Software We Use

Learning Services uses a variety of learning, assessment, and assistive technologies to help students be successful. Below you will find information on the software programs and publishers used in Learning Services. We welcome comments from other educators on programs your institution uses. For more information, please contact Learning Services.

Learning Software

MyReadingLab
MyReadingLab is an online learning system to diagnose both students' reading skills and their reading levels. Students can access this instruction from anywhere they have access to the Internet. This program utilizes diagnostic testing, personalized practice, and grade book reports to allow instructors to measure student performance and help students gain control over their college level reading skills. MyReadingLab is used in College Reading and College Reading Internet. Click here to take a tour of MyReadingLab.
MyWritingLab
MyWritingLab is an online learning system that provides writing practice through diagnostic assessment and progressive exercises to improve students' critical thinking and writing skills. With this better practice model, students develop the skills needed to become better writers. Students can access this instruction from anywhere they have access to the Internet. MyWritingLab is used in Basic writing classes. Click here to take a tour of MyWritingLab.
MyMathLab
MyMathLab provides students with a personalized interactive learning environment, where they can learn at their own pace and measure their progress. MyMathLab's homework and practice exercises are correlated to the exercises in the textbook, and they regenerate to give students unlimited opportunity for practice and mastery. Exercises include guided solutions, sample problems, and learning aids for extra help at point-of-use, and they offer helpful feedback when students enter incorrect answers. Click here for a tour of MyMathLab.
Skills Tutor
Skills Tutor offers online instruction in reading, vocabulary building, writing and grammar, information skills, basic math, algebra and science. Diagnostic pre-tests select those skills students need to work on and exercises and tests give plenty of practice to master these basic skills. Skills Tutor is used in Academic Prep courses where students need to improve their COMPASS scores for admission to a program. Click here to see sample Skills Tutor lessons.
iLinc
iLinc is a virtual classroom and web conferencing system. Students participate in iLinc virtual classes using web cams and Voice-over-the-Internet (VOiP) to see and talk to the instructor and other students. Since iLinc is web-based, students can join a class from at home or wherever they have access to the Internet. iLinc is used in the College Prep block of courses, and students at Kirkwood Learning Centers participate via iLinc in these classes.

Assessment Software

Questionmark Perception
Used at the college in numerous courses and programs since 1998 Perception delivers online tests, surveys, and tutorials. Students can take their course exams in the Test Center on campus and at the 10 Learning Centers over the seven county Kirkwood service area making access to tests easy and convenient. At the conclusion of the test, the student receives an immediate score and grade. Click here to try out some sample Perception tests.
eLumen
eLumen is a highly innovative, web-based assessment system that does not rely on the traditional gradebook that adds up points and calculates averages to determine a student's grade. Instead eLumen provides students with precise, descriptive feedback that details exactly how well the student has performed on the evaluation criteria contained in the instructor's assessment. Students access their secured eLumen account to see how well they have performed in a course and in all courses in a semester providing a detailed learning transcript. eLumen is used in over 80 local dental offices to evaluation Dental Assistant students clinic experiences and in local hospitals to evaluate Nursing students' performance in nursing clinicals.
COMPASS
All new students at the college take the ACT COMPASS placement tests. COMPASS is an untimed, computerized test that places students into appropriate courses so they can be successful. COMPASS offers tests in reading, writing, math, writing essays, and English as a Second Language (ESL). COMPASS ESL is used to place students in the English Language Acquisition (ELA) program. Students receive COMPASS test results immediately upon completion of testing, and the score report will include placement messages explaining what courses the student should take and how to register. COMPASS is also used in many high schools in the Kirkwood seven county service area, and high school students can take placement tests in their local high school. Click here to try out COMPASS sample questions.

Assistive Technology Software

Dragon NaturallySpeaking Version: 9.5
Dragon Naturally Speaking is a speech recognition program. As the student speaks out loud, Dragon automatically types on the computer screen what is said making the task of writing much quicker and easier. A Spanish version is available.
Scientific Notebook
This program helps the student type multi-layer formulas.
JAWS Version: 11
JAWS (Job Access With Speech) is a screen reading program primarily used by students with a vision impairment or are blind.
Zoom Text
ZoomText is a text enlarger and reading text software primarily used by individuals with a vision impairment. The program is designed for those with visual impairments like macular degeneration and glaucoma, is a powerful screen magnifier and screen reader that makes the computer easier to see, hear, and use.
Read/Write Gold
The Read/Write Gold program highlights and reads text aloud using natural sounding voices and also includes a comprehensive set of support tools for reading, writing, studying, research, and test taking.

Students who wish to learn more about or use any of these assistive technology programs should contact Jayne Wumkes, Learning Services, 2011 Cedar Hall, (319) 398-4931 jayne.wumkes@kirkwood.edu