Integrated Learning Systems: Purchasing Options
by
Michael Walker
(As published in the September/October 1993
issue of Media & Methods magazine)
Dull ... lifeless ... deadpan ... half-closed eyes. Is this what you see each day on your student's faces? In spite of the outward appearing mask, inside these students is an untapped burning and yearning to be successful and to learn. Given our current class sizes and structures, how can we help our students begin to approach their true potentials? In more than five hundred school districts nationwide, the Integrated Learning System (ILS) has come to the rescue.
By providing academically appropriate computerized curricula and activities, the ILS works cooperatively with the classroom teacher to augment the instructional process. It also engages students in the learning process. Focusing on elementary school, remedial middle and high school, and adult learners, the ILS provides students with an effective method to master learning objectives.
The leading Integrated Learning System companies in education today have their own unique software and management components. Each ILS company provides instruction through well-researched software, vivid graphics, and high-quality sound. As you investigate the nuances and enhancements of an ILS for your school or district, an update on new components can keep you abreast of one of the most exciting and encompassing instructional domains in education today.
Computer Curriculum Corporation is going beyond the traditional ILS curricula and moving toward flexible multimedia learning systems that stress current pedagogical philosophies. "Our recent SuccessMaker release offers read advances in learning systems, including new math, reading, and science courses," states Ron Fortune, President of Computer Curriculum Corporation. "By applying the latest advances in multimedia technology and open architectural design to educational software, we are creating learning environments that truly motivate students and empower teachers."
SuccessMaker includes new courses that help students develop English language skills. Reading Investigations, a reading course, combines interdisciplinary content with activities that build comprehension and thinking skills. Discover English stresses meaningful contexts through thematic lessons using graphics, illustrations, audio, and full-motion video."
"In the coming months, Jostens Learning Corporation is redefining and expanding its Integrated Learning Systems into what we are calling `Integrated Learning Environments,'" states John Kernan, Chief Executive Officer of Jostens Learning Corporation. Using Jostens' Learning FirstTM system as its core, teachers customize curricula t focus on both basic skills and discovery learning. There are three elements to the system; a broad curriculum; a management and assessment component; and quality service, support, and professional development.
Jostens' InteractiveMediaTM System will become a powerful catalyst for school restructuring efforts. This exciting system uses full-motion video to deliver state-of-the-art interactive instruction and lessons. "In the next five years, we will definitely see a great leap forward in the application of technology in our classrooms," reports Kernan.
CTB Macmillian/McGraw-Hill publishes The Macmillian/McGraw-Hill Open Integrated Learning System for high school and community college remedial level students. Through five levels of instruction, the system disseminates engaging lessons in reading, language arts, and math skills. The system evaluates students at the beginning of each lesson to ensure that time is not wasted on previously mastered material. As students progress through a lesson, they can seek online help, answer challenging questions, and send confidential electronic mail messages to their teacher. By prescribing a personal education plan foe each child, true control of the ILS is put in the hands of teachers.
"Our newest product is in the prototype stage. It will aim at high school remedial, adult remedial, and GED learners," states Nancy Lockwood, Director of Integrated Learning System Development at CTB Macmillian/McGraw-Hill. "This product will feature new content graphics, management, and multimedia."
In contrast to other Integrated Learning Systems,
TRO Learning's PLATO system is specially designed for young adults and adult learners. The curriculum, renamed PLATO 2000 Plus, includes revisions to the content, design, and look of the existing PLATO courseware. "TRO Learning has added several delivery options for PLATO courseware," describes David Newman, Director of National Marketing Programs at TRO Learning. "We support a file server-based Novell network ILS and the stand-alone, single-station CD-ROM configuration. TRO Learning now offers a CD-ROM, server-based network that is ideal for small (two to eight workstation) systems."
TRO Learning has also released a remote administration capability that allows administrators to manage multiple sites from a single location via a modem. The company's latest delivery option is a mobile learning lab that provides instruction to widely dispersed geographic areas.
The emphasis of the New Century Integrated Instructional System is on individual instruction, with full-period tutorial lessons that incorporate multimedia to develop students' foundation, higher-order thinking, problem solving, and communication skills. The system's just released Integrated Reading and Writing Curriculum is designed to make students effective communicators. Real world tasks, such as writing descriptions, instructions, explanations, and opinion essays, give students practice in communicating with a wide range of audiences. The program's incorporation of online tools and network communication adds excitement to the process of learning to write.
New Century Education has moved its system to the Windows platform. Ernie Lawrence, President of the company, explains, "This platform provides educators with even greater flexibility and ease of management to mold the system to their own needs." New assignment, reporting and grouping features eliminate traditional limits on managing student's programs and progress. They also allow for seamless delivery of computer-based activities from other software publishers.
This fall, Curriculum Networking Specialists (CNS) [Defunct][continues its commitment to providing educators with an easy-to-use system by introducing the Learning Environment.TM Randy Dunaway, Vice President of Technology for Curriculum Networking Specialists, states, "Learning Environment offers tremendous value to educators who want the benefits of popular software and managed instruction at a reasonable price. Language development (reading and writing), mathematics, science, and social studies products are available, as well as connections to multimedia and distance learning. CNS includes teacher productivity and creativity tools so that teachers can integrate the technology more easily with classroom activities.
CNS creates a custom solution for every school. That's because we're convinced that the only way educational technology works in schools is when it works for schools," says Dunaway. "Every school is unique and needs its own unique solution, not one designed for someone else's students." Because the Learning Environment is an "open" environment, educators can add other software they like to the system. The Learning Environment also can be modified over time, as a school's educational needs change.
Ideal Learning's ILS product line is structured around four key building blocks -- interactivity, open architecture, multiplatform, and teacher-directed. The ILS system promotes the use of computer-based activities from multiple vendors. By integrating Ideal's software and third-party courseware, school personnel are free and encouraged to design their own instructional solutions.
According to Andy Keith, Marketing Manager of Ideal Learning, during the next year Ideal will release three new products -- a complete K-8 curriculum for reading, language arts, and math for both Macintosh and Windows formats; a new version of the management system that runs on PCs using Windows; and version two of Writer's Network, a process writing groupware application which includes pre-writing, drafting, editing/revisions, and peer review features.
Wasatch Education Systems (Defunctt) is shipping a new line of ILS programs for K-8 students called Projects for the Real World.TM Based on SCANS objectives, the Windows product provides real-world examples of reading, writing, and mathematics through inter-disciplinary projects. Computer activities are augmented with color graphics and high-quality sound.
"We are committed to adult education," stated Carol Hamil, Vice President of Development for Wasatch Education Systems. "The company has developed with the Education Testing Service in Princetown, New Jersey an ILS designed expressly for adults." The LearningPlus program is a comprehensive skills- and strategy-based Windows product.
Integrated Learning Systems provide school districts with state-of-the-art and high-quality instructional tools as well as detailed management components. In a time of increased demand for substantiating student achievement, an Integrated Learning System provides administrators with excellent curriculum correlations and valuable demographic and academic statistics. ILS management options provide teachers with the ability to customize and streamline instructional plans. They also provide detailed progress reports that indicate proficiency in all subjects. Remedial work is provide and suggested enrichment activities are built into the system. An ILS engages and stimulates student participation through well-researched programs.
Strong curriculum materials are the hallmark of an ILS. For a school or district desiring to offer well-structured and managed curriculum, an ILS is an excellent choice.
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Michael Walker is a freelance writer based in
Washington, DC. He is also the founder and proprietor of
DREAMWalker Group.
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