Technology Tools
Classroom Inc.
The Sports Network-2, learning game focused on reading ...
Technology Tools
Hofstra University
Technology Tools
Technology Tools
Educators increasingly rely on education technology tools as they shift instruction, redefine teacher roles, and design learning experiences that reflect how students actually learn. Technology should never lead the design of learning. But when used intentionally, it can personalize instruction, enrich learning environments, and help students master critical skills.
The Innovation: WISEngineering
Mathematics studies can be especially problematic for struggling students who attend schools that lack the resources to assist and engage them. WISEngineering offers a freely accessible solution: a technology-based middle school math curriculum delivery, assessment, and feedback system. The system is robust enough to be successfully implemented on limited available computers. The hands-on assignments engage students as they create and construct solutions to virtual, open-ended engineering challenges that require application of targeted concepts in the Common Core State Standards. The system currently includes three curriculum units:
- Community Center (CC): Students learn how to calculate area, volume, and to understand spatial reasoning as they plan, design and build a paper model of a community center using paper nets of different sizes and shapes. Common Core Standards 7.G.1 - 6
- Community Garden (CG): Students learn about unit price and unit rate of change, as well as proportions as they plan, design and create a paper model (pop-up) of a community garden that includes different types of vegetables – all of different heights and of different costs. Common Core Standards 7RP.1 - 3
- Balancing Act (BA): Students learn algebra related skills, such as solving for x and balancing equations. The entire lesson is done on the computer as students plan and engineer a virtual see-saw.
Sample Design Exercise
Results Achieved
Seventh graders in a general math class at two low performing schools participated in the study. Pre-post assessments, program-based standardized test results, and teacher and student self-reports demonstrated that students improved their performance in the program’s targeted content areas. Students also reported that they were better able to not only work on relevant math problems, but also to work with classmates on design problems. They expressed an increased awareness of the value of engineering.
The Grant Project
The project team developed the WISEngineering website and curriculum modules; trained teachers; conducted classes; and assessed student performance.
Partners:
- University of Virginia (Jennie Chiu, Assistant Professor of STEM Education)
- Graduate Center of the City University of New York (Dr. Deborah Hecht, Co-Director, Center for Advanced Study in Education)
- Paterson School District (NJ)
Long term Goals: Significant improvement in content learning, engagement, and disposition toward mathematics and engineering for students, including traditionally underrepresented populations, with these objectives:
- To implement units in more than 25 states and five countries
- To expand curriculum to encompass at least grades five through eight, in math and other content areas such as science, history, and art
- To create new digitally fabricated and simulated design experiences to foster students’ deeper understanding of concepts, and to develop a tablet version.
Student Comments
"I learned how a CC (community center) can benefit the community, what were specifications and constraints, but most importantly how to work in groups with people that were trying to make their building a true master."
"This activity made me feel like an engineer. This activity was challenging and I like challenges."
"It makes learning more fun and easier. It's easier to understand and is very interesting and a good experience."