Copyright © 2000 NLThomas
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Make it seem like work and kids will yawn and procrastinate, put it on a CD, call it a game and they will clamor to be first in line.

Motivational problems aren’t the only things the new line of learning tools are solving for kids and schools these days. Kids are studying longer, parents are getting involved and teachers get the extra hand they need in class.

Lifespan Achievement Now representatives brought their own idea of teaching to Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) and area teachers and administrators in December, camouflaged as games ready to be played on a Sony Playstation.

"Kids are different than we were, and that’s good", Lightspan Regional Vice President Rick Perez said. “It’s good that they know the media and technology but we all know they need to know how to read, write and do math.”

LAN allows students the opportunity to learn those basic skills they need and make it so much fun they forget they’re learning, Perez said. Schools across the United States are being introduced to LAN, which provides a Playstation to each student to take home. The students have the option to check out CDs in three subjects: math, language and arts, and reading.

The math CD presents students with the problem of exiting a lunar base, but first they must solve the equation in order to fire up the lasers.

"They have to think and manipulate the numbers", Associate Partnership LAN Director Carlene Greene said.

Skill levels differ, according to the age and preference of the user. There are 35 LAN CD's in each grade cluster, covering kindergarten through eighth grade. Characters in the games are faced with problems, which they must solve by using one of the three subjects.

LAN, in effect, has invented a new mousetrap – how to actually add more time to the academic day. Where once students forgot homework as soon as they got home, those who have the program will spend more time learning, Perez said.

Designed to increase student achievement, Lightspan products include interactive software, school and home learning activities, teacher materials, on-site development and student assessment.

Gore Elementary in Sequoyah County and Tenkiller School in Cherokee County are in the beginning stages of implementing their LAN program. Nedra Smith, teacher’s assistant and LAN coordinator, Joyce Smith, LAN tutor in Gore gave the program a thumbs up since its mid-October inception.

"It’s going pretty good", Nedra said. "We serve 300 plus students, K through sixth-grade, and they’re really interested in it."

Working on a three-year grant, Nedra and Joyce assist and tutor teachers and students on just how to use the Playstation and the CD's of their choice. If there is more than one child in the family, the youngest takes the Playstation home and all the children share, Joyce said.

The CNO Johnson O’Malley program is interested in researching ways to work with schools and other CNO programs and the LAN program, CNO JOM Manager Phyllis Yargee said.

The Early Childhood Program (Headstart), John A. Ketcher Youth Shelter, Child Development Center, Children and Family Services, CNO Wellness Program, Sequoyah High School, Adult Education, Talking Leaves Job Corps and the Housing Authority of the CNO were all invited to attend the LAN session.

LAN also provides access to families who may have no other means of using media such as computers.

"This is the great equalizer", Perez said. "And it’s worth the cost to LAN to provide the materials, to give them the best possible opportunity with the technology."

LAN encourages parents to become more involved in their children’s work, Dr. Ethel Porter, LAN director of curriculum, said.

"It empowers parents to be active partners in their children’s education", she said. "And it works, unequivocally and properly. Schools can see significant student achievement."

LAN also offers an Internet site that provides teaching aides and games for children to play, URL: http://www.Lightspan.com. The "Ink Zone" at the site offers children a place to publish their own essays. For more information on the LAN program, call (512) 342-9342 or (888) 4-ALL-KIDS.