Illustrative Mathematics and Imagine Learning Expand Partnership to Empower More Students in Math

TUCSON, Ariz. /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ —  Illustrative Mathematics (IM), a nonprofit dedicated to creating a world where all learners know, use, and enjoy mathematics, announces the organization is expanding its partnership with  Imagine Learning, the largest provider of digital curriculum solutions in the U.S.

The fortified relationship with the Imagine Learning team will continue scaling the reach of the high-quality curriculum with the launch of Imagine IM, Imagine Learning’s new edition of the Illustrative Mathematics curriculum, empowering even more students to learn grade-level mathematics and develop positive mathematical identities. Available for implementation in the 2024–2025 school year, Imagine IM provides reinvigorated print resources along with an immersive digital experience. Imagine Learning will support its district partners with effective professional learning and ongoing implementation support.

According to a recent research brief from the RAND Corporation, more than 50% of educators reported wanting materials that better engage students and provide more options for students with diverse abilities. With math scores taking the largest dip in decades, as evidenced by the 2023 NAEP scores, this need is greater than ever. Imagine Learning and Illustrative Mathematics are answering the call with engaging materials that meet students where they are and provide opportunities to learn grade-level mathematics.…Read More

2023 Content Marketing Awards Top Winners Announced Live at Content Marketing World

WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES /EINPresswire.com/ — The Content Marketing Institute (CMI) just awarded the top eight winners in the prestigious 2023 Content Marketing Awards program during a special live ceremony at the Content Marketing World Conference and Expo in Washington, D.C. The Content Marketing Awards is the largest and longest-running international content marketing awards program in the world.

Here are the 2023 top Content Marketing Award winners:

-Content Marketing Project of the Year: The Ecopreneurs – Produced by Salesforce and agency, FORTUNE Brand Studio
-Agency of the Year (Less than 100 Employees): Imprint
-Agency of the Year (More than 100 Employees): Pace
-Agency of the Year (Branded Studio or Agency within a Media Company): FORTUNE Brand Studio
-B2B Branded Content Campaign of the Year: The Ecopreneurs – Produced by Salesforce and agency, FORTUNE Brand Studio
-B2C Branded Content Campaign of the Year: Enfamil 2022 Content Strategy – Produced by Reckitt and agency, Hearts & Science
-B2B Content Marketer of the Year: Richard McGill Murphy, Editor in Chief, Director of Brand Thought Leadership, ServiceNow
-B2C Content Marketer of the Year: R. Ethan Braden, Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Purdue University…Read More

Roylco, Inc Merges with MESH to Boost Social Emotional Learning in Children

ANDERSON, S.C — Since the rise of the pandemic and the isolation of quarantine, a surge of concern regarding children’s mental and social health has been the forefront for parents across the world. Roylco, Inc- an upstate South Carolina based educational toy manufacturer- has grasped these concerns in consideration for their products. With the release of their new STEAM product line alongside their additional educational classroom aids, each product provides an outlet for children to master mental, emotional, and social health (MESH) in and outside the classroom.

MESH- an acronym discovered by ThinkFun in partnership with child development expert Deborah Gilboa, MD., – confronts the escalating apprehension around children’s mental health. This concept was developed to raise awareness for both industry specific and non-specific professionals to promote resiliency through play. For more information visit meshhelps.org.

“Roylco has taken all factors of MESH into consideration to develop thought provoking, confidence boosting, teamwork building educational play for young children to build a bridge into understanding their mental, social, and emotional health” says Darby Smith, Business Developer at Roylco.…Read More

Certiport Names 2023 Microsoft Office Specialist US National Champions

Orlando, Florida – Certiport, a Pearson VUE business and the leading provider of performance-based IT certification exams that accelerate academic and career opportunities for learners, today announced the winners of the 2023 Microsoft Office Specialist US National Championship. The champions topped 185 finalists at the live competitive event in Orlando, Florida, and the first-place winners will head to the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship in Orlando, Florida, USA in August. This year marks 21 years since the competition began in 2002.

From across the US, more than 217,000 students ages 13 to 22 entered one of six competition tracks by submitting a qualified, passing score on the following certification exams: Microsoft Office Specialist Word, Microsoft Office Specialist Excel®, and Microsoft Office Specialist PowerPoint®. First-place winners receive an $3,000 USD cash prize, second place $2,000 USD, and third place $1,000 USD.

Finalists were given a printed copy of a document, spreadsheet, or presentation to recreate along with printed instructions and digital assets. They were then scored according to the accuracy of the recreation compared to the original. The champions in each program, along with a chaperone, have won a trip to participate in the 2023 Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship in Orlando, Florida, USA July 31 – August 2, 2023, where they will compete against over a hundred other finalists from countries across the globe.…Read More

Books, ebooks, and audiobooks, oh my!

Key points:

My 2023 #BritReads book tally experienced a massive slowdown in April when my husband and I welcomed Holden Lane to the world. After about a week of silent late-night feedings, I found myself dozing off while reading a print book. It had nothing to do with the nature of the content and everything to do with the fact that I was simply tired. Because I’m a compulsive multi-tasker, I decided the overnight feedings called for earbuds and audiobooks. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t dozed off or zoned out for a section here or there, but overall, audiobooks have allowed me to get my #BritReads book fix in, even with a newborn. 

Despite my affinity for audiobooks, looking at the book industry sales figures, it is clear print is still king. I agree, there’s nothing like turning the page of a print book. But audiobook critics say the format doesn’t count as reading…I disagree.…Read More

We gave AI detectors a try–here’s what we found

Key points:

  • AI detection tools are skyrocketing in popularity–but how efficient are they?
  • A look at different AI detectors offers an eye-opening look at whether or not AI-generated pieces are identified as such
  • See related article: Is AI the future of education?

Nearly every school or university faculty is having at least a few conversations about how to address a world rich in easy-to-use artificial intelligence tools that can generate student assignments.

Multiple AI detection services claim efficacy in identifying whether text is generated by AI or human writers. Turnitin, ZeroGPT, Quill, and AI Textclassifier each represent this ability and are in use by higher-ed faculty and K-12 educators.…Read More

IBM grants $5 million for cybersecurity, enhanced skilling on AI

Key points:

  • With cyberattacks on the rise across schools, IBM Education Security Grants have already benefited more than 350,000 students globally
  • Now in its third year, grants are expanding to offer students and teachers access to cyber and AI skills through IBM SkillsBuild

In response to the growing threat of ransomware attacks against schools around the world, IBM will provide in-kind grants valued at $5 million to help address cybersecurity resiliency in schools.

Since its creation in 2021, the IBM Education Security Grants program has expanded globally, and this year will also include enhanced offerings from IBM SkillsBuild on topics including AI and cybersecurity. …Read More

Classroom noise pollution is adding to student distraction

Key points:

  • Students can’t learn if they’re having trouble listening
  • Tech tools and sound amplification can help combat classroom noise pollution

Learning depends on listening. But classroom noise pollution is making hearing in the classroom harder. Finding simple and effective ways to dial down classroom noise levels can help increase focus and stamina.

The World Health Organization recommends classroom sound levels of no more than 35 decibels. The average volume of a classroom, however, rings in at more than twice that level. At 77 decibels, the average classroom produces the same level of noise as freeway traffic or other “annoyingly loud” sounds.…Read More