Effective Resources vs. Useless Widgets

As educators from kindergarten to college grapple with the challenge of addressing learning loss, K-12 teachers, in particular, face a stark contrast to their college and university counterparts. While most higher education instructors enjoy the freedom to choose supplementary materials, those in K-12 districts often find their hands tied regarding which supplemental instruction materials they can implement. The recent influx of digital learning tools has underscored this issue, with many educators and administrators discovering that many of these platforms lack the student-centered results to back up their purported effectiveness.

Supplemental instructional materials are critical tools in educators’ toolkits. Using materials that complement class content serves to engage and motivate students while also providing ways to bridge possible knowledge gaps. Educators cannot be everywhere at once; these resources provide additional resources and practice content during off-hours. One of those critical resources is online, on-demand tutoring—a learning lifeline that many students were historically unable to access until recently.

When it comes to practice materials that don’t have a human interaction component, many schools are finding that students are unlikely to engage with “drill and skill” platforms. Throwing content at students does not bridge the learning gap if they’re unsure how to take the next steps. This can be especially harmful for remote students, who don’t get the feedback they would from in-person engagement. 

Vincent Forese, President of Link Systems International

Our unlimited math practice platform, Sofia, gives students the resources to hone the concepts they’ve learned in a supportive, connected environment that guides them toward independent learning. Sofia can even connect directly with NetTutor, our on-demand virtual tutoring service if students need more help.

The result: Students who are motivated to use Sofia, with their math skills improving in the process. Melisha (“Missy”) McCosky, a teacher at Community R-VI School District in Missouri, was happy with students’ engagement with Sofia: “The demand for remote students is increasing, and we’ve noticed a corresponding rise in Sofia usage as well. My school is happy with the reasonable cost and the enthusiasm students have in using Sofia for their math assignments, so we will definitely keep using it.”

The impact of these digital tools goes beyond just improving math skills. Sofia and NetTutor also foster a sense of confidence and independence among students, which are crucial traits for academic success and lifelong learning. By offering an engaging and effective platform, Link Systems International ensures that students are not merely passive recipients of information but active participants in their educational journey. This approach helps bridge the gap between struggling learners and those who can excel independently, creating a more inclusive and supportive educational environment.

Moreover, these tools’ flexibility allows them to be integrated seamlessly into various teaching methodologies and curricula. Whether in a fully remote setup or a hybrid model, Sofia and NetTutor can adapt to the unique needs of each classroom and student. This adaptability is particularly valuable in the current educational landscape, where unpredictability has become the norm. Educators can rely on these tools to maintain continuity in learning, regardless of the circumstances, ensuring that no student falls behind due to a lack of resources or support.

In essence, the success stories from districts like Community R-VI School District are a testament to the effectiveness of Link Systems International’s offerings. The positive feedback from educators and the tangible improvements in student performance underscores the importance of choosing the right supplemental materials. As schools continue to navigate the challenges of modern education, having reliable, evidence-based tools like Sofia and NetTutor can make a significant difference in student outcomes, paving the way for a brighter, more educated future.

We know that choosing the right student resources means the difference between overloaded students and motivated students. That is why we built NetTutor and Sofia as tools that serve to both encourage and motivate. We know our partners have to be selective about which tools they can include in their supplemental materials toolkits, and fortunately, our solutions have proven their usefulness for over 28 years.

Published by: Holy Minoza