odyssey

(Creating classes/assignments) (Unassigning/Class Progress/Test Builder)

The Nazareth Area School District subscribes to a web based learning system, called Odyssey, that is used in grades K-8 and in the special education department of the High School. Compass Learning's Odyssey program is a scientifically researched program that is aligned to the Pennsylvania State Standards and Anchors as well as national standards in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. The elementary and middle schools have been using Odyssey for over four years with great success. In the past year, the Odyssey curriculum has been aligned to the Language Arts and Mathematics curriculum and standards in the Nazareth School District. As each teacher follows a unit of instruction, a folder of standard based activities is available to all students to complete. The folder is aligned to the skills and standards being taught each week in the classroom. Many teachers have found it to be a great centers idea or even a way to differentiate instruction in the classroom. In exchange for a day of training, we also had the odyssey curriculum aligned to the math books by chapters which corresponds to certain standards as well.

Another successful piece of Odyssey is the ability to create tests that assesses students and creates a learning path of activities. For example, if a teacher had a student that was having a difficult time doing fractions, the teacher could create a standards based assessment in test builder. The student would complete the test and automatically be assigned remediation activities in the areas he/she was unable to understand. The program is very prescriptive where it can identify which areas need remediation, review or non-action. It is a perfect RtI program which is one reason it is a certified RtI program through the state of Pennsylvania. As a district, we currently use Odyssey as a step one intervention and occasionally as a Tier II intervention. As a teacher, if you are curious how to check a class's progress or see what assignments are assigned to your class, check out the list of tidbits below to get you sailing with the Odyssey program if you haven't played much yet.


 * To Check on Class/Student Progress ( without running a long report)-**
 * Go to Assignments
 * Click on Class Progress
 * All assignments will be listed, click on Details
 * Below the box will list each student and the current progress on the activity
 * Click on the Print Option and get a print out of the class progress


 * To Check on Assigned Activities or to UNASSIGN activities-**
 * Go to Assignments
 * Click on Assignment Status
 * Using the search boxes on the left, find the assignment you assigned to the class, click search
 * The assignments will load in the window.
 * Once you find the assignment, click on the selection box, you can either UNASSIGN or EDIT the assignment
 * You can choose the selection box at the top to select all of the students of for particular students by selecting the box in front of the name.


 * To Use Test Builder-**
 * Go to Assessment, choose Test Builder
 * Using the menu options, choose the standard, subject and grade level
 * Click on Next, choose the anchors you want to assess ( it is approx. 4-8 questions per anchor) do not overload your test.
 * Click on Next, review the anchors you chose. If you want to add more, choose Add more objectives, if not choose NEXT.
 * Select your preferences such as the Mastery Score and Randomizing Items.
 * Click on Next and give the Assessment a name and any directions. This name is the assessment the students will see when they log in.
 * Click on Next and choose Save.
 * Next, the learning path or remediation activities will create a folder. Give the learning path a name at the top. ( Students will see this name)
 * Choose either SEQUENTIAL or SELF SELECT. Choose Complete Assignment.
 * Choose where to save your learning path. Choose Subject, Grade Level and a Location. My Assignments is a place where ONLY you can sae activities. In My School, any teacher from the school may share the activity. Select any other options on the bottom.
 * NOTE**-** The option to Show Resources, is better turned off on older computer stations. Otherwise, it provides worksheets for the students to print and complete. The problem is that Adobe Reader tends to freeze on the older stations and cause students to restart the computers.
 * Click Next to assign to students or to save for later.