GEN: Scholastic's Reading Counts

[Bonnie LaClave <blaclav@IN-MOTION.NET>]

Hello Friends,
        I'd like to start a little discussion on the re-make of Electronic
Bookshelf that Scholastic has just come out with called Reading Counts.
        According to some information that I just received, they have redesigned
the program to make it much more colorful and kid-friendly, with all the
features of EB that most teachers love.  But the most amazing thing is that
they are offering a free transfer for folks who are using AR!  For a
limited time, you can send in all your AR quizzes and they will send you
the software, your quizzes in their format, tech support for a year and
some other goodies--all for free!  Sounds pretty good to me.  We have used
AR for two years now, and we all like it a lot--kids are reading more and
are more motivated.  But I *really* like the idea of kids being able to
re-take a quiz from that pool of 30 questions that EB has always had,
rather than the same test over again as AR does.  Also, I've felt a little
uncomfortable with the AR "hype"--it seems that all their research is
pretty one-sided.
        I'm not knocking AR at all--I think it's a great program.  But the switch
over to Reading Counts is looking pretty good to me, and I'm just wondering
what others have heard and what you all think. Thanks for any input!
Bonnie LaClave                  Phone 765-436-2333
Thorntown Elementary            Fax 765-436-2630
200 Mill Street                 "Reading Is To The Mind What
Thorntown, Indiana 46071        Exercise Is To The Body"
http://www.bccn.boone.in.us/webo/thorn
blaclav@in-motion.net

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=
    All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law.
To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST), send email to:
 listserv@listserv.syr.edu         In the message write EITHER:
 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST
 3) SET LM_NET MAIL  * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv
 For LM_NET Help & Archives see:  http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=