Instantly Blended learning software system makes everyone partners for success. Instruction is more focused, directed and effective.
BOSTON, MASS. (July 2015) — When Bedford, Mass., School Superintendent Jonathan Sills agreed to ‘test-drive’ a new education application, he could not have predicted such positive outcomes.
Imagine a teaching tool that puts everyone on the same page in real time. Students know how they’re doing. Teachers know who needs more help. Parents track their child’s assignments. Administrators measure teacher and student success. And the status is available to everyone instantly via tablet, laptop or desktop. Users agree: It combines the best of both worlds of Blended Learning and 1-to-1 education.
After the initial two-year trial using cutting-edge web-based i4classTM software developed by Ron Ayotte, a math teacher and corporate applications developer, Superintendent Sills reports dramatic gains in his district’s middle school math classes: a 10% improvement in test scores; a 20% improvement in homework scores; and teachers are saving 4+ hours a week in correcting time. In fact, the first year was so successful, the pilot school has increased implementation from two classrooms in 2013-14 to all Algebra I classes for 2014-15.
i4classTM developer Ayotte says, “For the first time, a teaching tool offers real-time curriculum and formative assessment along with a reporting tool. The web-based software system makes teachers and students more effective and engaged – both in and out of the classroom – by leveraging mobile technology and dynamic web content. Immediate feedback and assistance makes students feel empowered and engaged, and they develop as independent learners. Studies show that students working 1-to-1 with their own devices take greater pride and ownership over the knowledge they create.”
Ayotte describes the typical i4classTM scenario: The student does an assignment, showing their work on a tablet scratchpad. They learn instantly if that answer is right or not. If having trouble, the student taps a ‘help’ button for more explanation. The teacher is able to watch every student’s progress and offer assistance to any who are struggling. Teachers and administrators receive real-time analytics on student and class results.
Ayotte says, “With i4classTM teachers know why students are struggling and can annotate their work in real‐time. This provides for more timely and effective student remediation and drastically reduces the need for after the fact re‐teaching. This truly is the nexus of 1-to-1 education and blended learning.”
A 9th grade math student using i4classTM told his parents, “It tells me when the answer is wrong and helps me until I get it right.” One math teacher said, “Now I have all the data I always wished I could get from assignments. The software makes me a much more effective teacher – and saves me valuable time.”
Ayotte says, “Timely feedback and assistance, blended learning, and data-driven instruction are the three most well‐documented and successful methods for increasing student performance and teacher effectiveness. i4classTM integrates these three methods into one powerful, easy to use application that creates a perfect storm for educational improvement.” He speaks from experience: He taught high school and middle school math at the highly-rated Brimmer and May School in Chestnut Hill (Mass.), and at St. Sebastian’s School in Needham, and was a Visiting Professor at Framingham State College.
Ayotte also has 20 years of experience directing large-scale software development organizations and has pioneered through many generations of technology. He was director of applications development for a multi-billion dollar company. He has a degree in math education with a minor in computer science from the University of Connecticut, an MBA from Babson University, and is certified by the Project Management Institute (PMI) in large-scale project management. The i4classTM Advisory Board consists of experts in finance, technology, education and business. Curriculum content is built by educators with over 110 years of collective teaching experience.
Superintendent Sills says, “I highly recommend that any educators – especially in 1-to-1 schools — should view the application demo, and to potentially adopt it in their district. The 30-minute demo session is very worthwhile.”
Ron Ayotte likes the idea that he has created a tool that enables students, teachers, parents, and principals to join hands as partners in success.
For a free, no-obligation trial, go to www.i4class.com/signup .
