At the crossroads of learning and technology lies success. Without technology, many students are unable to apply their education in new and inventive ways—or, as some would say, the ways of the future. Without education, technology is useless. As a member of the products team at K12, I'm focused on bridging that divide through new solutions with the goal of helping students succeed while also having fun.
Our team is challenged with bringing a creative, fresh approach to the classroom. Since our students operate in online classrooms, we're able to implement new technologies in a myriad of ways that traditional brick-and-mortar schools are unable to do. Our long history of online education has given us layers of experience in creating programs that not only utilize cutting-edge technology, but then use it in a way that grows every part of a student's mind—including critical thinking, problem solving, and even interpersonal skills.
We're now shifting our focus to what we see as the next innovation in online classrooms: gamification. This approach combines the fun of gaming with the value of learning, creating a method that drives interest, motivation, and retention. Teachers have begun utilizing this in classrooms across the country, and we're already seeing incredible results.
As students successfully complete practice problems in their coursework, they earn virtual coins. They can then redeem those coins to "buy" the privilege to play a game for up to 60 seconds. Although that may sound like a simple process, we've seen that the opportunity to win coins and take these mini-breaks keeps students engaged and motivated for longer periods of time.
Thanks to our stellar team of designers, educators, and students, we have been able to develop a curriculum that is not only educational and entertaining, but innovative. And although our program remains one of the best online-learning platforms, we're not resting on our laurels. As technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) continue to evolve, we're looking for ways to integrate the latest trends into classrooms across the country.
Make no mistake, there is no such thing as "perfect" in education or in technology. As students learn and develop, learning platforms must evolve and rise to the occasion. Our team is making that a reality every day.
