Innovation at AIM

Innovation and Design Hub

AIM's new 17,000-square foot Global Innovation Hub prepares students to be skilled problem solvers, think creatively, and work in a team.Bringing classes on robotics, coding, engineering, and design thinking the Innovation Hub opens students to a myriad of possibilities and practical career path-focused options to explore their passions.

AIM’s approach to teaching children with language-based learning differences requires that it incorporate and coordinate instruction so that math, science, arts, and history classes follow the same literacy practices as the core reading curriculum. The same is true of AIM’s approach to technology instruction. Technology, from Makerspace to Robotics, is not just a pull-out. The concepts taught in these classes must coordinate closely with other subjects to ensure reinforcement and consistency.

Academic Technology at AIM

Technology and high-speed wireless access are placed directly in each and every classroom for immediate and flexible use. Several different platforms and devices are utilized whenever deemed necessary and useful, providing a diverse and versatile learning environment for our students. From Apple iPads for 1st-4th graders and our one-to-one Apple laptop program for 5th-12th graders, technology is a part of everyday life for AIM students.

Technology in Lower School
Technology in Middle and Upper School

Technology in Lower School

Each Lower School student has access to an iPad to utilize in a variety of ways during a given day. A core suite of creative apps is deployed to each device in order to foster individual expression, collaboration, and student reflection. These digital tools include Book Creator, Drawing Pad, CoSpaces, Hopscotch, FlipaClip, Blockly, Explain Everything, and iStopMotion.

Technology in Middle and Upper School

Each Upper and Middle School student has a MacBook loaded with research-based software, which supports individual student needs. Additionally, our students use a variety of web-based programs such as Google Applications (Earth, Docs, Forms, Sites, Sketch-up, Scribe), CAST, CoSpaces, TinkerCad, OpenProcessing, Storybird, Glogster, Edmodo, Many Eyes, I-Flash, Geometer’s Sketchpad, Timeliner, Prezi, Scratch, Circut, Sumo Paint, GarageBand, Corel Draw, Tinkercad, Cura, and Diigo.

In addition to our 1:1 laptop program, teachers and students use SmartBoards throughout the Upper School to foster interactive and meaningful learning experiences across the curricular areas of reading, writing, math, science, and history. We also have a fully equipped graphics space in the Global Resource Center complete with iMacs loaded with full animation/graphics capabilities, Canon digital SLR cameras, Canon digital video cameras, large format printers, large format scanners, and a Mediascape (a six-person collaborative digital workstation).

Assistive Technology

One of the most exciting uses of modern technology is Assistive Technology. Assistive Technology is any device or software that help to compensate for a student's (or any user's) specific learning challenges. Many options exist today that help students and adults to make the most of their abilities. Assistive technology is not a cure for language based learning differences, but does provide alternative strategies for students and adults to compensate for areas of weakness and capitalize on their strongest talents.

The following assistive technologies are recommended for use by AIM's students.

Organization

Google Drive

Provides cloud based file storage for Google created files (Docs, Slides, Sheets) as well as any other type of file.

Google Calendar

Calendar software that can be synced across devices. Can be used to schedule meetings and set reminders that can be delivered as emails or pop-up computer/phone notifications.

Google Keep

Note taking software that syncs across devices. Good for taking detailed notes on a laptop or for taking quick notes on your phone while on the go - both of which will be accessible on any laptop or phone.

Google Reminders

Reminders can be set on either a Chrome browser or the Google Now app, and notifications will be sent to devices that are signed in with the same account.

Gmail Folders and Labels

Using Gmail's built in organizational features can greatly increase the user's willingness and ability to engage with their email inbox. Keeping an uncluttered inbox is an important skill for the modern work environment.

Reading and Writing

Bookshare

Online accessible library of books for people with visual print disabilities. Great for use in combination with text-to-speech software.

Learning Ally

Online library of audiobooks read by volunteers. Can be used on a computer or by using the mobile app.

Read OutLoud

Text-to-speech software that can read many different types of files, and also adds a multitude of additional features, including integrated note taking.

Write OutLoud/CoWriter

Write OutLoud offers voice-to-text functionality along with other features including predictive text, bibliographer, and text-to-speech. CoWriter is very similar to Write OutLoud, but can be used on top of any application, including other word processors and webpages.

Read&Write for Google Chrome

Extension for the Chrome browser which adds (among other features) text-to-speech functionality to Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

BeeLine Reader for Google Chrome

Extension for the Chrome browser which has the ability to take text from a webpage and reformat it in a way that may be easier for people with visual learning differences to read.

OpenDyslexic for Google Chrome

Extension for the Chrome browser which can change the font of a webpage to one that may be easier for people with visual learning differences to read.

Google Docs

Docs has an integrated voice-to-text functionality that can be accessed through the Tools menu.

Grammarly

Corrects many type of grammatical errors and can also make spelling and vocabulary suggestions based on context.

Quandary

Story-based game that has players making decisions on behalf of a new colony. Story is told through comics, that can be read aloud if needed. The game is organized in episodes- the first episode involves fact vs opinion, supporting arguments, and future episodes deal with other ELA tasks.

LibriVox

provides free audiobooks from the public domain. LibriVox volunteers record chapters of books in the public domain and release the audio files back onto the net.

Teacher Resource - ReadWorks

The non-profit ReadWorks is committed to solving the nation's reading comprehension crisis by giving teachers the research-proven tools and support they need to improve the academic achievement of their students.

Mathematics

Matific

Matific takes a unique approach to teaching K to 6 math using hands-on and interactive mini-games, called episodes. These immersive bite-sized apps for tablets and personal computers are based on a modular and progressive spiral learning system.

Geogebra

GeoGebra is dynamic mathematics software for all levels of education that brings together geometry, algebra, spreadsheets, graphing, statistics and calculus in one easy-to-use package.

Algodoo

Algodoo is designed in a playful, cartoony manner, making it a perfect tool for creating interactive scenes. Explore physics, build amazing inventions, design cool games or experiment with Algodoo in your science classes.

Aplusclick

Collection of hundreds of math problems sortable by grade or subject.

Khan Academy

Khan Academy aims to provide a “free world-class education for anyone anywhere.” The cornerstone of this web-based tool is its collection of more than 5,500 videos and 100,000 practice problems covering K-12 math and select topics in science, history, business, art history and test preparation.

Studying

Meet the STEAM Team

Our team of experienced educators supports the STEAM and technology curriculum for students, as well as overseas programs including our FRC robotics team. New technology systems and lessons are consistently being implemented. Some examples include: upper level chemistry students working with the ZSpace devices, implementing artificial intelligence into the curriculum, and expanding our student's opportunities to serve and teach others via our Mobile STEAM lab.