ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy

ABCmouse.com
The ABCmouse.com logo and Doug Dohring in 2011.
Type of site
Education
HeadquartersGlendale, California, U.S.[1]
Area servedWorldwide
IndustryEducation
ParentAge of Learning, Inc.
URLwww.abcmouse.com
AdvertisingYes
LaunchedNovember 16, 2010; 13 years ago (2010-11-16)[citation needed]
Current statusActive

ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy is a digital education program for children ages 2–8, created by the edtech company Age of Learning, Inc.[2][3] The program offers educational games, videos, puzzles, printables, and a library of regular and “read-aloud” children’s books, covering subjects including reading and language arts, math, science, health, social studies, music, and art.[4][5][6][7]

ABCmouse currently consists of more than 10,000 learning activities and 850 lessons on the Learning Path, and the program can be used online or offline.[6][8]

In 2020, ABCmouse parent company Age of Learning, Inc., without admitting guilt, agreed to pay $10 million and settle a Federal Trade Commission complaint alleging that some of its past marketing and billing practices were unfair.[9][10]

Age of Learning, Inc.

[edit]

ABCmouse.com is produced by Age of Learning, Inc., a privately owned education technology company currently led by CEO Alex Galvagni.[11] Headquartered in Glendale, California, the company was founded in 2007 by Doug Dohring.[12] Age of Learning launched ABCmouse.com in November 2010 after three years of development, guided by a team of educators, and following testing by 10,000 families.[13] The company has obtained several patents including the original patent for a vertically integrated educational system.[14] In 2023, Age of Learning was named “Most Innovative Ed Tech Company” by SIIA in its annual CODiE Awards, and the company was named one of the “Best Edtech Companies” by We Are Teachers for its ABCmouse, My Math Academy, and My Reading Academy programs for pre-K and elementary-age kids.[15][16]

Members of Age of Learning's Curriculum Board include 2006 National Teacher of the Year Award recipient Kimberly Oliver Burnim,[17] 2014 National Teachers Hall of Fame inductee Rebecca Palacios,[18][19] NORC Research Scientist Marc Hernandez,[20] and Science Writing Award-winning writer Stephen M. Tomecek.

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.[21] In 2015, the company partnered with another White House initiative, ConnectHome, to provide ABCmouse.com for free to families living in public housing in 27 cities and one tribal nation, serving up to 65,000 children.[22][6]

In 2016, it was reported that Age of Learning raised $150 million from ICONIQ Capital, giving the company a $1 billion valuation.[23][24] Age of Learning also launched ABCmouse for Schools in 2016;[25] the enterprise-level solution won an ISTE Best of Show Award at the annual edtech conference.[26]

In 2015, the company collaborated with the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago to develop a series of web-based assessments.[27] The Assessment Center includes over 8,500 items[28] via 300 assessments.[29]

In 2018, the company partnered with Tencent to launch the ABCmouse English Language Learning program in China.[30][31][32]

In 2019, the company launched Adventure Academy, an educational app and game for children ages 8–13. It is an MMO with three-dimensional and multi-platform support, along with a core curriculum taught in schools and thousands of education activities.[33][34]

In September 2020, the company agreed to settle a Federal Trade Commission complaint alleging that some of its past marketing and billing practices were unfair or deceptive. The complaint focused on the 2015 – 2018 time period and affected tens of thousands of consumers, which the company claimed to be less than 2% of ABCmouse subscribers. The company did not admit guilt but agreed to pay $10 million to settle the charges and avoid a prolonged legal dispute. They also agreed to much marketing, billing, and cancellation practices specified by the FTC, many of which the company claims had already been implemented years ago.[9][35]

In June 2021, Age of Learning announced its new Schools Solutions Division and rollout of its first product offering, My Math Academy, a personalized, adaptive math program for pre-K through second grade, which has been tested in several school districts in the U.S.[36][37][38] In January 2022, Age of Learning's Schools Solutions launched My Reading Academy, an adaptive game-based curriculum designed to help students in pre-k-2nd grade develop strong foundational reading skills.[39][40]

On June 29, 2021, it was reported that Age of Learning closed a $300 million round of funding—led by TPG, along with the Qatar Investment Authority, Madrone Capital Partners, and Tencent Holdings Ltd.—which valued the company at $3 billion. CEO Paul Candland was quoted by Bloomberg as saying the funding would be used for the company’s international expansion and development of new products.[41]

Content and structure

[edit]

ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy content currently consists of more than 10,000 learning activities and 850 lessons.[6] The preschool through second grade curriculum is laid out in a sequence called the “Step by Step Learning Path".[42] The Learning Path is a multi-subject set of skills that are usually taught in school.[43] Parents can register up to three children and set each one at his or her own level based on age and ability.[44] 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.[45] There are also more than 1,000 digital books, including over 100 Stepped Readers.[46] The same content is available whether children log on using their computer or mobile device (iOS, Android, Kindle).[47][48][49][50]

Children navigate the site with the aid of “voice-overs, images, and text,” but younger children 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]

Products

[edit]

The ABCmouse curriculum can be accessed on tablets and smartphones using apps from the Apple App Store,[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]

ABCmouse.com is also made available at no cost to teachers,[60] Head Start programs, public libraries,[61][62][63] public housing authorities, and other community organizations.[64]

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,[65][25] including all branches in Los Angeles,[66] Chicago,[67] Houston, and Brooklyn.[68]

Some Age of Learning apps, such as its Aesop's Fables series and Beginning Reader series, have been discontinued and are instead available on the ABCmouse.com YouTube channel.[69][70]

Educational value

[edit]

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.[71] Several randomized controlled trials have been conducted on ABCmouse showing gains in reading and math.[72]

A 2022 study in the Early Childhood Education Journal found that My Math Academy improved learning outcomes for kindergarten and first-grade students, with the greatest improvement found among children with lower initial math knowledge.[73]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Ed-tech start-ups envision L.A. as a hub for the growing sector" Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2018-09-28.
  2. ^ "NAPPAawards.com". NAPPAawards.com. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  3. ^ "Website offers ad-free learning activities for kids" USA Today. Retrieved 2019-04-26.
  4. ^ "10 educational websites to develop your kids' minds" Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2019-05-28.
  5. ^ "Site Review: ABC Mouse". www.educationworld.com. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  6. ^ a b c d "ABCMouse". ConnectHome Nation. Archived from the original on September 26, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  7. ^ "ABCmouse Review". The Smarter Learning Guide. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  8. ^ Ireland, Sophie (October 19, 2020). "These Are The Best Online Schools To Educate Your Kids At Home". CEO World magazine.
  9. ^ a b "Children's Online Learning Program ABCmouse to Pay $10 Million to Settle FTC Charges of Illegal Marketing and Billing Practices". Federal Trade Commission. September 2, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  10. ^ Singletary, Michelle. "Perspective | Learning app ABCmouse pays $10 million to settle FTC complaint it trapped parents in subscription they couldn't cancel". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  11. ^ "Introducing our New CEO: Alex Galvagni - Age of Learning". September 26, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  12. ^ "Age of Learning, Inc.: Private Company Information - Businessweek". Businessweek.com. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  13. ^ "ABCmouse.com Will Teach Your 2- to 6-Year-Old Their ABCs (And 'Thank You' & 'Please!') -- All Online!". Hollywood Life. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  14. ^ "Vertically integrated mobile educational system patent". Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  15. ^ Staff, eSchool News (June 26, 2023). "SIIA Announces 2023 CODiE Award Winners for Education Technology". eSchool News. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  16. ^ Staff, WeAreTeachers (August 1, 2023). "65 Edtech Companies Transforming the Way We Teach in 2023". We Are Teachers. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  17. ^ "Wilmington University News Release - 2006 National Teacher of the Year Speaks at Wilmington University's Student Teacher Orientation". www.wilmu.edu. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  18. ^ "Two AFT members to enter Teachers Hall of Fame". American Federation of Teachers. May 2, 2014. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  19. ^ "Dr. Rebecca A. Palacios « The National Teacher Hall of Fame". www.nthf.org. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  20. ^ "Marc Hernandez" NORC. Retrieved 2019-07-19.
  21. ^ "Invest in US: President Obama Convenes the White House Summit on Early Education". whitehouse.gov. December 10, 2014. Retrieved October 29, 2015 – via National Archives.
  22. ^ "White House Partnership to Provide Early Learning Curriculum to Low Income Families". www.educationworld.com. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  23. ^ Lunden, Ingrid (May 3, 2016). "Age of Learning, a quiet giant in education apps, raised $150M at a $1B valuation from Iconiq". TechCrunch. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  24. ^ "From Mouse to Unicorn: Age of Learning Raises $150M at $1B Valuation, Eyes Expansion Into Schools (EdSurge News)". EdSurge. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  25. ^ a b "ABCmouse launches school-centered platform for K-2". eSchool News. July 11, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  26. ^ techlearning.com, Classroom Technology News | Educational Apps | Bloom's Taxonomy |. "ISTE 2016 BEST OF SHOW TECH&LEARNING". Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  27. ^ "Online Assessment Tools Support Parent Engagement in Their Kids’ Education" NORC. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
  28. ^ "13 Classic Toys Upgraded for Today's Kids to Enjoy" Parents. Retrieved 2019-04-28.
  29. ^ "ABCmouse Assessment Center" EdTech Digest. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  30. ^ "Tencent partners with Age of Learning for English learning apps in China" Venture Beat. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
  31. ^ "Tencent and education startup Age of Learning bring popular English-learning app ABCmouse to China" Tech Crunch. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
  32. ^ "ABCmouse Creator, Age of Learning Taps Tencent to Lead Its Expansion in China" EdSurge. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
  33. ^ Graham, Jefferson (May 1, 2019). "Gaming school: Age of Learning aims to hook 'Fortnite' generation with new educational app". USA Today.
  34. ^ Petite, Steven (May 24, 2019). "Adventure Academy is an MMO for kids that combines learning with fun". Digital Trends. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
  35. ^ Bradley, Brian (September 3, 2020). "FTC Reaches $10 Million Settlement With Age of Learning". Market Brief.
  36. ^ "Age of Learning School Solutions – Learning Platform". Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  37. ^ "Age of Learning Enters Schools Business—Launches Personalized, Adaptive Early Learning Math Program, My Math Academy". www.businesswire.com. June 3, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  38. ^ "My Math Academy Improving Early Childhood Math Skills". GovTech. May 25, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  39. ^ Kuykendall, Kristal (January 31, 2022). "Age of Learning Expands School Solutions with New My Reading Academy". THE Journal. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  40. ^ "My Reading Academy - Evidence for ESSA". Evidence for ESSA - Find Evidence-Based PK-12 Programs. July 14, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  41. ^ "ABCmouse Creator Valued at $3 Billion With TPG-Led Funding Round". Bloomberg.com. June 29, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  42. ^ "NAPPAawards.com". NAPPAawards.com. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  43. ^ "What is included with each Learning Path Leve?". Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  44. ^ "ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy | Children's Technology Review". childrenstech.com. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  45. ^ "Summer Literacy Resources - Language Magazine". Language Magazine. April 24, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  46. ^ "Summer Literacy Resources - Language Magazine". Language Magazine. April 24, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  47. ^ "3 learning apps ease kids back to school". USA TODAY. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  48. ^ "Apps to Bring Math and Science Skills Back After Summer's Slide". Motherlode Blog. August 30, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  49. ^ "Review: ABCMouse Learning Academy is my toddler’s favorite app" The Next Web. Retrieved 2019-04-28.
  50. ^ "Is ABCmouse Good For Teaching Kids How To Read? The Popular Website Has A Lot Of Benefits" Romper. Retrieved 2019-04-26.
  51. ^ "ABCMouse.com - Website Review". www.commonsensemedia.org. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  52. ^ "Site Review: ABC Mouse". www.educationworld.com. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  53. ^ "ABCmouse Early Learning Academy: Review". Smart Apps For Kids. Archived from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  54. ^ "ABCmouse.com - Early Learning Academy on the App Store". App Store. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  55. ^ "ABCmouse.com - Android Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  56. ^ ABCmouse.com - Early Learning Academy.
  57. ^ "Age of Learning, Inc. - Android Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  58. ^ "Age of Learning, Inc. Apps on the App Store". iTunes. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  59. ^ "Amazon.com: Age of Learning, Inc.: Apps & Games". www.amazon.com. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  60. ^ "K-2 Resources to Support Tech Literacy in Young Students" (PDF). September 27, 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2015 – via Michigan Department of Education.
  61. ^ "Early literacy supporters look to get on same page as 3rd-grade requirement looms" Crain's Detroit Business. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  62. ^ "Free Online Curriculum: ABCMouse.com for Libraries Launches at ALA | ALA 2014". School Library Journal. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  63. ^ "ABCmouse.com at Los Angeles Public Library" Lapl.org Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  64. ^ "Choice Neighborhoods e-Newsletter" (PDF). January 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  65. ^ "From Mouse to Unicorn: Age of Learning Raises $150M at $1B Valuation, Eyes Expansion Into Schools - EdSurge News". EdSurge. May 3, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  66. ^ "New Resources" Los Angeles Public Library. Retrieved 2019-05-28.
  67. ^ "ABCmouse.com". Archived from the original on September 26, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  68. ^ "Learning Resources | Brooklyn Public Library". www.bklynlibrary.org. May 2, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  69. ^ "ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy". YouTube. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  70. ^ "Animated Fables and Beginning Readers - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  71. ^ 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.
  72. ^ "Mastering Math Significantly Accelerates Early Mathematics Learning" Age of Learning Research. Retrieved 2019-07-19.
  73. ^ Bang, Hee Jin; Li, Linlin; Flynn, Kylie (April 2023). "Efficacy of an Adaptive Game-Based Math Learning App to Support Personalized Learning and Improve Early Elementary School Students' Learning". Early Childhood Education Journal. 51 (4): 717–732. doi:10.1007/s10643-022-01332-3. ISSN 1082-3301.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=ABCmouse.com_Early_Learning_Academy&oldid=1224190553#Age_of_Learning,_Inc."