HUGE changes coming to Sr. Wooly in 2018-19

May 03, 2018
 
Almost 3 years ago, we released the new version of SenorWooly.com.  It was an ambitious  redesign that featured the addition of student accounts and a gamified, acquisition-based curriculum.

Admittedly, it was also not perfect.  The curriculum was a little too repetitive, the activities didn't work well on small screens, and navigation was not always easy.  
 
But I have good news.
 
At the start of the 2018-19 school year, we will release Version 2 of the student curriculum. 
 
Let me tell you about it.

 

 
Change #1:
A Total Curricular Overhaul
 
After collecting feedback from teachers, we are re-writing over 75% of the activities for each music video.  This will result in over 5,000 new activities, all of which will:
  • Be more varied
  • Contain fewer filler activities
  • Engage students in far more reading
  • Challenge students more, particularly at higher proficiency levels
  • Be more cautious with repetition, so that it still encourages acquisition but without stripping the fun from the videos.
A newly designed matching activity
EXAMPLE 1: In this new matching activity from Encerrada en la escuela, students match screenshots with newspaper headlines.  
A new button activity
EXAMPLE 2: A button activity in which students read sentences and then choose "red light" or "green light".
 
Change #2:
Improved Mobile Access
 
The activities will now work amazingly well on phones, iPads, Chromebooks, and all other modern devices.
 
For many of you, the option to have students use their own phones will make the site far more accessible on a regular basis.
 
NOTE: Unlike the other changes listed in this newsletter, the improved mobile access is live on the site now!  Feel free to take advantage of it immediately!
Matching activity on mobile
 
Change #3:
Hints
 
Since we significantly increased the amount of reading in Version 2, we decided to better meet varying student abilities by including hints!
 
Example of the new hint system
If students don't need the hints, they don't have to click on them. 

Of course, at higher proficiency levels, hints are used less frequently. 
 
Change #4:
Getting rid of Skips;
Replacing them with FREEEEDOM!!!
 
In version 1, students could skip 3 activities in each story.  This feature was divisive, with many teachers citing it as their least favorite part of the system.

In addition, the progression system was punishing.  Students couldn't move to the next activity until they had completed (or skipped) the current one. So if they got stuck, it was very difficult to move on.   

In the upcoming v2, skips will be a thing of the past.
 
In their place, however, we will be giving students more freedom, not less.  For example, students will now be able to complete any activity from the nugget in any order.  
Freedom
Next, they won't have to complete all of the activities (or even every single question). 
 
Hold up, hold up, I know what you're thinking.  Don't we want them to complete everything?  Why would you do this, Sr. Wooly?!
 
That brings us to our next topic: 
 
 
Change #5:
Points
 
When students successfully answer questions, they receive points
 
Every activity is worth a maximum of 100 points.  Every nugget has 8 activities. 

If students wish to earn all 100 points of an activity, they have to get every single question correct.  If they wish to get all 800 points in a nugget, they will have to complete every single activity. 

 
Points
But do the points have any value?  What can students do with the points?  
 
Read on, my friends.
 
Change #6:
Avatars
 
Students will be able to spend points to unlock new avatars.  We have created over 100 completely new avatars for this system (with more on the way).  
Girl from No Voy
Mashed potatoes
Feo Avatar
Some avatars will be inexpensive, while others will be quite costly.  If they want the really expensive avatars, they will have to complete all activities, even the really challenging ones.  
Avatar Page
 
Change #7:
Badges
 
One of the biggest challenges with an acquisition-based learning program is that it's easy for students to lose sight of their own progress.
 
Therefore, we wanted to make that progress more visible.

In version 2, students will be rewarded with badges as they progress.  
Badges!
These badges aren't worth money, they can't be traded in for anything of value, and they most certainly won't scratch your back.

However, they are trophies of your students' journey.  And as students view all of their badges together, they'll have a sense of pride as they see just how far they have come.  
Badges - Full Page
 
Change #8:
Odds and Ends
 
And there are a lot more upcoming changes, too.
  • You'll be able to send messages/notifications to your students.
  • Students can navigate back to previous nuggets to improve scores.
  • After completing nugget 10 of a story, students can do additional playthroughs for more points and badges!  
 
 
BUT ONE THING STAYS THE SAME:
 
The website might be changing, but one thing never will:
 
We will never stop creating the weird, hilarious and demented music videos that put us on the map.  

In fact, when we launch version 2 in the fall, we will also release our single most anticipated video in history: 
 
BILLY Y LAS BOTAS 3 
Coming Fall 2018
Billy y las Botas 3
At almost 10 minutes, Billy y las botas 3 is the single longest music video we've ever created -- which is why it's been in production for almost a year!  

I can't tell you much about it, but I do make two promises:
 
1) You will definitively find out if Billy and Boots ever get back together.
2) There will not be a dry eye in the house.

Look for it this fall, alongside the new version 2.
 
 
BAD news
AND
GOOD news
 
Sr. Wooly PRO
THE BAD NEWS:
 
In late summer, we will raise the price of Sr. Wooly PRO from $75 p/year to $85 p/year.  
 
NOTE: The price of Sr. Wooly BASIC will also increase by $10.
THE GOOD NEWS:
 
Look, we hate raising prices as much as you do.  That's why we're offering you an insanely good deal:

Starting RIGHT NOW, for one week, you can buy a 1-year PRO subscription for $60.
Sr. Wooly PRO
You read that correctly.
 
Instead of $85 in the fall, you can pay $60 right now.
 
For that low price, you get access to:
  • All of Sr. Wooly's Spanish music videos
  • Thousands of pages of downloadable, printable materials
  • La Rocola videogame
  • 160 Student Accounts
  • The online nuggets
  • 10% off most products in the store (including graphic novels)
  • ALL OF THE UPCOMING NEW FEATURES LISTED ABOVE
We are offering this deal for one week only.  
 
 
 
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
 
Can I buy more than one year?  
 
Yes. By changing the quantity in the cart, you can add as many years as you like at this discounted price.  
 
Are upgrades from BASIC to PRO similarly discounted?
 
Yes.  Not only is the price prorated based on the time left in your subscription, but you'll also receive an additional 20% off.  
 
My account is not expired yet.  Can I extend my account with this deal?
 
Yes.  If, for example, your account expires in September 2018, purchasing a year right now would extend your account until September 2019.  You do not lose anything you have already paid for.
 
Can my school pay for this with a purchase order?
 
Yes.  However, the deal is good for one week, so you'll have to move fast.  Information on purchase orders are below.
 
Can other Spanish teachers in my school/district take advantage of this deal even if they have never subscribed before?  
 
Yes.  In fact, if you're interested in getting a quote on bulk rates, we can even nudge down the price a little bit lower.  Reply to this email if you want more information.
 
Here's your chance to get Sr. Wooly PRO at a discount before the price raises:
 
Sr. Wooly PRO
Yes, Sr. Wooly accepts purchase orders!
 
Perhaps your school or district will purchase a Sr. Wooly subscription for you!
 
Please download this order form that contains instructions on how to set up a purchase order with Sr. Wooly.
Illustration of Sr. Wooly