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EDUCATOR HOW-TO GUIDE:
GETTING STARTED WITH POWERMYLEARNING
Helpful tips for educators looking to begin using PowerMyLearning with their students.
PowerMyLearning.org
Table of Contents
About PowerMyLearning……………………………………………………………………………………………………….2
A closer look at what you can do with PowerMyLearning………………………………………………………3
A glance at the new student dashboard and Wizmo World…………………………………………………...4
The benefits of blended learning and why it is important in your classroom…………………………5
Links to support guides and videos that will help you get started………………………………………….6
Viewing and understanding student usage reports on PowerMyLearning……………………………..7
Digging deeper into student usage data………………………………………………………………………………..8
Ways to use PowerMyLearning to meet the spectrum of student needs in your classroom…..9
Important classroom management ideas for implementing blended learning……………………..10
More about how we select activities for PowerMyLearning………………………………………..……….11
Top Picks: Some of the most popular activities on PowerMyLearning………………………………….12
Template letter to parents explaining PowerMyLearning…………….……………………………….……..13
Frequently Asked Questions………………………………………………………………………………………………..14
PowerMyLearning Technical Requirements………………………………………………………………………...15
What users are saying about PowerMyLearning…………………...…………………………………………….16
The PowerMyLearning Network………………………………………………………………………………………….17
PowerMyLearning.org
Getting Started with PowerMyLearning | Page 1
About PowerMyLearning: Your destination
for the best FREE Common Core-aligned
activities on the web.
PowerMyLearning.org is a web platform for K-12 students, parents, and educators. It is available
for FREE to anyone, anytime, anywhere. PowerMyLearning offers one trusted place to find and
use thousands of carefully curated games, videos, and simulations in subjects like Math, English
Language Arts, Science, and more! Activities from top publishers have been vetted by our team
of educators and aligned to the Common Core standards through a multi-step review process.
PowerMyLearning offers tools for personalizing instruction and supporting student-driven
learning in the classroom and beyond. Also, it lets families discover activities to reinforce
schoolwork and spark new interests.
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WITH A FREE ACCOUNT, EDUCATORS CAN:
Discover thousands of activities. Find carefully vetted online games, videos, and simulations.
Search faster and smarter. Quickly search for activities by subject, grade, standard, and more.
Facilitate integration of the Common Core. Browse across domains/strands, clusters, and
standards to find activities that help develop content mastery.
Personalize instruction. Customize and assign Playlists of activities to meet student needs.
Run detailed reports. Pull reports that show activity usage for students in your classes.
Motivate students. Keep kids engaged year-round with exciting features like Wizmo World.
Implement blending learning. Create dynamic learning experiences that propel achievement.
ALL YOU NEED IS A FREE ACCOUNT.
LET THE LEARNING BEGIN!
PowerMyLearning.org
Getting Started with PowerMyLearning | Page 2
A closer look at what you can do with
PowerMyLearning.
Search thousands of
activities by name, skill,
publisher, interest, and
more.
Browse across Common
Core domains/strands,
clusters, and standards.
Sequence activities into
Playlists to meet unique
student needs.
Choose a pre-created
Certified Playlist tied to
the Common Core or
customize your own.
Upload your own
activities and videos.
Create PowerMyLearning
classes that students can
join using a Class Code.
Assign Playlists to a whole
class or any subset of
students in that class.
PowerMyLearning.org
Getting Started with PowerMyLearning | Page 3
A glance at the new student dashboard
and Wizmo World.
PowerMyLearning recently
launched a new student interface
on PowerMyLearning, including:
A new assignment dashboard,
which highlights recently
assigned Playlists and lets kids
get to them with one click.
New student motivation
features like Wizmo World. Now
students have extra motivation
to use the activities and Playlists
on PowerMyLearning. Kids can
choose an avatar, earn Power
as they spend time learning,
and see how their friends and
classmates are doing.
A new goal-setting feature for
parents. By linking accounts
with a child, parents/guardians
can set PowerMyLearning usage
goals tied to personalized
rewards. Then parents and kids
can monitor progress together.
PowerMyLearning.org
Getting Started with PowerMyLearning | Page 4
The benefits of blended learning and
why it is important in your classroom.
FOR EDUCATORS
In line with generational learning styles
Provides additional ways for teachers to
present complex or difficult content
Effective way to pique and hold student
attention
Learning is more autonomous and allows
teachers more time to work with
individual students
Differentiates instruction for individual
learners
Increases ease of assessment, data
collection, and reporting
Extends learning beyond the school day
Mitigates the challenges of overcrowding
in classrooms
FOR STUDENTS
Meets their needs to use technology
Students have access to content that
matches their level and individual
learning style
Students are more engaged
Students are able to be self-directed and
work at their own pace
Students construct meaning rather than
memorizing
Provides more opportunities for students
to have successes in learning
Opportunities to continue learning
outside the classroom
Students enjoy an environment more
conducive to learning
PowerMyLearning.org
Getting Started with PowerMyLearning | Page 5
Links to support guides and videos that will
help you get started.
1
Searching for Activities by Common Core State Standard [PDF]
This guide will help you better understand how to search for and find activities on PowerMyLearning that
are aligned to a specific Common Core standard you are teaching.
2
Creating and Managing a Class on PowerMyLearning [PDF]
This guide will show you how to create a class, how to have students join a class, how to manage your
class roster, and how to reset student passwords.
3
Building and Editing a PowerMyLearning Playlist [PDF]
This guide will help you build a PowerMyLearning Playlist by walking you through steps to create and edit
a Playlist. A Playlist is a sequenced collection of activities. You can create Playlists to scaffold activities
into meaningful learning sequences for an entire class, a group of students, or an individual student. Any
PowerMyLearning activity you wish to assign must first be added to a Playlist before you can assign it to
students in your class.
4
Assigning a Playlist to Students In Your Class [PDF]
This guide will walk you through the Playlist assignment process. You must have at least one Playlist
created and your student(s) must be enrolled in your class in order for you to be able to assign a Playlist.
5
Understanding the Student Dashboard and Wizmo World [VIDEO]
This informational video will explain the exciting student engagement features, like Wizmo World, that
are part of the student dashboard on PowerMyLearning. These features were designed to keep kids
motivated year-round. This video will familiarize you with the interface your students will see when they
log in to PowerMyLearning.
VISIT THE SUPPORT CENTER ON POWERMYLEARNING
FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPORT RESOURCES:
powermylearning.org/learning-games-activities/support
PowerMyLearning.org
Getting Started with PowerMyLearning | Page 6
Viewing and understanding student usage
reports on PowerMyLearning.
Educators on PowerMyLearning can run reports through our simple reporting dashboard to see how students in
their classes are using PowerMyLearning. These reports provide lots of valuable information:
Most popular activities for a class
Grade levels of the activities students are using
to assess if students are challenging themselves
Activities used, both assigned and unassigned
Adjustable date range
Time students spend on activities
LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT
A SAMPLE REPORT:
Select the date range for
your report. View individual
student usage or class usage
for any date range.
Sort information
by the headers
at the top of
both the Whole
Class and
Student Usage
Summary
sections.
Click on a
student name
to see a more
complete view
of his/her
usage.
Observe the
grade level listed
for each activity.
An asterisk indicates
the activity was
assigned by you. You
can also see activities
students are using on
their own or activities
assigned by other
teachers.
PowerMyLearning.org
Getting Started with PowerMyLearning | Page 7
Digging deeper into student usage data.
Use the individual student
view to see each
student’s work on
activities assigned by you
and activities that the
student is exploring on
his/her own or is assigned
by other teachers.
Use the individual student
view to identify trends in
student usage. For
example, David seems to
be gravitating toward
Spanish language
activities and Mary seems
to be using activities in a
lower grade band.
PowerMyLearning.org
Getting Started with PowerMyLearning | Page 8
Ways to use PowerMyLearning to meet the
spectrum of student needs in your classroom.
I’d like to
try this
Technique
I’ve done
this and
could help
someone out
Embed Playlists of activities or individual activities in stations.
Give students access to Playlists or activities during computer lab time.
Whole Class
Instruction
For
Individual
Students
Show a video found on PowerMyLearning to the whole class with one laptop
connected to a projector or on an interactive whiteboard.
Use Playlists or individual activities during an intervention class or after-school
program to reinforce ideas from other classes or to review skills from previous
grades.
Assign an activity from lower grade levels for students who need to practice
basic skills.
Allow students to compete in a game in pairs or in front of the class.
Assign Playlists or individual activities as an extension assignment to early
finishers (after assignments, quizzes, group projects, etc.). Students can learn
the process so they don’t disrupt class when they finish early. They can use a
desktop in the classroom or a laptop.
Let students pick their own activities as part of a 20% time model (http://
www.edutopia.org/blog/20-percent-time-a-j-juliani).
Upload student-created videos to teach their peers (made on iMovie, ShowMe,
GoAnimate, etc.). Teachers can use the “Create Your Own Activity” feature to
share them with other students in a Playlist.
Support students who don’t understand the direct instruction/lecture with a
PowerMyLearning video. They can take notes before starting guided or
independent practice so they’re able to practice correctly.
Assign Playlists for after-school tutoring.
Assign a video/Playlist/activity as homework for a Flipped Classroom model.
Outside the
Classroom
Assessment
Use a PowerMyLearning log in the same way you would use a reading log to
hold students accountable for accessing PowerMyLearning outside of the
classroom.
Assign Playlists during summer and holiday breaks.
Share PowerMyLearning as a resource to practice skills and concepts
highlighted as learning needs in parent conferences.
Have students explain a concept to their family members using a
PowerMyLearning activity and write a reflection about the experience of
teaching someone.
Make a Google form as a quiz/exit ticket, then use the “Create Your Own
Activity” feature to share the link to the form in a Playlist.
Create a digital learning project Playlist. For example a writing prompt video,
report structure activity, reference topic video, and writing tool.
Have students take a screenshot of the page that shows their score after
completing a game. They can save the screenshot and share it with you while
you monitor their activity.
PowerMyLearning.org
Getting Started with PowerMyLearning | Page 9
Important classroom management ideas
for implementing blended learning.
SET CLEAR EXPECTATIONS AND
PROCEDURES
Outline exactly what is not appropriate use of
the hardware. For example, students should not:
Set new desktop wallpaper
Go to non-class related websites or software
Download content that is not related to
classwork
INCREASE STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Create specialized roles for students like
computer monitors, who can distribute
computers and make sure there are enough
power cords.
Show all students how to log in to
PowerMyLearning, trouble shoot login
challenges, recover passwords, etc. They can
also be taught basic computer maintenance
practices.
Touch other people’s computers
Drop or hit any equipment, even if it is not
working properly
Institute a rewards system for students that
gives recognition for appropriate use.
Set up an accountability system that rewards
active and focused engagement while using
technology
This system must have a contingency plan
that indicates that use of technology, at least
in its introduction, is a privilege.
The contingency plan could include (among
many options) book work or students having
to share when everyone else is using
computers 1-to-1.
Take several days to have students practice
rotating stations without any computers.
Have students practice only the mechanics of
the blended learning model. This will enable the
teacher to begin to layer the activity with more
complicated steps like using interactive
whiteboard clickers or laptops.
STUDENT EXCITEMENT
One of the goals of blended learning is to
engage students more effectively, especially
those who were less engaged previously.
Noise level might go up!
Thus this different form of engagement can be
misperceived as disruptive. Be careful to
recognize when engagement with the material
is authentic and positive and when it’s not. We
don’t want to punish excited students.
We’re hoping engagement is active and exciting!
TECHNICAL ISSUES
Teachers need to set their own expectations
around the use of digital learning.
Have an offline idea ready to put into use in the
event of technical problem.
PowerMyLearning.org
Getting Started with PowerMyLearning | Page 10
More about how we select activities for
PowerMyLearning.
HOW ARE
ACTIVITIES SELECTED FOR
POWERMYLEARNING?
We work with our team of professional educators around the country to curate the best digital
learning activities available on the web for free. Because we do not develop the activities, our
team can be unbiased as they evaluate resources. Our priority is identifying activities to help
K-12 students master key curriculum content. We specifically seek out activities that support
the Common Core State Standards and we tag our content to those standards. In all subjects,
we look for activities that are fun and engaging for students, and make use of the unique
benefits of digital content. Below is a list of some of the criteria we consider during evaluation:
Alignment to educational standards (e.g., Common Core)
Instructional content (e.g., video tutorials, practice activities)
Interactivity (e.g., simulations, real-time feedback)
Differentiation (e.g., multiple difficulty levels, activity choice, audio support)
Design (e.g., appealing interface, ease of use)
Other considerations (e.g., minimal to no advertising)
TRUSTED COMMON CORE CONTENT
Close to 80% of the activities on
PowerMyLearning are aligned to the
Common Core State Standards.
Alignment is determined through a
multi-step process. Activities are
reviewed, tagged, and verified by our
team of experienced K-12 educators
using digital learning to implement the
Common Core in their classrooms.
PowerMyLearning.org
Getting Started with PowerMyLearning | Page 11
Top Picks: Some of the most popular
activities on PowerMyLearning
PowerMyLearning.org
Getting Started with PowerMyLearning | Page 12
Template letter to parents explaining
PowerMyLearning.
Dear Parent or Guardian,
I am writing to tell you about PowerMyLearning, a fantastic educational resource we’re using in class and for
homework. It is a free website with thousands of carefully selected online games, videos, and activities that can
help your child master the concepts we’re learning in school.
With PowerMyLearning, I can mix and match activities into a Playlist customized to meet your child’s individual
needs. Also, because so many of the activities are aligned to the Common Core State Standards, using them can
help your child meet these new standards.
My hope is that you will encourage and support your child’s use of PowerMyLearning at home.
Your child can log in at PowerMyLearning.org with this Username and Password.
Username
Password
You can also create a free Parent account on PowerMyLearning and link it to your child’s account. Then
you can keep up with school assignments and set usage goals for your child tied to real rewards. Here’s
how to link accounts:
1. Signup for or log in to a free Parent
account at PowerMyLearning.org
2. Click the My Children tab
3. Click the Add Your Child link
4. Enter your child’s PowerMyLearning
Username and Birthday
5. Your child will be prompted to confirm the
connection next time he/she logs in
I hope you are as excited as I am about PowerMyLearning. With activities in all major K-12 subjects, it is a
resource that can reinforce what students are learning in the classroom and give them an opportunity to explore
other interests. There are even fun activities that allow parents to participate, collaborate, or compete with
child!
If you have questions about how we are using PowerMyLearning, please feel free to reach out.
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME AND CONTACT INFORMATION]
PowerMyLearning.org
Getting Started with PowerMyLearning | Page 13
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PowerMyLearning?
PowerMyLearning is a free digital learning platform
designed for K-12 students, educators, and parents.
The platform makes thousands of the best online
learning activities—like games, videos, and
simulations—easily accessible and usable in one
trusted place. PowerMyLearning offers educators a set
of powerful tools for personalizing learning, integrating
the Common Core State Standards, and supporting
instruction in the classroom and beyond. It also lets
families discover stimulating activities to reinforce
classroom learning and spark new areas of interest.
How do I access PowerMyLearning?
Just visit PowerMyLearning.org and sign up for a free
account.
Do I have to download PowerMyLearning?
No. PowerMyLearning is a free, web-based platform.
It’s hosted “in the cloud” so it is available to anyone,
anywhere with an Internet connection.
How much does PowerMyLearning cost?
Nothing! PowerMyLearning is completely free!
Who can use PowerMyLearning?
PowerMyLearning is designed for K-12 students and
their teachers and parents. Because it is completely
free, it can be used by anyone, anywhere with an
Internet connection.
Is registration required to use PowerMyLearning?
Yes, but registration is completely free and takes a
moment. Just visit PowerMyLearning.org to sign up
for a free account.
Why do kids enjoy using PowerMyLearning?
The PowerMyLearning platform is designed to be kidfriendly so it’s simple for them to find activities that
work for them. We make sure that all of the activities
are fun and engaging in addition to being educational.
Plus, with the new student motivation features on
PowerMyLearning, like Wizmo World, kids can choose
an avatar, earn Power as they spend time learning, and
engage in healthy competition with friends.
Is PowerMyLearning compliant with the Children’s
Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)?
Yes.
Is PowerMyLearning.org a for-profit site?
PowerMyLearning is operated by a national education
non-profit that has been working for 15 years to
harness the power of digital learning in order to help
kids do better in school. Philanthropic support makes it
possible to offer PowerMyLearning for free to
everyone.
How can I bring PowerMyLearning to my school,
school district, or education organization?
We’re happy to help! There are many ways to
introduce PowerMyLearning to your school, district, or
organization. One way is by becoming a member of the
PowerMyLearning Network. You can read more about
the Network in this guide. You can also contact
[email protected] for more information.
Can I include a logo and a link to PowerMyLearning on
our website?
Sure! We would love for you to help us spread the
word about PowerMyLearning. For all logo requests,
please contact [email protected].
PowerMyLearning.org
Getting Started with PowerMyLearning | Page 14
PowerMyLearning Technical Requirements
Check the lists below to determine if your system ready for PowerMyLearning.
Internet Connection:
Required Plug-Ins:
Broadband / High-Speed Internet connection
(minimum 512kbps)
10/100 Ethernet
Adobe Flash Player, version 10 or higher on all
PC/Mac computers
Updates are highly recommended.
Hardware Storage Space:
Processor with a speed of 1+GHZ
1 Gigabit of RAM
Operating System:
PC
Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and 8
Note: Best viewed on 1024×768 or better
resolution.
Mac
MacOS X 10.4 or later
Note: Best viewed on 1024×768 or better
resolution.
Browsers:
Google Chrome - Recommended
30 or higher (Windows or Mac)
Internet Explorer
IE 8.0 or higher (Windows)
Mozilla Firefox
25 or higher (Windows or Mac)
For additional help please visit these websites:
How to find out the amount of RAM a
computer has and the processor speed:
Windows
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/
windows7/find-out-how-much-ram-yourcomputer-has
Mac
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1633
How to find out which Operating System
you are running:
Windows
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/
which-operating-system
Mac
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1633
How to find out which browser you are
using:
http://whatbrowser.org
Apple Safari
5.0 or higher (Windows or Mac)
Please Note – JavaScript and Cookies must be
enabled in your browsers.
PowerMyLearning.org
Getting Started with PowerMyLearning | Page 15
What users are saying about PowerMyLearning.
“ What caught my attention was simply how
excited and effusive everyone was, including
the students, about PowerMyLearning.”
—David Bornstein, The New York Times
struggling to choose the best
“ Educators
technology products face a mind-boggling
array of decisions...Into that void step a
number of websites that seek to help
educators make smarter and faster choices –
including…PowerMyLearning…”
(out of 4) - This site is a fabulous portal
“ 4tostars
some of the best free educational games,
activities, simulations, and videos on the web
for kids.”
—Jinny Gudmundson, USA Today
will make me a better teacher...All my
“ This
different levels of students will receive the
content they need without a lot of work on my
end! This will preserve my nerves, preserve
my patience! We've saved 19 steps! This is the
solution!"
—Math Teacher
—Michele Molnar, Education Week
“ Kids started using @PowerMyLearning today! “ PowerMyLearning has been a huge help to me
Loved it! Whined when it was time to go to
lunch! Really!! #5thchat #elemchat”
in personalizing my instruction...I am seeing a
huge impact in student achievement.”
—Middle School Teacher
—@kcollazo, Teacher
“ PowerMyLearning has changed me as a
student. I’m learning, but I don’t really feel it. I
just feel all the fun and excitement.”
—Middle School Student, New York City
great way for educators
“ PowerMyLearning—A
to differentiate instruction by customizing the
learning experience for students!”
—David Kapuler, Tech & Learning
“ Time is spent on meaningful activities instead “ My favorite part about PowerMyLearning is
everything!”
—6 Grade Student, Los Angeles
of watching television or playing on the
th
Playstation. Our 10-year old has spent hours
doing what he considers playing and what I
know is learning.”
—Alaina Bullock, Parent
Game On!
PowerMyLearning.org
Getting Started with PowerMyLearning | Page 16
The PowerMyLearning Network
ABOUT THE POWERMYLEARNING NETWORK
The PowerMyLearning Network is a coalition of partners
who believe in the power of digital learning in helping
students meet the Common Core State Standards. Partners
include school districts, libraries, afterschool programs,
and other education organizations that have adopted the
free K-12 learning platform, PowerMyLearning, as part of
their digital learning strategy to drive student achievement.
Because PowerMyLearning is completely free, any individual
or organization can create a free account and start using it
today. But joining the PowerMyLearning Network can be a
great option for certain education groups who are looking
to maximize their use of this free platform.
SOME OF OUR NETWORK MEMBERS INCLUDE:
BECOMING A MEMBER IS COMPLETELY FREE
AND INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS:
FREE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WEBINARS
These online training sessions will allow you and your
constituents to become experts on PowerMyLearning so
that you incorporate it into your programs effectively.
Webinar topics may include:
Meeting Common Core State Standards with
PowerMyLearning
Understanding and using PowerMyLearning
Implementing PowerMyLearning into existing
programming
Integrating newly released PowerMyLearning
features
Using PowerMyLearning to strengthen parental
involvement in learning
Using PowerMyLearning to minimize summer
learning loss
ORGANIZATION WEB ANALYTICS DATA
Members will be provided a unique tracking url for
PowerMyLearning that can be used with constituents. As
part of the Network, members will receive web analytics
data specific to their organization
ADVANCE NOTICE OF NEW FEATURES
As exciting new features for PowerMyLearning continue to
be released, members of the Network will receive special
notice prior to the public launch.
NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
Membership will provide your group with opportunities to
connect with other members who are leaders in the field. In
addition, members will be part of a community that shares
knowledge, best practices, helpful content, and resources.
For more information about how your school, district, or organization can join the
PowerMyLearning Network, please contact Bill Rappel at [email protected].
PowerMyLearning.org
Getting Started with PowerMyLearning | Page 17