Precision Math: Using Interactive Gaming Technology to Build Student Proficiency in the Foundational Concepts and Problem Solving Skills of Measurement and Data Analysis

探索研究K-12计划(DRK-12)旨在通过研究和开发创新资源、模型和工具，显著提高K-12学龄前学生和教师在科学、技术、工程和数学(STEM)方面的学习和教学。DRK-12计划中的项目建立在STEM教育的基础研究和先前的研究和开发工作的基础上，这些研究和开发工作为拟议的项目提供了理论和经验证明。扎实的测量和数据分析知识对于确保整个国家的竞争力和所有学生充分获得教育和工作机会至关重要。尽管这很重要，但相当多的美国学生，特别是来自贫困和少数族裔背景的学生，在这两个领域的数学上举步维艰。这个为期4年的研究和开发项目名为精密数学(PM)：培养学生熟练掌握测量和数据分析的基本概念和解决问题的技能，旨在通过发展侧重于关键测量和数据分析技能的数学干预来提高学生的数学成绩。PM干预将为一年级和二年级的学生设计，他们正在经历数学困难。为了提高学生的数学成绩，干预措施将包括：(A)以技术为基础的组成部分，为学生提供个性化教学；(B)动手活动，为学生提供机会，与他们的老师和同龄人就关键的测量和数据分析概念进行互动。该项目的主要活动将包括干预措施开发、试点测试、数据分析和干预措施修订。PM的一个主要好处是，它将为苦苦挣扎的学习者提供有意义的途径，了解共同核心国家标准倡议中确定的关键概念和技能。另一个好处是，它将被设计为学生理解更高级的数学概念的基础，这些概念在以后的年级中引入。PM有潜力解决美国教育中一个令人担忧的差距。到目前为止，干预研究的重点是测量和数据分析，熟练的测量和数据分析是在STEM领域获得职业的关键。这个项目的主要目标是开发PM，这是一种数学干预措施，旨在向有风险的一年级和二年级学生传授测量和数据分析的关键概念。干预活动将包括以技术为基础的协作解决问题活动。在每个年级，干预将提供20小时的指导，重点是共同核心国家标准中确定的主题。该项目的一个主要目标是使用设计科学方法制定干预措施，包括将指导迭代测试和修订周期的定性和定量研究方法混合在一起。第二个主要目标是测试干预措施对提高学生数学成绩的承诺。将在一年级和二年级教室中对700多名高危学生进行严格的试点研究(即随机对照试验)。在教室内，学生将被随机分配到治疗(PM)或控制条件(一切照常)。将讨论两个研究问题：(A)当干预在真实的教育环境中提供时，潜在的前景是什么？(B)基于经验证据，是否有必要修改干预的变革理论？干预效果的主效应检验将采用协方差模型分析，并对前测分数进行调整。所产生的结果预计将有助于为高危学习者提供关于STEM早期学习的知识库。

The Discovery Research K-12 program (DRK-12) seeks to significantly enhance the learning and teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by preK-12 students and teachers, through research and development of innovative resources, models and tools. Projects in the DRK-12 program build on fundamental research in STEM education and prior research and development efforts that provide theoretical and empirical justification for proposed projects.Strong knowledge of measurement and data analysis is essential to ensure competiveness of the nation as a whole and full access to educational and work opportunities for all students. Despite this importance, a considerable number of U.S. students, particularly students from poor and minority backgrounds, struggle with these two areas of mathematics. The purpose of this 4-year Research and Development project, Precision Mathematics (PM): Building Student Proficiency in the Foundational Concepts and Problem Solving Skills of Measurement and Data Analysis, is to improve student mathematics achievement by developing a mathematics intervention focused on key measurement and data analysis skills. The PM intervention will be designed for first and second grade students who are experiencing mathematics difficulties. To increase student mathematics achievement, the intervention will include: (a) a technology-based component that will provide students with individualized instruction and (b) hands-on activities that will offer opportunities for students to interact with their teacher and peers around critical measurement and data analysis concepts. Primary activities of the project will include intervention development, pilot testing, data analysis, and intervention revision. One primary benefit of PM is that it will provide struggling learners with meaningful access to critical concepts and skills identified in the Common Core State Standards Initiative. Another benefit is that will be designed to serve as a foundation for students to understand more advanced mathematical concepts introduced in the later grades. PM has the potential to address a concerning gap in U.S. education. To date, intervention research focused on measurement and data analysis is scant.Proficiency with measurement and data analysis is essential for obtaining occupations in the STEM fields. A primary aim of this project is to develop PM, a mathematics intervention designed to teach key concepts of measurement and data analysis to at-risk 1st and 2nd grade students. Comprising the intervention will be technology-based and collaborative problem-solving activities. At each grade, the intervention will provide 20 hours of instruction focused on topics identified in the Common Core State Standards. A primary aim of the project is to develop the intervention using a design science approach, including a mix of qualitative and quantitative research methods that will guide iterative testing and revision cycles. A second primary aim is to test the promise of the intervention to improve student mathematics achievement. Rigorous pilot studies (i.e., randomized controlled trials) will be conducted in 1st and 2nd grade classrooms involving over 700 at-risk students. Within classrooms, students will be randomly assigned to treatment (PM) or control conditions (business as usual). Two research questions will be addressed: (a) What is the potential promise of the intervention when delivered in authentic education settings? (b) Based on empirical evidence, are revisions to the intervention's theory of change necessary? Tests of main effects of intervention effects will be conducted using analysis of covariance models, adjusting for pretest scores. Generated findings are anticipated to contribute to the knowledge base on early STEM learning for at-risk learners.