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.

Study Island - continuously updated

Study Island's web-based GLCE/HSCE Mastery and MEAP/MME prep programs are now used by over 800 Michigan schools. I wanted to share with you some of the new changes we have made and continue to make to our programs.

▪ Content has been realigned for the updated 2008 GLCEs/HSCEs

▪ Expanded question bank

▪ Upload of students can contain demographic information such as race, ethnicity, special ed, etc and also can generate a subgroup performance report

▪ New reports including a performance level breakdown report of the # of students scoring L1, L2, L3, and L4 in each topic

▪ Two new games for students to play with more in the works!

▪ Ability to block content for students so that they can only access what has been assigned

▪ Filtering option on reports by date, time, and day

▪ Ability for teachers to edit the passing levels for students

These are just some of the changes. If you would like to take a look at our demo again, here is a quick link, www.studyisland.com/misales

I would be glad as well to come out and demonstrate the program for you and your colleagues.

Sincerely,
Kathleen Bendernagel


Kathleen Bendernagel
Study Island - MI Representative
800-419-3191 ext. 7627
248-255-3356
kathleen.bendernagel@studyisland.com
www.studyisland.com

Study Island - An Educational Need

We have been working with Steve from the Michigan School for the Deaf since March 2007. They recently bought Study Island and will hopefully start using it soon. I am sure his expectations will be evident in their test results!

Check out his report:

http://deafsteve.edublogs.org/2008/04/28/techquest-project-description/

Study Island is:

-A simple tool that can improve student achievement – think AYP

-Aligned and specifically written to the Michigan GLCEs

-Offers terrific real-time data to teachers and administrators for identifying proficiencies as well as gaps and weaknesses in all students

-Fully web-based; students can use the program not just at school, but at home or library; creates a stronger school-to-home connection

-Fun and easy for students and teacher to use

-Study Island is perfect in summer programs!

Please feel free to contact me for further Study Island information or with any questions you may have. I can be reached at kathleen.bendernagel@studyisland.com or 800-419-3191 ext. 7627.

Thank you,

Kathleen Bendernagel