Imagine Learning https://www.imaginelearning.com/ Online Curricula and Solutions | Imagine Learning Wed, 13 Nov 2024 20:36:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.5 Imagine Learning Expands Literacy Assessment Portfolio with Acquisition of EarlyBird https://www.imaginelearning.com/press/imagine-learning-expands-literacy-assessment-portfolio-acquisition-earlybird-education/ Wed, 13 Nov 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://www.imaginelearning.com/?p=8795 Research-Backed Tool Enables Educators to Detect and Address Reading Challenges for Students in Grades PreK–3

The post Imagine Learning Expands Literacy Assessment Portfolio with Acquisition of EarlyBird appeared first on Imagine Learning.

]]>

November 13, 2024 8:00 am

Imagine Learning Expands Literacy Assessment Portfolio with Acquisition of EarlyBird

Research-Backed Tool Enables Educators to Detect and Address Reading Challenges for Students in Grades PreK–3

November 13, 2024, Tempe, Arizona — Imagine Learning, the largest national provider of digital-first curriculum solutions, today announced the acquisition of the EarlyBird, a dyslexia screener and early literacy assessment for students in PreK–Grade 3. The EarlyBird game-based assessment enables the early identification of dyslexia and other reading challenges to give educators the data they need to intervene. This acquisition underscores Imagine Learning’s commitment to supporting the 18 million K–12 students and educators who rely on its products in over half of the school districts nationwide.

“We are excited to add the EarlyBird assessment to the Imagine Learning portfolio,” said Jonathan Grayer, Chairman and CEO of Imagine Learning. “With its ability to identify reading challenges like dyslexia at an early stage, EarlyBird equips educators to take action sooner. Paired with our intervention solutions, which empower teachers to deliver targeted, research-backed instruction, EarlyBird enhances our ability to support students’ literacy journeys from day one, fostering growth, confidence, and long-term success.”

Meeting the Critical Need for Early Literacy Screening

A 2021 report by the Institute of Education Sciences, encompassing over 20 years of research and 75,000 students, confirmed the effectiveness of early literacy interventions, showing that additional instruction significantly increases a student’s likelihood of becoming a successful reader. Early literacy screening is essential to identify students who need timely intervention to prevent long-term academic challenges. Developed and scientifically validated at Boston Children’s Hospital in partnership with faculty at the Florida Center for Reading Research, the EarlyBird assessment makes early literacy screening engaging, effective, and accessible for educators and students.

EarlyBird’s unique, child-friendly, game-based approach is aligned to the science of reading, assessing students on critical foundational skills including phonemic/phonological awareness, phonics, oral language comprehension, sound-symbol correspondence, and naming speed.

The assessment is computer adaptive to each child’s skill level as they progress through activities, providing precise insights into their strengths and areas needing support. The application provides a wealth of real-time data for educators, enabling early intervention with highly targeted strategies via an intuitive dashboard organized in alignment with the science of reading and divided into individual subtest skills as they pertain to the Simple View of Reading.

Integration with Imagine Learning

EarlyBird joins Imagine Learning’s Imagine+ Assessment portfolio, a comprehensive system delivering screening, diagnostics, standards benchmarking, and formative assessments. This portfolio empowers personalized learning and enables informed instructional decisions in conjunction with Imagine Learning’s English Language Arts solutions. “EarlyBird is a powerful addition to our robust literacy portfolio,” said Sarah Anderson, SVP of Product & Platform at Imagine Learning. “By uniting EarlyBird’s early literacy screening with our literacy intervention programs, including Imagine Language & Literacy, Imagine MyPath, and the recently enhanced Imagine Sonday System, a systematic, multisensory reading program based on the Orton-Gillingham approach, we’re providing educators with end-to-end solutions that enhance both assessment and targeted instruction. This integration enriches our assessment tools, allowing educators to personalize learning journeys and respond to students’ needs in real time with data-driven decisions.”

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, working alongside teachers to support 18 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® and Imagine EdgeEX offer innovative courseware solutions, complemented by Imagine School Services’ Certified Teachers. Imagine Learning. Empower potential. Learn more: imaginelearning.com.

The post Imagine Learning Expands Literacy Assessment Portfolio with Acquisition of EarlyBird appeared first on Imagine Learning.

]]>
The Role of Media in Elections  https://www.imaginelearning.com/traverse-explorer/the-role-of-media-in-elections/ Mon, 04 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000 https://www.imaginelearning.com/?p=8748 U.S. Government  The Role of Media in Elections  Explore the evolution of journalism and the role of the media in the election cycle.  Engage Discover how journalism has evolved over time in this Explainer video.   Analyze Five Ways the Media Influence Elections   Genre: Article | Creator: Andra Brichacek | Date: 2022  Background  University of Oregon […]

The post The Role of Media in Elections  appeared first on Imagine Learning.

]]>
Traverse Explorer

The Role of Media in Elections 

Engage

Discover how journalism has evolved over time in this Explainer video.  

Analyze

Five Ways the Media Influence Elections  

Genre: Article | Creator: Andra Brichacek | Date: 2022 

Background 

University of Oregon director of communications Andra Brichacek explains the role of mass media, especially social media, in the election process. As voters seek out analysis beyond the headlines, cable news networks have shifted their focus and perspective in many cases. This source puts into perspective how much of today’s media is driven by providing news that is entertaining. 

Explore the role media have in the election cycle.

The media have played an important role in politics since the First Amendment established freedom of the press as a cornerstone of American democracy. Voters need information to make educated decisions, and it’s journalists’ job to give it to them. 

But can the media alter the outcome of an election? Two scholars from the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication explained what the research says about the media’s evolving role in the election process. 

1. To cover or not to cover 

The first way journalists get involved in elections is by choosing which candidates to cover and how much. 

“The biggest thing that drives elections is simple name recognition,” said Regina Lawrence, associate dean, author of “When the Press Fails: Political Power and the News Media from Iraq to Katrina” and editor of the journal Political Communication. “Research has shown that some candidates are invisible because they can’t win enough interest from the media.” The decision to cover some candidates more than others is often driven by economics, as outlets want to publish stories they think will drive traffic in the competitive 24/7 news cycle. 

2. Selective exposure and bias 

Since news consumers can get the basic facts from an internet search, many publications differentiate themselves by shifting from news to analysis. This can become a problem when people consume news only from biased sources. 

“Selective exposure is the tendency to seek out news sources that don’t challenge what we believe about the world,” said Lawrence. “We know there’s a relationship between selective exposure and the growing divide in political attitudes in this country.” 

3. Echo chambers and direct lines to the masses 

According to a 2021 Pew Research Center study, about half of Americans get their news via social media. But they might not realize their newsfeed is heavily filtered. 

“What we see on social platforms is dictated by algorithms that decide what you see based on what you like and dislike, what you comment on and click on,” said journalism professor Nicole Dahmen, who researches visual communication and social media in politics. “Rather than getting a diversity of perspectives that contribute to political discourse, we see an echo chamber.” 

Social media also gives users more direct access to candidates than ever before. “With social media, voters may believe they have an intimate relationship with a candidate they will probably never meet in person,” said Lawrence. 

4. A picture is worth 1,000 words 

For most people, visuals carry an even more powerful impact than words. The photos that outlets choose to publish and such factors as size and layout can influence voter perceptions. 

“Visual communication research has shown that images, especially of political candidates, convey emotions, actions, realism and credibility,” said Dahmen. “These images form a lasting impression in the minds of the voting public.” 

5. Fact-checking, polls and the self-perpetuating cycle 

Thanks to data-journalism tools that make verification fast and accurate, fact-checking has become a major part of the election media cycle. 

“Organizations like PolitiFact are doing good-quality journalism,” Lawrence said. “They’re asking tough questions about what candidates are saying and testing them against the available record. But research suggests that, because of people’s pre-existing beliefs, fact-checks will not necessarily change somebody’s mind.” 

Polls also influence voter perception. “We know how candidates are doing in the polls can influence the type of coverage they get,” Lawrence said. 

This can create a self-perpetuating cycle when media flock to the front-runners, often propelling them even higher in the polls. 

Collaborate

Around the Room 

Pose the following question to students. 

How has the media changed over time?

Go around the room, and have each student share aloud a short, quick response to the question. After all students have responded, ask: 

  • What common ideas did you share in the wraparound? 
  • What surprised you? 
  • What are you curious to investigate after this wraparound? 

Teacher Resources

Think Like a Political Scientist: Sourcing Information

Use this additional sourcing information to further contextualize the source in order to deepen students’ analysis and evaluation. 

Summary

This source puts into context the different roles the media plays in elections, such as increasing social media coverage, fact-checking, making money, or covering the candidates who charm viewers. 

Purpose

The source’s purpose is to give people an understanding about the roles that both social media and cable news networks play during an election. 

Intended Audience

The intended audience for this source is the general public, policymakers, politicians, and journalists. 

Source Considerations

The media has always played an important role in American democracy, one that is protected under the First Amendment. But in modern times, as this source points out, its role has become complicated due to technology (social media), partisanship, and a fragmented audience. 

Scaffolding and Differentiation: Reading Comprehension Support

Organization   

Although this article is broken into five clear chunks, students may have trouble discerning between social media influences and cable news network influences. Encourage discussion after each section to better understand the claims of the article. 

Style  

Students may feel inundated with journalistic or communications terms, which can hamper their overall understanding. Remind them of the content vocabulary and footnote features in order to assist with unfamiliar terms. 

Analyze and Discuss

To extend discussions, consider asking the following questions.

  • What is Brichacek’s central claim? 
    • (Brichacek argues that the media in 2022 can influence elections in fundamental ways by deciding which candidates or issues they highlight, attracting the attention of voters, providing fact-checking on campaign rhetoric, and connecting candidates to voters in ways not possible before the internet.)
  • What is a piece of evidence Brichacek uses to support this claim?
    • (Answers will vary but may include “The decision to cover some candidates more than others is often driven by economics, as outlets want to publish stories they think will drive traffic;” “many publications differentiate themselves by shifting from news to analysis;” or “Thanks to data-journalism tools that make verification fast and accurate, fact-checking has become a major part of the election media cycle.”)

The post The Role of Media in Elections  appeared first on Imagine Learning.

]]>
Create Sections in Bulk in Imagine EdgeEX https://www.imaginelearning.com/product-updates/create-sections-in-bulk-in-imagine-edgeex/ Wed, 23 Oct 2024 21:00:24 +0000 https://www.imaginelearning.com/?p=8685 Create Sections in Bulk in Imagine EdgeEX October, 2024 Save time creating sections  With the Bulk Import Wizard, Imagine EdgeEX educators can now create all course sections simultaneously, significantly reducing the time spent on individual section creation. 

The post Create Sections in Bulk in Imagine EdgeEX appeared first on Imagine Learning.

]]>

Create Sections in Bulk in Imagine EdgeEX

Imagine EdgeEX

Save time creating sections 

With the Bulk Import Wizard, Imagine EdgeEX educators can now create all course sections simultaneously, significantly reducing the time spent on individual section creation. 

Create Sections in Bulk in Imagine EdgeEX

The post Create Sections in Bulk in Imagine EdgeEX appeared first on Imagine Learning.

]]>
Add a Unit in Imagine EdgeEX  https://www.imaginelearning.com/product-updates/add-a-unit-in-imagine-edgeex/ Wed, 23 Oct 2024 21:00:22 +0000 https://www.imaginelearning.com/?p=8688 Add a Unit in Imagine EdgeEX  October, 2024 Customize courses more easily  Imagine EdgeEX now allows you to add units to courses, sections, or enrollments. This feature helps align with your district’s scope and sequence or break units into smaller, testable pieces, enhancing student success monitoring and measurement. 

The post Add a Unit in Imagine EdgeEX  appeared first on Imagine Learning.

]]>

Add a Unit in Imagine EdgeEX 

Imagine EdgeEX

Customize courses more easily 

Imagine EdgeEX now allows you to add units to courses, sections, or enrollments. This feature helps align with your district’s scope and sequence or break units into smaller, testable pieces, enhancing student success monitoring and measurement. 

Add a Unit in Imagine EdgeEX

The post Add a Unit in Imagine EdgeEX  appeared first on Imagine Learning.

]]>
Course Syllabus Information Available for Students in Imagine EdgeEX https://www.imaginelearning.com/product-updates/course-syllabus-information-available-for-students-in-imagine-edgeex/ Wed, 23 Oct 2024 21:00:21 +0000 https://www.imaginelearning.com/?p=8690 Course Syllabus Information Available for Students in Imagine EdgeEX October, 2024 Keep students informed with easy syllabus access  Educators can now make the course syllabus available to students, featuring an Academic Integrity Policy and the primary teacher’s name. Teachers can also control how their name is displayed in the Display Name field of their profile. 

The post Course Syllabus Information Available for Students in Imagine EdgeEX appeared first on Imagine Learning.

]]>

Course Syllabus Information Available for Students in Imagine EdgeEX

Imagine EdgeEX

Keep students informed with easy syllabus access 

Educators can now make the course syllabus available to students, featuring an Academic Integrity Policy and the primary teacher’s name. Teachers can also control how their name is displayed in the Display Name field of their profile. 

EEX course syllabus

The post Course Syllabus Information Available for Students in Imagine EdgeEX appeared first on Imagine Learning.

]]>
New Educator Feedback Feature in Twig Science Assessments  https://www.imaginelearning.com/product-updates/new-educator-feedback-feature-in-twig-science-assessments/ Wed, 23 Oct 2024 21:00:19 +0000 https://www.imaginelearning.com/?p=8692 New Educator Feedback Feature in Twig Science Assessments  October, 2024 Easily give meaningful instructional feedback Teachers can now give feedback to students on their assessment performance in product! This will strengthen their instructional feedback by having the ability to respond to students directly in their assessments, opening more conversations with their students on their learning […]

The post New Educator Feedback Feature in Twig Science Assessments  appeared first on Imagine Learning.

]]>

New Educator Feedback Feature in Twig Science Assessments 

Imagine EdgeEX

Easily give meaningful instructional feedback

Teachers can now give feedback to students on their assessment performance in product! This will strengthen their instructional feedback by having the ability to respond to students directly in their assessments, opening more conversations with their students on their learning journey. 

Leaving Student Feedback on Assessments

The post New Educator Feedback Feature in Twig Science Assessments  appeared first on Imagine Learning.

]]>
New Twig Science Troubleshooter Page https://www.imaginelearning.com/product-updates/new-twig-science-troubleshooter-page/ Wed, 23 Oct 2024 21:00:17 +0000 https://www.imaginelearning.com/?p=8694 New Twig Science Troubleshooter Page October, 2024 Keeping your program running smoothly The new troubleshooter page will automatically run diagnostics on your system to check things like your browser compatibility or screen size. If any issues are found, you’ll receive a report outlining what can be improved and guidance on who to contact for further […]

The post New Twig Science Troubleshooter Page appeared first on Imagine Learning.

]]>

New Twig Science Troubleshooter Page

Imagine EdgeEX

Keeping your program running smoothly

The new troubleshooter page will automatically run diagnostics on your system to check things like your browser compatibility or screen size. If any issues are found, you’ll receive a report outlining what can be improved and guidance on who to contact for further assistance. You can find it in the help area for both elementary and middle school platforms.

Troubleshooter Page

The post New Twig Science Troubleshooter Page appeared first on Imagine Learning.

]]>
Order Replacement Items Directly from the Twig Science Elementary Platform  https://www.imaginelearning.com/product-updates/order-replacement-items-directly-from-the-twig-science-elementary-platform/ Wed, 23 Oct 2024 21:00:15 +0000 https://www.imaginelearning.com/?p=8696 Order Replacement Items Directly from the Twig Science Elementary Platform  October, 2024 Quickly and easily complete your K–6 kits Ordering replacement items for your K-6 kits just became more efficient since you can now access re-ordering right from your platform. Please note, this is for ordering replacements, not for ordering full kits — directions for […]

The post Order Replacement Items Directly from the Twig Science Elementary Platform  appeared first on Imagine Learning.

]]>

Order Replacement Items Directly from the Twig Science Elementary Platform 

Imagine EdgeEX

Quickly and easily complete your K–6 kits

Ordering replacement items for your K-6 kits just became more efficient since you can now access re-ordering right from your platform. Please note, this is for ordering replacements, not for ordering full kits — directions for that are in the included help article. 

Ordering Replacement Items

The post Order Replacement Items Directly from the Twig Science Elementary Platform  appeared first on Imagine Learning.

]]>
New Demonstration Videos Added to Twig Science Middle School  https://www.imaginelearning.com/product-updates/new-demonstration-videos-added-to-twig-science-middle-school/ Wed, 23 Oct 2024 21:00:11 +0000 https://www.imaginelearning.com/?p=8698 New Demonstration Videos Added to Twig Science Middle School  October, 2024 Access the latest demo videos to support your prep New demonstration videos have been added to show teachers how to create some of the items needed for the investigations.   Find the videos in: Prep Section > Digital Resources > Session Level  Here are the […]

The post New Demonstration Videos Added to Twig Science Middle School  appeared first on Imagine Learning.

]]>

New Demonstration Videos Added to Twig Science Middle School 

Imagine EdgeEX

Access the latest demo videos to support your prep

New demonstration videos have been added to show teachers how to create some of the items needed for the investigations.  

Find the videos in: Prep Section > Digital Resources > Session Level 

Here are the latest videos: 

  • Under the Microscope: Lesson 1 Session 2 – Model Lung Investigation Video 
  • Under the Microscope: Lesson 1 Session 3 – Model Arm Session 2 – Model Arm Investigation Video 
  • Under the Microscope: Lesson 3 Session 3 – Function of Cell Organelles Investigation Preparation Video 
  • Ocean Powered: Lesson 1 Session 2 – Simple Water Turbine Demonstration Video 
Simple Water Turbine Demonstration Video

Simple Water Turbine
Demonstration Video

Simple Water Turbine Demonstration Video

Function of Cell Organelles Investigation Preparation Video

The post New Demonstration Videos Added to Twig Science Middle School  appeared first on Imagine Learning.

]]>
Imagine Learning and Battelle for Kids Partner to Advance High-Quality Instruction and Durable Skills for Future-Ready Students https://www.imaginelearning.com/press/partnership-advances-high-quality-instruction-durable-skills-for-future-ready-students/ Tue, 15 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000 https://www.imaginelearning.com/?p=8651 This partnership merges Battelle for Kids’ Portrait of a Graduate expertise with Imagine Learning’s HQIM to create future-focused, impactful classrooms.

The post Imagine Learning and Battelle for Kids Partner to Advance High-Quality Instruction and Durable Skills for Future-Ready Students appeared first on Imagine Learning.

]]>

October 15, 2024 8:00 am

Imagine Learning and Battelle for Kids Partner to Advance High-Quality Instruction and Durable Skills for Future-Ready Students

This partnership merges Battelle for Kids’ Portrait of a Graduate expertise with Imagine Learning’s HQIM to create future-focused, impactful classrooms.

Tempe, Arizona — October 15, 2024 — Imagine Learning, the largest provider of digital-first PreK–12 solutions in the United States, and Battelle for Kids, a national education not-for-profit that supports educators to ensure every student is future-ready, have announced a strategic partnership to advance a reimagined vision for student success. This collaboration builds upon Battelle for Kids’ nationally recognized expertise in developing durable skills through its Portrait of a Graduate framework in alignment with Imagine Learning’s research-backed curricula. Together, the organizations will empower educators to create learning environments that establish a more impactful vision for success in K-12 education.

“This partnership is significant because we’ve been deeply involved in defining why schools need to change and what instructional transformation should look like. Imagine Learning helps us focus on the how,” said Mike Duncan, President & CEO of Battelle for Kids. “You can’t have the how without high-quality instructional materials. It’s about creating environments and processes that engage students in deeper learning every day.”

Building Capacity and Sparking Engagement

A recent Gallup survey found that fewer than two in 10 students strongly agree that what they are learning in class feels important, interesting, challenging, or aligned with their natural talents. (Gallup) With student engagement at an all-time low and increased demands on teachers, district leaders face mounting pressure to create a shared vision of what deeper learning looks like in practice by providing meaningful and motivating learning experiences that prepare students for bright futures.

Imagine Learning and Battelle for Kids are combining high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) with strategies that develop essential skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration to help schools design experiences that are both academically rigorous and deeply engaging. By integrating rigorous curricula with approaches that build both academic and durable skills, the partnership aims to deliver a more holistic definition of student success and equip learners with the competencies needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Building a Unified Vision for Student Success

Imagine Learning and Battelle for Kids will conduct joint research and develop resources to equip districts and school leaders to create impactful educational experiences. By offering actionable insights and tools, the collaboration will support the integration of high-quality instructional materials with strategies that build durable skills. “Our shared goal is to help districts create a more comprehensive definition of student success,” said Sari Factor, Vice Chairman & Chief Strategy Officer for Imagine Learning. “By leveraging the strengths of both organizations, we can activate and scale Portrait of a Graduate. With Battelle for Kids, we’re providing a vision and models for what education can and should look like.”

Engaging the Education Community

The upcoming 2024 Battelle for Kids Annual Event, taking place next week in Indianapolis (October 21–23), will provide an opportunity to explore these critical topics further. “We’ll be seeing over 500 educational leaders at our Annual Event, and we know this topic will be of great importance to them,” added Duncan. “We’re excited to continue the conversation and explore how we can support districts to make this vision a reality.”

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, working alongside teachers to support 18 million students in over half of the districts nationwide. Our core portfolio includes Imagine IM, Imagine Learning EL Education, Traverse, and Twig® Science. Our robust supplemental and intervention suite equips learners with personalized instruction for English and Spanish literacy, math, coding, and more. Imagine Edgenuity® and Imagine EdgeEX® offer innovative courseware solutions, complemented by Imagine School Services’ Certified Teachers.  Imagine Learning. Empower potential. Learn more: imaginelearning.com.

About Battelle for Kids

Battelle for Kids (BFK) is a national, not-for-profit organization helping to empower educators so that every student has hope, resilience, and the knowledge and skills to be future-ready. BFK has helped hundreds of school districts and state agencies design, launch, and bring their shared community visions — the Portrait of a Graduate — to life, impacting the learning experiences of millions of students nationwide. For more information, visit bfk.org.

The post Imagine Learning and Battelle for Kids Partner to Advance High-Quality Instruction and Durable Skills for Future-Ready Students appeared first on Imagine Learning.

]]>