Web 2.0 tools
 Martina Henke has compiled some helpful teacher-friendly web 2.0 tools. Click here to visit her page.
Middle Link
Technology Initiatives
Achieve 3000 | Fast ForWord | MyAccess | Skills Alaska/SOAR
Achieve 3000
Achieve 3000 is an online program that delivers high-interest current event news articles to each student at his or her own reading level. The program focuses on reading comprehension activities but also addresses writing and math skills. Achieve 3000 is an interdisciplinary tool, allowing teachers from all subject areas to assign relevant articles at a level most appropriate for the student. Every article is available at 11 reading levels, enabling differentiation of instruction for every student. The program constantly increases reading difficultly in order to improve student skill levels.
TeenBiz (the version used at middle and high) is currently being field-tested in several middle school classrooms in the Anchorage School District. The publisher’s Web site provides background information on its pedagogy and the Lexile Framework it uses for differentiating instruction.
Fast ForWord
Fast ForWord is a program that provides computer-based instruction for language and reading skill development. The program is designed to improve phonemic awareness and processing skills, leading to an improvement in reading skills. Rather than replacing existing reading programs, Fast ForWord is a tool that works well in conjunction with or as a precursor to existing programs. Research has shown that Fast ForWord can be a valuable intervention for a number of populations, including special education students, English language learners, students with attention problems, and those scoring below proficient on reading benchmarks.
Fast ForWord is currently being used in a handful of middle schools in the Anchorage School District. Find out more about “wiring the brain for academic gain” at the publisher’s Web site.
MyAccess Writing Program
MyAccess is an online writing program that allows students to receive immediate feedback on six different dimensions of writing. The program utilizes a scoring engine to grade students’ essays instantly and provides targeted feedback so that students can continue revising and improving their essays over time. The program may be utilized in different curricular areas and provides differentiated instruction for students based on their writing skills.
MyAccess is currently being field-tested to some extent at each middle school in the Anchorage School District. The publisher’s Web site provides a product tour as well background information.
Skills Alaska/SOAR
Skills Alaska is a standards driven, web-based, program designed to help teachers and students raise achievement and exceed the requirements of NCLB. Skills Alaska consists of two complementary programs: The Assessment Center, a teacher-centered formative assessment tool designed to help guide instruction; and SkillsTutor, a student-centered interactive skill building and remediation program designed to meet individual student needs.
SOAR (Student Online Achievement Resources) is a free web-based program that allows parents to identify areas where students may need improvement and select instructional or remediation activities to meet those specific needs. For famlies in transition, the program can be aigned to curricular standards for any state in the union. Give it a try at www.soarathome.org.
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