The quality of edtech matters. Effective learning solutions must keep their end recipients—students and teachers—at the forefront. At ExploreLearning, specialized teams support all four STEM products to make learning experiences effective and engaging. But what does it take to create an adaptive and educational program? What steps are involved in the process?
Take a closer look at how teams developed and continue to refine the elementary math solution, Frax!
Get ready—Frax Sector 3 is coming soon!
Coming in fall 2025, NEW Frax Sector 3 will help students level up their learning with all-new adventures that extend and deepen their understanding of fractions. In Sector 3, students use the foundations built in Sectors 1 and 2 to navigate new worlds and develop a strong and durable mastery of grade 5 fraction arithmetic. No tricks or memorization required.
Developing Frax: A collaborative effort
Frax is an adaptive, game-based program that helps elementary students develop a foundational understanding of fractions. The Frax team uses subject-matter knowledge, rigorous research, and a commitment to high-quality edtech tools to create a one-of-a-kind fractions learning experience for all students.
The team behind Frax
With years of expertise in mathematics, research, and product development, the developers behind Frax uniquely understand the common challenges of teaching fractions and the best instructional practices that help students develop a critical understanding of fractions. Frax Product Designers continuously enhance the product to bring students and teachers the most accurate and engaging fractions practice.
Crafting a high-quality fractions program
Listen to some Frax team members share a behind-the-scenes look at the product and their work!
Using data to create personalized learning experiences
How does Frax create an adaptive learning environment for all students? Heather Spence, Product Designer for Frax, shares the key steps and data involved in the process. Heather’s background in physics, engineering, and cognitive skills training has given her a unique perspective on designing products that teach and adapt to learners’ needs.
“By constantly analyzing our user data and fine-tuning the student experience, our Frax team is working every day to ensure that our product grows alongside its learners.”
-Heather Spence
Pedagogy, purpose, and targeted feedback
Meet Dan Moriarty, Frax Product Designer. Dan is a former high school math teacher who spent multiple years supporting the creation of the ExploreLearning Gizmos math library before joining the Frax Content Evolution team. Dan now focuses on the text and pedagogy within each Frax mission. Listen to Dan share an example of how the team utilized student feedback to improve learning experiences involving fractions on a number line.
“Ultimately, we don’t want students just to get good at Frax. We’re trying to create knowledge they can take with them in any setting.”
-Dan Moriarty
Product growth and continuous improvements
Dr. Faith Peddie, former math educator, instructional coach, and researcher, now serves as a Product Designer on the Frax team. Press play to discover how the team uses data analysis to enhance and improve content iterations and pedagogy within Frax. Dr. Peddie also discusses her work designing Frax Captain’s Checkpoints, offline events that extend and reinforce learning in the classroom.
“What excites me most about ExploreLearning and Frax’s future is the opportunity for continued collaboration with educators.”
-Dr. Faith Peddie
Why Frax stands out in the edtech world
After hearing from Product Designers, it’s clear that Frax is an unparalleled fractions learning solution. Frax is committed not only to the quality of development but also to the purpose behind each learning experience for students and teachers.
And when students use an expert-designed product, they demonstrate substantial academic growth. New research found that students who used Frax were significantly more likely to achieve grade-level math proficiency by the end of 3rd grade, regardless of their starting achievement levels.
Frax’s research-based approach helps students develop a conceptual understanding of fractions, which in turn empowers teachers to propel their instruction forward in ways only they can do best.
