Three Wise Gifts

12/18/06

The first wise person gave us a gift of proof the eLearning works for literacy. In November of 2005 Robert Blomeyer (Robert.bolmeyer@elearningpt.org) published the (NCREL funded)-Learning Point Associates research report. The title is “The Effects of Technology on Reading Performance in the Middle-School Grades: A Meta-Analysis With Recommendations for Policy” From 204 candidate research reports form1988 to 2005 20 passed the rigorous criteria for inclusion in the study. The thoughtful and deliberate uses of powerful eLearning digital technologies show evident evidence of making 50% improvement in assessed academic performance. Note: A 30% effect factor produces an approximate one letter grade increase in learning (D => C). http://www.ncrel.org/tech/reading/index.html

The second wise person gave us a gift of formative assessment for learning to write. “It takes, like, two seconds,” she said, beaming when she recalled that the automated essay scoring system had given her high marks for content and organization. Robin Squirrell – East Haven High School. Sophisticated Internet and classroom based systems are quickly and thoroughly providing feedback on student writing. With the teacher providing higher level skills assessment on analysis and interpretation the students write and revise at a much higher level. A Phoenix district is using this type of formative assessment system for 25,000 students. Hartford Courant, 11/25/06

The third wise person gave us a blended cyber schools and site base education. Katie Devanney, a 16-year-old from Paoli, likes the high school she has designed for herself. She takes three online courses in and a gifted literature course in a basement of a former church in Paoli and Chester (PA) County cyber charter school. She also takes a statistics course at Cabrini College. “ Freedom to plan schedules allows student to do much more: work, credit recapture, take electives and athletics. Students that can meet their individual needs and follow their interests make happy students and achieving students.

Over a dozen of Arizona public schools, both charter and traditional are delivering this flexibility to students – including Pinnacle Education under the leadership of Michael Matwick mmatwick@pin-ed.com.

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/living/education/16181331.htm