| From October, 2003 through June, 2004, students in eleven 5th grade classes across Bayonne, NJ participated in a scientific evaluation of the Achieve3000® KidBiz3000™ differentiated instruction solution. This research was conducted experts at Rutgers University and Kean University, and it was designed to evaluate the effects of a year-long intervention using KidBiz on performance in reading, language use, technology knowledge and motivation.
The research yielded evidence that significant gains were made in each of these areas in the form of dramatically increased scores on the Scholastic Reading Inventory and TerraNova tests, as well as Lexile® level gains. Importantly, the differentiated instruction component of the solution was proven to be the key factor in enabling these gains.
Methodology
The study population was divided into three samples. The first sample utilized a fully functional KidBiz solution that differentiated content and assignments for each student. The second group utilized a modified version of the KidBiz solution that delivered content and assignments to all children at a 5th grade reading level. The final group functioned as the control group and did not utilize the KidBiz solution in any form.
The students and teachers participated in pre-testing prior to the KidBiz program implementation. All students in the study took the SRI, TerraNova and the reading attitude and technology knowledge surveys.
Results
Students in the differentiated sample outperformed students in the control sample on the following measures:
- Scholastic Reading Inventory
- TerraNova
- Language Composite
- Language Subscore
- Language Mechanics Subscore
- Reading Composite
- Reading Subscore
- Vocabulary Subscore
- SEIR*TEC Student Survey
- Experience using word processing programs
- Multimedia productions
- Recreational games
- Exchanging messages with teachers
- Practicing keyboarding
- Use of computers in language arts
- Use of computers in school
Students in the differentiated sample outperformed students in the non-differentiated sample on the SRI and TerraNova tests
Of key note, the undifferentiated sample did not significantly outperform students in the control group. This finding underscores the critical importance of the differentiated instruction component of the KidBiz solution.
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