The Story Behind Vocab Lab
"Vocab Lab" is a word analysis game on Speak Agent that began with the problem of learning "tier two" words. Many experts classify vocabulary into three tiers. While these vocabulary tiers may not apply to English language learners (ELLs) in quite...
Reading texts are best aligned with content, not skill levels
An excellent article published by The Atlantic (view it here) captured key findings from NAEP reading panelists, wholast weekexamined why reading scores have remained flat for two decades.
The Story Behind the NSF Study
My last blog post described the NSF-funded study that Rockman et al conducted at Manor (pronounced MAY-ner) Independent School District. It was all about facts and data. In this post, I talk about my experiences, the place, and the people.
NSF Study: Speak Agent Accelerates Learning Science Vocabulary and Concepts
Research Design
A National Science Foundation-funded study found significant gains in science concept knowledge usingSpeak Agent'sgame-based learning program after just a few hours of classroom use. Four second-grade classes and two third-grade...
Visit us at the TU EdTech Innovation Showcase
Join Speak Agent, one of twenty edtech startups transforming education, at the TU EdTech Innovation Showcase from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on October 19th. The event will feature some great companies, including our friends at Admit.me (College...
The Story Behind Tall Tales
I walked into the MediaBarn User Experience Lab thinking that I knew exactly how the first, second, and third-grade students would use our new learning game prototype. "Tall Tales" is a Mad Libs™-style cloze activity where kids fill in the blanks by...
The Story Behind Scrambled Sentences
Outside South Lake Elementary School in mid-February, snow was still piled high atop grassy medians and street corners. Inside, kids raced, hopped, spun, and meandered around the warm cafeteria. It was pizza time! This was my first visit to Dream...
NSF Awards Speak Agent Phase II SBIR
Last night the National Science Foundation notified us of a two-year Phase II SBIR grant award that will fund further research and development of our digital platform for academic language learning, especially for English Language Learners (ELLs)....
Speak Agent Selected as Finalist for DAI Innovation Into Action Challenge
DAI, a global development company, selected Speak Agent as a Finalist for its USAID-funded Innovation into Action Challenge. Speak Agent was among nine finalists selected from a field of nearly 300 entrants. Speak Agent is working with DAI and USAID...
NSF Phase One R&D Shows Results
In January we issued our final report to the National Science Foundation for Phase I SBIR award IIP-1448520. This NSF grant supported development of many of the features you see today with Speak Agent's academic language and vocabulary learning...
