I'm glad you pointed this out. I'm going to have to investigate this on
our end. We've  been looking for something like this and this might be
something for us to add. Thanks!

Katrina


>>> "Limkemann, Karen" <Karen.Limkemann at fwliteracyalliance.org> 08/02/06

8:00 AM >>>
We also use KeyTrain as an instructional method but we use it with all
levels including ESL.  The auditory support is very popular with the ESL
students who frequently have minimal opportunity to listen to standard
spoken English.  They love the repeat button!

The beginning skills portions of the software are the most critical for
lower level students. We had a situation here in Indiana where the South
Bend area bought the KeyTrain program but NOT the beginning skills.
They had to go back and get those portions. Without the beginning skills
sections Katrina is right, it would only be useful for higher end
students.

Karen Limkemann
Ft. Wayne, IN





-----Original Message-----
From: assessment-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:assessment-bounces at nifl.gov]
On Behalf Of Katrina Hinson
Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2006 8:46 AM
To: The Assessment Discussion List
Subject: [Assessment 440] Re: Skills Bank


We have Skills Bank 4, My Skills Tutor (online), MHC Interactive,
Keytrain  and A+Anywhere. Additionally I have experience with using
PLATO as well.  We've kind of taken a different approach and use
different programs with different levels of students. My Skills Tutor is
one we use with our  midrange level students while A+ and MHC are
programs we use with our higher level students. Keytrain is one we use
for students who might only need to "brush" up and can do so quickly.
PLATO is similar to A+ in that it is very academic oriented and the
readability level of the questions and content in both  is higher than
that of My Skills Tutor.

All of the software programs when appropriately used are excellent
resources are all about the same in terms of "user friendliness." I have
to do the administration for most of the programs I've listed and I
always create a student account so that I can practice the same
assignments I give with my students.  My students like all of them...and
recognize that each has its own different difficulty levels. One may
work on fractions in one program and %'s in another and use still
another for writing practice.  The key is finding where your own comfort
level is as well as the comfort level of your student.

They are excellent ways to reinforce skills or provide practice at home
for students who want homework or for students who may have to take a
"break" from class for whatever reason. It gives them a chance to keep
their skills up if they so desire.  Like someone else, I'm not sure I
like the idea of them being stand alone - albeit with A+Anywhere our
program does utilize A+Anywhere  for Adult High School Students who need
a credit for a class that we don't necessarily offer every semester but
is needed for graduation. It correlates with our states Standard Course
of Study and also offers a college readiness module. 


Regards,

Katrina Hinson


________________________________

From: assessment-bounces at nifl.gov on behalf of Gloria Fuentes
Sent: Mon 7/31/2006 4:13 PM
To: Assessment at nifl.gov 
Subject: [Assessment 430] Re: Skills Bank


Is anyone familiar with the SkillsBank software or Plato, if so what do
you think about it for GED preparation? 

-- 
Gloria Fuentes 
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