SBIR Phase I: Hands-on Learning Platform for Middle School Mathematics

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目的更广泛影响是将动手学习和基于计算机的学习相结合，教授数学与物理结构的关系。学习体验是为台式机和平板电脑以及增强现实耳机设计的。这个项目基于这样一个理念，即创造力可以打开大门，理解一个人的想象力和课堂上教授的技能之间的关系。掌握中学数学的抽象概念是至关重要的。建议的系统将创造性的想法映射到抽象的数学概念，支持将数学概念的知识转化为现实世界的能力，并适用于整个K-16教育空间。这个小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目将支持由物联网硬件设备、构建知识引擎和学习模块应用程序组成的学习平台的研发。该项目使用陈述性学习和程序性学习，通过合并物理、虚拟和计算世界来创造性地解决问题，并使用构建、感觉制造和综合学习框架来发展空间思维和精细运动灵活性技能。该系统由可连接的块组成，这些块呈现要分析的数学和结构特征的虚拟模型。该项目将通过开发试点中学数学课程、创建制造技术设计以及验证大规模部署的任务来设计原型。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is the integration of hands-on and computer-based learning to teach the relationship of mathematics to physical constructions. The learning experience is designed for desktop and tablet computers as well as augmented reality headsets. This project is founded on the idea that creativity can open the door to understanding the relationship between one’s imagination and skills that are taught in the classroom. Mastering the abstract concepts of middle-school math is critical. The proposed system maps creative ideas to abstract mathematical concepts, supporting the ability to transfer knowledge of mathematical concepts to real-world situation, and adaptable to the entire K-16 education space. This Small Business Innovation Research Phase 1 project will support the research and development of a learning platform consisting of Internet-of-Things hardware devices, a construction knowledge engine and learning module applications. The project uses both declarative and procedural learning by merging the physical, virtual, and computational worlds for creative problem-solving, and spatial thinking and fine motor dexterity skills development using a building, sense-making, and synthesis learning framework. This system consists of connectable blocks that render a virtual model to be analyzed for mathematical and structural features. The project will design a prototype through the tasks of development of the pilot middle school mathematics curriculum, creation of technical designs for manufacturing, and validation for deployment at scale.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.