Chapter 5

Three things I've learned in this chapter were:
1. Test genterators which is a program that creates tests in an outlined manor so that the teacher doesn't have to worry about creating the layout themselves, it also randomizes the questions so that a teacher can give several versions of the same test, gives the option for "selective questions that pertain to a specific content area," also the program gives an answer key for the teacher for all the different versions of the tests. I didn't know there was a tool out there to help in creating tests for teachers, if they decided to do so on their own. This helps to save time and gives the teacher options in their grading.
2.I had never heard about the CAT software. I found it very helpful because this software gives a teacher the ability to test students at their own level, however it's also very "controversial" because it's not the best form of testing and "it actually discriminates against some students. I can see the point for and against. It gives teachers a different option for testing that might help students in a lower level of learning gain the confidence in a specific subject that would increase their learning, but at the same time kids could feel that they aren't being treated equal, resulting in them not performing well.
3.Electronic Dictionaries (World Atlases) They actually pronounce the word for people in case they can't read the little marks over the letters and stuff. Totally cool! It's like a little encyclopedia and dictionary/atlas all in one. I had no idea that there was software out there like this, unless it's similar to google mapping. This could be super helpful in trying to teach children how to read or even geography.

Two things I would find helpful as a teacher are:
The Materials Generator would be helpful because I could make rubrics, pdf's, and since I'm going to be an English teacher I could use the desktop publishing software too. Rubics are great for kids to know what "hoops" to jump through and the publishing software is helpful for assignments.
Individualized Education Program Generators would be helpful to assess how students are doing, where they're at, where they should be, how long it will take to get them there, and etc. It's a great way to know which students will need a little more help, different assignements, and so on, but hopefully able to keep them in the class with the rest of the students rather then sending them away for other help, but then again also knowing if they need that extra help I wouldn't be able to give them.

My question is about the Accelerated Reader program: Do teachers actually teach the kids to read if they have this program lined up or do they feel the program was designed to take over the teaching in that area?