All Aboard the Imagination Station (Istation)

 

All Aboard the Imagination Station 
Analyzing the Istation Learning Environment 

What is Istation?

This particular learning environment is called Imagination Station, commonly known as Isation. It is used by schools as an e-learning environment where students are measured by growth with engaging, computer-adaptive diagnostic and screening programs. It is available for reading, math, and Spanish literacy, although it is highly known most for being used for student reading progress. Named “Online Learning Innovation of the Year” by EdTech Breakthrough, Istation is recognized as a compelling online learning solution for reading, math, and Spanish literacy. Based on scientific evidence and comprehensive research, Istation’s formative assessments, progress monitoring, adaptive curriculum, and teacher resources help measure growth and introduce new skills in school and at home (istation.com). 

It analyzes student performance growth into data collections that place them into one of the 3 different TIERS. TIER 1 would be the optimal achievement which means the student is at or above their current grade level. TIER 2 would be the middle level where the student is below grade level and is in the area of concern and needs intervention to show growth up to reach grade level. TIER 3 would be the lowest level where the student is in the high-risk category and need intense interventions to support their areas of need. 

The Student Experience 

Istation offers an array of benefits for the student e-learning experience. It is individualized to each student's needs. The comprehensive program is tailored to the educational levels of the student. It does not allow the student to move forward within their pathway until that specific skill is mastered. It provides students with interactive lessons that they find engaging and fun. The displays are colorful and have many eye-catching characters that students find embedded within their lessons. The material is presented more so in a game-like format that students enjoy interacting with as they learn vital concepts and skills. As the student moves through their pathway, they are challenged with a monthly assessment to measure their growth. The assessment provides the student with immediate feedback where there can view their results compared to the previous month's scores. This allows them to take ownership of their growth as they are able to self-monitor progress. If they have significant gains, they are rewarded with a certificate to awkonedge their achievements. All in all, I feel the student experience is effective and efficient in their educational journey. 

The Teacher Experience 

As an educator, I advocate for the use of Istation within educational institutions in the primary grades of K-5 especially. It is a very productive way to monitor your student's strengths and weaknesses. It gives the teacher the ability to pinpoint the areas where the students have shown growth as well as where can still be struggling and are in need of interventions. After the students take the monthly assessment, the teacher has access to a detailed summary report where it outlines the student's percentages of outcomes in each area. It breaks down why and how the student was placed in a specific TIER or level due to their growth or lack thereof. Using this data then gives the teacher the ability to use it in an effective nf efficient way in order to drive instruction for that specific student. It allows the creation of an individualized planned tailored to meet the needs of that student to be successful. Overall it is a guide for the teacher to be able to help their students along their educational journey with reports as the blueprint for their needs. 

The Pros and Cons 

I feel that Istation is a great learning platform that offers many pros. In my opinion, the main one is that is it a tremendous resource when conducting progress monitoring of your students. The teacher has access to many forms of detailed reports that help you pinpoint areas of need that your student may have. It even suggested activities and interventions to conduct with your students. Another main pro would be the level of engagement and interactivity with students. When students are engaged and having fun, learning is more conducive to growth. 

On the other hand, one con I would have to say is the lack of student e-learning interaction. There is no online collaboration among students on this platform. It is more of a work-alone environment with little creativity in the realm of peer interactions. Another con on the teacher aspect  I would say is the teacher's inability to create and design their own interactive lessons that they feel would benefit their students. It would give teachers the ability to use Istation in a design platform as well, to create and assign lessons to their students not only be able to a premade formats as is currently.

All in all, Istation is very useful to teachers and students alike and most important has the ability to progress monitor students in a very cohesive and authentic way that will ultimately benefit the student's education overall as they show growth.