MobyMax Assistive and Adaptive Technology in the Classroom

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Pros

• Directly aligns with the Common Core Curriculum. There is an indicator at
  the bottom of the student’s screen that you, as a teacher, can control which allows your students to see precisely which skill they are working on. Many students have indicated that they like to have it at the bottom of the screen. If they are used to seeing that indicator, they will ask you about it. This display of standards also helps the teacher to easily monitor student work.
• Downloadable worksheets are available to provide off-screen practice for students.
• MobyMax can effectively help to differentiate your lessons to target student skills at the levels that they are on, so that they can feel successful.
• There are built in motivation for students to keep them going: Badges and other features are available for students to accumulate, creating a sense of reward and accomplishment from completing tasks on the platform.
• Parents can also be involved in the entire process so that they may help to motivate the students.
• Built in tracking and reporting, such as graphs and tables, help teachers easily monitor to make sure students are staying on task and mastering the tasks that you have set for them.
• It is very affordable: Mobymax is free for a single teacher without reporting. However, if you want to see reports,set progress and effectively monitor the performance of students, you will have to pay $79 for a single teacher license. On the other hand, an entire school license can be obtained for $499 per year.
• This web-based program means there is no time limit as to when resources can be accessed by students and teachers.
• Offers ease of set-up.
• Pre-assessment and pre-assessment-results allows teachers and administrators to
  get a clear view of the classroom and design strategies for the students to be successful.
• There is a very large user-base: mobymax.com/motivate.

Cons:

• The students find the games pretty boring-no pictures, characters, etc.
• Tutorials just give students the answer, in words, without explaining step-by-step.
• Students are not able to use manipulatives when completing practice sessions or tests.
• The tutorials are not very expansive, therefore, this may not be the perfect early childhood technology tool for lower elementary kids who are just beginning to learn concepts.
• MobyMax provides mostly assessment-worksheets on the computer.

Overall

MobyMax is great software for upper grades and for skills practice. This is probably not the best software for when lower grade students are actually learning concepts, however, it can provide adequate support for the teacher when used carefully throughout the learning process. The assessment tools that the software provides make it a great assistive technology in the classroom for any teacher and school administrator. Given that MobyMax aligns directly to the Common Core Standards, and given the pricing structure, it makes for a very efficient use of technology resources in the classroom. MobyMax can easily replace or supplement many of the technology that is already available in a modern classroom.

From The Publisher-Learn Without Limits, LLC:

Why MobyMax Works

The fastest way to increase test scores is to help students learn missing math and ELA skills. MobyMax's comprehensive learning system automatically diagnoses areas of weakness, assigns targeted lessons to improve those areas, and tracks progress as students master skills. MobyMax's test prep further improves student performance to dramatically increase test scores.

1. Find and Fix Missing Skills

MobyMax diagnostic, formative, and summative tests find missing skills. Then, Moby's adaptive curriculum creates a unique, individualized education plan for each student, ensuring that students get the instruction they need.

2. Monitor Learning Goals

Data and goals are essential for increasing scores. MobyMax shows your students' current grade level proficiency as well as how fast your students are learning. The students' learning velocity allows you and your teachers to make sure students are on track to meet their goals.

3. State Test Prep Practice

The final step in improving state test scores is state test prep. For test review, MobyMax pinpoints areas of mastery with a short review and targets areas where help is needed for more practice. The adaptive review means students do not waste time practicing material they have already mastered. Students increase their scores and confidence with just two weeks of practice and review!

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