Friday, September 26, 2008

New Study Island K-1 and Fine Arts programs

As we start a new school year, there are plenty of things to be excited about...I am thrilled to announce that Study Island also has some exciting updates as we transition into fall!

The K-1 program is now available! For all of our kindergarten and first grade teachers who have been waiting patiently for Study Island, you will not be disappointed! You can access the online demo at: http://www.studyisland.com/mi

The new National Fine Arts program for elementary and middle school students. Many states have standards focused on the arts (visual arts, music, dance, and theater) and Study Island has been paying attention.

Teacher Web! Study Island is so excited to now be working with Teacher Web. Teacher Web is an amazing product that allows teachers, schools and districts to create their own web pages that can also host blogs, podcasts, photos and more! What a great way to increase the home-school connection!

Please call or email if you would like additional information on any of our newest additions! We can also schedule a time to meet at your school to review using Study Island. I can be reached at kathleen@studyisland.com or 800-419-3191 ext. 7627.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you,

Kathleen Bendernagel

Monday, September 22, 2008

The Saginaw News - Study Island mention

Below is an excerpt of an article from the Saginaw News last week. The entire article can be found at The Saginaw News

"Students at Chesaning Middle School are getting more practice in various academic subject areas online.

Fifth- through eighth-graders have access to Study Island, a Web-based state assessment preparation provider. Students log onto the math, English and science lessons at school and at home, where parents can help their children.

Students answer questions and receive an explanation why a response is correct.

Teachers also are using Study Island in class as a supplement to their lessons, said Principal Michael McGough. Cost is about $4,000."

Please contact me, Kathleen.bendernagel@studyisland.com or 800-419-3191 ext. 7627, to schedule a Study Island meeting at your school or for further information.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you,

Kathleen Bendernagel

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Study Island's New Kindergarten and 1st grade programs!


We are pleased to announce the release of Study Island’s Kindergarten and 1st grade Math and Reading programs!


These programs are designed to help students master their Kindergarten and 1st grade reading and math skills.

Please let me know if would like to set up a time to review our new program. Feel free to contact me at 800-419-3191 ext. 7627 or kathleen.bendernagel@studyisland.com

I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you,

Kathleen Bendernagel

Monday, September 15, 2008

New Study Released - Study Island Helps Increase Standardized Test Score Performance

Study Island Helps Increase Standardized Test Score Performance --

Review of Study Island Published on Aug 16, 2008
http://www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/reviews/4636.aspx

Below is an excerpt of the article:

Study Island is a web-based computer program that allows students to practice state standards and indicators. The best part is that students, teachers and parents can keep track of student progress.

NCLB requires that all educational programs need to be based on research. Study Island has provided documentation that they are using research based procedures. A new independent study, Study Island Scientific Research Base by Magnolia Consulting in July 2008, shows that it “provides documentation that connects the key features of the Study Island program to scientific and academic research literature.”

In addition, the research showed that when “teachers used web-based instruction to supplement classroom instruction it was 13% more effective than classroom instruction alone at teaching declarative knowledge, suggesting a combination of the two formats may lead to better achievement than classroom instruction alone.”

The content on Study Island is written from state standards. The program gives diagnostic, formative and summative results to teachers and administrators. In addition, it allows for an assessment feedback loop, reinforces learning through practice, motivates students, supports mastery, and uses a web-based platform. Anther great feature is that it encourages parental involvement.

How It Works

Study Island allows students to practice and to build skills over time toward mastery. Students can practice math, reading, writing, science or social studies. Once students are connected to the online program, they choose how many questions they want to answer. If they are not familiar with an indicator or standard, basic lessons are available. When they begin their session, they receive immediate feedback for their answers. Students and teachers can see the progress in any subject and/or indicator on the computer screen.

This supports the research from the report that says that the best feedback encourages students to keep working until they succeed and tells students what they know about the target knowledge instead of telling how they did in comparison to others.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Learning made fun!

Kinesthetic & Visual Learning Using Smartboards

Students can interactively become proficient, master standards and review for the MEAP using Study Island on Smartboards. The teacher projects Study Island on the smartboard for all to view and allows students to take turns coming up to the board and physically touching the answer choices. They can discuss the mini lessons, go over questions, discuss the process of problem solving (metacognition), and enjoy the various writing prompts on the interactive board. How does this look in the lab? I’ve witnessed teachers reviewing standards, whole group direct instruction as multiple choice questions or with games on the smartboard and then having students logon later and assess what they just learned on individual computers.

Here’s a little addition to the Smart Board idea – the smart boards have “pens” in different colors that you can use to “write” with on the smart boards – I have seen teachers let their kids work the math problems out to the side of the answer choices and then click on the choice once they have “worked out the problem” - As most teachers do, I often used the following quote with my 4th graders: “Show me your work!” – plus the kids love getting to write on the board!

Great for kinesthetic and visual learners!