As regular readers know, I don’t spend a whole lot of time on direct grammar instruction (you can read more at The Best Sites For Grammar Practice). Sometimes, though, it can be useful and/or students can want grammar reinforcement opportunities, which is why I created that “The Best…” list.
Noredink is a new site created by a teacher for students to practice grammar using interactive exercises. It’s a nicely designed site, and students can pick choose the topics that they are most interested in — the NFL, NBA, specific TV shows, etc.
I think there are plenty of other sites on “The Best…” list I mentioned earlier in this post that are more expansive and don’t require registration, so I’m not going to add Noredink to that list.
However, since teachers can create virtual classrooms of their students there, I will add it to The Best Sites That Students Can Use Independently And Let Teachers Check On Progress.
Note that the site says that it’s free now. If and when they start charging, though, I’ll remove it from that list.
Thanks to Mashable for the tip.
Hi Larry,
I read your work frequently. I don’t spend much time direct grammar instruction either, which is one of the reasons why I created NoRedInk.com — help minimize the dreadful lectures grammar that so many teachers feel forced give, and that so many students are forced sit through. What kids really need, I think, is a place practice specific areas that are difficult for them as they come up in their writing, and I’m hoping that the site will help teachers focus a the important stuff in essays: Great ideas. Compelling arguments. Artful expression.
I can’t wait expand the site other categories and add new features, and I definitely welcome feedback from all other educators make NoRedInk better. My kids have been excited use it so far, and I’d love hear other people’s experiences. Feel free to follow me @jscheur. Keep up the good work with your blog.
Nice post Larry. Hadn’t heard of NoRedInk but I’ll pass it along to my sister (middle-school English teacher). I’m an editor and have taught TEFL abroad for a few years too. Even as a teacher and editor, grammar isn’t my favorite. I try to explain things in lay terms for writers and focus on substantive clarity whenever possible. But of course it isn’t possible to avoid grammar and it’s important to learn. Even after so many years of editing, I find myself learning something new every day!
Just heard about No Red Ink on the Today Show and was able to get on the site but it crashed while I was trying to sign up my daughter. Guess everyone watching the show had the same idea at the same time! What I got to see looked great and I’ll check back later to see if they got their problem worked out.
Laurie,
You were right; NoRedInk.com had 2,500 requests in under 2 seconds this morning, so the site got bogged down for a while today. Everything should be back to normal now. Thanks for the support!