FluidMath Supplemental Content for Algebra Learning

描述(申请人提供)：本文提出的第二阶段研究和开发工作的总体目标是将FluidMath的核心示例题库商业化，使用这些题库将增加学生对基本数学原理的理解，并提高他们的数学考试成绩。Fluidity Software，Inc.开发的FluidMath是一个教育软件平台，使教师和学生能够通过自己手写的数学符号和草图，在平板电脑或交互式白板(IWB)的屏幕上使用电子触笔创建、求解、绘制图形和制作数学问题动画。Fluidity最近发布了FluidMath版本1，作为基础代数课程的干预工具。在与这项第二阶段提案相关的研究的第一阶段，流畅性为FluidMath构建了原型核心示例问题，其中包括教师推荐的功能，该功能优化了FluidMath的教学功能。课堂上使用这些示例问题影响了学生对数学原理的理解，并提高了学生的表现，这一点从较高的考试成绩中可见一斑。第一阶段的试点研究涉及8名教师和229名学生，证明了使用FluidMath软件作为一个平台的可行性，在这个平台上，可以对基本的代数特定功能和内容进行分层，并用于课堂教学。在第一阶段，研究表明，当教师在课堂上解决优化了FluidMath平台教学功能的示例问题时，学生对数学课程的参与程度有所提高，他们的数学成绩平均比使用其他方法教学时提高了约10%。在第二阶段，流动性，与莱斯利大学的程序评估和研究小组(PERG)合作，将与大约36名教师和大约1200名学生合作，并通过开发一个用FluidMath解决的商业级别的代数例题库，在成功完成的第一阶段的基础上再接再厉。在第二阶段，研究和开发团队将反复开发每个示例问题，并通过部署具有新功能和用户界面(UI)技术的示例问题来评估其研究和开发工作，以便从在课堂上使用这些问题的教师那里获得关于学生影响的实时反馈。本文提出的产品--使用FluidMath教授基础代数的核心范例题库，将为FluidMath提供旨在提高学生表现的内容。该银行将包括约75个核心问题，包括由软件开发人员、数学教育专家、专家教师和实习数学教师创建的解决方案和解释。该题库将涵盖基本的代数课程，并将包括适合出售给初中和高中教师和学生并广泛使用的商业评分软件。在第二阶段结束时，流动度将拥有一款适合广泛使用的强大产品，由于其独特的功能，有可能重振我国学校的数学教学，提高学生的数学成绩。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The overall objective of the Phase II research and development work proposed herein is to commercialize a bank of core example problems for FluidMath, the use of which will increase student understanding of basic math principles and improve their scores on math tests. Fluidity Software, Inc., developed FluidMath as an educational software platform which enables teachers and students to create, solve, graph and animate math problems using an electronic stylus on the screen of a Tablet PC or an Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) via their own hand-written math symbols and sketches. Fluidity recently released Version 1 of FluidMath for use as an intervention for basic algebra curricula. In Phase I of the study linked to this Phase II proposal, Fluidity built prototype core example problems for FluidMath that included teacher recommended functionality which optimized the didactic features of FluidMath. Classroom use of these example problems impacted student understanding of math principles and improved student performance as demonstrated by higher test scores. Phase I pilot studies involving 8 teachers and 229 students proved the feasibility of using FluidMath software as a platform upon which basic algebra specific functionality and content can be layered and used for teaching in the classroom. In Phase I, it was shown that when teachers solve example problems in class which optimize the didactic features of the FluidMath platform, student participation in math classes improved and their math scores, on average, increased by about 10% compared to when they were taught with other means. In Phase II, Fluidity, collaborating with the Program Evaluation and Research Group (PERG) at Lesley University, will work with about 36 teachers and about 1200 students and build on a successfully completed Phase I by developing a commercial-grade bank of algebra example problems solved with FluidMath. During Phase II, the research and development team will iteratively develop each example problem and evaluate its research and development work by deploying the example problems with new features and user interface (UI) techniques to receive real-time feedback on student impact from the teachers using these problems in their classes. The product proposed herein, A Bank of Core Example Problems for Teaching Basic Algebra using FluidMath, will provide content for FluidMath aimed at improving student performance. The bank will include about 75 core problems comprising solutions and explanations created by software developers, math education experts, expert teachers and practicing math teachers. The bank of problems will cover basic algebra curricula and will comprise commercial grade software suitable for sale to, and widespread use by, middle and high school teachers and students. At the end of Phase II, Fluidity will have a robust product suitable for widespread use that, because of its unique functionality, has the potential to revitalize the teaching of math in our nation's schools and improve students' math scores.