Dive Brief:
- Arizona State University's Tempe campus will host over 200 higher ed faculty and presidents Friday for a discussion of the Inspark Science Network.
- The Inspark Science Network is an initiative by ASU's Center for Education Through Exploration (ETX) and Australian adaptive learning company Smart Sparrow, which has received Gates Foundation funding, focused on improving student success in general education science courses.
- Attendees at the Friday event will also demo the technology behind the network, which will also collaborate with lower-income student advocacy group Achieving the Dream as it continues developing new technology to boost science achievement.
Dive Insight:
There are currently 24 teaching partners in the initiative, including a number of universities and community colleges. Among them, according to a release: the American Public University System, Houston Community College, Lorain County Community College, and Miami Dade College.
Low-income and first-generation college students have particularly had trouble in gen ed science courses, which has harmed overall completion at a number of institutions. The aim of the new network is to address that in what sounds like a blended learning model that utilizes classroom teaching and adaptive technology.
“We believe science is fundamental to teaching students how to be critical thinkers and successful
contributors to the future of our society,” Ariel Anbar, ETX director and ASU professor, said in the release. “This network will pull together like-minded professionals who are passionate about teaching and committed to ensuring that all students succeed.”