Grockit an Internet based SAT/ ACT prep program is using technology for basically all of their business needs. In the article When the Princeton Review met Facebook, Jessica Shambora reports how Grockit’s service has become a popular alternative to classroom SAT/ ACT preparation. In the article Shambora describes the incentives Grockit gives students to perform well on their practice tests. Grockit uses social networking technologies of Facebook to publish accomplishments made by the students while on Grockit. The article also compares the company to the famous Kaplan programs saying, “Kaplan’s assets are all tied up in real estate, while the cost for running [Grockit’s] servers is very low.” The Internet and web technologies like Facebook have so far proved to help Grockit register 50,000 users since it was founded in 2006.
Personally I think that Grockit’s use of the Internet and social networking technologies to entice students to perform better on the SAT/ACT prep is a great idea for many reasons. First, from a student’s standpoint, it must make the student who is practicing feel proud when they see a high score on their Facebook page. Who wouldn’t want to boast for getting a high grade on the SAT or ACT? Next, from Grockit’s standpoint, using Facebook to publish on participating students pages is a great way to advertise and show a fun way to practice for an extremely stressful exam.
Grockit’s use of the Internet allows students studying for the SAT or ACT to use their prep for free. Well that is most of the websites programs are free, there is a fee for one on one tutoring and advanced options. This gives Grockit a big advantage. Most people are discouraged from SAT prep because of the high cost. I know when I was preparing I paid $75 for each session. If I knew of Grockit’s service then, I would have saved so much money and I’m sure that’s what many people who use the service are thinking.
While looking for research studies on whether online SAT/ ACT prep is more helpful than classroom prep I was surprised at what I found. After searching a number of different databases for related articles most wrote about the prep itself, saying online or classroom prep is about a student’s preference. This seems to me that the only edge to using Internet technologies the way Grockit does would be for a lesser cost to run the business and a better way to advertise. The advantage does not seem to be in higher test scores.
Overall it seems to me that the use of Internet and social networking can really boost a business. Even if Grockit isn’t boosting SAT/ACT scores because of their online program, using the Internet and Facebook does help the business. With the elimination of real estate costs and the ability to provide free services (well, for the most part) while advertising on social networking sites, Grockit proves to use technology to its best advantage.
Sources:
http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2010/01/04/when-the-princeton-review-met-facebook/
Standardized test prep was a big part of my high school career, for two years I went to two different SAT math and writing tutors. I don’t think it is a good idea to post grades of practice SAT scores on Facebook or any other social networking website. People might think otheres are bragging about their scores or students might get discouraged when they do not perform as well as they would have liked. Personally, I do not think I would have liked to use an internet based SAT prep because I need the motivation of one on one tutoring to force me to complete my practice questions. When Grockit charges a few for one on one tutoring or advanced options, what kind of prep is offered? How can one on one tutoring take place on the internet? This is an appealing idea for people who do not want to pay for a tutor or a session and if people do not want to travel to complete their preparations. So far I have not see any advertisements for this website but I am interested to see how this company will expand and if they will eventually start charging a small fee for all of their preparation ideas.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Christine. From a monetary standpoint, Grockit may be a great cheaper way to prepare for the SATs and ACTs. But for the amount of time and effort students must put in to this preparation, I believe your end results are personal. If I did not have a person physically there, or a class I had to attend, I cannot say I would have done as well. These tests require an active participation in preparation, and I'm not sure that Grockit requires the same. I would really love to see test results from Grockit compared to test results from personal tutors and classes.
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