Recommended Virtual Platforms
Some of you have requested me to write a post about the virtual programs, used by the Eagles to learn reading, writing and math. In this post, I shall review some of the programs that I know and recommend, and I shall also make note of what is used in the studio and in what way.
Khan Academy – https://www.khanacademy.org
I’ll start with Khan Academy because, in my opinion, it’s a wonderful platform, especially for children. In our studio, the children learn math mainly with Khan. The world’s best content and pedagogy experts created a virtual environment for children, in which they study all the math curriculum in an orderly manner, from k-12 (and even further, but that doesn’t concern us now). What’s amazing about Khan is the fact that it adjusts itself completely to the child’s level. The system identifies what the child does and doesn’t know and chooses the exercises that the child works on, accordingly. Every subject is explained in a detailed video, which also has written explanations, and allows children to progress at their own individual pace. It should be noted that Khan’s environment is not a game environment, therefore not all children will engage in it easily.
In addition to math, the children and you too, can learn almost any subject you desire, in Khan: Physics, biology, programming, history, art, government economics and more. And of course, it’s all free. Did I already mention how amazing it is?
DreamBox – https://www.dreambox.com
DreamBox is a great platform for learning math in a more experiential and interactive way. The system has the entire math curriculum for k-8 and here too the system identifies the level, at which the child is and adjusts the exercises accordingly. It should be noted that in this system, the explanations are less detailed and sometimes the children can progress through the lower grade material while ignoring the lessons on technique (usually it won’t happen in Khan Academy). I do recommend this platform along with Khan Academy, especially for children who like more interactive and experiential content. The child exercises the subjects he/she needs to learn in depth, and the combination of the two platforms something I recommend. The program has a monthly cost (not very high).
Prodigy – https://play.prodigygame.com
Prodigy is a game platform for math learning. I love Prodigy, because it is so engaging for kids! My own kids at home can play the game for hours, and the amount of math content they learn through this is quite amazing. Here too, the system identifies the child’s level and adjusts the exercises accordingly. I highly recommend trying it as it was a great success for us. The basic version, which is absolutely sufficient, is free of charge.
Lexia – https://lexialearning.com
Lexia is the main system with which the Eagles can practice reading and writing. I first encountered Lexia at Acton and getting to know this system was a perspective changing experience for me. This system allows the children to learn reading and writing starting from kindergarten up to 10th grade, and it helps work on reading, text analysis, grammar, vocabulary and more. One of Lexia’s most exciting features, in my opinion, is its adjustment to children with learning disabilities, especially dyslexia, and it works miracles on children with such disabilities. Here too, the system is divided into levels, it adjusts itself to the child’s abilities and allows the child to progress at his/her own pace. And with all this, the system is available for a modest annual charge both for schools and home schooling families. What can I say? It’s fascinating.
Other systems used in the studio, but on a more sporadic basis are Spelling City (spelling and vocabulary studies), No Red Ink (writing and grammar studies) and Alex (math studies, specifically: the multiplication, addition and subtraction tables), Typing Club (English blind typing studies).
Other virtual sites which I highly recommend are: Outschool (a great variety of virtual online courses in the Zoom program), Field Trip Zoom (virtual visits in different world sites, using the Zoom program), Nitro-type (a super cool game for learning blind typing), and Jam (a small number of video courses on cool subjects for children, like lego, youtube etc.).