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Wordshark
3s |
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Contact White Space,
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Wordshark
3s |
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Contact White Space,
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Program evaluation Simon says: This version of Word Shark (v.3s) is an even more comprehensive package. Now there are also curriculum word lists with related sentences and worksheets, making it even easier to integrate into a secondary curriculum as well as a primary. Additionally, there are extra options which allow greater control over the format of the learning experience. For example, it is now possible to not allow "peeps" for some students (where this is being abused) and, very useful, to disallow "temporary" students so that only those who have been added by the administrator may use the program. There are 36 different games to help improve students' word recognition and spelling. Each game gives a student practice in a particular area. For example, the Shark and Maze games give practice in basic spelling; left to right tracking is covered in the Flowers games; onset and rime in the Jigsaw game. The voice used to speak the words is clear and certainly causes far fewer problems of the "what did it say?" which is a common complaint of the American voices used in one other well-known spelling programme - part of an expensive ILS. As with many spelling packages now there is also the facility to record your own (or student's voice) to go with the words. The graphics are liked by the students. Words are organised into three alternative structured courses: the three stages of the book Alpha to Omega; the literacy hour UK spellings and word recognition; and Secondary school/Adult SEN. These three courses contain roughly the same word lists but in a slightly different order. The lists are all based on the Alpha to Omega word lists but include input / guidance from the DfES publication, "The National Literacy Framework for Teaching", and from the QCA for subject word lists for secondary use. This organisation allows Wordshark to be used in a wide range of situations. This ability is further enhanced by the range of customisation that is possible. This is done by an administrator - a user who has access to the customisation routines. This ability to tailor the program to the needs of the learner, in some detail, is one of the great strengths of Word Shark. Another strength is the help that is available: both on-screen when selecting and playing games, and via email from the authors. Expect a fairly rapid reply. Records are kept of a student's progress through the course, allowing teachers / parents to view games completed and errors made. Given the increasing emphasis on accountability in the teaching profession, then this is now an essential feature of any software. But, aside from the imposed need to be accountable, of more value is that these records help assess the student formatively: they may be used as assessment for learning. Accompanying the program is a wide-ranging handbook which includes hard copy of the word lists. It can be used straight from the box - but to get the best out of the range of features available it is worth spending a little time with the handbook (and excellent on-line help). We use it on a network with students who receive some form or other of literacy support; but many other students, who visit the support suite at lunchtime, use the program simply because it's fun. Students who may be difficult to motivate in other ways, usually learn easily using Word Shark. This is really refreshing and rewarding to see. So overall impression? Well, a program which students like; which helps knowledgeable teachers and parents diagnose and remediate difficulties; and which provides easy record-keeping and accountability trails, has to be a must-have.
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Program Details White Space say:
Wordshark is a major teaching resource used widely in school. Price: £69.00 (£58.72 ex.VAT) Competitively priced multi user licences are also available. |
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