ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy

ABCmouse.com
Type of site
 Education
Available in English
Headquarters Glendale, California, U.S.
Area served U.S. and Canada
Industry Education
Parent Age of Learning, Inc.
Website abcmouse.com
Advertising No
Launched November 10, 2010 (2010-11-10)

ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy is a subscription-based digital education program for children ages 2–8, created by Age of Learning, Inc.[1][2] Subscribers can access learning activities on the ABCmouse.com website or mobile app for tablet or smartphone.[3] Subjects covered include reading and language arts, math, science, health, social studies, music, and art.[4][5]

ABCmouse.com is also made available at no cost to teachers,[6][7][8] Head Start programs,[9][10][11] public libraries,[12][13][14] public housing authorities, and other community organizations.[15][5][16]

As of 2016, ABCmouse for Teachers was used in more than 65,000 classrooms and ABCmouse for Libraries was available at one-third of U.S. public libraries,[17][18] including all branches in Los Angeles,[19] Chicago,[20] Houston, and Brooklyn.[21]

ABCmouse for Schools, a product designed for school districts or chains of schools, launched at the 2016 ISTE conference.[22]

In 2017, a two-year longitudinal study published in the Journal of Applied Research on Children concluded that the use of ABCmouse Early Learning Academy improved school readiness and accelerated students’ learning gains in math and literacy skills.[23]

Age of Learning, Inc.

ABCmouse.com is produced by Age of Learning, Inc., a privately owned education technology company.[24] The company was founded in 2007 by Doug Dohring and is headquartered in Glendale, CA.[25] Age of Learning launched ABCmouse.com in 2010 after three years of development, guided by a team of educators, and following testing by 10,000 families.[26]

Members of Age of Learning’s Curriculum Board include 2006 National Teacher of the Year Award recipient Kimberly Oliver Burnim,[27][28] 2014 National Teachers Hall of Fame inductee Dr. Rebecca Palacios,[29][30] and Science Writing Award-winning writer Stephen M. Tomecek.[31] The board is overseen by two-time Peabody Award-winner Dave Hendry.[32][33]

In 2014, at the White House Summit on Early Education, Age of Learning pledged to the Invest In Us campaign to provide services valued at more than $10 million to preschool, pre-k, and Head Start classrooms over two years.[34][35] In 2015, the company partnered with another White House initiative, ConnectHome, to make ABCmouse.com for free to families living in public housing in 27 cities and one tribal nation, serving up to 65,000 children.[36][5] In 2016, it was reported that Age of Learning raised $150 million from Iconiq Capital, giving the company a $1 billion valuation.[37][38] Age of Learning also launched ABCmouse for Schools in 2016;[39][18] the enterprise-level solution won an ISTE Best of Show Award at the annual edtech conference.[40]

Content and structure

ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy content currently consists of more than 8,500 learning activities and 850 lessons.[5] The preschool through second grade curriculum is laid out in a sequence called the “Step by Step Learning Path.”[41] Parents can register up to three children and set each one at his or her own level based on age and ability.[42] Children can also use any of the content outside of the set learning path. Activities include videos, coloring activities, learning games, poems, puzzles and songs that cover reading and writing, math, art, music, social studies, science, and health.[43] There are also more than 800 digital books, including over 100 Stepped Readers.[44] The same content is available whether children log on using their computer or mobile device (iOS, Android, Kindle).[45][46]

To some, the amount of content “seems almost endless” but can be “almost overwhelming,” suggesting kids will “likely need help navigating the site.”[47] Others have judged it “easy enough for even the youngest computer users”[46][48] and “well designed for children to use” with an “interface that is intuitive for them.”[49][50][41]

Children navigate the site with the aid of “voice-overs, images, and text,” but younger kids may need help.[51] Children earn tickets each time they complete a learning activity, which they can use to shop at virtual stores to decorate their room or “buy” things for their pets.[52][53]

The ABCmouse.com rewards system is one of its more polarizing features. A review on Common Sense Media said that rewarding learning with shopping may be “teaching a potentially unintended message.”[51] Others have expressed that this motivation[52] encourages completion of activities, understanding of responsibility, and “budgeting and prioritizing.”[51]

Educational apps and videos

The ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy curriculum can be accessed on tablets and smartphones using apps from iTunes,[54] Google Play,[55] and the Amazon Appstore for Android.[56] Age of Learning also launched ABCmouse Language Arts Animations, ABCmouse Mastering Math, ABCmouse Mathematics Animations, ABCmouse Science Animations, ABCmouse Music Videos, and ABCmouse Zoo apps in the same app stores. These apps can be used online or offline and are available to ABCmouse members.[57][58][59]

Some Age of Learning apps, such as its Aesop’s Fables series[60] Beginning Reader series,[61] have been discontinued and are instead available on the ABCmouse.com YouTube channel.[62][63]

Awards

The ABCmouse.com website and apps have received the following awards: 2015 National Parenting Publications Awards Double Gold Winner,[64] 2015 TabbyAwards Winner and Tabby Awards Users' Choice Winner,[65] The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval for Spring 2015,[66] Tilliywig Brain Child Award Winner in 2013,[67] Winner of the 2011 Parents' Choice Award-Gold,[68] the 2010 Children’s Technology Review[69] Editor’s Choice Award, and the Web Marketing Association's 'Outstanding Achievement in Web Development' award in 2010.[70]

ABCmouse for Schools received a Best of Show Award at the ISTE 2016 conference.[71]

References

  1. ↑ "NAPPAawards.com". NAPPAawards.com. Retrieved 2015-10-28.
  2. ↑ Bembry, Chental (2017-08-08). "5 free literacy apps to help your kid embrace reading". WMAR. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  3. ↑ "ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy - The National Parenting Center". The National Parenting Center. Retrieved 2015-10-28.
  4. ↑ "Site Review: ABC Mouse". www.educationworld.com. Retrieved 2015-10-28.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "ABCMouse". ConnectHome Nation. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  6. ↑ "K-2 Resources to Support Tech Literacy in Young Students" (PDF). September 27, 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2015 – via Michigan Department of Education.
  7. ↑ "WeAreTeachers: ABCmouse.com: FREE Subscription for Teachers". www.weareteachers.com. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  8. ↑ "Create a Free Teacher Account | ABCmouse". www.abcmouse.com. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  9. ↑ "ABCMouse.com | Website Review". www.educationcorner.com. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  10. ↑ "albinaheadstart". albinaheadstart. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  11. ↑ "ABCmouse.com". www.abcmouse.com. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  12. ↑ "Free Online Curriculum: ABCMouse.com for Libraries Launches at ALA | ALA 2014". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  13. ↑ "ABCmouse.com | Los Angeles Public Library". www.lapl.org. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  14. ↑ "ABCmouse: Kids Learning, Phonics, Educational Games, Preschool-Kindergarten Reading". www.abcmouse.com. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  15. ↑ "Choice Neighborhoods e-Newsletter" (PDF). January 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  16. ↑ "ABCmouse.com". www.abcmouse.com. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  17. ↑ "From Mouse to Unicorn: Age of Learning Raises $150M at $1B Valuation, Eyes Expansion Into Schools - EdSurge News". EdSurge. 2016-05-03. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  18. 1 2 "ABCmouse launches school-centered platform for K-2". eSchool News. 2016-07-11. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  19. ↑ "Fun | Los Angeles Public Library". www.lapl.org. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  20. ↑ "ABCmouse.com". Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  21. ↑ "Learning Resources | Brooklyn Public Library". www.bklynlibrary.org. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  22. ↑ "Age of Learning Debuts Elementary School Resources -- THE Journal". THE Journal. Retrieved 2016-11-11.
  23. ↑ K.P., Thai Ph.D.,; Leslie, Ponciano Ph.D., (2016). "Improving Outcomes for At-Risk Prekindergarten and Kindergarten Students with a Digital Learning Resource". Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk. 7 (2). ISSN 2155-5834.
  24. ↑ "National Joint Powers Alliance :: ABCmouse.com, by Age of Learning, Inc". www.njpacoop.org. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  25. ↑ "Age of Learning, Inc.: Private Company Information - Businessweek". Businessweek.com. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  26. ↑ "ABCmouse.com Will Teach Your 2- to 6-Year-Old Their ABCs (And 'Thank You' & 'Please!') -- All Online!". Hollywood Life. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  27. ↑ "National Teacher of the Year Program" (PDF). 2006. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Wilmington University News Release - 2006 National Teacher of the Year Speaks at Wilmington University's Student Teacher Orientation". www.wilmu.edu. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  29. ↑ "Two AFT members to enter Teachers Hall of Fame". American Federation of Teachers. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  30. ↑ "Dr. Rebecca A. Palacios « The National Teacher Hall of Fame". www.nthf.org. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  31. ↑ "21st Century Children's Nonfiction Conference ~ Faculty". www.21cnfc.com. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  32. ↑ "Good Morning, Miss Toliver". Retrieved 2016-12-15.
  33. ↑ "The Eddie Files". Retrieved 2016-12-15.
  34. ↑ "Invest in US: President Obama Convenes the White House Summit on Early Education". whitehouse.gov. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  35. ↑ "Age of Learning Inc./ABCmouse.com - Invest In Us". Invest In Us. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  36. ↑ "White House Partnership to Provide Early Learning Curriculum to Low Income Families". www.educationworld.com. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  37. ↑ Lunden, Ingrid. "Age of Learning, a quiet giant in education apps, raised $150M at a $1B valuation from Iconiq". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2016-11-03.
  38. ↑ "From Mouse to Unicorn: Age of Learning Raises $150M at $1B Valuation, Eyes Expansion Into Schools (EdSurge News)". EdSurge. Retrieved 2016-11-03.
  39. ↑ "ABCmouse for Schools". www.abcmouseforschools.com. Retrieved 2017-04-29.
  40. ↑ techlearning.com, Classroom Technology News | Educational Apps | Bloom's Taxonomy |. "ISTE 2016 BEST OF SHOW TECH&LEARNING". Retrieved 2017-04-29.
  41. 1 2 "NAPPAawards.com". NAPPAawards.com. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  42. ↑ "ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy | Children's Technology Review". childrenstech.com. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  43. ↑ "Summer Literacy Resources - Language Magazine". Language Magazine. 2017-04-24. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  44. ↑ "Summer Literacy Resources - Language Magazine". Language Magazine. 2017-04-24. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  45. ↑ "3 learning apps ease kids back to school". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  46. 1 2 "Apps to Bring Math and Science Skills Back After Summer's Slide". Motherlode Blog. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  47. ↑ "ABCmouse.com - Early Learning Academy". www.graphite.org. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  48. ↑ "Best Android and iPad tablet apps: 2015 Tabby Awards Winners". tabbyawards.com. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  49. ↑ "ABCmouse.com". Parents' Choice Foundation. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  50. ↑ "Tillywig Toy Awards - ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy". www.tillywig.com. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  51. 1 2 3 "ABCMouse.com - Website Review". www.commonsensemedia.org. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  52. 1 2 "Site Review: ABC Mouse". www.educationworld.com. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  53. ↑ "ABCmouse Early Learning Academy: Review". Smart Apps For Kids. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  54. ↑ "ABCmouse.com - Early Learning Academy on the App Store". App Store. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  55. ↑ "ABCmouse.com - Android Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  56. ↑ ABCmouse.com - Early Learning Academy.
  57. ↑ "Age of Learning, Inc. - Android Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  58. ↑ "Age of Learning, Inc. Apps on the App Store". iTunes. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  59. ↑ "Amazon.com: Age of Learning, Inc.: Apps & Games". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  60. ↑ "Aesop's Fables Series". Age of Learning, Inc.
  61. ↑ "Beginning Reader Series: Big Bug and Little Bug". Age of Learning, Inc.
  62. ↑ "ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy". YouTube. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  63. ↑ "Animated Fables and Beginning Readers - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  64. ↑ "NAPPAawards.com". NAPPAawards.com. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  65. ↑ "Best Android and iPad tablet apps: 2015 Tabby Awards Winners". tabbyawards.com. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  66. ↑ "ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy - The National Parenting Center". The National Parenting Center. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  67. ↑ "Tillywig Toy Awards - ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy". www.tillywig.com. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  68. ↑ Hensley, Jessica. "Parents' Choice Awards: ABCmouse.com". Parents' Choice.
  69. ↑ "ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy". Children's Technology Review.
  70. ↑ "Web Marketing Association: Best of Industry".
  71. ↑ techlearning.com, Classroom Technology News | Educational Apps | Bloom's Taxonomy |. "ISTE 2016 BEST OF SHOW TECH&LEARNING | Tech Learning". www.techlearning.com. Retrieved 2016-11-11.

External Reading

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.