Case Studies

The Challenge

High material costs, lack of differentiation for all learners, lack of content for mobile devices.

The Solution

CK-12 resources were used as Core Curriculum.

The Benefit

Used FlexBook System as model platform for creating and sharing customized content and open textbooks with public and non-public schools throughout the district. More than 6,000 educators serving 86,000 students are supported in the pilot, which started during the ’12-’13 academic year.

Implementation

Grade Level: K-12

Subjects:Biology, Original content aligned to Common Core.

Created own FlexBook? Yes

Scenario: Home Access, Mobile Devices.

How were resources distributed?Online and Printed.

Strategy:School-specific custom content demonstrated. Created original Common Core content and Biology Concept Review FlexBook. Options for gifted-program teachers emphasized.

Is CK-12 content assigned as part of students’ homework responsibilities? Yes.

Suggested best practices:Great for chunking information for students. The ability to download to mobile devices is something students like.

The Challenge

Low Algebra 1 proficiency scores.

The Solution

Used FlexMath as full curriculum including lesson plans, assessments, assignments, and practice. Pilot began in ’12-’13 academic year with 4 schools and 40 teachers serving 6,000 students.

The Benefit

Results still pending.

Implementation

Grade Level: 9-12

Subjects: Algebra I and Math Support.

Scenario: In class and online.

The Challenge

Needed content material for students re-takng Florida Algebra I End-of-Course Exam.

The Solution

Used FlexBook System to create original textbook for Algebra I Florida End-of-Course Exam review course.

The Benefit

We saved $200,000 on textbook costs by making custom Flexbooks.

Implementation

Grade Level: K-12

Subjects: Algebra 1.

Created own FlexBook? Yes

Scenario: Printed, In class.

Strategy:Worked with CK-12 on a pilot program for 88,000 students preparing for Florida Algebra I End-of-Course Exam.

The Challenge

High cost of materials.

The Solution

Used FlexBook System to find and customize primary textbook from CK-12 Biology FlexBooks (especially Honors Biology) for the course TED 5380 Health and Safety in the Secondary School, a required course for credential candidates seeking to become teachers in secondary
schools.

The Benefit

Created replacement primary textbook for course

Implementation

Grade Level: 13-doctoral

Subject: Health in the Secondary School

Created own FlexBook? Yes

Scenario: Core curriculum

Strategy:Teamed with CK-12 to pilot a program serving 13,000 students.

Is CK-12 content assigned as part of students’ homework responsibilities? Yes

The Challenge

Access to technology.

The Solution

Core curriculum, Intervention, Enrichment / gifted students, After-school, Supplementary, Special Education, Improve state test scores, At-risk students, College and other career readiness

The Benefit

Initially, I used the content as supplemental teaching materials. Then, I realized that the materials were so much better than the text I was given to use in the classroom. I use CK-12 for all levels of learning, to implement differentiated instruction and to help me align my formative and summative assessments to the Common Core. However, I have not used it to monitor student progress and achievement. ( I didn’t know it had
hat function!)

Implementation

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12

Subjects: Arithmetic, Measurement, Algebra, Geometry, Probability, Trigonometry

Created own FlexBook? Yes

Scenario: One-to-one laptop / tablet program, Computer lab, Home access, Computer in classroom

How were resources distributed? Printed, Projected onto board in class, On the computer – PDF format, Online in the browser, Kindle, studyNow! iPad App.

Strategy: I completely ditched the textbook this year and have fully implemented CK-12 into my existing curriculum along with STAR Math.

Is CK-12 content assigned as part of students’ homework responsibilities? No.

How do you track student progress with CK-12? I have not used CK-12 to track student progress.

Challenges faced during implementation: Incredible amount of material, but easily navigated.

Suggested best practices: Make sure to be specific in your searches for materials.

The Challenge

Textbooks are very expensive and quickly become outdated.

The Solution

CK-12 resources were used as Core curriculum, Special Education, College and other career readiness.

The Benefit

I have had very good results regarding measurable student learning outcomes, performance and engagement. I plan on continuing to use Flexbooks and I will also continue to develop interactive assignments, tests and quizzes based on flexbook content.

I would like to be one of your “Champions” because I am truly grateful for your site.

Implementation

Grade Level: 8, 9

Subjects:Physical Science, Earth Sciences

Created own FlexBook? Yes

Scenario: One-to-one laptop / tablet program

How were resources distributed? How were resources distributed? Online in the browser

Strategy:The Flexbooks have replaced my regular textbook. The content is fully incorporated into my curriculum.

Is CK-12 content assigned as part of students’ homework responsibilities? Part.

How do you track student progress with CK-12?I use Blackboard Engage to develop my assignments and the features of the program allow me quickly check things like response status of student and I can grade and provide feedback to the students concerning the Flexbook content based lessons I’ve developed.

Challenges faced during implementation:It was very time consuming completely replacing my old content with Flexbook-based content. Developing the interactive lessons was truly challenging because I taught myself how to do it with little help from outside sources. I’m quite good at it now but still have room for improvement. I plan on continuing to develop more lessons and explore the other possibilities the Flexbook site has to offer

Suggested best practices:Stay focused and if you do not have the time or want the stress of completely replacing your old curriculum in the first year, perhaps do it in stages.

The Challenge

Low engagement with content.

The Solution

CK-12 resources were used as Enrichment / gifted students, Supplementary, Special Education

The Benefit

Good job! CK-12 has been fantastic; the rate at which students turn in homework assignments has improved and there is more engagement with content by students during class.

Implementation

Grade Level:10, 11, 12

Subjects:Geometry, Biology, Earth Sciences

Scenario:Computer in classroom, Online school

How were resources distributed?Projected onto board in class, Online in the browser

Strategy:We used CK-12 as a supplementary and enrichment resource.

Is CK-12 content assigned as part of students’ homework responsibilities?Part of their homework responsibilities.

How do you track student progress with CK-12?How do you track student progress with CK-12? We use a school grading software (SchoolMax).

Challenges faced during implementation:None

Suggested best practices:Be consistent and implement it in a step-wise manner.

The Challenge

Not enough money to keep buying textbooks that meet standards.

The Solution

Core curriculum, Special Education, At-risk students

The Benefit

Right now, I am in a situation where a free book is better than no book. Students are achieving better scores on NWEA tests and MEAP tests since I moved away from our old textbooks. I love this idea and look forward to learning and implementing more. For the past three years, I have had no textbook…I am really hoping that this is the light at the end of the tunnel.

Implementation

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12

Subjects: Algebra, Geometry, Probability, Statistics, Trigonometry, Analysis

Created own FlexBook?: Yes.

Scenario: One-to-one laptop / tablet program

How were resources distributed? Printed, On the computer – PDF format, Online in the browser, Apple iBooks.

Is CK-12 content assigned as part of students’ homework responsibilities? No.

How do you track student progress with CK-12? I use the texts and do not use the tracking abilities yet.

Challenges faced during implementation: I find the writing is sometimes stiff and the heart of the lesson needing more clarification (but that’s my job!). Another challenge is that my students are not used to online texts. Time will lead to adaptation.

Suggested best practices: Next year I will model how to read the text and use the helps.

The Challenge

Offering sufficient texts so all students could have one. Using out of date materials

The Solution

CK-12 resources were used as Core curriculum, Improve state test scores.

The Benefit

We have experienced nearly 100% engagement among our highly mobile (over 30% transient) population. We are still gathering underclass post-test data this week. Not surprisingly, 12th grade students showed 60% improvement in content and concept knowledge, application and the ability to analyze data. Our test was teacher developed to follow the preliminary National Science Standards from a test bank developed by Prentice Hall for their Conceptual Physics course that we previously purchased.

Implementation

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12

Subjects: Physical Science, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Physics

Created own FlexBook?: No.

Scenario: One-to-one laptop / tablet program, Home access

How were resources distributed? Online in the browser

Strategy: I created a Physical Science class using selected chapters from People’s Physics and Chemistry.

Is CK-12 content assigned as part of students’ homework responsibilities? My homework is largely based upon questions from CK-12 material and the readings are from CK-12.

How do you track student progress with CK-12? I useWe have a Pre-Test/Post-Test for the course and give three major periodic assessments in addition to answers to nearly daily homework questions and lab reports.

Challenges faced during implementation: Learning to organize the course material with labs in a user-friendly manner on my website.

Suggested best practices: I am currently trying to transfer my website to Blackboard. That platform makes homework assessment easier as it grades certain types of questions. I already used Exam Generator to make major assessments and the Pre-Test/Post Test (which is 100 questions) self grading. U of Colorado-Boulder has a set of online lab simulations that fit very well with CK-12 science materials.

Additionally, I use Google docs to generate lab report forms and homework response pages and am eager to learn better ways to help students take ownership of their learning.

The Challenge

Enough textbooks and resources for all students to have access when they needed it, high cost of materials.

The Solution

CK-12 resources were used as Core curriculum, Intervention, Special Education, Improve state test scores, College and other career readiness.

The Benefit

We have been VERY pleased with our student engagement, and (anecdotally) our students have been able to go much deeper into inquiry and student-driven research topics. We are still waiting for results from our KS science assessment to compare with our previous scores.

Implementation

Grade Level: 11, 12, 13+

Subjects: Statistics, Life Sciences, Biology

Created own FlexBook?: Yes.

Scenario: Home access, Computer in classroom

How were resources distributed? Printed, Projected onto board in class, On the computer – PDF format, Online in the browser, Android Tablet

Strategy: We edited a version of the CK-12 Biology FlexBook to fit with our curriculum and to match with the framework of the NGSS.

Is CK-12 content assigned as part of students’ homework responsibilities? Occasionally

Challenges faced during implementation: Getting all department members to accept that the content was just as good as in the $100 textbooks.

Suggested best practices: Take risks, aim high, but don’t forget to take the time to walk students (and staff) through how to access all of the content associated with the Flexbook. It is too powerful a tool to not use correctly.

The Challenge

Textbook costs.

The Solution

CK-12 resources were used as Core curriculum.

The Benefit

The metrics in this first year have been similar to those used previously for same topics to provide a comparison of student comprehension of the same information in the two methods. Student engagement and dedication to completing assignments was seemingly unchanged, although a new and more liberal school policy toward the use of handheld devices may, hopefully, change this.

I really enjoyed, and continue to enjoy, this flexibility and ready resource. It allows easy and quick adaptation of courses, elimination of costly overproduced texts, and gives some of the academic freedom back to teachers that standardization may have eroded.

Implementation

Grade Level: 7-12

Subjects: Life Sciences, Biology, Physical Science, Chemistry, Earth Sciences

Created own FlexBook?: Yes.

Scenario: One-to-one laptop / tablet program, Computer lab, Home access, Computer in classroom, Online school, print

How were resources distributed? Printed, On the computer – PDF format, Online in the browser, Kindle, Android Tablet

Strategy: Several adapted texts are used as the basis for the science courses, grades 7 thru 12.

Is CK-12 content assigned as part of students’ homework responsibilities? The reading and optional exploration of online resources is generally a homework assignment.

How do you track student progress with CK-12? It is fully integrated within our regular program.

Challenges faced during implementation: Students do not universally have access to the internet at home.

Suggested best practices: An emphasis on the use of the texts in the online environment, allowing exploration of links as further explanation of content, is important.

The Challenge

Not enough textbooks to issue for use at home.

The Solution

CK-12 resources were used as Core curriculum, Enrichment / gifted students, Improve state test scores, ESL students

The Benefit

So pleased to see grades improve and more students engaged. Having a FREE textbook online was an answer to our prayers. I had needed more textbooks, and parents had wanted textbooks at home. I thought it was too good to have no hidden agenda, but Ck-12 has truly had no undesirable strings attached!

Implementation

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12

Subjects: Physical Science, Earth Sciences

Created own FlexBook?: Yes.

Scenario: Home access, Computer in classroom, Online school

How were resources distributed? Printed, Projected onto board in class, On the computer – PDF format, Online in the browser, Apple iBooks, Kindle, Nook, Android Tablet

Strategy: SevCK-12 is used as a primary lesson source. Students read, answer review questions, and define vocabulary. After we review answers, students take a daily quiz.

Is CK-12 content assigned as part of students’ homework responsibilities? The reading and optional exploration of online resources is generally a homework assignment.

How do you track student progress with CK-12? I use a daily quiz after each lesson.

Challenges faced during implementation: Most students were excited to use technology in class, but some used this as an excuse so have printed lessons too.

Suggested best practices: Daily quizzes motivated students to be prepared.

The Challenge

Not enough textbooks to issue for use at home.

The Solution

CK-12 resources were used as Core curriculum, Intervention, At-risk students, ESL students.

The Benefit

Students perform very well on state tests; I feel students are learning content at a deeper level because I can make the texts very focused on what they need to know without skimming past a lot of information they don’t need to know. Students like the ease of using the book, its focused content, etc.

Implementation

Grade Level: 10, 11, 12

Subjects: Chemistry

Created own FlexBook?: Yes.

Scenario: Mostly printed materials

How were resources distributed? Printed, On the computer – PDF format

Strategy: I made and printed a book using CK-12 materials that I have used and updated each year for the past 3 years. It is the only text I hand out to students. Because I can print black and white copies for each student for a small fraction of the publishers’ textbooks, I can give each student a book to keep and write in to teach literacy, etc.

Is CK-12 content assigned as part of students’ homework responsibilities? Yes – some days for reading assignments and other days for working out problems.

Challenges faced during implementation: I wanted printed books for my students to write in as I don’t have 1:1 in my classroom. With printed, I wanted the ability to format my text and images easily, so I copy and paste the materials I want into Microsoft Word to allow for more flexibility. That’s not the only way to do this, but it’s worked well for me.

Suggested best practices: This is your chance to teach literacy strategies – use it! Take workshops on teaching reading skills if you need to learn how to teach them yourself, but the students deserve this instruction – they don’t know how to effectively read by themselves. We just assume they do.

The Challenge

Lack of up to date materials.

The Solution

CK-12 resources were used as Core curriculum, Intervention, Enrichment / gifted students, Supplementary, Improve state test scores.

The Benefit

I believe that student content level readiness has increased and am waiting for end of course test scores to verify. Student engagement has increased and the content seems to be more engaging than a hard copy textbook in front of them. I really appreciate the ease of use and convenience as well as the cost savings to our struggling district.

Implementation

Grade Level: 8

Subjects: Life Sciences, Biology, Physical Science, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Physics

Created own FlexBook?: Yes.

Scenario: Computer lab, Home access, Computer in classroom

How were resources distributed? Printed, Projected onto board in class, On the computer – PDF format, Kindle

Strategy: I use it as our classroom textbook.

Is CK-12 content assigned as part of students’ homework responsibilities? Sometimes.

Challenges faced during implementation: Students remembering passwords to access class instruction. Keep it simple and contact parents with access codes earlier in the school year.

Suggested best practices: Search for grade level content and don’t try to add too much at a time to your Flexbooks. Keep it simple and follow state content standards.

The Challenge

Cost of textbooks, weight of textbooks, lack of flexibility in adapting the material from the texts.

The Solution

CK-12 resources were used as Core curriculum, Enrichment / gifted students, Supplementary.

The Benefit

Never issued so many "A" and "B" grades in 20 years.

Implementation

Grade Level: 6

Subjects: Physical Science, Chemistry, Earth Sciences

Created own FlexBook?: Yes.

Scenario: One-to-one laptop / tablet program, Home access, Computer in classroom, intraNet with own Moodle.

How were resources distributed? Printed, Projected onto board in class, On the computer – PDF format.

Strategy: CK-12 is at the core of my teaching.

Is CK-12 content assigned as part of students’ homework responsibilities? Yes.

How do you track student progress with CK-12? Custom designed quizzes, paper and Moodle based.

Challenges faced during implementation: File server issues, had to create entire back end – teaching tools, assessments etc.

Suggested best practices: Watch my videos on using it at: http://www.starmaterials.com/Book/Science/ES/ES19_Solar_System/ES19A/index.htm