Challenges
virtualBlocks
virtualBlocks
virtualBlocks
virtualBlocks
virtualBlocks
virtualBlocks
virtualBlocks
Building the right Structures and Tools

Dynamic Curriculums

Class rooms across the country will teach any given lesson a little differently.   However, any given learner enjoys only the one in the school they are enrolled with small exceptions.   Having a platform that provides both adjustable content and methods can provide broader nationwide consistency while also allowing detailed tailoring to each learners success.   For example:

Methodologies
Not everyone learns the same, this is not new.   If a learner in a history class is more reading/story focused, they may come to understand a historical event better through reading larger narrative content about the people and details of the event.  However, another learner may be more visually focused and be suited to having maps, visual timelines, photos, etc of the event with a condensed narrative component.

This can be especially true with learners with learning disabilities.   Making alternate methods for IEP/504 Plan/etc. a natural part of the platform will be a huge boost for learners and teachers alike.   Each learner has more choices of methods while teachers are far less prone to re-inventing the wheel.   Teachers will be able to choose more tools from the toolbox and focus more on applying the tool to best help the learner.

Cultural Content
Cultural difference is a large topic surrounding curriculums today.   Topics of race, religion, gender, and politics are at the very heart of most curriculum battles.   While there are always going to be a few that raise issues no matter what, most concerned parents are worried about THEIR children being exposed to something they are uncomfortable with.   A platform that allows learners within the same school system to each have a comfortable path will allow the conflicts to subside and focus will be better spent on EDUCATING.

Pace/Schedule Flexibility

School starts in August or just after Labor Day. For the next 15 weeks, learners take 6 subjects or so each day. Rinse/Repeat for spring, and so on.

WHAT IF 6 subjects at a time is distracting for some ? (It definitely is!) Some report that summer classes yield better learning/retention. Why?… Short answer, FOCUS. With 1 class at a time, a learner can get more absorbed in the material and digest it far better.

WHAT IF learners could take 6 classes one after the other at about 2-3 weeks each?..   Focus on 1 at a time and learn each better??..   Or, 2 at a time for 5 weeks each?
Sound great?!   Maybe not if you are the teacher that can barely manage a class with everyone at the same pace.   This is actually very easy to do with online learning, but in-person settings present many challenges to make this work.   WHY?   Because teachers are burdened with manual grading, updating online grade books, attendance, etc. instead of being able to FOCUS on TEACHING.
The EPF platform approach will account for this.   Our platform will enable learners and teachers alike to focus on the LESSONS and leave basic tasks to the platform.  Once we break this mold, suddenly a traditional semester starts to become irrelevant.
  • Need fall break at a different time for family reasons?... NO PROBLEM.
  • Does the family have someone with a critical illness that time is needed to face those challenges?... ok, pause the program and resume when you can with no penalty, NO PROBLEM.
  • Is your family in a farming culture and the older children are critical to assisting with planting or harvest?.. again, NO PROBLEM.
  • Is a given learner gifted and driven and want to go at a faster pace?.. easy and NO PROBLEM.

A Platform Built to Change

EPF is under no illusion that the needs for 2025 will suffice for 2035, or even 2030. We will constantly adjust to address changes as they come, much like adjusting lights and sound for a live performance. New understanding of historical events, new concepts of science, or even new technologies that empower greater learning ability will all come, and we will be ready.

Topic Specific Promotion

“Grade skipping” is a practice that requires a learner to demonstrate advanced skill IN ALL TOPICS.   WHAT IF the learner is GREAT at math but struggles in reading??   With the flexibility of the EPF platform, Topic specific advancement will empower learner to progress where it makes sense but stay with the normal pace in other areas.   For example, by the time a learner is at the equivalent of 6th grade, they could be in 6th grade English but potentially be in 8th grade Math.
The EPF platform is developing these as a standard built-in features. These will be automatically monitored and alerts provided to instructional staff when needed.
For example, a learner with ADHD can be recognized by the platform when a pre-defined number of items are missing or late. All relevant parties can be notified (learner/parent/teacher/counselor) proactively before the situation become too severe.

..OR.. the platform can recognize upcoming course work that needs to be -chunked- and notify the (learner/parent/teacher/counselor) so everyone can be prepared BEFORE it arrives.

Built-in 504 Plans, IEP, etc.

Parents of learners with 504 Plans/IEPs/etc. often find these plans to be disconnected, rudimentary and difficult to keep track of. Teachers simply have very little time for these while they try to survive daily tasks.
The EPF platform is developing these as a standard built-in features. These will be automatically monitored and alerts provided to instructional staff when needed.
For example, a learner with ADHD can be recognized by the platform when a pre-defined number of items are missing or late. All relevant parties can be notified (learner/parent/teacher/counselor) proactively before the situation become too severe.
..OR.. the platform can recognize upcoming course work that needs to be -chunked- and notify the (learner/parent/teacher/counselor) so everyone can be prepared BEFORE it arrives.