IXL.com—Math and English

IXL.com is a resource for learning fundamental Math and English Language Arts skills. When launching the app, users must first select the content that they wish to review from the left side of the main screen, and they can choose Math or English Language Arts. Once they select the content, users must choose which grade level or subject to review. Finally, users must specify the exact skills within that subject area. For example, if 4^th grade Math is selected, users must then choose if they want to review their “number sense,” “money,” or “time” skills, among others options. Once all the content choices are made, users are presented with multiple-choice questions that have four potential answers. Users must choose the correct answer. If they choose incorrectly, IXL.com provides users with a detailed explanation about the skill or concept, which will help them as they answer future questions. When users answer correctly, they are awarded points, and IXL.com logs the amount of time users spent answering questions. Additionally, IXL.com provides an annotation tool so users can jot notes, work out solutions, or mark text while answering questions. IXL.com also logs the amount of time, problems, and SmartScore for users as they progress through this app’s content.

Please note: In the free version, there is a daily limit of questions that users can answer.

Instructional Ideas

1. After a lesson, teachers can locate practice problems in this app that are aligned to the topic of the lesson. Teachers can then have students complete a review of the content using the practice problems in this app. Teachers can have students take a screen shot of their app after they solved a specific number of questions (5, 10, 15, or 20).
2. To facilitate collaborative learning, teachers can have students complete a specific group of problems together. Teachers can pair a student who needs additional support with a student who is proficient in the content. This way, the students will build each other’s competency. The student with a developing understanding will be able to build his or her knowledge, and the student with the deeper knowledge set will reinforce it by explaining the concept to the other student.
3. As a bell-ringer, teachers can project a problem from this app on their projector. As students take their seats, they will be responsible for answering it correctly. Teachers can follow this activity by having a discussion of the rule. Or, teachers can use this activity as a pre-assessment.
4. Before a test, teachers can use this activity as a review game. To do so, teachers can divide their class into groups of three to five students. Next, teachers can project a question from this app. The group that can answer the question first wins a point. Then, teachers can allow groups to “double down” and earn an additional point if they can explain the rule.

Screenshots

Screenshots