Found it!

[Beth]

I am anxious to hear about how much homework everyone assigns nightly?
Did you assign algebra as well as test prep?

[Chad Vahue]

Our Junior High has a low homework policy across the board. So I try
to keep it to "10 problems a night" (whatever that means).

We are also encouraged to use both Study Island and MySkillsTutor (2
costly websites) to help students to prepare for the OAAs. I'm not a
fan of either though, and have trouble keeping to the minimum homework
rule while offering OAA & Algebra HW.

So, the majority of my OAA homework begins 2 weeks before OAAs. It's
then that I really switch gears with the HW shift. I've also
completely written my own "interwoven" course of study for 8th Grade
Algebra 1 so I do get to assign OAA content for homework thoughout the
year.

The trouble with my "interwoven" course of study is that I need about
5-6 additional weeks of school year to get it all covered...there-in
lies the trouble!

[Beth]

I hear you. I am just on factoring now. I give more homework and know
the current trend is to cut back. I am going back to the drawing board
for next year. The students think the year is over and I'm reving up
to get more in before the finish.

We also have Study Island. I am anxious to hear how you use it. Do you
assign any grades from it in either algebra or math8??

[Chad Vahue]

I use Study Island very rarely.

I feel like the whole process of online achievement test prep is a
marketing ploy and not a viable test preparation tool (as it currently
looks/feels). The OAA is a paper and pencil test without immediate
feedback. After years of working as a SAT/ACT tutor, I feel that
students really need the kinesthetic experience of the paper and
pencil practice tests in order to trully prepare themselves for the
actual test.

If you ever watch a student take a computer based test, you may notice
that their entire approach to the test is totally different. Reaching
for a pencil, rewriting the problem on a scrap sheet of paper, and
ENGAGING with the problem seems foriegn to the students I've watched.
It's been my experience that the best way to prepare for a paper and
pencil test is with paper and pencil pratice.

I am not a technophobe. I have a SMART Board, wireless tablet & Fl!p
video camera going constantly. I have a Youtube channel dedicated to
math instruction www.youtube.com/keeperofphi, 2 other websites that I
own and update regularly, and a good grasp of a variety of both
current hardware and software that is available to the math educator.
However, I am a HUGE SKEPTIC of new technology, and I hate
"technology for the sake of technology" being pushed on classroom
teachers. In my opinion, Study Island is a waste of money. I use it
because my administration payed for it and they want to see their
investment being used.

So, I use it sparingly.

Ok, so it may now be clear that I've got a few gripes to get of my
chest :o) Sorry if I come off as grumpy! I'm really a pretty happy
guy who loves his job and loves teaching math...promise!

Chad

[Beth]

Chad-
Thanks, I appreciate your honesty! Everyone is trying to get in the
test prep market and make a buck.
Thanks for the reply.
Beth

On May 12, 8:49 am, Chad Vahue <chadbally...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I use Study Island very rarely.
>
> I feel like the whole process of online achievement test prep is a
> marketing ploy and not a viable test preparation tool (as it currently
> looks/feels).  The OAA is a paper and pencil test without immediate
> feedback.  After years of working as a SAT/ACT tutor, I feel that
> students really need the kinesthetic experience of the paper and
> pencil practice tests in order to trully prepare themselves for the
> actual test.
>
> If you ever watch a student take a computer based test, you may notice
> that their entire approach to the test is totally different.  Reaching
> for a pencil, rewriting the problem on a scrap sheet of paper, and
> ENGAGING with the problem seems foriegn to the students I've watched.
> It's been my experience that the best way to prepare for a paper and
> pencil test is with paper and pencil pratice.
>
> I am not a technophobe.  I have a SMART Board, wireless tablet & Fl!p
> video camera going constantly.  I have a Youtube channel dedicated to

> math instructionwww.youtube.com/keeperofphi, 2 other websites that I