District Administration - October 2011 - (Page 70)

A New Age for AlgebrA lished a review of instructional methods in algebra that examined 82 studies involving more than 22,000 participants. The greatest gains came from programs that prioritized conceptual over procedural understanding. Multiple Solutions When searching for new ways to improve algebra education, district administrators have a plethora of choices, many of which have solid evidence of effectiveness. For example, Carnegie Learning, which was recently acquired by the Apollo Group, offers widely used mathematics curricula that blend computer-based learning with textbooks. In their algebra courses, Ritter says, “the Cognitive Tutor software works continuously to evaluate student knowledge and individualize instruction using adaptive learning technology, while the classroom activities emphasize collaboration, problem solving and communicating about mathematics, which is not done as well on software.” The teacher plays a crucial role on both sides of the equation. For example, instructors provide just-in-time assistance when students are using the software to review math lessons and do problem sets. In a recent experiment at the Moore (Okla.) Independent School District, students who were randomly assigned to classes using Cognitive Tutor outperformed others taught by the same teacher with a traditional textbook on the Educational Testing Service’s algebra I exam. Another well-established company, Texas Instruments, offers a technologybased solution that can be used in any math class. The TI-Navigator system wirelessly connects individual Texas Instruments calculators to a central device, allowing teachers to monitor what students are doing on their calculators in real time. “What you need to see is how they are thinking,” Zimny says. “That’s where the math concepts come in and misunderstandings come in, and that’s where you want to be able to redirect and guide them.” Instead of exhorting pupils to show 70 October 2011 “What you need to see is how they are thinking. That’s where the misunderstandings come in.” — Judy Zimny, chief program development officer, ASCD their work, Zimny says, teachers can use the TI-Navigator system to assess understanding and tailor lessons at any time. A relative newcomer to the educational technology scene, the nonprofit MIND Research Institute offers a blended approach particularly suited to schools with high ethnic and linguistic diversity. Working in a computer-based, gamelike environment, students guide an animated penguin named Jiji past obstacles by using math. For example, a simple algebra problem shows Jiji standing in front of a gap in her path. Above this obstacle are two Innovative Products and Programs for Teaching Algebra Big Ideas Math www.bigideasmath.com This middle school curriculum was developed by mathematics content experts to provide a “narrow and deep” understanding of foundational math, including topics in algebra. The program blends equal amounts of guided, collaborative discovery learning with direct instruction. Teachers can customize materials online, and the curriculum is designed to be compatible with teaching technologies such as interactive whiteboards. Student textbooks are available online for free for anyone to view or use. Carnegie Learning www.carnegielearning.com The company’s middle school mathematics program, Bridge to Algebra, offers algebra I and algebra II as a blended computer/textbook solution; software and textbooks can also be purchased separately. There is also an integrated secondary program that teaches algebra alongside numerical, geometric and statistical concepts over three courses. Products are based on extensive scientific research on student motivation and learning, and they make use of Cognitive Tutor software, which has demonstrated positive effects on student achievement in algebra across multiple schools and districts. The MIND Research Institute www.mindresearch.net Algebra Readiness and Secondary Intervention courses blend software with text-based algebra curricula based on psychological research. The MIND Research Institute’s innovative “Spatial-Temporal” approach introduces algebraic concepts visually in a gamelike environment first, and incorporates mathematical language and symbols later. The Institute also offers a K5 curriculum that links music and math for increased student motivation and enhanced academic performance. Pearson’s Digits www.digitsmath.com A Web-based middle school mathematics curriculum released in 2010, Digits personalizes lessons and study plans for each student and automates many of the administrative tasks of teaching, such as correcting homework and designing tests. Written to align with the Common Core State Standards, Digits can be used with just a teacher’s computer and projector, but it also features activities that use interactive whiteboards for whole class collaboration. Although the program is too new for independent published research, Pearson has field-tested it with two classes of seventhgrade students. District Administration http://www.bigideasmath.com http://www.mindresearch.net http://www.digitsmath.com http://www.carnegielearning.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - October 2011

District Administration - October 2011
Contents
From the Editor
Letters
News Update
Transportation Update
District Profile
Administrator Profile
Building a Blended Learning Program
How Are Science Fairs Fairing?
A New Age for Algebra
Early College High Schools
Changing of the Guard in Florida
CIO News
How Much Computing Power Do You Need?
An Unconventional Approach to 1:1
New Books
Problem/ Solution
Research Center
Product Focus
New Products
Professional Opinion
Going Mobile
Online Edge

District Administration - October 2011