ILS

//1. **Provide a description of your software category. From a user's perspective, what are some of the characteristics of the software? What are the purposes for which this software was developed or its use envisioned in the classroom? What can a student or teacher expect to gain from interacting with software?**// Integrated learning systems are packages of networked hardware and software that are used as part of a comprehensive educational system that a school purchases to integrate within its overall curriculum. The purpose of these systems are to direct and coach the students through the learning experience. Their intent is to keep students engaged in learning while at the same time having a fun learning experience. From a teachers perspective, these programs are generally more extensive in their scope of instruction. They were designed to help track students' progress while students were completing the exercises. Teachers can use these programs to regulate students' progress. Essentially, integrated learning systems were designed to increase student test scores and provide fast feeback.

Integrated Learning System programs allows each student to study at his/her level, so these programs can be seen as a testing and practice programs. Students work individually and also at their own pace through exercises that are designed to give them practice in target areas.

//2. **Will the maintenance of this software be the responsibility of the teacher or will it be the responsibility of a school/district tech support person?**// For glitches in the system, the teacher may file a Technical Service Request, or TSR, which will be sent to someone in the technical department. If the problem is too complex for the technical department, then the issue may be elevated to the district. At this level, the Director of Technology would handle the issue. In addition, some of the companies that offer integrated learning systems also have their own technical support staff.

//3.// **//How does your group see the use of this software in support of student learning? How will this software help teachers meet Washington's learning standards for our grade level?//** We believe as a group that integrated learning systems in theory will dramatically increase students basic skill sets. We can see the potential these systems have for supporting student learning as extremely valuable. However, there are some struggles that need to be considered. Some of these programs are simply too advanced for school computers. Due to a lack of funding, most public schools find it almost impossible to keep-up with the fast pace of technological advances. Also, it seems rare to find a system that will meet specifically with Washington's learning standards, although Renaissance does offer a STAR program. The main point to consider when shopping around for these programs is they are not meant to replace the curriculum, they were designed to enhance it.

We also believed that these programs are put in place to developed kids in the area of literacy and numeracy. Intergrated Learning Systems could help students vastly with the Washington Learning Standards if the students are introduce to these programs from an early age. It is not clear if these programs teach depth of content so schools would have to just used these as a tool to go along with there curriculum.

//4. **Does training come with the software? How is a teacher (or student) supposed to know how to use the software?**// Usually, if a school district is going to implement an advanced piece of software for students to use in the classroom on a regular basis, it's seems logical to assume that the district will also provide training. Districts in the past have trained a core group of people to become specialist who then go out to schools to offer 1-day training sessions for teachers and other staff members. Again, it seems logical that this would be the way such training would be implemented in a large school system. However, some companies such as Renaissance provide their own professional development tools such as webinars, seminars, and certification program for those interested in learning more about their programs. Still, others providers like Pearson provide webinars, recorded tutorials, workshops, and live technical support.

//5. **What other questions should I ask about the software? What do I want to know or find out about the software I was investigating ? What are some of the features I would look for? How do I visualize using the software with my future students? What would I like to know in my imagined classroom context?**// While evaluating these systems, we would like to know if we had the appropriate support structure needed to install the program. We would also like to know if the hardware is user friendly. Another concern would be the cost/fee structure. Is it affordable? Security is also an issue. How secure is the data? Could one student take the test for another student? One of the special features we would like to see from a new program would be the type of information it could give us about the test taker. We would also like to know if we would have access to more subjects within the program and if the system is progressive throughout a student's time in education. Does the system track progress between grade levels? In case a student moves to another school, can the program transfer this students record to his new school? Speed and accessibility are also features of interest. How does the system interpretes information? Is it web or building accessible?

//6.// **//While testing the software comment on some of the positive and negative experiences that affected your opinion about using this class of software. What are the particular strengths and weaknesses of the software? Overall, on a 5-star rating system where 5 star is outstanding and 1 star is disappointing, rate your experience with using the software for this review.//** After using the system, some of the positives aspects we noticed was that it was easy for an administrator to use, there is quick turn-around (results are generated and accessible within 1 hour), and that it is good for the students. Some of the negative aspects regard the assessment data that these systems provide. Assessment data is limited to test scores only. They do not tell us the specific strengths and weaknesses of the individual test taker so the teacher must test the students again to get this type of information. Finally, the tests given by these programs are multiple choice, so students can use a process of elimination to find the correct answer rather than actually thinking about the problem. Overall, we give this software 3.5 stars.