How does the SRA System provide individualized instruction?
Beginning with your state or provincial standards, the SRA System sets a baseline for each student. The assessments allow each child to 'test out of' skills and concepts they already have mastered, and prescribe specific learning activities to reinforce classroom instruction for those that they have not yet mastered. The result is that children work through the curricula on their own paths and at their own pace.
How does SRA assess student performance?
All of the SRA assessments and learning activities use true multimedia with real imagery (digital photos), children's voices, and purposeful animation. Each activity involves the student auditorily, visually, and kinesthetically. As students are introduced to new concepts and skills, or are assessed on those they have already learned, the SRA Progress Manager records every response. Demonstration of mastery differs in each activity, but the system records the time it takes the student to respond, the number of correct and incorrect responses, and the total time the student spends on the activity. This data is all recorded and displayed in clear reports within the Progress Manager.
Can a parent access the products at home without activation by a professional educator?
No. In 2002, parents of students who are using the SRA System in school will have the ability to view their child's progress in Literacy Launcher At Home, but the classroom educator must activate this access.
How do classroom educators use the SRA System?
Most classrooms use the SRA System as a supplement to their normal curriculum. It is most effective when used by each student for at least 15 minutes per day. The fact that Literacy Launcher is available on any computer with an Internet connection means that students may use it in the classroom, in the computer lab, or even at home, providing greater flexibility for the educator. Classroom centers of 3 to 4 computers are most effective, but regular visits to a computer lab can also produce positive results. The SRA System offers an individualized curriculum for each child, with room for modification by the educator, and then monitors each student's progress. That progress is detailed in real time reports allowing the educator to monitor and adjust instruction as necessary.
Does the SRA System require extensive educator training?
No. The system is easy to learn and administer. If you can surf the web, you can use SRA's System. Educators can become proficient on the system in half a day or less, and they are supported by an extensive collection of easily accessible online resources. The SRA Progress Manager records student progress and displays it using clear, concise reports.
What is the purpose of the assessment?
Assessments help determine each student's baseline for the learning objectives to be taught in a Curriculum Object, and gauge when the student has mastered those objectives. Assessments are supported by learning activities based on the student's individual learning objective needs. According to the student's progress within each Curriculum Object, the educator can adjust the curriculum content in an appropriate manner.
Can a student use the system away from school?
Yes. The educator has the option of providing a student's parent or guardian with a password that will enable the student to log in to the SRA System from home or other public locations.
How do children react to the SRA System?
Children thoroughly enjoy using the system. They are motivated by the rich graphics and friendly peer voices that provide feedback. Many educators note how much fun the children have progressing through Curriculum Objects, without realizing that the SRA System is assessing their progress and adjusting the curriculum accordingly.
Do children need to be on the system for lengthy periods each day?
No. The average student can benefit from using the system as little as 15 minutes per day.
Does the SRA System replace the educator?
No. Nothing can replace the experience of interacting with a caring adult. The SRA System is a supplement to a educator's curriculum that empowers them to be effective learning facilitators. It helps the educator identify a child's specific learning needs, and develops an individualized curriculum for each student. Tools within the product allow the educator to further modify the curriculum based on personal observations, or to align it with current classroom instruction. Educators are always the ultimate authority in all curriculum decisions.
Is the SRA System easy to use?
Yes. The system is designed with the novice in mind. If you can surf the web, you can use the SRA System. In addition, there is a wealth of easily accessible online resources available for all users, including electronic user's manuals, live interaction with our Support department, and extensive FAQs.
What makes the SRA System unique?
While many technology-based learning tools have some of the features of this system, none has the complete comprehensive learning system that SRA has developed. The SRA System is designed to emulate the best practices of educators. Using your goals and standards, we find out what concepts and skills your students already possess through our assessments. Then we help you fill in the gaps by providing learning activities that enhance your classroom instruction. After successful completion of the assigned activities, we reassess to make sure that they have learned what they needed to learn. Finally, we provide assurance that students have transferred the concepts and skills to long-term memory by assessing them one more time in a new context and application.
What are the main features of the SRA System, and how does it work?
The SRA System is a complete package that assesses what children already know, provides learning activities to fill in the gaps, and assesses again in a new context to ensure that new learning has been transferred to long-term memory, all delivered anytime, anywhere, on the Internet. The key components of the system are:
Assessments: These are tests that identify which specific concepts and skills for each Curriculum Object a student already has in long-term memory, and which need to be taught or strengthened. The results of the assessments guide the creation of a personalized path through the learning activities. Students retake each assessment or portions thereof, after they complete the assigned learning activities.
Learning Activities: The learning activities provide instruction and reinforce specific skills and concepts.
My Literacy Launcher: This is the tool that educators use to manage classes and curriculum, and to view the results of assessments and learning activities. These results are displayed in a clear, concise manner, and provide educators with the information they need to make curriculum and resource decisions. It allows educators to modify each student's personal curriculum based on classroom observation, or to align it with current classroom instruction.
Are students expected to sit in front of a computer and use the Internet all day long?
The SRA System does not presume to replace the educator/parent role in a child's development. The system can produce positive academic growth for a student in as little as 15 minutes per subject, per day. In addition, Progress Manager allows the educator to specify the length of each session each time the student logs in. At the end of the specified session length, the product automatically logs the student off. During the session, the browser is essentially locked. The student is not able to leave the SRA System or link to other sites on the Internet. Despite all precautions on our part, student sessions should always be monitored and regulated by a educator or parent.
Can I try out your system in my classroom before I buy it?
We have samples of our learning activities and assessments available on our website. If you are interested in trying the full product in your classroom, please Contact Us.
How much time per day is required for educators to get up to speed on the SRA System?
Once educators are comfortable navigating the Internet and our website, they will be able to master the basics of the SRA System in 2 to 3 hours. The availability of the product on the Internet, including all reference and training materials, allows educators the flexibility to fit training and use to their schedules.
Once a educator is up to speed, how much time per day should he/she expect to spend on SRA administration?
The SRA System is a tool designed to make the educator's job easier, and his/her efforts more effective. After an initial set up process, including preparing the class list, a educator may spend as little as 10 minutes a day using the Progress Manager. This tool provides quick overviews of each student's progress on the SRA objectives and state or provincial standards. The information is easily accessed to assist with planning lessons and assigning resources efficiently and quickly in a manner that will ensure success for all students.
Our school is accustomed to purchasing CD-ROMs, one per computer. How do you sell your product since it is delivered via the Internet?
The SRA System is available to purchase on a yearly subscription basis. The Literacy Launcher series is sold on a per-student-per-year basis. For additional information on pricing for your specific situation, please Contact Us.
I love SRA! What materials can I send to all of my friends, family and colleagues?
The best way to share information about SRA with your friends, family and colleagues is to send them a link to our website (http://www.rblc.com). There are also a variety of materials available that you can send in electronic format, or print out and mail from our Support library. In addition, we can mail brochures and fact sheets to you; just complete the form located in the Contact Us section.
Can preschool age children use Literacy Launcher and the SRA System?
Yes, and they really have fun using it. Children who have not used a computer will have to become familiar with its basic operation. Unlike adults, however, children are not afraid to try new things and will learn quickly. The Level 0 content in Literacy Launcher is intended to provide four and five year-olds with the necessary skills to ensure success in kindergarten.