District Administration - July/August 2012 - (Page 85)

productfocus • • Courtney Williams A Guide to one seGment of educAtion technoloGy Reading Software Tailored to Students With a vast number of new software and Web-based reading programs on the market, students of all ages and abilities can target specific reading skills, such as comprehension, fluency, phonemic awareness and vocabulary. In addition, access has changed greatly over the last couple of years. Students no longer need to be in a computer lab to use Web-based programs; they can use laptops or tablets as part of a one-to-one computing program or their own devices if their school has a bring-your-own-device policy. Most new Web-based programs can be accessed from any device and are aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). As these standards become more widely followed, educators need to find ways to interest students in nonfiction books, as that is a major component of the CCSS. Capstone Digital’s myON Reader, a Web-based reading program, provides access to more than 2,500 books, customized to each student’s interests and reading ability. Other reading programs offer resources specifically for English language learners. One example is MindPlay Virtual Reading Coach, which scaffolds learning for ELLs by allowing them to hear a virtual speech pathologist give direct instruction in English and activity directions in Spanish. The reading programs featured can be used for intervention programs, as supplements for after-school tutoring or as part of classroom instruction. lexia leaRning lexia Reading, contact lexia for pricing Lexia Reading helps educators identify students of greatest need, predicts whether students will finish the year on grade level, and offers recommendations to improve student performance. It features seven new lessons that can be used on an interactive whiteboard with the entire class or with targeted small groups. A mobile application is available for the Apple iPhone. MindPlay Virtual Reading coach, contact mindPlay for pricing Using strategies of reading teachers and speech pathologists, MindPlay Virtual Reading Coach provides differentiated instruction based on a student’s initial diagnostic testing. Multiple tiers allow educators to use this program as a core reading program or for intervention. To support ELLs, a virtual speech pathologist can give direct instruction in English and activity directions in Spanish. acadeMic MeRiT literary companion, $10 per student annually Academic Merit has focused its efforts on the Common Core’s College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards in reading, writing and language for secondary education. Literary Companion is a text-dependent, online, closereading tool that is part of Academic Merit’s suite of tools. This suite provides professional development for educators and assesses students often to help teachers target direct instruction. ScholaSTic Read 180, contact scholastic for pricing This reading program is for students in grades 3 through 12, as well as special education and ELL students. It enables differentiated instruction through adaptive and instructional software technology; printed literature; direct instruction in reading, writing and vocabulary skills; and professional development. Read 180 also provides tools for administrators by collecting and organizing districtwide student performance data through the Scholastic Achievement Manager application. July/August 2012 85 RenaiSSance leaRning Accelerated Reader, contact Renaissance learning for pricing This reading improvement program allows students to read books at their own pace and then test comprehension with a series of assessments, including reading practice, vocabulary practice, literary skills and textbook quizzes. A mobile app is available for the Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. www.DistrictAdministration.com http://www.DistrictAdministration.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - July/August 2012

District Administration - July/August 2012
Contents
From the Editor
Letters
News Update
District Profile
Administrator Profile
Research Center
Professional Opinion
Supervisor's Opinion
Crisis Response
Going Mobile
Gaming Gains Respect
A Running Start for ELLs
Paul Vallas for Sale
Unsung Heroes
CIO News
Avoiding the Pitfalls of Virtual Schooling
Noteworthy Books
New Products
Product Focus
Problem Solution

District Administration - July/August 2012