IXL

IXL ( https://www.ixl.com/ ) is a K-12 online learning program. There are more than 7,000 practice modules available. For example, there are 161 modules/skills available for 8^th grade ELA and 382 skills for 8th-grade math. The site is common core aligned and can match up perfectly with a school’s curriculum. There are also skill plans for the ACT, SAT, and NWEA MAP growth. The site has instant, in-depth analytics for teachers that determine students’ grade level proficiency and problem areas. Using this data, the site creates personalized action plans. Teachers can then differentiate based on the site’s recommendations. Teachers can assign above grade level work for students who are excelling and they can assign or recommend modules in problem areas for students who are struggling.

IXL’s scoring algorithm is very unique. The questions adapt to the student’s skill level. IXL explains that the “SmartScore is a dynamic measure of progress toward mastery, rather than a percentage grade. It tracks your skill level as you tackle progressively more difficult questions. Consistently answer questions correctly to reach excellence (90), or conquer the Challenge Zone to achieve mastery (100)”. If a student is not ready to answer a question then they can click the “learn with an example” button. It will provide the student with a thorough explanation. If the student answers a question wrong then they get another thorough explanation as to why.

Teachers can assign IXL modules through Google Classroom by sharing a link. They can also import their class roaster to IXL. I know that it is also compatible with other learning management systems like Schoology because the 8^th grader I tutor in ELA is assigned IXL modules through there.

It was by working with her that I was able to see how great IXL really is. I had found IXL previously weeks ago when researching educational technology for another blog post but when I found out that it was subscription-based and you had to pay a significant amount of money I stopped looking at it. However, I really think that this learning program is worth the money. I think that it is a very practical site. It can help raise kids' standardized test scores and locate problem areas fast.