Future Quest Island: Explorations

FQI

 

Project Coordinator

Lori Cooney

Lori Cooney, MEd

Program Director, Inclusive Education & Curriculum Design, and Universal Design Specialist

lori.cooney@umb.edu

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Program Description

Future Quest Island-Explorations (FQI-E) is an online accessible college & career awareness curriculum that uses gaming strategies to motivate and support improved self-concept, social and emotional competence, and early college and career awareness for upper elementary students with and without disability in grades 3-5 using the evidenced-based “Possible Selves” framework and features standards-based lesson plans (aligned with ELA, ISTE, and ASCA).
 

Game-Based Experience using the Evidenced-Based Possible Selves Framework

Once students log in to FQI-E, they are greeted by their online mentor, Captain Blue Beard, who helps them navigate their 'Possible Selves' journey. Next, they customize their avatar and hop aboard a hovercraft where they progress through a series of lessons on 21 islands, focusing on various aspects of their Possible Selves. The Possible Selves framework addresses individuals’ perceived future self-concept and guides students in thinking about the future with an emphasis on nurturing academic and personal motivation. It includes components of self-concept that have to do with ‘what I can be, what I would like to be, and what I am afraid of becoming’ (Ruvolo & Markus, 1992). By the end of the game, students create a visual representation in the form of a Possible Selves Tree that highlights personalized badges describing their hopes, preferences, goals, fears, and things that help them grow into a person, friend, learner, and worker. 

tree graphic


Universally Designed and Accessible

Additionally, using the principles of universal design for learning, FQI-E is designed so that all students can create electronic portfolios and artifacts of their hopes, dreams, goals, fears, and growth as a person, learner, worker, and friend. These e-portfolios/artifacts can assist IEP teams in developing better secondary and postsecondary goals and outcomes for students.

screenshot of the portfolio on FQI-E


*If you are a student trying to login to Future Quest Island - Explorations, please visit www.fqie.me.

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Information & Resources

Curriculum Units
The curriculum consists of 6 units with 2-3 lessons that can be implemented completely online as self -paced activities. ...Read more
Possible Selves Tree
The Possible Selves framework addresses individuals’ perceived future self-concept and guides students in thinking about the future with an emphasis on nurturing academic and personal motivation. ...Read more
Future Quest Island logo
Think College has been awarded a $2.5 million Stepping Up Technology Implementation Grant from the US Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs. ...Read more

LEARN ABOUT OUR RESEARCH STUDY!

What was this study about?

The goal of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an online personalized learning curriculum in 3rd-5th grade students. The curriculum uses gaming strategies to motivate and support improved self-concept, social and emotional competence, and early college and career awareness for upper elementary students with and without disability. Download a flyer with study information here.

Who participated in the study?

The study is currently closed. However, the curriculum will be available soon and can be implemented by 3-5 grade teachers in public, private, and charter schools and by instructors in after-school programs.

What was involved in the study?

• Teachers implemented the online curriculum over a 6-8 week period.
• Students participated in short surveys before and after completing the curriculum.
• Teachers shared feedback on digital resources and activities.
• Some participants and their families participated in focus group studies.

When was this study conducted?

The final study activities occurred in the spring and summer of 2023.

Who conducted the study?

This study is funded by the Office of Special Education Programs at the U.S. Department of Education and by the staff from Think College at the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston and EDC.

Was there an incentive for participating?

Each teacher participant received:

• Training on the curriculum
• PDPs for training participation
• A $50 Amazon gift card

Where can I learn more about the study?

How can I sign up to use FQI-E in the future?

Please complete this short form.

Funding Information

This study is funded by the US Department of Education #H327S180002. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer, Eric Caruso, Ed.D.