Study Island is a Learning Management System (LMS) or perhaps more accurately based on size, content focus, and emphasis on alignment with state educational standards called a Learning Content Management system. Study Island provides hosting and training content for school systems and home users across the United States.
A semi-formal study released in 2008 showed Chicago area schools in the first year of using Study Island had greater improvement in meeting or exceeding standards on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) over fifth- and eighth-grade students within the state not using study Island (Magnolia Consulting, 2008). This particular study became a key endorsement for the sale and integration of Study Island within Illinois school districts, including my own. Should a single study, which when read thoroughly admits that other factors may have contributed to the outcome, be the sole foundation for selecting and implementing an LMS?
@ Billy- You make a solid point of questioning one study's effect on purchasing power. Many administrators look at the data that is provided before purchasing new technology, which is great, but they need to also check other sources and do more research. I am interested in how well the LMS is doing for your district currently.
ReplyDeleteBean-counters....grrh.
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