Why Include Smart Tutor in Your Summer School? |
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Dynamic individualized instruction |
Smart Tutor’s individualized instruction program is set up automatically for each student, which makes it a powerful and convenient way to provide your students with the targeted help they need to prevent them from ‘losing’ skills over the summer. This is especially helpful when you may not always have learning professionals on hand. |
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Engaging learning environment |
Students love computer time and Smart Tutor allows you to help them practice important reading and math skills in a fun learning environment. Smart Tutor’s lessons include interactive, animated tutorials and game-like activities that bring concepts to life.
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Works with your summer camp schedule |
Students can work on the system for 15 minutes, 30 minutes or more – it’s up to you. Since Smart Tutor “bookmarks” the last completed lesson, students are always returned to an activity if they need to stop. Also students don’t “miss” instruction if they are away because they pick up where they left off when they return. |
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Factors to Consider when Implementing Smart Tutor in Your Summer School |
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The length of your summer program |
Smart Tutor is used in summer camps and schools that run from three weeks to eight weeks in length. While it is recommended that students use the program for an hour a week during the school year (two 30-minute sessions or three 20-minute sessions), you may want to increase the number of sessions during summer camp. There is no limit to the amount of time the student can spend using the program. |
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The amount of time for instruction |
Like our friends at “Shake-A-Leg,” if your summer camp includes many other activities like arts and sports, try to allocate chunks of ‘computer time.’ This will ensure that students are able to complete an adequate amount of lessons before the end of summer school. Some programs allow students to use the computers for 15 minutes in the morning and then again for 15 minutes just before they leave. |
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Summer Program Implementation |
To ensure a smooth implementation, check to make sure that both staffing and equipment needs are met. Decide how many team members or volunteers you will need to monitor students when they are using the computers. You will also want to account for hardware and software requirements such as the number of computers, their location, headsets and internet access. The Smart Tutor program itself does not need to be downloaded or installed since it is completely web-based. |
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Training & Professional Development |
Some summer camps (especially those not hosted at schools) recruit volunteers that may need additional training and professional development. Most summer camp staff find the Smart Tutor program easy and intuitive to use. Training can be conducted on site or via webinar to suit your convenience. |
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Accountability & Reporting |
Smart Tutor’s assessment and progress reports include information on learning objectives mastered, number of lessons completed and time on task allowing you to easily provide parents with a quick weekly report on their child’s progress at just a click of a mouse. This information can also be included in the students’ portfolio to be sent home at the end of the summer. The administrator-level reports can also be especially convenient in terms of showing funding agencies and other stakeholders the success of the program. |
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