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Expert Corner: Laura Chervenak Test Scores Improve with Reflex Reflex Educator Spotlight: Dana Gumm Reader's Choice Award from District Administration for Gizmos
Expert Corner: Laura Chervenak When you are using Gizmos in a whole-class setting, it is very easy to slip into “lecture mode” using the Gizmo as a visual aid. While it is true that their visual nature really helps students to understand concepts, Gizmos are even more effective if students have the opportunity to explore and experiment with the simulation directly. So how can you make your whole group instruction student-centric so that they are getting the most from the experience? Here are three guidelines: 1. Allow the students to control the Gizmos. If you have an interactive whiteboard, select a student to manipulate the Gizmo controls. You can use many methods for selecting the students (i.e., popsicle sticks, the “popcorn” method of allowing the current student to select the next, or even an app that will select students randomly like iLEAP Pick a Student). 2. Have the students make decisions about the activity. Whenever possible, have the students decide what to do next. As you are following your Student Exploration Sheet, you will see many places where you can select variables or settings. Ask students to make those choices rather than just doing it yourself. 3. Don’t say something the students can say. Rather than the teacher doing the explaining and the students doing the listening, reverse the dynamic! If students are making and describing their observations, predictions and explanations, then they will be active participants in their learning. Sometimes this is difficult for teachers who are used to explaining concepts. For one lesson or one hour each day, practice speaking only in questions! Do you have comments or questions about whole-class instruction? Please email us at GizmosPD@explorelearning.com. To see our previous articles on whole group instruction, go to http://blog.explorelearning.com/implementation-ideas/
The Gizmos iPad App is Here! Now you can access over 400 Gizmos with our new iPad app! Once you've downloaded the app you can use it in two ways:
2. You can also use the app directly. Open the app, login using your Gizmos username and password and select your desired Gizmo from an alphabetical list.
Enjoy exploring our large library of simulations from the convenience of your iPad!
Test Scores Improve with Reflex
Reflex is now in French
Reflex Educator Spotlight: Dana Gumm Dana Gumm was first introduced to Reflex by the district instructional specialist, and started using the program in her school last year. She has found it to be “effective, engaging and fun.” She encouraged her teachers “to use it in their classrooms as stations, morning activities or as extra practice. Some students do it at home or at the local library.” Reflex was a big hit with the students right away. They “talk to me about it every time they see me. They tell me about their progress, their avatars and their trees.” The students also beg to get on the program.
She adds, “Reflex has made a difference not just in their academic abilities. It has also made students excited about math. When they get their certificates, they feel smart and successful in math. I would highly recommend it to other educators.”
Reader's Choice Award from District Administration for Gizmos
In recognizing the most innovative products, the annual District Administration "Readers’ Choice Top 100 Products" award informs superintendents and other senior school district leaders about products their colleagues around the country are using to help their districts excel.
Stay in Touch If you want to comment on any of the information in this newsletter, be sociable and post your insights on the Facebook pages for Gizmos and Reflex. And as always, if you have a question or comment about Gizmos or Reflex, don't hesitate to contact our Customer Support team using the support form for either Gizmos or Reflex. We would love to hear from you. For information on bringing Gizmos and Reflex to schools in your area, contact your ExploreLearning Account Representative:
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Laura Chervenak has been with ExploreLearning since 2010 as the VP of Professional Development. She has taught high school science, and is the founder and former director of GOAL Digital Academy. Laura is National Board Certified in Science/Adolescence and Young Adulthood, with a B.A. in Zoology and an M.S. in Anthropology. 
We're pleased to announce that the entire Reflex student experience (games, coaching, assessment, and student views of reports) is now available in English, Spanish, and now French. Check out the 
Dana Gumm, NBCT, has a Bachelors in Elementary Education from West Liberty University and her Masters in Math and Science Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University. Ms. Gumm has taught in Virginia's Richmond City Public Schools for 10 years, the last 2 years as a Math Resource Specialist. She is also a VCU Clinical Faculty Member. 
The high usage and enthusiasm has definitely shown in the progress students have made. Ms. Gumm uses the reports to track data and student growth. “I have seen so much growth in our students' fact fluency. In only 6 weeks of use, the school average was up 56%.” She celebrates student fluency with a bulletin board in the hall where she posts the names of students who have reached different milestones.
