Online Learning: Adding MobyMax and Read Theory to the Home Screen on Handheld Devices

Created Feb. 7, 2024 by Christine Wytaske


Title: Online Learning:  MobyMax and/or Read Theory (on mobile device)

Overview:  (This is an advanced-level ESL classroom; students reading scores are above a 221 on CASAS and/or range from TABE 2.0-12.9+.  Class meets 2 nights per week from 4:30-8:30.)  Students have been practicing with MobyMax since the fall and with Read Theory since January during computer lab time.  The class goes to the computer lab on Thursdays for 30 minutes and students have used this time to work on various technology skills, including MobyMax and Read Theory. The week prior to Spring Break, students will be asked to add both these platforms to their mobile devices and make a commitment for using one (or both) for a set timeframe in the near future.

Content/Context: What is the language, literacy, math/numeracy, science, social studies or other content that forms the context for the technology use?

Read Theory focuses on literacy, but MobyMax allows students to practice many skills, including reading, language, vocabulary, phonics, math, science, social studies.

Length of lesson:  30 Minutes (class split into two groups--each group gets 30 minutes in lab)

Digital Literacy Standards addressed:

Review:

  •  Information Literacy: 17-Act on information to solve basic problems or answer a question.

New:  

  • Information Literacy: 5 -Plan steps required to solve the problem or accomplish the task.
  • Information Literacy: 13 -File/Store information in a format that facilitates ease of access for future use(e.g., file naming, folder organization, bookmarking, etc.)
  • Information Literacy: 19 - Evaluate the result of gaining/using the information.  Was the question answered?  Was the problem solved?  Was a better decision made?  Was a goal or objective met?

College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS) and/or Transitions Integration Framework (TIF) Standards addressed:

CCRS:  

  • Reading Anchor 7 (RI.5.7) - Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently.

TIF/ACES:  

  • Self-Management (Skill 1):  Set realistic goals and work independently to achieve them.

                                         (Skill 3):  Manage time effectively to complete tasks.

Lesson Objective(s): At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Set a goal for using online learning platforms over a specific time frame and add the platform(s) to student device(s) for ease of access.  

Assessing Mastery of the Objective(s):  At the end of this lesson, students will show mastery of the objectives as evidenced by sharing set goals with the teacher as stated on the goal sheet (handout).  Students will show a partner he/she is able to log in to both MobyMax and Read Theory using his/her device and the teacher will provide support as needed, ensuring all students are able to access online learning prior to exiting class.

Materials/links: goal handout; process for saving MobyMax/Read Theory to home screen on mobile device

(MobyMax on iPhone; MobyMax on Android...same process for Read Theory)

Lesson Outline:

Introduction:

Since students in this class are already used to using both MobyMax and Read Theory via computer in the computer lab, this lesson will focus on setting a goal for a specific timeframe in the future (over the next two weeks in this case).  The students will be told the reasons why using Online Learning is beneficial for them.  The teacher will show students how to add these learning platforms to their mobile devices.

Explanation/Modeling:

The teacher will hand out the goals sheet and explain the rationale for setting the goal and asking students to do this.  Teacher will survey the students to see who prefers (and has access at home to) using a computer for learning and who thinks they will prefer using a handheld device.  Teacher will explain that all students will receive help in getting these platforms added to their devices.  

Guided Practice:

The teacher will ensure all students have access to their login information for both MobyMax and Read Theory.  The teacher will instruct/guide students through adding this information to their goals sheet.  As students are finishing their goals sheet, the teacher will circulate around the group to get platforms added to student devices.  (This takes a while, since it is best done individually.)

Independent Practice:

Students are instructed to log in to either MobyMax or Read Theory (student’s choice) after they have completed their goals sheet.  They can use the remaining lab time working at their own pace.  As the teacher is going around, she/he can review the goal sheets and answer any questions the student has.

Student Reflection on Learning, Closure, Connection:

As the teacher meets with the students, each one will be able to indicate his/her preference for working on home computer, handheld device, or both.  For students who choose to add MobyMax and Read Theory to her/his phone, the teacher asked the students to show a partner that they can access these platforms on her/his device.  The teacher will circulate and assist/support students as needed.

Teacher Notes:

This was a fairly easy lesson since I have had quite a bit of practice adding MobyMax to student phones.   Adding to the home screen on iPhones is very straightforward with minimal issues.  However, Androids can be a bit glitchy depending on which device students have.  I have found that if the device gives you the option to drag the icon to a specific place on the home screen, it is best to do that.  (Otherwise, sometimes it ‘adds to the home screen’ but the icon is very difficult to find.)  Also, be sure students open a web browser like safari or chrome and not a search browser like ‘Google Search’.  This will make saving to the home screen possible.  There are a few devices that won’t allow the ‘add to home screen’ option.

Other Considerations:  All students could be required to add both platforms to their device’s home screen.  For those who don’t want to use it on their device, this could be an opportunity to teach them how to remove unwanted items from their home screens.   Other classes might consider only having students who want to use it on their handheld device(s) actually add the shortcut to their home screen.  

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