WGIDPO: Gaining Confidence in Math: Instructional Technology for Girls

数学是女生参与科学和工程职业的关键过滤器，然而许多女生不喜欢和回避数学，因此对大学理科专业和研究生课程准备不足。该项目的目标是通过智能计算机教学技术的力量，提高女孩对数学的兴趣和对自己学习数学能力的信心。在与教师合作伙伴（课堂教师、数学和计算机专家）的合作下，获奖者开发了一个名为“鲸鱼观察”（WhaleWatch）的计算机家教，用于向小学男女学生教授分数。初步实验表明，与鲸鱼观察组织合作的女孩表现出增强的数学自我概念，并且对动物观察组织的价值也更高，包括a) 20小时的数学活动和生物；B)广泛的图形和可视化教学工具；c)加强教学和帮助功能，为每个学生的进步量身定制。动物观察对女孩数学自我概念的影响，她们对数学学习价值的信念，以及她们对数学表现的情绪和归因，将在合作学区的五年级教室中进行评估，以确定对女孩最有利的学习条件。动物观察对教师对女学生期望的影响也将被评估。为了实现数学教学的系统性变革，教师将获得动物观察的使用培训，并将通过CD-ROM分发。

Mathematics is a critical filter for girls' participation in science and engineering careers, yet many girls dislike and avoid math, and are therefore underprepared for college science majors and graduate programs. The goal of this project is to increase girls' interest in math and their confidence in their ability to learn math, through the power of intelligent computer instructional technology. In collaboration with teacher partners (classroom teachers, and math and computer specialists) the awardee has developed a computer tutor, WhaleWatch, for teaching fractions to elementary school girls and boys. Preliminary experiments indicate that girls who work with WhaleWatch show enhanced math self concept and also place a higher value on the AnimalWatch, to include a) 20 hours of mathematics activities and biology; b) extensive graphics and visualization tools for instruction; and c) enhanced instruction and help features that are individually tailored to each student's progress. The impact of AnimalWatch on girls' math self concept, their beliefs in the value of learning math, and their emotions and attributions about math performance will be evaluated in fifth grade classrooms in collaborating school districts, to identify the learning conditions that are most beneficial for girls. The effects of AnimalWatch on teachers' expectations about female students will also be evaluated. To effect systemic change in math instruction, teachers will be provided with and trained in the use of AnimalWatch, which will be distributed via CD-ROM.