Today education has transcended traditional classroom boundaries. Technology has played an important role in shaping the way students learn new materials. There are many platforms out there to help students succeed in school. One platform that has gained recognition is IXL . According to the IXL Learning website (n.d.), “IXL Learning was founded in 1998 when we released Quia Web, the first website that allowed teachers and learners to create and share customized study materials.” I believe this online platform is an excellent tool for teachers to use when working with students when trying to reinforce a new concept or just review previous materials covered in the class.
What is IXL Learning?
This online education platform creates dynamic and interactive virtual learning for students from pre-K up to 12th grade. It offers a variety of subjects such as reading, math, science, and history to choose from. This online platform provides the same content in Spanish. I found it interesting because it is not only limited to English speaking students only. I see a positive outcome if bilingual students work on their assignments and learn the English language at the same time using the same platform. Students can select the subject they want to focus on and work to master different concepts. The learning environment within IXL is designed to be engaging and user friendly.
The video posted by The Purpose of Prep (2022) explains how this platform can be used for students to master a concept:
1. Learn the concepts in the classroom
2. Use IXL lessons to fill in gaps
3. Have students do assigned homework and work on practice materials
4. Use IXL’s practice questions to test the students’ knowledge
According to the website IXL Learning (n.d.): IXL effectively facilitates cognitive presence through several key features.
· Adaptive learning paths: IXL adapts the learning experience to each student’s proficiency level. Students are challenged to think critically and develop problem solving skills.
· Provides feedback immediately: Students receive immediate feedback on their answers, which helps them identify and correct mistakes. Also, the platform provides step by step solutions to show students how to solve a problem.
· Mastery of concepts: IXL encourages mastery-based learning by having students achieve a certain proficiency level before advancing to the next concept. This fosters deep understanding and retention of knowledge.
According to the website IXL Learning (n.d.) IXL is primarily a self-directed learning platform. It also provides tools to facilitate teacher presence. Teachers can monitor the students’ progress through a dashboard. Looking at the reports allows them to identify areas where students may be struggling and provide adequate support. Also, teachers can assign specific tasks according to what the students need. By assigning these specific tasks, teachers can track student performance and see what modifications can be done that will help students master different concepts. This learning environment also generates detailed reports on student performance, which teachers can use the results to provide insights into a student’s progress.
Although IXL is an individual learning platform, it does promote social interaction. When students are working in this learning environment a leaderboard and awards appear. IXL Learning incorporates these elements to encourage friendly competition between the students, creating an environment of social engagement. Also, parents can participate in their child's learning journey by tracking progress and offering support as needed, enhancing the social support network. These features facilitate social interaction and connections between students, parents, and teachers.
One of the best features of IXL's Learning environment I noticed is its adaptability. The learning environment knows where learners are and provides a personalized learning path. The instant feedback and elements modelled after video games make learning engaging and fun. Additionally, the extensive coverage of subjects ensures that learners have access to a wide range of resources to support their educational goals.
While IXL is an impressive platform, there are areas for improvement. The platform can become more visually appealing and as I navigated through it, I saw a repetitiveness in the way questions are shown. Adding different images may help to make it more engaging for students. Introducing more collaborative features such as discussion forums and even group projects could help to foster social interaction and a collaborative learning setting. I believe IXL can also create accessibility features for students with disabilities. Everyone should have equal access to use this learning environment and get the most out of it.
Overall, IXL is more than just an online learning platform. Students can take control of their education in a fun and engaging way. Teachers monitor and note where students struggle and affords them the opportunity to go over the concepts to make sure students master the concepts. It offers a versatile and engaging learning environment that creates adaptability and a focus on mastery-based learning that is commendable. While there is room for improvement, it remains a valuable resource for learners seeking a comprehensive and interactive online educational experience. It is not a free program, but some school districts are adapting to this new platform and undoubtedly it can bring positive changes to the way students learn.
References
IXL Learning . (n.d.). IXL: Math, Language Arts, science, Social Studies, and Spanish. IXL Learning. https://ixl.com/
IXL Learning. (n.d.). Our story. IXL Learning | Our story. https://la.ixl.com/company/story
The Purpose of Prep. (2022). How To Use IXL. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXL4yZzNn9A
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