Anybody have experience with Study Island?

[fairytalemama]

Our school district uses this site --- www.studyisland.com ---for test prep. My daughter is in K and her teacher wants them to start using it.
Today was the first day we tried it. Her teacher had assigned the class a math test (it was pretty much just counting and number sequences) and a reading test (i.e. a voice says "cup" and shows a picture of a cup and says what letter does this word start with?). My daughter took both of them and scored "proficient" or better on both. Her class won't be tested this year so I guess it's just to get used to using the site for the future.

Do you find any of the tools on there valuable? Are there certain areas that are more worth using than others? I haven't had a chance to take a good look at it yet. I just thought maybe some vets out there on the board may be in a school district that uses it.

[fairytalemama]

So I'm guessing based on the lack of response that no one's ever used this website?

[RhondaJK]

We used it for math test prep with k12 in MN last year. It was helpful to identify any holes or weak areas for DD who was 8 and in 3rd grade at the time. She did play a few of the games, but I think the biggest help for her, was the practice with differently worded math problems. I was very disgusted with all of the test prep being forced into our already very busy day, and did not bother with it after she scored proficient in all of the subtest areas. We did the state's practice test and went back to our regular studies. The whole push for studying to the test is one of the reasons we are not doing K12 this year.:tongue_smilie:

[Barb F. PA in AZ]

Our school district uses this site --- www.studyisland.com
Do you find any of the tools on there valuable? Are there certain areas that are more worth using than others? I haven't had a chance to take a good look at it yet. I just thought maybe some vets out there on the board may be in a school district that uses it.

Nope, I don't believe in studying for standardized tests. We messed around with it when we did a K12 virtual charter, but I never used it seriously. Doing well on the test makes the school look good, but the child has to do the extra prep. No thanks.

[fairytalemama]

Thanks for the feedback ladies! I guess I'll just use it with her to do the practice tests the teacher assigns, and let the rest go.

[MIch elle]

My ds uses it in grade 8. His math teacher assigns a lesson every Tuesday on Study Island. So far I don't like it because it doesn't tell the student HOW to solve the problems if they get them wrong.

[krista]

My son used study island for a bit - and I was not happy with it. In my opinion it was just a computerized version of math worksheets, with a audio. There are so many wonderful programs out there that actually teach chlidren about math and help them develop their skills - not just practice for tests. I think the goal of any computer lesson should be to be able to provide kids with study individualized to them - and help them develop new tools for solving math. If you are looking for home - try Math-Whizz, Dreambox, Aleks (our favorites in that order). If you are with a school most of these programs have school versions.

[fairytalemama]

Thanks Krista. After looking at it more, I agree with you and the other posters that there's not much value there. Plus, it's so boring that I think it would turn any kid off math and reading.

My plan is to just keep using OPGTR and ease into some Rightstart Math as the year goes on.

[WordGirl]

My daughter was encouraged to use it at home in the weeks before standardized tests this spring, but I looked at some of the exercises and decided to skip it. I think they still use it occasionally at school the rest of the year during computer time.

[Bloggermom]

I also have to put in recommendations for Math Whizz and Dreambox. They are a huge part of my success with homeschooling my kids.

[millerwilson]

Anybody have experience with Study Island?