Instructional Technology

Many students benefit greatly from being able to practice an instructional activity repeatedly. Having a variety of instructional software available also benefits students who have problems engaging in instruction by giving them choice in their learning activities.

1. Thinking Reader - http://www.tomsnyder.com . embeds reading comprehension strategies around core literature titles
2. Soliloquy - http://www.soliloquylearning.com . listens to students as they read and provides correction and support when they have problems
3. Go Solve - http://www.tomsnyder.com . uses graphic organizers to help students learn to solve math word problems
4. Starry Night - http://www.starrynight.com . incredible astronomy software
5. Windows to the Universe - http://www.windows.ucar.edu/ . information on the earth and space in multiple reading levels
6. StarChild - http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/StarChild.html . information on space in multiple levels with auditory support in the first level
7. Rainforest AT - http://www.digitalfrog.com . science software with built-in accessibility features
8. America's Story - http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi . online information on America's past. presented by the Library of Congress
9. Ben's Guide to the US Government - http://bensguide.gpo.gov/ . multigrade information on the structure of the US Government
10. HyperHistory - http://www.hyperhistory.com/online_n2/History_n2/a.html . timelines on 3000 years of world history

Virtual Manipulatives/Tools

Virtual manipulatives are useful technology tools that support complex thinking activities, enable students to experiment with various solutions to problems, and provide a visual way of looking at data. In addition, students with gross or fine motor problems can often use virtual tools easier than real tools.

1. bright clique - http://www.indivisuallearning.com . a set of basic math manipulatives, such as ruler, protractor, and chart tools, that are easy to use
2. Classroom Suite - http://www.intellitools.com . provides extensive virtual manipulatives for early math, writing, and early learning activities
3. NLVM - http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html . online National Library of Virtual Manipulatives for K-12
4. Illuminations - http://illuminations.nctm.org/ . online resource of math tools
5. BlockCAD - http://web.telia.com/~u16122508/proglego.htm . a free Windows virtual lego environment
6. LEGO Factory - http://factory.lego.com/ . a free online virtual lego environment where students can build lego models
7. Conversion Tools - http://www.convertit.com . online set of data conversion tools
8. Calculator Collection (Win . Mac9) - http://www.riverdeep.com . basic set of calculators that includes a fraction calculator
9. AlgeKalk MacOSX - http://goldfishsoft.com/algekalk.html . simple utility that factors numbers, give square root, converts decimals, and more
10. FrakKalk MacOSX - http://goldfishsoft.com/frakkalk.html . simple utility for adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions
11. Geoboard (Win . Mac9) - http://www.riverdeep.com . electronic geoboard with area and perimeter tools
12. Algebrus - http://www.astrise.com/software/algebrus . a comprehensive visualization tool for higher mathematics. the trial version has some features disabled
13. Broken Calculator - http://seeingmath.concord.org/broken_calculator . online problem solving manipulative using a "broken" calculator
14. Equation Editor Tutorials - http://ist.uwaterloo.ca/ec/equations/equation.html . equation editor is a part of Microsoft Office and enables students to use a computer to enter math equations. to view Vista tutorials go to the Microsoft Office WORD Team's Blog
15. MathType - http://www.adeptscience.co.uk/products/mathsim/mathtype/ . comprehensive professional version of Equation Editor. 30 day trial version available for Win and Mac9.X
16. Timeline Maker - http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/materials/timelines/ . create timelines

Interventions

There are many intervention software programs available in a variety of curriculum areas.

1. Earobics - http://www.earobics.com . targets phonemic awareness and phonics. there are versions for young children and teens
2. Sound Reading Solutions - http://www.soundreading.com . targets phonemic awareness, phonics, and early reading with versions for children and teens
3. Simon S.I.O. http://www.donjohnston.com/products/simon_sio/index.html . training in phonics and reading
4. FASTT Math - http://www.tomsnyder.com . targets basic math fluency
5. WebMath - http://www.webmath.com . online homework helper and problems solver in general math through calculus
6. HotMath - http://hotmath.com/ . provides online help and guidance on math problems in most textbooks
7. Math for Visually Impaired Students - http://www.tsbvi.edu/math/ . resources and materials on teaching math to students who have visual impairments

Internet

We are still learning how to find information on the Internet and how to use the many features in current search engines. For example, have you considered letting struggling readers search by images instead of text? Several search engines offer this feature. To help visually organize text view the cached web pages. All the search terms will be highlighted. Add text to speech tools and students can hear the information on the web pages read aloud.

1. Google - http://www.google.com . has special search features, such as news.google.com and scholar.google.com
2. schoolr - http://www.schoolr.com/ . one stop shop for searches, thesaurus, translators, and conversion tools
3. SCIRUS - http://www.scirus.com/srsapp . searches only science articles and information
4. Watson - http://www.intellext.com . a free Windows utility that watches what you write in WORD, PowerPoint, and Outlook and searches the Internet in the background for related information
5. netTrekker d.i. - http://www.nettrekker.com/di . a search engine with built-in text to speech and readability levels
6. Assignment Calculator - http://www.lib.umn.edu/help/calculator . helps students plan a paper
7. OttoBib - http://ottobib.com/ . online bibliography creator
8. Quia - http://www.quia.com/servlets/quia.web.QuiaWebManager . a service for making online quizzes with immediate grading. cost about $50.00 per teacher
9. Script-O - http://www.readingmatrix.com/quizmaker/index.php . a free online quiz making service
10. Education Place - http://www.eduplace.com/ . wide variety of online resources from Houghton Mifflin
11. Read . Write . Think - http://www.readwritethink.org/ . online resource of lessons and student materials from the international reading association
12. vRoom - http://www.elluminate.com/vroom . a free distance learning tool that gives up to three users at one time interactive audio, video, virtual whiteboard, and application sharing

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