1. Sheppard Software: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com
The website has a lot of interactive activities, educational games, and quizzes on all subject areas and grade levels. The best part is that it's all FREE!!! This software could be utilized in the classroom as Independent Practice for students to reinforce lesson concepts or skills.
EX: A Geography lesson on the 5 states. Students could use the interactive software to answer question about the locations of the states on a map.
2. Inspiration/Kidspiration: http://www.inspiration.com/kidspiration
This software is great to utilize in the classroom for students to make visual connections about lesson concepts and skills. The software strengthens students' reading and writing skills, builds their conceptual understanding in math, and helps them to develop strong thinking skills. The software has free 30 day trials for desktops or web-based softwares.
EX: A Science lesson about the parts of a pumpkin or the steps a pumpkin grows. Students can create a picture view of the pumpkin and its parts and/or how the pumpkin grows. Students can also expand their ideas into written expressions.
3. Starfall: http://www.starfall.com
This is a FREE website to teach students to read with phonics. The website has exciting phonic games and online interactive books for Pre-K thru 2nd grades, special education, homeschool, and English language development.
EX: I would utilize the software during centers. In the computer lab, students could practice with phonic and phonemic awareness skills.
4. Renaissance Learning: http://www.renlearn.com
Accelerated Reader is a very popular software used in public schools in Mobile, Alabama. Students are given assessment tests to find out their reading level. They are only to select books on their level to read and take a test on. Students are required to make a passing grade or they must re-read the book and take the test again. I think it is an excellent example of extrinsic motivation.
EX: During Reading block, students read books and take tests daily. They will keep a log of the books they've read and their test grades. I would establish a point system, in which, students would have to read a certain number of books (set a goal for each student), and pass their tests. At the end of each month, I would reward the students who achieved their reading goals with trinkets or food coupons.
5. IXL: http://www.ixl.com
This website is great for the reinforcement of students' mathematical skills. It allows the students to practice math skills based on the lesson concepts and it keeps track of their progress. Teachers can know how long it took the student to work on a certain problem; their stregthens and weaknesses. Teachers can also set goals for their students, and even assign IXL as homework. It also has a reward system, in which, students can win prizes as they practice. Another great thing about this site is that it gives math skills to practice for state standards tests. The program gives a 30-day free trial for a class. The cost is $100 to for a class to join.
EX: During Math block, I would have students work as Independent Practice to reinforce a previously taught lesson. Students can also be split into teams and compete to solve the math problems. Teacher can set a timer and give points to the first student who answers the problem correctly. If the student cannot answer the question, the team may assist them. If the team cannot answer it, then the other team has a chance to earn the point if the question is answered correctly. The team with the most points win.
***Check This Out***
A good article about the effects of educational softwares on students (all ages),academically at Education.Com "Educational Software and Academic Benefits" http://www.education.com/reference/article/educational-software-academic-benefits
Free Software For Students: http://www.freesoftwareforstudents.org/uk/index.htmlA great website with free software for teachers, students, or parents need to use computers for school work; AT NO FINANCIAL COST!!!
Degree Central: http://degreecentral.com/great-free-software-for-students
Another website with some great FREE software.
Twitter Reference
Microsoft Sees A New Image Of Itself In Windows 8: http://buswk.co/TjcP5L via @BW
Edwina, You have found some awesome educational software. I agree that sometimes finding the right fit can be very challenging. However, when you do,I feel that it can make a difference and help support a child's educational development. I personally use a few of these software programs in my classroom. I enjoy them and know that my students also enjoy using them daily.
ReplyDeleteHeather, I truly agree with you. It does make a difference and help support the chil's development. I use some of the software with my grandson and the students I tutor. I just wish it was more time to allow students to use the software in the classroom. They are really good reinforcements of the lesson concepts learned. Thanks for your comment. I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteEdwina,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing some great information! I have added the inspiration and sheppard software sites to my favorites. I look forward one day to being able to implement these in my classroom! I can see the benefit these types of programs would have for reinforcing skills taught in class.
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ReplyDeleteMy comment was here twice. I deleted one and now they are both gone, lol. These are great websites! I use starfall and ixl. I feel they are very beneficial as well as enjoyable for the students. Our students has access to ixl at home through the school account. I get a report every week showing who has worked with the site and what they worked on. It's great, I just wish more students took advantage of it. I have never used the other two you mentioned but can't wait to give them a try with my students!
ReplyDeleteSorry, that should be have!
DeleteI also agree with holding students accountable to their reading logs and rewarding those who take advantage of the reading block and takes test on schedule according to how many points they need. It promotes responsibility and an urge to want to become a better reader and test taker which improves comprehension! Loved the other web resources you mentioned as well. It is good to start making bookmarks of these for future references! Good job!
ReplyDelete