Arizona School Using Motivation Software

  • By Tim Sohn
  • 11/07/11

Following its participation in a pilot program, one charter secondary school in Arizona has expanded its deployment of motivation software to boost student performance.

Carpe Diem, which provides learning with a combination of classroom and computer instruction, finished trying out uBoost in spring 2011. The school, which has 240 students in grades 6 through 12, is now using the software in five locations, including its virtual school.

uBoost provides a widget that shows students their performance with redeemable points, achievement badges, leaderboard standings, and avatar upgrades.

Additional features include:

  • Students can obtain access to special features by completing tasks;
  • Students can share their badges on Facebook;
  • Integration into institutions' student user interfaces;
  • Students can customize their interface to show or hide different areas, including leaderboards, the prize wheel, and room contest widget;
  • The ability to create wish lists of items in the catalog; and
  • Student progress tracking.

"Carpe Diem’s approach to education leverages technology, students' interests, and skills to make their learning experience positive, enriching and empowering," said Rick Ogston, founder and CEO of Carpe Diem.

John Bower, CEO of uBoost, said his company and Carpe Diem have similar goals.

"Our underlying principle of automating frequent and consistent feedback support Carpe Diem's efforts to foster meaningful relationships between students and their teachers; set high expectations; and make the academic experience student-centric," he said.

For more information about uBoost, visit uboost.com. Go to cdayuma.com for more information about Carpe Diem.

About the Author

Tim Sohn is a 10-year veteran of the news business, having served in capacities from reporter to editor-in-chief of a variety of publications including Web sites, daily and weekly newspapers, consumer and trade magazines, and wire services. He can be reached at [email protected] and followed on Twitter @editortim.

Featured

  • a cloud, an AI chip, and a padlock interconnected by circuit-like lines

    CrowdStrike Report: Attackers Increasingly Targeting Cloud, AI Systems

    According to the 2025 Threat Hunting Report from CrowdStrike, adversaries are not just using AI to supercharge attacks — they are actively targeting the AI systems organizations deploy in production. Combined with a surge in cloud exploitation, this shift marks a significant change in the threat landscape for enterprises.

  • student reading a book with a brain, a protective hand, a computer monitor showing education icons, gears, and leaves

    4 Steps to Responsible AI Implementation in Education

    Researchers at the University of Kansas Center for Innovation, Design & Digital Learning (CIDDL) have published a new framework for the responsible implementation of artificial intelligence at all levels of education, from preschool through higher education.

  • figures sitting around a round table, discussing over an open book, papers, and glasses

    Alliance for Learning Innovation, Digital Promise Form National Education R&D Advisory Committee

    The Alliance for Learning Innovation (ALI) and Digital Promise are bringing together a coalition of education leaders to help develop a national education research and development agenda and foster innovation in schools and districts across the country.

  • red brick school building with a large yellow "AI" sign above its main entrance

    New National Academy for AI Instruction to Provide Free AI Training for Educators

    In an effort to "transform how artificial intelligence is taught and integrated into classrooms across the United States," the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), in partnership with Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, and the United Federation of Teachers, is launching the National Academy for AI Instruction, a $23 million initiative that will provide access to free AI training and curriculum for all AFT members, beginning with K-12 educators.