Instructional Software

Name: Subira Nisbeth

Software Title: iRead
URL: http://www.hmhco.com/products/iread/
Function(s) of Instructional Software (check all that apply):
Drill and Practice Tutorial Simulation Instructional Game Problem Solving
Features of the Software (check all that apply):
Assessment Monitoring/Reporting (Keeps track of student data and/or generates reports for the teacher) Allows teacher to create
customized lessons for students Multi-user or collaborative functions with others in class Multi-user or collaborative functions with
others beyond local class Accessible to students beyond the school day Accessible via mobile devices Multiple languages(Spanish)
Safety, security, and/or privacy features
Strengths of the Software:

• Based on “a personal learning progression, embedded assessment, cognitive science and gaming theory, technology that complements
teachers, and is engaging, supportive”
• “instruction and assessment [are] driven by technology”
• Created with special needs students in mind
• Scaffolded instruction and activities
• Common Core Correlated
• Anytime/anywhere access
• Supports foundational reading
• Text complexity increases over time
• Provides additional resources to teachers

Suggestions for Improvement:

• iRead is not free (The site does offer ways to fund having iRead available schoolwide)
• Internet access is mandatory
• No form of mulitplayer
• Though the program is designed for K-2, their program can be used for middle grades. Thus, their content could include harder and
more relevant topics to middle grade students.

Standards Addressed. See https://www.georgiastandards.org/Pages/Default.aspx

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ELAGSE6RI4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical
meanings

ELAGSE6RI7: Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a
coherent understanding of a topic or issue

(iRead correlates to the Common Core Standards for Kindergarten; however, the program also supports the standard(s) listed above.)

ISTE-s standards

1 Empowered Learner
Students leverage technology to take an active role in choosing, achieving and demonstrating competency in their learning goals, informed by
the learning sciences.
1a
Students articulate and set personal learning goals, develop strategies leveraging technology to achieve them and reflect on the learning
process itself to improve learning outcomes.
1c
Students use technology to seek feedback that informs and improves their practice and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.

2 Digital Citizen
Students recognize the rights, responsibilities and opportunities of living, learning and working in an interconnected digital world, and they
act and model in ways that are safe, legal and ethical.
2a
Students cultivate and manage their digital identity and reputation and are aware of the permanence of their actions in the digital world.
2b
Students engage in positive, safe, legal and ethical behavior when using technology, including social interactions online or when using
networked devices.
2c
Students demonstrate an understanding of and respect for the rights and obligations of using and sharing intellectual property.
2d
Students manage their personal data to maintain digital privacy and security and are aware of data-collection technology used to track their
navigation online.

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Grade Level/Content Area(s):

6th grade/Reading/ELA (Software: K-2/Reading)

(Please note that while the grade levels are low, many middle grades students still struggle with grasping the basics of reading. By providing them with an interactive
opportunity, students can build up their reading skills while boosting their confidence via mastery of the iRead program.)

Bloom’s Level of Critical Thinking Required (check all that apply). See
http://epltt.coe.uga.edu/index.php?title=Bloom%27s_Taxonomy also identify the loti level
Remembering Understanding Applying Analyzing Evaluating Creating
Description of how to implement in the class: (Examples: equipment needed, instructional model*, what students/teachers will do, how
activity will be introduced/concluded, how student learning will be assessed, how assessment data will be used to inform/differentiate
instruction. 1-2 paragraphs).

iRead functions well within station rotations. Because the focus of this program is reading, the other stations will also relate to building
reading skills. As a group, pair, and one on one basis, students will participate in various activities that will help increase their reading skills.
Through iRead, students are working on basic foundational skills that are needed to be a successful reader. The other stations will also allow
students to practice using reading skills. Each rotation will yield a final activity for submission. Since iRead automatically keeps track of
student progress, that data can be evaluated immediately. Using the data, the teacher will be able to determine ways to differentiate future
lessons and activities so that they help increase student achievement. Below is an example of how the station rotation might flow within a
classroom.

Instructional Plan:
• The teacher introduces the different stations to the class and the order of rotation.
• The four station categories include:
o iRead: independent practice building reading skills
o Group practice: collective practice building reading skills through various activities
o Pair practice: building reading skills through various activities
o One on one: One student at a time works with the teacher to address individual reading skills that need further attention
• Each rotation will last about 15 minutes with a 5-minute transitional period to allow students to reflect on their participation in the
previous rotation.
• Once everyone has completed each rotation, the teacher will facilitate a class discussion on:
o What was learned during the rotations?
o What could have been done differently?
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o What did the students like/dislike?
• Each rotation results in a final assignment, except for iRead which automatically tracks the student’s progress. The evaluation from
the three assignments, the iRead data, and the class feedback will all contribute to the students’ final grade. Participation will also be
taken into account. The results will also inform the teacher areas of strengths as well as areas for improvement.

Equipment Needed:

• Device connected to the internet (computer, tablet, phone, etc)

• Login password
• Activities for other rotation stations
• Timer