History of Thinking Maps, Inc.
Innovative Sciences, Inc. (ISI) was founded in 1970. In 1994, a special division of ISI called the Innovative Learning Group was established to further research, development, and implementation of Thinking Maps® as tools for learning. Below is a list of our company milestones:
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1941
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Dr. Albert Upton, professor of English and Russian Literature at Whittier College, California, writes Design for Thinking, a theoretical text defining fundamental thinking processes based on semantics, cognitive psychology, and problem-solving.
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1958
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Richard Samson enrolls at Whittier College. He becomes a "Super Coach" for Upton's undergraduate course using Graded Exercises in Analysis for facilitating group problem-solving. He rewrites this text and model with Upton as Creative Analysis.
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1960
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New York Times publishes Bellevue-Wechsler IQ test results showing that the Upton Method (using Creative Analysis) changed the "intelligence" of the 210 students in his class by an average of 10 points using the "Upton-Samson" model.
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1970
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Innovative Sciences, Inc. (ISI) is founded in Stamford, Connecticut by Charles Adams based on funding by Prudential Insurance, the identified need to improve the thinking and problem-solving abilities of the work force, and research findings by Albert Upton.
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1972
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With leadership from Mike Gilrod, ISI creates the THINK! reading program and INTUITIVE MATH for schools K-12. These comprehensive materials are based on Upton and Guilford's "Structure of Intellect" as content-based thinking skills programs.
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1975
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900 school systems have introduced ISI thinking skills programs into their schools. Reading score gains are verified in Detroit, Michigan, Cleveland, Ohio, Tacoma, Washington, and many other sites around the country.
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1982
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ISI revises materials and creates the Strategic Reasoning program for regular classroom applications. Dr. Antoinette Worsham publishes dissertation results in ASCD's Educational Leadership showing significant changes in student performance.
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1983
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Dr. Arthur Whimbey's texts, Analytical Reading and Reasoning (1983) and Mastering Reading Through Reasoning (1985) are first published by ISI and show significant changes in students' cross-discipline reading comprehension performance.
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1988
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Using the Upton Model as a guide the Thinking Maps® are created by David Hyerle during the writing of Expand Your Thinking. This first resource for teaching using Thinking Maps® is published by ISI and training using Thinking Maps® begins.
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1990
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Designs for Thinking Connectively manual is produced by David Hyerle as a theoretical and practical revision of the Upton-Samson Model using Thinking Maps®. Expand Your Thinking article is published by ASCD in Developing Minds.
ISI is acquired by new owners, including the new president, Sherwin Suddreth, and is moved to Cary, North Carolina. The company focuses efforts on professional development with whole schools using Thinking Maps® as learning tools.
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1992
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Thinking Maps® resource materials (Draw Your Thinking, Show Your Thinking, and Map Your Thinking) are developed for every elementary grade level. Thinking Maps® pilot sites are established in North Carolina, New York City, Texas, and Mississippi, in grades K-12.
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1994
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Test results show that Thinking Maps® significantly affect standardized and qualitative measures of student performance. David Hyerle publishes dissertation on Thinking Maps®. The Innovative Learning Group is formed as a division of ISI.
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1995
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Thinking Maps®: Tools for Learning guide is published as a synthesis of key resources for using Thinking Maps®. Implementation continues in over 300 whole schools from 12 states. Thinking Maps® software is developed and piloted in schools.
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1998
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Write... from the Beginning, a writing program by Jane Buckner based on Thinking Maps®, is published. Initially a K-3 writing program, it is later expanded to K-5.
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Present
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Over 2,000 whole schools from across the United States have received in-depth training and follow-up using Thinking Maps®. Internationally, Thinking Maps® are now being used in New Zealand and Singapore.
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