IIM
Independent Investigation Method
 
   

About IIM Training:
Training at Your Site

Our training seminars allow teachers to connect required curriculum and state standards to the unique method that makes research fun—the Independent Investigation Method. Let our experts motivate, energize, and activate your teaching staff with IIM training—guaranteed to give results. Teachers become the learners, immersing themselves in the research process to bring proven techniques back to their own classrooms.

ARRA Stimulus Opportunity

piggy bank

The Federal Government’s economic stimulus package offers significant educational funds to increase student achievement by expanding opportunities for all children through Title 1 and by providing high-quality professional development through Title II. Choose which IIM training and materials will meet the needs of your school.

Active Learning Systems’ Title I & II/ARRA Eligible Professional Development and Materials
  1. A research model with proven effectiveness for teaching and maintaining skills for the 21st century
  2. Rationale for use of Federal funds
  3. Long-term, on-site professional development customized for your school
  4. A Train-the-Trainer model for cost-effective, on-site program support
  5. An on-line store with resources to promote teacher effectiveness and reward student achievement

Introduce IIM to Your Staff

Need a way to introduce IIM to your staff? Download these PowerPoint presentations and customize them with slides from your own school IIM units.

Training Options for Your School or District

2-hour overview of IIM
This option gives participants a general understanding of the IIM research process, shows them a research study done the IIM way, and displays a variety of student projects. This is good for parents, administrators, large audiences (districts or conferences), or as an introduction to research teaching when follow-up training is planned. Presentations of 1 hour and 1.5 hours are available for conferences.

3-hour training in one level of the IIM model
This is the minimum time suggested to give your teachers the information necessary to implement the process in their classrooms. They will follow the 7 steps of IIM at one level and identify skills and strategies to use immediately within their teaching responsibility. They will also view a display of teacher units and student projects.

6-hour training in the IIM model
Participants are engaged for a full day of hands-on action using all seven steps at one level of the process. They will leave the session with a variety of strategies to use for success with their students and an outline for a unit plan based on their required curriculum and state standards and integrated into their own school-based initiatives. Send an individual or small group to a 6-hour seminar.

2-, 3-, or 6-hour follow-up training to extend the process
A variety of formats are possible depending on your goals, needs, and the length of workshop. Participants can move to the next level of the process, design curriculum for schoolwide themes, focus on specific strategies, work on assessment of process and product, or learn about technology and advanced research skills.

Multi-day residencies
Offer 6-hour training sessions to several different groups. This residency could also include: curriculum development, model lessons, in-school team consultation, evening parent workshops, follow-up sessions for advanced skills and technology, and/or building a scope and sequence customized for your district.

Courses
Courses are designed to fit continuing education needs and can also be coordinated with the requirements for college credits.

1.5-hour training for parents and their children
Parents learn ways to support their children in a research project without taking over ownership of the assignment. Children and parents go through a typical assignment together, participating in action-oriented, interactive activities for each step of the process.

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Training of IIM Trainers

4-day Institute
When a cadre of teachers at one location has been trained in IIM, many districts use on-site Training of IIM Trainers as the most cost-effective way to capitalize on their initial investment. Your trainers will then train new staff, reassure those with less experience, and keep the model active and valid. Teachers and administrators collaborate as they combine training to be a IIM trainer with the unique challenges of their own district – student populations, budget, testing requirements, district initiatives – to make the most positive impact on the teaching and learning in their own schools. 

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