vBook


For 2014-2015, iLearn introduces a new program option for instructors and students: vBook

How to Access vBook

Log into www.ilearn.com/login and click iPASS hub icon vBook.

iLearn Hub for Instructors


What is vBook?

vBook is a student-choice mathematics instructional program, designed to allow students to select and learn any lessons or topics and to complete them with mastery-based requirements. Ideally, instructors use vBook to present instruction and practice in a group setting, or to verbally assign specific topics or lessons.

vBook_Homescreen_Teacher_View

On the left, each level is listed from Level 1 to Level 8, and Algebra I, II and III, and alternatively Elementary Algebra, and Intermediate Algebra, and College Algebra.

Students can access all lessons and all topics in vBook at any time. Instructors manage student activity with the vBook reports.


How does vBook work?

vBook is available where activated, but entirely optional to students and instructors. Students determine what lessons and topics they enter and complete, but are best guided by their instructor.

vBook is structured by level, then by topic, then by lesson. Levels are identified on the left as green buttons, which students click to access.

vBook_Homescreen_Grade_Level

Each level, 1 – 8 and algebra has about 15 topics. Topics are separated by boxes, with the topic name at the top. In the example below, the topic name is “Polynomials.”

vBook_Adding_Polynomials

To access Topic Tests and Topic Practice, students click the topic name (“Polynomials” here) and then select either Topic Practice or Topic Test.

vBook_Topic_Choices.PNG

Each Topic has about five Lessons. Each Lesson is listed below the Topic in recommended sequential order.

vBook_Adding_Polynomials

Click a lesson such as “9.4 – Adding Polynomials” here, and then select Lesson Instruction or Lesson Practice.

vBook_Adding_Polynomials


Program Interface

At the top of the screen are these four buttons: Option buttons

Option buttons

Change Program: Returns to the iLearn Hub.


Reports button

Reports: Takes the instructor to view reports for students. Takes the student to view only their individual student reports.


Settings button

Settings: Move the keypad to the left or right.


Logout Button

Logout: Logs out of all iLearn. Log out using this button rather than closing the browser.



Instructors see when a student is in a Lesson Instruction or Lesson Practice by the program interface.

vBook_LP

To the left of the school in the top right, the program displays the current element. If it reads Lesson Practice, Lesson Instruction, or Topic Practice, we recommend instructors provide assistance where appropriate.

If the program displays Topic Test we recommend instructors do not assist the student. If a student needs help passing a Topic Test, we recommend instructors use their best judgment in helping, based on a review of the student’s reports and observation in class. Any parts of the program with a green background, as shown below, are test elements, and we suggest not assisting students in these elements.

vBook_UC

The program interface provides important information for both the student and the instructor.

vBook_Interface_Top_Bar

vBook_Interface_Location

The top bar reading “Missing Addend” is the title of the student’s current Lesson.

vBook_icon_Home

The logo on the left identifies the program so the instructor can easily see it, and is a button to return to the vBook homepage.

vBook_Interface_Nav

This section displays the student name, allowing the instructor to verify the student is logged in on their own account and not as someone else), as well as navigation buttons, and the current activity. The navigation buttons for students are only active during Lesson Instruction. Students can click vBook_icon_Replay to replay a page, vBook_icon_Pause to pause, vBook_icon_Prev to navigate to a previous page of instruction, or vBook_icon_Forw navigate forward if they navigated to a prior page (students cannot skip pages of instruction, but can use the left facing arrow to review previous pages, and then use the right facing arrow to navigate back to the furthest page reached).

vBook_Interface_Page_Num

“Page” shows the current page in the element, and the Question Status shows the number of questions the student has answered correctly. In this case, the student is on the second question, and has one correct answer. The first bar is green indicating a correct answer.

vBook_Interface_Points

The Points counter displays the total number of correct answers in vBook. Each correct answer is worth one point.

iPass_Keypad_Sidebar

The Keypad in the middle of the screenshot above, is the on-screen tool for entering answers. Students may use the mouse to click the appropriate buttons to enter an answer. They can also use the computer’s keyboard to answer questions. The keypad is not active in Lesson Instruction where attention is focused on multimedia presentations.

Not all sections of the Keypad are active in all lessons. The lettered section at the top is active only where letters are part of the answer.

The calculator at the bottom is active in select lessons where instructionally appropriate. We recommend students do not use a calculator, unless it is available on screen.


How is vBook Structured?

vBook covers topics from Level 1 to Algebra III (Pre-Calculus). The interactive activities are:

  1. Topic Test – serves as both a pre- and post-test for the Topic, with slightly different questions delivered each time the test is taken. Topic Tests cover material in the selected Topic and presents questions similar to those in the lessons therein. To complete the Topic Test, students must answer all of the questions, typically around 10.
  2. Topic Practice – serves as a practice activity covering the Topic and presents mixed questions from the Topic’s Lessons. To complete the Topic Practice, students complete all questions, typically around seven.
  3. Lesson Instruction – brief, multimedia presentations typically three to four pages, and five minutes in duration. Lesson instruction does not contain practice questions. To complete a Lesson Instruction the student views all pages, clicking on-screen to advance to the next step, page, etc. After completing Lesson Instruction, the student then selects the Lesson Practice.
  4. Lesson Practice – typically, five to six questions based directly on the material presented in its Lesson Instruction. To complete Lesson Practice, students answer the number of questions for that Lesson Practice in sequence. For example, if the Lesson Practice has 6 questions, the student must answer 6 questions correct in sequence, with one correct answer deducted for each incorrect answer. If a student answers 5 questions correct, and answers the 6th question incorrect, the student will have a total of 4 questions correct and must answer two more questions correct in sequence.

vBook Topic Test Example
Example question from Topic Test
vBook Topic Practice Example
Example question from Topic Practice
vBook Lesson Practice Example
Example page from Lesson Instruction
vBook Lesson Practice Example
Example question from Lesson Practice


Who can access what in vBook?

Because vBook is based on student selection, students can access any of the available content at any time. They can select a Topic Test and prove mastery, but are not required to do so before moving to different locations (as in iPASS and Fixed Order MyQ). As an instructor, you of course can access any content at any time.


How can vBook be used?

The best part of vBook is its flexibility. It allows any student to learn any topic at any point in the school year. As an instructor, you can give group presentations, and assign practice questions. You can also give class or individual assignments that parallel your instruction, and also assign critical content that supports your instruction. vBook reports allow you to monitor student activity and learning.

Suggestions of Use

The flexibility of vBook allows a number of options for instructors to implement the program successfully. vBook works with any learning environment and any student level. Below are some suggestions on how to use vBook in general, in conjunction with other iLearn programs, or by itself.

General Usage Tips

The design of vBook allows students to access any lesson or topic whenever they choose, but activity and mastery can be verified in the program-specific Reports.

vBook is different from iPASS and MyQ. iPASS is a true mastery-based program in which students must master content before moving forward. MyQ consists of queues created by an instructor, and the student can only work in the content an instructor assigns, also verifying mastery before advancing. vBook on the other hand, allows a student to learn any topic or lesson at any time.

Monitoring vBook reports you can quickly and easily verify that students are learning the content you assign, and not something else.


In Conjunction with Other iLearn Programs

Students could have access to a number of different iLearn programs. Each can be used independently, in conjunction with another specific program, or all other iLearn programs.


vBook and All Other Programs

The programs and basic functionality are:

  • vBook – a student-choice instructional program giving access to any content at any time.
  • iPASS – a mastery-based instructional program that delivers only the content needed, starting with the earliest knowledge gap. Students proceed sequentially to higher content, based on skipping content by passing Challenge (Pre) Tests, and by passing Mastery (Post) Tests, with the program making content delivery decisions based on student performance.
  • MyQ – an instructor-controlled instructional program in which instructors assign queues of grouped content. Students can only access the content the instructor assigns, and only as assigned, in Fixed Order or Any Order.
  • iKnow – an instructor-controlled assessment program allowing instructors to assign tests. Students can only access the Topic Tests assigned.


vBook by Itself

You can use vBook numerous ways, but we suggest you use it to maximum benefit for students in your learning environment. Use it to assign homework, by having students complete a specific Topic or Lesson. Use it to supplement classroom instruction by having students complete Practice sections on the topics covered in class, or by presenting Lesson Instruction in class. Also use vBook as a test preparation tool to review topics before a test. With such flexibility, vBook can help you and your students in any setting.
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