Back to search

Inspark SmartCourses

  • The Inspark Teaching Network

Textbook replacements, labs, lessons, simulations, and projects that promote active and personalized learning.

Product Website

Inspark operates out of Arizona State University's new Learning Enterprise and is a global network of educators creating and sharing next-generation courseware. We support a consortium of over 100 institutions and collaborate with partners such as CMU, OSU, NAU to develop high quality content. The resources are available to adopt as-is or adapt using our open source platform. Inspark was created out of a $4.5M Next-Generation Courseware Challenge Gates Foundation grant and is supporting a $3.4M Dept. of Education OER grant called OpenSkill. The offerings are simlutation-based and use a narrative arc in the curriculum to keep students motivated.

Starting price
$21 - $60
Per Student, Per Semester
Free Trial
Inclusive Access Available
Need Based Scholarship
Pricing details provided by supplier:

We are a public university supporting other institutions and do not want cost to be a barrier for students so talk to us at [email protected].

How CourseGateway Reviews Products

Reviews are established through an evaluation process applied to each courseware product.

Learn more

How CourseGateway Reviews Products

Reviews are established through an evaluation process applied to each courseware product.

Learn more
05/12/2021
Last evaluated
Reviewed with Rubric v1

Overall

Last evaluated
Reviewed with Rubric v1

Overall

Inspark situates students as the researcher, explorer, and problem solver creating an experience throughout lessons and immersion within lessons. The Product Advisory Board was particularly impressed with Inspark’s engagement approach and product as a whole.

Inspark offers an engaging, entertaining, and immersive learning experience appealing for the most reticent of science students and exciting for the science lovers in the class. Explanations are clear and easy to understand.

Customization for faculty is extensive but may be intimidating for those less comfortable with the mechanics.

Last evaluated
Reviewed with Rubric v1
Last evaluated
Reviewed with Rubric v1

Overall

Inspark situates students as the researcher, explorer, and problem solver creating an experience throughout lessons and immersion within lessons. The Product Advisory Board was particularly impressed with Inspark’s engagement approach and product as a whole.

Inspark offers an engaging, entertaining, and immersive learning experience appealing for the most reticent of science students and exciting for the science lovers in the class. Explanations are clear and easy to understand.

Customization for faculty is extensive but may be intimidating for those less comfortable with the mechanics.

Last evaluated
Reviewed with Rubric v1

Equity

2.5 / 5
Total Equity Rating
Existence and quality of product attributes that promote equitable outcomes for African American/Black, LatinX, Indigenous/Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander and Southeast Asian, and Alaskan Native students, poverty-affected students, and first-generation students.

Inspark has a visually impressive and immersive product experience delivered via quality OER materials to mitigate cost sensitivity and cost barriers.

The student doesn't see themselves in the engagement activities nor in the marketing of the product. Student images are not included in any Inspark Courses provided.

Equity

2.5 / 5
Total Equity Rating
Existence and quality of product attributes that promote equitable outcomes for African American/Black, LatinX, Indigenous/Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander and Southeast Asian, and Alaskan Native students, poverty-affected students, and first-generation students.

Inspark has a visually impressive and immersive product experience delivered via quality OER materials to mitigate cost sensitivity and cost barriers.

The student doesn't see themselves in the engagement activities nor in the marketing of the product. Student images are not included in any Inspark Courses provided.

2.5 / 5
Total Equity Rating
Accessibility
Unavailable
Design
Language
Learning Activities
Outcomes
Student representation
Student supports

Efficacy

3.5 / 5
Total Efficacy Rating
Existence and quality of research that supports a product's effectiveness in improving student learning outcomes.

Faculty case studies and high-level data help provide insight on faculty and student experiences across a range of institution types.

The data provided is high level without deeper analysis of the evidence. There is no evidence of third-party research—particularly research measuring equity by race, income level, etc.

Efficacy

3.5 / 5
Total Efficacy Rating
Existence and quality of research that supports a product's effectiveness in improving student learning outcomes.

Faculty case studies and high-level data help provide insight on faculty and student experiences across a range of institution types.

The data provided is high level without deeper analysis of the evidence. There is no evidence of third-party research—particularly research measuring equity by race, income level, etc.

3.5 / 5
Total Efficacy Rating
Case Studies
Evidence Across Institution Types
Research design support
Rigorous Methodologies
Third-Party Efficacy Research

Functionality

4.5 / 5
Total Functionality Rating
Existence and quality of product attributes that relate to instructional design and user experience.

Students would be wowed to consider this their "text" and their "class." Beyond gaming, this approach allows students to experience foreign countries and the inside of a cell's nucleus in quality photography, video, and animations.

The chronic challenge with high caliber platforms is accessibility for students with limited bandwidth or who are attempting to access materials via their phone. This may be a challenge for students that institutions will need to address.

Functionality

4.5 / 5
Total Functionality Rating
Existence and quality of product attributes that relate to instructional design and user experience.

Students would be wowed to consider this their "text" and their "class." Beyond gaming, this approach allows students to experience foreign countries and the inside of a cell's nucleus in quality photography, video, and animations.

The chronic challenge with high caliber platforms is accessibility for students with limited bandwidth or who are attempting to access materials via their phone. This may be a challenge for students that institutions will need to address.

4.5 / 5
Total Functionality Rating
Adaptivity
Collaboration
Customization
Enables evidence-base teaching practices
Learner Guidance
Measurement and Structure
Usability

Systems Capabilities

4.5 / 5
Total Systems Capabilities Rating
Technical components that indicate systems compatibility, ease of implementation, and data management capabilities.

Inspark’s design was clearly cognizant of data analysis and learner support at a granular level. All primary LMS integrations are provided up front.

None.

Systems Capabilities

4.5 / 5
Total Systems Capabilities Rating
Technical components that indicate systems compatibility, ease of implementation, and data management capabilities.

Inspark’s design was clearly cognizant of data analysis and learner support at a granular level. All primary LMS integrations are provided up front.

None.

4.5 / 5
Total Systems Capabilities Rating
Content Management
Course Administration
Data Access

CourseGateway Reviews

Product reviews are performed by our Product Advisory Board, an independent panel of educators and practitioners.

Our product advisory board

CourseGateway Reviews

Product reviews are performed by our Product Advisory Board, an independent panel of educators and practitioners.

Our product advisory board
Support
Email for Faculty
Email for Student
In-Person Faculty Training/Onboarding
Instructional Design / Course Development Services
Technology/Platform Integration
Text/Chat for Faculty
Virtual Faculty Training/Onboarding
Courses
Introductory Anatomy & Physiology
Introductory English Composition
Introductory General Biology
Introductory General Chemistry
Introductory Physics
Disciplines
Biology
Chemistry
English
Physics
Political Science
Sociology
LMS Integrations
Blackboard
Brightspace
Canvas
Moodle
Sakai
Schoology
Standards Integrations
IMS Global LTI Tool Consumer
IMS Global LTI Tool Provider
Product Features
Formative Assessments
Hints and Feedback
Instructor Activities
Instructor Content
Instructor Outcomes
Interactive
Native Learning Activities
Native Learning Content
Progress Tracking (Instructor)
Progress Tracking (Student)
Summative Assessments
Third-Party Activities
Third-Party Content
Third-Party Outcomes

How CourseGateway Reviews Products

Reviews are established through an evaluation process applied to each courseware product.

Learn more

How CourseGateway Reviews Products

Reviews are established through an evaluation process applied to each courseware product.

Learn more