Overview of the FCAT Explorer Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer From the Florida Department of Education www.fcatexplorer.com Science Voyager: Middle School Science Program Overview Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science Interactive practice program FCAT-like practice on all FCAT-tested strands and benchmarks Reinforces important science concepts Available at no cost to all Florida public schools Accessible from any computer connected to the Internet Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science Fidelity with the Official FCAT Strict adherence to the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and DOE’s Test Item and Performance Task Specifications Rigorous item development process Items drafted by science teachers and professional item writers Items reviewed by instructional designers, testing specialists, and professional editors Multiple-choice item Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science Input from Exemplary Education Professionals Highly-qualified classroom teachers Recommended for expertise in subject area and grade level National Board Certified Members of the National Science Teachers Association and recipients of Presidential Teaching Awards Masters Degrees Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science FCAT-like Practice FCAT-like practice on all tested strands and benchmarks 256 FCAT-like practice items 249 Multiple Choice (MC) 3 Context Dependent (CD) 1 Gridded Response (GR) Open-response item 3 Short Response (SR) 12 Short Response Mini Lessons? Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science FCAT-like Practice Number of items per benchmark based on teacher recommendation Difficulty of benchmark Difficulty for struggling students Same style, format, scope and cognitive level as FCAT 2.0 Reviewed by teachers for interest and difficulty Multiple-choice item Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science Instructional Support Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science Learning Guidance 1ST Attempt Correct Congratulations! Correct Answer Explanation (CAE) Confirms the elements that make an answer correct Reinforces effective skill application Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science Learning Guidance 1ST Attempt Incorrect Includes hints to clarify the question without giving away the answer Immediate second chance to apply the skill correctly   Click on Glossary Terms for definitions of more difficult science concepts. Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science Learning Guidance 2nd Attempt For CORRECT answer, CAE confirms and reinforces accurate skill application For INCORRECT answer, the CAE: Identifies correct answer Explains why the answer the student chose was incorrect Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science Practice Items Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science FCAT-like Practice Items Multiple Choice (MC) Same formatting details as on FCAT 2.0 Same notation conventions as on the FCAT 2.0 Multiple-choice item Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science FCAT-like Practice Items Context Dependent Multiple Choice (CD) Students read a short passage Answer three multiple choice items based on passage content Students can review passage at any time Context-dependent items Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science FCAT-like Practice Items Short-Response (SR) Students are presented with two sample student responses and are asked to select the high scoring answer Reinforces writing skills by comparing two sample answers. Short-response item Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science FCAT-like Practice Items Extended-Response (ER) Student reads a response and assigns it a high or partial score. Simulation strategies recommended by teachers Based on classroom instructional practices Requires student to compare or assess critical attributes Extended-response item Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science Special Features Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science Special Learning Features Glossary Linked (blue) words in first incorrect response Click speaker icon to hear word pronounced Definition Spanish and Haitian Creole translations Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science Special Learning Features Read/Inquire/Explain (RIE) Icon Available on SR and ER Students click on the RIE icon to view rubric Rubric helps students to identify elements included in high scoring answers Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science Special Learning Features Challenge List Links directly to items answered incorrectly Helps students focus on skill improvement Displays corresponding strand Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science Special Learning Features Animated Vocabulary Games Play one of three vocabulary games upon completing a group of benchmarks Includes repetition of question for incorrect responses Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science Special Learning Features Remedial Lessons Focuses on big ideas and more difficult concepts through animations and interactive elements Teachers are able to assign lessons Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science Educators’ Tools Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science Educators’ Tools Curriculum resources Table of Strands and Benchmarks Item Review Letter to Parents Classroom Teacher’s Desk School Administrator’s Desk Information management tools Sign-in names and passwords Progress Reports Messages to students District Administrator’s Desk Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science Student Performance Reports AT THE CLASSROOM TEACHER’S DESK Check progress on individuals or classes View science data by Benchmark or Strand Compare percentage correct before and after instructional support Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science The Parent & Family Guide Accessible from the home page without a password Available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole Helps parents, guardians, and mentors understand the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and the FCAT 2.0 Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science Visit the Educator Resources Page Linked from the home page Download this PowerPoint presentation Download the School Administrator’s Desk Manual Download the Teacher’s Desk Manual Download other presentations Program-specific presentations Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science Toll-Free Help Desk Accessible from the home page without a password 1-888-750-FCAT 1-888-750-3228 Weekdays 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science To get sign-in names and passwords School Principals: Contact your District Office and speak to the FCAT Explorer District Administrator Teachers: Contact your FCAT Explorer School Administrator FCAT Explorer Home Page (www.fcatexplorer.com) Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

Overview of the FCAT Explorer Science Voyager: Middle School Science www.fcatexplorer.com Log on to FCAT Explorer! Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001