PASSKEY: A Prescriptive Learning System
(MCS 5)
SUBJECT AREAS: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, and Science
PUBLISHER: McGraw-Hill Lifetime Learning
250 Old Wilson Bridge Road
Columbus, OH 43085
(800) 598-4077
FAX: (614) 825-6321
E-mail: passkey@mcgraw-hill.com
www.passkeylearning.com
COST: $2900 (1-2 network or stand-alone licenses)
$500 Science (1-2 network or stand-alone licenses)
$2000 (3+ licenses for all four subject areas)
(Quantity discounts are available.)
(No maintenance or technical support cost for the first year)
(No license or site fee charge ever. Credit can be applied for converting
from a
stand-alone to a network version.)
USE: Pre-GED and GED
High School
Alternative/At-Risk Youth
VA Standards-of-Learning
(SOL) Mastery and Remediation
GRADE LEVEL: Level I (1.6-3.9)
Level II (3.9-5.9)
Level III (5.9-8.9)
Level IV (8.9-11.9)
Level V (11.9-12.0)
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: 486 processor, 66 MHz or higer recommended
16 MB of RAM, 30 MB free hard disk space,
WIN 3.1, Workgroups, NT, or WIN 95
VGA monitor, 256 colors: 640x480 resolution
DESCRIPTION: PassKey presents an individualized, diagnostic/prescriptive system for improving academic skills and mastering specific competencies in the areas of reading, writing, math, and science. The PassKey system provides 422 lessons in math, reading, and writing with a complete management system to document student progress. The same curriculum format is followed throughout all the content areas. The student is presented with a diagnostic test (3-21 questions in length). If mastery level (determined) by the instructor) is not attained, then the student is instructed to continue with the lesson. The student then progresses through the Pretest, Tutorial, Guided Practice, and finally to the Posttest. The management system generates a variety of reports which include the following titles: Lesson Summary, Multiple Lesson, Activity Report, Correlation Summary, and the Individual Educational Plan. In addition, the system also provides for manual and automatic modes in making lesson assignments. Lessons can also be customized by the instructor or automatically assigned on the basis of the results from the Test for Adult Basic Education (TABE) and other state and national tests and correlation's. The Level I lessons in reading, writing, and math provide digital voice audio. The PassKey science curriculum provides 20 lessons in biology and earth science at Level III and 20 lessons in chemistry and physics at Level IV. Glossary, notepad, and a calculator are available.
Strengths: After field testing the Passkey System with high school alternative, workplace, and vocational adult students, one of the most outstanding features of this integrated learning system (ILS) was how "user-friendly" all my students found it to be. As an instructor, I was surprised to find that very minimal training is needed to operate, assign, and administer this ILS program. Most ILS companies require that training be purchased, but McGraw-Hill does not. The instructions in the user guide are sufficient to install and implement the stand-alone program, if the instructor is comfortable with computer technology. The technical staff which provides phone support to users was outstanding. The staff was always friendly, available, and understandable (no "techie talk") They were knowledgeable with all the technical and curriculum aspects of the program. Another important strength of the PassKey program was that my students used the program independently after their initial instruction. Even my special education students, who have difficulty reading and following directions, logged on to PassKey and moved from one content area to another without assistance from the instructor. It is also important for alternative teachers to note that PassKey has a 90%+ correlation to the VA Standards of Learning.
Weaknesses: The biggest weakness of the PassKey program
is that there is not a social studies component. However, the company
is planning to offer a social studies curriculum in the upgrade version
scheduled to be out in the summer of 1999. Several students negatively
commented that the screen could not be maximized to cover the entire monitor.
Also, teachers noted that the results of the diagnostic tests are not reported
to the student and there is not an option available to review the questions
missed in the diagnostic sections. The background on every screen
is the same. I would recommend changing the background for each level
of the program because some students got tired of looking at the same screen
presentation for all subjects and levels. Also, the inspiring quotes that
are displayed at the beginning of the Level I lessons are too difficult
for students at that level to read. The quotes used for this level
should be short and simple to understand.
| Rating Evaluation Scale: (1 - 5) | Interest Level: High school and adult |
| Curriculum Content: 4 | Management System: (5) |
| Scope and Sequence of Skills: (5) | Report Options:(4) |
| Presentation of Skills: (5) | Diagnostic or Placement:(5) |
| Prescriptive Component: (5) |
| Instructional Strategy: | Types of Questioning: |
| Drill and Practice - Yes | Multiple Choice - Yes |
| Tutorial - Yes | Fill-in - Yes |
| Branching - NO | True/False -Yes |
| Simulation - NO | Write-in - Yes |
| Application - Yes | Matching - Yes |
| Sequencing -Yes |
| Positive Reinforcement: (4) | Appropriate Feedback and Explanations: (4) |
| Student Directions: (4) | Maintains Student Interest: (4) |
| Optional Review (learner control): (4) | Teacher manuals, documentation, supplementary materials: (4) |
| Student Worksheets: | Computer "Tools" for students: |
| Computer generated: N/A | Calculator- Yes |
| Reproducible: N/A | Protractor -No |
| Screen Presentation: | Ruler- No |
| Graphic Quality: (4) | Glossary- Yes |
| Ease of readability: (4) | Notebook- Yes |
| Color: (4) | Hint Option- Yes |
| Text size: (4) | Formulas-Yes |
| Mastery Tests or Reviews: | Other: |
| On computer (4) | Multimedia Format: Yes |
| Off-line N/A | CD-ROM Yes |
| Level of Thinking Skills: | |
| Literal (4) | |
| Critical (4) |
| Technical Support: | |
| Toll-free customer support (4) | Educational consultant: (4) |
| On-site visit - Yes (Sales Rep.) | In-state representative- Yes |
Student Evaluations: (Good to Excellent)
Functional Context of the Content (4)
Enrollment and Reporting of Third Party Software: N/A
Correlations to Standardized Tests: Yes