VLE-type program (Sam Learning) IE based - suggestions?

[gwendes]

<crossed fingers>
I work at the Training Centre on The City Of Portsmouth Girls' site. On Thursdays and Fridays we have a group of 'less advantaged' students that come in as part of a scheme to achieve a GCSE in Maths and English.

One of the trainers suggested that I research Sam Learning but this is a bit overkill for a maximum of 15 pupils over two days - and all we need is maths and english. Up until now they have been taught using a combination of 'normal' teaching and websites like BBC Bitesize and Maths Is Fun but these miss a vital element and it would be excellent if anyone can advise of a free or cheap way of offering similar resources AND tracking time spent and/or progress.

Has anyone come across anything like this?
</crossed fingers>

[Ric_]

We use Sam Learning... apparantly it is very good but I don't have much to do with it. I believe it to be more of a study-aid than a VLE though.

[gwendes]

Problem with Sam is the cost - we want something similar but as it's only required by very few pupils who are not actually registered at the school they have a much tighter budget.

Just flicked through the Sam Learning website before giving them a call - VLE is the closest thing that I could compare it too - I understand that it doesn't come close to things like moodle.

[GrumbleDook]

SAM Learning can be very good when tied in with a good Scheme of Work.

It is used as a study / revision aid so that students can self-assess to see what they need to redress. There are facilities for teachers to set groups of students homework to do via it and see the results. If you go for SAM Learning Plus you get seperate teacher accounts and really start using it be included in your curriculum.

Using it on its own, just as something to give students to do instead of teaching them, is expensive and will not make any difference to the attainment / achievement of students.

It is well worth looking at and the trainers that they send out to help schools are really switched on and can help you make the most of it.

[gwendes]

Problem is that the trainers are only working with this small group of kids at this site - they would need to pay for a whole school license to use for only 15 kids

[GrumbleDook]

Speak with them ... negotiate ... they are a relatively friendly bunch.

[gwendes]

The chap I spoke to in sales said that it wouldn't be worth it for so few students - hence the search I've started for an equivlent.

[steve]

A couple of alternatives you could look at:

Actis - Offer Maths and English

MyMaths.co.uk

Learn Premium

Skoool

Schoolzone has reviews of most of these.

[Sylv3r]

We use SAM learning here as a revision aid for our Year 11 students before they sit their GCSE's. The Head of KS4 and Head of Year 11 seem to speak very highly of it.

Not sure if it has any real effect on our exam results though.

[Kyle]

We use Sam Learning... apparantly it is very good but I don't have much to do with it. I believe it to be more of a study-aid than a VLE though.

Same for us here, the feedback i get form staff is also very good but like Ric_ i dont have anything to do with it either.

[gwendes]

thanks steve - I've passed on details of MyMaths - it looks just about what they needed. Anything seen an equiv. English site?