Math Snacks: Addressing Gaps in Conceptual Mathematics Understanding with Innovative Media

由新墨西哥州立大学数学和教育学院领导的“数学零食：用创新媒体解决概念数学理解的差距”项目正在开发和评估15 - 20个简短的计算机动画和游戏的有效性，这些动画和游戏旨在：(1)提高学生的学习能力；初中数学特别问题题的概念理解(2)提高学生的数学过程技能，重点是数学思维和数学说话的能力。本项目的基本研究问题是，计划收集的电脑动画和游戏是否可以为那些在中学数学核心概念上遇到困难的学生提供有效的策略，以及相同的材料是否可以成为普通课堂教学的有用工具。该项目正在开发和测试一套广泛的此类学习工具的有效性，以及根据需要帮助学习者发展概念理解的配套印刷材料，以及记录模范教师使用开发材料与学生进行最佳实践的短视频剪辑。一项针对三年级的试点研究和一项针对四年级的实质性随机对照试验正在测试使用Math Snacks软件对学生中学数学学习和记忆的影响，这是通过新墨西哥州数学评估的分类表现来衡量的。因此，该项目将制作软件小程序、教师材料以及关于其使用效果的有用经验证据。Math Snacks项目的主要特点之一是开发一种中介游戏和模拟形式，使学生可以在正常课堂环境之外的媒体和游戏玩家中使用，这些媒体和游戏玩家在当今年轻人中无处不在，很受欢迎。因此，该项目有望利用非正式环境中的学习来增强传统的学校体验。

DRL: DR K-12PI: WiburgAbstractThis project Math Snacks: Addressing Gaps in Conceptual Mathematics Understanding with Innovative Media, led by mathematics and education faculty at New Mexico State University, is developing and evaluating effectiveness of 15 - 20 short computer mediated animations and games that are designed to: (1) increase students? conceptual understanding in especially problematic topics of middle grades mathematics; and (2) increase students' mathematics process skills with a focus on capabilities to think and talk mathematically. The basic research question of the project is whether the planned collection of computer-mediated animations and games can provide an effective strategy for helping students who experience difficulty with core middle grades mathematics concepts and whether the same material can be a useful tool for ordinary classroom instruction. The project is developing and testing the effectiveness of an extensive set of such learning tools, companion print materials as needed to assist learners in developing conceptual understanding, and short video clips documenting best practices by exemplary teachers using the developed materials with students.A pilot study in year 3 and a substantial randomized control trial in year 4 are testing the effects of using the Math Snacks software on student learning and retention of middle school mathematics, as measured by performance on disaggregated strands of New Mexico state mathematics assessments. Thus the project will produce software applets, teacher materials, and useful empirical evidence about the efficacy of their use.One of the key features of the Math Snacks project is development of the mediated games and simulations in a form that can be used by students outside of normal classroom settings on media and game players that are ubiquitous and popular among today's young people. Thus the project holds the promise of exploiting learning in informal settings to enhance traditional school experiences.