EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY
Penda Learning | November 16, 2022
Penda Learning, a Learning 2020 company, announced today that it has finalized an agreement with Scantron for the use of more than 14,500 assessment items in 11 assessment banks that span all science disciplines. These items will be used to expand the assessments currently available with Penda Science — a game-based science curriculum for grades 3–8, physical science, environmental science, and biology. — to include all NGSS performance expectations and state-specific science standards. Unlike traditional assessments, Penda Science interactive assessments challenge students to achieve high scores that earn them points to unlock virtual worlds, customize their avatars, and more. Teachers and administrators can use the line item analysis data to pinpoint learning gaps and personalize instruction within the Penda Science platform for small groups and individuals to help students achieve science mastery.
"This agreement will dramatically accelerate the development of comprehensive assessments within Penda Science. High-quality, validated assessments are critical for teachers to make informed decisions about instruction and intervention in order to support science learning success for all students. We are excited to be able to offer students a more interactive and engaging assessment experience and educators the reliable data they need."
Brad Baird, President/CEO of Learning 2020
The new assessment development is slated to be completed by April 2023. Assessments will be available for diagnostic, formative, and summative purposes. Also new to the Penda assessment suite will be a "quick check" assessment for teachers to use before, during, or after a unit to gauge student learning in order to plan or modify instruction to align with student knowledge.
About Learning 2020
Learning 2020, parent company to Penda Learning, is dedicated to identifying pressing, unfilled needs within the K-12 education market and developing technology solutions that solve these challenges in innovative and cost-effective ways that will positively impact teaching and learning. Formed in early 2019 by Brad Baird and Bill Tudor, experienced education technology entrepreneurs, Learning 2020's current focus is on ensuring all students have access to high-quality STEM instruction whether learning at home or in school.
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EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY
7 Mindsets | January 06, 2023
On January 05, 2023, 7 Mindsets, the industry leader in PreK-12 mindsets-based learning and well-being solutions, announced the development of an app that will provide free access to the research-based principles for growing human potential from
"The 7 Mindsets to Live Your Ultimate Life: Introduction." The organization is devoted to its mission of fostering more achievement, joy, and well-being, as well as enhancing the school atmosphere and culture.
The app, the first of its kind from 7 Mindsets, will provide a complete introduction to the 7 Mindsets for individuals seeking to enhance and improve their personal well-being. In addition, it will serve as an invaluable resource for the 7 Mindsets community, including educators, administrators, support staff, students, and their families.
The app allows educators to inform their lesson plans by examining the Mindsets. It also enables families to understand Mindsets and their children's schoolwork better. Additionally, the app reinforces Mindsets learning for students in the classroom.
Functionalities of the app include access to the popular daily quotes from 7 Mindsets. Users can also compile a list of their favorite quotes and share them via email, texting, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The app can be accessed for free on any smartphone or tablet by downloading through Google Play or the Apple Store.
About 7 Mindsets
7 Mindsets, founded in 2009 by Scott Shickler and Jeff Waller, is a holistic SEL solution based on Mindsets that is based in Roswell, Georgia. The 7 Mindsets program includes a PreK-12 digital curriculum, thousands of videos, and additional resources. It also includes professional learning, adult SEL, and powerful evaluation tools to empower educators to strengthen their own social-emotional competencies and well-being so they can successfully and confidently implement the SEL solution in classrooms and schools. Implemented with over 5,000,000 children and instructors in urban, suburban, and rural districts across all 50 states, 7 Mindsets has improved student engagement, behavior, and academic success.
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ONLINE EDUCATION
Springboard | November 11, 2022
Springboard, an industry-leading online learning platform preparing students for in-demand, high-growth careers, today, announced a partnership with Uwill, the leading teletherapy solution for colleges and students, to provide mental health support for online learners. As the need for mental health support increases nationwide, Uwill's solution utilizes need and preferences to immediately match students with a diverse team of licensed and available counselors. The services will be integrated into Springboard's existing platform, and will be available to learners in addition to existing human support such as one-to-one mentorship and career counseling.
"At Springboard, our ambitious vision centers around transforming lives through education and career advancement - and we know that this type of growth and transformation needs a strong foundation of mental health, In partnering with Uwill, we can meet students where they are by providing support through the same platform they're using for their education."
Gautam Tambay, Co-founder and CEO at Springboard.
Springboard is launching this teletherapy option at a time of increasing mental health challenges reported by education providers nationwide, where, according to HigherEdToday, nontraditional learners scored significantly higher on a number of mental health ratings than their traditional learning counterparts, specifically on depression, anxiety, and overall life stress.Uwill is uniquely suited to support the needs of Springboard learners to ensure they do not face barriers to mental health support," said Michael London, Founder and CEO of Uwill.
Utilizing its proprietary technology and counselor team, Uwill pioneered the first Higher Ed therapist matching platform and wellness environment. The solution offers an immediate connection to an available licensed counselor based on student preferences, all modalities of teletherapy, a 24/7/365 crisis connection, wellness programming, detailed reporting and support. Uwill partners with more than 100 institutions worldwide including Berklee Online, Union College, Whitman College, and East Carolina University to ensure their mental health and wellness environment meets student needs.
About Uwill
Uwill has become the leading mental health and wellness solution for colleges and students. The most cost-effective way to complement a college's mental health offering, Uwill partners with more than 100 institutions including Boston College, University of Michigan, American Public University System, and University of Maryland, College Park. Uwill was named as one of Boston's hottest companies by BostInno, and now, more than 1 million students have access to the Uwill platform. Investors and supporters are a who's who including hip-hop legend Daryl McDaniels of Run-D.M.C. For more information, visit uwill.com.
About Springboard
Founded by Parul Gupta and Gautam Tambay in 2013, Springboard is on a mission to transform one million lives through education by 2030. More than 20,000 students across 100+ countries have used Springboard to advance their careers through the platform's comprehensive, mentor-led online learning programs. Graduates have landed jobs with employers like Microsoft, Google, Meta, LinkedIn, Deloitte, Intel, IBM, Salesforce and more. Springboard has also trained corporate teams at Visa, Gusto, and The North Face. Springboard was recently named one of the 2022 GSV EdTech 150 — a list of the world's most transformative growth companies in digital learning. Springboard is a 2020 Inc. 5000 company based in San Francisco, recently named a Top Workplace for Women by Elpha, and is backed by leading venture capital firms including Telstra Ventures, Vulcan Capital, SJF Ventures, Reach Capital, Pearson Ventures, International Finance Corp., Costanoa Ventures, Learn Capital, and Blue Fog Capital.
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