Internet Research for TechQuest Project

I began searching for a program similar to Accelerated Reader, but with more in-depth questions. My intention was to fins a program which would ask questions more like the ones that appear on standardized tests. While I am not a big proponent of teaching to the test, they are a part of what we do and more importantly crucial to student success. I was hoping to find a program which I could use on the SMARTBoard. I planned to go through questions with the class and discuss strategies for attacking questions which are troublesome as well as how to go back and find the answer in the text in an efficient manner.
I began my search in Google because it has always worked as a good starting point for me. I typed in “test taking strategies” and other similar phrases. I found a lot of sites that had tips for preparing for tests. Most were intended for older students preparing for tests such as the SAT and ACT. Since my intention was to use the SMARTBoard I decided to include that in my search. I found some valuable resources to use during a test taking unit, but not a program designed for this purpose. I searched EduHound because it was mentioned in one of the Sunday evening recorded sessions, but much to my surprise it kept telling me that no matches were found.
The one of the programs which did keep reappearing was Study Island. I checked out a few of the links to find out more. I learned that Study Island is a program that must be purchased by a school or district, not something that a teacher can simply subscribe to and use with their students. I was disappointed, but upon giving it more thought not very surprised that I could not find a free program.
I decided to try to assemble a wiki that I could pull from to teach test-taking strategies especially at the beginning of the year when students are preparing for the MEAP. I feel that students can always benefit from these strategies, so I plan to continue to use my wiki throughout the year to strengthen my student’s confidence answering questions about information the read.
While looking for a program I found some references to a strategy called Question-Answer Relationships or QAR. This strategy breaks questions down into four types and gives ways to deal with those types of questions. One very helpful website for learning about this strategy is http://www.readingquest.org/strat/qar.html. I plan to look for more resources like this one for my wiki. I also came across a website for Roanoke City Public Schools. Their website http://rcps.info/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=17746, has lots of SMARTBoard lessons for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders, including one for QAR.
My focus has taken a turn since beginning this project. My intention was to find a program to use with my students. The only programs I could find were expensive and were intended for entire buildings or districts. As I am a guest teacher and not a full time employee, I am not in a position to request that sort of thing. The wiki I create will be something I am able to use in whatever position I end up in next year.