SOFTWARE
Scholastic Literacy Software - http://www.scholastic.com/browse/subarticle.jsp?id=2761
Fortunately, there are programs that open the door to exploration and discovery — software that encourages your child to think, create, and communicate. Finding the right titles takes a little time, but it's worth the effort. Here are some tips to help you in your quest.
Software:
Read 180
http://read180.scholastic.com
Read 180 is a scholastic product Designed to improve skills of upper elementary and middle school students who are reading below grade level. Student-teacher interaction occurs through one-on-one instruction as well as small and whole group instruction. This software provides word study, vocabulary, comprehension and spelling skills. Students can enjoy audiobooks with a narrator or read paperbacks independently. There is a teachers edition which assists and manages assessment and monitoring of student progress. The software also comes complete with the Scholastic Inventory System and various activities. In just two professional days, teachers can effectively learn the program. Teacher training includes instruction techniques, software integration and curriculum integration, reading strategy models and classroom management techniques
Cost: $25,000 per school (unlimited users)
Expert Space
http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/digital_curriculum/expertspace/index.htm
Expert space is for grades 4-12 and contains over 100 science and social studies concepts alone. The program features "anchored" instruction leveled text, read aloud functionality and vocabulary support so all students can access the text and develop content area knowledge. The software also utilizes organizers such as a project planner and calendar and a digital locker to help students collect and sort information as well as plan and complete assignments on time. Skill building exercises, note-taking tools and citation and bibliography generators help to develop lifelong skills for research analysis. The program also provides multiple reading scaffolds to ensure all students are able to access information. The software focuses on common curriculum topics but provides access to articles, videos, images, timelines, web links, maps and many other forms of media to deepen understanding. Expert space does an excellent job of building knowledge and helping students find deeper meaning in literature. These digital learning materials can meet each individual students needs no matter how diverse his or her learning styles and reading levels may be. Expert space meets the requirements of funding opportunities for Title I and IDEA.
Cost: Free 30-Day Trial will access price quotes based on quantity
Fortunately, there are programs that open the door to exploration and discovery — software that encourages your child to think, create, and communicate. Finding the right titles takes a little time, but it's worth the effort. Here are some tips to help you in your quest.
- Do a little research. Ask other parents, kids, and teachers about their favorite software. Read reviews in home and educational computing magazines.
- Visit a computer store, the local library, or a friend's home where you and your child can try out the software. Or encourage your child's school to sponsor a technology fair.
- Select programs with educational value. Most kids already spend enough time on video games and television. Make the computer a place where fun and learning come together in exciting ways.
- Find out what software your child is using in school. If he or she has a favorite, you may want to buy a copy for home use. Your child will already know how to use the programs and may be able to work on school projects at home and share them with the family.
- Select programs that match your child's age and ability, and consider programs that let you spend quality time with your child.
- Look for child appeal — playful programs with appealing graphics, sound, music, animation, and a sense of humor.
- Put your child in the driver's seat! Choose programs in which your child is active, interacts frequently with the computer, and makes decisions that determine what will happen next.
- Look for software that helps your child develop his or her creativity, communication, and thinking skills. Graphics, word processing, and publishing programs encourage children to express themselves by creating tangible products to share with friends and family. For younger authors and artists, it's best to purchase creativity software designed specifically for children.
- Keep your child's interests in mind. Are they aspiring artists, authors, or musicians? Do they love nature, astronomy, or geography? When appropriate, let children help make selections.
- Be sure the software is easy enough for the child to use independently. Programs should feature clear buttons and commands, on-screen directions, and a user's guide just in case you run into a problem.
- Look for software that includes several levels of difficulty so children can experience immediate success and then move on to more challenging levels. Parent/teacher options that allow you to set the level are especially useful.
- Be sure activities, projects, and games are compelling and offer enough variety so children will use the program more than once or twice. Don't be upset, though, if your child sets the program aside after a week or two. They've probably already enjoyed long hours of fun and adventure, and, just as with a good book may come back to it.
- Build a balanced collection that includes creativity tools, research tools, simulations, and educational games.
- Identify reliable sources, trusted brand names, an informed salesperson, or a specialized catalog.
- If you have the needed hardware, opt for CD-ROM versions when available. They usually include better sound and graphics, more resources, and even additional activities.
- Be sure you have the necessary hardware (i.e., the right kind of computer and monitor, adequate memory, an appropriate drive, enough room on your hard drive, and peripherals such as CD-ROM, sound board, mouse, or joystick.)
- Enjoy the process! It's a whole new world, and exploring the possibilities is an adventure in itself!
Software:
Read 180
http://read180.scholastic.com
Read 180 is a scholastic product Designed to improve skills of upper elementary and middle school students who are reading below grade level. Student-teacher interaction occurs through one-on-one instruction as well as small and whole group instruction. This software provides word study, vocabulary, comprehension and spelling skills. Students can enjoy audiobooks with a narrator or read paperbacks independently. There is a teachers edition which assists and manages assessment and monitoring of student progress. The software also comes complete with the Scholastic Inventory System and various activities. In just two professional days, teachers can effectively learn the program. Teacher training includes instruction techniques, software integration and curriculum integration, reading strategy models and classroom management techniques
Cost: $25,000 per school (unlimited users)
Expert Space
http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/digital_curriculum/expertspace/index.htm
Expert space is for grades 4-12 and contains over 100 science and social studies concepts alone. The program features "anchored" instruction leveled text, read aloud functionality and vocabulary support so all students can access the text and develop content area knowledge. The software also utilizes organizers such as a project planner and calendar and a digital locker to help students collect and sort information as well as plan and complete assignments on time. Skill building exercises, note-taking tools and citation and bibliography generators help to develop lifelong skills for research analysis. The program also provides multiple reading scaffolds to ensure all students are able to access information. The software focuses on common curriculum topics but provides access to articles, videos, images, timelines, web links, maps and many other forms of media to deepen understanding. Expert space does an excellent job of building knowledge and helping students find deeper meaning in literature. These digital learning materials can meet each individual students needs no matter how diverse his or her learning styles and reading levels may be. Expert space meets the requirements of funding opportunities for Title I and IDEA.
Cost: Free 30-Day Trial will access price quotes based on quantity
