Ren Place in the Classroom
Updated January 31, 2023

Ren Place in the Classroom

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Renaissance Accelerated Reader

I use AR with my students to discover their reading levels and track both their comprehension and a reading activity. The problems are motivating students to read at home. I supplement the program with incentive prizes that I purchase. The addition of the goal setting and the moving rocket has really added to my students' excitement. I like how students can track their progress through the rocket and completed work. I wish that my/on better paired with AR so my non-readers could have access to books in their AR level. Both the STAR and Early Literacy tests do not address the leveling of students significantly below grade level.

Pros

  • STAR tests in accurate in leveling students.
  • The moving rocket for goals motivates students.
  • The leveling of books is helpful.

Cons

  • The webpage with the five kinds of assessment was so confusing for my students. Four of the boxes were blue and one was orange. You recently added a colored tip, which is somewhat helpful. I wish the graphics were more unique and engaging.
  • Work on the usability of my/on and better pairing it with AR
  • Generate AR tests more quickly when new books come out.
  • STAR test
  • AR goals and monitoring
  • AR leveling
  • students are progressing
  • students are motivated
  • students are taking charge of their own learning
Epic's collection of books is far superior to Ren Place's my/on. Epic is more user friendly and visually engaging.

Do you think Renaissance Accelerated Reader delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Renaissance Accelerated Reader's feature set?

No

Did Renaissance Accelerated Reader live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Renaissance Accelerated Reader go as expected?

No

Would you buy Renaissance Accelerated Reader again?

Yes

Ren Place AR works for readers, not so much for early readers and pre-readers. This can be a challenge when you're teaching a grade level where reading is an expectation but some students come in without the skills. While everyone else is doing AR, finding ways to engage the struggling readers adds a burden onto teachers.

Using Renaissance Accelerated Reader

1000 - Our staff and students use Ren Place to track reading levels and points.
1 - Our IT support do not help us with Ren Place. Our Media Clerk sets the trimesters each year for goal setting but the rest is up to us.
  • finding books
  • reading books
  • testing on books.
  • setting goals
  • awards prizes for goals met
  • we use point dog tags as rewards for meeting point benchmarks
  • we also have a 100 point AR party at the end of the school year
It is such an excellent program for encouraging reading and promoting reading growth.

Evaluating Renaissance Accelerated Reader and Competitors

  • Product Features
  • Product Usability
  • Product Reputation
  • Prior Experience with the Product
I've used Ren Place for AR reading for years. It is consistently great.

Renaissance Accelerated Reader Implementation

Extensive training on Ren Place is necessary. There are a myriad of reports that we need help understanding. I have joined Ren Royals and have learned a lot from that support piece.
  • Implemented in-house
  • no training for staff
  • huge changes to the platform

Renaissance Accelerated Reader Training

Configuring Renaissance Accelerated Reader

Renaissance Accelerated Reader Support

It used to be a 10. I could live chat with Ren Place reps. anytime I had a question. THis past year, I've had to wait on hold or get call backs at inconvenient times. As a teacher, this isn't feasible. I have a few inflexible break times each day in which to contact for help.
ProsCons
Quick Resolution
Good followup
Knowledgeable team
Kept well informed
No escalation required
Support understands my problem
Support cares about my success
Problems left unsolved
Difficult to get immediate help
Slow Initial Response
Unknown.
When RenPlace made the big platform change, we received no training from our district. I relieve heavily on Ren Place's live chats to navigate myself through the myriad of changes. It was a lifeline, especially because the changes were dropped on us mid-year.

Using Renaissance Accelerated Reader

User friendly for students and staff and improving each year.
ProsCons
Like to use
Easy to use
Well integrated
Consistent
Feel confident using
Requires technical support
Slow to learn
Cumbersome
Lots to learn
  • Students seeing their goals grow
  • lots of reports to fit any need
  • almost too many reports
  • don't like how all the icons look the same and are the same color on the student window, confusing for early readers

Renaissance Accelerated Reader Reliability

I've used Ren Place in K, 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5th grades with success.
Quick loading, no issues.

Integrating Renaissance Accelerated Reader

My/on debacle.
  • my/on
  • Epic
My/on was not user friendly. Though designed specifically to integrate with Ren Place, it did not.
Epic was not designed to integrate so it added extra steps.
  • not at this time
No at this time
None
Really work on making my/on more user-friendly like Epic. STAR test results don't even determine suggested books in my/on!

Relationship with Renaissance Learning

Every person I've interfaced from Ren Place has been helpful.
Same answer.
I do not know.
I do not.

Upgrading Renaissance Accelerated Reader

Yes - NO! No training for staff and it was dropped in the middle of a busy year. It was a huge tax on teacher's time and patience.
  • improved goal setting
  • improve visual appeal
  • fewer tests
  • more Spanish reports for parents

Comments

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