Group items tagged

Abstract: "n this study we explored the impact of performing mathematical tasks presented in the context of an "adventure challenge" or a "mathematical challenge" in a videogame. This videogame - "Matemáquina do Tempo" - is being developed to facilitate learning of mathematical skills like counting, grouping, and relating numbers. The videogame consists in various movement control tasks with dynamic (e.g., running) and static (e.g., pointing) interactions. Our goal was to test the impact of the integration of a direct mathematical task versus an indirect mathematical task. A group of 18 five year-old children performed the game in two conditions: a) adventure challenge , which implied movements such as running or climbing trees to perform mathematical tasks of counting and grouping; and b) mathematical challenge , which included swimming after selecting the correct path through counting, followed by a direct mathematical task of pointing to organize numbers in a line. Our assumptions were evaluated according to questionnaires and video analysis of the children playing the game. Results confirmed our hypothesis, showing that players performing the mathematical challenge generally considered that they were learning with the game, and most agreeing that the game was fun. Participants in the adventure challenge condition on the other hand, showed a tendency to evaluate the game as very amusing and were more distributed in the learning evaluation. In conclusion, we suggest that the inclusion of direct mathematical tasks in the videogame might lead to increased perception of learning, although they also seem to result in lower amusement ratings."

"SRI International, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), and the University of Maine have received a $3.5 million award from the Institute of Education Sciences at the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate the effectiveness of an online tutoring system for mathematics homework. The research team will study seventh-grade mathematics students and teachers in more than 50 schools throughout Maine using WPI's ASSISTments system. ASSISTments aims to transform homework by giving students instant feedback and tutoring adapted to their individual needs. It also provides teachers with customized reports each morning on their students' nightly progress. Teachers in the study will receive training in how to use these reports to adapt their lesson plans to better suit students' needs."

Graph functions, plot tables of data, evaluate equations, explore transformations, and much more - for free!

Beta of a new TED educational video site, featuring "collaborations between talented educators and animators nominated through the TED-Ed platform," and which are available for use as lessons and evaluating student learning. The above link points to the mathematics section

Discusses inferior textbook publishing practices and offers advice for evaluation of materials by parents

"There may be a reason you can't figure out some of those math problems in your son or daughter's math text and it might have nothing at all to do with you. That math homework you're trying to help your child muddle through might include problems with no possible solution." Lack of quality control in text publishing described and evaluation suggestions for parents offered.

Yet, another great data analysis, display tool from Google. Implications in helping students organize/display/analyze/evaluate data is incredible. Displaying data through a map has implications in so many content areas. 

Evaluation of OLPC programs globally: a literature review

Pi Cubed is a visual math application for the iPhone / iPod touch that lets you perform calculations as you would on a piece of paper. By using an animated, touch-based interface, even the most complex mathematical expressions can be entered and instantly evaluated. These expressions are typeset as they would be in a textbook or on a blackboard. Calculations are displayed with up to 34 digits of decimal precision. Additionally, a library of over 150 equations ships with the application.

A policy brief from the National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards and Student Testing includes positive findings on computer games used to improve student math performance.

Abstract: "A simulated academic career was combined with inquiry-based learning in an upper-division undergraduate mathematics course. Concepts such as tenure, professional conferences and journals were simulated. Simulation procedures were combined with student-led, inquirybased classroom formats. A qualitative analysis (ethnography) describes the culture that emerged within the simulation during a pilot test. A discussion follows evaluating the potential for career simulations to invite students to consider graduate studies and academic careers in the STEM disciplines."

"This National report examines the way in which teaching, learning and assessment is conceptualised in Welsh policy for early years science and mathematics, and the role for creativity. This report is one of 13 European national policy reports that are contributing to the Creative Little Scientist Project deliverable (D3.2 Report on Mapping and Comparing Recorded Practices) mapping and comparing policy approaches across Europe. In order to map the key messages in Welsh policy, as well as allow comparisons with other nations, this report draws upon a survey instrument used to rate the extent to which certain approaches, and the role of creativity is emphasised across relevant policy documents in this area. In the case of Wales, this was largely based upon the Framework for Children's Learning for 3 to 7 year olds in Wales, Play/Active Learning: overview for 3 to 7 year olds, the National Curriculum documents for Key Stage 2, associated assessment documents and inspection reports. "

Abstract: "A mobile learning research project was conducted in Trinidad and Tobago to determine if mobile learning can assist high school students in learning mathematics. Several innovative techniques were used in this research to address the problem of high failure rates of mathematics in high schools in the Caribbean. A mobile learning application was developed based on a subset of the high school mathematics curriculum used in the English-speaking Caribbean. Game-based learning, personalization and multiple learning strategies were used in conjunction with mobile learning to assist students in improving their performance in mathematics. Three evaluation studies were conducted with the mobile learning application. During the studies, usage data was captured automatically by the system and this was used to determine the extent to which the students actually used the mobile application. At the end of each study, a questionnaire was used to capture student opinions of the mobile learning application. Questionnaire data is based solely on student responses and there is no guarantee of its accuracy and reliability. This paper focuses on the responses of the students to the questionnaire and seeks to determine if the usage data can increase the reliability of the questionnaire data. It summarizes the behaviour patterns of the students gleaned from the usage logs and compares this to the students' responses to the questionnaire. Generally it was found that the students' responses agreed with the usage data, though there were occasions when the responses diverged."

"The article reports the main insights gained from a study that implemented a game-enhanced learning environment for the training of pre-service elementary school teachers. Teachers taking an undergraduate mathematics methods course experienced some of the ways in which online educational games could help students internalize key mathematical concepts across the school curriculum while at the same time improving their attitudes towards the subject. The course also familiarized teachers with the design principles for constructivist gaming environments. Findings indicate a positive impact on teachers' competence in selecting, evaluating, and productively using online games as an instructional tool."

"Math Quest is a role playing game that could be used as a tool to learn numbers and basic mathematic operations. The Math Quest package consists of two main modules; learning and game modules that can be executed separately. The use of the learning module as a tool in learning will allow for a highly individualized and interactive environment. This paper presents the design of the learning module for numbers and their mathematics operation. Due to its interactive and stimulating nature, the module is suitable for school children age 9 to 12 years old to learn the subject. The development takes into consideration of constructivism learning theories where learning is based on students' active participation in problem solving and critical thinking regarding activity that they are involved in. The framework for each of module is as follows: objectives, concept, examples, exercises, quizzes. A heuristic evaluation on the design was conducted and positive feedback was obtained."

Abstract: "This research seeks to look into the design process that promotes the development of an educational computer game that supports teaching and learning processes. The research specifically looks at the design of an educational computer game for teaching and learning of the topic of functions. The topic is essential in the teaching and learning of Mathematics courses such as Discrete Mathematics, Real Analysis and Calculus among others at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Kenya. The computer game was developed using the Basic Unified process (BUP) which is a streamlined version of the rational unified process (RUP). This is an object oriented methodology mostly used for small projects with few end users. Due to the few numbers of end users we used interview method of data collection to gather requirements for the computer game. A paper prototype was used to validate the requirements. Use cases were used for both analysis and design of the game while Class diagrams and activity diagrams were purely used for the design of the game. Owens' six top level design anatomy aided in the design of the computer game. The overall computer game design was based on Crawfords' computer game design sequence model. The well designed and developed game met all its user requirements and was able to facilitate the teaching and learning of functions to Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science students who were taking Discrete mathematics in their first year of study at JKUATs' Taita/Taveta campus. Development of heuristics for measuring interest, fun and motivation are recommendations given to aid in the evaluation of user satisfaction of educational computer games."

A pre-college bridge program using an assessment software is described, with some note of increased mentoring, tutoring availability and accommodations between first and second year implementation

Encouraging students to use critical thinking is more than an extension activity in science and math lessons, it is the basis of true learning. Teaching students how to think critically helps them move beyond basic comprehension and rote memorization. They shift to a new level of increased awareness when calculating, analyzing, problem solving, and evaluating.

Dozens of online math manipulatives K-12

 ***** "The National Library of Virtual Manipulatives (NLVM) is a library of uniquely interactive, web-based virtual manipulatives or concept tutorials, mostly in the form of Java applets, for mathematics instruction (K-12 emphasis). The project includes dissemination and extensive internal and external evaluation." 

This summer we're looking to talk with a few math teachers to evaluate our tools so we can make improvements for the new school year. Interested? please reach out to us here: http://www.doodle.com/4fi837mk5s3gitk8#calendar Glean Learning Tools are free science, math and information literacy teaching tools produced by Public Learning Media, Inc., an education technology 501(c)3 nonprofit.