CAT 531: Module 5: Software and Emerging

Technologies (Team 3)

By: Amanda Hayes (Akhayes@crimson.ua.edu) ; Amanda Hindsman

(aryoung1@crimson.ua.edu) ; Kaitlyn Traylor (kmburnside@crimson.ua.edu) ;
Florence Williams (fowilliams@crimson.ua.edu)

List of our ten resources:

**Resources that are, contain, or can be paired with forms of assistive technology
are in bold
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Lexia Reading Core5 Program (www.lexialearning.com) -Amanda Hayes

EDpuzzle (www.edpuzzle.com) -Amanda Hayes
PhotoPeach for Education (http://photopeach.com/education) -Amanda Hindsman
Schoology (https://www.schoology.com/home.php) -Florence Williams
Write:Outloud 6 (http://donjohnston.com/writeoutloud/#.VOWUAPnF-Qw) -Amanda

Hayes
6. School Rack (http://www.schoolrack.com/) -Florence Williams
7. IXL (http://www.ixl.com/) -Amanda Hindsman
8. Engrade (www.engrade.com) -Kaitlyn Traylor
9. Moodle (https://moodle.org) -Kaitlyn Traylor
10. Charms Office Assistant (www.charmsoffice.com) -Kaitlyn Traylor

1. Lexia Reading Core5 Program

Lexia Reading Core5 is a program that comes with a big price tag. However, the
program can make a difference in childrens lives. Lexia Reading Core5 provides and
introduces research-validated activities that help struggling readers become more
proficient readers by beginning at the phonological awareness level. This program can
be accessed on an Ipad or Android tablet for easier student access as well as on a

desktop computer. The program has student data reports that the educator can access
and view. If used appropriately, Lexia Reading Core5 can change students lives.
Brief Description:

Lexia Reading Core5 is a technology-based reading program. It

is research-validated. The program provides a way to enhance
student literacy through the use of technology. The program
provides individualized phonics instruction and helps students by
providing activities to build their basic reading skills. The program
caters each student individually through personalized learning.
Lexia Reading Core5 serves students pre-k through fifth grade.

Vendor/ How to
A Rosetta Stone Company
Obtain:
Contact your Alabama representative, or what ever state you
teach in, to see what is happening with Lexia in your area.
Address, Phone,
and/or URL:

Phone: 800-435-3942 (toll free)

Address: Lexia Learning Systems
200 Baker Ave Ext.
Concord, MA 01742
Website: www.lexialearning.com

Approximate Cost: $7,500/year (school subscription with unlimited access)

System
Requirements:

Lexia Reading Core5 can be accessed on a tablet, a web

browser, or installed locally on a computer.
The supported web browsers are: Mac OS X - 10.6 or higher
(Safari 4+, Firefox 17+, or Chrome 18+), Google Chrome OS
(Chromebook), and Windows - Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows
XP SP3 (Firefox 17+, Chrome 18+, Internet Explorer 7+) - Adobe
Flash is required for all browsers, persistent internet connection,
1024x768 screen resolution recommended, headset
recommended, and 1 GB RAM is recommended.
The supported tablets are: iPad Version (iPad 2+, iPad mini, iOS
v6 and higher, 750 MB storage space, persistent internet
connection, headset recommended) and Android Tablet Version
(Android 4 or above, must have Google Play, screen size 7 or
greater, 750 MB storage space, persistent internet connection,
headset recommended)
The supported locally installed version can be installed on a Mac
OS X (10.6 or higher) and Windows (Windows XP SPE,
Windows 7, and Windows 8) - Both must have 750 MB hard
drive space, 1024x768 screen resolution is recommended, 1 GB
RAM recommended, persistent internet connection, and a
headset is recommended.
Reference:http://lexialearning.com/files/support/C5SysReq.pdf

Limitations:

The product is expensive and must be purchased

May be too difficult for students with severe to profound
disabilities
Must have a persistent internet connection
Only serves students up to fifth grade

Advantages:

Personalized learning paths for each student

Helps both at-risk and on-target students
Provides student-driven learning
Uses data to drive instruction
Educators can access data reports online through their myLexia
accounts on an internet browser, iPad app, or iPhone app
Aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
Covers all five areas of reading instruction (automaticity,
vocabulary, phonics, comprehension, structural analysis)
Can be accessed in a web browser, on iPad or Android tablets,
or on locally installed desktop software
Can be state or federally funded
You can try the program briefly before purchasing

Why the resource

would be helpful in
your
school/district:

Students must grasp an understanding of phonological

awareness to progress to phonics and so on so that they can
become proficient readers. Each school, nationwide, consists of
students who struggle with literacy. Lexia Reading Core5 can
provide a fun, interactive way for students to become successful.
Also many of the CCSS align with reading. It is important that
students are literate as early as possible.

Does this resource

assist with diverse
needs and if so,
how?

This resource can assist with students who have diverse needs
depending upon the severity. The program is typically suitable for
students on-target or at-risk therefore students with mild to
moderate disabilities can benefit from this program.The program
may be too difficult for students with severe to profound
disabilities even at the pre-k grade level. The program can also
assist students with diverse needs by being offered on tablets for
easier access and better viewing because the screen can be
brought to their face. It is also is a good program to use with
elementary students who have been diagnosed with dyslexia.

Brief Description
for
Implementation:

According to the website, Lexia Reading Core5 can be used in a

multi-tier classroom setting, including special education, RTI, Tier
II, and Tier III. The program can also be implemented for English
Language Learners (ELL). The website also states, Lexia
Reading Core5 supports flexible implementation strategies that
extend learning beyond the school day. Lexia licenses allow free

access for students at home, as well is in extended day settings

such as before- and after-school, or in community centers and
public libraries.
Reference: http://lexialearning.com/product/implementation/
Team
Recommendation:

How Lexia Reading Core5 is used depends on the individual

student. Some students do better with tablets than they would
sitting in a chair at a desktop computer. I would recommend that
students use the program on a daily basis to maintain progress
and not fall behind.

Specific Learning
Objectives and
how they were met
with this resource:

The student I observed using the program was working on

medial vowel sounds. I can assume that the specific learning
objective he was working on was: Demonstrate understanding of
spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes). [RF.1.2]

I have been in two Special Education placements since I began pursuing an

Alternative Masters degree in Special Education where the program Lexia Reading
Core5 was implemented. I personally observed a student using the program on a
desktop computer in a resource room. Both teachers who used the program in their
classrooms (resource and self-contained) made remarks that they thought the program
was too expensive, but they also both agreed that it is extremely beneficial for students
who struggle with reading so the price is worth it.
One of the teachers said that she received the program for a student who was
diagnosed with dyslexia but that she allowed other students with various disabilities,
such as intellectual disabilities, the opportunity to use the program also. She stated that
she could see that students using the program were showing signs of progress. Both
teachers highly recommended this program and hoped to receive grants for it again
next year. The students also seemed to enjoy the program because it was engaging
and fun.

2. EDpuzzle
EDpuzzle is a free resource that allows teachers to incorporate videos into their
lesson. This resource can also be used for the Flipped Classroom. Teachers can
choose from various videos that have already been created and use them in full or crop
the video to a specific spot or to include a certain part. Teachers can also customize
their own videos to go along with their lessons. A teachers voice can be recorded to go
along with the video. EDpuzzle can be viewed from a desktop computer, a tablet, or a
mobile device. EDpuzzle can also be paired with a SmartBoard/Promethean Board.
Brief Description:

EDpuzzle allows teachers or students to access numerous videos

from the Internet or create their own. Teachers can use the

videos to create lessons for their students. Teachers can crop

videos to show specific material, they can embed questions and
quizzes to give feedback or track student progress, and teachers
can insert audio notes or record over videos with their own voice.
Teachers can search for videos through what has been uploaded
to EDpuzzle, YouTube, Khan Academy, LearnZillion, National
Geographic, TeacherTube, TED Ed, Crash Course, Vimeo, Club
Academia, Numberphile, and Veritasium with this resource.
Vendor/ How to
Obtain:

EDpuzzle Inc.
Sign-up for free on the website as either a teacher or student.
You can sign up through Google or through Edmodo. If you signup as a teacher all you have to include is your full name, a valid
email address, create a password, and indicate the language you
teach in. If you sign-up as a student you have to include your first
name, a username, create a password, and including your email
is optional.

Address, Phone,
and/or URL:
Approximate
Cost:

contact url: info@edpuzzle.com

website url: https://edpuzzle.com/
100% free Internet resource

System
Requirements:

Persistent internet is required. All website browsers are supported

except Internet Explorer 9 or older. EDpuzzle runs on tablets and
mobile devices but voice recording is not possible on them.

Limitations: Created videos are public by default

Must have a persistent internet connection
Some searches are not kid-friendly whereby if students are using
the website to search for videos, they should be monitored
If using a tablet or mobile device you can not record audio or
voice overs
Advantages:

Serves Kindergarten through twelfth grade

You can create your own video
You can insert your own voice into a video
Can embed video lessons on other websites or a learning
management system
You can access data to determine if students are getting it
Teachers can email EDpuzzle Inc. to make certain content in
videos are private
Can find already made videos on various topics
Can be used as a Flipped Classroom resource
You can monitor what students are having difficulty with

 You can include questions and fill in the gap or multiple choice
quizzes
It is a free resource
Can be projected onto a SmartBoard/Promethean Board via
desktop computer so videos are easier to view
Why the resource
would be helpful
in your
school/district:

EDpuzzle is a free way to implement technology into the

classroom by incorporating customized or already created videos
into a lesson. Students learn more efficiently when learning is
engaging and interesting to them.

Does this
resource assist
with diverse
needs and if so,
how?

The resource is not intended to assist learners with diverse

needs. However, there are specific ways that the videos are
delivered that can assist students with disabilities or disorders.
One example is that the video from EDpuzzle can have a voice
over in which the teacher modifies or adapts to match the
learners cognitive level or ability. Another way is that the video
can be viewed on a Promethean Board for students who may
have vision problems. Speakers can also be used when viewing
the video or a headset can be worn for hearing impaired
students.

Brief Description
for
Implementation:

There are numerous ways in which a teacher can implement

EDpuzzle into his/her classroom. Teachers can use EDpuzzle to
share videos for their lessons in a whole-group setting. Students
can answer questions during a teacher-led instruction. Teachers
can have a student sit at a desktop computer or use a tablet in
the classroom and have them listen, watch, and answer
questions independently.Students can watch videos together and
answer questions in small groups or with a partner either on a
computer or on a tablet.

Team
If a teacher is using EDpuzzle in a self-contained classroom, it is
Recommendation: beneficial that they use the resource daily. Many students with
severe disabilities require daily routines. Therefore showing the
same video daily would ensure that they grasp a better
understanding of the material as well as it becomes a part of their
routine. An example of this could be a video for the different kinds
of weather. For general education classrooms, it would not be as
beneficial to use daily.
Specific Learning
Objectives and
how they were
met with this
resource:

Various learning objectives could be reached through an

implementation of EDpuzzle. The students I observed using this
resource used EDpuzzle as a way to learn specific material such
as the months of the year and the days of the week.

I was unaware of this resource until I saw it used this year. One of my special
education placement mentors uses EDpuzzle in her self-contained classroom daily. She
uses her desktop computer and a Promethean ActivBoard Touch to display videos she
found off of EDpuzzle. The first video I observed that she displayed dealt with the
months of the year by the Story Bots. The second video from the resource was about
the days of the week by the Story Bots. Pairing educational information with music is an
efficient way for students to learn, especially students with disabilities. Also, having the
video displayed on the Promethean ActivBoard Touch is beneficial for students who
have vision issues by making the image larger.
The teacher set up a customized quiz at the end of the short video for her
students to partake in. Since she was showing the video on the Promethean Board she
was able to stand at the board and write while actively engaging with her students.
Together as a class, they filled in the blanks for the first video which was the months of
the year. They did the same for the second video which was the days in the week. She
recommended the resource to me as a beneficial one to use in the classroom as a
future educator, plus you can never turn away an opportunity to use free educational
resources.

3. PhotoPeach for Education

PhotoPeach is an engaging tool that allows students to use their creative sides
while learning and presenting information. It is a fairly cheap and easy resource to use
in the classroom. It not only allows students to showcase their knowledge and work, it
allows teachers to assess their students knowledge through slideshows and quizzes.
This resource could be used in a variety of ways in the classroom and in the school.
Brief Description:

PhotoPeach allows you to create engaging slideshows using

text, images, and music. This resource allows students to have
fun while learning a variety of skills, such as: literacy,
presentation, expression, writing, and communication. It also lets
teachers create interactive quizzes that students can take on a
Smartboard. It doesnt require a lot of time, so students can
create their slideshows within a class period.

Vendor/ How to
Obtain:

You must create an account at http://photopeach.com/education/.

Address, Phone,
and/or URL:

http://photopeach.com/

Approximate Cost: Basic account is free.

Premium Accounts:
1 educator/50 students= $9 per month
1 educator/150 students= $25 per month
System
Requirements:
Limitations:

A good internet connection is required. If youre wanting to use

the music or audio feature, you must have a sound card installed
into your computer with speakers or a headphone jack.
Students can get music from YouTube, so they could get
distracted or view inappropriate videos
YouTube video used for music will appear in small corner of the
slideshow screen

Advantages: Has three privacy settings: public, unlisted, and private (invitation
only)
Teachers can use tool to assess learning through quizzes
Fun and engaging for students
Easy to use for students
Teachers can create tags and publish them so parents and
community can view pages
Why the resource
would be helpful in
your
school/district:

This resource would be beneficial to a school because it allows

students to be actively engaged in the learning process.
PhotoPeach not only allows teachers to create presentations and
quizzes on content matter, it allows students to showcase their
knowledge and work as individuals or in groups. This resource
could also be used to present information by administrators or
teachers in meetings.

Does this resource

assist with diverse
needs and if so,
how?

This resource would be beneficial for students who have mild

learning disabilities. It could assist them with reading and writing
support. It would also be beneficial to ESL students. Teachers
could create slides with vocabulary/spelling words and pictures to
go along with them.

Brief Description
for
Implementation:

PhotoPeach can be implemented in the classroom in a variety of

ways. Teachers can use it to present class content and assess
their students understanding by creating quizzes. Students can
use this resource to make presentations in different subjects.
Administrators could use this for meetings and training purposes.

Team
I would recommend that this tool be used to let students use their
Recommendation: creative sides to present their knowledge in all subject areas,
whether its a presentation on a president or a science project. As
a teacher, I would recommend using this to present material and
assess students basic understanding of concepts.

Specific Learning
Objectives and
how they were met
with this resource:

I have seen this resource used by students to present

information on presidents. Not only did they present facts on their
assigned president, they were able to search for images of the
president and images that represented that president.

PhotoPeach is a good and simple resource to use in the classroom. It allows

students to be creative while making informative slideshows. I have seen students use
this resource to make presentations on assigned presidents. The students seemed to
really enjoy putting it all together. Since most students finished their slideshow within
the class period, they were able to start presenting them the next day. This would be a
great resource to use to allow students to have a fun and engaging lesson.

4. Schoology
Schoology is a learning management system (LMS) for K-12 schools, higher
education institutions, and corporations that allows users to create, manage, and share
content and resources. Also known as a course management system (CMS) or Virtual
Learning Environment (VLE), the cloud-based platform provides tools needed to
manage any classroom or blended learning environment
Brief Description:

Visually familiar to users of Facebook and other popular social

networking websites, the service includes attendance records,
online gradebook, tests and quizzes, and homework dropboxes.
The social media interface facilitates collaboration among a
class, a group, or a school. Schoology can be integrated with
existing school reporting and information systems and also
provides the added security, filters and support that school
districts require.

Vendor/ How to
Obtain:

Create an account and sign up

https://www.schoology.com/register.php

Address, Phone,
and/or URL:

Address: 115 W 30th St., 10th Floor, New York, NY 10001

URL: https://www.schoology.com/home.php

Approximate Cost: There are two versions of schoology: Free and Paid
Schoology Enterprise is the paid version and has a premium
subscription of $10 per student. There is also included service
fees such as a $300 web delivered training fee and a $1,500
consultation plus initial setup service fee.
System

Latest versions of Firefox, IE, Safari, and Google Chrome. You

Requirements:

also need Javascript, Flast 9, and Enabled cookies.

Limitations: Students can navigate away from the main educational focus
and get distracted.
No two accounts can be open at the same time on a computer.
Student comments/discussions can not be moderated by
teachers.
Advantages: Similarity to major social networking sites provide ease of use (if
the person has used those types of sites before.)
Security is in place for student safety.
Provides efficient tools and resources for teachers to optimize
instruction.
Why the resource
would be helpful in
your
school/district:

A Schoology school/district page that can be designed to provide

valuable general information to all students, parents, and staff.
Most schools have a website that can provide some of this
information, but the bonus that Schoology provides is a continual
stream of informational updates. With the proper login, a teacher,
student, or staff member can post information to the school wide
page. Most school websites have one person in charge of
releasing information. Schoology is a "village" tool - it allows all
parties involved to comment, collaborate, and communicate.

Does this resource N/A

assist with diverse
needs and if so,
how?
Brief Description
for
Implementation:

Districts can pay a fee to use system wide usage. Schools

and/or teachers could easily sign up and begin using
immediately.

Team
If systems are not already using a learning management system.
Recommendation: Schoology is a good in between basis between Edmodo and
Moodle. It has more features and specifics than Edmodo but not
as expensive or intensive as Moodle.
Specific Learning
Objectives and
how they were
met with this
resource:

Any learning objective can be met with this LMS.

Summary needed

5. Write:Outloud 6
Write:Outloud 6 can be used by anyone. However, the program was developed
specifically for students in grades 3-12. This resource is beneficial for those who need
to have typed text read aloud such as a student who requires auditory support. This
resource is a form of assistive technology that can be implemented into the classroom.
Brief Description:

Write:Outloud 6 is a text-to-speech resource that displays and

reads aloud text on a computer screen. It was designed to help
students write better and self assess. It reads letters you type,
words you type, and/or sentences typed back to you. When a
sentence has been typed, Write:Outloud 6 will read the entire
sentence back to you. You can click read all to have everything
you have typed on the screen read back to you. There are
multiple tools such as a talking spell checker, a homonym
checker, a talking dictionary, and a bibliography wizard for MLA or
APA format.

Vendor/ How to
Obtain:

Don Johnston Inc.

Address, Phone,
and/or URL:

Address: Don Johnston Incorporated

26799 West Commerce Drive
Volo, IL 60073 USA
Phone: 800.999.4660
URL: http://donjohnston.com/writeoutloud/#.VOWUAPnF-Qw

Write:Outloud 6 can be purchased online

Approximate Cost: There are two ways to purchase Write:Outloud 6:

1. Single or Multiple Computer Licenses ($84 per computer if you
purchase for 1-4 computers; $81 per computer if you purchase
for 5-9 computers; $80 per computer if you purchase for 10-19
computers; $76 per computer if purchase for 20-49 computers;
as low as $55 per computer for 50+ computers)
2. Unlimited Site License Subscription (requires a quote for pricing monthly fee that is often lower than a cellphone bill)
System
Requirements:

Can be accessed on a Mac (10.5-10.8) CPU- G5, 1.6+ or

Windows (XP-7) CPU- Pentium 4+. Both require 512 MB of RAM

and 600 MB Disk.

Reference: http://donjohnston.com/softwarerequirements/#.VOWXRfnF-Qw
Limitations: It is not free
Can only be accessed on a computer
Advantages:

Does not require the internet

Allows schoolwide access
Subscription covers software updates and new features
Complimentary IT and deployment support
Includes take-home rights
Low monthly fees/rates
There is research and case studies to back up its effectiveness
Read at a fluent pace
Teachers can be trained in just 30 minutes through video tutorials
Provides real-time auditory feedback
Features acapela voices

Why the resource

would be helpful in
your
school/district:

Write:Outloud 6 could help a child with fluency because the

auditory feedback is read at a fluent pace. The resource would
also be beneficial for students who have auditory deficits. The
resource can provide a way for students to become more secure
in their writing.

Does this
resource assist
with diverse needs
and if so, how?

Write:Outloud 6 can be used for students with diverse needs.

This resource is beneficial for students who are unsure of their
writing ability, have mild or moderate grammar and/or spelling
difficulties, and it is also beneficial for students who require
auditory support.

Brief Description
for
Implementation:

Within the classroom, the best implementation would be to rotate

all students through the computer(s) on which the resource is
loaded. Students that needed more help could be redirected to
the resource as necessary. This resource would also be
beneficial to use in a computer lab where all students can access
the program at the same time.

Team
This resource would be beneficial for a student who is struggling
Recommendation: with writing, grammar, and/or spelling or a student who requires
auditory support, it would be most beneficial to use Write:Outloud
6 daily in the classroom.
Specific Learning
Objectives and

Many specific learning objectives can be met through this

resource. Typing, writing, spelling, and grammar are all content

how they were

met with this
resource:

areas that can be achieved through the implementation of this

resource.

Text-to-speech resources can be observed in multiple settings such as the

general education room, a self-contained classroom, a resource room, a computer lab,
and so on. I have observed a text-to-speech resource in a self-contained classroom at
an elementary school. The resource was used by a student who portrayed difficulties
with writing. The resource helped to improve the students ability to write and it was
evident that he felt good about his success with it. The special education teacher said
she thought text-to-speech resources were beneficial to have within the classroom even
for general education students. She also informed me that text-to-speech resources
were typically not very expensive compared to other resources. I watched a demo on
this specific text-to-speech resource. I believe it would be a good resource to remember
when I have my own classroom.

6. School Rack
Include Intro
Brief Description:

SchoolRack is a basic platform that teachers can use to create a

simple classroom website or blog.

Vendor/ How to
Obtain:

Sign up and build

Address, Phone,
and/or URL:

URL: http://www.schoolrack.com/

Approximate Cost: Free

A Monthly cost for more space
System
Requirements:
Limitations:

Internet Access
Expect basic, minimalistic design and options, and only 100 MB
of file storage with the free account.

Advantages: Raise academic achievement in classroom

Increase quality of education by being actively involving yourself
in your students' education
Save paper and time in the classroom
Decrease the communication gap between teachers, students,

and parents (this means less excuses!)

Worry-free website hosting
Very simple for everyone, and you'll find ample help resources
available

Why the resource SchoolRack's discussion boards could be a useful tool, and the
would be helpful in ability to get feedback from teachers on posted assignments is
your
great.
school/district:
Does this resource N/A
assist with diverse
needs and if so,
how?
Brief Description
for
Implementation:

Teachers can sign up and begin using immediately. Classroom

codes can be assigned so that parents and students can view
and interact with teachers.

Team
Most school systems have website portals and servers for
Recommendation: teacher websites. Therefore, schoolrack may not be necessary.
Specific Learning Any learning objective can be met with this resource.
Objectives and
how they were met
with this resource:
Summary paragraph

7. IXL
IXL is a math and language resource that meets all k-12 state standards. It is
also aligned with the Common Core. This resource would be helpful in classrooms,
because it allows students to track their progress and see the areas they need extra
help. Since each student has a username and password, they can access it from home
for more practice.

Brief Description:

IXL offers comprehensive coverage of k-12 math and language

curriculum. It meets all state standards and is aligned to the
Common Core. It offers a variety of question types, such as
interactive problems, and keeps track of students progress.

Vendor/ How to
Obtain:

Visit https://www.ixl.com/membership/school/subscribe to
purchase IXL.

Address, Phone,
and/or URL:

Phone: (855)255-7700
Address: 777 Mariners Island Blvd
Suite 600
San Mateo, CA 94404
Website: http://www.ixl.com/

Approximate Cost:
System
Requirements:

Classroom licenses start at $249 for 1 teacher and 30 students.

It can be accessed from school and home for one full year.
IXL can be accessed from most computers and browsers. It
also offers apps for iPads and Android tablets.
The supported web browsers are:
Windows: Internet Explorer 9, 10, 11, Mozilla Firefox, and
Google Chrome; Macintosh OS X: Safari 5.1 or higher, Mozilla
Firefox, Google Chrome; Google Chrome OS: Google Chrome
It is recommended to have at least 256MB of installed RAM,
and you should set your display to a resolution of 1024x768
with 32-bit color depth.
To take advantage of the audio feature that allows you to listen
to the math problems and answers, you must have a sound
card installed into your computer with speakers or a
headphone jack.
It is also suggested to have an internet connection speed of at
least 128Kbps.
You will need the following software: Adobe Flash Player and
Adobe Reader or another PDF viewer.
Reference:http://www.ixl.com/membership/school/technical

Limitations:

Must be purchased
May be too difficult for those with a severe disability

 Points system may be frustrating to students

Advantages:

Offers comprehensive coverage of the k-12 curriculum

Aligned with Common Core and all state standards
Tracks students progress
Unlimited access to all grade levels
Uses a variety of question types
Offers audio for pre k-5 grade
Can be accessed from home with a username and password

Why the resource

would be helpful in
your
school/district:

IXL offers visual and engaging problems for students to solve. It

helps students master skills that are aligned with Common Core
and all state standards. It allows teachers to access all grade
levels, so they can help students no matter what grade level they
are on.

Does this resource

assist with diverse
needs and if so,
how?

This resource would be good for students with learning

disabilities, because it allows access to all grade levels. This
would allow students to practice their skills no matter what grade
level they are on. It would also be an excellent resource to use
with elementary students who are dyslexic, because it offers an
audio feature for pre k- 5 grade for math problems.

Brief Description
for
Implementation:

Teachers can offer IXL in a center or allow students to work on

this program when they finish early. It can also be used to help
those who are behind on their grade level. Since a subscription
to IXL grants home access, it can also be used as homework or
for extra practice from anywhere that has an internet connection.

Team
Recommendation:

IXL would be most beneficial if it were implemented in daily

rotations. It would also be helpful for students to have access to
it as home. This would allow students to practice on their skills
and keep track of their improvements.

Specific Learning
Objectives and
how they were met
with this resource:

This program would work with most learning objectives, because

it is based on the state standards. One that I have seen is to
interpret data. Some questions require students to read charts
in order to answer questions.

IXL can be easily accessed from most computers with internet . It is a great
resource to use in the classroom, especially in math rotations. While observing
students using this resource, I noticed that most of them enjoyed it. Although, some
students got frustrated when they had points taken off for missing a question. If I had

my own classroom, I would definitely implement IXL in our daily routine and encourage
students to use it at home to practice their skills.

8. Engrade
This resource is a great way to keep all a students information and the materials
for a class in one place. Although I have never had a classroom to personally use this
in, I know teachers who use this on a daily basis for all features it offers. One thing I
have noticed with this resource is that it is similar in many ways to other teacher
organizational websites of this nature. The only differences are the layout and the
applications teachers can use to assist students. I find it a very friendly and easily
maneuverable site.
Brief Description:

Engrade is an online website that allows a teacher to do things

such as attendance, grades, lesson handouts, online homework
being turned in. The teacher can also create flashcards, wikis,
quizzes, and tests for the students. The students can view their
grades as well as partake in the applications the teacher sets-up
for their use. Teachers can also send messages to students
regarding anything from homework to grades to attendance.
Schools can also set this up as a school wide source where the
teachers keep up with all the grades and attendance.
Administrators can use this tool to communicate with teachers
and students as track what a teacher is doing.

Vendor/ How to
Obtain:

To use this source a teacher would go to www.engrade.com to

set up a free account. Once the account is made the teacher then
invites each student to have access to their class account. If the
school were to set this up they would do so the same way as a
teacher would.

Address, Phone,
and/or URL:

www.engrade.com
McGraw-Hill Education: Offices in Santa Monica, CA and New
York City, NY
For contact with the company a contact request form must be
filled out on the website.

Approximate
Cost:
System
Requirements:

Free
All users need is access to the internet. This program runs
completely through the internet on a cloud based system.

Limitations: Students can have difficulties submitting materials

If a child lacks access to the internet they have no way to view

grades, communicate with teachers, receive materials, or submit

assignments.
Some districts may not recognize this grading system as the
official one.
Advantages:

gradebook
attendance roster
class schedules
online assessments
communication with teachers, students, parents
resources provided to students such as files and links
Really good support on the website: many tutorial videos and
step by step assistance.
Cloud based so accessible from any computer

Why the resource

would be helpful
in your
school/district:

This resource can provide schools the ability to have teachers

using the same attendance, grading, and communication system.
If an entire school uses it, the students and parents know that
everything involved with each class is in one place and easy to
find. It also allows administrators to keep up with class schedules,
input new students, and communicate with teachers and parents.

Does this
resource assist
with diverse
needs and if so,
how?

It does not assist with diverse needs directly. A teacher can

create a class for students with diverse needs that has extra
materials if need be. It can also allow private communication
between parents and teachers that allows for discussion on how
to best help a student with diverse needs.

Brief Description
for
Implementation:

The best implementation for this is for a school to set this up as

their database system. Then the teachers would use it on a daily
basis for attendance, grades, lesson materials, and homework
when applicable. Exact specifics would vary from teacher to
teacher based on age of students and subject taught.

Team
Engrade is best used as a school wide program so all materials
Recommendation: and communication a student needs is in one place.
Specific Learning
Objectives and
how they were
met with this
resource:

Depending on how much an individual teacher used the

resources provided in this program would make a difference
which learning objectives could be met. It would also make a
difference what subject the teacher taught as to how the different
objectives were met. For example, in a music classroom, the
wikis provided can be used in group work to compose a song
which meets one of the national standards of composition.

This resource provides teachers with easy access to all materials in one location.
It also provides students and parents ease of mind knowing everything they need is in

one location. The price of free is also a plus for this resource because many schools
and teachers dont have the money to pay for expensive sites similar to this. My teacher
friend who uses this program on a daily basis loves how when he inputs grades and
uploads files for the students viewing, they have instantaneous access.

9. Moodle
This resource is an online resource that is designed to help teachers have
interactive classrooms with all materials in one place. It is a resource that is easy to use
to teach students how to use online materials for a classroom. I have never had a
classroom of my own to use this program in but a teacher friend of mine uses this in her
English and journalism classroom on a daily basis. Her only complaint is that her school
system doesnt use a grading system that can communicate with Moodle.
Brief Description:

Moodle is a simplified and similar program to canvas or

blackboard that is easy for high school students to learn to use to
get accustomed to doing things online before they get to college
where everything is done online. It provides teachers with many
ways to organize material for students and give multiple
resources.

Vendor/ How to
Obtain:

The school or district head would need to establish the main

account. From there the administrators would need to give each
teacher their personal account. The teachers would create their
own class page and then give the students a code to access
that page. This allows each page to be private.

Address, Phone,
and/or URL:

https://moodle.org

Approximate
Cost:
System
Requirements:

Free
All a user will need is access to the internet. This program runs
completely through the internet on a cloud based system. Some
teachers have found that the teacher portal does not work as well
through internet explorer but the students have not had this issue.

Limitations: Some districts may not recognize this grading system because it
may not communicate with the one currently in use.
Mac and PC documents dont always mix. Mac documents
sometimes must be exported for a PC to read it.
Advantages: Teachers can create different page set-ups: calendars, folders,
labels, etc.

 Students activities are listed for when they are sick and need to
make-up the work
Upload files, videos, website links
Homework assignments can be turned in online
Once established it stays from year to year
Online assessment
Because it is cloud based, it can be accessed from any device
that receives internet (such as phones, tablets, laptops, and
desktops)
Grades are instantaneously viable by the students and parents.
Why the resource
would be helpful
in your
school/district:

This resource would be helpful in a school or district because it

provides the teachers and students to have access to all
materials (grades, attendance, lesson materials, assessment,
outside resources) in one place. It would also help teach students
how to use online resources similar to what will be used on a
daily basis in college.

Does this
resource assist
with diverse
needs and if so,
how?

N/A

Brief Description
for
Implementation:

A school or district head will set up the school or district account.

From there the administrator will create teachers account. Each
teacher can then design their class page however they want to
use it the most effective way. For example, and english teacher
could establish a daily grammar journal.

Team
This resource is most appropriate for middle school and older
Recommendation: students.
Specific Learning
Objectives and
how they were
met with this
resource:

Specific learning objectives met with this resource can vary from
grade level, to subject, to individual teachers. I have seen english
teachers use this as a daily journal to assess grammar
objectives.

This resource is great to organize all of your materials as a teacher. It is also an

easy resource to use to teach students how to use online systems for when they go to
college. My teacher friend formats her senior class page like the ones she saw in
college and slowly throughout the year incorporates new parts of it so by the end all of
her students know how to function with online systems in college. This program is very
user friendly even for those teachers who didnt grow up in the technology age.

10. Charms Office Assistant

Charms Office Assistant is designed for individual programs (such as band, choir
and clubs) to help them function within themselves. It provides all organizational and
record keeping functions one could hope for. I have seen this program from the student
side of things. My band director used this and informed me of the features I did not
know of since I have not had a band program of my own yet. So I have seen it now from
both sides and think it is a great tool to use.
Brief Description:

This program is a great organizational assistant. It can provide

anything from financial records to inventory and even
demographic information.

Vendor/ How to
Obtain:

To establish an account with Charms Office Assistant go to

www.charmsoffice.com and select get trial. It will ask you to input
your information. Your account will be created and an invoice will
be sent to you for billing. (Specific step by step instructions can
be found on https://www.charmsoffice.com/howtoorder.asp)

Address, Phone,
and/or URL:

www.charmsoffice.com
Dorian Business Systems, Inc.
3001 Century Drive
Rowlett, TX 75088
P: 214-556-1912
F: 972-272-3980
Emails can be sent to different people based on the topic of the
email. Those email addresses can be found at
https://www.charmsoffice.com/contact.asp.

Approximate Cost: Annual Billing- $365 per year

Three-year Billing- $995/3 years
System
Requirements:
Limitations:

All a user will need is access to the internet because this

program is done completely through the internet.
Not all school systems recognize the grading system used in
charms as the official grading system. They do not communicate.
Volunteer sign-up is not customizable.

Advantages:

Financial records (budgets, expenditures, fundraisers, etc.)

Inventory
Music library
Communication via email and text
Demographic information
Each person has a personal account secured with password/id

number so no one can access their account but them.

Reports can be viewed or downloaded in an Excel format
Information can be instantaneously viewed by students or
parents once it is uploaded
Friendly tech support
Tutorial videos
Conferences across the country where one can learn about more
or new features.
All information is kept in one place.
Why the resource This resource could be helpful for organizations in my school
would be helpful in because it provides them with a tool to keep everything
your
organized in one place.
school/district:
Does this resource N/A
assist with diverse
needs and if so,
how?
Brief Description
for
Implementation:

The instructor would set up the account and then input any
information he or she wanted to include in the program. The
instructor could then personalize the features to match his or her
needs. For example, in a band program, the director could have
all of his music and instruments listen on the inventory, student
demographics listed on their accounts, and all of the band
financial records kept through this program.

Team
Recommendation:

Charms Office Assistant is an easy to use program for any type

of organization or school. It provides many different options to
instructors to help them organize all of their information records.

Specific Learning N/A: This resource is designed to help a teacher be organized

Objectives and
and have everything they need in one place.
how they were met
with this resource:
Charms Office Assistant is a reasonable price for the number of features that are
offered to its users. It provides many resources to instructors, students, and parents.
From my experience it is very easy to use as a student. My band director has used it for
several years and is always incorporating new features he is learning about. He uses it
to send out statements each month to parents to update on their fees and fundraising.
He also has all of his instruments, uniforms, and music inventoried on this website.
People can be granted access to read only or to edit. When given permission to edit,

one can be given permission to only edit a specific section or all of it. The instructor can
also change what information and how much the parents/students can see.