Online Programs To Assist Learning

I found it very interesting last week when we looked at various online programs that were developed to assist in a child's cognitive growth.  www.flocabulary.com was the most unique out of the group.  At this day in age it should be encouraged for districts to use any means in order to keep students motivated.  The proper precautions must be made in order to ensure that students are not exposed to content that may be inappropriate.  With the right measures taken, programs such as these may be contributers to reaching the NCLB  standards.  

At times I feel that teachers and administrators are afraid of giving such programs a chance because they do not fit the standards that most districts are custom to using.  Implementing such programs will also require proper training and the necessary precautions.  The time and effort put into these programs might be worth the gamble when considering the possible outcomes.  Teachers may have to leave their comfort zone and begin to use methods such as freestyle/hip-hop to reach their students on a more understandable level.  If meeting the children half way is going to make a difference, there should be no debate.

Here is a little background info on those who are responsible for this approach - 

http://jscms.jrn.columbia.edu/cns/2006-04-04/winter-hiphopinclass

http://media.www.wilkesbeacon.com/media/storage/paper533/news/2006/09/17/Opinion/This-Is.How.We.Do.It.learn.That.Is-2280702.shtml