Below are answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Get A Clue’s Online Vocabulary Development Series. In addition to many answers to technical FAQs, you will find answers to questions about using the Teacher and Student Modules, and integrating Get A Clue into your curriculum.
TECHNICAL
1. What are the recommended system requirements?
Student Computers:
PC: 200 MHz processor Mac: Power-PC enabled or Intel-based
Memory: 32MB RAM
Minimum Internet connection: 28.8K modem
Browser: Macromedia Flash 5 plug-in installed
Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher recommended
Netscape 4.0 or higher recommended
Safari 1.2 or higher recommended
Mozilla Firefox 1.0 or higher recommended
Teacher Computers:
Any Internet-enabled computer with:
Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher
Safari 1.2 or higher
Mozilla Firefox 1.0 or higher
2. I can’t get into the student module; I get stuck at a black screen, or at the "loading" screen, how do I get in?
You will need to upgrade your Macromedia Flash Player. You must have Flash Player 5 or higher. Point your web browser to www.macromedia.com/downloads. Click on the "Macromedia Flash Player" link near the top to install the most up to date Flash player. Once you have downloaded and installed the Flash Player, please try to log in to Get A Clue again. Please note, Flash Player is a free download.
If you have already downloaded Macromedia Flash 5 from www.macromedia.com/downloads but still experience problems loading the Student Module, you may have a more advanced problem relating to the Flash Player. Macromedia has a helpful webpage that may help you. Point your browser to this support page at Macromedia. If this page does not help, please contact Macromedia or one of our technical support representatives.
3. Every time I click “begin” to go into the student module, the page just refreshes and nothing happens. What should I do?
The Student Module/Student Demo has minimized to the background, behind
the Launch page. Click the other Get A Clue button on the task bar to
bring up the Student Module.
4. On my Mac, I get “out of memory” errors when I run the Student Module. What should I do?
Upgrade your browser to IE 5. Out of memory errors have been known to occur in IE 4.5 for the Mac. If this doesn’t fix the problem, try allocating more memory to the browser (get info-memory).
CURRICULUM
5. How does Get A Clue prepare students for national or state achievement exams?
Get A Clue offers practice on the verbal portion of the SAT and PSAT. The words are typical of those found in the tests and this program uses the formats of short passage/reading comprehension, context, analogy, and sentence completion, all of which are important elements of standardized exams.
6. How can the gifted or under-prepared learner use Get A Clue?
All programs allow students to move at their own pace and their own level of proficiency. In the Vocabulary Development series, students may work at any of 3 levels, depending on results of the Diagnostic Exam.
7. To what grade levels do Get A Clue’s levels correlate?
The proficiency levels depend on the Word List assigned to each student. Students in the same class may be assigned different Word Lists.
For students assigned to the Jr. Mastery Word List
Level 1 = Grades 5-6
Level 2 = Grades 6-7
Level 3 = Grades 7-8
For students assigned to the Mastery Word List:
Level 1 = Grades 9-10
Level 2 = Grades 10-11
Level 3 = Grades 11-12 +
8. Is it possible for a student to do a word/level/category more than once?
Students can go through a word as many times as they like, however, they will only receive a score the first time they do the word. Students may also use the Review Words Feature to review past work at anytime.
9. How can my students review their work?
Using the Review Words feature, students can review their work. Clicking on a completed word at the left will bring up relevant information about the word, such as the word's derivation and definition. Students can also print out the words in the current word list from Review Words, which will indicate in bold completed words along with their score.
10. Can students score more than 100%?
Yes. Each word contains a Bonus Word (or two in Roots & Prefixes) worth 1 point each. Bonus Points are added to the score numerator but not the denominator making it possible to earn 110% (or 120% in Roots & Prefixes).
11. Why is only 1 point earned for a Bonus Word when students get them right?
Bonus Words are worth only 1 point. Students have one chance only; they earn 0 or 1.
12. Why are there 2 Bonus Words in some categories and only 1 in others?
There are 2 Bonus Words only in Roots & Prefixes, the first based on the prefix, the second based on the root.
13. How am I supposed to assign lessons in Get A Clue?
Get A Clue is designed to be a very flexible tool for teachers. Some suggestions for developing assignments:
·Create a custom word list in coordination with class reading assignments.
· Assign words by category – for example, all words in Strange & Unusual.
· Assign words by level – for example, all words in Level 1.
· Assign words by category and level – for example, all words in Strange & Unusual Level 1.
· Assign students to an allotted period of vocabulary studying time per day or week – for example ½ hour per week.
· Allow students to experience self-paced, independent study in which they move in and out of categories and levels as appropriate for your classroom curriculum.
· Have students complete Get A Clue words outside of class and
quiz them in class on a regular basis using the Quiz creation tool in
the Teacher Module.
14. Is there a way for me to offer feedback (on content, design, anything)?
Yes. You can submit an e-mail to feedback@getaclue.com. We encourage all comments, criticism, suggestions, anecdotal evidence, or empirical results from using Get A Clue. All comments are reviewed, and, if they identify content that needs improvement, the editorial department will update Get A Clue’s Web-based content. Your students always receive the highest quality, up-to-date content.
WORD LISTS
15. How were the words selected for Get A Clue?
The majority of words in the program have appeared previously on the PSAT and SAT and will be similar to those words appearing on many standardized tests, both state and national.
16. How do I create word lists?
Custom word lists can be created from the teacher module. Click on the "lessons" tab and then click "create" near the bottom. The teacher module will then lead you through the process of custom word list creation.
17. Can I get a word list/preview the content my students are studying?
Yes. Go to the "lessons" tab and click "filter". You can view the content of any or all word lists from here.
PROBLEM WORDS
18. What are Problem Words?
Problem Words are those words on which a student has scored 70% or lower (default setting). When students use the Review Words feature in the Student Module, they can review all their work or they can specify Problem Words. Since Custom Quizzes focus on lowest-score words, the use of Problem Words is an excellent way to focus students’ study efforts on their weakest areas. Teachers can adjust the Problem Word % up or down if necessary. [See also “Can I change the Problem Word %?”]
19. Can I change the Problem Word %?
Yes. Go to OPTIONS | PROBLEM WORD %. Select the class for which you wish to alter the Problem Word percentage. Next to the box containing the current percentage, enter the desired percentage. Once finished, simply click “Update Percentage.”
DIAGNOSTIC / ACHIEVEMENT EXAMS
20. What is the Diagnostic Exam?
The Diagnostic Exam consists of 45 questions taken from Get A Clue. It includes:
15 “word in context” questions
15 analogies
15 sentence completion questions
Note: This exam is one tool to determine a student’s ability
level; teachers also need to employ their professional judgement.
21. How long does the Diagnostic Exam take?
It is suggested that you allow at least 20 minutes for the Diagnostic Exam. In order for a score to be registered, students must complete all 45 questions in one sitting.
22. When can students take the diagnostic exam?
The Diagnostic Exam is optional and may be taken at any time; however, it is recommended that it be taken when students first begin using Get A Clue. It is suggested that you allow at least 20 minutes for the Diagnostic Exam. In order for a score to be registered, students must complete all 45 questions in one sitting.
23. Where are Diagnostic Exam scores stored?
The Diagnostic Exam scores, as well as suggested Get A Clue levels (based on exam results) are reported from the "scores" tab. Go to Scores and click on an individual student to see the results.
24. What do Diagnostic Exam results mean?
The results of the Diagnostic Exam may help assess students’ current level of vocabulary. Teachers, of course, are the best judges of their students’ abilities. Teachers should use discretion when making individual or class level assignments but may wish to consider the Diagnostic Exam results when determining which word lists their students should work from.
25. What are the Pre and Post Tests?
The Pre and Post tests work in conjunction as indicators of student progress. Should a teacher wish to utilize these tests, she should require that students take the Pre test for a word list before starting the words in that list. The Pre test is taken from clues in its word list. Once the word list is completed, the option for a Post test appears. This test is similar to the Pre test, except that different clues are used from the same word list. By comparing the results of the Pre and Post test in the teacher module, an instant measure can be made of how well the student has progressed through the word list.
SCORE CARD
26. How can I see which words my students have completed?
Go to SCORES, click on the correct class, and then click on a Student's name. In the next screen, click on "Words Completed.". You can click on each word listed to view its entire content.
27. Why are there no quiz scores showing?
Quiz questions require written responses. Therefore, the scores are not recorded automatically. You can record quiz scores in your own grade book.
QUIZZES
28. How do I generate a quiz?
Go to QUIZ/REVIEW and follow the on-screen directions.
29. What is the difference between a Class and Individualized Student quiz?
Class Quiz: A single quiz for all selected students based on words tin the current word list.
Individualized Student Quiz: A unique quiz for each selected student based on the words completed.
Custom quizzes help diagnose student weaknesses and provide incentive for students to study Problem Words using the Review Words feature.
30. How can I review or reprint a quiz that I have already generated?
Go to QUIZ/REVIEW. Select "view quiz archive".
ADD / DELETE STUDENT DATA
31. How do I add a student to my class?
Go to ADMIN and re-enter your password. Click on the desired class from the menu at the left, and then click on the "add students" link. From here you can print out Student Coupons, which you can then distribute. The student will enter his name and choose the class from a drop down menu of your classes.
32. How do I delete a student from my class?
Go to ADMIN and re-enter your password. Click on the desired class from the menu at the left and then click "edit" next to the students' name in the list of students for that class. A link at the bottom of the screen will allow you to remove the student from your class. It is impossible to delete a student and erase their scores. Once you release the student any teacher in your school can still add him to their classes.
PASSWORDS
33. How do I get my teacher password?
If your school subscribes to Get A Clue, your designated School Administrator must print out Teacher Coupons and distribute them to you. These will contain a temporary username and password for your first time log in.
34. How/why do I change my user name and password the first time in?
For security reasons, you’ll want to personalize your user name and password. The program will prompt you to do so upon your initial login. Remember your new user name and password since you will need it to access the Teacher Module from now on.
35. Do passwords expire after a certain time?
If you are a paid subscriber, your password will not expire or change unless you change it. If your school does not renew Get A Clue, your account will expire at the end of its annual subscription.
36. Student: “I forgot my password. How can I get it?”
Teachers must reset student passwords using the Teacher Module. Go to ADMIN and re-enter your password. Select the desired class from the menu at the left, and then click on "edit" next to the name of the student in that class for whom you wish to change user information. You cannot view the students' password, but you can change it by clicking on "set new password."
37. Teacher: “I forgot my password. How can
I get it?”
You must speak with your designated school coordinator. This will be the person who gave you your initial Teacher Coupon. If you are the school coordinator, please call technical support.
EXITING PROGRAM
38. What happens if students quit prior to completing a word/level/category?
The program will remember students’ progress up through the last word that they completed. If they quit in the middle of a word, they will begin that word anew the next time they enter the category.
39. How do students quit in the middle of a word?
Students can select "quit" at any time from within the Student Module.