DreamBox (company)
Privately Held | |
Industry | Software |
Founded | 2006 |
Founder | Lou Gray and Ben Slivka |
Headquarters | Bellevue, Washington |
Key people | Jessie Woolley-Wilson, president and chief executive officer[1] |
Products | Mathematics Adaptive Learning Technology |
Website | Dreambox Learning |
DreamBox Learning is an online software provider that focuses on mathematics education at the elementary and middle school level.[2][3][4][5] DreamBox Learning provides pre-kindergarten through 8th-grade students with over 1,800 lessons presented as animated adventures, games, and challenges.[4][6][7][8] Badges, coins, and unlockable mini-games are also integrated into the software to reward and engage students in their mathematics lessons.[7][9] DreamBox Learning software utilizes an Intelligent Adaptive Learning Engine, which identifies a student's skill level and tailors each child's experience to increase learning opportunities before proceeding to new learning objectives.[3][4][9] Adaptive learning technology captures decisions the student makes, and based upon perceived mastery, DreamBox Learning alters the educational path of the student.[3][4][7]
History
In 2006, DreamBox Learning was founded in Bellevue, Washington by former CEO, Lou Gray, and Ben Slivka.[8][10][11] In 2010, DreamBox Learning was acquired by the Charter School Growth Fund.[3][11] The acquisition was sponsored by Netflix CEO Reed Hastings through a program-related investment.[3][11] Jessie Woolley-Wilson became President and CEO of DreamBox Learning shortly after the company changed possession.[3][11] DreamBox Learning provides its software to both students outside the classroom seeking to augment their mathematics education and school districts seeking to enhance their mathematics curriculum.[4][8] In 2012, DreamBox Learning offered free trial licensing of lessons aligned with the Common Core State Standards Initiative to all schools within the United States.[6][12] The company released a free iPad app, DreamBox Math Learning program.[13]
In 2014, DreamBox launched its Adaptive Math Curriculum for students in grades six through eight, with topics including basic functions, geometry, single-variable algebra, and ratios.[14] Also in 2014, the International Society for Technology Education reported that DreamBox added Spanish language support to its adaptive math software for students in grades K-8 to serve students who are learning English as a second language.[15]
Funding
DreamBox has raised money through at least two funding rounds. The first was a Series A round announced in December 2013 and led by Reed Hastings, John Doerr and Deborah Quazzo, which raised US$14.5 million.[16][17] A series B round was run in 2015 and led by Owl Ventures, which raised US$10 million.[18]
Intelligent adaptive learning engine
DreamBox Learning software was developed using the intelligent adaptive learning engine.[3][4] This technology captures all decisions the student makes and uses that intelligence to create a customized educational path for each individual.[3][4][7][8][9][10] The platform evaluates the student's ability as they attempt to solve mathematics problems and suggests lessons specifically fitting the student's understanding and skill level.[7][9] Correct answers prove mastery of the learning objective and incorrect answers demonstrate a lack of understanding.[3][4] With DreamBox Learning and adaptive learning technology, each student has a customized experience with mathematical studies.[3][4][7][9]
DreamBox Learning is partnered with the education startup Clever Inc.[19]
Awards
- 2013 CODiE awards
- 2013 Return on Education Innovation Award in STEMEd Software[21]
- 2013 on for Learning Award[22]
- Lead411 List of Hot Seattle Companies[23]
- 2012 Tech & Learning Award of Excellence[24]
- 2012 BESSIE Award for Best Early Elementary Math Website[25]
- 2012 Seal of Approval from The National Parenting Center[26]
- 2011 EDDIE Award for Early Elementary Math Website[27]
- 2011 BESSIE Award for Best Elementary Math Website[27]
- 2010 Tech & Learning Award of Excellence[28]
- 2010 Parents’ Choice Gold Award[29]
- 2010 BESSIE Award for Best Elementary Website[30]
- Mom's Choice Gold Award[31]
- 2009 AEP Golden Lamp Award for Technology Innovation[31]
- 2009 AEP Distinguished Achievement Award for Educational Toys and Games[32]
- 2009 Tech & Learning Award of Excellence[33]
- The National Parenting Publication Award[34]
- 2009 Parents’ Choice Gold Award[35]
- Tillywig Brain Child Award[36]
- Toy Man eChoice Award[37]
- Toy Man Award of Excellence[37]
- Dr. Toy's Best Vacation Product Award[37]
External links
References
- ↑ "DreamBox Learning CEO: How tech will shape the future of schools". GeekWire. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
- ↑ Weber, Matt. "Harvard EdCast: Adaptive Ed Tech". Harvard Graduate School of Education. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Ark, Tom Vander (13 June 2012). "DreamBox Learning: Adaptive, Engaging, and Motivating Math". Huffington Post. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Adams, Caralee. "Individualized Learning". Scholastic. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- ↑ DeSilver, Drew. "Local, national venture financing declines for fourth quarter 2011". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- 1 2 Rotherham, Andrew J. (26 January 2012). "Can Computers Replace Teachers?". Time. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Thompson, Dan. "DreamBox Expands Web-Based Math Learning Tool to Grade 5". The Journal. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 Shepard, Kim. "Counting sheep: Raise math scores at bedtime". MYNorthwest. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Review of DreamBox Learning". HomeSchoolMath.net. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- 1 2 Huang, Gregory T. "DreamBox Learning Bought by Netflix CEO (and Microsoft Board Member) Reed Hastings and Charter Fund—Some More Context". Xconomy. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 "DreamBox re-positions itself for focus on K-12 market". GeekWire. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- ↑ "Free DreamBox Learning for Math". Penniless Teacher. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- ↑ Bolkan, Joshua (Nov 18, 2013). "DreamBox Launches Free Math App for iPad". The Journal. Retrieved Mar 26, 2014.
- ↑ "DreamBox Launches Adaptive Math Curriculum for Middle Schools". The Journal. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
- ↑ "Fifty from ISTE: 50 new ed-tech services". eSchool News. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
- ↑ Wan, Tony (Dec 17, 2013). "Netflix’ Reed Hastings Leads $14.5M Series A1 for DreamBox". edSurge. Retrieved Mar 26, 2014.
- ↑ Cook, John (Dec 17, 2013). "Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, VC John Doerr invest $14.5M in DreamBox Learning". Geekwire. Retrieved Mar 26, 2014.
- ↑ Lamm, Greg (August 27, 2015). "Bellevue’s DreamBox Learning lands $10 million in funding". Puget Sound Business Journal. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
- ↑ Sailors, John (Mar 25, 2014). "Clever nabs $10 million for education software". Silicon Valley Business Journal. Retrieved Mar 26, 2014.
- 1 2 Billings, Karen. "SIIA Announces CODiE Award Winners for Education Technology Industry". SIIA Digital Discourse. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- ↑ "Inaugural Return on Education (ROE) Innovation Awards Finalists And Lifetime Achievement Awards Announced". ROE Innovation Awards. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- ↑ "Games Apps Websites TV Books Music 2013 ON for Learning Award Winners". Common Sense Media. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- ↑ "Lead411 launches "Hottest Companies in Seattle" awards" awards". Lead411. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- ↑ "30th Annual Awards of Excellence Winners Announced By Tech & Learning Magazine" (PDF). Inspiration. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- ↑ "Winners of the 18th Annual BESSIE Awards". ComputED Gazette. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- ↑ "Seal of Approval Winner Spring 2012: Dreambox Learning MATH". The National Parenting Center. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- 1 2 "Winners of the 17th Annual BESSIE Awards". ComputED Gazette. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- ↑ "Awards of Excellence.". Tech & Learning Magazine. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- ↑ "Dreambox Learning K-3 Math". Parent's Choice. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- ↑ "Winners of the 2010 BESSIE Awards". ComputED Gazette. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- 1 2 "NOV. 2010 – Improving Your Child's Math Skills With Fun, Educational Programs". Coastal Family. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- ↑ "2009 DAA Tech Innovation Winners". The Association of Educational Publishers. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- ↑ "Awards of Excellence 2009". Tech & Learning Magazine. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- ↑ Chisholm, Alex. "NAPPA 2009 Award-Winning Software, Video Games, and Websites". Parenthood.com. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- ↑ "DreamBox Learning K-2 Math". Parent's Choice. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- ↑ "Dreambox Learning K-2 Math". Tillywig Toy and Media Awards. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- 1 2 3 "DreamBox Learning Receives Parents’ Choice Gold Award". Valute.it. Retrieved 3 July 2013.