[NIFL-WORKPLACE:3836] Re: instructional software

From: KathleenBombach@aol.com
Date: Sat Oct 21 2000 - 12:53:59 EDT


Return-Path: <nifl-workplace@literacy.nifl.gov>
Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id e9LGrx905869; Sat, 21 Oct 2000 12:53:59 -0400 (EDT)
Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2000 12:53:59 -0400 (EDT)
Message-Id: <93.21da31e.27232353@aol.com>
Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov
Reply-To: nifl-workplace@literacy.nifl.gov
Originator: nifl-workplace@literacy.nifl.gov
Sender: nifl-workplace@literacy.nifl.gov
Precedence: bulk
From: KathleenBombach@aol.com
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-workplace@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-WORKPLACE:3836] Re: instructional software
X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas
X-Mailer: Windows AOL sub 100
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Status: O
Content-Length: 1529
Lines: 28

Here are some to check out. They all are integrated packages covering 
multiple levels:
Cali Ellis: features video illustrations of pronunciation.
Plato: Drill based, does not level and place student, weak at the lowest 
levels, GED and higher (college) levels better. Student management system 
measures time on task and percentage pass rates on sections but does not 
identify specific problems.
Invest learning: Lot's of drill, but does level and place student, good 
student management system, starts out with visual and auditory discrimination 
exercises so appropriate for zero level up.
Another alternative is to use word processing for writing, Internet-based 
reading (although it calls upon different processing than book reading so I 
wouldn't leave out book reading) and specific software for math, science, 
technology.
Rosetta Stone is popular with students and has lot's of real world photos and 
scenes that adults seem to like.
Avoid children's packages like Math Blaster unless you are working with 
children or families.
Before you pick software, you might want to look at why you want software:
1. Additional drill and practice work for students?
2. Integrated into class itself?
3. Bring skills to a certain level for occupational training? (There are 
specific packages for specific occupations out there.)
4. In plant instruction during, before, and after work hours? Levi Strauss 
experimented with that and the workers liked it for GED but not for ESL and 
literacy.
Just some thoughts.
Kathleen Bombach



This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Tue Jan 16 2001 - 14:42:46 EST