Review Overview
A. Instruction - 6.9
B. Design - 7.1
C. Engagement - 6.6
6.9
SOLARO: Test Prep for the Common Core
Summary : Test Readiness Drills for the Common Core
SOLARO prepares users for assessments aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). When launching SOLARO, users must enter the state in which they live, their grade level, and the English and Math classes they are taking and/or have completed. At this point, users are able to select a class, study topics in that class that are aligned to the CCSS, and take practice assessments. When studying topics, users are provided with commentary about the topic and example problems. That way, when they feel ready, they can tap the “Start Test” option and take a practice assessment aligned to that topic and the CCSS. After users complete the assessment, they are provided a score report, and they can review any questions that they answered incorrectly. As part of that review, SOLARO offers commentary that explains the rationale for selecting the correct answer.
Please note: SOLARO requires an in-app purchase to access its content; only one lesson and practice assessment are accessible for free.
Instructional Ideas
- After a lesson, teachers can have students complete the practice assessment in this app aligned to that lesson. For accountability, students can take a screen shot of their results and email it to their teacher.
- Instead of teachers instructing students in a traditional manner, teachers can “flip” their classroom using this app. To do so, teachers can have students complete a lesson and assessment in this app independently, at home or in the classroom. Then, after completing the lesson, students can ask teachers any questions they may have about the topic. Then, teachers can have students complete the assessment or create and give students an additional assessment to ensure learning.
- Teachers can create an activity in which students teach a lesson to the class using this app. To do so, teachers can assign each student a specific lesson out of this app to teach. Next, the students would prepare for the lesson by studying this app, completing the assessment, creating an engaging way to teach the lesson, and making an additional assessment. Finally, students would teach their lesson and have their classmates complete both the assessment in this app and the assessment they created. Teachers can require the student who taught the lesson to grade the assessment he or she created.
- After giving students a pre-assessment to gauge their readiness for a summative assessment aligned to the CCSS, teachers can recommend specific lessons in this app that students need to study to further prepare themselves for the upcoming CCSS assessment.
A1. Rigor | |
A2. 21st Century Skills | |
A3. Conn. to Future Learning | |
A4. Value of Errors | |
A5. Feedback to Teacher | |
A6. Level of Material | |
A7. Cooperative Learning | |
A8. Accom. of Individual Diff. |
B1. Ability to Save Progress | |
B2. Platform Integration | |
B3. Screen Design | |
B4. Ease of Use | |
B5. Navigation | |
B6. Goal Orientation | |
B7. Information Presentation | |
B8. Media Integration | |
B9. Cultural Sensitivity |
C1. Learner Control | |
C2. Interactivity | |
C3. Pace | |
C4. Flexibility | |
C5. Interest | |
C6. Aesthetics | |
C7. Utility |