What’s the problem with Study Island?

Image: Own creation (Thanks, Claire!)

As if there was just one. What we’re talking about here is the widely utilized standardized test preparation site, Study Island. Based on the many conversations I have had and overheard, Study Island has pulled off the rare triple play of being equally abhorred by students, teachers and parents. No easy task there.

But this is not a rant about standardized testing or teaching to the test or even the value of fact based knowledge in a post-Internet culture. Because, for the most part, this is not what everyone is complaining about. This is about fundamentally poor instructional and motivational design.

And this is bigger than a post. In fact, it was a whole Boise State EdTech Masters’ program project about the reinvention of Study Island complete with instructional re-design recommendations and even my first shot at designing a learning video game.

Curiously, when I first wrote this, I thought to myself, I hope the Study Island people don’t see this, as I feared they might object to my use of screenshots as “unfair” use. But somewhere over the last year, I thankfully grew a pair. I hope like hell this makes it front of their eyes, as our kids deserve a heck of lot better than being stuck on the current incarnation of Study Island.

Let me know if you agree. Better yet, pass this on, if you do!