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

  • horizontal stack of U.S. dollar bills breaking in half

    ED Abruptly Cancels ESSER Funding Extensions

    The Department of Education has moved to close the door on COVID relief funding for schools, declaring that "extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion."

  • computer screen displaying a landline phone being unplugged from a single cord, with a modern office desk, keyboard, and subtle lighting in the background

    Microsoft Shutting Down Skype

    Microsoft has announced that it will discontinue service for its Skype telecommunications and video calling services on May 5, 2025.

  • reDesign Future9 report

    ReDesign Updates 9 Essential Competencies for K-12 Students

    ReDesign, a provider of support and resources for competency-based education, has updated its Future9 Competency Framework to reflect the essential skills K-12 students need today to thrive in their education and workforce journeys.

  • abstract illustration of a classroom with glowing circuits and technology gradually integrated from left to right

    Not All Tech Is Created Equal: Transforming Classrooms with Purposeful Technology

    Classrooms will always be places where students build relationships, develop critical thinking skills, and grow into who they’re going to be as adults and citizens. Technology should be a tool to support these goals.