Today’s tech snack can be found at the following url: https://literably.com/
What is this tool and how does it work?
Literably is a web- based tool designed to help elementary school teachers monitor students’ oral and reading comprehension skills. The way it works is pretty simple, but does require students to have a working microphone attached to the computer.
· First, the teacher signs up for a free account and creates a username and password.
· Then the teacher creates a class by typing in the students’ names.
· After that the teacher assigns a leveled text for the students in the class. (the leveled text chosen can be the same for the whole class or different based on the reading abilities of those in your group.)
· Students then go to https://literably.com/login and click on the I am a student. The students then type in their teacher’s username. Once they input that, they will pick their names from a drop down menu. NO PASSWORDS required.
After students have done their readings, their recordings are sent to the teacher via her literably account. When the teacher logs into their account, he/she can click on the individual student’s name and hear their recording. Teachers can also print out the reading selection as well as provide a private link of the recording to share with the student, other teachers, administrators or parents.
** In addition to having the recordings of your students’ reading, you will also have grades to the comprehension questions. Okay, now here is the really neat part about this tool….ready? “Literably generates a full running record of a student reading, including comprehension, substitutions, omissions, and insertions, and MSV analysis, and computes accuracy and words correct per minute. Literably also provides leveling recommendations based on the students’ scores. ” Here’s the downside: Results (accuracy and WPM) are not available instantly and take up to 18-24 hours to arrive via email or be posted on the site. (The recordings are available instantly though).
Literably has a free version(15 assessments per month) and a paid version(unlimited assessments for $19 a month).
To learn more specifics about how Literably works click here.
Classroom implications:
This tool is perfect for reporting to parents and administrators. It's also great for resource teachers to share during IEP meetings. Turn this assessment tool into a teaching tool by having students listen to their recordings and follow the text to pause the incorrect recording and read it correctly. Have them try the same reading again to see if they can improve their score.
Ah, a tech snack that is easy to use, simple and a powerful data collection tool. Until we meet again at the Tech Snack Café!