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Freedom
Scientific LSG Presents
The
WYNNing Word WYNNing Word
May 2, 2005
 Last
month we visited with Molly Sequeira of St. Matthew's Catholic School
in Charlotte, NC and learned how TestTalker has helped her struggling
students. This month we visit again with Mrs. Sequeira to learn
how TestTalker is incorporated into classes at St. Matthew's.
BEST
PRACTICE:
"We are meeting the kids' needs and they are succeeding."
"
We use TestTalker in fifth grade and with
one fourth grade teacher, primarily in social studies, science and
reading,” said Mrs. Sequeira. Because St. Matthew's is a parochial
school they are not required to have IEP's for their students, instead
they use Accommodation Plans that acknowledge a learning difference
and list classroom accommodations that will be made to facilitate
the learning process. "Even without specific state requirements
for IEP's we still recognize when our kids need more assistance.
One of the most common recommendations made for any student with
a reading difficulty is that all tests should be administered orally.
This is difficult to do with limited teacher time and that's when
TestTalker helps us the most.”
"Our school
is always forward thinking when it comes to technology,” explained
Mrs. Sequeira. "Every student has had computer classes since
kindergarten and there are two computers in every classroom. Additionally,
students are allowed to do as much homework on the computer as they'd
like. In third grade they start researching on the computer and
by the fourth grade they start PowerPoint presentations.”
It's this learning environment that made TestTalker so successful.
Teachers can't
always read tests to students and assistants are not available either
so Mrs. Sequeira scans tests for all the teachers. "Scanning
is quite easy. I've got it down to a science,” said Mrs. Sequeira
proudly. "I can scan a six page test in about 20 minutes, including
the time needed for modifications. ”Unfortunately,
the only computer with TestTalker is in the library. The school
has applied for grant money to expand TestTalker into all third
through fifth grade classrooms so teachers can scan during their
planning periods and students will have more access to the program.
"We had
some teachers, as well as students, that were hesitant to use TestTalker.
I think they were afraid of the technology,” explained Mrs.
Sequeira. "Their attitudes changed when they realized that
it makes life easier. Teachers learned that TestTalker allows them
to spend more time with students that need assistance during a test."
While Mrs. Sequeira
acknowledged that they have had some students who did not like being
singled out, she emphasized, "We are trying to show them that
TestTalker is only a tool that allows them to demonstrate just how
much they do know. At the elementary level, one of the reasons to
give a test is so that the students can be taught test taking skills.”
Other students have commented that since there is often another
class in the library, it can be too loud during testing with TestTalker.
"We hope that as we get the student version into all the classrooms
that these issues will go away. We're meeting the kids' needs and
they are succeeding.”
Thank
you Molly for sharing your story. We all appreciate knowing what
techniques work to enhance the success of our students!
COMING
NEXT MONTH:
ASK-the-EXPERT:
The WYNNing Word has been designed
to help educators learn more about literacy issues and apply proven
methods in the classroom. Freedom Scientific's resident expert,
Lynn Regan, will answer your questions in her monthly column.
To submit questions, please wynningword@adelphia.net.
Freedom Scientific
LSG will be at NECC in Philadelphia June 27-30.
Please come by booth 225 for a free drawing and be the first to
hear some exciting news!
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