Ultimate Spelling For Education

Ultimate Spelling EDU is the world's most advanced spelling learning system for schools. With Ultimate Spelling, you have your spelling teaching requirements completely under control.

Based on proven science, Ultimate Spelling EDU contains all the features of Ultimate Spelling plus:

It's absolutely essential your students graduate with their spelling educational requirements met. With Ultimate Spelling EDU these spelling requirements are more than met. Students also improve academic performance, are prepared for standardized tests, and improve their confidence.

The next step is to see Ultimate Spelling for yourself. Simply fill out the form and we'll send you a free no obligation trial of the full version of Ultimate Spelling EDU.

The Science

Ultimate Spelling is scientifically designed, and utilizes principles based on decades of research in learning, retention, and psychology. Here is a summary of the theory and research behind Ultimate Spelling's effectiveness.

Craik, F., and Tulving, E. "Depth of processing and the retention of words in episodic memory." Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, Vol 104(3) (1975): 268-294. Print and PDF. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0096-3445.104.3.268

In this seminal study performed at the University of Toronto, Canada, the authors performed a series of tests in which they gave the study participants a sequence of words to learn, with information related to each word as it appeared in order. They discovered that when the information provided stimulated the participant's brain to process the word on a more involved level (referred to as "deep encoding" or "degree of elaboration" in the study), that word was more effectively learned and remembered. With Ultimate Spelling, the user is given a wide range of additional information about each spelling word, including the word's definition - one of the key factors in enhanced memory, according to this study - as well as usage examples, synonyms, and antonyms.

Gelman, B.D., Gruber, M.J., and Ranganath, C. "States of Curiosity Modulate Hippocampus-Dependent Learning via the Dopaminergic Circuit." Neuron, 22 October 2014, 84(2): 486-496. Web. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2014.08.060

Students who are eager to learn are more likely to remember what they have learned, something that the authors of this study demonstrate. They used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to show real-time connections between a person's curiosity about a specific topic, and the production of dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and the brain's reward system. The authors also concluded that a higher level of interest and curiosity in a topic or question leads to better memory and enhanced learning. Including exercises that stimulate curiosity, and providing reward mechanisms as part of the study process, also increases a person's ability to absorb and retain information, as the researchers found. Ultimate Spelling has a text import feature that allows each user to include and incorporate practice material that matches their interests, while learning the spelling of words in those texts. The system also uses several different reward systems to encourage users to continue working towards their defined goals.

Garcia, S.M., Tor, A., and Schiff, T.M. "The Psychology of Competition: A Social Comparison Perspective." Perspectives on Psychological Science, November 2013, 8(6):634-650. Print and web. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1745691613504114

Each person is influenced by a unique set of factors related to their own status and progress towards goals, but is also affected to a greater or lesser degree by the achievements and perceived standards of the people around them. This analysis of past and current studies looks at the way people view and are motivated by individual goals as well as societal achievement (competition). The authors conclude that effective use of motivational strategies must take both into account. This is something that Ultimate Spelling accomplishes by providing each user with the ability to set personal goals, earn reward points, and view their own progress tracking reports, and also to publish all of those results on public social media platforms.

Kivetz, R., Urminsky, O., and Zheng, Y. "The Goal-Gradient Hypothesis Resurrected: Purchase Acceleration, Illusionary Goal Progress, and Customer Retention." Journal of Marketing Research, February 2006, 43(1):39-58. Web. http://dx.doi.org/10.1509/jmkr.43.1.39

In a study focusing on the influence of reward-scheme programs on behavior, the authors found that when people see visible progress towards their goals they are more likely to increase the activity required to reach those goals. The study also confirms that most people are also motivated by receiving rewards for completing specific activities, even if those rewards are not immediately transferable to actual material or monetary benefits. Status points, rewards, and real-time progress tracking are all methods used in Ultimate Spelling to encourage frequent spelling practice by awarding points for the completion of exercises and activities. Because the user can access their progress charts at any time, they will always be able to see how close they are to achieving their personal spelling goals.

Buton, M., Winterbauer, N., and Todd, T. "Relapse processes after the extinction of instrumental learning: Renewal, resurgence, and reacquisition." Behavioural Processes, May 2012, 90(1): 130–141. Print and web. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2012.03.004

Instrumental learning, also called "operant conditioning," is a method by which behaviors are learned in connection with a stimulus, a reward, or both. In this research done at the University of Vermont, the authors studied the ways in which the information connected to a specific behavior is retained when the stimulus is removed, and how subsequent repetition or reward reinforces information recall and a resumption of previously learned behaviors. They conclude that there are two primary methods of reinforcing active memory and behavior: by creating a different way to test the subject's memory, and by providing the opportunity for intensive focused repetition of that stimulus-behavior response. These two methods are widely used in the Ultimate Spelling activities and games to create the link between instruction and memory that is so crucial in effective spelling learning on the student's part.

Xue, G., Mei, L., Chen, C., Lu, Z-L., Poldrack, R., Dong, Q. "Spaced Learning Enhances Subsequent Recognition Memory by Reducing Neural Repetition Suppression." Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience 2011;23(7):1624-1633. Print and web. http://doi:10.1162/jocn.2010.21532

In this study comparing long-term and short-term memory, the study authors tested the neural activity of participants as they memorized a set of images. Half of the study participants used massed learning techniques, in which each new image was presented multiple times in a row; the other half were given the images in a spaced repetition mode, where the images were shown in alternating order. Although each participant saw each image the same number of times, the people in the spaced-repetition exercise were able to accurately remember more images, and for a longer period of time. Repetition is a key technique in learning spelling, and Ultimate Spelling incorporates spaced repetition in two ways. First, the system uses randomized selection of spelling words from the user's current list to populate the activities and exercises, ensuring an interval between word reviews. Second, the system's Word Discover feature provides pop-up instant review of the words on that list, again in random order. By providing users with multiple opportunities throughout the day to read and review their words, Ultimate Spelling provides all of the benefits of the spaced repetition methodology in its spelling instruction.

Blocki, J., Cranor, L., Datta, A., and Komanduri, S. "Spaced Repetition and Mnemonics Enable Recall of Multiple Strong Passwords." Cornell University Library, January 3, 2015. PDF. http://arxiv.org/abs/1410.1490v2

Spaced repetition is a memory training tool that relies on frequent and consistent review of information; mnemonics is a memory technique that involves multiple ways of looking at that information, such as the incorporation of images or story lines. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University focused on the combination of spaced repetition and mnemonics in evaluating how best to train people to remember specific pieces of information: computer passwords. They found that by combining the two methodologies, the results in both ease of learning and retention were increased. Ultimate Spelling uses each method separately and together to help users learn and remember new spelling words by using the same words in multiple exercises, presenting spelling words in a variety of formats, and encouraging users to add information related to each word to make a personal connection that helps them to remember that word and its correct spelling.

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Why Moving Your Body Boosts Your Brain


December 30, 2013

If your child is having trouble learning to spell, the solution might not be more time spent sitting at a desk studying letter patterns and “I before E” rules. Instead, the best thing to do for a child who’s frustrated with their spelling homework is to have them put down their pencil and head outside for a quick game of football, or any other activity that gets them moving. Researchers at the University of Dundee tracked a group of children for several years and noted the frequency of exercise, and then matched that up with scores in science, reading, and math. According to the study results, children who got regular moderate exercise did better on tests, with positive results for both boys and girls, although girls appeared to benefit more from the exercise when it came to the science tests.

Many studies have proven that getting exercise on a daily basis helps adults keep their minds active as well, something that helps prevent age-related memory disorders and other cognitive disabilities. Because most of the habits that people have develop in childhood, it’s a good idea to help your child start a positive habit of getting exercise. Vigorous movement increases blood flow, which sends oxygen and glucose to the brain. The cells and neurons in the brain need both oxygen and nutrition to function at their peak, and a healthy circulatory system ensures that the flow will continue smoothly and regularly. Many schools these days are cutting back on outside play time or regular gym classes, so be sure that your child has play time at home. You can also take advantage of community sports clubs, or after-school activities. A group sport will also encourage a child to interact and communicate both in person and in writing, and that will help them use their literacy and spelling skills, which will make them more interested in improving them.

While spelling software and games are good tools for helping kids improve spelling skills, it’s not healthy for them to spend all day at the computer. Regular breaks for fun, play, and exercise will keep a child happier and healthier – and if you join in those games, you’ll boost your own health and happiness at the same time, while you’re spending quality time with your child.

How to Use Root Words to Learn Spelling


December 23, 2013

Most English words are made up of root words combined with prefixes and suffixes. A “root word” is the original form of the word, usually coming from old Greek or Latin, and one root word is generally the basis for several different English words. For example, each of the following words share the same root. Can you guess what it is?

tenacious
untenable
detention
abstain
detain

If you look at the meaning of the words, you’ll notice that they each have a definition that relates to “holding” something; tenacious means “holding fast” and detain means “holding back.” They all come from the same Latin word, tenere, which means “to hold.” Once you know that the letter sequence t-e-n or t-a-i-n can have this meaning, you’ll be able to learn the word and its spelling at the same time. By learning words with the same roots, you’ll see similar letter patterns, and it’s helpful to learn words in groups to practice those patterns.

Once you’re familiar with common root words, you can start adding prefixes and suffixes and form new and longer words. While the letter patterns may change now and then, the basics of spelling stay the same, and the more root words you know, the more words you’ll be able to spell easily. You can find information on a word’s roots in most good dictionaries, and they’ll also break down the words so that you can see all of the parts and focus on spelling each part separately before you combine them into the final word. Don’t forget to use the dictionary to learn how to pronounce the word, and check for examples of how to use it as well. When you write out the word in a sample sentence, that exercise will help you remember the word in the future.

Spelling With Your Eyes


December 16, 2013

Thee prablum menee peepul hav speling wurdz iz inn ther sownd.

For example, did you have a problem reading that sentence? You might have hesitated at first, but when your eyes took in the letters and your mind turned those letter combinations into sounds, the fact that none of the words in that sentence are spelled correctly didn’t matter. Your eyes identified the sounds and you were able to interpret the meaning of the words. This connection between eyes and ears, letters and sounds, is what creates – and solves – many spelling problems from childhood on.

Kids often are very creative in their spelling, but in general if they’re just starting out learning writing, their spelling will be like our example sentence above, using letters that make the right sounds, even if they don’t make the right spelling. On the other hand, when children move to the next step, that’s when problems begin: when they’re learning how to “spell words correctly” (because really, a word’s spelling is simply the way that particular English word ended up after hundreds of years of evolution). That’s when kids will transpose I and E, or put a “silent” letter in the wrong place, or forget that the letter C can be used for the K sound.

There’s a term called “eye dialect” that has long been used in writing to show that while someone’s pronouncing words correctly, they probably don’t know how to spell them. It’s essentially what kids do when they’re learning how to write, spelling words the way they sound and using the letters that make the most sense to represent those sounds. Getting back to the C and K question, doesn’t it make sense that many children start out by spelling cat as kat?

Because poorly-spelled words can create a bad impression, it’s important to learn to use your eyes to help you identify the right letter patterns and the correct spellings. To get the best chances in school and at work, focus your eyes and your mind on learning the right way to spell words.

TheHomeschoolCabinet.com Is Lindsey Clair’s Go-To Guide For Educational Resources


December 10, 2013

As more families turn to homeschooling, the availability of books, materials, guides, and resources expands as well. It’s useful to have someone to turn to for advice on the things they use and the tools they recommend, and that’s what Lindsey Clair provides at her homeschooling website.

UT: You’re homeschooling three daughters at different age levels. How do you provide for their different learning needs at the same time?

LC: This was a definite challenge in the beginning. It was a matter of figuring out each child’s learning style and shaping it around them individually if possible. I like using the multi-age approach with Reading, Science, and History. For my older daughter I expand on her strengths in the subject. I also utilize the library a lot for age purposes. Online learning is another way to provide for their learning needs. Right now we utilize IXL Math.

Because my youngest is in preschool and needs way more than I can give her (hands on and socialization) I enrolled her in Pre-K 2 mornings a week. At that time I get to homeschool my older two daughters right there on site (church building) and really focus on academics without interruptions. Definitely a win-win situation for all 3 girls.

UT: What are some books you might recommend for parents who are considering switching to homeschooling, or planning for their first child’s education?

LC: There are three great books out there for parents considering homeschooling:

Overcome your Fear of Homeschooling Insider Information by by Cook, Sandra, Honeycutt, Sharon and LK, Sophie
The First Year of Homeschooling Your Child: Your Complete Guide to Getting Off to the Right Start by Dobson, Linda
So You’re Thinking About Homeschooling: Second Edition: Fifteen Families Show How You Can Do It (Focus on the… by Whelchel, Lisa

There are of course a variety of resources out there for parents, but these are ones that have been helpful to me and other homeschooling families.

UT: Do you have any suggestions for incorporating holidays into learning opportunities?

LC: When it comes to the holidays, I love doing unit studies and lapbooks. For example, Thanksgiving and Christmas are our favorites so we always utilize updated unit studies on the holiday and it’s meanings with recipes, printables, and much more. Many education sites will offer printables and PDF’s with language arts, science, math, and reading opportunities all the while celebrating the current holiday. We have a blast with them.

UT: Many kids are growing up these days using computers from an early age. Do you use computers and keyboards for homeschooling?

LC: We do use computers and laptops for some of their homeschooling like math. Because technology is a sign of the times, it’s important for children to learn and keep up with what is available to them. I like to keep a nice balance with computer learning and traditional physical books, etc.

UT: What’s your favorite method for teaching vocabulary and spelling?

LC: We like to do learning games that help with vocab words and spelling. From learning apps to traditional jump up and spell or give definition, my girls seem to like spelling a whole lot better instead of traditional writing it over and over again.

Cross-posted on the Ultimate Typing blog.

Keep Kids Happy and Healthy With This One Easy Tip


December 9, 2013

A recent study done by University College London analyzed the daily routines of more than 10,000 children participating in the UK Millennium Cohort Study and came up with some surprising results related to the long-term effects of an irregular schedule on a child’s learning and development. The researchers looked at whether or not a child had a regular bedtime, and compared that to their results in school. They concluded that when children don’t follow a regular routine and get to sleep at the same time every night, it appears to lower their ability to score well on tests involving reading and math. What’s more, the researchers found that the effects of this irregular sleep pattern are cumulative, meaning that the longer they go on, the worse they are. While some aspects of the study were not completely controlled (for example, the researchers relied on the parents’ description of bedtimes) it seems fairly clear that two things help kids learn: getting enough sleep, and getting to bed at around the same time every night.

Going to sleep at the same time every night helps stabilize a child’s circadian rhythms. These are the dark/light-night/day patterns that develop over time, and this development is particularly important when a child is very young. Like any other pattern learned in the early years, it’s something that will stay with kids over time. As tests done on children at age 5 showed, the importance of regular sleep patterns is crucial during this first period of intense learning, when most children are focused on learning to read, write, and spell correctly.

Routines also help kids get comfortable and promote independence. It might seem odd to say that a schedule helps a child take control over their own life, but it’s true. If you’ve established that homework and revision is scheduled between 5pm and 6pm every evening, your child can learn to take the initiative and follow the schedule by themselves. This promotes good study habits as well as a sense of responsibility.

To help your child become a better learner and a better speller, make sure that they’ve got a supportive routine that includes enough time to review their lessons, and enough time to get the sleep they need to develop healthy, active brains.

You can read more about the study here.

Family Life Is Center Stage At Stacey Jones’ www.AMomentInOurWorld.com


December 4, 2013

Education and family life don’t have to be two separate things, whether your children go to public school or you choose to teach them at home. In fact, you can find ways to teach your children in nearly every aspect of daily living, from cooking to travel to learning basic skills like reading and writing. To see how one homeschooling family lives, visit Stacey Jones – she lives in Australia, but she’s sharing her life with readers around the world at her website, A Moment In Our World.

US: Australia ranks high in the top ten countries for educational excellence worldwide, according to many studies, so there’s evidently a fairly robust general school system. What led to your decision to educate your children at home?

SJ: There were a number of factors that led us to homeschool. One of the main reasons was that my husband works shift hours and every second week, he would not see the children due to his hours. We did not like this idea at all. Also, hubby has every second Friday off. This gives us a long weekend every second week. We love to try and go camping or on mini holidays or do day trips to visit National Parks around us. If we are unable to go away, we try and use these days as family days, usually visiting a museum or something similar.

We also wanted to base the boys education on the ACE curriculum as we find it is great. There is no school in our area that uses this curriculum, so we found one in which the boys can complete it via distance education.

US: Often there’s one parent responsible for most of the homeschooling while the other parent works outside the home. How do you and your husband share the educational responsibilities?

SJ: I do the majority of the homeschooling, but as hubby is home afternoons one week and mornings the next week, he does join in. We try to complete the PACE work, art work and some computer work while hubby is at work. Hubby does more of the physical education activities. We also all go to the library and other outings together as a family.

US: You’ve got a lot of holiday-based activities on the website right now. Do you look for national holidays and other events to create lessons based on those themes?

SJ: Yes. We try and use every occasion we can to learn about. It is great to learn about the history and traditions of national holidays and other events.

US: One section on your website is devoted to cooking and recipes. Do you use cooking as a way to teach other things, such as math skills, for example?

SJ: Definitely. Not only do they need to learn how to cook, but it does help bring the maths skills and others ‘off the page’ and into ‘real life’. They can put into practice what they are learning. Also they love to help lick out the bowl!

US: Do you plan on continuing as a homeschooling family, or do you anticipate that your children will move into public school in the future?

SJ: We would love to continue homeschooling, but we are taking it day by day. If our boys want to go to school and we think it would be more beneficial, then we will send them to school, but at the moment we are all so very happy.

B is for Breakfast: Why Good Nutrition Makes Good Spellers


December 3, 2013

Scientists, doctors, teachers, and parents have known for many years that children who are hungry have a harder time learning. Part of the reason is obvious – if you’re thinking about how much your stomach hurts, you’re not thinking about what the teacher is saying. If you can’t focus because your brain isn’t getting the calories and energy it needs to work, then you’re not going to be able to concentrate on your schoolwork. Here at Ultimate Spelling we hope that all children get the food they need to learn and succeed, and especially the right type of food.

A preliminary study done by Prof. Paul Montgomery and Dr. Alex Richardson at the Centre for Evidence Based Intervention at the University of Oxford, UK has made the connection between learning (specifically reading skills) and levels of DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid found primarily in seafood. According to the study results published last year, children who started out with low rankings in reading and spelling skills showed significant improvement in both learning and concentration ability after receiving supplements of DHA for 16 weeks. In addition, since these omega-3 fatty acids help in lowering the risk of diabetes and heart disease, making sure kids get enough in their diet will also improve their physical health as adults, not only their intellectual health.

The study focused on fish-based DHA, particularly from salmon. However, other significant sources of DHA are also available, such as flax seeds, walnuts, soybeans, grass-fed beef, and other seafood like sardines and halibut. A handful of walnuts in a child’s breakfast cereal and regular meals containing some sort of fish or tofu as protein will go a long way towards improving that child’s progress through school, the study concluded.

Further study is being done currently with a larger group of students, and families who live in the UK may be able to participate in the study. For more information on the ongoing study, and nutrition tips for children, go to the DHA Oxford Learning and Behaviour (DOLAB) site.

11 Spelling-Related Books That Make Great Gifts


November 30, 2013

If you think that learning spelling only involves memorizing long lists of words, think again! You can learn about spelling and about the English language in many ways, and have fun at the same time. In today’s post, we’ve got suggestions for spelling books (fiction and nonfiction) that will appeal to everyone in the family. Books make great gifts, and the gift of learning is the most valuable of all!

Spell It Out: The Curious, Enthralling and Extraordinary Story of English Spelling (David Crystal)
Find the historical reasons behind the often weird rules of English spelling.

Spelling Made Simple (Sheila Henderson)
A very helpful guide to learning and remembering those weird spelling rules!

The Spelling Bee Before Recess (Deborah Lee Rose)
A great read-aloud book for kids that combines poetry and spelling skills.

The Spelling Teacher’s Lesson-a-Day: 180 Reproducible Activities to Teach Spelling, Phonics, and Vocabulary (Edward B. Fry)
Designed for teachers, this is a good gift for a home-schooling parent.

A Very Witchy Spelling Bee (George Shannon)
Spelling is magic – and one letter can make all the difference, as your child will learn.

1001 Commonly Misspelled Words: What Your Spell Checker Won’t Tell You (Robert Magnan and Mary Lou Santovec)
Buy this for your college-bound teenager!

The Spelling Bee (Michael Rock)
Marty and Millie learn about the importance of studying. A cute story for kids!

The Last Spelling Bee (Benjamin Daniel Lawless)
A poetry collection that will encourage you to play with words.

Captain Awesome and the Ultimate Spelling Bee (Stan Kirby)
Read this book with your child and they’ll find that spelling study can be fun.

Silent Letters Loud and Clear (Robin Pulver)
Kids will appreciate this look at an often-confusing spelling rule.

The Spelling Bee (Don Bozeman)
A dark story centered on an innocent school competition. For adults only.

Track Improvement


November 25, 2013

Track Improvement

The progress tracking allows you to see improvement. Kids are motivated, parents are proud.

Track Usage Time


November 25, 2013

Track Usage Time

See exactly how much time your child is spending on Ultimate Spelling. Be amazed that such a small amount of time translates into a measurable boost in grades.

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