Homework+and+Practice

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//© 2007 (2010) www.clipart.com// **Research Strategy: Homework and Practice **

Homework and practice are related to one another. They are connected because when students are learning on their own they are also applying new knowledge. Homework is a strategy for increasing learning and knowledge. Practice is engaging students to apply new learning, often repeatedly. The goal of practice is to gain expertise or near expertise.
 * Overview**

__Rationale__ The Syvum Club is an on line interactive website which is used for practicing learning skills and homework help. This program is easy to use and it encompasses curricular areas ranging from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Syvum allows each student to keep track of their performance history, session histories, personalization for each member, create their own grade book, and includes a review feature (e.g. good for practicing tests). Syvum is also a great tool for teachers. It allows the teacher to author their own quizzes, in addition to the thousands of quizzes already provided. Teachers can also create their own quizzes and activities, create student groups for activities, view students grades and send out emails to their students, as well as, parents. This technology is good for homework and practice because it can used for group or individual activities. It allows each student to keep track of how well they are doing in areas and where they need to improve on. It also allows teachers and students to communicate. It can be used at school or at home. In addition, it is interactive with lots of activities and quizzes to help improve learning on any subject.
 * Technology 1:Syvum Club** @http://www.syvum.com/squizzes/

__Resources Needed__ __ Rationale __ Hippocampus is a free online homework help website. It covers an array of subjects from elementary through high school. It has interactive lessons with pictures, diagrams, etc. At the end of the activity or lesson students are required to test their knowledge. Hippocampus also includes a large list of text books which are also interactive. This is a good tool for teachers as well. It enables teachers to create their own web page for students based on the curriculum and what is needed. This technology is good for homework and practice because it can be accessed at home or at school. It is fun, easy to understand and just about every subject is available only with interactive textbooks. It is also good because teachers can make their own web page based on the classes needs. The best part is that hippocampus is free.
 * Computer for each student with internet access
 * One year, School premier membership $249.99 includes: 10 teachers with 40 students each (if groups are larger can contact for other available pricing)
 * Technology 2: Hippocampus @http://www.hippocampus.org/**

__Resources Needed__
 * Computers for each student with high speed internet access
 * Adobe flash player
 * Quicktime player ( only for some environmental science content)

__ Rationale __ Mathscore is an online website used to help with mathematics for all grade levels. It provides individualized practice and assessments for students, and progress-monitoring for teachers. Mathscore motivates students to practice their math skills. The technology uses an approach to learning that resembles a video game. For example, a student can not move to another section or unit until they pass all the work in that particular section. This technology is good for homework and practice because it is a different approach to other online learning activities. It is interactive but students can not go from one area to another without mastering the area they are supposed to finish first. It allows for individualized practice and teachers can monitor progress.
 * Technology 3: Mathscore.com @http://www.mathscore.com/school/ **

__Resources Needed__
 * Computers for each student with internet access
 * Fill out form for pricing list. Response within 2 business days (larger schools may qualify for discounted unlimited site licenses)

One challenge educators face is Differentiated Instruction. Every class has many different types of learners. Some students have a really difficult time with school and struggle while others are advanced. Differentiated instruction adjusts instruction to meet the needs of individual learners, in order to give all students a suitable level of challenge and the appropriate supports to help them reach learning goals. Syvum Club, Mathscore and Hippocampus provide this type of instruction. It allows students time to practice and apply what they have learned. Students can work at their own pace, so if they need more time in certain areas they will not be rushed. It enables every student to be actively engaged which can maximize learning.
 * Educational Challenges **

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