Homework process improvement

[Or-Tal Kiriati]

Hello,
I am working on the development of my startup. It's an internet based system aimed at improving homework process in a way that will enhance learning and be fun for the kids.
The question I am stuck with right now is - what's in it for the teachers?

Can you help me?
Can you guess what's in it for the teachers or simply express your wants, needs and especially dreams such a tool may supply?

[Ellen Pham]

Hi Or-Tal, I am here in beautiful Portland, Oregon, city of rainbows! (It rains A LOT here.) I know for an absolute fact that many elementary teachers value useful web sites for their students... very useful in the classroom (ages 6 - 13) I substitute teach in a wide variety of elementary classrooms, and every classroom uses individual time on the web with the students. Often this is "free time", but the activities must have educational value and available sites are selected by the teacher. Portland is considered a "connected" city, I believe only second to San Francisco (maybe Seattle beats us too : )), but this is the trend everywhere. The bottom line benefit for teachers is it keeps kids in a seat and happily occupied, but I am sure we have "higher" motivations, too : ). If it helps with research skills or homework completion, all the better. With high school, it might be a different story.

I don't have a practical bent of mind when it comes to making money, but I think appropriate advertising is acceptable (can't overwhelm the educational purpose of the site.) Teachers WILL NOT pay for anything on the web : ), but if it is a very sophisticated program, school districts might buy into it. Again, this is difficult; you are competing with large American corporations (sigh... ruining our educational system, another topic.) Parents are also a good market; many children have internet at home.

[Or-Tal Kiriati]

Can you refer me to educational related web site which contain advertizing?
thanks!

[Or-Tal Kiriati]

Article

[Reuven Werber]

Hi Or Tal,
Point - The way your site can help kids with homework depends on what homework assignments the teachers give the students. It depends on how the learning is constructed in the class. Do the teachers design learning projects that challenge the kids, or do they assign them memory drills?
I think it will be very difficult for you to create a generic homework site unless it fits with the curriculum, teaching styles and pedagogic approach of the teacher and the schools.
Your site will only be able to teach HOTS - if that's what the teacher wants him to learn.
BTW, the head of the Pedagogic Ministry in Israel, Professor Anat Zohar is a big proponent of teaching HOTS and is taking concrete steps to move the system in that direction. Maybe you should contact her?

[Or-Tal Kiriati]

Sorry, I am not a teacher, what is HOTS?

[Reuven Werber]

High Order Thinking Skills
http://specialed.about.com/od/specialedacronyms/g/hots.htm

Correction - Anat Zohar is head of Pedagogic Secretariat - Mazkirut Pedagogit.

[Or-Tal Kiriati]

Oh, yes!

[Or-Tal Kiriati]

Hello friends,
I would like to create a "wish list" for teachers. What should a web site, that is out there to help kids ages 9-14 (15) do their homework, should include?
Bear in mind that this should be a fun site. An attraction for kids.
thanks for you help.
Or-Tal