Study Ladder is a Web 2.0 tool that allows teachers to create a profile and a class. When the teacher creates a class of students, usernames and passwords are created. The teacher can then assign, to the whole class, or to individual students, videos, interactive assignments, and/or worksheets. These resources are available for Art, Financial Literacy, Health, Safety, & citizenship, Language & Culture, Literacy, Mastering Numeracy, Mathematics, Music, Science, and Study Sheets. Aside from having a variety of "Task" topics, each topic has ranges from prekindergarten - 12th grade.
I just bagan exploring this site, and so far I am excited about the differentiation that it allows. I like that I can assign a "task" to my entire class AND I am able to assign a task to specific students, who might need extra help or more of a challenge.
On a student level, children are able to create an Avitar. They can also earn points for each task they complete and then spend their points to "buy" Avitar features and to purchase things to put in their virtual bedroom.
I've set up a teacher account, class, and tasks for 1 student. After briefly explaining the site to one of the parents in my class, I asked her to try it out and give me feedback about the site. Below is her comment.
"Hi Ms. Hagler, we just checked the new web program and we think its an awesome program. We like that its very easy to understand and child friendly. With all 6 tasks, my child did not have a problem figuring out what to do. There's nothing about it that we do not like. The only hard part about it was the new vocabulary that she does not use on a daily basis like "Ban, Nan, Crate, Smog, and Pram", but this would be good to help build her vocabulary. What was easy about it? I'd say pretty much everything. It took her about 20 min. to complete all the tasks. Let us know if there is anything else you would like us to answer. Overall, it is a great site. =) "
I now plan on sharing this site with a few more students, as well as, using some of the videos and activities in my future lessons.
This is an interesting site. What makes this Web 2.0 rather than Web 1.0?
ReplyDeleteAfter last weeks parent-teacher conferences, I had 3 more parents inquire about a free online free program that had educational material for their child. I told them about Study Ladder and I have begun assigning lessons and readings for 3 new students! I am able to see their progress and modify assignments according to their individual needs.
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