How The Whoosh Method Works

The Whoosh Method is based on the principle that true learning and retention comes from learning, practicing, repeating, and confirming the material. Instead of merely being taught a fact and forgetting it, the Whoosh Method is designed to ensure that students master the material before moving on.

What to Expect from Whoosh Learning

Upon signing up, first time students take the Initial Placement Test. This test is designed to assess the learner's basic skills knowledge level. The program will automatically adjust based on the learner's individual level. Next, students proceed through the Phases of Learning (see flowchart below). The Phases of Learning are designed to teach and reinforce the material until it is truly mastered. These phases are:

  • Pretest/Preview: Here, students are introduced to the lesson material. If a student answers all the questions correctly in the allotted amount of time, he/she will Test Out of the lesson and proceed to the next lesson. If a student enters an incorrect answer, he/she will need to progress through the Phases of Learning. If a student types an incorrect answer in Preview, a second box containing the correct answer will appear on the screen. This is meant to reduce frustration as students work through this phase.
  • Learn It: In Learn It, students practice entering answers correctly within the allotted time. If a student enters an incorrect answer, a second box will appear to give the student a hint to help answer the question correctly. If the second attempt is still incorrect, the correct answer will appear in the second box. The student will repeat this phase until all the questions are answered correctly in the allotted time. The learner may repeat this phase multiple times before successfully completing this phase. This reinforces not only what the student already has learned, but gives added emphasis to the material that needs improvement.
  • Extra Practice: If an incorrect answer is entered in the Learn It phase, students need to practice answering the question correctly. Only questions missed during the Learn It phase are reinforced in the Extra Practice phase. Students are given extra practice without a time limit.
  • Know It?: The Know It? phase is structured like a typical evaluation. Students are not given hints during this phase and must answer all questions correctly in the allotted time to successfully complete the lesson. If an incorrect answer is entered, the student will not be given any hints and will continue on to the next question. If the student has entered incorrect answers, he/she will see all incorrect answers at the end of the phase and will return to the Learn It phase for more practice.
  • Celebrate It!: The Celebrate It! phase can be reached in two ways. First, your child can test out of the Pretest/Preview phase. The second way to reach Celebrate It! is to complete all the Phases of Learning, including answering questions quickly and accurately in the Know It? phase. Your child will hear applause and will earn OlliePop Points. Take some time to celebrate your child's accomplishment and then move on to the next lesson.
Whoosh Method Diagram

Related Resources:

Online Learning
Online Learning with the Whoosh Method: Interactive, Visual and Auditory Learning

Whoosh Method
More information on the method and how you can get involved in helping your child learn.

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