1. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

2. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
From the Florida Department of Education
Science Mission: Biology
Program Overview
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

3. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
Interactive practice program
FCAT-like practice on all FCAT-tested strands and benchmarks
Reinforces important science concepts
Available at no cost to all Florida public schools
Accessible from any computer connected to the Internet
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

4. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
Fidelity with the Official FCAT
Strict adherence to the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and DOE’s Test Item and Performance Task Specifications
Rigorous item development process
Items drafted by science teachers and professional item writers
Items reviewed by instructional designers, testing specialists, and professional editors
Multiple choice item in Physical/Chemical
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

5. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
Input from Exemplary Education Professionals
Highly-qualified classroom teachers
Recommended for expertise in subject area and grade level
National Board Certified
Members of the National Science Teachers Association and recipients of Presidential Teaching Awards
Masters Degrees
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

6. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
FCAT-like Practice
FCAT-like practice on all tested strands and benchmarks
168 FCAT-like practice items
147 Multiple Choice (MC)
8 Context Dependent (CD)
10 Short Response (SR)
3 Extended Response (ER)
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

7. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
FCAT-like Practice
Same style, format, scope and cognitive level as the FCAT
Reviewed by teachers for interest and difficulty
MC item in Earth and Space
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

8. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
Instructional Support
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

9. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
Learning Guidance
1ST Attempt Correct
Congratulations!
Correct Answer Explanation (CAE)
Confirms the elements that make an answer correct
Reinforces effective skill application
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

10. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
Learning Guidance
1ST Attempt Incorrect
Includes hints to clarify the question without giving away the answer
Immediate second chance to apply the skill correctly
Interactive glossary to review key concepts
Click on Glossary Terms for definitions of more difficult science concepts.
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

11. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
Learning Guidance
2nd Attempt
For CORRECT answer, CAE confirms and reinforces accurate skill application
For INCORRECT answer, the CAE:
Identifies correct answer
Explains why the answer the student chose was incorrect
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

12. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
Practice Items
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

13. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
FCAT-like Practice Items
Multiple Choice (MC)
Same formatting details as on the FCAT
Same notation conventions as on the FCAT
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

14. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
FCAT-like Practice Items
Context Dependent Multiple Choice (CD)
Students read a short passage
Answer three multiple choice items based on passage content
Students can review passage at any time
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

15. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
FCAT-like Practice Items
Short-Response (SR)
Students are presented with two sample student responses and are asked to select the high scoring answer
Reinforces writing skills by comparing two sample answers.
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

16. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
FCAT-like Practice Items
Open-Response (OR)
Students compose original answers
Read high-score sample response
Read explanation of attributes that earn sample response a high score
Compare student’s original composition to high-score sample response
OR in Physical/Chemical
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

17. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
FCAT-like Practice Items
Open-Response (OR)
Students compose original answers
Read high-score sample response
Read explanation of attributes that earn sample response a high score
Compare student’s original composition to high-score sample response
OR in Physical/Chemical
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

18. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
Special Features
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

19. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
Special Learning Features
Vocabulary Exercises
Review key words associated with the benchmark
Review definition and application of knowledge
Exercise completion features definition matching
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

20. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
Special Learning Features
READ/INQIRE/EXPLAIN (RIE) ICON
Available on SR, ER, and OR items
Students click on the RIE icon to view rubric
Students check items on rubric as they read
Rubric helps students to identify elements included in high scoring answers
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

21. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
Special Learning Features
CHALLENGE LIST
Links directly to items answered incorrectly
Helps students focus on skill improvement
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

22. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
Special Learning Features
Animated Vocabulary Games
Play one of three vocabulary games after completing a group of benchmarks
Includes repetition of question for incorrect responses
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

23. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
Special Learning Features
Bonus Missions: Review Lessons
Students select from seven bonus missions to review key science skills
3 nature of science lessons
How to Read the Periodic Table
Plant and Animal Cells
Active and Passive Transport
Understanding Chemical Reactions
Bonus Mission menu
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

24. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
Special Learning Features
GLOSSARY
Linked (blue) words in first incorrect response
Click speaker icon to hear word pronounced
Definition
Spanish and Haitian Creole translations
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

25. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
Special Learning Features
Reference Sheet
From any item page, students can review important formulas for solving problems
Based on actual FCAT reference sheet
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

26. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
Special Learning Features
Interactive Calculator
Fully functional calculator
Accessible from any item page
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

27. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
Educators’ Tools
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

28. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
Educators’ Tools
Curriculum resources
Table of Strands and Benchmarks
Item Review
Letter to Parents
Classroom Teacher’s Desk
School Administrator’s Desk
Information management tools
Sign-in names and passwords
Progress Reports
Messages to students
District Administrator’s Desk
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

29. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
Student Performance Reports
At The Classroom Teacher’s Desk
Check progress on individuals or classes
View science data by Benchmark or Strand
Compare percentage correct before and after instructional support
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

30. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
The Parent & Family Guide
Accessible from the home page without a password
Available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole
Helps parents, guardians, and mentors understand the New Generation Sunshine State Standards and the FCAT 2.0
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

31. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
Visit the Educator Resources Page
Linked from the home page
Download this PowerPoint presentation
Download the School Administrator’s Desk Manual
Download the Teacher’s Desk Manual
Download other presentations
Program-specific presentations
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

32. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
Toll-Free Help Desk
Accessible from the home page without a password
FCAT
Weekdays 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

33. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
To get sign-in names and passwords
School Principals: Contact your District Office and speak to the FCAT Explorer District Administrator
Teachers: Contact your FCAT Explorer School Administrator
FCAT Explorer Home Page (
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

34. Overview of the FCAT Explorer
Science Mission: Biology
Log on to FCAT Explorer!
Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001