Future Quest Island: Explorations

FQI

About Project Team Contact Us Research Study Information Interested? Sign up here

Project Coordinator

Lori Cooney, MEd

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

lori.cooney@umb.edu

Social Media

Follow Future Quest Island: Explorations!

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.

Information & Resources

FQIE Curriculum Overview

The curriculum consists of 6 units with 2-3 lessons that can be implemented completely online as self -paced activities. ...Read more

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. ...Read more

Think College Heads to Elementary School!

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

PARTICIPATE IN A RESEARCH STUDY!

What is this study about?

The goal of this study is 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 can participate?

The curriculum will be implemented by 3-5 grade teachers in public, private, and charter schools and by instructors in after school programs.

What is involved?

• Teachers will implement the online curriculum over a 6-8 week period.
• Students will participate in short surveys before and after completing the curriculum.
• Teachers will share feedback on digital resources and activities.
• All activities will occur remotely.

When is this study?

We are currently looking for teachers and classrooms to implement the curriculum in the Summer & Fall of 2022 and Spring of 2023.

Who is conducting the study?

This study is funded by the US Department of Education. The project is being implemented by the staff from Think College at the Institute for Community Inclusion at University of Massachusetts Boston and EDC.

Is there an incentive for participating?

Each teacher participant will receive:

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

Where can I learn more about the study?

Please visit www.fqie.net to learn more and sign up!

How do I sign up?

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, Terry L. Jackson, Ed.D.