Inclusive Innovation in EdTech: a Thread Throughout an Educator's Journey to imagi

Diane Horvath, Technology Integration Specialist at Blake Middle School in Medfield, MA, has built her career on the principles of equity and access, exemplifying them through the seamless integration of technology into all students’ learning experiences.

Horvath’s Introduction to Ed Tech

Horvath began her career in Ohio as a special education teacher, where she quickly noticed a lack of curriculum designed to meet her students’ needs. A curious lifelong learner, she immersed herself in educational technology, researching and building a tech-infused, personalized curriculum from scratch. Recognizing the impact of personalized learning on traditionally underserved populations, Horvath integrated technology to ensure her students had access to high-quality, equitable learning opportunities despite the systemic gaps. 

The Game-Changer: Computer Science

It felt like you were on the forefront of something happening.

Horvath was instrumental in her Ohio district with the immersion of the ever-evolving world of technology into the classroom. She led work in designing and implementing virtual classrooms; she was instrumental in the successful rollout of their 1:1 iPads for student learning. Additionally, her leadership contributed to the establishment of a Maker Space in their library, which served as a starting point for emerging technologies. 

Horvath emphasized that thoughtful technology integration engages students as well as fosters deeper and more meaningful learning. This is the same approach imagi champions by empowering students to explore, create, and problem-solve through computer science and computational thinking.

The foundation for Horvath’s path to fully immerse students in edtech was built over years of unwavering dedication to creating meaningful learning experiences for her students and a personal commitment to continuous growth, a powerful trait she models for her students.

She avidly pursued educational technology, and this passion would eventually lead her to the Pathfinders Institute and then to imagi.

Keys to Initial Success: Flexibility and Purposeful PD

[You are] always evolving and changing. You are never stagnant.

Success came from being flexible and willing to embrace change, a mindset Horvath has maintained and modeled for others.  

Horvath cites Professional Development, especially during the rise of educational technology, as a key factor in her career growth. At the Pathfinders Institute, she learned about micro:bit and the transformative potential of CS. Additionally, she saw how threading CS and hands-on learning into core subjects supports student learning and engagement. 

The Meeting of Experience and Vision: imagi

Horvath then found imagi, a program that would change how she approached CS and its integration into courses, specifically math. With imagi comes a comprehensive curriculum, but it also gives students a wide space for creativity. imagi isn’t only educational; it’s fun for students, too, engaging them more in learning.

When comparing imagi to other coding platforms, Horvath noted first that it met a criterion she desired: it was completely web-based. She noted that it’s “easy” in that it’s accessible to all students. This includes free content for teachers and students to learn and use the basics of what imagi offers.

A true “a-ha” moment for Horvath and her fellow educators, came when they saw the power of imagi’s cross-curricular approach. Moreover, how coding strengthens students’ understanding of academic content and and engages them through personalized lessons.  

imagi Curriculum is Powerful as More than an Elective

At Blake Middle School, Horvath collaborates with math teachers to integrate imagi’s coding curriculum into existing lessons in meaningful ways. For example, when students were studying the coordinate grid, Horvath integrated imagi’s logo design activity into the lesson. The classroom teacher delivered the core content, and the coding project reinforced it through project-based learning, thus bringing the concepts to life.

Furthermore, Horvath asserted that the main standout feature of imagi is that it gives students space to express themselves, which is a powerful tool for engaging students and building efficacy, a powerful force to raise levels of achievement, specifically for those in traditionally underserved populations. By offering all students equal access to high-quality lessons and integrating with the curriculum, imagi promotes equity, personalizes learning, and provides projects that support mastery of academic concepts.

Horvath and imagi: Modeling Lifelong Learning

[imagi is] very accessible from beginning to higher-level learning.

Horvath summarized the most powerful elements of imagi and what it has meant to students and teachers alike. She also stressed the platform’s flexibility; the fact that the introductory content is free through imagiEDU. In addition, students using Chromebooks can easily participate because it is a web-based program. She highlighted how imagi nurtures student curiosity and creativity, qualities that mirror her own commitment to being a lifelong learner. “I am learning with the students,” she said.

Plans for the Future

Horvath and her team of teachers are already looking forward to next year and how to continue to thread imagi’s lessons into expanded content areas. She is in the beginning stages of collaborating to expand to English Learning Arts classes too, hoping for a class set of charms so that students can bring their creative visions to life on a physical device.

Commitment to Equity and Access 

One thing that will remain constant in Horvath’s professional path, however, is her commitment to making sure all students have the opportunity to learn and grow. Equity and access are more than just words for Horvath; they are principles she embodies, and through her commitment and expertise with imagi, she gives students the tools to construct any future they can envision.

This interview was conducted and edited by Dr. Rhiannon Dunn. Dunn served in roles ranging from student support to teacher to assistant principal for almost two decades. She serves as an educational consultant now whose aim is to use her platform to elevate teacher and student stories to showcase the power of education, specifically the intersection of high-yield instructional strategies and the purposeful use of educational technology. Dunn champions the idea that the power of the universe lies foremost in our classrooms.