ClickN KIDS

Dr. Toy’s 2011 Best Children’s Vacation Products Winners Assists Children to Play and Learn at Home and Away on Vacation

2011-06-20T11:32:00.000-07:00

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – (June 9, 2011) - The report of winning toys for Dr.Toy’s Best Vacation Children’s Products for Summer 2011 is now available to parents, teachers and others on Dr. Toy ’s Guide at www.drtoy.com. The information is designed to assist children to play and learn at home and while on vacation.

Dr. Toy’s Best Vacation Children’s Products Awards were developed by noted child development authority, Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D. (a.k.a. Dr. Toy), as a service to consumers who desire to purchase safe, affordable, educationally-oriented, and stimulating toys and play products for children for vacation time at home or on the road.

“As a childhood specialist for 40 years,” says Dr. Toy, “I have seen the continuous, essential need for more year-round resources for consumers to identify and choose the most appropriate products for all children.”

Dr. Toy reports that in the years the innovative on-line magazine, Dr. Toy’s Guide, has been available, “thousands of visitors daily from around the world have accessed its information.” It was the first web site to evaluate toys and children’s products. The report is being released, according to Dr. Toy, to “encourage parents and teachers to focus on the value of play during the summer as essential to the overall learning process.”

She adds, “The Best Vacation Products are a balanced selection from large and small, new and established, companies across the U.S.A., Canada, and around the world and will provide children with exciting new learning tools that will help them not only do better in school, but also will provide more constructive activities while traveling or at vacation destinations.”

The Best and Practical Way in Teaching Your Kid Learn to Read

2011-06-15T12:43:00.000-07:00

by Summer Edwards

(submitted 2011-06-14)

Parenting- how would you make your kids get enthused about learning? The premiere move to feat them on the manus grounds towards enjoying the learning process is serving them see how to learn. Erstwhile they start reading, a total new concern leave be unsealed up to them; and they'll not exclusive discover, they'll savor doing it too. You'll administer them the benefit of having a lead signal on effort a deep knowledge, spelling vision and writing skills which gives them a benefit in sentence and interactive acquisition software, you can initiate your kids on how to hear to show finished a computer via ClickN KIDS.

ClickN KIDS is a successful software show that teaches children learn to read and write. It has already been featured in NBC, and it has helped lots of children learn to read, write and speak. Not only does this provide the other magnet of using a machine which is ever a quality for formative kids, they'll be fit to vantage acquisition their letters justness privileged your own premises.

ClickN KIDS works by simulating a live classroom and by providing guided steps that will allow your children to learn spelling and reading at their own pace. The program lets kids work entirely on their own with only the on-screen instructor as their guide, which means that it doesn't require a supervisor or a teacher. It is also a highly interactive teaching program which means that it uses more than the usual flash cards and text; it exposes children to correctly pronounced English.

Helping kids learn to read through ClickN KIDS is so effective; it has already won several awards as an online learning program. That's because ClickN KIDS makes learning interesting for kids using popular cartoon characters. It was also designed by a nationally recognized

With ClickN KIDS, your child can learn to read independently while also enjoying the whole learning experience. It can teach your child how to read, write and speak English correctly but most importantly, ClickN KIDS can teach your child that reading and writing are activities that can be enjoyed. A lot of parents and teachers are already appreciating what ClickN KIDS have done for children; it is a great investment for any child's future. education professor who has had a lot of experience teaching children to learn to read. The curriculum is research based and is also in line with school core curriculum to meet school requirements.

Visit ClickN KIDS Website

Homeschool.com Product Review of Looney Tunes Phonics

2011-06-08T18:53:00.000-07:00

By: Ann Simpson

Looney Tunes Phonics combines the research based curriculum and instructional design of the highly acclaimed ClickN READ Phonics® program with the zany antics of Bugs Bunny, Daffy, Taz, Tweety and all the Looney Tunes™ characters your child loves.    Your child also meets a new, charming, and helpful character, Professor Wizbot, the Looney Tunes Phonics on-screen instructor who teaches one click at a time®.

Professor Wizbot’s teachings flow nicely from one lesson to another, and as a parent, you appreciate the ability to check your child’s progress at the end of each lesson.

Delivered online, Looney Tunes Phonics contains 100 research based interactive cartoon lessons that teach the entire kindergarten to 3rd grade phonics curriculum taught in USA Schools. ClickN READ Phonics® is guaranteed to work for beginning, struggling and learning disabled readers. Great for homeschool families to use as their solo reading program or as an entertaining supplement.

Looney Tunes Phonics teaches your child
•    letter sounds; beginning, middle and ending letter sounds in words
•    word blending
•    sight words
•    word families
•    word endings
•    the silent E Rule
•    prefixes and suffixes
•    letter sound review and word recognition review
•    how to make sentences
•    how to read single sentence to multiple sentence stories
•    story reading
•    and MORE!

Looney Tunes Phonics also reinforces listening skills and teaches basic keyboarding and mouse computing skills. This is a well- rounded program. And if your child enjoys cartoons, learning to read becomes a fun experience—he laughs while he learns!

Visit Looney Tunes Phonics Website

Looney Tunes Teach Phonics

2011-06-03T13:44:00.000-07:00

June 3, 2011 12:00 pm

The scene above obviously isn’t from the new Looney Tunes Show on Cartoon Network. It’s actually from a new set of Looney Tunes shorts being created for series of online Phonics lessons: Looney Tunes ClickN Read Phonics.

I can’t vouch for the lessons, but the cartoon segments are surprisingly good (they are actually making roughly 100 six-minute cartoons which are spread out in excerpts throughout the lessons). Considering that they are produced in Flash by a handful of people, using studio-approved clip art from the licensee model pack, they are remarkable. True, there is no room for Clampett-style exaggerated action here, but they are as faithful as one can be to the originals considering the limitations.

To Read More Click Here

To Visit the Looney Tunes Phonics website and try a free lesson click here

How To Teach Phonics Organically

2011-05-27T14:50:00.000-07:00

By Alan Scalone on May 26, 2011

These days “organic” is the magic word and with the right program you can learn how to teach phonics organically.

With a rise in child obesity, warnings against processed food, and the conflicting messages about potatoes, milk, – or any other food we’ve grown to love – parents are choosing a fresh approach to eating.
It’s been proven that a healthy diet maximizes a child’s cognitive development. But you don’t need science to tell you cookies and cake, do not an attentive child make. Attentive children learn to become good readers and their parents understand how to teach phonics to them in an organic way.

In this case, a program which shows you how to teach phonics organically means you will cultivate curiosity by turning regular activities into teachable moments.

These are interactions that are normally overlooked, but have great learning potential.

A trip to the grocery store can be a lesson in French, Spanish, math, basic colors and shapes or new words and another way to learn how to teach phonics organically.
Brushing your teeth can be about environmental responsibility (or science if you let them make their own.)
A walk to the park can increase observational skills about the surrounding world at any age. It too is another way to learn how to teach phonics organically.
These spur-of-the-moment lessons pepper your child’s learning experience, and build curiosity in a natural way.
Combined with a structured and fun set of programs to show you how to teach phonics organically like Looney Tunes ClickN READ Phonics, an “organic” learning environment will provide a more comprehensive way to learn—which means a happier, smarter, well-rounded child.

Alan Scalone is the HowToLearn.com Official Expert on Phonics and Reading. He brings years of Fortune 50 Corporate tenure. Alan began his professional career in 1979 developing software systems that control paper mills, oil refineries, and electric utility plants, leading 10 years later to a Senior Systems Engineer for Honeywell's elite global post sales technical support group.
Following this, he took on the task of establishing and managing the hardware and software manufacturing quality assurance departments for industry leading Hypercom's point of sale transaction processing product manufacturer, leading to the successful launch and dominate market penetration of the firm's credit card processing product line. Alan then spent several years designing and developing Motorola's worldwide Intranet communications software systems.

Today, Alan is a phonics and reading expert and helps you learn how to teach phonics.

To Learn More About Looney Tunes ClickN READ Phonics- Click HERE

HowToLearn.com Announces Complimentary Ask Experts Questions Program

2011-05-24T13:15:00.000-07:00

Thursday May 19, 2011 - 02:00 AM EDT

Latest Press Releases and News From I-Newswire.com

The Ask Experts Questions service is complimentary on HowToLearn.com. The expert answers are designed to help parents, teachers and college students succeed in school and in life with unique information and strategies.

HowToLearn.com, online since 1996, serves the online community by encouraging you ask their Official Experts questions and get answers to your most important questions about learning, parenting, ADHD, autism, reading, vision, bullying, how to finish college and more.

The Ask Experts Questions service is complimentary on HowToLearn.com.

The expert answers are designed to help parents, teachers and college students succeed in school and in life with unique information and strategies.

The Official Experts on HowToLearn.com include: ADHD physicians Frank Barnhill, M.D. and Stephen Guffanti, M.D., Brain Health, Thyroid and Memory expert Richard Shames, M.D., Vision and Learning expert Kristy Remick, O.D., FCOVD, Bullying expert Kathy Seifert, Ph.D., Finish College expert Marcia Cantarella, Ph.D., Reading and Learning Disabilities expert Bonnie Terry, Phonics and Reading expert Alan Scalone, Speed Reading expert Abby Marks Beale, Music and Learning expert Jay Oliver, Accelerated Learning expert Colin Rose, Autism experts Eric Chessen and Joel Manzer, Homeschool expert, Rebecca Kochenderfer, Algebra expert Henry Borenson, Ed.D., and learning styles and strategies expert, Pat Wyman.

Visitors who have questions about how to help a child or adult succeed in school and in life are welcome to ask http://www.HowToLearn.com experts questions at any time.

“As a college graduate who wants to add to his specific learning and memory strategies because I am seeking a new job, I visit HowToLearn.com and not only read the latest articles but feel very comfortable asking the experts my questions. I really appreciate that they offer this service at no cost and it’s been very helpful to me,” says Brian Cary, graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design.

The HowToLearn.com Official Experts are listed at http://www.HowToLearn.com/experts and questions are via the contact form at the right of the page.

Company Contact Information
HowToLearn.com
Pat Wyman
P.O. Box 4565
95402
707 837 8180

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Online Learning Set to Change Future of Education Sector

2011-05-16T14:50:00.000-07:00

By Robert J. Bahash | May 6, 2011 4:14 AM EDT

The web and mobile connectivity have been indisputable agents of change across a range of industries, bringing our global economy closer together and providing opportunity for business to thrive where it would previously be impossible. In the education sector, most notably, mobile connectivity, web 2.0 capabilities, and smart software are the catalysts for making quality education available to eager students who may not have access to it otherwise.

The availability of online learning and tools for ever younger students is becoming a new focus today as we realize how dependent our world really is on the skills honed through electronic communication, social media, and abbreviated calculations of how our world works. Tools that build critical thinking through games, encourage collaboration and provide real-time assessment and remediation have become a secret weapon for many schools in helping to prepare their students for the real world.

Students’ formative high school years - especially critical - provide teachers with an opportunity for instilling college and career readiness, an inclination critical to success in any post-graduate environment. Exposure to the unique requirements of online coursework, most notably independent study and virtual collaboration, provide students with experience in developing self-motivation. Students learn time management, prioritization and – despite misconceptions about online learning – practice community building more in tune with today’s actual professional environments.

Distance learning is one specific example of an innovation helping many countries bring education to students who otherwise may not have access to the traditional campus. Modern technologies such as lecture capture systems and e-textbooks aid distance learning and make it easier to more broadly share and expand the knowledge base. In times of crisis, distance learning and online coursework has helped keep students stay on track with their schooling under circumstances beyond their control.

However, the technology alone cannot improve our global education system. The core to universally raising the standards of education advancements starts with the instructor. They are responsible for keeping students properly engaged and challenged throughout their schooling careers. One attribute the U.S. can learn from its global counterparts is to raise the status of the teaching profession overall and provide more professional development for teachers. The profession as a whole needs to be held at a higher level of respect and regard in order to develop exceptional teachers.

Changing classroom teaching techniques to adapt to today’s digital world will also improve the learning experience for students. The development of high-tech learning applications and digital content delivery has transformed the learning platform by allowing more students access to lectures and materials. For successful 21st Century learning, classrooms need to embrace the power of data to create learning paths that will help shape students and prepare them for the digitally driven world. There are countless tools now helping to unify and bridge the learning gap by using adaptive learning, assessment, and interactivity.

The adoption of various technologies in the classroom is so vital for students to become prepared for the globally interconnected workforce that we cannot ignore the importance of the teacher and the technology tools that should be at their fingertips. Adapting to this change – on a global scale – will help our world work together and accomplish great things.
(Robert J. Bahash is president of McGraw-Hill Education, which is engaged in the development of teaching and learning solutions.)

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Power Up Your Reading Time

2011-05-16T14:11:00.000-07:00

Is your child getting bored with reading?

They may need some supplemental activities to keep Them motivated. Reading is a basic tool for success in any learning environment; encourage it often. Here are some key ways to improve your child’s reading time.

1. Read together. Sharing the reading takes some of the pressure off our your child. This models good behavior and shows kids that reading is important enough for adults too.

2. A picture is worth a thousand words. Point to them. Make reference to what the pictures bring to mind. Ask questions regarding the pictures. Draw your own.

3. If your child gets restless, move on to another activity or take a small break. You want to keep the experience positive.

4. Books on Tape. What a great way to keep your children engaged in a story! The voices and sounds are attention grabbing and it’s an activity they can do on their own.

5. If you suspect that the “boredom” stems from confusion or a fluency problem, consider getting a tutor. Would you like to be forced to do something you don’t understand? No. Neither do kids. It becomes frustrating and detrimental to their self-image.

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Sneaky Tips to Encourage a Reluctant Reader

2011-05-05T16:22:00.000-07:00

“I hate reading!” “But it’s SO boring!”

Sound familiar? Ready to give up? Have you been telling yourself, “Maybe, it’s just not his thing. ” or “Well, she IS a left brain learner…” ? Well, we hate to break it to you but…. reading is—sorry—fundamental. Unfortunately, some kids would prefer sky diving to Harry Potter, but you know (as the wise adult that you are) reading is not merely a hobby. It is a life-skill! So, don’t get frustrated, get clever. If people can sneak carrots and broccoli into brownies, you can coax your child into reading a book or two.

1. Connect it to their passions— Reading about what you like or are interested in is far more enjoyable than forced assignments.

2. Share the load—Reading with your child models an interest in reading and gives you some quality time together.

3. Don’t just read fiction—Some kids like to learn about science, real people, and history. How-to books are also ways to realistically show the value of reading.

4. DON’T LOSE YOUR TEMPER— you definitely want to avoid making reading a bad experience. Even if it pains you to see your child turn up their nose at a chapter book, keep trying! You can require them to read, but make sure they get to choose the book, or time, even where they get to read.

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Mycouponlady.com ClickN READ– Review and Giveaway

2011-05-03T12:02:00.000-07:00

by Lessie on April 28, 2011

I have had the wonderful privilege to try out the ClickN READ Phonics and the ClickN SPELL program with Rachel and Samantha. Both the girls love it. I took a video of Rachel playing it this morning. This is my first video of this type thing, so please excuse the darkness and of course the shakiness. I had fun with this, and hope to do more videos in the future. So here is the video….

Now for what I thought:

Educational Value: 5/5 Stars

Entertainment Value: 4/5 Stars

Ease of Use: 5/5 Stars (with one exception)

Program Quality: 5/5 Stars

Overall: 5/5 Stars

What a wonderful program! First for the Pro’s to this program:

The program is concise yet repetitive. I know, that doesn’t make much sense, however the program has review built into each lesson, without making the lesson longer than necessary.
Each lesson is short enough to keep the child’s attention throughout.
Each lesson has different ways of re-enforcing the information learned. Such as, letter sounds where the child gets to choose from a list of letters, letter sounds where the child has to use the keyboard to choose the letter, letter sounds at the beginning or end of words, then words spelled with those letters, and then a reading section where they go thru sentences highlighting the words as they speak them.
Progress information available in a parent’s center
The lessons are entertaining while still being educational. This isn’t a “fluffy video game”

Now for the Con’s (just one):

While the program itself is very easy to use, someone needs to log into the program to get the child started. (unless your child is more advanced)

Price for the programs:

ClickN READ Phonics is priced at: $59.85 (limited time offer)

ClickN SPELL is priced at: $49.95 (limited time offer)

Use Promo/Coupon Code CNK to save 5%

There is a free trial by downloading the free sample lessons, plus if you aren’t satisfied within 60 days, then you get 100% of your money back, no questions asked!

Now on for the AWESOME part – I am super excited that ClickN KIDS has offered to give a lucky reader a subscription to their choice of ClickN READ Phonics or ClickN SPELL. You can enter through 5/14/11 and I will choose a winner via Random.org on 5/15/11.

How do you enter: (up to 5 ways to enter!!) You can do any or all of these. Just remember to leave a separate comment on this post for each of these that you do, so you can be entered to win up to 5 times.

Visit the ClickN KIDS site, try the ClickN READ Phonics and ClickN SPELL FREE lessons on the homepage and then write a comment about the programs on this post.
“Like” the ClickN KIDS Facebook page
“Follow” the ClickN KIDS Twitter page
“Like” MyCouponLady on Facebook
“Follow” me on Twitter

Just a quick disclaimer: ClickN KIDS did provide me with the program free of charge in order for me to review the program. This in NO WAY affected my review. These views and opinions are my own.

Gates Invests in Online Classrooms, Educational Video Games

2011-05-02T11:15:00.000-07:00

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation said Wednesday said that it had invested $20 million into online learning, with about a third of it going toward educational video games and game tools.
The foundation said it will split its investments over a number of different initiatives. The Pearson Foundation will receive $3 million for its digital curriculum, the largest individual grant the Gates Foundation disclosed of its Wednesday investments. However, three educational game-related companies will each receive between $2.5 million and $2.6 million.
The Gates grants follow up on a similar $20 million investment the foundation made last fall. Then, the focus was on improving college graduation rates via technology; Gates said then that its attention would shift to K-12 students in the spring.
Gates, the world's richest man announced his intent to donate $3 billion to improve education over five years in 2008, after leaving Microsoft that same year. He formed the foundation with his wife, Melinda, in 2006.
Since then, the Gates Foundation has worked to attack the fundamental problems plaguing society, including medicine, agriculture, and hygiene. In 2009, Gates pointed to technology as the way out of the recession plaguing the U.S. economy.
"Education is the biggest priority for our foundation here in the United States," Gates said last year. "We think it's the most important thing for the future of the country."
The grants
With the foundation's grants, Gates backed the Common Core State Standards, a set of standards developed by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). About 42 states have adopted the standards, according to the CCSS Web site.
The Pearson Foundation said it would adapt its entire digital curriculum to support the CCSS, or 24 courses in all. Four - two in math, and two in language arts - will be provided at no cost to schools. These courses will be delivered through a combination of technologies, including video, interactive software, games, social media, and print, the Foundation said.
An additional $2 million grant will go toward the Florida Virtual School, the state's first statewide Internet-based public school, for four course, two to speed literacy and two for math. An additional $742,996 will go to Reasoning Mind, to provide for a program to spread a single math teacher across multiple classrooms.
The gaming-related investments also support the CCSS. They are:
• $2.6 million for iRemix, which is being developed by Digital Youth Network. It will be a set of 20 literacy-based trajectories that allow students to earn badges and move from novice to expert in areas like creative writing.
• $2.5 million to Institute of Play will build a set of game-based pedagogical tools and game design curricula that can be used within both formal and informal learning contexts.
• $2.6 million to Quest Atlantis is creating video games that build proficiency in math, literacy and science.
The complete system of courses is expected to be completed in December 2013 and ready for the 2014-2015 school year, said Judy Conning, who will head up course development efforts for the initiative, according to The Journal, which examines technology based education.

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Help Your Child be a Better Reader

2011-04-25T14:11:00.000-07:00

Helping your child become a stronger reader, or even like reading is an attitude that parents have the power to influence.

Start early. Womb early. Reading to babies before birth helps them recognize your voice. At this time, reading aloud is also practice for parents. Get into the habit of talking and sharing stories with your little one.

Talk to Your Child. Babies imitate the sounds they hear. Giving them different sounds to toy with mentally stretches their minds and builds a solid language foundation.

Read to/with your child for 30 mins a day. This does not have to be done in one sitting. If he or she gets restless or sleepy, stop reading. This will help build a positive experience.

Create a reading corner. Buy fluffy pillows and a comfy beanbag. Learn about your child’s interests and stock the area with corresponding fiction and nonfiction books, magazines, a timer, crayons, pencils and paper.

Supplement his reading with movies. Don’t forget discussion! So many books don’t line up with the movie. It’s good to talk about the differences and similarities as well as your likes and dislikes.

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Review from Pat Wyman CEO, Founder, HowToLearn.com

2011-04-22T18:05:00.000-07:00

Are you a parent or teacher who wants to make absolutely certain your child learns how to read?

As a reading specialist and university professor, I’ve evaluated hundreds of phonics programs and found ClickN READ Phonics to be the single most effective program available to teach your child or student how to read – period!

Each lesson engages your child with color, sound, interactive lessons, humor and a ClickN KID mentor. What’s more, your child uses his or her own personal learning style at the same time.

Because your child’s learning style is part of each ClickN READ Phonics lesson, the delivery method is already proven to enhance the learning process. So, whether your child prefers a visual-picture, auditory–listening, or kinesthetic–touch learning modality, he or she will more easily master the lesson based on how they learn.

My daughter just had a baby boy, and I am recommending that she get the ClickN READ Phonics program to teach him to read. Given the self-paced and engaging instruction, I fully expect him to read above grade level well before he enters the first grade.

Pat Wyman, M.A.

CEO, Founder, HowToLearn.com 1996- present
University Instructor of Continuing Education for Teachers, California State University, East Bay 1989-present
M.A. Education, California State University, Los Angeles 1983
Administrative Credential, California State Unviersity, Los Angeles 1983
B.A. UC Berkeley 1975
Reading Specialist, Single Subject Credentials University of Southern California 1976, 1977
James Patterson Page Turner Award for Literacy 2007

Best-selling author, Learning vs. Testing, Strategies That Bridge the Gap

The Homeschool Mom ClickN READ Reviews

2011-04-22T15:00:00.000-07:00

Write your ClickN READ Phonics Review Today!

Click HERE

Homeschooler Ratings
Value
Ease of Use
Fun Factor
Overall

ClickN READ is a beginning reading course that is entirely web-based. The course represents the entire reading program from K through 3rd grade taught in public schools. The curriculum allows the student to participate in self-paced self learning. The program is designed to have the student teach him or herself how to use it. The program requires an internet connection and works with any browser. The program has a one-time purchase price (as opposed to being subscription-based) and is fully refundable up to 60 days after purchase.

Post your review of ClickN READ

ClickN READ Website

Categories: Elementary Online Learning, Phonics/Reading

5 Reviews for ClickN READ

Maree on November 6th, 2010

Value	Ease of Use	Fun Factor

Overall

Pros: lifetime, learn at own pace, inexpensive

Cons: monotonous after a while

Grades Used: K

We used Reading Eggs prior to finding Click n Kids but that program is just too expensive and not as value for money like Click n Kids. When one child finishes you can use it for another child unlike other reading programs. Yes, it does become a bit monotonous and had to find ways to coax our son to complete the lessons, but I know he is definitely all the better for it. He didn’t speak until age 4. I didn’t find Click n Kids until he was probably nearly the age of 5. As soon as we started using it, his speech just came on in leaps and bounds. I am definitely use this with the next children.

Peaches Tyson on November 5th, 2010

Pros: learn at own pace,

Cons: may become boring, expensive for some who need it

Grades Used: elementary

This site could work for most because they learn at their pace. It may be expensive for those low income families who really are the ones who need this type of help.

L.A. on November 5th, 2010

Value	Ease of Use	Fun Factor

Overall

Pros: online, inexpensive

Cons: monotonous after awhile

Grades Used: 1-2

was great when we started but my son is getting bored with it. However, he is ready pretty well at some 3rd grade level books which is 1 grade level above him.

Heather on November 4th, 2010

Value	Ease of Use	Fun Factor

Overall

Pros: Online

Cons: None

Grades Used: K-3

This has been one of our favorite programs since starting homeschooling seven years ago. This online program allows children to move at their own pace. Two of our children have graduated from both Click and Read and their second program Click and Spell. I highly recommend both.

Janelle Wright on November 4th, 2010

Value	Ease of Use	Fun Factor

Overall

Pros: inexpensive

Cons: gets monotonous in later lessons

Grades Used: elementary

100 easy lessons. Inexpensive. Can work at your own pace. Can access it from any computer. Easy to use. Starts to get monotonous about half-way through, but can easily take a break and pick it back up. Can set lessons forward or back. Once you subscribe, it is yours for life or you can transfer it to someone else. My grandchildren will use it when my son is finished. He is on lesson 75 and his reading has greatly improved. He is a struggling reader (dyslexia).

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Maine school district to spend $200,000 on Apple iPads for kindergartners

2011-04-19T11:29:00.000-07:00

The business and culture of our digital lives, from the L.A. Times

A school district in Maine is proposing to spend about $200,000 on Apple iPad 2s to get the devices into the hands of about 300 kindergartners.

"It's a revolution in education," said Auburn School Dept. Supt. Tom Morrill in a report from the Associated Press.

Morrill is making the proposal, which calls for the iPads to be in classrooms in the district's schools in the city of Auburn, Maine. The superintendent told the AP that the iPad is a powerful tool for education when equipped with some of the hundreds of apps available that can aide in interactive learning.

Auburn kindergarten teacher Amy Heimerl received an iPad for her classroom on Tuesday as an early adopter of sorts in the districts plan, the report said.

"It's definitely an adventure, and it'll be a journey of learning for teachers and students," Heimerl told the AP. "I'm looking forward to seeing where this can take us and our students."

But the superintendent's plan isn't a hit with everyone in Auburn, the report said.

Sue Millard, an Auburn mother to students in the fourth grade and in high school said she isn't sure kindergartners are old enough to make the most of the iPads.

"I understand you have to keep up with technology, but I think a 5-year-old is a little too young to understand," Millard told the AP.

Larry Cuban, a retired Standford University professor and the author of the book "Oversold and Underused: Computers in Schools," said the benefits of computers for students so young has yet to be proved.

"There's no evidence in research literature that giving iPads to 5-year-olds will improve their reading scores," Cuban told the AP.

If Morrill's plan comes to fruition this fall, after his retirement which is slated for June, it wouldn't be the first time the state was ahead of the curve in getting computers in front of its students.

As the AP noted, in 2002 and 2003 Maine was the first state to distribute laptops to every seventh- and eighth-grade student. Those laptops were also from Apple, and that effort is no longer in action, but about 50% of the computers are now used by high schoolers, the report said.

Maine's state school board unanimously voted to approve Morrill's iPad plan last week, the AP said.

Angus King, the former Maine governor who launched the state's past laptop program, said in the report that he was impressed by Morrill's iPad plan.

"If your students are engaged, you can teach them anything," King told the AP. "If they're bored and looking out the window, you can be Socrates and you're not going to teach them anything. These devices are engaging."

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Can an iPad or Some Other Form of Technology Transform Education for Our Kids and Their Failing Schools?

2011-04-19T11:23:00.000-07:00

By Lindsey M. Burke Published April 15, 2011 | FoxNews.com

Do Kindergartners need Apple's new iPad 2?

Fifty years ago, no one could have conceived of an invention as revolutionary as the Internet, let alone the iPad. But neither would anyone then have guessed that educational progress would remain stagnant for the next half century.
Since the 1960’s, academic achievement has remained relatively flat. In fact, American students have been losing ground compared to their international peers. Graduation rates have stagnated, and achievement gaps persist.
But one local school board has a plan. It will equip kindergarten children with the latest in communications and computing technology.
The Auburn, Maine school department has voted to provide all 284 kindergarten children and their teachers in the district with new iPad2 Tablets. School officials are hoping the $200,000 initiative will boost literacy rates from about 62 percent, where they currently hover, to 90 percent. School Superintendent Tom Morrill called the plan a “game changer.” Committee member Thomas Kendall said the initiative would “revolutionize education.”
It’s laudable that some would try to harness the power of technology to improve educational outcomes. But shoving the technology of today into the failing classrooms of the public school system will produce the same lackluster results. Education won’t be fundamentally reformed by taking the pencil and paper out of a child’s hands and replacing them with an iPad.

Which is not to say technology doesn’t have an important role to play in education. Freed from the constraints of the “four walls” model of schooling, technology has transformative potential. By letting technology transform how we deliver education, we can open up the rigid public education system to the benefits of the market, provide every child with access to a master teacher, harness the power of the Internet, and finally bring our education system into the 21st century.
Some children are already experiencing this fundamental transformation of learning. The Florida Virtual School is the fastest-growing online school in the country, and had more than 213,000 course enrollments during the 2009-2010 school year.
Across the United States, more than 1.5 million K-12 students are taking at least one course online.
Many families are seeking online learning options because they democratize access to a quality teacher. Education researchers have found that access to a quality teacher at the top of his or her game can equate to an entire year of additional learning for a student. Being subjected to an ineffective teacher, by contrast, can spell disaster for the learning trajectory of a child.
Moreover, online learning can ensure that a child living in a rural area, for example, has access to a great physics teacher or even a native French teacher. It can also meet a wide range of student learning needs, from a child who needs remedial education to the child who wants access to Advanced Placement courses.
In his seminal book "Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns," Harvard Professor Clayton Christensen writes that “educators have seen computers reinvent many other professions. As a result, they have invested heavily in computers. In 1981, there was one computer for every 125 students in schools. By 1991 there was one for every 18; and in 2000, there was one for every five students.”
The Auburn school district, with its plan to give every six-year-old an iPad, is supersizing that approach. Christensen goes on to note that “teachers use them [computers] to supplement and reinforce the existing teaching model. As such, computers add cost while failing to revolutionize the classroom experience.”
While it’s estimated that teachers currently spend less than 20 percent of their time helping students individually, online learning has the potential to transform education by making the child the center of the learning experience.
What is more, online learning provides another school choice option, empowering parents to choose an educational option that best meets their child’s needs. It eliminates the physical roadblocks to a quality education imposed on too many students by tearing down the old “four walls” model of schooling. Assignment-by-zipcode policies can be rendered a thing of the past by ensuring the location of a child’s home is not the grounds by which the quality of that child’s education is determined.
For too many decades, children have been limited by a model of schooling in which every student in a class must learn the same content, at the same pace, from a teacher who has a finite amount of knowledge to offer. But online learning is on the cusp of revolutionizing American education by freeing the delivery of content and customizing learning to meet student needs.
We should be letting the power of technology transform how we deliver education, not trying to shoehorn it into the corners of our outdated, factory-style public education system. Unfortunately, Maine’s iPad policy represents the latter approach. If Maine really wants to increase academic achievement and be on the cutting edge of the school reform movement, it would allow students to take their money and technology to a school of their choice, including virtual schools.
Lindsey M. Burke is an education policy analyst at The Heritage Foundation.

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An Island Life ClickN Kids Review

2011-04-19T10:19:00.000-07:00

April 14, 2011 by Roxanne

With Josiah nearing preschool, I’ve been a little worried that I haven’t worked with him enough of the alphabet, spelling, and reading. I wanted to find something online that not only educated him in those areas, but held his interest. Luckily, I found ClickN Kids.

About ClickN Kids (from website)

ClickN KIDS mission is to become the foremost provider of engaging and highly interactive software and scientific research based curriculums, for use in an online deliverable format. ClickN KIDS is utilizing the power of the Internet to deliver interactive and individualized programs that couple sound instructional design with state-of-the-art technology to deliver instruction unrestricted by geography or time. Our beginning reading program ClickN READ Phonics is regarded by the academic community as cutting edge and the first of its kind. ClickN READ Phonics is a proven concept for teaching children to read and retain with measurable results.

My Thoughts

As I logged into ClickN Kids for the first time, I felt a little overwhelmed. There was a lot to process, but I immediately realized how easy the program was as long as you read the instructions. That is a must! They walk you through everything to set up your account and get your children started to increase their reading and spelling skills.

I set up Josiah’s account to begin with lesson 1, which is at the very beginning of the alphabet and simple sounds, Aa and Mm! The lesson is animated, which was a major plus for him, and not only held his attention, but was interactive. He clicked on the letters of the sounds produced and was very excited each time he was correct. I was immediately impressed at home someone without much time spent on a computer could easily catch on and enjoy the program.

For more advanced students, you can start lessons at a higher level, making them more intensive and difficult. I also love that after every 20 lessons completed, you receive a cumulative results report so you, as a parent, can better assess your child’s skills and what they need to focus on to succeed in reading.

Another thing I love about the program is that it isn’t overwhelming for children either. It is set up for each child to participate 1 lesson per day, 5 days a week. This gives children time to process and, more importantly, not lose interest. We all know how short attention spans are and this is key when finding a good reading program. ClickN Kids definitely takes this into account!

Buy It

Ready to start your children on a path to reading and spelling success? You can purchase a home account today for $9.95 a month or pay a 1-time fee for lifetime membership! *Plus, for An Island Life Readers, score 20% off your purchase with code: childrenteachingmama@gmail.com *

This post was written for ClickN Kids who provided the complimentary item in exchange for my honest review.

About the Author: Roxanne:
Roxanne is a SAHM of two rambunctious boys striving to live the "Green" life, reduce her carbon footprint, and teach others about how to do the same! She writes reviews for organic products, about her own parenting experiences, and articles about how to make eco-conscious living fun, affordable, and worthwhile for the entire family on her Natural Parenting blog Children Teaching Mama.

ClickN KIDS, Inc. Selects Atomic Public Relations as Agency of Record

2011-04-14T10:30:00.000-07:00

April 14, 2011 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Atomic to Increase Brand Visibility with Families, Educators and the Business Community

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Atomic Public Relations (www.atomicpr.com) today announced that it has been selected as agency of record for ClickN KIDS, Inc., a leading online children’s software provider, to increase visibility of the company’s renowned phonics and spelling programs and support its efforts to promote literacy and self-confidence in children ages pre-K to 5th grade.

“Atomic’s proven ability to identify and promote its clients’ key differentiators from the competition made the company a natural choice for us.”

Atomic will provide overall strategy and messaging for ClickN KIDS while increasing brand recognition with families, educators and the business community through media relations. Efforts will highlight the benefits of using ClickN KIDS’ science-backed software to augment and improve children’s literacy skills. The team is also working to launch new products that are currently in development.
“We feel a great connection with Atomic, due to its experience with other companies focused on children’s education as well as its modern approach to campaign measurement,” said Armie Carabet, ClickN KIDS CEO. “Atomic’s proven ability to identify and promote its clients’ key differentiators from the competition made the company a natural choice for us.”
Atomic’s unique approach mixes classical PR with social media, video and search engine optimization, enhanced with the sophisticated use of communications analytics for strategy building, creative planning and detailed program measurement, to engage people in real time and in Google time with content and dialog that matters.
“ClickN KIDS is a great match for our team’s interests, and we’re excited to work with a company that is so dedicated to helping kids learn to read with proven results,” said Rachel Rogers, senior vice president and managing director, Atomic Public Relations, Los Angeles. “We find great value in the company’s mission, and playing a role in future generations’ literacy skills is a fantastic opportunity.”
ClickN KIDS, Inc. is the latest in a string of account wins by the agency’s Los Angeles office. Other recent wins include: Pioneer Electronics, Polaroid, and People Media Inc., a leading operator of targeted dating sites owned by IAC’s Match.com. As a result of these wins and others, the agency has continued to rank among the fastest growing in the US, and was recently named Tech PR Agency of the Year by the Holmes Report.

About Atomic Public Relations
Atomic Public Relations mixes classical PR with social media, video and search engine optimization, enhanced with the sophisticated use of communications analytics for strategy building, creative planning and detailed program measurement to achieve significant improvements in PR program effectiveness. Many Atomic clients achieve increases of 100% or more across numerous measures of PR program yield compared to pre-Atomic baselines, often on lower budgets than before (http://www.atomicpr.com/results). Atomic PR has powered numerous breakthrough campaigns for progressive technology, consumer and entertainment brands from start ups like Bebo, Mint.com and Smule, to growing mid-stage companies such as LinkedIn, Ingres and LivingSocial, as well as leading publicly traded companies and global brands including Polaroid, Verizon, Intuit, Pioneer Electronics, NETGEAR, ArcSight and others. Atomic has offices in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles and London, and is closely affiliated with the Huntsworth agency network across the world. More information: http://www.atomicpr.com.

About ClickN KIDS
ClickN KIDS (www.ClickNKids.com) is an established and nationally recognized company specializing in the delivery of state-of-the-art, educator-approved interactive phonics and spelling programs. A leader in digital online learning all of its educational programs are based upon scientific research that meet or exceed all state and federal standards, including all No Child Left Behind guidelines. ClickN KIDS programs are being used successfully in thousands of schools in all 50 states and by international students in more than 100 countries.
For more information visit us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and check out our blog at http://clicknkids.blogspot.com.

Contacts

Atomic PR
Katie Gerber, 323-648-5427
katie.gerber@atomicpr.com

How To Improve Study Skills Using Learning Styles

2011-04-12T11:37:00.000-07:00

By Alan Scalone on March 24, 2011

The most important thing is to remember that all children are very different and each child will have their own individual learning style. Determining your child’s educational learning style is the first step to improve study skills and grades.

Keep in mind that there are no “right or wrong” or “better or worse” learning styles. Some children will learn best with one learning style and some children will need a mix of all styles. There are four distinct educational learning styles:

Learning Style #1- The Visual/Verbal- You learn best when information is presented visually and in a written language format

Learning Style #2- The Visual/Nonverbal- You learn best when information is presented visually and in a picture or design format.

Learning Style #3- The Tactile/Kinesthetic- You learn best when physically engaged in a "hands on" activity.
Learning Style #4- The Auditory/Verbal- You learn best when information is presented auditory in an oral language format.

Finding an education or study programs that incorporates all 4 learning styles can help improve your child’s study skill and get you child excited about learning.
Once such program, ClickN READ Phonics by ClickN KIDS is an online cartoon animated phonics based reading program. The program is designed with a classroom setting so that the child interacts directly with the on-screen carton teacher, just as a child would in a real classroom.
The cartoon teacher is dog named ClickN KID who fly’s onto the computer screen on his hovercraft with silly antics that keep kids entertained and engaged as they learn. The program teaches the entire phonics curriculum that is taught from K-3rd grade is US schools. It also requires that the child be hands on using the keyboard and mouse to answer questions in each of the 100 lessons. ClickN KIDS also has a spelling program called ClickN SPELL with the same format.
Another important factor in improving your child’s study skill is developing a routine. Rituals provide security and help to define your child’s identity. “My Dad picks me up after nap.” “Our family eats dinner together.”
As adults, we also have rituals that make us feel comfortable, at ease, and in control of our lives. Coffee in the morning, Sunday conversations with a parent, weekly bike rides. Just as you like to know where you are and where you are headed, children need that same sense of awareness to feel comfortable in their surroundings.
Routines also help to foster important character skills like discipline and focus. So, it only makes sense that you develop a study routine that puts—and keeps—your child in a studious state of mind.

Start with a break/ light snack. Consider that your child hasn’t eaten since approximately 12 or earlier. Help them decompress by talking and snacking with you. Ask their opinion and really listen to their responses. You can learn a lot about your child’s character in these tiny moments.
Review the agenda TOGETHER. These days, schools make sure that each student has a way of organizing their assignments, however it’s not always required. YOU should require organization and sign off upon completion.
Set goals before beginning. Show your child how to set priorities based on deadlines and difficulty. Depending on what you want to foster and the personality you may be dealing with, decide if easy tasks should be completed before the tedious ones. Sometimes its better to let them do the fun tasks first, but not every time. Give him/her something to look forward to.
Schedule a break. If you have a student that can’t seem to focus, give them a light at the end of the tunnel. “After you finish Math, and three Spelling sentences, you may stop and have a drink.” Don’t make rewards too huge or time consuming. The idea is to complete assignments.
STUDY. After the homework is done, show your child how to study a little each day. If the teacher taught Chapter 2 on Monday, review bits of chapter 2 each day, on top of regular homework. Don’t let this routine become monotonous. Make flashcards, write a song, play a game, watch a relevant video. DO show them that studying and homework are NOT synonymous.

Kids settle into routine—or the lack thereof—very easily. The sooner you maintain a schedule and a set way of doing things, the better everyone’s time will be spent and you will start to see improvement in your child’s study skills.
Alan Scalone began his professional career in 1979 developing software systems and later became a Senior Systems Engineer for Honeywell's elite global post sales technical support group.
He spent several years designing and developing Motorola's worldwide Intranet communications software systems and is one of the original ClickN KIDS founders and software engineer of the highly successful ClickN READ Phonics and ClickN SPELL programs.

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Should Kindergartners Have iPads?

2011-04-11T12:52:00.000-07:00

(www.cultofmac.com By Nicole Martinelli 8:39 am, Apr. 08, 2011)

It’s been shown that tots take to iPads like ducks to water. One school district in Maine will hand them out to 5-year-olds in the hopes of boosting reading skills.

An iPad pilot program in Auburn, Maine will put them in the hands of kids in certain classrooms in May and all six elementary schools in the district next fall.

Officials hope to improve literacy rates from 62 percent to 90 percent in two years with the iPad scheme. The school committee recently approved spending of about $200,000 for 285 iPads for both students and teachers.

“When you look at what the iPad 2 apps that are out there, from learning your letters from books, that can be read, finger painting your name, it’s absolutely something we must do,” said superintendent Tom Morrill.

A couple of people representing taxpayer groups at the hearing to approve the expense balked at the program.

One of them, Leroy Walker, leader of the United New Auburn Association, said the iPads “are not needed in the kindergarten age.” He called the tablet “a toy.” Kindergartners “are a little young to be starting off with iPads. They’re too expensive,” he said.

My first thought: while the iPad is a great teaching tool, kids this young probably already spend enough time playing with their parents’ computers at home, in the car etc. Kindergarten is probably a better place to run around pelting soft blocks at each other and real-world finger painting rather than staring at individual computer screens.

What do you think?

Via New Bangor News, WLBZ2

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Will Public Schools Co-opt Digital Education

2011-04-04T10:45:00.000-07:00

When I went to a meeting last fall about the new virtual school in our county, I publicly praised the local school superintendent for embracing digital education.

I should have held my tongue. Or so at least says a new report written by Michael Horn and Heather Clayton Staker of the Innosight Institute. The report, “The Rise of K-12 Blended Learning,” catalogs the exponential growth in the number of U.S. students taking at least one course online – from roughly 45,000 in 2000 to three million K-12 students by 2009.
In addition, the report describes the incredible potential that digital education promises for America’s future. “Online learning has the potential to transform America’s education system by serving as the backbone of a system that offers more personalized learning approaches for all students,” write Horn and Staker.
So, why should I have held my tongue? Because the report also warns that much of the promise of digital education could be thwarted if public school systems seek to squeeze new technologies into old frameworks. “There is a significant risk that the existing education system will co-opt online learning as it blends it into its current flawed model—and just as is the case now, too few students will receive an excellent education,” Horn and Staker write.

And how exactly might this “co-opting” occur? By school districts adopting policies like the one our new county virtual school has adopted – that all virtual classes must fit within the existing school calendar.
Now, at first blush, this may not seem like a big deal. If the rest of a student’s courses are following the traditional school calendar, why shouldn’t the virtual school courses do the same – especially since most online students are “hybrid learners” who spend part of their school day in the traditional classroom?
Horn says doing this turns one of the great advantages of digital learning on its head. As he explained in a recent interview with eSchool News, our traditional school system “measures seat time and moves students along when they hit certain dates on a calendar.” In this system, “time is fixed, and the learning is variable.”
By contrast, digital education allows us to “measure learning and move individual students along to new concepts as they master previous ones,” Horn says. With online education, learning becomes fixed, but the time it takes different students to achieve mastery of the content is variable.
The big danger with digital education, says Horn, is that schools will take a “disruptive innovation” that can help us build a new system adaptable to the individual needs of each student and will force it instead to work within the traditional one-size-fits-all paradigm.
Or, to put it in terms applicable to our county, the big danger is that school systems will take courses that could be started and completed at any point in the 12-month calendar and force them to start and finish at the same points that the traditional nine-month school calendar classes start and finish. (Incidentally, the widely-acclaimed Florida Virtual School offers its classes throughout the 12-month calendar, which is especially helpful to students who need credit recovery, and to those who want to take a heavier load during certain times of the year in order to facilitate participation in sports and other extracurricular activities at other times in the year.)
To protect digital education from being “co-opted,” the report calls for policy makers to encourage innovation by “creating zones with increased autonomy.” It urges policy makers to “hold providers accountable for results so that the adoption of online learning leads to radically better outcomes for students.” And it admits that blended learning options can be good or bad, just as hybrid cars can run well or poorly.
“Some programs save money; others are more expensive,” Horn and Staker write. “Some produce stellar results; others do not.”
Still, Horn and Staker say that digital education has great promise. It allows for a fundamental redesign of the educational model, creating a more personalized pedagogy that permits each student to work at his or her own pace to achieve academic success.
William Mattox is a resident fellow at The James Madison Institute in Tallahassee, Florida.

(Source Big Government, by William Mattox 3/29/2011)

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Making e-Learning Work: Insider Tips From a Virtual School

2011-04-04T10:36:00.000-07:00

While online instruction was merely an interesting "experiment" just 20 years ago, it is now a critical touch point for students as they prepare for higher education and the working world. According to Sloan Consortium estimates, 30 percent of today's college students are enrolled in at least one online class and that figure will likely reach 100 percent in a few years. Already, many universities require students to take online class. For institutions, it isn't a question of whether or not an online program should be implemented; it is how to develop a program that fosters high achievement for students that also allows teachers to succeed in their craft. In seeking best practices for implementing virtual learning in the K-12 level, the Florida Virtual School (FLVS) offers some insight.

Trends in student enrollment at FLVS have been increasing steadily since its inception in 1997, with over 250,000 students enrolled today. The majority of FLVS students are completing or supplementing their traditional classroom coursework, many for the convenience of virtual work and others because a particular course is not offered in their own district. Courses are free for Florida residents but available to students around the world, providing limitless access to award-winning curriculum and instructors. Both the school's model and its individual educators have been recognized for success in bridging the gap between knowledge and physical proximity of teacher and student. In being recently named Best Virtual School by the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA), FLVS follows several critical pillars for e-Learning success.

The Self-Selected Student
In a perfect world, no student would be forced to take a class online, and this new dimension for learning must be introduced voluntarily to ensure optimal success. It is critical for students to understand the "why behind the what" and know that incorporating online instruction -- even in a hybrid format -- offers them the best preparation for an increasingly digital working world. In helping them to develop a sense of ownership in the virtual learning process due to its highly independent nature, students will begin to assert self-selection -- which is ultimately key to their achievement in this format.

Exposure to the unique requirements of online coursework, most notably independent study and virtual collaboration, ultimately provides students with experience in developing self-motivation. Students learn time management, prioritization and -- despite misconceptions about online learning -- practice community building more in tune with today's actual professional environments. Understanding these benefits will help foster an enthusiastic virtual student body.

Harnessing the Power of Data
As naturally independent learners will almost certainly succeed in e-Learning, incorporating online methods early on (in K-12) for all types of students enables instructors to assess and evaluate those requiring more guidance in order to reach their potential. Online instruction harnesses the power of data in more sophisticated ways than many know or truly understand -- enabling detection for discreet deficiencies and providing intelligence into righting a student's knowledge base before it is too late.

At FLVS, teachers combine performance data with active communication and evaluation methods to determine whether or not a student is progressing before it may be too late. Applying data to performance assessment enables a combination of quantitative and qualitative evaluation, and creates a balanced view of a student's true academic development.

Adaptive Learning as a Critical Tool
While the power of data in assessment cannot be underestimated, adaptive learning takes this process a step further and serves as a key method FLVS instructors use to "actively monitor" academic progress. Personalization in instruction is critical, especially in distance learning where face-to-face interaction is limited or nonexistent, and allows students to progress at their own rate while reinforcing areas needing further development. With adaptive learning tools, teachers can, in essence, provide a virtual tutor to help a student self-correct, and collaboration tools enable students to compare their progress against their peers. This real-time, interactive feedback is also invaluable for a generation that craves instant gratification, and is proven to boost learning outcomes.

Students Empowered by Choice
Building upon the theories of self-selection and adaptive learning, students should have a choice in determining how they learn online. This could include employing a variety of assignments based on students' learning styles, and assessments that show they've mastered the material and can shine in their own way. E-Learning is not a "one size fits all" solution, and in order for the virtual student-teacher relationship to be successful, it must play on the strengths of both parties.

Hiring is Critical
Even as education pundits extol the many virtues of online instruction for secondary schooling (including us), there is often a disconnect evident "in the field." Success of any online learning program will undoubtedly rely upon the instructors at hand and their ability to impart the curriculum effectively via an online platform. Not every teacher is cut out for virtual work, however, which can often require more commitment than face-to-face instruction. Those motivated by their students' individual success, passionate about their careers and dedicated to changing young adults' lives have the best foundation for success.

FLVS has a four-year waiting list for instructors eager for one of the most demanding positions in education, and the training and career development is likely the true impetus for such a substantial applicant list. FLVS requires 75-100 professional learning hours per year, and with no tenure program, instructors continually strive for success using data, adaptive learning tools, and the adage that there is "no reason for a student to fail" in the learning environment FLVS provides. This type of commitment is paramount to the success of the students -- not just for a particular class grade, but also in "life."

With such an aggressive adoption rate in recent years, online instruction comes with it a learning curve of its own. Given what we know about students' performance in university-level online courses -- that dropout rates are 20% higher for online courses than face-to-face - focusing on best practices at the K-12 level is critical to the e-Learning model's continued growth and success, and that of the students'. Armed with a strategy focused on student self-selection and choice, applying the power of performance data, adaptive learning tools and a focus on hiring teachers truly fit for virtual pedagogy, e-Learning can be successful in developing the 21st Century skills required for achievement in an increasingly virtual world.

(Source- Huffington Post Posted: 03/29/11 08:17 PM ET)

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Mommy Blessings In Small Bundles Product Review

2011-03-31T14:09:00.000-07:00

"ClickN KIDS mission is to become the foremost provider of engaging and highly interactive software and scientific research based curriculums, for use in an online deliverable format. ClickN KIDS is utilizing the power of the Internet to deliver interactive and individualized programs that couple sound instructional design with state-of-the-art technology to deliver instruction unrestricted by geography or time."

One of the most important things as a parent is helping my kids learn and teaching them important things such as reading and spelling. I was lucky enough to have the chance to review ClickN KIDS for myself. My kids enjoyed learning with ClickN KIDS. My daughter played on it for hours! She was learning how to read some words. She is only three but she was picking it up pretty quick!

One of my favorite part of this program is that my daughter can learn independently with the help of this program. Since it is computer based she can learn at her own pace without having to worry about anyone losing patience. She also has fun while learning with this program. I can see how this program could be beneficial for a lot of kids. Kids who may be having issues learning can use this program and in time they will improve and they will have fun doing it. You control what lessons they do each day, and also can have them go back and repeat lessons if needed. Normally, ClickN READ Phonics is a one time price of $99.95 for a lifetime subscription, but right now you can get ClickN READ Phonics for only $59.95. There is not monthly payments! It is just A one time payment! You will get a log on and password to use anytime! My daughter is about to be in preschool so this is kind of perfect for me!

This is perfect if you are homeschooling! ClickN KIDS can be an essential part to your kids daily learning progress. ClickN KIDS has different programs for different ages and stages of learning. It also offers many awesome and cool kids books to help your kids enjoy reading!

I think what I like most about this program is that with ClickN KIDS learning becomes fun. It's not just a chore! Go to ClickN KIDS and check out the program for yourself! They even offer free sample lessons!

Over all I was very pleased with the ClickN KIDS web based learning program and I as a parent would recommend it to any parent who is helping their child learn. It has many benefits and kids will love it!

Disclaimer: I received a sample for review. No other compensation was received for this post or to host a giveaway. All opinions are mine and are valid. My can't be bought or swayed either way.

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Green & Clean Mom Product Review

2011-03-23T12:50:00.000-07:00

Helping Your Kids Learn To Read With ClickN READ Phonics

Every year it seems like the curriculum for school’s get tougher, which includes pre-school and kindergarten. Luckily, my daughter has been interested in books, drawing and coloring since she was old enough to interact. We are ecstatic that she has taken an interest in scholastic activities and have embraced this but like most parents we need assistance in implementing and teaching her how to read and write while keeping her interested at such a young age. To help us on the endeavor we have bought flash cards, games and movies to assist us. I believe that some of these products were helpful and that our daughter has learned and enjoyed these products along the way but when I was given the opportunity to review ClickN Kids I was on board. My daughter loves to play on the computer and participate in interactive, educational games and activities so it made sense to give it a shot.

ClickN Kids is an educational web-based program that teaches spelling and phonics. The program has interactive cartoon characters that walk the child through the lesson plans and encourages them along the way. The characters are reassuring and helpful which kept my daughter excited and interested in the program.

The site offers ClickN Read and ClickN Spell, both research based programs that come with high accolades. ClickN Read is rated for Kindergarten-3^rd grade and ClickN Spell is rated for preK-8^th grade. Both programs offer progress reports, cumulative results reports and individual lesson plan reports. The reports allow the child and parent to see their progress and the recommended areas that should be worked on or repeated.

My daughter and I are working primarily with ClickN Read so let me walk you through are experience.

I log on using a password then click on the Run Lessons Icon. We start off learning the sounds of letters. For example, the first 3 lessons you learn the letters A,M,S and T. We learn the sounds of the letter and keyboard recognition for the letter. After that our animated character shuttles us off to the Listening Cube where we learn world blending. My daughter has to incorporate the letters into words. Once you progress through the lessons you will get to the Reading Room where you are taught word and sentence reading skills. Last but not least you end up in the Speed Chamber where you practice the skills that you have learned. After each lesson I check her progress report. This lets me know if she needs to practice that letter or word again and what percentage she got on that lesson plan. Since my daughter is so young the lessons take a lot longer and the progress is much slower but each child will progress through the lessons at their own pace, which is comforting for both the child and parent. There is no pressure to rush through a lesson plan or worry about what other kids around you are doing because it’s all individualized.

This program is being used by kids, parents and teachers it’s a great tool for those that are home schooled. The program is interactive, educational, affordable and fun. My daughter loved the characters and had fun all while learning to read. Get Click’N and teach your kids how to read and spell.

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Looney Tunes to Populate New Online Phonics Programs

2011-03-14T11:30:00.000-07:00

WBCP Makes Animated Educational Programs

Publish date: Mar 14, 2011
Source: License! Global Weekly E-news

Warner Bros. Consumer Products and ClickN Kids announced an agreement to create original online animated educational programs featuring the Looney Tunes characters that will air throughout North America.

The first Warner Bros. character-based program will be Looney Tunes ClickN Read Phonics, a research-based curriculum created for children ages 4-9."As most of us did, I grew up watching and loving the Looney Tunes cartoons,” says Armie Carabet, ClickN Kids chief executive officer.

“This powerful new synergy pairs some of the world's most famous animated characters with our cutting-edge technology with the world's most advanced research-based phonics reading program and incorporates them into our learning program, which is not only exciting to me, but is truly an honor." 

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