Evaluating Spelling

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Evaluating Spelling

• Looking at Spelling Software for a Third Grade
  Classroom
• By Vanessa Trammell

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Why Teach Spelling?

• In a spell check world, it can be difficult for
  students to want to learn and practice spelling.
  Educators know the importance of spelling
  making connections, seeing patterns, building a
  bridge to the reading process, and developing
  meaning. But what is the best way to teach
  spelling?

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Teaching Spelling Using Best Practices

• Spelling lessons integrated throughout the day
• Showing relationships (word families or root
  words)
• Teaching rules and generalizations
• Using customized lists for individual students

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Challenges Individualized Instruction

• How does a teacher keep track of 26 spelling
  lists a week?
• How does a teacher effectively know when all 26
  students are sufficiently challenged in an
  individualized program?
• How do struggling students get the remediation
  they need in spelling?

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Answer Technology Integration

• Since this is a spell check world, using
  technology to assist a teacher implement best
  practices for spelling may be the answer!

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Using Technology Wisely

• Evaluating software shouldnt be taken lightly
• Be aware of curricular standards and technology
  standards before choosing software

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Standards Needing to be Addressed

• Language Arts
• Decoding and Word Recognition
• word familiesprefixessuffixes
• Written English Language Conventions
• blends
• contractions
• compounds
• patterns
• homophones

• NETS
• Basic Operations and Concepts
• Social, Human, Ethical Issues
• Productivity Tools
• Communication Tools
• Research Tools
• Technology Problem Solving/Decision Making Tools

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Software Evaluation

• I chose to evaluate Spelling Blaster by Knowledge
  Adventure to assist in individualized spelling
  learning. The publisher claims that the software
  improves spelling and reading skills by using
  phonics rules, recognizing patterns, using word
  families among other things. The software is
  aligned to NCTE and IRA Standards.
• This software sounded right up my alley. It was
  sent to my school by the publisher. Lets check
  it out!

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Curricular Applications

• I use literacy learning centers in my classroom.
  I wanted software that can be independently used
  on a regular basis to assist students with
  spelling. I want software that will cover all of
  the spelling standards for Indiana and as many
  NETS standards as possible.

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Software Summary

• Spelling Blaster is software primarily designed
  for individual student use. Students can select
  word lists (such as word families or prefixes)
  for a desired skill to work on. Students can
  navigate an imaginary world by choosing a
  character to represent themselves and complete
  tasks using spelling practices to conquer the
  bad guys. Clues are provided to help students
  find the bad guy in a diversion separate to
  spelling practice. Lessons are saved for each
  student, and can go for as long as time allows.
  This is a drill and practice type software, and
  is best for remediation and content mastery.

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Pros and Cons of Spelling Blaster

• Pros
• User friendly
• Provides feedback to learner responses
• Focused on one area of content at a time
• New and different challenges as learner
  progresses
• Keeps track of progress

• Cons
• Isolated words and skills
• Heavy dependence on typing skills
• Drill does not build on meaning
• Only 1 NETS standard addressed
• Slow and long (can be boring to third graders)

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Conclusions

• I am not advocating purchasing Spelling Blaster
  for third graders. Although there are benefits
  to this program, the disappointments outweigh
  them. At best, Spelling Blasters would be useful
  for English as a Second Language learners or as a
  remediation tool. At a cost of 699.95 for a
  lab, it is too expensive to justify buying it for
  all students.

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Conclusions Continued

• I was disappointed with the software in covering
  language arts standards. Although groups of
  words were grouped together by a specific
  meaning, the software didnt address the meaning.
  I believe that students who are not proficient
  typists will get frustrated by the pace. Lastly,
  I was disappointed that only one NETS standard
  was apparent Basic Operations and Concepts.

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Further Review

• Spelling Blasters may in fact be a great learning
  tool for language arts its just not appropriate
  for my needs as a third grade teacher. However,
  since the software is designed for learners
  younger than third grade, other teachers may see
  a benefit for their younger students. More
  evaluations by those teachers may be appropriate.
  It still stands that the program only addresses
  one NETS standard.

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References

• Hagerty, Patricia J, and Ann Foster and Brian
  Cobb. Teaching Spelling A Sampling of
  Exemplary Practices in Poudre School Districts.
  1997
• Knowledge Adventure
• www.knowledgeadventureschool.com