Working for a goal is very important for motivation. Experience has shown that computer learning which includes goals and testing for progress provides a strong motivation to continue trying. To do better at some activity today than you did yesterday, makes the day worthwhile. It is natural for anyone to try and better a previous achievement or to excel compared to others.
In order to determine if a performance is better or worse than before, some system of measurement has to be in place. Also, the results need to be determined immediately so that a sense of gratification can be experienced as a reward for the hard work. Calculating test results with a computer for one student can be done instantly- and scoring a test for 30 students will always be much faster with a computer than what a classroom teacher can do. Most of us want immediate gratification and this is especially so for hyperactive children.
In addition, it is very important that the experience of success be shared with friends, parents and teachers so that the very important human recognition can be given.
People like to “play to an audience” and with the Teaching-Engine, test results are readily available to the parents either on the computer screen or printed out. Therefore, progress and accomplishment can be verified and recognized by the parents. Although getting a 100% or a “Well done” on the computer screen is very good, there is nothing better than a child hearing the “Well done!” from his or her parents. This is especially so if the child seldom gets any positive feedback from school.
There may be some students who will try to “beat the system” by exaggerating the amount of work done, or inflating the results obtained. However, they will quickly learn that because the parents have complete access to the activity records and test results, the child’s exaggerated claims will not have any credibility at all.
Create Your Own Computer Lessons
In addition to the many prepared lessons which are included with the program and on the internet, parents can create their own Teaching-Engine computer lessons themselves.
A typical lesson could be spelling words given out by the student’s school teacher. Once quickly typed into the program, the spelling words can be practiced and tested on the computer by the student, without any further effort from the parent. Results of practice tests are recorded into the computer memory, and can be reviewed by the parent any time and printed out.
Grades 1-3, The Foundation Phase
In some school systems, grades 1, 2, and 3 are called the Foundation Phase. Probably a good term because indeed, these years provide the foundation for all further academic work. It is also during these years that any deficiencies or difficulties the student may have are discovered.
Using the Teaching-Engine at home, the basics of literacy and numeracy can be effectively reinforced. For students who are struggling, it might make the difference between passing or repeating a grade. Even for students who are coping, improving literacy proficiency will only make the preparation for the higher grades better and will create a higher probability of future academic success.
Included with the Teaching-Engine installation package is an exercise CD which contains evaluation exercises. These consist of a sight word reading test and a spelling test at a number of different levels. These tests not only come up with a score, but also provide details on the type of errors the student makes. This information can be helpful in finding consistent errors such as confusion of b and d, reversals and other patterns. From this, the errors can be pointed out to the students so that they can learn to be on the lookout for these “tricky” situations
Do it Yourself Tutoring
Parents are not expected to be education experts. After all, that is the job of the school system. That is why it is totally understandable that when parents learn that their child is struggling in school, they don’t know where to turn. This document tries to help a parent “do it yourself”. That is, using the Teaching-Engine program, effectively tutor the child in literacy and help the child catch up with the Foundation Phase curriculum.