Individualized Web-based Learning Tools for the Elementary Student
presented with Leanna Deters, August 4th.
These are our top picks because they are effective for the elementary classroom and worth the time or money you have to spend on setting them up. Once the student accounts are set up and the student has been introduced to the website, these sites allow individual students to work on their own and track their progress. Teachers should plan to allow their students several blocks of time to learn how to use these sites, but then they are available for students to work independently throughout the year.
typingclub.com
code.org
teachyourmonstertoread.com
storybird.com
IXL.com
Khan Academy
presented with Leanna Deters, August 4th.
These are our top picks because they are effective for the elementary classroom and worth the time or money you have to spend on setting them up. Once the student accounts are set up and the student has been introduced to the website, these sites allow individual students to work on their own and track their progress. Teachers should plan to allow their students several blocks of time to learn how to use these sites, but then they are available for students to work independently throughout the year.
typingclub.com
- Students learn and practice keyboarding skills.
- Most effective for students in grades 2-5.
- Free for individuals as long as they have an email.
- Free data retention for 30-60 days.
- Subscription is about $2.50 per student/ per year.
- School subscriptions allow teachers to track student progress and assign lessons.
- Classroom accounts can be set up without emails using data imported from your roster spreadsheet.
- Web-based software available from home
- Lessons are short, useful for when students have a few minutes of free time
code.org
- Students learn and practice modern coding skills.
- Effective for any age. Course 1 works well for primary and course 2 for intermediate. There is a small amount of instructions that need to be read. The instructions will need to be read to the low or non-readers. The kids are very good at helping each other with the reading, however, the teacher may have to help.
- Completely free.
- Classroom accounts can be set up without emails using data imported from your roster spreadsheet.
- Teachers may assign a coding course and track progress.
- Opportunity to create products after taking courses
teachyourmonstertoread.com
- Students learn decoding skills and basic vocabulary through playing a fun game.
- Most effective for primary students and those intermediate students who need to learn and practice decoding skills.
- There are currently 3 levels available.
- Teachers may assign a level and track progress.
- Classroom accounts can be set up without emails using data imported from your roster spreadsheet.
storybird.com
- Student use free artwork to inspire writing poems, picture books, or chapter books that they may publish and share with others.
- Completely free for individuals and educators.
- Most effective for students in grades 2-5.
- Teachers and others may view and comment on student stories.
- Classroom accounts can be set up without emails using data imported from your roster spreadsheet.
- Free for teachers and students
- Safe and simple blog posting site for kids to use
- Students and teachers can comment and reply to each others’ posts
- Teachers can moderate posts and comments if they wish
- Students (and teachers) can post from anywhere (web-based)
- password protected
- Student writing is saved, useful for portfolios.
IXL.com
- Math and language arts skill building
- Skills are very specific, and based on Common Core Standards
- Easy to modify to challenge high level students, or accommodate lower level students
- Free to use, although paid accounts will be able to track progress
- Questions come in a variety of formats, can be good practice for standardized testing
- Incorrect answers result in specific reteaching explaining why they missed the problem
Khan Academy
- Thousands of videos explaining math concepts
- Teachers can set up classrooms to schedule and monitor student progress
- Resources for above and below level students
- Free to use, need login to set up classes