Planning a Rigorous Experimental Trial of SimCalc's Approach to Increasing Access to Complex Mathematical Ideas

这笔规划赠款将使技术和课程项目(SimCalc)能够过渡到更大规模、更严格的测试，该项目的目标是通过将动态的、基于计算机的表征工具纳入中学生的课堂体验，使变化和变化的数学普遍可用。SimCalc的目标是让学生在没有代数先决条件的情况下就能获得像“Rate”这样的数学概念，并突破K-12学习者所能掌握的界限。SimCalc是在各种环境下开发和测试的，包括两个州表现最差的一些地区，以及一个只有35%的学生将英语作为第一语言的班级。规划过程中的合作将有助于设计严格的实验，分析如何在不同的教育环境中与不同的学生以及对技术的成熟程度和舒适度不同的教师产生期望的效果。这项长期研究的结果可能会影响对所有学生可能实现的“高期望”的理解，以及技术、课程和教师支持在实现这些期望方面的作用。

This planning grant will enable the transition to larger-scale, more rigorous testing of a technology and curriculum project (SimCalc) whose aim is to make generally available the mathematics of change and variation by incorporating dynamic, computer-based representational tools into the classroom experience of middle-school children. SimCalc's aim is to make mathematical concepts such as "rate" become available to students without an algebra prerequisite, and push the boundaries of what K-12 learners can master. SimCalc was developed and tested in variety of settings including some of the lowest performing districts in two states, and one class in which English was a first language for only 35% of the students. The collaborations in the planning process will help design rigorous experiment that will analyze how to produce the desired effects with diverse students in varied educational settings and with teachers who vary in their sophistication about and comfort with technology. Findings from the long-term research could influence an understanding of what "high expectations" are possible to achieve for all students, and the role of technology, curriculum, and teacher support in reaching those expectations.