Learning List recently reviewed Edgenuity’s Integrated Physics and Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, and Physics courses. These video-based courses address the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and are appropriate for blended learning and/or self-paced instruction. However, teacher involvement improves rigor and increases the likelihood of student success.

A guiding question, such as “What is the relationship between hypotheses, theories, and laws?” forms the basis of each lesson. A variety of teachers provide instruction in short video lectures, supported by notes, demonstrations, guided practice, and brief checks for understanding. Some lessons include activities such as using Gizmos to explore Mystery Powder Analysis. Each lesson concludes with a teacher-led review, practice activities, and a short quiz. Each unit ends with a multiple-choice test. [Read more. . . ]

Learning List recently reviewed BrainPOP’s Algebra I, U.S. History, and Biology resources for high school. BrainPOP is a supplemental program that supports instruction in the core content areas as well as technology, fine arts, and health. Resources are available online and include some printable materials. Instruction uses videos and interactive concept maps to address content.

BrainPOP organizes content in “Topics” that address a range of subject-area concepts (e.g., historical figures, cells, polynomials). Topics include a short movie in which animated characters explore a topic-related question, provide background information, explore and illustrate key concepts, and introduce and define new vocabulary.  [Read more. . . ]

Learning List recently reviewed MPO Solutions’ Freedom Run® which is a supplemental product designed to help Texas students in grade 8 prepare for the social studies STAAR test. This digital product includes two online game-style student apps. Teacher resources are available online with downloadable components.

Freedom Run organizes content in five units that address facts about U.S. history from the establishment of the first colonies (e.g., 1492) through reconstruction (e.g., 1877). Units consist of three or four chapters. Each chapter contains a set of short, topically organized lessons that feature a summary statement followed by a list of historical facts. At the end of each lesson in the student edition, icons direct students to the practices, videos, and additional activities the apps.

To support ELL students, the product is available in English and Spanish. The videos are narrated in both languages, without closed-captioning. Both versions of the student app allow students to select English or Spanish. [Read more…]

Edmentum’s Plato Courseware™ is an online program that supports instruction in self-paced, remediation, and credit recovery programs. Plato provides comprehensive instruction in each of the core subjects, as well as in other content areas (e.g., world languages). Learning List recently reviewed Plato’s sequence of high school English courses. Instruction is provided online and includes printable materials. 

At each grade level, content is presented in two semester-long courses, and each semester is made up of three units. Each unit begins with a pre-test that assesses students’ mastery of learning objectives. Based on pre-test results, teachers may exempt students from some or all of the unit’s lessons or use results to provide targeted remediation. [Read more…]

Learning List recently reviewed StrongMind, which was submitted for state adoption in Texas in response to the Texas Education Agency’s Proclamation 2019 call for K-8 English language arts and reading (ELAR) products aligned to the new ELAR Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). StrongMind provides online “courseware” that supports instruction in the core subject areas and some electives (e.g., art history, career and technology courses) in middle school and high school grades. Instruction is designed for self-paced and credit-recovery programs and blended learning environments. Learning List reviewed English language arts resources for Texas middle school students.

At each grade level, StrongMind’s Texas middle school content is organized in two semester-long courses.  Each semester is made up of six units that are loosely organized around a theme. For example, a grade 7 unit titled “Putting It In Order” includes lessons addressing informational texts, such as chapters from Helen Keller’s “The Story of My Life,” and writing an informational essay. [Read more…]