Learning Tools | ISTE 2013 News
Learning.com Launches Project-Based Online Curriculum
Learning.com has released Inquiry, a new project-based online learning curriculum designed to support Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for kindergarten through grade 8. Inquiry debuted at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) 2013 conference and expo taking place this week in San Antonio, TX.
Inquiry includes six core curriculum projects per grade level. Each project centers around a specific theme and integrates English language arts, math, science, and social studies. The themes repeat in each grade, an approach that is intended to help students build on their subject-area knowledge and technology skills year after year.
Each project begins with a pre-test to assess students' technology skills. Based on the pre-test results, Inquiry provides students with interactive, self-paced lessons with opportunities to conduct research, create digital media, and give peer presentations. Each project concludes with a reflection stage to let students evaluate their work. The tool also lets teachers track each student's individual progress throughout each project and record final work in an online grade book.
Key features of Inquiry include:
- Six core curriculum projects per grade level for English language arts, math, science, and social studies;
- Built-in pre-tests of the technology skills needed for success on each project;
- Individualized, auto-assigned, self-paced technology instruction;
- Curated library of interactive technology instruction powered by EasyTech;
- Teacher lesson plans, technology tools, extension ideas, and implementation strategies for lab or 1-to-1 settings;
- Alignment with Common Core State Standards; and
- Alignment with National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS-S).
“More educators are turning to project-based learning and at the same time are looking to build their students 21st century skills,” said Keith Oelrich, CEO of Learning.com, in a prepared statement. “Inquiry brings these trends together by providing a project-based approach to integrating technology into core curriculum instruction through grade-level appropriate projects.”
Further information about Inquiry can be found on Learning.com's site.
About the Author
Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at leilameyer@gmail.com.