Ph.D., Director of Marketing Research for Imagine Learning as she facilitates a discussion around providing instructional solutions that impact students with disabilities in a positive way.


Session panelists will include: Holly Colin, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent of Student Services North Shore School District 112 Highland Park, IL and Vincent de Paul Schmidt, Ph.D. Superintendent for Catholic Schools Trenton, NJ

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Digital Curriculum to Support the Whole Learner

Support the Whole Learner
Webinar

To best meet the needs of adult learners, a digital curriculum provides the flexibility to build learning experiences tailored to an individual, and then allows each learner to work at their own pace.

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October 27, 2022 8:00 am

Imagine Galileo Adds Popular Desmos Calculators

World-Renowned Graphing and Scientific Calculators are Now Integrated into Imagine Galileo’s Powerful K-12 Advanced Assessment Solutions

Scottsdale, Ariz., OCTOBER 27, 2022 – Imagine Learning, the largest provider of digital curriculum solutions in the U.S., serving 15 million students in more than half the school districts nationwide, today announced the addition of the Desmos online graphing and scientific calculators to Imagine Galileo K-12, the convenient and powerful assessment solution used by educators across the country.

“Many teachers and administrators, who we collaborate with every day, expressed an interest in incorporating the Desmos calculators,” said Sari Factor, Vice Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer for Imagine Learning. “Imagine Galileo now empowers educators to best meet their students’ needs by providing the option of using the same online calculator both in their day-to-day schoolwork as well as on state tests.”

Imagine Galileo is an advanced assessment solution for K-12 that provides clear and actionable data and insights on the learning process to improve student growth. The flexible assessment system for ELA, SLA, math, and science, is backed by Item Response Theory (IRT) to accurately predict student performance and empower educators to help every student achieve their potential. Now available in Imagine Galileo, the wildly popular Desmos calculators offer scientific and graphing functions, along with the standard four-function calculator, and are used on 40 states’ standardized assessments. When scheduling tests, educators can now either use the Desmos calculators with full functionality or use the version that students will encounter on state tests.

From Desmos Studio, PBC CEO and Desmos Founder Eli Luberoff: “Imagine Learning was one of the very first partners to use the Desmos Calculators, nearly a decade ago. It’s been a privilege to work together, learn together, and grow together over the years. We couldn’t be more excited to be a part of Imagine Galileo, and to work together with the team at Imagine Learning to bring powerful, equitable, and accessible mathematics to students and teachers across the country.”

About Desmos Studio, PBC

Desmos Studio is a public benefit corporation with a goal of helping everyone learn math, love math, and grow with math. The Desmos Studio team priorities equity and access at every level of the work, and they want to build a world where an individual’s access to the power and beauty of math doesn’t depend on their place of birth, race, ethnicity, gender, or any other aspect of their identity. Desmos Studio’s free suite of calculators are used annually by over 75 million people around the world. For more information, visit desmos.com.

About Imagine Learning

Imagine Learning is a PreK–12 digital learning solutions company that ignites learning breakthroughs by designing forward-thinking solutions at the intersection of people, curricula, and technology to drive student growth. Imagine Learning serves more than 15 million students and partners with more than half the school districts nationwide. Imagine Learning’s flagship products include Imagine Edgenuity®, online courseware and virtual school services solutions; supplemental and intervention solutions for literacy, language, mathematics, and computer science; and high-quality, digital-first core curriculum, including Illustrative Mathematics®, EL Education®, and Odell Education®—all on the Imagine Learning Classroom—and Twig Science®. Read more about Imagine Learning’s digital solutions at imaginelearning.com.