If the three r’s define education’s past, there are five i’s—information, images, interaction, inquiry, and innovation—that forecast its future, one in which students think for themselves, actively self-assess, and enthusiastically use technology to further their learning and contribute to the world.

What students need, but too often do not get, is deliberate instruction in the critical and creative thinking skills that make this vision possible. The i5 approach provides a way to develop these skills in the context of content-focused and technology-powered lessons that give students the opportunity to

Seek and acquire new information.
Use visual images and nonlinguistic representations to add meaning.
Interact with others to obtain and provide feedback and enhance understanding.
Engage in inquiry—use and develop a thinking skill that will expand and extend knowledge.
Generate innovative insights and products related to the lesson goals.