Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google


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

  • Students using laptops in classroom

    Stop Asking Whether Students Can Use AI

    As generative AI has become embedded in the tools students use to search, write, create, translate, organize, and receive feedback, the boundary between "using AI" and "not using AI" has become increasingly difficult to define. More importantly, treating AI use as a binary choice does little to help students understand the different roles AI can appropriately play in learning.

  • abstract malware attack

    Security Researchers Find AI Ransomware Can Now Run Much of an Attack Without Human Help

    Ransomware attacks are becoming more automated, and AI could take that much further, according to cybersecurity company NCC Group's July 2026 threat intelligence report.

  • abstract spiral of multi colored lights

    OpenAI's New Astra Model Reaches Critical Cyber Threshold

    OpenAI has introduced GPT-6 Astra, its most capable broadly deployed model and the first system the company says has reached the "Critical" cybersecurity capability threshold under its Preparedness Framework.

  • Blurred silhouettes of business people in a modern office with a glowing blue network overlay

    Open Secure AI Alliance Moving Under Linux Foundation

    Governance of the Open Secure AI Alliance has moved to the Linux Foundation, giving the initiative what the organizations describe as a neutral home for developing open source tools, shared standards and defensive practices. The Alliance was launched by NVIDIA in July to develop open security technologies for AI systems and agents.