Ros Lugg, Aug 16, 2024 10:58:06 AM
As educators, we all know the feeling of having too much to do and too little time to do it. During my recent meetings with senior representatives of Australian State education departments, principals, and other education leaders in Melbourne and Sydney, I was intrigued – and delighted - about their strong conviction that educational technology is a game-changer for busy, overloaded teachers in our classrooms. There was unanimous support for encouraging and adopting quality, evidence-based technology – partly to support over-loaded teachers, but also to address increasing teacher shortages.
It’s not just about keeping up with the latest tools; it’s about finding solutions that genuinely lighten the load for teachers and allow them to focus on what they do best — teaching.
At StepsWeb, our mission has always been ‘Changing lives by improving literacy’ and to support educators by providing tools that make your life easier. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 ways StepsWeb can save you time and help you manage your classroom more efficiently. Even if you’re a seasoned StepsWeb user, we think you’ll find some new tips to streamline your workflow and give you back precious minutes in your day.
1. Instant reporting on goals, progress, and accuracy
Detailed reporting is essential, but it doesn’t have to be tedious and time-consuming! With StepsWeb, you can generate comprehensive reports with just a few clicks. Whether you’re tracking individual student progress or analysing data for the whole class, year group, or school, our reporting tools give you the information you need—without the endless paperwork.
Watch our 4-minute video: How to Use StepsWeb Reporting Tools
2. No more spelling tests to set, mark, or interpret
Spelling tests can be a major time drain, but with StepsWeb, that’s a thing of the past. Our Spelling Placement Test automatically places students at the correct level and continually assesses their progress with regular spelling quizzes. You’ll get detailed reports without the need to manually set, mark, or interpret tests.
Learn more from our Support Site: Understanding the Spelling Test
3. Homework made easy
Assigning homework should be quick and straightforward, not a chore. With StepsWeb, you can easily select from thousands of built-in wordlists or create your own, ensuring your students have meaningful homework that reinforces their learning.
Watch our 4-minute video: How to Assign Work to a Student on StepsWeb
Watch our 3-minute video: How to Assign Work to a Class and View Student Progress
4. Progress students can see
Motivation can be a game-changer in learning. That’s why we’ve made it easy for students to track their own progress with a visible progress bar on their interface. When students see how far they’ve come and how many medals they’ve earned, it keeps them engaged and on track with their goals—meaning less time spent on motivation and more on learning.
Watch our 4-minute video: Student Login Screen: Take the Tour
5. Meet individual needs
We know how challenging it is to meet the needs of every student in a diverse classroom. StepsWeb adapts to each learner’s level, allowing all your students—from those who need extra support to those ready for more advanced material—to work independently and at their own pace. This flexibility frees you up to provide targeted support where it’s needed most.
Watch our 13-minute video: Introduction to the StepsWeb Course: A Structured Literacy Progression
6. Tailored reinforcement, automatically
StepsWeb automatically sets tailored reinforcement activities based on each student’s errors, saving you from the task of constantly reviewing and assigning individual work.
7. Printable, personalised worksheets
In addition to our online activities, StepsWeb offers a wealth of printable worksheets, each tailored to the individual needs of your students. One click of a button gives you a named, differentiated worksheet of your choice for every member of your class – regardless of how many different levels they’re on. Perfect for reinforcing what they've learned online or in class.
Watch our 3-minute video: How to Generate Named, Differentiated Printables
8. Automatic weekly reports
Keeping track of student progress shouldn’t take up your precious time. That’s why StepsWeb sends you a weekly report straight to your inbox, highlighting key achievements and areas for improvement. These reports give you the insights you need to adjust your teaching strategy without the time-consuming data crunching.
Our recent research study found that students who completed at least half of their weekly goals on StepsWeb saw an average of 14 months of progress in their spelling age within just six months. That’s the kind of impact we’re committed to making.
9. Quick login solutions
Logging in your entire class doesn’t have to be a headache. With options like class codes and student QR codes, getting everyone logged in is quick and hassle-free. These shortcuts are designed to minimise classroom disruptions and maximise your teaching time.
Learn more on our Support Site: Student Sign In Options
10. Effortless setup
Getting started with StepsWeb is as easy as uploading a CSV file of your school roll. Whether you’re adding new students or updating class lists, it’s all done in a few clicks. We know how valuable your time is, and we’ve designed StepsWeb to be as user-friendly as possible, so you can get back to focusing on your students.
Learn more on our Support Site article: CSV Tools - Introduction
Forget about the mountains of paperwork, spreadsheets, and hours of stress. StepsWeb is built to streamline your workflow, deliver tangible results, and give teachers the time to do what they do best - teach.
You’ve heard our 10 top tips, now we would love to hear from you!
Does StepsWeb save you time? What time-saving hacks have you discovered through StepsWeb? Complete our 3-minute survey and you could be in to win one of three $50 Prezzy cards.
