Software helps students prepare for state assessment tests

By LAURIE LEVOY • Staff Writer • April 17, 2009

Michele Durik, a math teacher at Green Brook Middle School, is at 27 on a fast track of personal achievement.

Still gaining experience in her field — Durik's just in her second year of teaching — she also is enrolled in a master's program at Kean University to earn a degree in education administration.

Durik fosters similar goals of achievement for her sixth-grade math students who are preparing to take the state's NJASK assessment exams in May.

That's why Durik is the first among the school's six math teachers to consistently use Study Island software, she said.

"Study Island math and language arts software follows the curriculum standards of New Jersey," Durik said.

Green Brook Middle School Principal Linda Pollard said Study Island was purchased last year. "It integrates video components with learning to engage the student," said Pollard.

Durik attended a Study Island workshop after the software arrived and soon started to use it. By September, she was ready to incorporate Study Island into her lesson planning, Durik said.

"My students' percentages of right answers increased quite a lot, even in the time I had to use it last year," said Durik.

"I like Study Island because whenever I have trouble with something during math, I go to Study Island and click on the subject and review the information," said student Nikita Mukherjee.

With district sixth-graders attending an 80-minute math class every weekday, Durik has the block of time available to take her pupils to the computer lab to sign on and review.

"Kids like to compete," Durik said. "Sometimes I'll pick the player of the day. The software also awards blue or white ribbons for achievement. When they have earned a certain number of ribbons, the software allows them to answer questions in a game mode format, which the kids really like," said Durik.

Pollard said she receives a weekly printout from the company indicating how many students earned ribbons, and in what topics. Durik similarly gets feedback regarding her students' progress so she can tailor assignments to their proficiency.

Durik also praised the district's support.

"The administration provides us with a lot of technology to keep the kids interested and learning," she said.

Sixth-grader Skye Sass gives Study Island good grades, too.

"It's helpful because it is a review of everything you learned during the year, and of what will be on the NJASK. I like Study Island because I am very forgetful sometimes. So, when I get on Study Island, everything comes back to me."

Laurie Levoy; 908-243-6614;llevoy@MyCentralJersey.com