Study Island at Greenbrier Elementary Using the Virtual Learning Environment to Enhance Student Learning

Why use a Virtual Learning Environment? “As educators, we should be using technology as a critical design factor in combination with research on how people best learn, to establish new and different environments for student-centered learning” (Lemke & Coughlin, 2009)

We Already Have A Virtual Learning Environment! – Is a standards-based program that offers students a chance to practice skills – Difficulty levels can be altered to meet the needs of the students – The program can be customized – everything from choosing particular assignments to customizing the material

What Gaps Does it Fill? Study Island will allow gifted learners to progress forward with their knowledge base It helps struggling learners practice basic concepts Since the grade level can be hidden, students are unaware that their levels are “different” and they are simply using the program like everyone else

What Gaps does it Fill? (continued) Performance Matters only tracks county benchmark assessment data – Study Island allows the teacher to track the student progress on any given topic at any given time. Allows students to type written assignments and turn in to the teacher virtually – eliminating lost papers.

Did you know? Study Island allows for special needs – everything from having the text read out loud to having fewer selections for multiple choice. Parents can get s if their student is struggling with a particular Study Island topic After the students have practiced the topic(s), the teacher can give an assessment, either already designed by Study Island or custom designed.

Why Use Study Island as a Virtual Learning Environment? The customizable material (from levels within the program to individual topics created by the teacher) allows for differentiated learning for each student. Teachers can create assignments based on what is being taught in the classroom to help struggling learners and push gifted learners.

A Virtual Environment in the Classroom! Teachers can use classroom response systems (clickers) within a Study Island session, then view and print out the report to see how students are doing with a topic.

But What if I Don’t Have Time to Explore? Real World Problems Lesson Plan The teacher will pre-assess students by asking them if they have ever had to use math to solve a problem at home or at school. The teacher will give students a personal example from his/her life and then ask students for personal examples from their lives. The teacher will emphasize how important math is for problem-solving in all areas of life. The teacher will then model for students how to draw pictures to solve two real world problems involving addition and subtraction. Students will then work in pairs to solve two practice problems in which they will draw pictures to help them solve the problem. After working on the guided practice, on-level students will work independently to use pictures to solve real world problems. Advanced learners will independently solve real world problems that involve three addends and multiple steps. Struggling learners will have the benefit of using manipulatives to help them solve the same real world problems as the on-level learners. Resources: 1. Video Lesson Plan - 77 KBVideo Lesson Plan 2. Teaching Points PowerPoint KBTeaching Points PowerPoint 3. Example Board KBExample Board 4. Guided Practice Questions KBGuided Practice Questions 5. Independent Practice KBIndependent Practice 6. Advanced Learners Examples PowerPoint KBAdvanced Learners Examples PowerPoint 7. Advanced Learners Independent Practice KBAdvanced Learners Independent Practice 8. Struggling Learners Independent Practice KBStruggling Learners Independent Practice Study Island has ready- made lesson plans, power points, and videos to help get you started