By Saskia Nilsen RITES learning specialist and education advocate

Technology can help, but it cannot replace hands-on learning or monitoring required for students. While schools may have already suggested websites for students, students with a wider range of learning styles may find the sites mentioned below much easier to handle. So, they’ll be better able to set and achieve reasonable learning goals each day.

 Strategies for Using Websites and Apps for Online Learning

1. Always have paper and pencil or a dry-erase board and markers available to work on in front of the computer.
2. Read directions and problems to students, or have them read aloud to you, especially if just listening to audio does not help them process enough to reach an understanding of the task.
3. Have students take notes or write down key words when watching videos.
4. Stay engaged with the student for at least five to ten minutes to help them get going.  Some students will need you to sit nearby as they gain confidence and to help maintain focus.
5. Take active breaks every 20, 30, or 40 minutes, depending on the age of the student.
6. Limit access to social media and communication apps while working.

Top Sites and Apps Recommended to Keep Students Learning at Home

Try to support your student by using the provided websites, but if they are not working for you, ask your district for more profile-friendly sites.  Because districts often go with the cheaper subscription sites, it may be worth asking them to invest in a few additional sites, or using the free trials frequently offered to test new sites out.

Suggested Web Sites

• Learning Ally/Audible/other audiobook access
• IXL has increased its options for accommodating different learners by including audio and the same problems to preview a skill.  Most students with learning difference profiles may struggle with directions and need the screen enlarged in order for the font to be appropriate.  IXL runs math and language arts K-12 and also has social studies and science options until 8^th grade.  There may also be a language component.
• Khan Academy is appropriate for upper elementary to high school and beyond. They are adding in lower elementary videos and activities. Khan Academy is especially helpful for all math and science classes, offering detailed video instruction and practice.
• Lexia Core 5 and Power-Up If your child does not already have access to this, contact RITES to set up an account.
• Big History Project For middle and high school students, Big History Project is a free, online social studies course that emphasizes skill development as students draw mind-blowing connections between past, present, and future. What can you expect to see? Amazing gains in student writing and critical thinking are possible…

More Suggestions by Age Group

Elementary

• Starfall
• Scholastic
• Prodigy
• Reading A-Z

Middle School

• Sparknotes/Schmoop/Cliff Notes reading support
• Khan Academy
• School assigned Textbook online resources
• Crash Course YouTube videos
• Discovery and History channel documentaries
• Math Antics

High School

• Khan Academy
• IXL
• Discovery and History channel documentaries
• Sparknotes/Schmoop/Cliff Notes reading support
• Free online university classes

Not all websites will work for every student. Try out a variety, and then try to use the ones you find success with systematically.  Remember, students with learning differences often need time to adjust to new routines and formats.